ltitude, might
have been easily understood as the accompaniment, if not the direct
exponent, of a bad and remorseless heart. The expression of his mouth
was at the same time both hard and wanton, and his eyes, though full
of a lively lustre, resembled in their brightness those of a serpent or
hyena. His forehead was constructive but low, and, we may say, rather
unintellectual than otherwise. He was without whiskers, a circumstance
which caused a wound on the back part of his jaw to be visible, and
one-half of the left-hand little finger had been shot off in defence of
his church and country, according to his own account. This was a subject
however, upon which he always affected a good deal of mystery when
conversing with the people, or we should say, he took care to throw out
such oracular insinuations of what he had suffered in their defence, as,
according to their opinion, almost constituted him a martyr. In size
he was somewhat above the middle height, compact, and exceedingly well
built. His chest was deep and his shoulders powerful, whilst his limbs
were full of muscular strength and great activity.

Having thus given a portrait of his person, it only remains that we
describe his costume as he appeared on the Sunday in question, and we
do so because it may be right to inform our readers, in the outset,
that one of his peculiarities was a habit of seldom appearing, for any
lengthened period, in the same dress, or indeed in the same locality.

On this occasion he had on a pair of tight buckskin breeches, top-boots
and spurs--for he mostly went on horseback--a blue body-coat, with
bright gilt buttons, a buff cassimere waistcoat, and a very fashionable
hat.

The cravat he wore was of green silk, and was tied in a knot, which
might be understood by the initiated as one that entitled him to their
confidence and respect. Our readers may not be surprised at this, for,
unfortunately so high and bitter have party prejudices and feelings in
our disturbed country run, that the very dress has been often forced to
become symbolic of their spirit and existence.

The chapel green, as we have said, was covered by the great bulk of the
peasantry who were waiting the arrival of the priest. Here was a circle
in which stood some rustic politician, who, having had an opportunity
of getting a glimpse at some newspaper of the day, was retailing its
contents to a greedy circle of listeners about him. There again stood
some well-known s