fall on the employers. I dislike the present system of letting lands only to the rich: still it is not contrary to law, and it cannot with safety or propriety be opposed, farther than by embracing every legal opportunity to discountenance it."

"Sir," said Douglas, "the country should unite in opposing it."

"It would be an unlawful combination," replied the magistrate; "but petitions to parliament might be got up against it; although, I confess, I do not see how even parliament could interfere on the subject. Making statutes to control a man's authority over his own property might be deemed unconstitutional. But the evil is great; and if it be not by some means checked, the mischief it may produce will be incalculable. To contemplate what it has already produced, is really sickening to humanity."

"I honour you, Mr. Onsley," said M'Manus," for such sentiments; and, although I think that where the hopes of redress by regular and legal methods are so small, there would be no crime in directing the energies of the people against the grievance, even should they be secretly collected and combined; yet, from your official situation, I can duly appreciate and respect the scruples you entertain against such a species of opposition."

"It is too grave a point for present discussion,"

said Onsley. "Fill your glasses, gentleinen;-it is excellent Port; and let us drink "to the tillers of our soil, who feed us in peace and defend us in war!"

"Success to them!" said Douglas.

"Amen!" cried Munn: and the three gentlemen at once quaffed their glasses to the senti

ment.

"As to the young bullies in the other room," observed Munn, "I am not desirous to be harsh with them. One of them, it is true, Clearfield, I think is his name, is a coxcomb, with as little sense as an ass, and as much impudence and choler as a turkey; but the other has more coolness and, I believe, more real courage in his composition. He was the last to take fire, and the first to give battle. I have some respect for his behaviour, and 'should, on his account, be reluctant to humble them farther."

"I think, however," said Douglas, "you should insist on the terms you proposed, as I am much mistaken if they will not be content to comply with them. The mob without threatens them with vengeance if they do not, and that valiant coxcomb, Clearfield, is become terribly frighten

ed."

As Douglas predicted, it came to pass. The unfortunate cattle-dealers made such an apology as

was dictated by the magistrate, and into the hands of one of the churchwardens, who was sent for, deposited five guineas for the benefit of the poor. They were then dismissed; and left the fair, followed by the hisses and hootings of the multitude.

CHAPTER X.

The plot of vengeance is at length contrived;
The test is form'd, and sworn, with ardour sworn to
By foul conspirators against the laws;

Who thus rejoice to work their country's wo!
Ill-fated land! whose children disagree
So oft, and meditate each other's ruin!
Alas! will Irishmen ne'er love each other!

Oh! will they never view themselves as brethren,
And learn that concord is their truest wisdom!

IRISH SOOTHSAYER.

MUNN, and his new associate, Douglas, spent the evening with the magistrate in all the festivity and high glee of Irish conviviality. The former was, indeed, astonished at the more than usual degree of respect which the magistrate paid him. Throughout the whole evening, he manifested towards him a warmth and a desire to please, which far surpassed the ordinary demands of good breeding and hospitality, even of such ardent hospitality as Irishmen ever consider due to a stranger and a.guest!

On their way back to the Game Cock, M'Manus therefore, could not help expressing to Dou

glas his pleasure and surprise, at meeting with such extraordinary kindness from a mere stranger, and confessed his inability to account for it.

"Order your servant forward out of hearing," said Douglas, (for Dennis M'Clurkin was at this moment almost alongside of them,) " and I shall account for it to your satisfaction."

Dennis received his instructions, and rode on.

"You will be surprised when I tell you," continued Douglas, "that there is, at this moment, no man in the country who possesses so much influence over my cousin Onsley, (for my mother's side of the house confers upon us that relationship,) as yourself. I knew this when I advised you to submit to the constable; otherwise, I would rather have attempted to rescue you by force of arms, than have seen you a prisoner on the present occasion. But the best way to account for my cousin's partiality towards you is, to give you a concise sketch of his history.

"He was the only son of Thomas Onsley, a gentleman, who made himself my uncle by the plain method of marrying my aunt. They were an honest, well-meaning, neighbourly couple, possessed of an income of about two hundred a year, on which they contrived to live a very reasonable time on this precious earth of ours, without either increasing their wealth by industry, or diminishing it by