2.S2 LIFE IN IRELi\ND 



many of them have suffered for their temerity on such 

 occasions. 



At the entrance of the yard they were agreeably sur- 

 prised by the appearance of Sir Shawn O'Dogherty, 

 who presented Brian with his discharge. Why, how's 

 this, said Brian; impossible. 'Tis true, said the 

 Baronet, your debts are heavy, but I have become 

 security for their payment in three years. My fortune 

 is large — so is my expenditure profuse ; but if there is 

 a necessity for curtailment, I can endure it for the sake 

 of a friend. Grammachree is gone to Gal way, and I 

 hope you will find things better than you expect : in 

 the meantime, let this be a lesson to you, never to put 

 faith in a strumpet again. I am rather myself a liber- 

 tine, but I never go astray but as a gentleman. If I 

 dip into Low Life occasionally, it is to mark the 

 peculiarities of my countrymen's situations, tastes, and 

 sufferings, in order that I may know how to serve them 

 at a future day, when I shall be a member of the great 

 council of the nation. You are a gentleman, and may 

 with ease associate with the rabble for amusement, and 

 be a gentleman still. I am not sorry you have had this 

 small punishment upon your pride and feelings ; you 

 are now free, and if you continue to follow my foot- 

 steps, you shall enjoy Life in Ireland as a rational 

 being, and never stumble again. 



Brian could scarce repress a starting tear, as he 

 squeezed the hand of his real friend, and said, God 

 bless you. — No compliments, said the Baronet; as our 

 friend Blake cannot emerge with us from 



' Durance vile,' 



