288 LIFE IN IRELAND 



Mooney's flame, and a silver snuff-box for yourself to 

 say mass in, and put on the communion-table right 

 over the mass-book. 



' Pray give Lady Absolutio7i as often and as largely 

 as possible, and offer up a prayer for your grateful 



' humble servant, 



' and sincere friend, 



' BRIAN BORU. 



'Dublin City: 



By the time breakfast was concluded, Mooney 

 entered with an epistle brought by the servant of 

 Major Grammachree, who waited for an answer. 

 Has any accident happened your master? said Brian 

 to the boy in regimentals. No, your Honour, he's 

 mighty well, and just after taking his egg flip for the 

 day, as he has much to go through. Brian opened 

 his letter. By my faith, said he, Grammachree has 

 written the superscription with the stump of his wooden 

 leg dipped in soot. It was not well done, said the 

 half -pay corporal^ who was Grammachree's footman ; 

 and for that raisin my master ordered me to come and 

 explain, that the direction was written by him, and 

 meant for you. 



A mighty considerate fellow, and I marvel if he 

 wTites to his agent in the same intelligent way. Yes, 

 your Honour, said the corporal, all 's one, for who he 

 writes to the hand is just the same, and I always have 

 a march to explain the contents and their meaning. A 

 very good office, indeed. Oh yes, your Honour, very 

 good beyond expression ; I have nothing else to do 

 but interpret for Major Grammachree these seven 



