199 



Neagh, in the north of Ireland. They sell in 

 Belfast as " fresh water herrings." 



When a young man, I denominated Belfast 

 my favorite home, among my dear friends of 

 the rod and gun. Newry, in the County of 

 Down, was the home of my ancestors. My 

 first crying was behind " Cronebaun " hills, in 

 the County of Wicklow, near the *' Ovoca," 

 famed for "sweetness" and poetic muse of 

 Erin's humble bard, Tom Moore. 



Looking over the Wicklow sands, where many 

 a i)Oor fisherman foundered, in the village^ of 

 " Bed Cross," was the first sight my " mama" 

 got of me ; like a cloistered nun, I was covered 

 in a veil, which, they say, would always keep 

 me from the " briny depths." Many " crosses" 

 have I had since January 14th, 1814, the *'hard 

 winter" which corresponds with that of last 

 year. Mature years of experience make wise 

 men. Forty and one summers having rolled 

 over my head, the dishevelled ringlets of which 

 are now sprinkled with *' honorable grey" — 

 bashful man, hide your blushes — my ruddy tint 

 flies when I tell you, my dear anglers, that my 

 sincere desire is to love every good man, as God 

 * The mansion is roofless, says " Rory O'More." 



