The year 1822 was remarkable for being what, in Ireland, was emphatically called "a Whiteboy year." Rents were paid only upon compulsion: tithes were not paid at all. The harvest had been indifferent. Wages were low, while the price of food was high. In short, many causes combined to render the peasantry ripe for revolt; and, as on one side there were not wanting leaders to head the movement, so, on the other, there was no lack of governmentspies to fan the flame.

dreadfully over-worked-called "here, there, and everywhere" upon false alarms. At last, as a necessary matter of protection, two or three Peelers were located in almost every respectable house in certain disturbed Baronies. The whole county was in a dreadful state of alarm, activity, and excitement.

The Whiteboy movements, although not confined to one part of the county of Limerick, were remarked as occurring on that side which is bordered by the county of Cork. In a little time, they might be said to radiate from a particular district, and spread even into what, from its extent, has been called "The Yorkshire of Ireland." More troops were poured in to preserve order. The county of Limerick was the principal All was in vain. A regular guerilla warfare prescene where the discontented and disaffected vailed, chiefly for the purpose of obtaining the were concentrated. From time to time, the arms of the military and the police. It was by military force in that county had to be no means an uncommon thing for a sentry, at a augmented, until, at the particular period in country station, to be quietly picked out by the question, there were three or four regiments on steady hand and sure aim of a Whiteboy; the harassing duty. Added to this was the con- shot that gave his death being the sole announcestabulary force, introduced by Sir Robert (then ment of his peril. The service grew Mr.) Peel, while Secretary for Ireland, the mem- dangerous that there arose an evident reluctance, bers of which, after his name, have obtained the on the part of the military, to continue on such sobriquet of "Peelers." An active, effi- alarming duty, and desertions became frequent. cient body of men these Peelers were and On the other hand, the police doggedly did are, although the force, from its original esta- their duty. Of a much higher grade than the orblishment, has been unpopular in Ireland: its dinary "rank and file" of the army-for no man very activity and efficiency may have caused was allowed to enter or remain in the force withthis. Be this as it may, while the bulk of the out an excellent character and a certain degree Irish people, of all classes, cordially fraternize of education-they had a higher estimate of their with the soldiery, they have ever manifested duty, and a stubborn determination to perform a strong dislike to the police. This unfriendly it. They knew, also, that the peasantry hated feeling, too, has been fostered by those who, them, and that even the gentry, whom they from station and property, might have been ex-protected, did not think too favourably of them. pected to entertain gratitude and exercise courtesy towards these protectors of their lives and property.

Whiteboyism increased, notwithstanding the strong military and police force poured into the district. Detachments of infantry were quartered in almost every hamlet. The cavalry were

The Rifle brigade was on duty, in the disturbed district, at the time I have mentioned. The most fatiguing and unpleasant office they had to perform was that of night-patroling. The laws of that time were harsh-indeed, they had been expressly framed to put down the disturbances-and provided that the mere fact of a

B

man's being found out of his own house between, interest for him who studied the human heart, sunset and sunrise, was punishable with seven its passionate throes, its indignant feelings, its years' transportation. This severe enactment wild and strong and lacerated affections. There put a great check, of course, upon nocturnal lay the corpse, with twelve mould candles on a predatory meetings, but many an innocent man table at the feet, and a crucifix at the head. On suffered from the harshness of the law. A her knees, by the bedside, knelt the widowstrong feeling of hostility arose against the actually, and, by an unnatural excitement, renRifle corps for apprehending the suspected. dered temporarily convalescent by the sharp inThis was greatly augmented by what, under any telligence that she had lost the husband of her circumstances, must be considered "an un- heart. By the corpse, on the opposite side, sat toward event." One of the peasantry was met their only child, a lad ten years old, apparently on the high-road after sunset and challenged by unconscious of the full extent of the calamity the patrol. Not giving a satisfactory answer, which had thus early orphaned him. The two his instant apprehension was ordered by the professional Keeners, or hired mourners, were officer in command. He attempted to escape, ranged on either side of the deceased, awaiting a and was in the act of jumping across a deep full audience for their similated grief, and now drain which divided the high-road from the bog, and then muttering fragments of their intended when, fearful that if he did so he might baffle Lament. Around the humble apartment-for pursuit, a sergeant drew a pistol from his belt the peasant's cabin contained only a single room and shot him on the spot.

The unfortunate man was not a Whiteboy. On the contrary, he had steadily resisted the invitations and blandishments of many neighbours who were. He had seen better days and received rather a good education. Knowing the danger of joining the illegal combinations, and daring the peril of being considered luke-warm in what, by a very strong poetical licence, was called the cause of his country," he had kept himself aloof from the proceedings which he did not approve, but would not betray. His family had been subjected, for months past, to the severe privations which poverty causes every where. but particularly in Ireland. His wife had been extremely ill, and, on a sudden change for the worse, his affection had naturally go the better of his personal fear, and he had ventured out, after dusk, to solicit the aid of the nearest dispensary-doctor, when, challenged by the military, he sought safety in flight, and had niet with his untimely fate in the manner I have

described.

All who know anything of the peculiar customs of the south of Ireland must be aware that the peasantry have especial delight in doing honour to the dead. To celebrate "a wake" is with them a matter of social duty. They usually take that manner of testifying, in a merry mood, their grief for the departed. The unfortunate victim of military impetuosity was carried to the nearest public house on the way-side, and when the soldiers told how he had lost his life, "curses not loud but deep" very unequivocally indicated the popular feeling that he was "a murdered man." Entertaining such opinions, it was not likely that his relatives and friends would solicit as a favour, at the hands of his slayers, leave "to keep the wake." They did not ask it perhaps they did not anticipate that their ancient time-honoured custom would be interfered with. Accordingly, they took leave, and a numerous concourse of the peasantry assembled, after dusk, in the cabin of the deceased.

To one who loved the picturesque the scene would have been interesting, for there was all variety of countenance, costume, and manner. But it possessed a far deeper and intenser

-were ranges of stools, three deep, and here and there were deal tables on which stood tobaccopipes, and the more spirited materials for the refreshment and enjoyment which, by a strange constrast with the awful occasion which summoned them together, are considered not only proper but indispensable.

Stealthily and at intervals the friends of the dead man dropped in-for there was an uncertainty whether the military would permit such an assemblage. Before long the room was crowded. All fear gradually subsided, and the party, albeit assembled on a melancholy occasion, soon waxed warm in their merriment. The mirth, however, was hushed-for they had the grace to preserve comparative silence as long as they could-and the stillness was now and then increased when they noticed the voiceless sorrow of the widow, as, pale and emaciated by suffering of mind and body, she knelt by the dead, with his clay-cold hand in hers, and her eyes fixed upon his comely face, now pallid with the hues of death, and placid as that of a sleeping infant. At intervals there rose the melancholy and eloquent wail of the Keeners-wild poetry, in the native language of the country, deeply impassioned and full of the breathing indignation which stirs men's minds to an excitement fitting them for any deed or daring. The Keen told how the dead man had won the hearts of all who knew him; how he had wedded his first love, the pride of their native village; how, when a shadow fell upon his fortunes, that loved one lightened, by sharing, the burthen and the grief; how, amid the desolation, her gentle smile made a bright sunshine in their home; how he fell, in the pride of manhood, a victim without a crime; how there remained his young boy to remember, and, it might be, to avenge his death. As the chief Keener chaunted this Lament, in the expressive and figurative language of their native Ireland, the hearts of her auditory throbbed with deep and varying emotionsorrow swelled into the sterner sense of injury wild indignation flushed the cheek of manhood, and hand was pressed in hand with a fierce pressure, in pledge of grief for the dead, hatred for the slayers, and stern resolve of vengeance.

About nine o'clock the door slowly opened, and a tall man, appareled in the loose great coat (or coat-a-more) which forms the principal dress of the peasantry in that district, stood for some minutes on the threshold, an unobserved spectator. At length he was perceived, and the fact of his arrival was whispered round. Many arose to offer him a seat, which he declined; and all voices joined in a common cry of "Welcome! | Captain. A thousand and a hundred thousand welcomes!"

men exempting the fair sex from any share in this payment. The necessary sum was very speedily collected, and a keg of whiskey, which had never suffered the humiliation of being subjected to the inspection of a gauger, or the indignity of being touched by his rod, and was therefore quite guiltless of paying excise-duty, was procured from the next shebeen (or unlicensed depôt for the sale of "mountain dew") and placed upon the table.

The Stranger, who had appeared quite an obThe stranger returned the salutation cordially, servant of this proceeding, and who-on the but briefly, and proceeded with a slow step to principle of "silence gives consent "-had even where the dead man lay. He gazed upon the been supposed rather to sanction than condemn face for some time, amid the deep silence of all it, suddenly interrupted the arrangements thus around, and, at last, laying his hand on the cold commenced for "making a night of it." He pallid brow, said, in a tone of deep concentrated started up and exclaimed, "Is it thus, and feeling" Farewell, John Sheeham! A better always thus, that I find you, the slaves or the doom is yours than is left for us-to be hunted victims of your besotted senses? Is any thing down like wild beasts, and sent, after the to be done? I look for the man to do it, and I mockery of a trial, from the homes of our fathers find him sunk in drunkenness. Is a secret to be to a far-off land, where even the slavery they kept? It is blabbed on the highway, by the man doom us to is better than this death-in-life, from who suffers drink to steal away his reason. If which caprice or cruelty may hurry us in a I lay down to sleep, I can dream only of moment. Farewell, then; but, by the bright treachery-for this subtle devil can tempt the heaven above us and the green fields around us, truest into a traitor. And now, with the foe alI swear to know neither rest nor quiet until most on the threshold-with the hour of triumph bitter vengeance be taken for this most cruel at hand-with the rich hope of vengeance before and barbarous murder." His cheek flushed-you, there is not a man among you all, bound his eyes flashed-his frame trembled with strong emotion as he sternly made this vow, and, when he ceased to speak, a deep "Amen" was murmured all around by the eager-eyed men who hung upon his slightest word with as trusting and entire a faith, as ever did the followers of the Veiled Prophet upon the mystic revelations which promised them glory upon earth and eternal happiness in heaven.

The widow, roused from the abstraction of grief by the solemn and striking incident which had just occurred, spoke no word, but looked the thanks which she had not voice to utter. When the Stranger laid his hand upon the head of the orphan, and said "He shall be my care, and as I deal by him, may God deal with me!" her long repressed tears gushed forth, in a strong hysteric agony, which was not subdued until her child was placed within her earnest embrace, and kissed again and again-with the widowed mother's solacing remembrance that there remained one yet for whom to live.

The Stranger turned from the corpse, and took his seat amid the guests in that lowly cabin. He was of gigantic mould, with a bold quick glance, and an air of intelligence beyond his apparent station. It was singular how his appearance among them, while it evidently awakened their most respectful attention, chilled and checked the rising mirth of the visitors. After a pause, one of them ventured to hint that the first allowance of liquor had been drunk out, and that "there did not remain an egg-shell full to drink the health of The Captain." There was a murmur of applause at the suggestion. Thus encouraged, another ventured to suggest that a fresh supply be provided at the general expense of the company-the gallantry of the

to me as you are heart and hand, who would not surrender the victory and the vengeance if he were only allowed to drink on until he had reduced himself on a level with the senseless brute. Give me that liquor."

His command was instantly complied with, for he had rare ascendancy over the minds of those who acknowledged him as their leader. Dashing the keg violently against the fire-place, he staved it in, and every drop of its contents-the "fire-water" of the American aborigines-sank into the earthen floor. He flung the vessel into the fire. "There!" he cried, Who serves with me must obey me. When a deed is to be done I demand obedience. When the deed is done, drink if you will, and while you will; but when service is to be performed you shall be sober."

Not a syllable of dissent fell from the lips of those who heard him; not a gesture, not a look indicated anger at what he had done.

"Mark me, my lads," he added; "I have aranged all beyond the chance of defeat. I have sent the main strength of the soldiers on wrong scent four miles beyond Charleville. have laid my plans. Let us on to Churchtown barracks. The sergeant, by whose rash and ready hand our friend has died, remains there with a handful of his comrades. Let us seize him, and give him the doom which he gave the innocent. If they resist we can fire the barracks. But they will never oppose such a force as ours, when we tell them that we want only that one man. If they do, their blood upon their own heads! Who joins me? Who will join in the cry On to Churchtown!' The lips of every man present repeated the cry of "On to Churchtown."