wenty miles of the way. At last, however, the cabin became intolerably
hot. Something like twenty-four souls were imprisoned in a space ten
feet by three, which the humanity of the company of directors kindly
limits to forty-eight, a number which no human ingenuity could pack into
it, if living. The majority of the passengers were what by courtesy are
called 'small farmers,' namely, individuals weighing from eighteen to
six-and-twenty stone; priests, with backs like the gable of a chapel;
and a sprinkling of elderly ladies from the bog towns along the bank,
who actually resembled turf clamps in their proportions. We made an
effort to reach the door, and having at length succeeded, found to
our sorrow that the rain was falling heavily. Notwithstanding this,
we remained without, as long as we could venture, the oppressive
heat within being far more intolerable than even the rain. At length,
however, wet through and cold, we squeezed ourselves into a small corner
near the door, and sat down. But what a change had our unpropitious
presence evoked. We left our fellow-travellers, a noisy, jolly,
semi-riotous party, disputing over the markets, censuring Sir Robert,
abusing the poor-rates, and discussing various matters of foreign and
domestic policy, from Shah Shoojah to subsoil ploughs. A dirty pack of
cards, and even punch, were adding their fascinations to while away the
tedious hours; but now the company sat in solemn silence. The ladies
looked straight before them, without a muscle of their faces moving;
the farmers had lifted the collars of their frieze coats, and concealed
their hands within their sleeves, so as to be perfectly invisible; and
the reverend fathers, putting on dark and dangerous looks, spoke only
in monosyllables, no longer sipped their liquor in comfort, but rang
the bell from time to time, and ordered "another beverage," a curious
smoking compound, that to our un-Matthewed senses, savoured suspiciously
of whiskey.

It was a dark night when we reached the "Pig and Pot-hooks," the
hostelry whence Mr. O'Leary had addressed us; and although not yet eight
o'clock, no appearance of light, nor any stir, announced that the family
were about. After some little delay, our summons was answered by a
bare-legged handmaiden, who, to our question if Mr. O'Leary stopped
there, without further hesitation opened a small door to the left, and
introduced us bodily into his august presence.

Our travelled friend was seated