274 SPORTS AND ANECDOTES. 



which as yet there seems to have been no remedy 

 found. Whilst I have been upholding Paddy's good 

 qualities, and bearing my humble testimony to the 

 fact that I never heard of such a thing as robbery 

 with violence, housebreaking, and such crimes as too 

 often disgrace our own country, I cannot but admit 

 that he is an excitable and somewhat plausible fellow, 

 and under the influence of thrink is as wild as a 

 hawk, and up to any mischief and devilment that 

 comes in his way. He will fight anything, and thinks 

 no more of cracking his neighbour's, or dearest 

 friend's skull, than a monkey does of cracking nuts. 

 He is such a good-hearted fellow as a rule, that he 

 will go out of his way to please you, and if he thinks 

 he cannot manage this by telling the truth and nothing 

 but the truth, he will draw a long bow, as it is termed, 

 and say anything rather than that you should be 

 disappointed. If you are shooting, and wish to find 

 plenty of snipe, he will give you such information 

 as will make you pretty sure that you are going to 

 have a good day, though perhaps there may not be 

 one in the county. " Is it snipe, yer anner, sure 

 it's a great country for snipes, sure, and ar'n't snipes 

 as common as praties hereabouts ; sure the country's 

 jist lousey with them same." Of course, you having 



