LIFE IN IRELAND 311 



said he, as he seized the wooden leg and commenced 

 buckhng it on. — 'Tis a mighty line fit, and not above 

 half a foot too long, which is a trifle in leg measuremefit. 

 — Your Honour, says Tim, the kg man says you are so 

 good a friend of his, that he will make you up a score 

 in a wicker basket, at half price, which your servant can 

 carry on his back as aisy as a knapsack. 



I '11 never say no to a good offer, and I take him at 

 his word ; for as I intend to have a dance to-night with 

 the ladies, possibly I may fracture two or three before 

 I have done. 



The Major was now once more on his leg, and 

 everything resumed its wonted way. 



Sir Shawn O'Dogherty proposed to adjourn to 

 the ladies ; Brian Boru seconded the motion ; but 

 the general opinion was, that the ladies had better 

 adjourn to them, which was carried in the affirmative. 



Brian Boru volunteered to stand Mercury on the 

 occasion, and soon returned, leading in Lady Demi- 

 quaver, followed by a phalanx of subaltern beauty; 

 and last and least, though prettiest. Miss Ticklespree 

 advanced, with her workbag before her; no, it was not 

 to be seen, she had left it behind — no matter : before 

 the merry dance commenced, the health of her work- 

 bag was drank ; and she tasted the claret, in unison 

 with the rest of the company. 



The tables were now removed, Tom Scott and his 

 three harpers called in, and the merry dance began 

 with true Irish spirit. 



The dance finished, and so did our friends' frohcs 

 and adventures — 'by the powers,' cried Gram, who had 

 just received intelligence of the famine, 'the Dance of 



