 Section 92 of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. This is a LibraVox recording. All LibraVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibraVox.org. The Royal Story, Volume 10, England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, edited by Eva March Tappin. Section 92, After the Rebellion of 1641, 1653, by Mrs. E. M. Field. This morning's sun rose very brightly. There was not a cloud in all the sky, and I was very glad for, at all times, I loved the sunshine. And on Sunday it seems only right to see it. I dressed quickly and went down into the Great Hall, singing as I went. The Great Wolf Dogs rose up from where they lay by the fire, hard to a fire that burns almost all the year round, for we love the cheerfulness of it. And came barking and thawning upon me. Dogs have a wonderful power of sympathy. If one is sad, they see it, and are gentle in their demonstrations of affection. But when one is glad, they are glad too, and show it with all their might, as these good beasts did now. Ah, Bran, ah, Rory, I said, but you must not forget your master. Pierce wears Pierce, good dogs. At the mention of that name, the dogs suddenly cease their delighted capers, turn their eyes from corner to corner of the room, and wind piteously. He is not here, dear dogs, I said, and I know not how we have the heart to be glad when he is hiding, and Cromwell holds the land. But I think it is just because everything has been so dark that I have the heart to be glad now, because sad times always do give place to better in the end. And so I think it must be soon with us. The terrible Avenger Cromwell has ravaged to his heart's content. It was 1649 when he landed in 1650, soldiers laid down their arms, and last year, 1652, the parliament issued an act vanishing those who had taken a leading part in Sir Felham's revolt and with them strange companions in misfortune, and divided their lands among soldiers and others at their pleasure. My father bore no arms in that rising because for many years he has been afflicted with partial numbness on one side of his body, making him incapable of warfare, strong man though he is yet. I think therefore, although indeed I think we have as little to hope, thus I'm used this morning in the Great Hall until my mother came in, and my father followed her. After them came servants bringing breakfast, as many dishes and as heavy as in the days when the Great Hall was ever filled with guests and retainers, as I trust it may be again. The face will never more be seen here. The King of Spain has a great army of Irish swordsmen now, and France and Poland too are rich in those brave and fearless hearts. What up with the birds my ethnic said my father for long day is never long enough for the child, and as I bent to kiss his hand to kiss my forehead and gracious they gave me leave to sit down at once. So soon as the meal was finished the servants brought mantles, and we went down together to the church, which we see from the windows of the Great Hall. Our island church outside the house is a broad terrace beyond the terrace long slopes of emerald green grass descending to the lake that nestles among its wooded shores and bears on its breast wooded islet or two. On the right hand along promontory jets out into the calm waters and on this the church is built blue hills close the view they might be the end of the world for all I care. Nothing is so dear to me as the lake in the woods and the fertile fields that stretch away left and right where the trees and the shore of the lake is a gay scene on Sunday morning. When the little bell rings for mass and the people come from far and near a foot for more commonly in their boats. They are amphibious like the beavers and learn to swim as soon as they learn to run. Rowing more over is very early learned our flat bottom cuts are not easily overturned. And even if a youngster should contrive the fall into the water, he can swim like any fish in his clothing of home spun can easily be long out and dry up the lake came the boats as I stood waiting for hours. The first thing that comes to hand will do a fire shovel a spade a narrow log for cutting turf a piece of board. Never were there such people as the Irish for contrivance. My father declare something is sure to be ready to hand and vote lagala footnote come what may in the footnote. I watched the crowd assembling some of the men in the old quilted jerkin, which keeps the body warm at home and defends it in battle. There's in the wide and long mantles which cover many deficiencies, some with bare feet others with thick brogues and in blue hose made from beginning to end by their wives who combed the wool and carted spin it on their cheerful whirling wheels and knit it afterwards into those comfortable garments. Their gowns were blue or else scarlet woven in the village loom. They mostly carried their brogues and stockings if they came on foot they certainly did so, pausing before they turned the last corner to put them on. And so appear in full dress up the church door, the husbands of the married women carried the brogues for their wives as well as their own being courteous of heart, though lowly born. A great well to do came on their cars with the two solid wooden wheels and the flat planking nailed above the axles, the most elementary vehicle I suppose that ever was made. One here and there had a wicker crew attached to it for use on market days. Another would have a rough wooden bench to form a seat for the passengers. Some bits of wood nailed along to form low sides, a great convenience on weekdays when sand or gravel forms the load. The women who came by boat sat in easy dignity, up on low wooden creepies, set in the stern of the flat bottom cuts, while the men folk road or punted with long poles. Some few solitary individuals came along in coracles of wicker work covered with hide from far and near they came as they might, none stayed away except those who by very grievous infirmity were compelled. Even old age was not a hindrance for a Terence McSweeney stout sturdy young fellow that he is carried his old grandmother on his back, Judy McSweeney whose age no one accurately knows, but who had had the great honor of being foster mother to my father which proud post gives great dignity to the McSweeney family and was bought by them as I believe for a great number of cows, 50 at the least contributed by brothers and cousins, all the members of Judy's family as was the custom of that day. It was one of those strangely still days which come in early autumn, when nature seems to rest exhausted like a new made mother, all she could do has been done her golden her fruit is right. Her roses have blown her young birds are strong on the wing. In perfect silence, neither triumphant nor disappointed, she seems to rest a while. The first yellow leaves were dropping into the perfectly unruffled lake, like fairy gold thrown to the care of the sprites. The sun was hot, but the air had a pleasant crisp freshness commend me to happy September for a truly pleasant day. Many a kindly greeting pass between us and our people as my father said on the chair that is always set for him outside the church door till the hour of nine strikes and he enters the well filled house of God. In their melodious Gaelic the people wished us many more happy Sundays and saints days and all other good things in this world in the next and ever a vein of poetry ran through their greetings. I'm growing old teak I cannot expect much more sunshine said my father to whom Teague Rafferty had wished that many years of such sun as was shining now might be his, but if the yellow sunbeams were gone from his Lord's head, protested Teague the moon of his silver hair had only begun to shine at which my father laughed and said that it was strange that on my head. There was no gold what wish could he give to Raven haired Ethna that every hair on her head may be a candle to light her to glory for pulse of our hearts said T and the hour of nine struck and we went into the chapel where father Ambrose stood at the altar and celebrated the mass. The people's warm hearts were deeply moved by the sacred rights. They are eager alike in love and in hate in devotion they are vehement. They sobs oftentimes and beat their breasts and tears flowed down many and old and wrinkled face. Not one word of the Latin is understood by them. It seemed to me almost strange that they should be so moved. But as the emotion rose so it died away when the mass was ended. The scent of the incense and that sound of the chanting it passed away and a merry throng they were that streamed out into the sunshine again at the corner of the broad terrace in front of the castle windows is a great beach whose branches spread very widely and its top shoots far up into the sky. I spend the tree it is and a great age and under the shelter of its spreading branches my father's great oak and armchair was set after mass. Then the people repairing to their boats and cars or fetching bundles which they had laid under the trees brought the offerings due from them as tenants. I get a fat cackling geese from one from another tub of rich golden butter from the poorest eggs and honeycombs hairs and pigeons or plump young ducks and chickens from the better to do a heifer or two or a few sheep which were driven up that the night of I might see that they were noble beasts and worthy of his acceptance pigs there were two implanted the faithful friends of our cottages cheaply fed as they are and easily tended. You have brought me a fair offering friends, said my father when all was spread before him. How was that Brian Lynch stood with downcast face in the background, he now came forward sadly long illness had solely hindered him. He said, nevertheless he had brought some honeycomb, if the night would be pleased to take so poor and often, and he would gladly give labor over and above that which was required of him if only his Lord would be pleased to forgive his shortcomings this time. Take the honeycomb back to your children Brian said my father it may well be that they are hungry and come daily to the castle for a low crime. If not the editor in to me it may be that you can help Brian Lynch's children with some of the work of your busy needle is it so I could and I had promised so to do tears rush through Brian Lynch's eyes. He threw himself on the ground and kissed the hem of my father's mantle declaring that but for so good and patient the master he could not live or survive his misfortunes, but now hope filled his heart again, like sunshine that comes back in spring. Murta Fogarty said my father when Brian had gone away joyful you are hiding yourself in the crowd and you also have bought me now often. How is this, but when Murta would have sheltered himself under the same excuse which has so well profited Brian Lynch, my father shook his head and found that is not true in your case, and the excuse will not serve your turn Murta strong drink is the root of all your misfortunes. That and idleness have I said truly the man hanging his head confessed that nothing could ever be concealed from the master so wise and discerning was he. I give you three months grace Murta said the night sternly if at the end of that time, you bring me a do offering. Well, if not you and your family must come and serve me without any wage, but your food till all is work for the sentence was meekly accepted and the men came again, one by one to ask what free labor they should give until Christmas. My father's harvest had been brought in each man helping as he could for our hired servants were about few and this was customary. Now the turf for the great winter fires in the castle had to be drawn home, and each man was required to give the use of his car and of his own hands for a greater or less number of days, according to his ability. And that also was settled for each one with due care. My friends said that my father is all just and right. It is all just and right they answered and again he asked thinking of the changing times. Shall I do away with free labor and offerings in kind and bid you pay me rent, as they do in England. There was little doubt of the mind of the people, as with one voice they entreated that he would never change the old customs, spend me but defend me has never been their motto, nor have I any mind to do so but the times are changing, and the newly come English ever demand their rent. My father answered, sadly, and then he desired that all who had any case to bring before him should at once proceed at this several steps forward for the people will not if they can help it. That is unless someone to appear go before any of the English courts, they come to my father with any dispute and abide gladly and willingly by his decisions. Have you the role my father has been a servant brought to him upon a velvet cushion, the ancient role of the Brihan law, which for so many and many along here has been kept in our family and was formally expounded by the chief zone. Brihan in presence of as many of the set as could gather upon a hilltop above our shining lake, with much vehemence, each side in the first cause argue before my father, the complainant accusing the other of a theft, which was eventually brought home to him. And he was commanded to pay an Eric of two pounds 10 shillings in English money or an ox a fine beast being valued at that sum to restore besides the valuables which he had taken certain ancient jewels and ornaments of gold and silver which had been preserved with almost religious care by the complainant. The sentence was the heavier because the theft had been committed on the feast of assumption, a serious aggravation according to ancient law of the offense in England. So I've heard they take a man's life for stealing a sheet. Such a law seems horrible to our people, especially as the administering of it here has little comfort for them sincere if the defendant the English is ever reckoned answer enough to say that the plaintiff is up near Irishman. On the next case there was conflict of evidence that very morning. So the Miller of Rd declared Lawrence Riley had crept into his mill and had abstracted a sack of flour. Lawrence would launch to clear that he had not been there, but far away. Could he prove it. I that he could. He could call witnesses by the score to show that he had been in another place or in several other places. If the night of law so desired, nor was he one with a bash when it was pointed out by the laughter that arose that his last answer had not been for his advantage. My father turned to the Miller, you say you did not hear the thief. The Miller had heard no sound he was strained for he was certainly in the mill. My father bet him to one standing by take off his brogues. He was done a pair of clean and neat blue hose appeared the hose next and Lawrence's bare feet showed unmistakable traces of the Miller's white dusty floor. He had no evidence truly for the plaintiff. Great was the triumph of the adversary great was the respect paid to the wisdom of the night of law. Lawrence himself though compelled to pay and Eric seemed as much pleased as anybody. It was a fine story to tell again and to be sure someone must pay the piper. And now said my father having by a wave of the hand dismissed the attendant pleaders and returned the role to its cushion on which it was at once carried into the castle. We've done a good day's work. Let us have some play. Where's the cake and Rory, the piper Rory with his pipes and his arm was to the fore in a moment. Girls and scarlet or blue skirts with purchase neatly tied over their shoulders and perhaps another over their hair or a gay ribbon to tie it. Step forward readily enough and the young men no less readily mantles were even thrown aside by many of the elders and the piper's elbow was soon at work filling his pipes with a will. Meantime Larry Ogg came forth from the castle with that pipe 10 feet long in his hands, carrying high above his head on the point of it, around board on which was the cake. A right good cake as I know well who helped to make it round the board was a thick wreath of Michael mustasies and red berries and such field flowers as could still be found while on pegs at the very edge of the rosiest apples of the year were fixed. They were set close to each other in a bright circle red cheek to red cheek. Then every lad choosing for himself alias, they danced in a ring round about the cake which Larry Ogg held upright on its pike candle and Mary seen it was for Rory piped and those who stood round encouraged the dancers to do their best for the cake, seeing that the couple that held that longest would win it as a prize. So the mirth grew greater and greater as one couple and another gave in the faces crimson as the apples. The last no one was left but T go Rory. My brother pierces foster brother and pretty Nora, me, who the hand who do we receive the cake and the apples, the cake they cut up and it vanished wonderfully fast and nor through the apples and the young men scrambled for them. And each one who was fortunate enough to get an apple presented it to some girl and got him a turn a kiss. If he could but as often as not he only received a cloud, which was not an unmixed pleasure, I should imagine, as the arms of these fair ones were strengthened by hay making a milking and other tasks that make firm muscles. It was a merry day a comfortable meal was laid out upon the short grass and a green blade, and there the people rested and ate and were glad and sang out old songs that have mostly a whale in them, even if the words are gay. And last of all T go Rory sang a song of his own making or more probably of Milwaukee, our old harbors which made a silence fall upon the merry gathering as if the shadow passed over for he sang of the women done the slow tree and by that name they call my brother pews because his eyes are dark as the slows and his hair is Raven black as it clusters over his forehead in the ancient Irish fashion of the coolant, which we love and which the English hate and have long striven to abolish. They were rude rhymes enough that T sang but they went to our hearts as the finest melodies and most inspired words could hardly have done. And this was his song. My grinning dunce fairer than a soft summer day my grinning dunce breath is like the new moon hey, and his smile, my gill more footnote my brightness of my heart in the footnote, like the ray of the sun, and the name they call them is the grinning. Koushla makri footnote vein of my heart in the footnote is the rain falling dreary where they are keeping guard. Toil worn and weary youth of the strong on Oh, where are they all gone dwelling in the shade of that grinning down curse upon the Sasanach footnote English in the footnote joy less than never. The stone of hell be there pillow forever, God's red wrath shall leave them no rest neath the sun for all our hearts are breaking for my grinning dunce. T cried my father I will not have that song sung I've said it before if you have a mind to sing sing songs that will give us the hearts of men and not a fellow only fit for a woman. And you, he turned to the harbor at it once a cheerful strain to the song since I doubt not that it is of your baking and henceforth who so sings it must sing the whole under pain of my anger. I, but he can sing the curses twice over if you list, he added under his breath. That's the dirt the old blind Harper who sat shrouded in his long mantle, a little apart from the gay crowd struck the chords of his heart and sang to the same melody but in a major key. Teague having passed after his first verse into a wild minor strain. Park how the black bird sings shula shula a room footnote come come my dear. In the footnote slanta footnote a hell in the footnote my warning my darling come soon for the snow melts away and the summers begun when we see the first blossoms of that green and done. There's hope here, but you might have promised him to us a little sooner than the spring Milwaukee, said my father between sign and smiling and he called upon any who are willing to come forth and dance again. Do after my child take part in the sport and lead the handkerchief dance. The night of Lars daughter need bait note jot of her dignity but will add to her empire over the hearts of her father's people by joining in pleasure, as in worship with them. I didn't know such argument to move to music is always a boundless pleasure to me, do not all young and strong creatures find it so. Certainly a horse springs under the writer at the sound of cheerful music as if to live and move at all at once become a double pleasure. But I linger too long over the story of this day, we have lived through many a merrier after all rent day and patron day and St. Patrick's happy fees. But this was the very last, and I think I shall never forget anything that happened from morning till the night of it. Winding in and out with the best dancers present holding a silken kerchief and passing under it and back again in the various figures of the dance there was certainly a stir among the crowd and Rory stopped piping for half a dozen young gentlemen of that neighborhood road up and dismounted casting their range to some of the lads standing by and themselves at once approaching my parents who comes here. I asked my father, oh loglin, you're welcome and Fitzgerald your father's son is always a cab miller they offer footnote 100,000 welcomes in the footnote here. And the rest of you, those that remain were not a family equal to his own. I am pleased to see be seated where you will on the glass beside me. Cushions for the old loglin and the son of Hugh Fitzgerald. Young Fitzgerald was evidently too much disturbed in mind to answer this welcome as readily as he ought. He stood upright holding a sheet of paper and seemed uncertain how to utter what he had to say. What bashful cried my father whose patience to say truth is not so long as that of Joe. Why men that had severed the gift of the gab like a true Irishman. What is there in that half ounce of paper to turn the as white as itself here give me there was silence while he read the paper which he had impatiently seized. It was a slow business that reading, or so it seemed to me for the perturbed faces of the young men. The evil news was contained on that plain white sheet, a foot wide perhaps about two feet long printed on in fair black type with the official seal of Ireland drawn above. It was no wonder that my father rose without a word when he had finished and went straight indoors followed with eager anxiety by my mother. We all stood and looked after them this may for the paper was a proclamation of Oliver climb well, declaring that from henceforth all the states and farms and the three provinces should belong to the English soldiers and adventures and that the Irish nation must go bodily children Kettle and all across the Shannon into the wilds of come off before the first of March of the next few under penalty of death is found out of that province or the county of clear after that day. The last the last for us there is no blossoming of that venom done to check our sadness no spring, following our long winter no dawn to end our dark night, but only sorrow and sorrow, and yet again sorrow. End of section 92. This recording is in the public domain. Section 93 of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. This is a Libre Vox recording all the box recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit the box or the world story volume 10 England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales edited by Eva March happen. Section 93 the Siege of London Dairy 1689 by Thomas Babington Macaulay. When the English finally lost all patients with King James the second they invited his daughter and her husband, William of Orange to become their sovereigns. James fled but he did not give up hope of regaining his crown. And a year later he landed in Ireland with troops and money supplied by the King of France. All Ireland except Ulster was on his side. But Ulster, which had been taken from the Irish Catholic donors and given to English and Scotch Protestants declared for William Dairy or London Dairy was its most strongly fortified town. He fled large numbers of the Protestants to this town James with his French and Irish forces now laid siege. The editor may passed away June alive and still London Dairy held out. There had been many salaries and skirmishes with various success but on the whole the advantage had been with the garrison. Several officers of note had been carried Christmas into the city and the two French banners torn after hard fighting from the procedures had been hung as trophies in the chancel of the cathedral. It seemed that the siege must be turned into a blockade but before the hope of reducing the town by main force was relinquished it was determined to make a great effort. The point selected for assault was an artwork called Windmill Hill which was not bought from the Southern Gate. Religious stimulants were employed to animate the courage of the forlorn hope. Many volunteers bound themselves by oath to make their way into the works or to perish in the attempt. Captain Butler son of the Lord Mount Garrett undertook to lead the sworn men to the attacks. On the walls the colonists were drawn up in three ranks. The office of those who were behind was to load the muskets of those who were in front. The Irish came on boldly and with a fearful uproar but after long and hard fighting were driven back. The women of London there were seen amidst the thickest fire serving out water and ammunition to their husbands and brothers. In one place where the wall was only seven feet high Butler and some of his sworn men succeeded in reaching the top but they were all killed or made prisoners. At length after 400 of the Irish had fallen their chiefs ordered a retreat to be sounded. Nothing was left but to try the effect of hunger. It was known that the stock of food in the city was but slender. Indeed it was thought strange that the supplies should have held out so long. Every precaution was now taken against the introduction of provisions. All the avenues leading to the city by land were closely guarded on the south when camped along the left bank of the foil. The horsemen who had followed Lord Galmore from the Valley of the Barrow. Their chief was of all the Irish captains the most dreaded and the most abhorred by the Protestants for he had disciplined his men with rare skill and care. And many frightful stories were told of his barbarity and perfidy. Long lines of tents occupied by the infantry of Butler and O'Neill of Lord Swain and Lord Germantown by Nugents, West Meath men, by Eustaces killed their men and by Cavanaugh's carry men extended northward till they again approached the water side. The river was fringed with forts and batteries which no vessel could pass without great peril. After some time it was determined to make the security still more complete by throwing a barricade across the stream about a mile and a half below the city. Several boats full of stones were sunk. A row of stakes was driven into the bottom of the river. Large pieces of fur wood strongly bound together formed a boom which was more than a quarter of a mile in length and which was firmly fastened to both shores by cables of foot thick. There could be no doubt that if London Dairy fell the whole Irish army would instantly march in irresistible force upon Lough Urna. Yet what could be done? Some brave men were for making a desperate attempt to relieve the besieged city but the odds were too great. Detachments however were sent which infested the rear of the blockading army, cut off supplies and on one occasion carried away the horses of three entire troops of cavalry. Still the line of posts which surrounded London Dairy land remained unbroken. The river was still strictly closed and guarded. Within the walls the distress had become extreme so early as the 8th of June horse flesh was almost the only meat which could be purchased and of horse flesh the supply was scanty. It was necessary to make up the deficiency with tallow and even tallow was doled out with a parsimonious hand. On the 15th of June a gleam of hope appeared. The sentinels on the top of the cathedral saw sails nine miles off in the Bay of Lough oil. Thirty vessels of different sizes were counted. Signals were made from the steeples and returned from the mastids but were imperfectly understood on both sides. At last a messenger from the fleet eluded the Irish sentinels, dived under the boon and informed the garrison that Kirk had arrived from England with troops, arms, ammunition and provisions to relieve the city. In London Dairy expectation was at the height but a few hours of feverish joy were followed by weeks of misery. Kirk thought it unsafe to make any attempt either by land or by water on the lines of the besiegers and retired to the entrance of Lough oil where during several weeks he lay inactive. And now the pressure of famine became every day more severe. A strict search was made in all the recesses of all the houses of the city and some provisions which had been concealed in cellars by people who had since guided made their escape were discovered and carried through the magazines. The stock of cannonballs was almost exhausted and their place was supplied by brick bats coated with lead. Pestilence began as usual to make its appearance in the train of hunger 15 officers died of fever in one day. The Governor Baker was among those who sank under the disease. His place was supplied by Colonel John Mitchell Byrne. Meanwhile, it was known at Dublin that Kirk and his squadron were on the coast of Ulster. The alarm was great at the castle. Even before this news arrived, I've given it as his opinion that Richard Hamilton was unequal to the difficulties of the situation. He had therefore been resolved that Rosen should take the chief command he was now sent down with all speed. On the 19th of June he arrived at the headquarters of the besieging army. At first he attempted to undermine the walls but his plan was discovered and he was compelled to abandon it after a sharp fight in which more than a hundred of his men were slain. Then his fury rose to a strange pitch. He, an old soldier, a marshal of France, in expectancy, trained in the School of the Greatest Generals, accustomed many years to scientific war to be baffled by a mob of country gentlemen, farmers, shopkeepers, who were protected only by a wall, which any good engineer would at once have pronounced untenable. He raved, he blasphemed in a language of his own, made up of all the dialects spoken from the Baltic to the Atlantic. He would raise the city to the ground. He would spare no living thing. No, not the young girls, not the babies at the breast. As to the leader's death was to light a punishment for them, he would rack them. He would roast them alive. In his rage he ordered a shell to be flung into the town with a letter containing a horrible menace. He would, he said, gather into one body. All the Protestants who had remained at their homes between Charlemagne and the sea, old men, women, children, many of them here in blood and affection to the defenders of London, Derek. No protection, whatever might be the authority by which it had been given, should be respected. The multitude thus brought together should be driven under the walls of London, Derek. And should there be starved to death in the sight of their countrymen, their friends, their kinsmen, this was no idle threat. Parties were instantly sent out in all directions to collect victims. At dawn on the morning of the second of July, hundreds of Protestants who were charged with no crime, who were incapable of bearing arms and many of whom had protections granted by James were dragged to the gates of the city. It was imagined that the piteous sight would quell the spirit of the colonists, but the only effect was to rouse that spirit to still greater energy in order was immediately put forth that no man should utter the word surrender on pain of death and no man uttered that word. Several prisoners of high rank were in the town, either to they had been well treated and had received as good rations as were measured out to the garrison. They were now closely confined. A gallows was erected on one of the bastions and a message was conveyed to Rosen, requesting him to send a confessor instantly to prepare his friends for death. The prisoners in great dismay wrote to the savage Livonian who received no answer. They then addressed themselves to their countrymen, Richard Hamilton. They were willing, they said, to shed their blood for their king, but they thought it hard to die the ignominious death of thieves and consequence of the barbarity of their own companions and arms. Hamilton, though a man of lax principles, was not cruel. He had been disgusted by the inhumanity of Rosen. The being only second in command could not venture to express publicly all that he thought. He, however, amonstrated strongly. Some Irish officers felt on this occasion as it was natural that brave men should feel and declared weeping with pity and indignation that they should never cease to have in their ears the cries of the poor women and children who had been driven at the point of the pike to die a famine between the camp and the city. Rosen persisted during forty-eight hours. In that time, many unhappy creatures perished, but London Derry held out as resolutely as ever, and he saw that his crime was likely to produce nothing but hatred and obliquy. He had linked, gave way, and suffered the survivors to withdraw. The garrison then took down the gallows which had been erected on the bastion. When the tidings of these events reached Dublin, James, though by no means prone to compassion, was startled by an atrocity of which the Civil Wars of England had furnished no example and was displeased by learning that protections given by his authority and guaranteed by his honor had been publicly declared to be nullities. He complained to the French ambassadors and said, with a warmth which the occasion fully justified, that Rosen was a barbarous muscabite. Melfort could not refrain from adding that if Rosen had been an Englishman he would have been hanged. Avau was utterly unable to understand this effeminate sensibility. In his opinion, nothing had been done that was at all reprehensible, and he had some difficulty in commanding himself when he heard the king and the secretary blane in strong language and act of wholesome severity. In truth, the French ambassador and the French general were well paired. There was a great difference, doubtless in appearance and manner, between the handsome, graceful, and refined diplomatists whose dexterity and suavity had been renowned at the most polite courts of Europe and the military adventurer whose looking voice reminded all who came near him that he had been born in a half-savage country that he had risen from the ranks and that he had once been sentenced to death for marauding. But the heart of the courtier was even more callous than that of the soldier. Rosen was recalled to Dublin, and Richard Hamilton was again left in the chief command. He tried gentler means than those which had brought so much reproach on his predecessor. No trick, no lie, which was thought likely to discourage the starving garrison was spared. One day a great shout was raised by the whole Irish camp. The defenders of London Derry were soon informed that the army of James was rejoicing on account of the fall of Ennis Skilland. They were told that they had now no chance of being relieved and were exhorted to save their lives by capitulating. They consented to negotiate. But what they asked was that they should be permitted to depart armed and in military array by land or by water at their choice. They demanded hostages for the exact fulfillment of these conditions and insisted that the hostages should be sent on board of the fleet which lay in Lough Foyle. Such terms Hamilton durst not grant. The governors would abate nothing. The treaty was broken off and the conflict recommenced. By this time, July was far advanced and the state of the city was hour by hour becoming more frightful. The number of the inhabitants had been thinned more by famine and disease than by the fire of the enemy, yet that fire was sharper and more constant than ever. One of the gates was beaten in. One of the bastions was raided ruins, but the breaches made by day were repaired by night. With indefatigable activity, every attack was still repelled, but the fighting men of Garrison were so much exhausted that they could scarcely keep their legs. Several of them in the act of striking at the enemy fell down from mere weakness. A very small quantity of grain remained and was doled out by mouthfuls. The stock of salt at Heismas was considerable and by it gnawing them, the Garrison appeased the rage of hunger. Dogs, fattened on the blood of the slain, who lay unburied round the town for luxuries which few could afford to purchase. The price of a welp's paw was five shillings and six pence. Nine horses were still alive and but barely alive. They were so lean that little meat was likely to be found upon them. It was, however, determined to slaughter them for food. The people perished so fast that it was impossible for the survivors to perform the rites of sepulcher. There was scarcely a cellar in which some corpse was not decaying. Such was the extremity of distress that the rats who came to feast in those hideous dens were eagerly hunted and greedily devoured. A small fish caught in the river was not to be purchased with money. The only Christ for which such a treasure could be obtained was some handfuls of oatmeal. Leprosy such as strange and unwholesome diet engenders made existence a constant torment. The whole city was poisoned by the stent, exhaled from the bodies of the dead and of the half-dead, that there should be fits of discontent and insubordination among men. Enduring such misery was inevitable. At one moment it was suspected that Walker had laid up somewhere a secret store of food and was reveling in private while he exhorted others to suffer resolutely for the good cause. His house was strictly examined. His innocence was fully proved. He regained his popularity and the garrison with death in near prospect, thronged to the cathedral to hear him preach, drank in his earnest eloquence with delight, and went forth from the house of God with haggard faces and toddling steps, but with spirit still unsubdued. There were indeed some secret potings, a very few obscured traders open communications with the enemy, but it was necessary that all such dealings should be carefully concealed. None dared to utter publicly any words, save words of defiance and stubborn resolution. Even in that extremity the general cry was no surrender, and there were not wanting voices which in low tones added. First the horses and hides, and then the prisons, and then each other. It was after his relative happened just yet not without a horrible mixture of earnest that a corpulent citizen, whose bulk presented a strange contrast of his skeletons which surrounded him, thought it expedient to conceal himself from the numerous eyes which followed him with cannibal looks whenever he appeared in the streets. It was no slight aggravation of the sufferings of the garrison, but all this time the English ships were seen far off in Loughfoil. Communication between the fleet and the city was almost impossible. One diver who had attempted to pass the boom was drowned, another was hanged. The language of signals was hardly intelligible. On the 13th of July, however, a piece of paper sewed up in a cloth button came to Walker's hands. It was a letter from Kirk and contained assurances of speedy relief, but more than a fortnight of intense misery had since elapsed, and the hearts of the most sanguine were sick with deferred hope. By no art could the provisions which were left be made to hold out two days more. Just at this time, Kirk received a dispatch from England which contained positive orders that Londonday should be relieved. He accordingly determined to make an attempt which, as far as appears, he might have made with at least an equally fair prospect of success six weeks earlier. Among the merchant ships which had come to Loughfoil under his convoy was one called the Mount Joy. The master, Markadja, Browning, a native of Londonday had brought from England a large cargo of provision. He had, as said repeatedly, remonstrated against the inaction of the armament. He now eagerly volunteered to take the risk of cycling his fellow citizens, and his offer was accepted. Andrew Douglas, master of the Phoenix, who had on board a great quantity of meal from Scotland, was willing to share the danger and the honor. The two merchant men were to be escorted by the Dartmouth frigate of 36 Guns, commanded by Captain John Leak, afterwards an admiral of great fame. It was the 30th of July. The sun had just set. The evening sermon and the cathedral was over, and the heartbroken congregation had separated when the centimals on the tower saw the sails of free vessels coming up the foil. Soon there was a stir in the Irish camp. The besiegers were on the alert for miles along those shores. The ships were in extreme peril before the river was low, and the only navigable channel ran very near to the left bank where the headquarters of the enemy had been fixed and where the batteries were most numerous. Leak performed his duty with a skill and spirit worthy of his noble profession, exposed his frigate to cover the merchant men and used his guns with great effort. At length the little squadron came to the place of peril. Then the Mount Joy took the lead and went right at the boom. The huge barricade cracked and gave way, but the shock was such that the Mount Joy rebounded and stuck in the mud. A yellow crown rose from the banks. The Irish rushed to the boats and were preparing to board, but the Dartmouth poured on them a well-directed broadside which threw them into disorder. Just then the Phoenix dashed at the breach which the Mount Joy made and was in a moment within the fence. Meantime the tide was rising fast. The Mount Joy began to move and soon passed safe through the broken stakes and floating spars. But a brave master was no more, a shot from one of the batteries had struck him and he died by the most tangible of all deaths inside of the city which was his birthplace, which was his home and which had just been saved by his courage and self devotion from the most frightful form of destruction. The night had closed in before the conflict at the boom began, but the flash of the guns was seen and the noise heard by the lean and ghastly multitude which covered the walls of the city. When the Mount Joy glanted and when the shout of crime rose from the Irish on both sides of the river, the hearts of the besieged died within them. One who endured the unorderable anguish of that moment has told us that they look fearfully livid in each other's eyes. Even after the barricade had been passed, there was a terrible half hour of suspense. It was ten o'clock before the ships arrived at the quay. The whole population was there to welcome them. A screen made of cast filled with earth was hastily thrown up to protect the landing place from the batteries on the other side of the river. And then the work of unloading began. First, we rolled on shore barrels containing six thousand bushes of meal. Then came great cheeses, casts of beef, wedges of bacon, kegs of butter, sacks of peas and biscuit, anchors of brandy. Not many hours before, half a pound of tallow and three quarters of a pound of salted hide had been weighed out with niggardly care to every fighting man. The ration which each now received was three pounds of flour, three pounds of beef and a pint of peas. It is easy to imagine with what tears grace were set over the sepals of that evening. There was little sleep on either side of the wall. The bonfire shone right along the whole circuit of the ramparts. The Irish guns continued to roar all night. And all night the bells of the rescued city made answer to the Irish guns with appeal of joyous defiance. Through the whole of the 31st of July the batteries of the enemy continued to play. But soon after the sun had again gone down flames were seen arising from the camp. And when the first of August dawned a line of smoking ruins marked the site lately occupied by the huts of the besieges. And the citizens saw far off the long column of pipes and standards retreating up the left bank of the foyer towards Stray Bain. So when did this great siege the most memorable in the annals of the British Isles? It had lasted 105 days. The garrison had been reduced from about 7000 effective men to about 3000. The loss of the besieges cannot be precisely ascertained. Walker estimated at 8000 men. End of section 93. This recording is in the public domain. Section 94 of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The World's Story, Volume 10, England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Edited by Eva March Tapin, Section 94. The Battle of the Boyne, 1690 by Thomas Babington Macaulay. A year after the siege of Londonderry, King William landed in Ireland and at the River Boyne. His veteran soldiers met the untrained Irish peasants in a battle that sealed the fate of Ireland, the editor. It was still early in the day. The king rode slowly along the northern bank of the river and closely examined the position of the Irish, from whom he was sometimes separated by an interval of little more than 200 feet. He was accompanied by Schomburg, Ormond, Sydney, Somes, Prince George of Hesse, Conningsby and others. Their army is but small, said one of the Dutch officers. Indeed, it did not appear to consist of more than 16,000 men, but it was well known from the reports brought by deserters that many regiments were concealed from view by the undulations of the ground. They may be stronger than they look, said William, but weak or strong, I will soon know all about them. It linked the alighted at a spot nearly opposite to Old Bridge, sat down on the turf to rest himself and call for breakfast. The Sumter horses were unloaded, the canteens were opened and a tablecloth was spread on the grass. The place is marked by an obelisk built while many veterans who could roll and remember the events of that day were still living. While William was at his repast, a group of horsemen appeared close to the water on the opposite shore. Among them, his attendants could discern some who had once been conspicuous at reviews and hide part and at balls in the gallery of Whitehall, the youthful Berwick, the small, fair-haired Lausanne, to Cronelle, once admired by maids of honor as the model of manly vigor and beauty, been now bent down by years and crippled by gout and overtapping all the stately head of Sarsfield. The chiefs of the Irish army soon discovered that the person who surrounded by a splendid circle was breakfasting on the opposite bank was the Prince of Orange. They sent for artillery to field pieces, screened from view by a troop of cavalry, but brought down almost to the brink of the river and placed behind a hedge. William, who had just risen from his meal and was again in the saddle, was the mark of both guns. The first shot struck one of the holsters of Prince George of Hesse and brought his horse to the ground. Laugh cried the king, the poor prince is killed. As the words passed his lips, he was himself hit by a second ball, a six-pounder. It merely tore his coat, grazed his shoulder and drew two or three ounces of blood. Both armies saw that the shot had taken effect, for the king sank down for a moment on his horse's neck. A yell of exaltation rose from the Irish camp. The English and their allies were in dismay. Psalms flung himself prostrate on the earth and burst into tears, but William's department soon reassured his friends. There was no harm done, he said, but the bullet came quite near enough. Conningsby put his handkerchief to the wound. A surgeon was sent forth. A plaster was applied and the king as soon as the dressing was finished rode round all the posts of his army amidst loud acclamations. Such was the energy of his spirit that in spite of his feeble health, in spite of his recent hurt he was that day 19 hours on horseback. A cannonade was kept up on both sides till the evening. William observed with his special attention the effect produced by the Irish shots on the English regiments, which had never been in action and declared himself satisfied with the result. All is right, he said. They stand far well. Long after sunset, he made a final inspection of his forces by torchlight and gave orders that everything should be ready for forcing a passage across the river on the morrow. Every soldier was to put a green bow in his hat. The baggage and great coats were to be left under a guard. The word was Westminster. The king's resolution to attack the Irish was not approved by all his lieutenants. Schaumburg in particular pronounced the experiment to hazardous and when his opinion was overruled, retired to his tent in no very good humor. When the order of battle was delivered to him, he muttered that he had been more used to give such orders than to receive them. For this little fit of sullenness, very pardonable and a general who had won great victories when his master was still a child, the brave veteran made on the following morning a noble atonement. The first of July dawned, a day which has never since returned without exciting strong emotions of very different kinds in the two populations which divide Ireland. The sun rose bright and cloudless. Soon after four, both armies were in motion. William ordered his right wing under the command of mine heart Schaumburg, one of the Duke's sons to march to the bridge of slain, some miles up the river to cross there and to turn the left flank of the Irish army. Mine heart Schaumburg was assisted by Portman and Douglas, James anticipating some such design, had already sent to the bridge a regiment of dragoons commanded by Sir Neil O'Neill. O'Neill behaved himself like a brave gentleman, but he soon received a mortal wound. His men fled and the English right wing passed the river. This move made Lausanne uneasy. What if the English right wing should get into the rear of the army of James? About four miles south of the buoy was a place called Dulic, where the road to Dublin was so narrow that two cars could not pass each other and were on both sides of the road lay a morass which afforded no firm footing. If mine heart Schaumburg should occupy this spot, it would be impossible for the Irish to retreat. They must either conquer or be cut off to a man, disturbed by the apprehension the French general marched with his countrymen and with Sar's field's horse in the direction of slain bridge. Thus the Fords near Old Bridge were left to be defended by the Irish alone. It was now near 10 o'clock, William put himself at the head of his left wing which was composed exclusively of cavalry and prepared to pass the river not far above Drogaida. The center of his army which consisted almost exclusively of foot was entrusted to the command of Schaumburg and was marshalled opposite to Old Bridge. At Old Bridge had been collected the whole Irish army. Foot, dragoons and horse, Sar's field's regiment alone accepted. The meath bank, bristled with pikes and bayonets, a fortification had been made by French engineers out of the hedges and buildings and a breastwork had been thrown up close to the water side. Turcanel was there and under him were Richard, Hamilton and Antrim. Schaumburg gave the word, Psalms's blues were the first to move. They marched gallantly with drums beating to the brink of the boing. Then the drums stopped and the men, ten abreast, ascended into the water. Next plunged Londonderry and Anasquillin, a little to the left of Londonderry and Anasquillin. Caillat-Maud crossed at the head of a long column of French refugees. A little to the left of Caillat-Maud and his refugees, the main body of the English infantry struggled through the river up to their armpits and water. Still farther down the stream, the Danes found another fort in a few minutes, the boing for a quarter of a mile was alive with muskets and green bowels. It was not till the assailants had reached the middle of the channel that they became aware of the whole difficulty and danger of the service in which they were engaged. They had as yet seen little more than half the hostile army. Now whole regiments of foot and horse seemed to start out of the earth. A wild shout of defiance rose from the whole shore during one moment the events seemed doubtful but the Protestants pressed resolutely forward and in another moment the whole Irish line gave way. Durkanale looked on in helpless despair. He did not want personal courage, but his military skill was so small that he hardly ever reviewed his regiment in the Phoenix Park without committing some blunder. And to rally the ranks which were breaking all around him was no task for a general who had survived the energy of his body and of his mind and yet had still the rudiments of his profession to learn. Several of his best officers fell while vainly endeavouring to prevail on their soldiers to look. The Dutch blues in the face. Richard Hamilton ordered a body of foot to fall on the French refugees who were still deep in water. He led the way and accompanied by some courageous gentlemen advanced sword and hand into the river. But neither his commands nor his example could infuse valor into that mob of cow steelers. He was left almost alone and retired from the bank in despair. Farther down the river Amtrim's division ran like sheep at the approach of the English column. Whole regiments flung away arms, colors and cloaks and scampered off to the hills without striking a blow or firing a shot. It required many years and many heroic exploits to take away the reproach which that ignominiest route left on the Irish name. Yet even before the day closed it was abundantly proved that the reproach was unjust. Richard Hamilton put himself at the head of the cavalry and under his command they made a gallant, though an unsuccessful attempt to retrieve the day. They maintained a desperate fight in the bed of the river with songs as blues. They drove the Danish brigade back into the stream. They fell impetuously on the Huguenot regiments which not being provided with pikes, then ordinarily used by foot to repel horse began to give ground. Caillumot, while encouraging his fellow exiles, received a mortal wound in the thigh. Four of his men carried him back across the fort to his tent. As he passed he continued to urge forward the rear ranks which were still up to the breast in the water. On, on my lads, to glory, to glory, Schomburg who had remained on the northern bank and who had then watched the progress of his troops with the eye of a general now thought that the emergency required from him the personal exertion of a soldier. Those who stood about him best sought him in vain to put on his cuirass. Without defensive armor he rode through the river and rallied the refugees whom the fall of Caillumot had dismayed. Come on, he cried in French pointing to the Pope's squadrons. Come on, gentlemen, there are your persecutors. Those were his last words as he spoke a band of Irish horsemen rushed upon him and encircled him for a moment. When they retired he was on the ground. His friends raised him but he was already a corpse. Two saber wounds were on his head and a bullet from a carbine was lodged in his neck. Almost at the same moment Walker, while exhorting the colonists of Ulster to play the men, was shot dead. During near half an hour the battle continued to rage along the southern shore of the river all with smoke, dust, and den. Old soldiers were heard to say that they had seldom seen sharper work in the low countries but just at this conjuncture William came up with the left wing. He had found much difficulty in crossing. The tide was running fast. His charger had been forced to swim and had been almost lost in the mud. As soon as the king was on firm ground he took his sword in his left hand for his right arm was stiff with his wound and his bandage and led his men to the place where the fight was the hottest. His arrival decided the fate of the day yet the Irish horse retired fighting obstinately. It was long remembered among the Protestants of Ulster that in the midst of the tumult William rode to the head of the NS skilleners. What will you do for me? He cried. He was not immediately recognized and one trooper taking him for an enemy was about to fire. William gently put aside the carbine. What said he? Do you not know your friends? It is his majesty said the colonel. The ranks of sturdy Protestant yeoman set up a shout of joy. Gentlemen said William, you shall be my guards today. I have heard much of you. Let me see something of you. One of the most remarkable peculiarities of this man ordinarily so saddened and reserved was that danger acted on him like wine opened his heart loosened his tongue and took away all appearance of constraint from his manner. On this memorable day he was seen wherever the peril was greatest. One ball struck the cap of his pistol another carried off the heel of his jack boot and his lieutenants in vain import him to retire to some station from which he could give his orders without exposing a life so valuable to Europe. His troops animated by his example gained ground fast. The Irish cavalry made their last stand at a house called Plotton Castle about a mile and a half south of Old Bridge. There the NS skilleners were repelled with the loss of 50 men and pursued to William Raleigh them and turned the chase back. In this encounter Richard Hamilton who had done all that could be done by Valor to retrieve a reputation forfeited by perfidy was severely wounded, taken prisoner and instantly brought through the smoke and over the carnage before the Prince whom he had foully wronged. On no occasion did the character of William show itself in a more striking manner. Is this business over, he said, or will your horse make more fight? On my honor, sir, answer Hamilton, I believe that they will. Your honor, mother William, your honor that have suppressed exclamation was the only revenge which he condescended to take for an injury for which many sovereigns far more affable and gracious in their ordinary deportment would have exacted a terrible retribution then restraining himself he ordered his own surgeon to look to the hurts of the captive and now the battle was over Hamilton was mistaken in thinking that his horse would continue to fight whole troops had been cut to pieces one fine regiment had only 30 unwounded men left it was enough that these gallant soldiers had disputed the field till they were left without support or hope or guidance till their bravest leader was a captive until their king had fled End of section 94 this recording is in the public domain Section 95 of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales Read for LibriVox.org by Alan Mapstone The Where In Oh The Green 1798 During the rebellion of 1798 the famous Where In Oh The Green began to be sun Stopford A. Brooke says that it is probably the finest street ballad ever written The Editor Oh Paddy dear and did you hear the news that's going round The Shamrock is by law forbid to grow on Irish ground No more St. Patrick's Day will keep his color can't be seen for there's a cruel law again the wearing Oh The Green I met with Napper Tandy and he took me by the hand and he said how's poor old Ireland and how does she stand she's the most distressful country that ever yet was seen for there hanging men and women there Where In Oh The Green and if the color we must wear is England's cruel red let it remind us of the blood that Ireland has shed then pull the Shamrock from your hat and throw it on the salt and never fear it will take root there though underfoot is trod when low can stop the blades of grass from growing as they grow and when the leaves in summer time their color dare not show then I will change the color to I wear in my Cobine but till that day plays God I'll stick to wearing Oh The Green End of Section 95 this recording is in the public domain Section 96 of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales read for LibriVox.org by Alan Mapstone Emmett's Grave by Justin F. McCarthy Robert Emmett was the leader of the United Irish Men an organization which was formed to bring about parliamentary reforms becoming revolutionary he aided in causing the Irish Rebellion of 1798 five years later an uprising was led by Emmett who was captured and put to death the editor there is a grave in Dublin who's sad and silent stone no name of him who sleeps beneath no eulogy makes known no prayer for the departed soul no monumental bust adorns the voiceless sepulcher that shrouds the martyr's dust it is the grave of Robert Emmett it obeys the latest breath of his bidding to the country on the day he met his death my epitaph he ordered let no living finger trace till with the nations once again my country takes her place but all who love their country love that melancholy grave where the gallant body moulders of the bravest of the brave tis a nobler bed for such a sleep with his epitaph unsaid than the proudest tomb men ever raised to the venerated dead our lover, soldier, patriot the time will surely come when that mute slab that guards thy rest need be no longer dumb and when the children of thy race shall feel the right to make a fitting epitaph for him who died for Ireland's sake The harp that once through Tara's halls by Thomas Moore Tara, a score of miles from Dublin was famous in early Irish history as a royal residence the editor the harp that once through Tara's halls the soul of music shed now hangs as mute on Tara's walls as if that soul were fled so sleeps the pride of former days so glorious thrill is over and hearts that once beat high for praise now feel that pulse no more no more to chiefs and ladies bright the harp of Tara's wells the cord alone that breaks at night its tale of ruin tells thus freedom now so seldom wakes the only throb she gives some heart indignant breaks to show that still she lives End of Section 97 This recording is in the public domain Section 98 of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales Read for LibriVox.org by Sarah Hale Ireland Part 3 Ireland and Her People Throughout the 19th century the struggle for freedom was continued by various societies and parties The United Irishmen The Ribbon Society The Young Ireland Party The Finian Society The Land League and others Repression was answered by outrage and the prospect for liberty seemed at times dark indeed But slowly the long struggle against oppression began to bear fruit In 1829 the right of Catholics to sit in Parliament was granted 40 years later by the efforts of Gladstone the Episcopal Church in Ireland was disestablished Another serious grievance was the land question The land of the country was in the hands of a very few persons and was rented by them annually Except an Ulster, a tenant who had improved his holding in any way usually had his rent raised and if he was evicted he received no compensation for any of his improvements By the influence of Gladstone the act of the three Fs Free sale, fair rent, 60 of tenure was passed In 1885 the government offered to lend the small farmers the money to purchase their farms for themselves by their making small payments to extend over a period of 49 years Other acts have been passed with the same general aim The most pressing question for a long time was that of Home Rule That is a local legislature for the country not withstanding the threat of the Protestant province of Ulster to rebel rather than be governed by an Irish Parliament A Home Rule Bill passed the House of Commons in 1914 and so became law End of Section 98 This recording is in the public domain Section 99 of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Royal Story Volume 10 England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales Edited by Eva March-Tappan Section 99 The Grand Canal Hotel by Charles Lever The following scene from a story by a famous Irish novelist gives a vivid picture of the utter wretchedness to which a large proportion of the population of Ireland had been reduced by the early 19th century The editor Little does he know who voyages in a canal boat long some three miles and a half per hour ignominiously at the tails of two ambling hackneys what pride, pomp and circumstance await him at the first town he enters Seated on the deck watching with a Dutchman's apathy the sedgy banks whose tall flaggers bow their heads beneath the ripple that eddies from the bow Now lifting his eyes from earth to sky with nothing to interest, nothing to attract him from the gaze of the long dreary tract of bog and moorland to look upon his fellow travellers whose features are perhaps neither more striking nor more pleasing The monotonous jog of the postillum before the impassive placidity of the helmsman behind the lazy smoke that seems to lack energy to issue from the little chimney the brown and leaden look of all around have something dreamy and sleep compelling almost impossible to resist and already as the voyager droops his head and lets fall his eyelids a confused and misty sense of some everlasting journey toil some tedious and slow creeps over his besotted faculties when suddenly the loud bray of the horn breaks upon his ears the sound is re-echoed from a distance the far off tinkle of a bell is born along the water and he sees before him as if conjured up by some magicians wand the roofs and chimneys of a little village meanwhile the excitement about him increases the deck is lumbered with hampers and boxes and parcels the note of departure to many a cloaked and freeze coated passenger has rung for strangers it may seem in that little assemblage of mud hovels with their dung hills and their duck pools around them with it's one slated house and it's square chapel yet there are people who live there and strangers still some of those who have left it and seen other places are going back there again to drag on life as before but the plot is thickening the large brass bell at the stern of the boat is thundering away with it's clanging sound the banks are crowded with people and as if to favor the melodramatic magic of the scene the track rope is cast off the weary posters drawed away towards their stable the stately barge floats on to it's destined haven without the aid of any visible influence he who watches the look of proud important bearing that beams upon the captain's face at a moment like this may philosophize upon the power of that power which man wields above his fellow men such at least were some of my reflections and I could not help muttering to myself if a man like this feels pride of station what a glorious service must be the navy watching with interest the nautical skill with which having fastened a rope to the stern the boat was swung round with her head in the direction from whence she came I did not perceive that one by one the passengers were taking their departure goodbye captain cried father tom as he extended his ample hand to me we'll meet again in low gray I'm going on mrs. Carney's car or I'd be delighted to join you in a conveyance but you'll easily get one at the hotel I barely time to thank the good father for his kind advice when I perceived him adjusting various duo desimo carnies in the well of the car and then having carefully included himself in the freeze coat that wrapped mrs. Carney he gave the word to drive on as the day following was the time appointed for naming the horses and the riders I had no reason for haste low gray from what I'd heard was a commonplace country town in which as in all similar places every newcomer was canvas with a prying and searching curiosity I resolved therefore to stop where I was not indeed that the scenery possessed any attractions a prospect more bleak more desolate and more barren it would be impossible to conceive a wide river with low and greedy banks moving sluggishly on its yellow current between broad tracks of bog or callow meadowland no trace of cultivation not even a tree was to be seen such is shannon harbour no matter thought I the hotel at least looks well this consolatory reflection of mine was elicited by the prospect of a large stone building of some stories high whose granite portico and wide steps stood in strange contrast to the miserable mud hovels that flanked it on either side it was a strange thought to have placed such a situation I dismissed the ungrateful notion as I remembered my own position and how happy I felt to accept its hospitality a solitary jaunting car stood on the canal side the poor specimen of its class I'd ever seen the car a few boards cobbled up by some country carpenter seemed to threaten disunion even with the coughing of the wretched beast that wheezed in its shafts while the driver an emaciated creature of any age from 16 to 60 sat shivering upon the sea striking from time to time with his whip at the flies that played about the animal's ears as though anticipating their prey vinegar your honor lochre sir ral ye over in an hour and a half is it par tamna sir know my good friend applied I I stopped at the hotel had I proposed to take a sale down the Shannon on my portmanteau I don't think the astonishment could have been greater the bystanders and they were numerous enough by this time looked from one to the other with expressions of mingled surprise and dread and indeed had I like some sturdy knight errant of old announced my determination to pass the knight in a haunted chamber more unequivocal evidences of their admiration and fear could not have been evoked in the hotel said one he is going to stop at the hotel cried another blessed hour said a third wonders will never cease short as had been my residence in Ireland it had at least taught me one lesson never to be surprised at anything I met with so many views of life peculiar to the land let me at every turn so many strange prejudices so many singular notions that were I to apply it my previous knowledge of the world such as it was to my guidance here I should be like a man endeavoring to sound the depths of the sea with an instrument intended to ascertain the distance of a star leaving therefore to time the explanation of the mysterious astonishment around me I gathered together my baggage and left the boat traveler are not uncommonly his best the finer and more distinctive features of a land require deep study and long acquaintance but the broader traits of nationality are caught in an instant or not caught at all familiarity with them destroys them and it is only at first blush that we learn to appreciate them with force who that has landed at Calais at Rotterdam or at Leghorn has not felt this the Flemish peasant with her long-eared cap and heavy sabo the dark Italian basking his swarthy features in the sun are striking objects when we first look on them but days and weeks roll on the wider characteristics of human nature swallow up the smaller and more narrow features of nationality and in a short time we forget that the things which have surprised us at first are not what we have been used to from our infancy gifted with but slender powers of observations such as they were this was to me always a moment of their exercise how often in the rural districts of my own country have the air of cheery comfort and healthy contentment spoken to my heart how frequently in the manufacturing ones have the din of hammers the black smoke or the lure flame of furnaces turn my thoughts to those great sources of our national wealth and made me look in every dark and swarthy face that passed as on one who ministered to his country's wheel but now I was to view a new and very different scene scarcely had I put foot on shore when the whole population of the village thronged around me what are these thought I what art do they practice what trade do they profess alas their one looks their tattered garments their outstretched hands and imploring gave the answer they were all beggars it was not as if the old the decrepit the sickly or the feeble had fallen on the charity of their fellow men in their hour of need but here were all all the old man and the infant the husband and the wife the aged grandfather and the tottering grandchild the white locks of youth the whiter hairs of age pale pallid and sickly trembling between passion and suspense watching with the hectic eye of fever every gesture of him on whom their momentary hope was fixed canvassing in mothered tones every step of his proceeding and hazarding a doubt upon its bearing on their own fate oh the heavens be your bed noble gentlemen look at me the lord reward you for the little sixpence that you have in your I'm the mother of ten of them Billy Cronin your honor I'm dark since I was nine years old I'm the oldest man in the town land said an old fellow with a white beard and a blanket strapped rounding while bursting through the crowd came a strange odd looking figure in a huntsman's coat and cap but both were so patched and tattered it was difficult to detect their color here's Joe your honor he's got a little little baby putting his hand to his mouth at the same moment tally ho yee ho yee ho he shouted with a mellow cadence I never heard surpassed yow yow yow he cried imitating the barking of dogs and then uttering a long low whale like the bay of a hound he shouted out hark away hark away and at the same moment pranced into the thickest of the crowd upsetting men women the cries of others and the laughter of nearly all ringing through the motley mass making their misery look still more frightful throwing what silver I had about me amongst them I made my way towards the hotel not alone however but heading a procession of my ragged friends who with loud praises of my liberality testified their gratitude by bearing me company arrived at the porch I took my luggage from the carrier and entered the house hotel I'd ever seen there was neither a stir nor bustle no burly landlord no buxom landlady no dapper waiter with napkin on his arm no pert looking chamber mate with a bedroom candlestick a large haul dirty and unfurnished led into a kind of bar upon whose unpainted shelves a few straggling bottles were arranged together with some pewter measures and tobacco pipes while the walls were covered with setting forth the regulations for the grand canal hotel with a list copious and abundant of all the good things to be found therein with the prices annexed and a pressing entreaty to the traveler should he not feel satisfied with his reception to mention it in a book kept for that purpose by the landlord I cast my eye along the bill of fare so ostentatiously put forth I read of rump steaks and roast bells of red rounds and sirloins and I turned from the spot resolved to explore further the room opposite was large and spacious and probably destined for the coffee room but it also was empty it had neither chair nor table and save a pictorial representation of a canal boat drawn by some native artist with a burnt stick upon the wall it had no decoration having amused myself with the lady Kay her such was the vessel called I again set forth on my voyage of discovery and bent my steps towards the kitchen alas my success was no better there the goodly great before which should have stood some of that luscious fare of which I had been reading was cold and deserted in one corner it was true three sides of earth scarce light it supported an antiquated kettle whose twisted spot was turned up without misanthropic curl at the misery of its existence I ascended the stairs my foot footsteps echoed along the silent quarter but still no trace of human habitant could I see and I began to believe that even the landlord had departed with the Lord at this moment the low murmur of voices caught my ear I listened and could distinctly catch the sound of persons talking together at the end of the quarter following along this I came to a door at which having knocked twice with my knuckles I've waited for the invitation to enter either in disposed to admit me or not having my summons they did not reply so turning the handle gently I opened the door and entered the room unobserved for some minutes I profited but little by this step the apartment a small one was literally full of smoke and it was only when I had wiped the tears from my eyes three times that I had linked began to recognize the objects before me seated upon two low stools beside a miserable fire of green wood that smoked not blazed upon the hearth were a man and a woman between them a small and rickety table supported a tea equipage of the humblest description and a plate of fish whose odor pronounced them red herrings of the man I could see but little as his back was turned toward me but had it been otherwise I could scarcely have withdrawn my looks from the figure of his companion never had my eyes fallen on an object so strange and so unearthly she was an old woman so old as to have numbered nearly a hundred years her head uncovered by her cap or quoth despite a mass of white hair that hung down her back and shoulders and even partly across her face not sufficiently however to conceal two dark orbits within which her dimmed eyes faintly glimmered her nose was thin and pointed and projecting to the very mouth which drawn backwards at the angles by the tense muscles wore an expression of hideous laughter over her coarse dress of some country stuff she wore for warmth the cast off coat of a soldier giving to her uncouth figure the semblance of an aged baboon at a village show her voice broken with coughing was a low feeble treble that seemed to issue from passages where lingering life had left scarce a trace of vitality and yet she talked on without ceasing and moved her skinny fingers among the teacups and knives upon the table with a fidgety restlessness as though in search of something there as goshla don't smoke don't now sure it is the ruin of your complexion I never see boys take to back of this way when I was young wished mother and don't be bothering me was the cranky reply given in a voice which strange to say was not quite unknown to me I said the old crone always the same never mind in a word I say and maybe in a few years I won't be to the fore to look after you and watch you hear the painful thought of leaving a world so full of its seductions and sweets seemed too much for her feelings and she began to cry her companion however appeared but little affected but puffed away at his pipe at his ease waiting with patience till the paroxysm was passed there now said the old lady brightening up take away the tape things and you may go and take a run on the common but mind you don't be pelting Jack Moore's goose and take care of Brian's soul she is as wicked as the devil now that she is bonings after her do you hear me darling or is it sick you are ah we're we're what's the matter with you corny ma butchal corny exclaimed I forget full of my incognito I corny neither more nor less than corny himself said that without a personage as rising to his legs he deposited his pipe upon the table thrust his hands into his pockets and seemed prepared to give battle oh corny said I'm delighted to find you here perhaps you can assist me I thought this was a hotel and why wouldn't you think it is a hotel hasn't it a bar and a coffee room isn't the regulations of the house printed and stuck up on all the walls I that's what the directors did put the price on everything as if one was going to cheat the people and signs on it look at the place now uh the havens the Turks yes indeed corny look at the place now glad to have an opportunity to chime in with my friends opinions well and look at it replied he bristling up and what have you to say again it isn't it the grand canal hotel yes but said I conciliatingly a hotel ought at least to have a landlord or a landlady and what do you call my mother there city with indignant energy don't bait corny sir don't strike the child screen the old woman in an accent of heart-rending terror sure he doesn't know what he is saying he is telling me it isn't the grand canal hotel mother shouted corny in the old ladies ears while at the same moment he burst into a bit of most discordant laughter by some strange sympathy the old woman joined in and I myself unable to resist the ludicrous effect of a scene which still had touched my feelings gave way also and thus we all three laugh on for several minutes suddenly recovering himself in the midst of his cacanations corny turned briskly round fixed his fiery eyes upon me and said and did you come all the way from town to laugh at my mother and me I hastened to exonerate myself from such a charge and in a few words informed him of the object of my journey whether I was going under what painful delusion I labored in supposing the internal arrangements of the grand canal hotel bore any relation to its imposing exterior I thought I could have dined here no you can't was a reply and you're not fond of herons and had a bed too nor that either of you don't like straw and as your mother nothing better than that said I pointing to the miserable plate of fish wished I tell you and don't be putting the like in her head sometimes she hears as well as you or me here he dropped his voice to a whisper herons is so cheap that we always make her believe its land this is nine year now she's fasting here a fit of laughing at the success of this innocent roost again broke from corny in which as before his mother joined and what am I to do asked I if I can get nothing to eat here is there no other house in the village no devil a one how far is it to low gray 14 miles in a bit I can get a car I suppose I if Mary doonan's boy is not gone back the old woman whose eyes were impatiently fixed upon me during this colloquy but who heard not a word of what was going forward now broken why doesn't he pay the bill and go away devil a farthing I'll take off it sure as we were a real gentleman you'd be given a fit penny bit to the gassoon there that's our view never mind corny dear I'll buy a bag of marbles for you at Bannegour fearful of once more giving way to unseasonable mirth I rushed from the room and hurried downstairs the crowd that had so lately accompanied me was now scattered each to his several home the only one who lingered near the door was the poor idiot for such he was that wore the huntsman's dress is the low gray car gone Joe said I for I remembered his name she is your honor she is away is there any means of getting over tonight barn walking there's none I but said I were I even disposed for that I've got my luggage is it heavy said Joe this portmanteau and the carpet bag you see there I'll carry them was the brief reply you'll not be able my poor fellow said I I and you on the top of them you don't know how heavy I am said I laughingly big or I wish you was heavier and why so Joe because one that was so good to the poor is worth his weight in ghoul any day I do not pretend to say whether it was the flattery or the promise these words gave me of an agreeable companion en route but certain it is I once closed with his proposal and with a ceremonies bow to the grand canal hotel took my departure and set out for local a end of section 99 this recording is in the public domain section 100 of England Scotland Ireland and Wales this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org the world's story volume 10 England Scotland Ireland and Wales edited by Eva March Tappan section 100 an Irish school early part of the 19th century by Gerald Griffin the school house of Glen de Lauc was situated near the romantic river which flows between the wild scenery of drum golf and the seven churches it was a low stone building indifferently thatched the whole interior consisting of one oblong room floored with clay and lighted by two or three windows the pains of which were patched with old copy books were all supplanted by school slates the walls had once been plastered and white washed but now part took of that appearance of dilapidation which characterized the whole building along each wall was placed a row of large stones the one intended to furnish seats for the boys the other for the girls the decorum of Mr. Lennigan's establishment requiring that they should be kept on ordinary occasions for Mr. Lennigan it should be understood had not been favored with any pestilates in life the only chair in the whole establishment was that which was usually occupied by Mr. Lennigan himself and a table appeared to be a luxury of which they were either ignorant or wholly regardless this morning Mr. Lennigan was rather later than his usual hour in taking possession of the chair above alluded to the sun was mounting swiftly up the heavens the rows of stones before described were already occupied and the babble of a hundred voices like the sound of a beehive filled the house now and then a school boy in freeze coat and corduroy trousers with an ink bottle dangling at his breast a copy book slate buster and reading book under one arm and a sod of turf the other dropped in and took his place upon the next unoccupied stone a great boy with a huge slate in his arm stood in the center of the apartment making a list of all those who were guilty of any indecorum in the absence of the mass the near the door was a blazing turf fire which the sharp autumnal wind already rendered agreeable in a corner behind the door lay a heap of fuel formed by the contributions of all the scholars each being obliged to bring one sod of turf every day and each having the privilege of sitting by the fire while his own sod was burning those who failed to pay their tribute of fuel sat cold and shivering the whole day long at the farther end of the room huddling together their bear and frostbitten toes and casting a long envious eye toward the sound of well marble shins that surrounded the fire full in the influence of a cherishing flame was placed the hay-bottom chair that supported the person of Mr. Henry Linnigan when that great man presided in person in his rural seminary on his right lay a close bush of hazel of astonishing size the emblem of his authority and the instrument of castigation was a wooden stroker that is to say a large rule of smooth and polished deal used for stroking lines in copy books and also forced stroking the palms of the refractory pupils on the other side lay a lofty heap of copy books which were left there by the boys and girls for the purpose of having their copies sought by the master about noon Mr. Hush was produced by the appearance at the open door of a young man dressed in rusty black and with something clerical in his costume and demeanor this was Mr. Linnigan's classical assistant for to himself the volumes of ancient literature were a fountain sealed five or six strong young men all of whom were intended for learned professions were the only portion of Mr. Linnigan's scholars that aspired to those lofty sources of information at the sound of the word Virgil from the lips of the assistant the whole class started from their seats and crowded around him each brandishing a smoky volume of the great Augustine poet who could he have looked into this Irish Academy from that part of the infernal regions in which he has been placed by his pupil Dante might have been tempted to exclaim in the pathetic words of his own hero Sönt Hick et iam sua premia laudi Sönt Lacrimi rerum et mentin mortalia tanga whose head was the first question proposed by the assistant after he had thrown open the volume at that part marked as the day's lesson Jim Norton sir well Norton begin constor constor footnote construe end of footnote now and be quick Atpuer Ascanius metaise in Wallabas Akri gaudit ekwo iam kwe hose kursu iam krederit elos spoo mantem kwe dari go on sir why don't you constur Atpuer Ascanius the person so addressed began but the boy Ascanius metaise in Wallabas in the middle of the valleys gaudit rejoices exalts Aragal exalts is a Bether word gaudit exalts akri ekwo upon his Bether horse o Merther alive his Bether horse benag era what would make a horse be Bether Jim sure tizins of sour beer he's talking rejoicing upon a Bether horse dear knows what a show he was what raisin he had for it akri ekwo upon his metal some steed that's the construction Jim proceeded akri ekwo upon his metal some steed iam kwe on now krederit he goes beyond outstrips akri preterit he outstrips host these yam kwe elos and now those kursu in his course kwe and aptat elongs very good Jim longs is a very good word there i thought you were going to say wishes did anybody tell you that dickens of one sir that's a good boy well aptat elongs spremantem aprum that a foaming bore dowry shall be given woe tiz to his desires out folem leonim or that a tawny lion that's a good word again tawny is a good word better than yellow to send dairy shall descend montae from the mountain now boys observe the beauty of the poet there's great nature in the picture of the boy tawny is just the same way as we see young mr kylie of the grove at the fox chase the other day leading the whole of them right and left yam kwe host yam kwe elos and now mr cleary and now captain davis he outstrips in his course a beautiful picture boys there is in them four lines about fine high-blooded youth yes people are always the same times and manners change but the heart of man is the same now as it was in the days of augustus but constor your task jim and then i'll give you and the boys a little commentary upon its beauties the boy obeyed and read as far as pre-text nominate culpom after which the assistant proceeded to pronounce his letter to jim the 17 lines that jim comes through this minute contains as much as 50 in a modern book i pointed out to you the picture of uskanis and i'll back it again the world for nature then there's the incipient storm in terria magno misery murmur a don't be talking but listen to that there's a rumblin in the language like the sound of coming thunder in sequitur mista grande nembus do you hear the change do you hear all the s's do you hear um whistlin do you hear the black squall coming up the hillside brushing up the dust and dried leaves off the road and hissing through the threes and brushes and do you hear the hail drivin ather and spattering the leaves and whitening the face of the country commista grande nembus do i mightin sin but when i read them words i gather my head down between my shoulders as if it was hailing atop of me and then the sight of all the huntin party dido and the throjans and all the great court ladies and the tari and companions scattered like crack people about the place looking for shelter and pelton about right and left heather and the other in all direction for the bare life and the flood swelling and coming thunder and down and rivers from the mountains and all in three lines at tari e comitas pasimetra yana you went to and done this great neppos when eras the worst pair agros tecta metu patieri ruant de montibus omnis and see the beauty of the poet fallen up the character of oscanius he makes him the last to quit the field first the tari and comrades and the feminine race that ran at the sight of a shower as if they were made assault that they'd melt under it and then the throjan youth lads that were used to it in the first book and last of all the spirited boy oscanius himself silenced near the door spell on come dido duks et trionis iandam de whenyant observe boys you no longer cause them as of old pia sanius only dukes trionis there's where bourgeois took the crust out of Homer's mouth in the neatness of his language that you gather a part of the feeling from the very shape of the line and turn of the prosody as formerly when dido was asked in the neus concerning where he came from and where he was bound he makes ansa est locus asperium gratii cog nomine de cons terra antiqua potens armus aque uberi glabi huck curses fuit and there the line stopped short as much as to say just as i cut this line short and spake into you just so our course was cut in going to Italy the same way when Juno is vexed in talking of the throjans he makes her spake bad latin to show how mad she is silence many in kepto de cisteri victim nec passi italia to quorum aware terry regum quipe vetor fattis palasne excurere clossum argium aque ipsos potuit submer gary panter so he laves you to guess what a passion she is in when he makes her lave an infinitive mood without anything to govern it you can't attribute it to ignorance for it would be a whole thing in erinist if Juno the queen of all the gods didn't know a common rule in syntax so that you have nothing for it but to say that she must be in the very moral of a fury such boys as the art of poets and the genius languages but I kept it long enough go along to your Greek now as fast as you can and rehearse and as for you continued the learned commentator turning to a massive English scholars I see one coming over the river that will teach you how to behave yourselves as it is a thing you won't do for me put up your verges now boys and out with the Greek and remember the beauties I pointed out to you if you haven't yourselves the class separated and the hundred anxious eyes were directed towards the open door it afforded the glimpse of a sunny green and babbling river over which Mr. Lennigan followed by his brother David was now observed in the act of picking his cautious way at this operation a sudden change took place in the entire condition of the school stragglers flew to their places the school was cut short the growing bit of rage was quelled the uplifted hand dropped harmless by the side of its owner Mary faces grew serious and angry ones peaceable the eyes of all seen pouring on their books and the extravagant uproar of the last half hour was hushed on a sudden into a diligent murmur those who were most proficient in the study of the masters physiognomy detected in as he entered and greeted his assistant something of a troubled and uneasy character he took the list with a severe countenance from the hands of a boy above mentioned sent all those names he found upon the fatal record to kneel down in a corner until he should find leisure to hair them and prepared to enter upon his daily functions for the present however the delinquents are saved by the entrance of a fresh character upon the the newcomer was a handsome young woman who carried a pet child in her arms and held another by the hand the sensation of pleasure which ran among the young culprits at her appearance showed her to be their great captain's captain the beloved and loving helpmate of Mr. Lennigan casting unperceived by her Lord and encouraging smile toward the kneeling culprits she took an opportunity while engaged in a weadling conversation with her husband to perlorn his deal rule and to blot out the list of the proscribed from the slate after which she stole out calling David to dig the potatoes for dinner and so we too will leave the school end of section 100 this recording is in the public domain