res, lies nearly twenty miles to the west of
Bandon. By this most happy union, she has left three children--two
sons and a daughter.
Thoroughly domestic in all her tastes, with a love of gardening, and a
practical knowledge of all the details of country life, which tend to
make the home so comfortable, her unfailing sweet temper, ready wit and
_espieglerie_, her powers of sympathy and strong common sense, caused
her to be the life and center of her large household. Tenderly attached
to her husband and family, by all of whom she was adored, she used
often to say, with joy and pride, 'They came to her for everything, and
told her everything, and it was a union of perfect love, confidence,
and peace'. In social life she numbered a large circle of friends, to
whom she was deservedly endeared by her many engaging qualities; she
possessed, indeed, a magnetism which drew all hearts towards her. But
seldom could Mrs. Hungerford be induced to leave her picturesque Irish
home, even to pay visits to her friends in England. Her manifold
duties, the cares of a large family, and her incessant literary work
filled up a life that was complete, useful, and congenial, and leaves
behind an irreparable blank.
A brief description of the well-beloved little author and her pretty
home will be interesting to those who knew her not, save through her
works. She was a very tiny woman, but slight and well-proportioned,
with baby hands and feet. The large hazel eyes, that sparkled with fun
and merriment, were shaded by thick curly lashes; a small, determined
mouth and slightly upturned chin gave a piquant expression to the
intelligent face--so bright and vivacious. Her hair, of a fair brown
colour, a little lighter than the eyelashes, was worn piled up on the
top of her head, and broke away into natural curls over a broad and
intellectual brow.
Driving up the hill, past Ballymoden Church, in through the gates of
Castle Barnard, Lord Bandon's beautiful old place covered with ivy, out
through a second gate and over the railway, the gates of St. Brenda are
reached. A private road, about half a mile long, hedged on either side
with privet, hawthorn and golden furze, leads to the avenue proper, the
entrance gate of which is flanked by two handsome deodars. It takes a
few minutes more to arrive at the large square ivy-clad house an
grounds, where beech trees stand on the lawn sloping away down to a
river running at the bottom of a deep valley. The
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