LIFE IN IRELAND 297 



talent, he merely commanded the regiment, because he 

 was the first man of consequence and property in the 

 county to which the regiment belonged, and he knew 

 that his example strengthened the ranks, and did good 

 to the national government. 



He had never been tried in battle, but his courage 

 was undisputed ; and had a chance occurred, he would 

 have led his regiment to the contest with valour, if not 

 with DISCRETION ; and though 



' The better part of valour is discretion,' 



it is not in Ireland that it is so : if the officer is brave, 

 the men will follow wherever he leads. And as a 

 Paddy once said, upon a forlorn hope, to the men 

 who were under his orders as a serjeant — Our officer is 

 going to be blown up, and we must in duty be blown 

 up with him, and so good luck to us all ; the men 

 repeated the Serjeant's words — they marched, and all 

 were blown up together. 



Sir Shawn's example peopled the regiment with 

 fine fellows; he wanted no emolument, and his men 

 received the benefit of all he received from the govern- 

 ment. 



A finer set of men could not be seen ; and as Brian 

 drew up at the west of the line, and with Lady Demi- 

 quaver under his arm, marched in front, he declared — 

 'That Sir Shawn O'Dogherty's Regiment was almost 

 equal to the Gahvay Militia' 



I never understood, said his fair companion, that the 

 Gahvay Militia was famous for anything but being 

 under the orders of Dick Martin, and going round the 

 country to catch the smugglers. 



