dmiration which escaped not his own notice.
Their deportment towards him was affectionate and respectful; but none
of them could so far or so easily violate old habits as to address him
according to his own wishes; they therefore avoided addressing him at
all.

The next morning Father Finnerty paid them his purposed visit, and,
as he had promised, arrived in time for breakfast. A few of Denis's
relations were assembled, and in their presence the arrangements
respecting the colt and Denny's clerical prospects were privately
concluded. So far everything was tight; the time of Denny's departure
for Maynooth was to be determined by the answer which Father Finnerty
should receive from the bishop; for an examination must, of course,
take place, which was to be conducted by the prelate, or by some other
clergyman appointed for that purpose. This and the necessary preparation
usual on such occasions, were the only impediments in the way of his
departure for Maynooth, a place associated with so many dreams of that
lowly ambition which the humble circumstances of the peasantry permit
them to entertain.

The Irish people, I need scarcely observe, are a poor people; they are,
also, very probably, for the same reason, an imaginative people; at all
events, they are excited by occurrences which would not produce the same
vivacity of emotion which they experience upon any other people in the
world. This, after all, is but natural; a long endurance of hunger
will render the coarsest food delicious; and, on the contrary, when the
appetite is glutted with the richest viands, it requires a dish whose
flavor is proportionably high and spicy to touch the jaded palate. It
is so with our moral enjoyments. In Ireland, a very simple accession to
their hopes or comforts produces an extraordinary elevation of mind,
and so completely unlocks the sluices of their feelings, that every
consideration is lost in the elation of the moment. At least it was so
in Denis O'Shaughnessy's family upon this occasion.

No sooner had Father Finnerty received the colt, and pledged himself
that Denny should have the place at Maynooth that was then vacant, than
a tumultuous expression of delight burst from his family and relations,
business was then thrown aside for the day; the house was scoured and
set in order, as if it were for a festival; their best apparel was
put on; every eye was bright, every heart throbbed with a delightful
impulse, whilst kindness and h