Oath as to the Age of Cattle. 233 



To one of the society's regulations t think 

 a material objection may be taken. The cer- 

 tificates of the ages of the stock are delivered 

 on oath by the bailiffs ! There is something in 

 the exaction of a sacred affirmation on this 

 occasion which does not comport with my feel- 

 ings : if the protestation of the servant, sanc- 

 tioned by the principal, whose honor is pledged, 

 be not sufficient to prevent improper claims,. 

 I should have little reliance on an extra-judicial 

 oath, punishable only by contempt ; which 

 would equally attach to an unattested decla- 

 ration. The practice any where would be 

 highly objectionable ; but in Ireland, where the 

 word of honour is held in such high respect, 

 it seems extraordinary that an oath should be 

 required. 



The company assembled were very numer- 

 ous ; one hundred and sixty gentlemen sat down 

 to dinner, the expenses of which were mo- 

 derate. At a fixed hour the party broke up ; 

 and a supper, for those who were inclined to 

 partake of it, was prepared in a room below. 

 I never was present at a better conducted 

 assembly where more spirit seemed to pre- 

 vail, or more solicitude was manifested to pro- 

 mote the great object for which they had met, 

 that of furthering the patriotic labors of the 

 institution, from which the most important 



