32 A LIFE'S WORK IN IRELAND. 



than twenty years ago, walking with a friend who had 

 been at work in the country for many years, he drew 

 my attention to a very fine old man we met, above 

 the class of farmers. " There is an instance of the 

 change in this country," said my friend. " I remem- 

 ber old B. the greatest faction-fighter and leader of a 

 faction in the country." Faction fights went on then 

 at every large fair, unless magistrates and troops were 

 there to stop them (it was before the new police), and 

 often they were not stopped without bloodshed. " At 



that time on Colonel 's estate they could get no 



rent whatever paid, and the agent gave up. One 

 morning old B. walked in to the Colonel and said, " If 

 I get a year's rent paid in a week, will you make me 

 your agent V * If you get me half-a-y ear's rent,' was 

 the answer, ' you shall be agent and welcome.' So 

 B. gathered his faction and went down with a strong 

 band to the estate, and announced his intention of 

 living with his band at free quarters on the tenants 

 tni the year's rent was paid, and on the day week 

 after the first interview the Colonel foimd the year's 

 rent on his breakfast table." 



At and after this time, to keep up his prestige, at 

 the principal fair in the district, B., arrayed in a 

 cocked hat, and with a broadsword at his side, used 

 to march the fair — i.e. walk round it when thickest 

 with his greatcoat held by one sleeve over his shoulder 

 behind him as a challenge to all the world to dare 

 to tread on it. Just think of the state of society in 



