w's exclamations had ceased, or rather were lost in the loud
cry of sorrow which were uttered by the keeners and friends of the
deceased--they, too, standing somewhat apart from the rest, joined in it
bitterly; and the solitary wail of Mrs. Grimes, differing in character
from that of those who had been trained to modulate the most profound
grief into strains of a melancholy nature, was particularly wild
and impressive. At all events, her Christian demeanor, joined to the
sincerity of her grief, appeased the enmity of many; so true is it that
a soft answer turneth away wrath. I could perceive, however, that the
resentment of Kelly's male relations did not appear to be in any degree
moderated.

The funeral again proceeded, and I remarked that whenever a strange
passenger happened to meet it, he always turned back, and accompanied
it for a short distance, after which he resumed his journey, it being
considered unlucky to omit this visage on meeting a funeral. Denis's
residence was not more than two miles from the churchyard, which was
situated in the town where he had received the fatal blow. As soon as we
had got on about the half of this way, the priest of the parish met
us, and the funeral, after proceeding a few perches more, turned into a
green field, in the corner of which stood a table with the apparatus for
saying mass spread upon it.

The coffin was then laid down once more, immediately before this
temporary altar; and the priest, after having robed himself, the wrong
or the sable side of the vestments out, as is usual in the case of
death, began to celebrate mass for the dead, the congregation all
kneeling. When this was finished, the friends of the deceased approached
the altar, and after some private conversation, the priest turned round,
and inquired aloud--

"Who will give Offerings?"

The people were acquainted with the manner in which this matter is
conducted, and accordingly knew what to do. When the priest put the
question, Denis's brother, who Was a wealthy man, came forward, and laid
down two guineas on the altar; the priest took this up, and putting it
on a plate, set out among the multitude, accompanied by two or three of
those who were best acquainted with the inhabitants of the parish. He
thus continued putting the question, distinctly, after each man had
paid; and according as the money was laid down, those who accompanied
the priest pronounced the name of the person who gave it, so that all
p