LIFE IN IRELAND 305 



well he had Sir Shawn O'Dogherty for a/^j7;mj-/^^ 

 as well as Colonel, or he wouldn't have sported more 

 than the beggar's dish (in English, Irish stew, in Spcmish, 

 alia podridez), made up from the week's dish, scrapings, 

 and a tough old barn-door beauty. 



But now all was in apple-pie order, and all were well 

 satisfied. Sir Shawn exerted himself to the utmost, 

 and he had an excellent second in Lady Demiquaver ! 

 nor was Brian Boru idle ; he kept the middle of the 

 long run (Darey's Committee Table) in good spirits ; 

 and Major Grammachree dealt out the spirits most 

 plentifully amongst the spirited lads and lasses at the 

 lower end of the board. 



The ladies removed into the inner apartment, and 

 the Baronet, who loved close sitting, made a move to 

 the fireside, where a right jovial circle was formed, and 

 the claret vanished like a fountain running into the 

 sea — 



' Awful and deep, 

 A blank abyss of drink. ' 



The chaplain said grace over many a bumper, and 

 the doctor took in the stuff as if it were anything but 

 physic. 



The younglings were well broken in, and did ample 

 justice to their host's liberality. 



A toast, said Sir Shawn^,— here is 'what the ladies 

 took out with them,' three times three. What do you 

 mean ? said a little impudent Kilkenny girl, just in her 

 teens, and panting to be out of them ; she had been 

 listening at the door, and opened it with her 'What do 

 you mean ? sure and no one took nothing out but me, 

 u 



