mitting
philosophically to the loss of one half of his beard. Conversation now
commenced, and was carried on by Count O'Halloran with much ability and
spirit, and with such quickness of discrimination and delicacy of taste,
as quite surprised and delighted our hero. To the lady, the count's
attention was first directed: he listened to her as she spoke, bending
with an air of deference and devotion. She made her request for
permission for Major Benson and Captain Williamson to hunt and shoot in
his grounds; this was instantly granted.

'Her ladyship's requests were to him commands,' the count said. 'His
gamekeeper should be instructed to give the gentlemen, her friends,
every liberty, and all possible assistance.'

Then turning to the officers, he said he had just heard that several
regiments of English militia had lately landed in Ireland; that one
regiment was arrived at Killpatrickstown. He rejoiced in the advantages
Ireland, and he hoped he might be permitted to add, England, would
probably derive from the exchange of the militia of both countries;
habits would be improved, ideas enlarged. The two countries have the
same interest; and, from the inhabitants discovering more of each
other's good qualities, and interchanging little good offices in common
life, their esteem and affection for each other would increase, and rest
upon the firm basis of mutual utility.'

To all this Major Benson and Captain Williamson made no reply.

'The major looks so like a stuffed man of straw,' whispered Lady
Dashfort to Lord Colambre; 'and the captain so like the knave of clubs,
putting forth one manly leg.'

Count O'Halloran now turned the conversation to field sports, and then
the captain and major opened at once.

'Pray now, sir?' said the major, 'you fox-hunt in this country, I
suppose; and now do you manage the thing here as we do? Over night, you
know, before the hunt, when the fox is out, stopping up the earths of
the cover we mean to draw, and all the rest for four miles round. Next
morning we assemble at the cover's side, and the huntsman throws in the
hounds. The gossip here is no small part of the entertainment; but as
soon as we hear the hounds give tongue--'

'The favourite hounds,' interposed Williamson.

'The favourite hounds, to be sure,' continued Benson; 'there is a dead
silence, till pug is well out of cover, and the whole pack well in; then
cheer the hounds with tally-ho! till your lungs crack. Away he goes