ISO WHAT I HAVE SEEN WHILE PISHING 



takes ; and it behoves him to be most circumspect 

 in all his doings on that day, for misfortune is at his 

 heels, waiting to pounce. 



You may be as indignant as you like, but, for 

 the remainder of your life, as sure as you see 

 a magpie you will be pleased to see her mate. 

 There can be no truer omen of misfortune than 

 the old-maid magpie. 



I think it only kind to anticipate a difficulty 

 that is sure to be yours in days to come. How far 

 behind may the second bird be, and yet pair with 

 the first? "Almost any distance," is the com- 

 forting answer, but, remember this, he must be 

 hurrying after his old " dummon." 



We caught no glimpse of fairies in the fairy-dell, 

 but, on ascending the next hill for another cut off 

 of jutting land, we saw what is of some importance 

 in Ireland and of more material substance pigs. 



The sight of a cabin, near the road, told us how 

 thirsty we were, and we halted. 



Of course the pig, with its ruling passion to see 

 and be seen, was the animal to grunt a welcome. 

 Irish pigs are most sociable, but it was a cow 

 we desired a sight of. After a little delay we got 

 a nice bowl of milk and, as it was warm, the cow 

 must have been near at hand. 



The absence of the woman who went to fetch 

 the milk for us gave the pigs, which had followed 

 us to just within the door, an opportunity of which 

 they immediately availed themselves to forage. 



