failed him, and the fifer had almost blown
himself into an atrophy. Did I dance? To be sure I did, and right
merrily too. I had such pleasant, fair-haired, rosy, Hebe-like
instructresses, ready to tear each other's eyes out to get me for a
partner. Then, they talked Irish so musically, and put the king's
English to death so charmingly that, notwithstanding the heat and smoke
of the cabin was upon them, and the whiskey did more than heighten the
colour on their lips, they were really enchanting, though stockingless
creatures. It has been truly said, that in the social circle, the
extremes, as to manners, almost meet. These ladies, I suppose, had gone
so far beyond vulgarity, that they were now converging to the superior
tone and frank _degagement_ of the upper classes. Positively it never
struck me that I was in vulgar company. I then, of course, could have
been but an indifferent judge. But I have thought of it often since,
and must say, that in the degrading sense of the word, my company of
that night was not vulgar. It was pastoral, and perhaps barbarous, but
everything was natural, and everything free from pretension. I did not
often again, though I have danced with spirits as unwearied, dance with
a heart so light. During this festive evening I saw no indications of
that pugnacity so inseparable with Irish hilarity, though there were
assembled a dozen of as pretty "broths of boys," as ever practised skull
salutation at Donybrook fair.

At length, about one in the morning, the whiskey had overpowered my
boat's crew, and the whisking myself. They made up a lair for me with
abundant greatcoats in the corner of the room, and my eyes gradually
closed in sleep, catching, till they were finally sealed up, every now
and then, twinklings of bare legs and well-turned ankles, mingled with
the clatter of heavy brogues, and the drone of a bagpipe that had now
superseded the squeak of the fife, and the rattle of the drum.

I certainly did dream, I suppose about an hour after I had fallen
asleep, of the clattering of sticks, the squalling of women, and the
cursing of men; and I felt an indistinct sensation, as if people were
practising leaping over my body, and finally, as if some soft-rounded
figure had caught me in her arms. I was so terribly oppressed with
fatigue that I could not awake; and, as the last part of my dream gave
me so sweet an idea of happiness and security, if I may use the
expression, I shall say,