acted with rudeness towards them; the infantry however, were uniformly disposed to kindness, and omitted no opportunity to evince feelings which could not be mistaken.

It

It was midnight when we arrived at the town of Newry; our carriages were drawn up in front of the principal hotel. A small squadron of dragoons only remained with us, while the main body retired to feed their horses, after a long and fatiguing march. The garrison of the town had not been apprised of our approach, and no relief was in readiness. The prisoners wanted refreshment, but none was allowed them. was here that the generous feelings of our fair country women were portrayed in native colouring. The young and lovely daughters of the "maître d'hotel" hastened to present us with refreshments. This was opposed by the guards; but while they refused admission within their lines, they durst not raise their hands against female innocence and beauty. Two of those interesting girls approached my carriage; this they could only effect through the hazardous expedient of passing under the cavalry horses, which evinced more gentleness than their riders. They extended their arms with difficulty, and pressed me to partake of the refreshments which they presented; while 1, in admiration of their

heroic courage, forgot the privations which they came to relieve, and inhaled the sweeter delight which the presence of virtue and loveliness affords. Heroic countrywomen! if courage had been wanting to animate our cause, your example would have taught us firmness.

Our escort was soon refreshed, and as the commander seemed to consider time of importtance, we left the more fatigued troops behind, and proceeded with every possible expedition to cross the once formidable barrier which nature has placed between Leinster and our native province. The roads at that time were difficult of passage, and our advance was much impeded by the darkness of the night, and the steep ascents, over which our carriages could only proceed at a slow and slackened pace; it was therefore late on the night of the 17th when we reached the capital. We drove direct to the castle. Our arrival was unlooked for; no arrangements had been made for our reception. The officers of the several departments of the castle had retired. There was no authority to receive us; none to whom the commander of the escort could consign his prisoners. We remained for more than two hours in this situation, drawn up and guarded in our respective carriages, without being permitted the slightest

intercourse with each other. During this time all was still and quiet within the precincts of the castle, but at length the return of the messenger was announced who had been dispatched to the residence of the chief secretary of state, and a council was hastily convened, before whom a few of my fellow-prisoners underwent a ridiculous examination, which only tended to betray the indecision of the council, and to expose the weakness which all their assumed courage and importance could not conceal. After a

little further delay in telling over our numbers, calling out our respective names and places of abode, the council broke up, and we were conducted to prison.

CHAPTER IV.

Committal of State Prisoners by Judge Boyd-Prison scenes-Magisterial atrocity -Severe restrictions imposed on the Prisoners- Ingenious contrivance to transmit communications from without-Partial relaxation of severities-Lord O'Neill.

Ir was late when we arrived at this mansion of human misery, under a strong escort of British dragoons. The stillness of the night; the solitary gloom of the prison; the echo of feet as we passed through the long vaulted corridor; the alternate clank of a chain and the grating of the dungeon-door, which opened to entomb the victim, were all calculated to inspire sentiments of horror in a mind tainted with guilt or embued with crime. And was this to be the residence of those, whose crime was love of country, and whose guilt was attachment to the human race?

The brave veteran who commanded the escort, on handing over his prisoners, seemed surprised at the composure with which men ap

D

proached what in this day of terror was considered an inevitable fate. ""Twere pity", he whispered, "they should perish, for guilt does not assume the air of fortitude which marks their deportment.". "Farewell, gentlemen," said he, with an expression of countenance which bespoke a benevolent heart, "I have executed a painful duty, but I hope not with too rigorous an observance." As he concluded the last sentence, he opened a small silver snuff-box which he had held for some time in his hand ; I was standing near him; he extended it towards me I bowed, and taking a pinch from the box, "It is grateful", said I, “after a tedious night and a dreary march." He looked on me, I thought, with an eye of paternal kindness, and presenting the box, “ "Accept this," said he," and may its contents never be exhausted in prison."

As no preparation had been made for our reception, we passed the first night of our imprisonment as under such circumstances might naturally have been expected. We slept however soundly, and though not on beds of roses, our pillows were free from thorns. We were escorted on the following morning (Sunday), with considerable military parade, through the principal streets of the capital, to the residence of