A SPORTSMAN'S DINNER. 245 



should bring the men on Sunday, and I thought this 

 a good opportunity to ask the question. I opened his 

 bedroom-door softly. ' Sir Mark,' says I, ' where 

 shall I march the men ? ' ' What kind of a day is it ? ' 

 says he. ' Rather wet,' was my answer. ' It's like 

 the night that preceded it,' says he. ' Upon my con- 

 cience, my lad,' he continued, ' my head's not clear 

 enough at present to recollect the exact position of 

 church and chapel ; but take them to the nearest' That 

 is what I call," and the Colonel shook his head gravely, 

 " real Christian feeling." 



" Real Christian feeling," said the Priest, with a groan 

 " is nearly banished from the world. When I went 

 first to Castlebar, to learn Latin from Dan Donovan, 

 my uncle Martin, God be merciful to him ! was parish 

 priest, and Jack Benton was the minister. They agreed 

 like sworn brothers, and no one dared say a word against 

 either in the presence of his friend. Where the priest 

 dined, the curate was sure to be also. They lived in 

 true brotherhood ; and when one happened to be the 

 worse of liquor, why the other would not leave him for 

 a bishopric. The town was the most peaceable place 

 in Connaught ; and how could it be otherwise with such 

 an example ? Many a night I went before them with 

 a lantern, when they carried Carney, the lame fiddler, 

 round the streets, to serenade the ladies. There they 

 would walk like humble Christians, with the cripple 

 in the middle, and neither caring a traneein whether 

 popery or protestantism was at the head of the barrow. 

 Those were blessed days, Colonel. I'll thank you 

 for the canister, that tobacco is excellent, and I'll try 

 another pipeful." 



" Och hone ! " exclaimed the otter-killer, " isn't it 



