in cases of stolen property; and we
are not wrong in asserting, that many of those misguided creatures, who
too frequently hesitate not to swear falsely on the Word of God, would
suffer death itself sooner than commit a perjury on the Donagh.

* * * * *

The story of the Donagh, the Author has reason to believe, was the means
of first bringing this curious piece of antiquity into notice. There
is little to be added here to what is in the sketch, concerning its
influence over the people, and the use of it as a blessed relic sought
for by those who wished to apply a certain test of guilt or innocence
to such well known thieves as scrupled not to perjure themselves on
the Bible. For this purpose it was a perfect conscience-trap, the most
hardened miscreant never having been known to risk a false oath upon it.
Many singular anecdotes are related concerning it.

The Author feels great pleasure in subjoining two very interesting
letters upon the subject--one from an accomplished scholar, the late
Rev. Dr. O'Beirne, master of the! distinguished school of Portora at
Enniskillen; the other from Sir William Betham, one of the soundest and
most learned of our Irish Antiquaries. Both gentlemen differ in their
opinion respecting the antiquity of the Donagh; and, as the author is
incompetent to decide between them, he gives their respective letters to
the public.

""Portora, August 15, 1832.

""My Dear Carleton.--It is well you wrote to me about the Dona. Your
letter, which reached me this day, has proved that I was mistaken in
supposing that the promised drawing was no longer necessary. I had
imagined, that as you must have seen the Dona with Mr. Smith, any
communication from me on the subject must be superfluous. And now that
I have taken up my pen in compliance with your wish, what can I tell you
that you have not perhaps conveyed to yourself by ocular inspection, and
better than I can detail it?

""I accompanied Mr. S. to Brookborough, and asked very particularly
of the old woman, late the possessor of the Dona, what she knew of its
history; but she could say nothing about it, only that it had belonged
to 'The Lord of Enniskillen.' This was the Fermanagh Maguire, who took
an active part in the shocking rebellion of 1641, and was subsequently
executed. His castle, the ruins of which are on the grounds of Portora,
was stormed during the wars of that miserable time. When I entered on my
inquiries for you, I anticipated much