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LETTER LVI1I. 



Ballinasloe, Oct. 4, 1815. 



' 



XN the mafty hundred miles we have travelled 

 through this country, we have never, except in 

 one instance, had the least article pilfered at 

 any of the inns. At Athlone, the preceding 

 night, the chambermaid purloined a night rib- 

 band : though in itself of little or no value, the 

 want of it induced me to inquire after it. As 

 soon as the girl was called, she said it must be 

 hidden by the bed clothes, and set about to 

 find it ; but the mode of her examination con- 

 vinced me she had taken it, and on my im- 

 parting my suspicions, she became highly of- 

 fended, and communicated the circumstance to 

 her mistress. The character given of the 

 young woman induced me to acquiesce in her 

 .acquittal, though my servant had not laid 

 down the ribband ten minutes before it was 

 missed. I mention this insignificant occur- 

 rence only as a proof of the general honesty of 

 the servants at the inns, and as being contrary 

 to the opinion and representation of many 



