peak of it with due
respect. Conjecturing that "the baby" must have a fine development, I
ventured to ask what bumps were the most prominent.

She immediately replied, that "number" was as largely developed on his
head as on his Uncle Frederick's. "But there is little use," she said,
"in talking to an unbeliever like you on the subject:--but this I
have to say, now that you are going to Craigduff, beware of Units!
(Edward, recollect you are not to explain.) Mark my words, _Beware of
Units!_ And now, good-night! You are to go, you say, by the early
train, so that I shall not see you in the morning; but when you come
to visit us on your return, I trust you will be able to tell me that
you _did_ beware of Units."

After her departure, in every way, and with all legal ingenuity, did I
tempt the allegiance of her husband, but in vain. At last, when I felt
sure, that my cross-examination had left him no loophole for escape,
he gravely replied--"That he was not yet long enough married to
disobey his wife; but he hoped for better times in the future."

CHAPTER III.

The life of officers in garrison, and the dinners at mess; the charms
of the daughters of Erin, and the splendid residence of viceroyalty;
the Wellington testimonial, and the late Mr Daniel O'Connell--have all
been described by competent and incompetent hands. At the period of my
visit, the Government, prepared for any emergency, had fortified the
barracks throughout the country, and poured a large body of troops
into every available position. There never was a more agreeable time
for those stationed at Dublin. The number of organised forces at the
disposal of the Government was so great, that no alarm of personal
danger prevailed in the capital; while the frightful state of the
provinces (the northern parts excepted) not only drove a number of
families into it, but prevented many from leaving it who otherwise
would have done so. These circumstances served to render the town much
gayer than it would otherwise have been at that period of the year.

The business which took me to Ireland was not finished until the end
of the allotted fortnight. However, I determined to pay my promised
visit at Craigduff. Accordingly I addressed a letter to my respected
relative, stating that three days more were all that were required for
me to remain in Ireland; and that on the fifth I hoped to be with her
at Cheltenham. I need scarcely say that I took care not to alarm the
wo