206

A PRIESTLY EJECTMENT.

you see how yonder castle is perched on a rock in the sea, the approach to it is by a narrow causeway, the breadth of a man's path; on either side is the boiling tide dancing and springing about; a single stone thrown from the castle would have sent the priest to purgatory; but on the sacred man marched, who dare touch him; he bore a charmed life-he walked on surrounded by the halo of reverential respect, and stouter than mortal would he be that dare bar his entrance.

"Out of this, ye varmint-out of the castle, pack every mother's son of you: begone, or I will send the old walls tumbling about your ears.'

The mandate was obeyed, one took up a stool, another a bed-post, the children carried pots, porringers, and trenchers, and when all were gone, like the children of Israel departing out of Egypt; then it was that the priest, taking out bell and breviary, pronounced his curse, and down with tremendous crash, and dash, went the half of the old castle into the sea, and there the remainder of it now stands, a memorial and mark of priestly power."

My good reader, do not be in the least incredulous, for all this must be quite true; every one on the

A SAD REMEDY.

207

island believing it, except a few poor heretics of the water-guard. But you will ask, is this omnipotent priest still in power on this island? No, he is not, it would have gladdened mine eyes to have beholden him. Alas! mortal man, even in the midst of his might, is given to faults and must bend to fate, and our friend of the castle had one failing—and if, in any instance it would be excusable, it was here. In the dark and misty atmosphere that surrounded him, after his chilly walks over the barren heights of his parish, on returning home to his lonely parlour, with no companion but his breviary-none of the charities of domestic life around him-no one in the world near him that had a claim to say, live for me; what wonder is it that he fled to the bottle for refuge from the sense of desolation and one-ness; what wonder that he sought in brandy, for that artificial excitement of spirits, which could lift him up from the prostration of all those hopes, endearments, and associations, that make life to others desirable? His end was awful and sudden; he left his island parish either for the purpose of relaxation or business, and landing at the town of Baltimore, went to a public

208

A FEARFUL FATE.

house, and called for a quantity of spirits. It was left with him in his apartment. In a few hours, those that came into the room found the liquor drank, and the priest no more.

CHAPTER VI.

CAPE CLEAR ISLAND.

The Waterguard-Our Reception and Communion with them-The Bible read-Our Separation-Ascend to the Summit of the Island-Native Girl -Schoolmaster-Lake in the Island-Valuable Qualities of its watersInnisherkin-Dunalong, Sir Fineen O'Driscoll's Castle-Sir Fineen and Black Gilly Duff's Feats-Consequences of Adventure with a Merchant Ship of Waterford-Defeat and Ruin of Sir Fineen-Departure from Cape Clear-Storm-Escape-Note, stating the Wants and Capabilities of the Island of Cape Clear.

"It is now time to think of the water-guard. You know," says my friend, "it was not to prate about old bones or castles I came with you; will you come about my business?"

"Yes, certainly; I hope, though feeling an interest and amusement in old legendary stories, and the play of a people's superstition, I do not set the less value on the work, the efficiency, the furtherance of divine truth: onward let us go."

So we toiled along a craggy path, that led us to a hollow sort of ravine, that seemed to cut the island in two, and connected two coves, or bays-one on its north, and the other on its south side. In this sheltered hollow was the house of the water-guard, a crew of about twenty sailors with their families, who

P

210

A COAST GUARD STATION.

are stationed here to put a stop to smuggling on the coast; and what a contrast was here between the hovels of the Irish and this neat little habitation; low and lonely as it was, it was trim and clean; and more than that, about men, women, and children, there was a neatness and a tidiness, a decorum and a keeping in dress and furniture, evincing, that wherever an English family is stationed, let it be cast where, or tossed how, still it retains the indelible character of superior comfort, and that irrepressible self-respect, that holds itself entitled to enjoy, and bound to preserve order, cleanliness and decency; and it was quite delightful to see how respectfully they approached their minister-how the women came round him with their little ones- -how the urchin "climbed his knee, the envied kiss to share," all anxious to catch the good man's smile, all clamorous to bid him welcome; for indeed it is not often in the year that this island can be approached in an open boat-all through the winter it is impossible. You then, good reader, who enjoy the blessings of a preached Gospel, who have the word of salvation delivered to you Sunday after Sunday, who experience fully "how beautiful are the feet of those who