LIFE IN IRELAND 261 



Glanagab both as a man and a Christian — he, I am 

 sure, gives you good advice. Let me see — 



'To Patrick Moo?iey, in Dublin.' The address is a 

 strange one, and how did it find you out? — One of the 

 sorters at the office is a Cousin German of ray uncle 

 Nelly ; and so being a relation by the mother's side, he 

 always takes care of my letters; and if there was no 

 direction upon them at all at all, he would know they 

 were meant for me, by reason of their being blank. 



The reason is plain, said Brian, but still not under- 

 standable. . 



' Lhckemiti Viliage, 



near Blood and Bones Town, 

 Li77ierick City. 



'Dear F'riend Mooney, — I had the pleasure of 

 your letter, and the prayer-book with the masses came 

 safe : I admire the binding, but think you have paid 

 dear for paying a compliment to me your pastor. 



' I can't do as you want ; I can only give you abso- 

 lution for your past sins, which I do — by God — as for 

 the future, as fast as you commit them, you must send 

 them in a letter to me, and I will wipe them off as well 

 as I can, only don't be hard on me and my conscience, 

 which has become very delicate of late years. All your 

 friends are well, and in inquiring condition. Your 

 aunt Jane was brought to bed of two tivins yesterday, 

 the only children she has had since the death of her 

 husband; and her niece Jenny has put her first bye 

 blow out to nurse, and expects to be married to a sailor 

 in the course of a few hours. I called upon them in 

 bed awhile back, and promised to call again and do 

 the ceremony for them, as that is all they want to make 

 them 7na7i a?id ivife in law. 



