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diff --git a/509-h/509-h.htm b/509-h/509-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6fa8cb1 --- /dev/null +++ b/509-h/509-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,4550 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Purcell Papers, Volume I. by JOSEPH SHERIDAN LE FANU + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + --> +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Purcell Papers, by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Purcell Papers + Volume I. (of III.) + +Author: Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu + +Release Date: May 24, 2008 [EBook #509] +Last Updated: November 30, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PURCELL PAPERS *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE PURCELL PAPERS. + </h1> + <h2> + BY THE LATE <br /> JOSEPH SHERIDAN LE FANU, + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h4> + AUTHOR OF 'UNCLE SILAS.' + </h4> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + With a Memoir by ALFRED PERCEVAL GRAVES + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h4> + IN THREE VOLUMES. + </h4> + <h2> + VOL. I. + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> MEMOIR OF JOSEPH SHERIDAN LE FANU. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> THE GHOST AND THE BONE SETTER. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> THE FORTUNES OF SIR ROBERT ARDAGH. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> THE LAST HEIR OF CASTLE CONNOR. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> THE DRUNKARD'S DREAM. </a> + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + MEMOIR OF JOSEPH SHERIDAN LE FANU. + </h2> + <p> + A noble Huguenot family, owning considerable property in Normandy, the Le + Fanus of Caen, were, upon the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, deprived + of their ancestral estates of Mandeville, Sequeville, and Cresseron; but, + owing to their possessing influential relatives at the court of Louis the + Fourteenth, were allowed to quit their country for England, unmolested, + with their personal property. We meet with John Le Fanu de Sequeville and + Charles Le Fanu de Cresseron, as cavalry officers in William the Third's + army; Charles being so distinguished a member of the King's staff that he + was presented with William's portrait from his master's own hand. He + afterwards served as a major of dragoons under Marlborough. + </p> + <p> + At the beginning of the eighteenth century, William Le Fanu was the sole + survivor of his family. He married Henrietta Raboteau de Puggibaut, the + last of another great and noble Huguenot family, whose escape from France, + as a child, by the aid of a Roman Catholic uncle in high position at the + French court, was effected after adventures of the most romantic danger. + </p> + <p> + Joseph Le Fanu, the eldest of the sons of this marriage who left issue, + held the office of Clerk of the Coast in Ireland. He married for the + second time Alicia, daughter of Thomas Sheridan and sister of Richard + Brinsley Sheridan; his brother, Captain Henry Le Fanu, of Leamington, + being united to the only other sister of the great wit and orator. + </p> + <p> + Dean Thomas Philip Le Fanu, the eldest son of Joseph Le Fanu, became by + his wife Emma, daughter of Dr. Dobbin, F.T.C.D., the father of Joseph + Sheridan Le Fanu, the subject of this memoir, whose name is so familiar to + English and American readers as one of the greatest masters of the weird + and the terrible amongst our modern novelists. + </p> + <p> + Born in Dublin on the 28th of August, 1814, he did not begin to speak + until he was more than two years of age; but when he had once started, the + boy showed an unusual aptitude in acquiring fresh words, and using them + correctly. + </p> + <p> + The first evidence of literary taste which he gave was in his sixth year, + when he made several little sketches with explanatory remarks written + beneath them, after the manner of Du Maurier's, or Charles Keene's + humorous illustrations in 'Punch.' + </p> + <p> + One of these, preserved long afterwards by his mother, represented a + balloon in mid-air, and two aeronauts, who had occupied it, falling + headlong to earth, the disaster being explained by these words: 'See the + effects of trying to go to Heaven.' + </p> + <p> + As a mere child, he was a remarkably good actor, both in tragic and comic + pieces, and was hardly twelve years old when he began to write verses of + singular spirit for one so young. At fourteen, he produced a long Irish + poem, which he never permitted anyone but his mother and brother to read. + To that brother, Mr. William Le Fanu, Commissioner of Public Works, + Ireland, to whom, as the suggester of Sheridan Le Fanu's 'Phaudrig + Croohore' and 'Shamus O'Brien,' Irish ballad literature owes a delightful + debt, and whose richly humorous and passionately pathetic powers as a + raconteur of these poems have only doubled that obligation in the hearts + of those who have been happy enough to be his hearers—to Mr. William + Le Fanu we are indebted for the following extracts from the first of his + works, which the boy-author seems to have set any store by: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Muse of Green Erin, break thine icy slumbers! + Strike once again thy wreathed lyre! + Burst forth once more and wake thy tuneful numbers! + Kindle again thy long-extinguished fire! + + 'Why should I bid thee, Muse of Erin, waken? + Why should I bid thee strike thy harp once more? + Better to leave thee silent and forsaken + Than wake thee but thy glories to deplore. + + 'How could I bid thee tell of Tara's Towers, + Where once thy sceptred Princes sate in state— + Where rose thy music, at the festive hours, + Through the proud halls where listening thousands + sate? + + 'Fallen are thy fair palaces, thy country's glory, + Thy tuneful bards were banished or were slain, + Some rest in glory on their deathbeds gory, + And some have lived to feel a foeman's chain. + + 'Yet for the sake of thy unhappy nation, + Yet for the sake of Freedom's spirit fled, + Let thy wild harpstrings, thrilled with indignation, + Peal a deep requiem o'er thy sons that bled. + + 'O yes! like the last breath of evening sighing, + Sweep thy cold hand the silent strings along, + Flash like the lamp beside the hero dying, + Then hushed for ever be thy plaintive song.' +</pre> + <p> + To Mr. William Le Fanu we are further indebted for the accompanying + specimens of his brother's serious and humorous powers in verse, written + when he was quite a lad, as valentines to a Miss G. K.: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Life were too long for me to bear + If banished from thy view; + Life were too short, a thousand year, + If life were passed with you. + + 'Wise men have said "Man's lot on earth + Is grief and melancholy," + But where thou art, there joyous mirth + Proves all their wisdom folly. + + 'If fate withhold thy love from me, + All else in vain were given; + Heaven were imperfect wanting thee, + And with thee earth were heaven.' + + A few days after, he sent the following sequel: +</pre> + <p> + 'My dear good Madam, You can't think how very sad I'm. I sent you, or I + mistake myself foully, A very excellent imitation of the poet Cowley, + Containing three very fair stanzas, Which number Longinus, a very critical + man, says, And Aristotle, who was a critic ten times more caustic, To a + nicety fits a valentine or an acrostic. And yet for all my pains to this + moving epistle, I have got no answer, so I suppose I may go whistle. + Perhaps you'd have preferred that like an old monk I had pattered on In + the style and after the manner of the unfortunate Chatterton; Or that, + unlike my reverend daddy's son, I had attempted the classicalities of the + dull, though immortal Addison. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I can't endure this silence another week; + What shall I do in order to make you speak? + Shall I give you a trope + In the manner of Pope, + Or hammer my brains like an old smith + To get out something like Goldsmith? + Or shall I aspire on + To tune my poetic lyre on + The same key touched by Byron, + And laying my hand its wire on, + With its music your soul set fire on + By themes you ne'er could tire on? + Or say, + I pray, + Would a lay + Like Gay + Be more in your way? + I leave it to you, + Which am I to do? + It plain on the surface is + That any metamorphosis, + To affect your study + You may work on my soul or body. + Your frown or your smile makes me Savage or Gay + In action, as well as in song; + And if 'tis decreed I at length become Gray, + Express but the word and I'm Young; + And if in the Church I should ever aspire + With friars and abbots to cope, + By a nod, if you please, you can make me a Prior— + By a word you render me Pope. + If you'd eat, I'm a Crab; if you'd cut, I'm your Steel, + As sharp as you'd get from the cutler; + I'm your Cotton whene'er you're in want of a reel, + And your livery carry, as Butler. + I'll ever rest your debtor + If you'll answer my first letter; + Or must, alas, eternity + Witness your taciturnity? + Speak—and oh! speak quickly + Or else I shall grow sickly, + And pine, + And whine, + And grow yellow and brown + As e'er was mahogany, + And lie me down + And die in agony. + + P.S.—You'll allow I have the gift + To write like the immortal Swift.' +</pre> + <p> + But besides the poetical powers with which he was endowed, in common with + the great Brinsley, Lady Dufferin, and the Hon. Mrs. Norton, young + Sheridan Le Fanu also possessed an irresistible humour and oratorical gift + that, as a student of Old Trinity, made him a formidable rival of the best + of the young debaters of his time at the 'College Historical,' not a few + of whom have since reached the highest eminence at the Irish Bar, after + having long enlivened and charmed St. Stephen's by their wit and oratory. + </p> + <p> + Amongst his compeers he was remarkable for his sudden fiery eloquence of + attack, and ready and rapid powers of repartee when on his defence. But Le + Fanu, whose understanding was elevated by a deep love of the classics, in + which he took university honours, and further heightened by an admirable + knowledge of our own great authors, was not to be tempted away by oratory + from literature, his first and, as it proved, his last love. + </p> + <p> + Very soon after leaving college, and just when he was called to the Bar, + about the year 1838, he bought the 'Warder,' a Dublin newspaper, of which + he was editor, and took what many of his best friends and admirers, + looking to his high prospects as a barrister, regarded at the time as a + fatal step in his career to fame. + </p> + <p> + Just before this period, Le Fanu had taken to writing humorous Irish + stories, afterwards published in the 'Dublin University Magazine,' such as + the 'Quare Gander,' 'Jim Sulivan's Adventure,' 'The Ghost and the + Bone-setter,' etc. + </p> + <p> + These stories his brother William Le Fanu was in the habit of repeating + for his friends' amusement, and about the year 1837, when he was about + twenty-three years of age, Joseph Le Fanu said to him that he thought an + Irish story in verse would tell well, and that if he would choose him a + subject suitable for recitation, he would write him one. 'Write me an + Irish "Young Lochinvar,"' said his brother; and in a few days he handed + him 'Phaudrig Croohore'—Anglice, 'Patrick Crohore.' + </p> + <p> + Of course this poem has the disadvantage not only of being written after + 'Young Lochinvar,' but also that of having been directly inspired by it; + and yet, although wanting in the rare and graceful finish of the original, + the Irish copy has, we feel, so much fire and feeling that it at least + tempts us to regret that Scott's poem was not written in that + heart-stirring Northern dialect without which the noblest of our British + ballads would lose half their spirit. Indeed, we may safely say that some + of Le Fanu's lines are finer than any in 'Young Lochinvar,' simply because + they seem to speak straight from a people's heart, not to be the mere + echoes of medieval romance. + </p> + <p> + 'Phaudrig Croohore' did not appear in print in the 'Dublin University + Magazine' till 1844, twelve years after its composition, when it was + included amongst the Purcell Papers. + </p> + <p> + To return to the year 1837. Mr. William Le Fanu, the suggester of this + ballad, who was from home at the time, now received daily instalments of + the second and more remarkable of his brother's Irish poems—'Shamus + O'Brien' (James O'Brien)—learning them by heart as they reached him, + and, fortunately, never forgetting them, for his brother Joseph kept no + copy of the ballad, and he had himself to write it out from memory ten + years after, when the poem appeared in the 'University Magazine.' + </p> + <p> + Few will deny that this poem contains passages most faithfully, if + fearfully, picturesque, and that it is characterised throughout by a + profound pathos, and an abundant though at times a too grotesquely + incongruous humour. Can we wonder, then, at the immense popularity with + which Samuel Lover recited it in the United States? For to Lover's + admiration of the poem, and his addition of it to his entertainment, + 'Shamus O'Brien' owes its introduction into America, where it is now so + popular. Lover added some lines of his own to the poem, made Shamus + emigrate to the States, and set up a public-house. These added lines + appeared in most of the published versions of the poem. But they are + indifferent as verse, and certainly injure the dramatic effect of the + poem. + </p> + <p> + 'Shamus O'Brien' is so generally attributed to Lover (indeed we remember + seeing it advertised for recitation on the occasion of a benefit at a + leading London theatre as 'by Samuel Lover') that it is a satisfaction to + be able to reproduce the following letter upon the subject from Lover to + William le Fanu: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Astor House, + 'New York, U.S. America. + 'Sept. 30, 1846. + + 'My dear Le Fanu, +</pre> + <p> + 'In reading over your brother's poem while I crossed the Atlantic, I + became more and more impressed with its great beauty and dramatic effect—so + much so that I determined to test its effect in public, and have done so + here, on my first appearance, with the greatest success. Now I have no + doubt there will be great praises of the poem, and people will suppose, + most likely, that the composition is mine, and as you know (I take for + granted) that I would not wish to wear a borrowed feather, I should be + glad to give your brother's name as the author, should he not object to + have it known; but as his writings are often of so different a tone, I + would not speak without permission to do so. It is true that in my + programme my name is attached to other pieces, and no name appended to the + recitation; so far, you will see, I have done all I could to avoid + "appropriating," the spirit of which I might have caught here, with Irish + aptitude; but I would like to have the means of telling all whom it may + concern the name of the author, to whose head and heart it does so much + honour. Pray, my dear Le Fanu, inquire, and answer me here by next packet, + or as soon as convenient. My success here has been quite triumphant. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +'Yours very truly, + +'SAMUEL LOVER.' +</pre> + <p> + We have heard it said (though without having inquired into the truth of + the tradition) that 'Shamus O'Brien' was the result of a match at + pseudo-national ballad writing made between Le Fanu and several of the + most brilliant of his young literary confreres at T. C. D. But however + this may be, Le Fanu undoubtedly was no young Irelander; indeed he did the + stoutest service as a press writer in the Conservative interest, and was + no doubt provoked as well as amused at the unexpected popularity to which + his poem attained amongst the Irish Nationalists. And here it should be + remembered that the ballad was written some eleven years before the + outbreak of '48, and at a time when a '98 subject might fairly have been + regarded as legitimate literary property amongst the most loyal. + </p> + <p> + We left Le Fanu as editor of the 'Warder.' He afterwards purchased the + 'Dublin Evening Packet,' and much later the half-proprietorship of the + 'Dublin Evening Mail.' Eleven or twelve years ago he also became the owner + and editor of the 'Dublin University Magazine,' in which his later as well + as earlier Irish Stories appeared. He sold it about a year before his + death in 1873, having previously parted with the 'Warder' and his share in + the 'Evening Mail.' + </p> + <p> + He had previously published in the 'Dublin University Magazine' a number + of charming lyrics, generally anonymously, and it is to be feared that all + clue to the identification of most of these is lost, except that of + internal evidence. + </p> + <p> + The following poem, undoubtedly his, should make general our regret at + being unable to fix with certainty upon its fellows: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'One wild and distant bugle sound + Breathed o'er Killarney's magic shore + Will shed sweet floating echoes round + When that which made them is no more. + + 'So slumber in the human heart + Wild echoes, that will sweetly thrill + The words of kindness when the voice + That uttered them for aye is still. + + 'Oh! memory, though thy records tell + Full many a tale of grief and sorrow, + Of mad excess, of hope decayed, + Of dark and cheerless melancholy; + + 'Still, memory, to me thou art + The dearest of the gifts of mind, + For all the joys that touch my heart + Are joys that I have left behind. +</pre> + <p> + Le Fanu's literary life may be divided into three distinct periods. During + the first of these, and till his thirtieth year, he was an Irish ballad, + song, and story writer, his first published story being the 'Adventures of + Sir Robert Ardagh,' which appeared in the 'Dublin University Magazine' of + 1838. + </p> + <p> + In 1844 he was united to Miss Susan Bennett, the beautiful daughter of the + late George Bennett, Q.C. From this time until her decease, in 1858, he + devoted his energies almost entirely to press work, making, however, his + first essays in novel writing during that period. The 'Cock and Anchor,' a + chronicle of old Dublin city, his first and, in the opinion of competent + critics, one of the best of his novels, seeing the light about the year + 1850. This work, it is to be feared, is out of print, though there is now + a cheap edition of 'Torlogh O'Brien,' its immediate successor. The + comparative want of success of these novels seems to have deterred Le Fanu + from using his pen, except as a press writer, until 1863, when the 'House + by the Churchyard' was published, and was soon followed by 'Uncle Silas' + and his five other well-known novels. + </p> + <p> + We have considered Le Fanu as a ballad writer and poet. As a press writer + he is still most honourably remembered for his learning and brilliancy, + and the power and point of his sarcasm, which long made the 'Dublin + Evening Mail' one of the most formidable of Irish press critics; but let + us now pass to the consideration of him in the capacity of a novelist, and + in particular as the author of 'Uncle Silas.' + </p> + <p> + There are evidences in 'Shamus O'Brien,' and even in 'Phaudrig Croohore,' + of a power over the mysterious, the grotesque, and the horrible, which so + singularly distinguish him as a writer of prose fiction. + </p> + <p> + 'Uncle Silas,' the fairest as well as most familiar instance of this + enthralling spell over his readers, is too well known a story to tell in + detail. But how intensely and painfully distinct is the opening + description of the silent, inflexible Austin Ruthyn of Knowl, and his shy, + sweet daughter Maude, the one so resolutely confident in his brother's + honour, the other so romantically and yet anxiously interested in her + uncle—the sudden arrival of Dr. Bryerly, the strange Swedenborgian, + followed by the equally unexpected apparition of Madame de la Rougiere, + Austin Ruthyn's painful death, and the reading of his strange will + consigning poor Maude to the protection of her unknown Uncle Silas—her + cousin, good, bright devoted Monica Knollys, and her dreadful distrust of + Silas—Bartram Haugh and its uncanny occupants, and foremost amongst + them Uncle Silas. + </p> + <p> + This is his portrait: + </p> + <p> + 'A face like marble, with a fearful monumental look, and for an old man, + singularly vivid, strange eyes, the singularity of which rather grew upon + me as I looked; for his eyebrows were still black, though his hair + descended from his temples in long locks of the purest silver and fine as + silk, nearly to his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + 'He rose, tall and slight, a little stooped, all in black, with an ample + black velvet tunic, which was rather a gown than a coat.... + </p> + <p> + 'I know I can't convey in words an idea of this apparition, drawn, as it + seemed, in black and white, venerable, bloodless, fiery-eyed, with its + singular look of power, and an expression so bewildering—was it + derision, or anguish, or cruelty, or patience? + </p> + <p> + 'The wild eyes of this strange old man were fixed on me as he rose; an + habitual contraction, which in certain lights took the character of a + scowl, did not relax as he advanced towards me with a thin-lipped smile.' + </p> + <p> + Old Dicken and his daughter Beauty, old L'Amour and Dudley Ruthyn, now + enter upon the scene, each a fresh shadow to deepen its already sombre + hue, while the gloom gathers in spite of the glimpse of sunshine shot + through it by the visit to Elverston. Dudley's brutal encounter with + Captain Oakley, and vile persecution of poor Maude till his love marriage + comes to light, lead us on to the ghastly catastrophe, the hideous + conspiracy of Silas and his son against the life of the innocent girl. + </p> + <p> + It is interesting to know that the germ of Uncle Silas first appeared in + the 'Dublin University Magazine' of 1837 or 1838, as the short tale, + entitled, 'A Passage from the Secret History of an Irish Countess,' which + is printed in this collection of Stories. It next was published as 'The + Murdered Cousin' in a collection of Christmas stories, and finally + developed into the three-volume novel we have just noticed. + </p> + <p> + There are about Le Fanu's narratives touches of nature which reconcile us + to their always remarkable and often supernatural incidents. His + characters are well conceived and distinctly drawn, and strong soliloquy + and easy dialogue spring unaffectedly from their lips. He is a close + observer of Nature, and reproduces her wilder effects of storm and gloom + with singular vividness; while he is equally at home in his descriptions + of still life, some of which remind us of the faithfully minute detail of + old Dutch pictures. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Wilkie Collins, amongst our living novelists, best compares with Le + Fanu. Both of these writers are remarkable for the ingenious mystery with + which they develop their plots, and for the absorbing, if often + over-sensational, nature of their incidents; but whilst Mr. Collins + excites and fascinates our attention by an intense power of realism which + carries us with unreasoning haste from cover to cover of his works, Le + Fanu is an idealist, full of high imagination, and an artist who devotes + deep attention to the most delicate detail in his portraiture of men and + women, and his descriptions of the outdoor and indoor worlds—a + writer, therefore, through whose pages it would be often an indignity to + hasten. And this more leisurely, and certainly more classical, conduct of + his stories makes us remember them more fully and faithfully than those of + the author of the 'Woman in White.' Mr. Collins is generally dramatic, and + sometimes stagy, in his effects. Le Fanu, while less careful to arrange + his plots, so as to admit of their being readily adapted for the stage, + often surprises us by scenes of so much greater tragic intensity that we + cannot but lament that he did not, as Mr. Collins has done, attempt the + drama, and so furnish another ground of comparison with his + fellow-countryman, Maturin (also, if we mistake not, of French origin), + whom, in his writings, Le Fanu far more closely resembles than Mr. + Collins, as a master of the darker and stronger emotions of human + character. But, to institute a broader ground of comparison between Le + Fanu and Mr. Collins, whilst the idiosyncrasies of the former's + characters, however immaterial those characters may be, seem always to + suggest the minutest detail of his story, the latter would appear to + consider plot as the prime, character as a subsidiary element in the art + of novel writing. + </p> + <p> + Those who possessed the rare privilege of Le Fanu's friendship, and only + they, can form any idea of the true character of the man; for after the + death of his wife, to whom he was most deeply devoted, he quite forsook + general society, in which his fine features, distinguished bearing, and + charm of conversation marked him out as the beau-ideal of an Irish wit and + scholar of the old school. + </p> + <p> + From this society he vanished so entirely that Dublin, always ready with a + nickname, dubbed him 'The Invisible Prince;' and indeed he was for long + almost invisible, except to his family and most familiar friends, unless + at odd hours of the evening, when he might occasionally be seen stealing, + like the ghost of his former self, between his newspaper office and his + home in Merrion Square; sometimes, too, he was to be encountered in an old + out-of-the-way bookshop poring over some rare black letter Astrology or + Demonology. + </p> + <p> + To one of these old bookshops he was at one time a pretty frequent + visitor, and the bookseller relates how he used to come in and ask with + his peculiarly pleasant voice and smile, 'Any more ghost stories for me, + Mr. ——-?' and how, on a fresh one being handed to him, he + would seldom leave the shop until he had looked it through. This taste for + the supernatural seems to have grown upon him after his wife's death, and + influenced him so deeply that, had he not been possessed of a deal of + shrewd common sense, there might have been danger of his embracing some of + the visionary doctrines in which he was so learned. But no! even + Spiritualism, to which not a few of his brother novelists succumbed, + whilst affording congenial material for our artist of the superhuman to + work upon, did not escape his severest satire. + </p> + <p> + Shortly after completing his last novel, strange to say, bearing the title + 'Willing to Die,' Le Fanu breathed his last at his home No. 18, Merrion + Square South, at the age of fifty-nine. + </p> + <p> + 'He was a man,' writes the author of a brief memoir of him in the 'Dublin + University Magazine,' 'who thought deeply, especially on religious + subjects. To those who knew him he was very dear; they admired him for his + learning, his sparkling wit, and pleasant conversation, and loved him for + his manly virtues, for his noble and generous qualities, his gentleness, + and his loving, affectionate nature.' And all who knew the man must feel + how deeply deserved are these simple words of sincere regard for Joseph + Sheridan Le Fanu. + </p> + <p> + Le Fanu's novels are accessible to all; but his Purcell Papers are now for + the first time collected and published, by the permission of his eldest + son (the late Mr. Philip Le Fanu), and very much owing to the friendly and + active assistance of his brother, Mr. William Le Fanu. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE GHOST AND THE BONE SETTER. + </h2> + <p> + In looking over the papers of my late valued and respected friend, Francis + Purcell, who for nearly fifty years discharged the arduous duties of a + parish priest in the south of Ireland, I met with the following document. + It is one of many such; for he was a curious and industrious collector of + old local traditions—a commodity in which the quarter where he + resided mightily abounded. The collection and arrangement of such legends + was, as long as I can remember him, his hobby; but I had never learned + that his love of the marvellous and whimsical had carried him so far as to + prompt him to commit the results of his inquiries to writing, until, in + the character of residuary legatee, his will put me in possession of all + his manuscript papers. To such as may think the composing of such + productions as these inconsistent with the character and habits of a + country priest, it is necessary to observe, that there did exist a race of + priests—those of the old school, a race now nearly extinct—whose + education abroad tended to produce in them tastes more literary than have + yet been evinced by the alumni of Maynooth. + </p> + <p> + It is perhaps necessary to add that the superstition illustrated by the + following story, namely, that the corpse last buried is obliged, during + his juniority of interment, to supply his brother tenants of the + churchyard in which he lies, with fresh water to allay the burning thirst + of purgatory, is prevalent throughout the south of Ireland. + </p> + <p> + The writer can vouch for a case in which a respectable and wealthy farmer, + on the borders of Tipperary, in tenderness to the corns of his departed + helpmate, enclosed in her coffin two pair of brogues, a light and a heavy, + the one for dry, the other for sloppy weather; seeking thus to mitigate + the fatigues of her inevitable perambulations in procuring water and + administering it to the thirsty souls of purgatory. Fierce and desperate + conflicts have ensued in the case of two funeral parties approaching the + same churchyard together, each endeavouring to secure to his own dead + priority of sepulture, and a consequent immunity from the tax levied upon + the pedestrian powers of the last-comer. An instance not long since + occurred, in which one of two such parties, through fear of losing to + their deceased friend this inestimable advantage, made their way to the + churchyard by a short cut, and, in violation of one of their strongest + prejudices, actually threw the coffin over the wall, lest time should be + lost in making their entrance through the gate. Innumerable instances of + the same kind might be quoted, all tending to show how strongly among the + peasantry of the south this superstition is entertained. However, I shall + not detain the reader further by any prefatory remarks, but shall proceed + to lay before him the following: + </p> + <p> + Extract from the MS. Papers of the late Rev. Francis Purcell, of + Drumcoolagh. + </p> + <p> + I tell the following particulars, as nearly as I can recollect them, in + the words of the narrator. It may be necessary to observe that he was what + is termed a well-spoken man, having for a considerable time instructed the + ingenious youth of his native parish in such of the liberal arts and + sciences as he found it convenient to profess—a circumstance which + may account for the occurrence of several big words in the course of this + narrative, more distinguished for euphonious effect than for correctness + of application. I proceed then, without further preface, to lay before you + the wonderful adventures of Terry Neil. + </p> + <p> + 'Why, thin, 'tis a quare story, an' as thrue as you're sittin' there; and + I'd make bould to say there isn't a boy in the seven parishes could tell + it better nor crickther than myself, for 'twas my father himself it + happened to, an' many's the time I heerd it out iv his own mouth; an' I + can say, an' I'm proud av that same, my father's word was as incredible as + any squire's oath in the counthry; and so signs an' if a poor man got into + any unlucky throuble, he was the boy id go into the court an' prove; but + that doesn't signify—he was as honest and as sober a man, barrin' he + was a little bit too partial to the glass, as you'd find in a day's walk; + an' there wasn't the likes of him in the counthry round for nate labourin' + an' baan diggin'; and he was mighty handy entirely for carpenther's work, + and men din' ould spudethrees, an' the likes i' that. An' so he tuk up + with bone-settin', as was most nathural, for none of them could come up to + him in mendin' the leg iv a stool or a table; an' sure, there never was a + bone-setter got so much custom-man an' child, young an' ould—there + never was such breakin' and mendin' of bones known in the memory of man. + Well, Terry Neil—for that was my father's name—began to feel + his heart growin' light, and his purse heavy; an' he took a bit iv a farm + in Squire Phelim's ground, just undher the ould castle, an' a pleasant + little spot it was; an' day an' mornin' poor crathurs not able to put a + foot to the ground, with broken arms and broken legs, id be comin' + ramblin' in from all quarters to have their bones spliced up. Well, yer + honour, all this was as well as well could be; but it was customary when + Sir Phelim id go anywhere out iv the country, for some iv the tinants to + sit up to watch in the ould castle, just for a kind of compliment to the + ould family—an' a mighty unplisant compliment it was for the + tinants, for there wasn't a man of them but knew there was something quare + about the ould castle. The neighbours had it, that the squire's ould + grandfather, as good a gintlenlan—God be with him—as I heer'd, + as ever stood in shoe-leather, used to keep walkin' about in the middle iv + the night, ever sinst he bursted a blood vessel pullin' out a cork out iv + a bottle, as you or I might be doin', and will too, plase God—but + that doesn't signify. So, as I was sayin', the ould squire used to come + down out of the frame, where his picthur was hung up, and to break the + bottles and glasses—God be marciful to us all—an' dthrink all + he could come at—an' small blame to him for that same; and then if + any of the family id be comin' in, he id be up again in his place, looking + as quite an' as innocent as if he didn't know anything about it—the + mischievous ould chap. + </p> + <p> + 'Well, your honour, as I was sayin', one time the family up at the castle + was stayin' in Dublin for a week or two; and so, as usual, some of the + tinants had to sit up in the castle, and the third night it kem to my + father's turn. "Oh, tare an' ouns!" says he unto himself, "an' must I sit + up all night, and that ould vagabone of a sperit, glory be to God," says + he, "serenadin' through the house, an' doin' all sorts iv mischief?" + However, there was no gettin' aff, and so he put a bould face on it, an' + he went up at nightfall with a bottle of pottieen, and another of holy + wather. + </p> + <p> + 'It was rainin' smart enough, an' the evenin' was darksome and gloomy, + when my father got in; and what with the rain he got, and the holy wather + he sprinkled on himself, it wasn't long till he had to swally a cup iv the + pottieen, to keep the cowld out iv his heart. It was the ould steward, + Lawrence Connor, that opened the door—and he an' my father wor + always very great. So when he seen who it was, an' my father tould him how + it was his turn to watch in the castle, he offered to sit up along with + him; and you may be sure my father wasn't sorry for that same. So says + Larry: + </p> + <p> + '"We'll have a bit iv fire in the parlour," says he. + </p> + <p> + '"An' why not in the hall?" says my father, for he knew that the squire's + picthur was hung in the parlour. + </p> + <p> + '"No fire can be lit in the hall," says Lawrence, "for there's an ould + jackdaw's nest in the chimney." + </p> + <p> + '"Oh thin," says my father, "let us stop in the kitchen, for it's very + unproper for the likes iv me to be sittin' in the parlour," says he. + </p> + <p> + '"Oh, Terry, that can't be," says Lawrence; "if we keep up the ould custom + at all, we may as well keep it up properly," says he. + </p> + <p> + '"Divil sweep the ould custom!" says my father—to himself, do ye + mind, for he didn't like to let Lawrence see that he was more afeard + himself. + </p> + <p> + '"Oh, very well," says he. "I'm agreeable, Lawrence," says he; and so down + they both wint to the kitchen, until the fire id be lit in the parlour—an' + that same wasn't long doin'. + </p> + <p> + 'Well, your honour, they soon wint up again, an' sat down mighty + comfortable by the parlour fire, and they beginned to talk, an' to smoke, + an' to dhrink a small taste iv the pottieen; and, moreover, they had a + good rousin' fire o' bogwood and turf, to warm their shins over. + </p> + <p> + 'Well, sir, as I was sayin' they kep' convarsin' and smokin' together most + agreeable, until Lawrence beginn'd to get sleepy, as was but nathural for + him, for he was an ould sarvint man, and was used to a great dale iv + sleep. + </p> + <p> + '"Sure it's impossible," says my father, "it's gettin' sleepy you are?" + </p> + <p> + '"Oh, divil a taste," says Larry; "I'm only shuttin' my eyes," says he, + "to keep out the parfume o' the tibacky smoke, that's makin' them wather," + says he. "So don't you mind other people's business," says he, stiff + enough, for he had a mighty high stomach av his own (rest his sowl), "and + go on," says he, "with your story, for I'm listenin'," says he, shuttin' + down his eyes. + </p> + <p> + 'Well, when my father seen spakin' was no use, he went on with his story. + By the same token, it was the story of Jim Soolivan and his ould goat he + was tellin'—an' a plisant story it is—an' there was so much + divarsion in it, that it was enough to waken a dormouse, let alone to + pervint a Christian goin' asleep. But, faix, the way my father tould it, I + believe there never was the likes heerd sinst nor before, for he bawled + out every word av it, as if the life was fairly lavin' him, thrying to + keep ould Larry awake; but, faix, it was no use, for the hoorsness came an + him, an' before he kem to the end of his story Larry O'Connor beginned to + snore like a bagpipes. + </p> + <p> + '"Oh, blur an' agres," says my father, "isn't this a hard case," says he, + "that ould villain, lettin' on to be my friend, and to go asleep this way, + an' us both in the very room with a sperit," says he. "The crass o' Christ + about us!" says he; and with that he was goin' to shake Lawrence to waken + him, but he just remimbered if he roused him, that he'd surely go off to + his bed, an' lave him complately alone, an' that id be by far worse. + </p> + <p> + '"Oh thin," says my father, "I'll not disturb the poor boy. It id be + neither friendly nor good-nathured," says he, "to tormint him while he is + asleep," says he; "only I wish I was the same way, myself," says he. + </p> + <p> + 'An' with that he beginned to walk up an' down, an' sayin' his prayers, + until he worked himself into a sweat, savin' your presence. But it was all + no good; so he dthrunk about a pint of sperits, to compose his mind. + </p> + <p> + '"Oh," says he, "I wish to the Lord I was as asy in my mind as Larry + there. Maybe," says he, "if I thried I could go asleep;" an' with that he + pulled a big arm-chair close beside Lawrence, an' settled himself in it as + well as he could. + </p> + <p> + 'But there was one quare thing I forgot to tell you. He couldn't help, in + spite av himself, lookin' now an' thin at the picthur, an' he immediately + obsarved that the eyes av it was follyin' him about, an' starin' at him, + an' winkin' at him, wheriver he wint. "Oh," says he, when he seen that, + "it's a poor chance I have," says he; "an' bad luck was with me the day I + kem into this unforthunate place," says he. "But any way there's no use in + bein' freckened now," says he; "for if I am to die, I may as well parspire + undaunted," says he. + </p> + <p> + 'Well, your honour, he thried to keep himself quite an' asy, an' he + thought two or three times he might have wint asleep, but for the way the + storm was groanin' and creakin' through the great heavy branches outside, + an' whistlin' through the ould chimleys iv the castle. Well, afther one + great roarin' blast iv the wind, you'd think the walls iv the castle was + just goin' to fall, quite an' clane, with the shakin' iv it. All av a + suddint the storm stopt, as silent an' as quite as if it was a July + evenin'. Well, your honour, it wasn't stopped blowin' for three minnites, + before he thought he hard a sort iv a noise over the chimley-piece; an' + with that my father just opened his eyes the smallest taste in life, an' + sure enough he seen the ould squire gettin' out iv the picthur, for all + the world as if he was throwin' aff his ridin' coat, until he stept out + clane an' complate, out av the chimley-piece, an' thrun himself down an + the floor. Well, the slieveen ould chap—an' my father thought it was + the dirtiest turn iv all—before he beginned to do anything out iv + the way, he stopped for a while to listen wor they both asleep; an' as + soon as he thought all was quite, he put out his hand and tuk hould iv the + whisky bottle, an dhrank at laste a pint iv it. Well, your honour, when he + tuk his turn out iv it, he settled it back mighty cute entirely, in the + very same spot it was in before. An' he beginned to walk up an' down the + room, lookin' as sober an' as solid as if he never done the likes at all. + An' whinever he went apast my father, he thought he felt a great scent of + brimstone, an' it was that that freckened him entirely; for he knew it was + brimstone that was burned in hell, savin' your presence. At any rate, he + often heerd it from Father Murphy, an' he had a right to know what + belonged to it—he's dead since, God rest him. Well, your honour, my + father was asy enough until the sperit kem past him; so close, God be + marciful to us all, that the smell iv the sulphur tuk the breath clane out + iv him; an' with that he tuk such a fit iv coughin', that it al-a-most + shuk him out iv the chair he was sittin' in. + </p> + <p> + '"Ho, ho!" says the squire, stoppin' short about two steps aff, and + turnin' round facin' my father, "is it you that's in it?—an' how's + all with you, Terry Neil?" + </p> + <p> + '"At your honour's sarvice," says my father (as well as the fright id let + him, for he was more dead than alive), "an' it's proud I am to see your + honour to-night," says he. + </p> + <p> + '"Terence," says the squire, "you're a respectable man" (an' it was thrue + for him), "an industhrious, sober man, an' an example of inebriety to the + whole parish," says he. + </p> + <p> + '"Thank your honour," says my father, gettin' courage, "you were always a + civil spoken gintleman, God rest your honour." + </p> + <p> + '"REST my honour?" says the sperit (fairly gettin' red in the face with + the madness), "Rest my honour?" says he. "Why, you ignorant spalpeen," + says he, "you mane, niggarly ignoramush," says he, "where did you lave + your manners?" says he. "If I AM dead, it's no fault iv mine," says he; + "an' it's not to be thrun in my teeth at every hand's turn, by the likes + iv you," says he, stampin' his foot an the flure, that you'd think the + boords id smash undther him. + </p> + <p> + '"Oh," says my father, "I'm only a foolish, ignorant poor man," says he. + </p> + <p> + '"You're nothing else," says the squire: "but any way," says he, "it's not + to be listenin' to your gosther, nor convarsin' with the likes iv you, + that I came UP—down I mane," says he—(an' as little as the + mistake was, my father tuk notice iv it). "Listen to me now, Terence + Neil," says he: "I was always a good masther to Pathrick Neil, your + grandfather," says he. + </p> + <p> + '"'Tis thrue for your honour," says my father. + </p> + <p> + '"And, moreover, I think I was always a sober, riglar gintleman," says the + squire. + </p> + <p> + '"That's your name, sure enough," says my father (though it was a big lie + for him, but he could not help it). + </p> + <p> + '"Well," says the sperit, "although I was as sober as most men—at + laste as most gintlemin," says he; "an' though I was at different pariods + a most extempory Christian, and most charitable and inhuman to the poor," + says he; "for all that I'm not as asy where I am now," says he, "as I had + a right to expect," says he. + </p> + <p> + '"An' more's the pity," says my father. "Maybe your honour id wish to have + a word with Father Murphy?" + </p> + <p> + '"Hould your tongue, you misherable bliggard," says the squire; "it's not + iv my sowl I'm thinkin'—an' I wondther you'd have the impitence to + talk to a gintleman consarnin' his sowl; and when I want THAT fixed," says + he, slappin' his thigh, "I'll go to them that knows what belongs to the + likes," says he. "It's not my sowl," says he, sittin' down opossite my + father; "it's not my sowl that's annoyin' me most—I'm unasy on my + right leg," says he, "that I bruk at Glenvarloch cover the day I killed + black Barney." + </p> + <p> + 'My father found out afther, it was a favourite horse that fell undher + him, afther leapin' the big fence that runs along by the glin. + </p> + <p> + '"I hope," says my father, "your honour's not unasy about the killin' iv + him?" + </p> + <p> + '"Hould your tongue, ye fool," said the squire, "an' I'll tell you why I'm + unasy on my leg," says he. "In the place, where I spend most iv my time," + says he, "except the little leisure I have for lookin' about me here," + says he, "I have to walk a great dale more than I was ever used to," says + he, "and by far more than is good for me either," says he; "for I must + tell you," says he, "the people where I am is ancommonly fond iv cowld + wather, for there is nothin' betther to be had; an', moreover, the weather + is hotter than is altogether plisant," says he; "and I'm appinted," says + he, "to assist in carryin' the wather, an' gets a mighty poor share iv it + myself," says he, "an' a mighty throublesome, wearin' job it is, I can + tell you," says he; "for they're all iv them surprisinly dthry, an' + dthrinks it as fast as my legs can carry it," says he; "but what kills me + intirely," says he, "is the wakeness in my leg," says he, "an' I want you + to give it a pull or two to bring it to shape," says he, "and that's the + long an' the short iv it," says he. + </p> + <p> + '"Oh, plase your honour," says my father (for he didn't like to handle the + sperit at all), "I wouldn't have the impidence to do the likes to your + honour," says he; "it's only to poor crathurs like myself I'd do it to," + says he. + </p> + <p> + '"None iv your blarney," says the squire. "Here's my leg," says he, + cockin' it up to him—"pull it for the bare life," says he; an'"if + you don't, by the immortial powers I'll not lave a bone in your carcish + I'll not powdher," says he. + </p> + <p> + 'When my father heerd that, he seen there was no use in purtendin', so he + tuk hould iv the leg, an' he kep' pullin' an' pullin', till the sweat, God + bless us, beginned to pour down his face. + </p> + <p> + '"Pull, you divil!" says the squire. + </p> + <p> + '"At your sarvice, your honour," says my father. + </p> + <p> + "'Pull harder," says the squire. + </p> + <p> + 'My father pulled like the divil. + </p> + <p> + '"I'll take a little sup," says the squire, rachin' over his hand to the + bottle, "to keep up my courage," says he, lettin' an to be very wake in + himself intirely. But, as cute as he was, he was out here, for he tuk the + wrong one. "Here's to your good health, Terence," says he; "an' now pull + like the very divil." An' with that he lifted the bottle of holy wather, + but it was hardly to his mouth, whin he let a screech out, you'd think the + room id fairly split with it, an' made one chuck that sent the leg clane + aff his body in my father's hands. Down wint the squire over the table, + an' bang wint my father half-way across the room on his back, upon the + flure. Whin he kem to himself the cheerful mornin' sun was shinin' through + the windy shutthers, an' he was lying flat an his back, with the leg iv + one of the great ould chairs pulled clane out iv the socket an' tight in + his hand, pintin' up to the ceilin', an' ould Larry fast asleep, an' + snorin' as loud as ever. My father wint that mornin' to Father Murphy, an' + from that to the day of his death, he never neglected confission nor mass, + an' what he tould was betther believed that he spake av it but seldom. + An', as for the squire, that is the sperit, whether it was that he did not + like his liquor, or by rason iv the loss iv his leg, he was never known to + walk agin.' + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE FORTUNES OF SIR ROBERT ARDAGH. + </h2> + <h3> + Being a second Extract from the Papers of the late Father Purcell. + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'The earth hath bubbles as the water hath— + And these are of them.' +</pre> + <p> + In the south of Ireland, and on the borders of the county of Limerick, + there lies a district of two or three miles in length, which is rendered + interesting by the fact that it is one of the very few spots throughout + this country, in which some vestiges of aboriginal forest still remain. It + has little or none of the lordly character of the American forest, for the + axe has felled its oldest and its grandest trees; but in the close wood + which survives, live all the wild and pleasing peculiarities of nature: + its complete irregularity, its vistas, in whose perspective the quiet + cattle are peacefully browsing; its refreshing glades, where the grey + rocks arise from amid the nodding fern; the silvery shafts of the old + birch trees; the knotted trunks of the hoary oak, the grotesque but + graceful branches which never shed their honours under the tyrant + pruning-hook; the soft green sward; the chequered light and shade; the + wild luxuriant weeds; the lichen and the moss—all, all are beautiful + alike in the green freshness of spring, or in the sadness and sere of + autumn. Their beauty is of that kind which makes the heart full with joy—appealing + to the affections with a power which belongs to nature only. This wood + runs up, from below the base, to the ridge of a long line of irregular + hills, having perhaps, in primitive times, formed but the skirting of some + mighty forest which occupied the level below. + </p> + <p> + But now, alas! whither have we drifted? whither has the tide of + civilisation borne us? It has passed over a land unprepared for it—it + has left nakedness behind it; we have lost our forests, but our marauders + remain; we have destroyed all that is picturesque, while we have retained + everything that is revolting in barbarism. Through the midst of this + woodland there runs a deep gully or glen, where the stillness of the scene + is broken in upon by the brawling of a mountain-stream, which, however, in + the winter season, swells into a rapid and formidable torrent. + </p> + <p> + There is one point at which the glen becomes extremely deep and narrow; + the sides descend to the depth of some hundred feet, and are so steep as + to be nearly perpendicular. The wild trees which have taken root in the + crannies and chasms of the rock have so intersected and entangled, that + one can with difficulty catch a glimpse of the stream, which wheels, + flashes, and foams below, as if exulting in the surrounding silence and + solitude. + </p> + <p> + This spot was not unwisely chosen, as a point of no ordinary strength, for + the erection of a massive square tower or keep, one side of which rises as + if in continuation of the precipitous cliff on which it is based. + Originally, the only mode of ingress was by a narrow portal in the very + wall which overtopped the precipice, opening upon a ledge of rock which + afforded a precarious pathway, cautiously intersected, however, by a deep + trench cut with great labour in the living rock; so that, in its original + state, and before the introduction of artillery into the art of war, this + tower might have been pronounced, and that not presumptuously, almost + impregnable. + </p> + <p> + The progress of improvement and the increasing security of the times had, + however, tempted its successive proprietors, if not to adorn, at least to + enlarge their premises, and at about the middle of the last century, when + the castle was last inhabited, the original square tower formed but a + small part of the edifice. + </p> + <p> + The castle, and a wide tract of the surrounding country, had from time + immemorial belonged to a family which, for distinctness, we shall call by + the name of Ardagh; and owing to the associations which, in Ireland, + almost always attach to scenes which have long witnessed alike the + exercise of stern feudal authority, and of that savage hospitality which + distinguished the good old times, this building has become the subject and + the scene of many wild and extraordinary traditions. One of them I have + been enabled, by a personal acquaintance with an eye-witness of the + events, to trace to its origin; and yet it is hard to say whether the + events which I am about to record appear more strange or improbable as + seen through the distorting medium of tradition, or in the appalling + dimness of uncertainty which surrounds the reality. + </p> + <p> + Tradition says that, sometime in the last century, Sir Robert Ardagh, a + young man, and the last heir of that family, went abroad and served in + foreign armies; and that, having acquired considerable honour and + emolument, he settled at Castle Ardagh, the building we have just now + attempted to describe. He was what the country people call a DARK man; + that is, he was considered morose, reserved, and ill-tempered; and, as it + was supposed from the utter solitude of his life, was upon no terms of + cordiality with the other members of his family. + </p> + <p> + The only occasion upon which he broke through the solitary monotony of his + life was during the continuance of the racing season, and immediately + subsequent to it; at which time he was to be seen among the busiest upon + the course, betting deeply and unhesitatingly, and invariably with + success. Sir Robert was, however, too well known as a man of honour, and + of too high a family, to be suspected of any unfair dealing. He was, + moreover, a soldier, and a man of an intrepid as well as of a haughty + character; and no one cared to hazard a surmise, the consequences of which + would be felt most probably by its originator only. + </p> + <p> + Gossip, however, was not silent; it was remarked that Sir Robert never + appeared at the race-ground, which was the only place of public resort + which he frequented, except in company with a certain strange-looking + person, who was never seen elsewhere, or under other circumstances. It was + remarked, too, that this man, whose relation to Sir Robert was never + distinctly ascertained, was the only person to whom he seemed to speak + unnecessarily; it was observed that while with the country gentry he + exchanged no further communication than what was unavoidable in arranging + his sporting transactions, with this person he would converse earnestly + and frequently. Tradition asserts that, to enhance the curiosity which + this unaccountable and exclusive preference excited, the stranger + possessed some striking and unpleasant peculiarities of person and of garb—she + does not say, however, what these were—but they, in conjunction with + Sir Robert's secluded habits and extraordinary run of luck—a success + which was supposed to result from the suggestions and immediate advice of + the unknown—were sufficient to warrant report in pronouncing that + there was something QUEER in the wind, and in surmising that Sir Robert + was playing a fearful and a hazardous game, and that, in short, his + strange companion was little better than the devil himself. + </p> + <p> + Years, however, rolled quietly away, and nothing novel occurred in the + arrangements of Castle Ardagh, excepting that Sir Robert parted with his + odd companion, but as nobody could tell whence he came, so nobody could + say whither he had gone. Sir Robert's habits, however, underwent no + consequent change; he continued regularly to frequent the race meetings, + without mixing at all in the convivialities of the gentry, and immediately + afterwards to relapse into the secluded monotony of his ordinary life. + </p> + <p> + It was said that he had accumulated vast sums of money—and, as his + bets were always successful, and always large, such must have been the + case. He did not suffer the acquisition of wealth, however, to influence + his hospitality or his housekeeping—he neither purchased land, nor + extended his establishment; and his mode of enjoying his money must have + been altogether that of the miser—consisting merely in the pleasure + of touching and telling his gold, and in the consciousness of wealth. + </p> + <p> + Sir Robert's temper, so far from improving, became more than ever gloomy + and morose. He sometimes carried the indulgence of his evil dispositions + to such a height that it bordered upon insanity. During these paroxysms he + would neither eat, drink, nor sleep. On such occasions he insisted on + perfect privacy, even from the intrusion of his most trusted servants; his + voice was frequently heard, sometimes in earnest supplication, sometime as + if in loud and angry altercation with some unknown visitant; sometimes he + would, for hours together, walk to and fro throughout the long oak + wainscoted apartment, which he generally occupied, with wild + gesticulations and agitated pace, in the manner of one who has been roused + to a state of unnatural excitement by some sudden and appalling + intimation. + </p> + <p> + These paroxysms of apparent lunacy were so frightful, that during their + continuance even his oldest and most-faithful domestics dared not approach + him; consequently, his hours of agony were never intruded upon, and the + mysterious causes of his sufferings appeared likely to remain hidden for + ever. + </p> + <p> + On one occasion a fit of this kind continued for an unusual time, the + ordinary term of their duration—about two days—had been long + past, and the old servant who generally waited upon Sir Robert after these + visitations, having in vain listened for the well-known tinkle of his + master's hand-bell, began to feel extremely anxious; he feared that his + master might have died from sheer exhaustion, or perhaps put an end to his + own existence during his miserable depression. These fears at length + became so strong, that having in vain urged some of his brother servants + to accompany him, he determined to go up alone, and himself see whether + any accident had befallen Sir Robert. + </p> + <p> + He traversed the several passages which conducted from the new to the more + ancient parts of the mansion, and having arrived in the old hall of the + castle, the utter silence of the hour, for it was very late in the night, + the idea of the nature of the enterprise in which he was engaging himself, + a sensation of remoteness from anything like human companionship, but, + more than all, the vivid but undefined anticipation of something horrible, + came upon him with such oppressive weight that he hesitated as to whether + he should proceed. Real uneasiness, however, respecting the fate of his + master, for whom he felt that kind of attachment which the force of + habitual intercourse not unfrequently engenders respecting objects not in + themselves amiable, and also a latent unwillingness to expose his weakness + to the ridicule of his fellow-servants, combined to overcome his + reluctance; and he had just placed his foot upon the first step of the + staircase which conducted to his master's chamber, when his attention was + arrested by a low but distinct knocking at the hall-door. Not, perhaps, + very sorry at finding thus an excuse even for deferring his intended + expedition, he placed the candle upon a stone block which lay in the hall, + and approached the door, uncertain whether his ears had not deceived him. + This doubt was justified by the circumstance that the hall entrance had + been for nearly fifty years disused as a mode of ingress to the castle. + The situation of this gate also, which we have endeavoured to describe, + opening upon a narrow ledge of rock which overhangs a perilous cliff, + rendered it at all times, but particularly at night, a dangerous entrance. + This shelving platform of rock, which formed the only avenue to the door, + was divided, as I have already stated, by a broad chasm, the planks across + which had long disappeared by decay or otherwise, so that it seemed at + least highly improbable that any man could have found his way across the + passage in safety to the door, more particularly on a night like that, of + singular darkness. The old man, therefore, listened attentively, to + ascertain whether the first application should be followed by another. He + had not long to wait; the same low but singularly distinct knocking was + repeated; so low that it seemed as if the applicant had employed no harder + or heavier instrument than his hand, and yet, despite the immense + thickness of the door, with such strength that the sound was distinctly + audible. + </p> + <p> + The knock was repeated a third time, without any increase of loudness; and + the old man, obeying an impulse for which to his dying hour he could never + account, proceeded to remove, one by one, the three great oaken bars which + secured the door. Time and damp had effectually corroded the iron chambers + of the lock, so that it afforded little resistance. With some effort, as + he believed, assisted from without, the old servant succeeded in opening + the door; and a low, square-built figure, apparently that of a man wrapped + in a large black cloak, entered the hall. The servant could not see much + of this visitant with any distinctness; his dress appeared foreign, the + skirt of his ample cloak was thrown over one shoulder; he wore a large + felt hat, with a very heavy leaf, from under which escaped what appeared + to be a mass of long sooty-black hair; his feet were cased in heavy + riding-boots. Such were the few particulars which the servant had time and + light to observe. The stranger desired him to let his master know + instantly that a friend had come, by appointment, to settle some business + with him. The servant hesitated, but a slight motion on the part of his + visitor, as if to possess himself of the candle, determined him; so, + taking it in his hand, he ascended the castle stairs, leaving his guest in + the hall. + </p> + <p> + On reaching the apartment which opened upon the oak-chamber he was + surprised to observe the door of that room partly open, and the room + itself lit up. He paused, but there was no sound; he looked in, and saw + Sir Robert, his head and the upper part of his body reclining on a table, + upon which burned a lamp; his arms were stretched forward on either side, + and perfectly motionless; it appeared that, having been sitting at the + table, he had thus sunk forward, either dead or in a swoon. There was no + sound of breathing; all was silent, except the sharp ticking of a watch, + which lay beside the lamp. The servant coughed twice or thrice, but with + no effect; his fears now almost amounted to certainty, and he was + approaching the table on which his master partly lay, to satisfy himself + of his death, when Sir Robert slowly raised his head, and throwing himself + back in his chair, fixed his eyes in a ghastly and uncertain gaze upon his + attendant. At length he said, slowly and painfully, as if he dreaded the + answer: + </p> + <p> + 'In God's name, what are you?' + </p> + <p> + 'Sir,' said the servant, 'a strange gentleman wants to see you below.' + </p> + <p> + At this intimation Sir Robert, starting on his feet and tossing his arms + wildly upwards, uttered a shriek of such appalling and despairing terror + that it was almost too fearful for human endurance; and long after the + sound had ceased it seemed to the terrified imagination of the old servant + to roll through the deserted passages in bursts of unnatural laughter. + After a few moments Sir Robert said: + </p> + <p> + 'Can't you send him away? Why does he come so soon? O God! O God! let him + leave me for an hour; a little time. I can't see him now; try to get him + away. You see I can't go down now; I have not strength. O God! O God! let + him come back in an hour; it is not long to wait. He cannot lose anything + by it; nothing, nothing, nothing. Tell him that; say anything to him.' + </p> + <p> + The servant went down. In his own words, he did not feel the stairs under + him till he got to the hall. The figure stood exactly as he had left it. + He delivered his master's message as coherently as he could. The stranger + replied in a careless tone: + </p> + <p> + 'If Sir Robert will not come down to me, I must go up to him.' + </p> + <p> + The man returned, and to his surprise he found his master much more + composed in manner. He listened to the message, and though the cold + perspiration rose in drops upon his forehead faster than he could wipe it + away, his manner had lost the dreadful agitation which had marked it + before. He rose feebly, and casting a last look of agony behind him, + passed from the room to the lobby, where he signed to his attendant not to + follow him. The man moved as far as the head of the staircase, from whence + he had a tolerably distinct view of the hall, which was imperfectly + lighted by the candle he had left there. + </p> + <p> + He saw his master reel, rather than walk down the stairs, clinging all the + way to the banisters. He walked on, as if about to sink every moment from + weakness. The figure advanced as if to meet him, and in passing struck + down the light. The servant could see no more; but there was a sound of + struggling, renewed at intervals with silent but fearful energy. It was + evident, however, that the parties were approaching the door, for he heard + the solid oak sound twice or thrice, as the feet of the combatants, in + shuffling hither and thither over the floor, struck upon it. After a + slight pause he heard the door thrown open with such violence that the + leaf seemed to strike the side-wall of the hall, for it was so dark + without that this could only be surmised by the sound. The struggle was + renewed with an agony and intenseness of energy that betrayed itself in + deep-drawn gasps. One desperate effort, which terminated in the breaking + of some part of the door, producing a sound as if the door-post was + wrenched from its position, was followed by another wrestle, evidently + upon the narrow ledge which ran outside the door, overtopping the + precipice. This proved to be the final struggle, for it was followed by a + crashing sound as if some heavy body had fallen over, and was rushing down + the precipice, through the light boughs that crossed near the top. All + then became still as the grave, except when the moan of the night wind + sighed up the wooded glen. + </p> + <p> + The old servant had not nerve to return through the hall, and to him the + darkness seemed all but endless; but morning at length came, and with it + the disclosure of the events of the night. Near the door, upon the ground, + lay Sir Robert's sword-belt, which had given way in the scuffle. A huge + splinter from the massive door-post had been wrenched off by an almost + superhuman effort—one which nothing but the gripe of a despairing + man could have severed—and on the rock outside were left the marks + of the slipping and sliding of feet. + </p> + <p> + At the foot of the precipice, not immediately under the castle, but + dragged some way up the glen, were found the remains of Sir Robert, with + hardly a vestige of a limb or feature left distinguishable. The right + hand, however, was uninjured, and in its fingers were clutched, with the + fixedness of death, a long lock of coarse sooty hair—the only direct + circumstantial evidence of the presence of a second person. So says + tradition. + </p> + <p> + This story, as I have mentioned, was current among the dealers in such + lore; but the original facts are so dissimilar in all but the name of the + principal person mentioned and his mode of life, and the fact that his + death was accompanied with circumstances of extraordinary mystery, that + the two narratives are totally irreconcilable (even allowing the utmost + for the exaggerating influence of tradition), except by supposing report + to have combined and blended together the fabulous histories of several + distinct bearers of the family name. However this may be, I shall lay + before the reader a distinct recital of the events from which the + foregoing tradition arose. With respect to these there can be no mistake; + they are authenticated as fully as anything can be by human testimony; and + I state them principally upon the evidence of a lady who herself bore a + prominent part in the strange events which she related, and which I now + record as being among the few well-attested tales of the marvellous which + it has been my fate to hear. I shall, as far as I am able, arrange in one + combined narrative the evidence of several distinct persons who were + eye-witnesses of what they related, and with the truth of whose testimony + I am solemnly and deeply impressed. + </p> + <p> + Sir Robert Ardagh, as we choose to call him, was the heir and + representative of the family whose name he bore; but owing to the + prodigality of his father, the estates descended to him in a very impaired + condition. Urged by the restless spirit of youth, or more probably by a + feeling of pride which could not submit to witness, in the paternal + mansion, what he considered a humiliating alteration in the style and + hospitality which up to that time had distinguished his family, Sir Robert + left Ireland and went abroad. How he occupied himself, or what countries + he visited during his absence, was never known, nor did he afterwards make + any allusion or encourage any inquiries touching his foreign sojourn. He + left Ireland in the year 1742, being then just of age, and was not heard + of until the year 1760—about eighteen years afterwards—at + which time he returned. His personal appearance was, as might have been + expected, very greatly altered, more altered, indeed, than the time of his + absence might have warranted one in supposing likely. But to + counterbalance the unfavourable change which time had wrought in his form + and features, he had acquired all the advantages of polish of manner and + refinement of taste which foreign travel is supposed to bestow. But what + was truly surprising was that it soon became evident that Sir Robert was + very wealthy—wealthy to an extraordinary and unaccountable degree; + and this fact was made manifest, not only by his expensive style of + living, but by his proceeding to disembarrass his property, and to + purchase extensive estates in addition. Moreover, there could be nothing + deceptive in these appearances, for he paid ready money for everything, + from the most important purchase to the most trifling. + </p> + <p> + Sir Robert was a remarkably agreeable man, and possessing the combined + advantages of birth and property, he was, as a matter of course, gladly + received into the highest society which the metropolis then commanded. It + was thus that he became acquainted with the two beautiful Miss F——ds, + then among the brightest ornaments of the highest circle of Dublin + fashion. Their family was in more than one direction allied to nobility; + and Lady D——, their elder sister by many years, and sometime + married to a once well-known nobleman, was now their protectress. These + considerations, beside the fact that the young ladies were what is usually + termed heiresses, though not to a very great amount, secured to them a + high position in the best society which Ireland then produced. The two + young ladies differed strongly, alike in appearance and in character. The + elder of the two, Emily, was generally considered the handsomer—for + her beauty was of that impressive kind which never failed to strike even + at the first glance, possessing as it did all the advantages of a fine + person and a commanding carriage. The beauty of her features strikingly + assorted in character with that of her figure and deportment. Her hair was + raven-black and richly luxuriant, beautifully contrasting with the perfect + whiteness of her forehead—her finely pencilled brows were black as + the ringlets that clustered near them—and her blue eyes, full, + lustrous, and animated, possessed all the power and brilliancy of brown + ones, with more than their softness and variety of expression. She was + not, however, merely the tragedy queen. When she smiled, and that was not + seldom, the dimpling of cheek and chin, the laughing display of the small + and beautiful teeth—but, more than all, the roguish archness of her + deep, bright eye, showed that nature had not neglected in her the lighter + and the softer characteristics of woman. + </p> + <p> + Her younger sister Mary was, as I believe not unfrequently occurs in the + case of sisters, quite in the opposite style of beauty. She was + light-haired, had more colour, had nearly equal grace, with much more + liveliness of manner. Her eyes were of that dark grey which poets so much + admire—full of expression and vivacity. She was altogether a very + beautiful and animated girl—though as unlike her sister as the + presence of those two qualities would permit her to be. Their + dissimilarity did not stop here—it was deeper than mere appearance—the + character of their minds differed almost as strikingly as did their + complexion. The fair-haired beauty had a large proportion of that softness + and pliability of temper which physiognomists assign as the + characteristics of such complexions. She was much more the creature of + impulse than of feeling, and consequently more the victim of extrinsic + circumstances than was her sister. Emily, on the contrary, possessed + considerable firmness and decision. She was less excitable, but when + excited her feelings were more intense and enduring. She wanted much of + the gaiety, but with it the volatility of her younger sister. Her opinions + were adopted, and her friendships formed more reflectively, and her + affections seemed to move, as it were, more slowly, but more determinedly. + This firmness of character did not amount to anything masculine, and did + not at all impair the feminine grace of her manners. + </p> + <p> + Sir Robert Ardagh was for a long time apparently equally attentive to the + two sisters, and many were the conjectures and the surmises as to which + would be the lady of his choice. At length, however, these doubts were + determined; he proposed for and was accepted by the dark beauty, Emily F——d. + </p> + <p> + The bridals were celebrated in a manner becoming the wealth and + connections of the parties; and Sir Robert and Lady Ardagh left Dublin to + pass the honeymoon at the family mansion, Castle Ardagh, which had lately + been fitted up in a style bordering upon magnificent. Whether in + compliance with the wishes of his lady, or owing to some whim of his own, + his habits were henceforward strikingly altered; and from having moved + among the gayest if not the most profligate of the votaries of fashion, he + suddenly settled down into a quiet, domestic, country gentleman, and + seldom, if ever, visited the capital, and then his sojourns were as brief + as the nature of his business would permit. + </p> + <p> + Lady Ardagh, however, did not suffer from this change further than in + being secluded from general society; for Sir Robert's wealth, and the + hospitality which he had established in the family mansion, commanded that + of such of his lady's friends and relatives as had leisure or inclination + to visit the castle; and as their style of living was very handsome, and + its internal resources of amusement considerable, few invitations from Sir + Robert or his lady were neglected. + </p> + <p> + Many years passed quietly away, during which Sir Robert's and Lady + Ardagh's hopes of issue were several times disappointed. In the lapse of + all this time there occurred but one event worth recording. Sir Robert had + brought with him from abroad a valet, who sometimes professed himself to + be French, at others Italian, and at others again German. He spoke all + these languages with equal fluency, and seemed to take a kind of pleasure + in puzzling the sagacity and balking the curiosity of such of the visitors + at the castle as at any time happened to enter into conversation with him, + or who, struck by his singularities, became inquisitive respecting his + country and origin. Sir Robert called him by the French name, JACQUE, and + among the lower orders he was familiarly known by the title of 'Jack, the + devil,' an appellation which originated in a supposed malignity of + disposition and a real reluctance to mix in the society of those who were + believed to be his equals. This morose reserve, coupled with the mystery + which enveloped all about him, rendered him an object of suspicion and + inquiry to his fellow-servants, amongst whom it was whispered that this + man in secret governed the actions of Sir Robert with a despotic + dictation, and that, as if to indemnify himself for his public and + apparent servitude and self-denial, he in private exacted a degree of + respectful homage from his so-called master, totally inconsistent with the + relation generally supposed to exist between them. + </p> + <p> + This man's personal appearance was, to say the least of it, extremely odd; + he was low in stature; and this defect was enhanced by a distortion of the + spine, so considerable as almost to amount to a hunch; his features, too, + had all that sharpness and sickliness of hue which generally accompany + deformity; he wore his hair, which was black as soot, in heavy neglected + ringlets about his shoulders, and always without powder—a + peculiarity in those days. There was something unpleasant, too, in the + circumstance that he never raised his eyes to meet those of another; this + fact was often cited as a proof of his being something not quite right, + and said to result not from the timidity which is supposed in most cases + to induce this habit, but from a consciousness that his eye possessed a + power which, if exhibited, would betray a supernatural origin. Once, and + once only, had he violated this sinister observance: it was on the + occasion of Sir Robert's hopes having been most bitterly disappointed; his + lady, after a severe and dangerous confinement, gave birth to a dead + child. Immediately after the intelligence had been made known, a servant, + having upon some business passed outside the gate of the castle-yard, was + met by Jacque, who, contrary to his wont, accosted him, observing, 'So, + after all the pother, the son and heir is still-born.' This remark was + accompanied by a chuckling laugh, the only approach to merriment which he + was ever known to exhibit. The servant, who was really disappointed, + having hoped for holiday times, feasting and debauchery with impunity + during the rejoicings which would have accompanied a christening, turned + tartly upon the little valet, telling him that he should let Sir Robert + know how he had received the tidings which should have filled any faithful + servant with sorrow; and having once broken the ice, he was proceeding + with increasing fluency, when his harangue was cut short and his temerity + punished, by the little man raising his head and treating him to a scowl + so fearful, half-demoniac, half-insane, that it haunted his imagination in + nightmares and nervous tremors for months after. + </p> + <p> + To this man Lady Ardagh had, at first sight, conceived an antipathy + amounting to horror, a mixture of loathing and dread so very powerful that + she had made it a particular and urgent request to Sir Robert, that he + would dismiss him, offering herself, from that property which Sir Robert + had by the marriage settlements left at her own disposal, to provide + handsomely for him, provided only she might be relieved from the continual + anxiety and discomfort which the fear of encountering him induced. + </p> + <p> + Sir Robert, however, would not hear of it; the request seemed at first to + agitate and distress him; but when still urged in defiance of his + peremptory refusal, he burst into a violent fit of fury; he spoke darkly + of great sacrifices which he had made, and threatened that if the request + were at any time renewed he would leave both her and the country for ever. + This was, however, a solitary instance of violence; his general conduct + towards Lady Ardagh, though at no time uxorious, was certainly kind and + respectful, and he was more than repaid in the fervent attachment which + she bore him in return. + </p> + <p> + Some short time after this strange interview between Sir Robert and Lady + Ardagh; one night after the family had retired to bed, and when everything + had been quiet for some time, the bell of Sir Robert's dressing-room rang + suddenly and violently; the ringing was repeated again and again at still + shorter intervals, and with increasing violence, as if the person who + pulled the bell was agitated by the presence of some terrifying and + imminent danger. A servant named Donovan was the first to answer it; he + threw on his clothes, and hurried to the room. + </p> + <p> + Sir Robert had selected for his private room an apartment remote from the + bed-chambers of the castle, most of which lay in the more modern parts of + the mansion, and secured at its entrance by a double door. As the servant + opened the first of these, Sir Robert's bell again sounded with a longer + and louder peal; the inner door resisted his efforts to open it; but after + a few violent struggles, not having been perfectly secured, or owing to + the inadequacy of the bolt itself, it gave way, and the servant rushed + into the apartment, advancing several paces before he could recover + himself. As he entered, he heard Sir Robert's voice exclaiming loudly—'Wait + without, do not come in yet;' but the prohibition came too late. Near a + low truckle-bed, upon which Sir Robert sometimes slept, for he was a + whimsical man, in a large armchair, sat, or rather lounged, the form of + the valet Jacque, his arms folded, and his heels stretched forward on the + floor, so as fully to exhibit his misshapen legs, his head thrown back, + and his eyes fixed upon his master with a look of indescribable defiance + and derision, while, as if to add to the strange insolence of his attitude + and expression, he had placed upon his head the black cloth cap which it + was his habit to wear. + </p> + <p> + Sir Robert was standing before him, at the distance of several yards, in a + posture expressive of despair, terror, and what might be called an agony + of humility. He waved his hand twice or thrice, as if to dismiss the + servant, who, however, remained fixed on the spot where he had first + stood; and then, as if forgetting everything but the agony within him, he + pressed his clenched hands on his cold damp brow, and dashed away the + heavy drops that gathered chill and thickly there. + </p> + <p> + Jacque broke the silence. + </p> + <p> + 'Donovan,' said he, 'shake up that drone and drunkard, Carlton; tell him + that his master directs that the travelling carriage shall be at the door + within half-an-hour.' + </p> + <p> + The servant paused, as if in doubt as to what he should do; but his + scruples were resolved by Sir Robert's saying hurriedly, 'Go—go, do + whatever he directs; his commands are mine; tell Carlton the same.' + </p> + <p> + The servant hurried to obey, and in about half-an-hour the carriage was at + the door, and Jacque, having directed the coachman to drive to B——n, + a small town at about the distance of twelve miles—the nearest + point, however, at which post-horses could be obtained—stepped into + the vehicle, which accordingly quitted the castle immediately. + </p> + <p> + Although it was a fine moonlight night, the carriage made its way but very + slowly, and after the lapse of two hours the travellers had arrived at a + point about eight miles from the castle, at which the road strikes through + a desolate and heathy flat, sloping up distantly at either side into bleak + undulatory hills, in whose monotonous sweep the imagination beholds the + heaving of some dark sluggish sea, arrested in its first commotion by some + preternatural power. It is a gloomy and divested spot; there is neither + tree nor habitation near it; its monotony is unbroken, except by here and + there the grey front of a rock peering above the heath, and the effect is + rendered yet more dreary and spectral by the exaggerated and misty shadows + which the moon casts along the sloping sides of the hills. + </p> + <p> + When they had gained about the centre of this tract, Carlton, the + coachman, was surprised to see a figure standing at some distance in + advance, immediately beside the road, and still more so when, on coming + up, he observed that it was no other than Jacque whom he believed to be at + that moment quietly seated in the carriage; the coachman drew up, and + nodding to him, the little valet exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + 'Carlton, I have got the start of you; the roads are heavy, so I shall + even take care of myself the rest of the way. Do you make your way back as + best you can, and I shall follow my own nose.' + </p> + <p> + So saying, he chucked a purse into the lap of the coachman, and turning + off at a right angle with the road, he began to move rapidly away in the + direction of the dark ridge that lowered in the distance. + </p> + <p> + The servant watched him until he was lost in the shadowy haze of night; + and neither he nor any of the inmates of the castle saw Jacque again. His + disappearance, as might have been expected, did not cause any regret among + the servants and dependants at the castle; and Lady Ardagh did not attempt + to conceal her delight; but with Sir Robert matters were different, for + two or three days subsequent to this event he confined himself to his + room, and when he did return to his ordinary occupations, it was with a + gloomy indifference, which showed that he did so more from habit than from + any interest he felt in them. He appeared from that moment unaccountably + and strikingly changed, and thenceforward walked through life as a thing + from which he could derive neither profit nor pleasure. His temper, + however, so far from growing wayward or morose, became, though gloomy, + very—almost unnaturally—placid and cold; but his spirits + totally failed, and he grew silent and abstracted. + </p> + <p> + These sombre habits of mind, as might have been anticipated, very + materially affected the gay house-keeping of the castle; and the dark and + melancholy spirit of its master seemed to have communicated itself to the + very domestics, almost to the very walls of the mansion. + </p> + <p> + Several years rolled on in this way, and the sounds of mirth and wassail + had long been strangers to the castle, when Sir Robert requested his lady, + to her great astonishment, to invite some twenty or thirty of their + friends to spend the Christmas, which was fast approaching, at the castle. + Lady Ardagh gladly complied, and her sister Mary, who still continued + unmarried, and Lady D—— were of course included in the + invitations. Lady Ardagh had requested her sisters to set forward as early + as possible, in order that she might enjoy a little of their society + before the arrival of the other guests; and in compliance with this + request they left Dublin almost immediately upon receiving the invitation, + a little more than a week before the arrival of the festival which was to + be the period at which the whole party were to muster. + </p> + <p> + For expedition's sake it was arranged that they should post, while Lady D——'s + groom was to follow with her horses, she taking with herself her own maid + and one male servant. They left the city when the day was considerably + spent, and consequently made but three stages in the first day; upon the + second, at about eight in the evening, they had reached the town of K——k, + distant about fifteen miles from Castle Ardagh. Here, owing to Miss F——d's + great fatigue, she having been for a considerable time in a very delicate + state of health, it was determined to put up for the night. They, + accordingly, took possession of the best sitting-room which the inn + commanded, and Lady D——remained in it to direct and urge the + preparations for some refreshment, which the fatigues of the day had + rendered necessary, while her younger sister retired to her bed-chamber to + rest there for a little time, as the parlour commanded no such luxury as a + sofa. + </p> + <p> + Miss F——d was, as I have already stated, at this time in very + delicate health; and upon this occasion the exhaustion of fatigue, and the + dreary badness of the weather, combined to depress her spirits. Lady D—— + had not been left long to herself, when the door communicating with the + passage was abruptly opened, and her sister Mary entered in a state of + great agitation; she sat down pale and trembling upon one of the chairs, + and it was not until a copious flood of tears had relieved her, that she + became sufficiently calm to relate the cause of her excitement and + distress. It was simply this. Almost immediately upon lying down upon the + bed she sank into a feverish and unrefreshing slumber; images of all + grotesque shapes and startling colours flitted before her sleeping fancy + with all the rapidity and variety of the changes in a kaleidoscope. At + length, as she described it, a mist seemed to interpose itself between her + sight and the ever-shifting scenery which sported before her imagination, + and out of this cloudy shadow gradually emerged a figure whose back seemed + turned towards the sleeper; it was that of a lady, who, in perfect + silence, was expressing as far as pantomimic gesture could, by wringing + her hands, and throwing her head from side to side, in the manner of one + who is exhausted by the over indulgence, by the very sickness and + impatience of grief; the extremity of misery. For a long time she sought + in vain to catch a glimpse of the face of the apparition, who thus seemed + to stir and live before her. But at length the figure seemed to move with + an air of authority, as if about to give directions to some inferior, and + in doing so, it turned its head so as to display, with a ghastly + distinctness, the features of Lady Ardagh, pale as death, with her dark + hair all dishevelled, and her eyes dim and sunken with weeping. The + revulsion of feeling which Miss F——d experienced at this + disclosure—for up to that point she had contemplated the appearance + rather with a sense of curiosity and of interest, than of anything deeper—was + so horrible, that the shock awoke her perfectly. She sat up in the bed, + and looked fearfully around the room, which was imperfectly lighted by a + single candle burning dimly, as if she almost expected to see the reality + of her dreadful vision lurking in some corner of the chamber. Her fears + were, however, verified, though not in the way she expected; yet in a + manner sufficiently horrible—for she had hardly time to breathe and + to collect her thoughts, when she heard, or thought she heard, the voice + of her sister, Lady Ardagh, sometimes sobbing violently, and sometimes + almost shrieking as if in terror, and calling upon her and Lady D——, + with the most imploring earnestness of despair, for God's sake to lose no + time in coming to her. All this was so horribly distinct, that it seemed + as if the mourner was standing within a few yards of the spot where Miss F——d + lay. She sprang from the bed, and leaving the candle in the room behind + her, she made her way in the dark through the passage, the voice still + following her, until as she arrived at the door of the sitting-room it + seemed to die away in low sobbing. + </p> + <p> + As soon as Miss F——d was tolerably recovered, she declared her + determination to proceed directly, and without further loss of time, to + Castle Ardagh. It was not without much difficulty that Lady D—— + at length prevailed upon her to consent to remain where they then were, + until morning should arrive, when it was to be expected that the young + lady would be much refreshed by at least remaining quiet for the night, + even though sleep were out of the question. Lady D—— was + convinced, from the nervous and feverish symptoms which her sister + exhibited, that she had already done too much, and was more than ever + satisfied of the necessity of prosecuting the journey no further upon that + day. After some time she persuaded her sister to return to her room, where + she remained with her until she had gone to bed, and appeared + comparatively composed. Lady D—— then returned to the parlour, + and not finding herself sleepy, she remained sitting by the fire. Her + solitude was a second time broken in upon, by the entrance of her sister, + who now appeared, if possible, more agitated than before. She said that + Lady D—— had not long left the room, when she was roused by a + repetition of the same wailing and lamentations, accompanied by the + wildest and most agonized supplications that no time should be lost in + coming to Castle Ardagh, and all in her sister's voice, and uttered at the + same proximity as before. This time the voice had followed her to the very + door of the sitting-room, and until she closed it, seemed to pour forth + its cries and sobs at the very threshold. + </p> + <p> + Miss F——d now most positively declared that nothing should + prevent her proceeding instantly to the castle, adding that if Lady D—— + would not accompany her, she would go on by herself. Superstitious + feelings are at all times more or less contagious, and the last century + afforded a soil much more congenial to their growth than the present. Lady + D—— was so far affected by her sister's terrors, that she + became, at least, uneasy; and seeing that her sister was immovably + determined upon setting forward immediately, she consented to accompany + her forthwith. After a slight delay, fresh horses were procured, and the + two ladies and their attendants renewed their journey, with strong + injunctions to the driver to quicken their rate of travelling as much as + possible, and promises of reward in case of his doing so. + </p> + <p> + Roads were then in much worse condition throughout the south, even than + they now are; and the fifteen miles which modern posting would have passed + in little more than an hour and a half, were not completed even with every + possible exertion in twice the time. Miss F——d had been + nervously restless during the journey. Her head had been constantly out of + the carriage window; and as they approached the entrance to the castle + demesne, which lay about a mile from the building, her anxiety began to + communicate itself to her sister. The postillion had just dismounted, and + was endeavouring to open the gate—at that time a necessary trouble; + for in the middle of the last century porter's lodges were not common in + the south of Ireland, and locks and keys almost unknown. He had just + succeeded in rolling back the heavy oaken gate so as to admit the vehicle, + when a mounted servant rode rapidly down the avenue, and drawing up at the + carriage, asked of the postillion who the party were; and on hearing, he + rode round to the carriage window and handed in a note, which Lady D—— + received. By the assistance of one of the coach-lamps they succeeded in + deciphering it. It was scrawled in great agitation, and ran thus: + </p> + <p> + 'MY DEAR SISTER—MY DEAR SISTERS BOTH,—In God's name lose no + time, I am frightened and miserable; I cannot explain all till you come. I + am too much terrified to write coherently; but understand me—hasten—do + not waste a minute. I am afraid you will come too late. + </p> + <p> + 'E. A.' + </p> + <p> + The servant could tell nothing more than that the castle was in great + confusion, and that Lady Ardagh had been crying bitterly all the night. + Sir Robert was perfectly well. Altogether at a loss as to the cause of + Lady Ardagh's great distress, they urged their way up the steep and broken + avenue which wound through the crowding trees, whose wild and grotesque + branches, now left stripped and naked by the blasts of winter, stretched + drearily across the road. As the carriage drew up in the area before the + door, the anxiety of the ladies almost amounted to agony; and scarcely + waiting for the assistance of their attendant, they sprang to the ground, + and in an instant stood at the castle door. From within were distinctly + audible the sounds of lamentation and weeping, and the suppressed hum of + voices as if of those endeavouring to soothe the mourner. The door was + speedily opened, and when the ladies entered, the first object which met + their view was their sister, Lady Ardagh, sitting on a form in the hall, + weeping and wringing her hands in deep agony. Beside her stood two old, + withered crones, who were each endeavouring in their own way to administer + consolation, without even knowing or caring what the subject of her grief + might be. + </p> + <p> + Immediately on Lady Ardagh's seeing her sisters, she started up, fell on + their necks, and kissed them again and again without speaking, and then + taking them each by a hand, still weeping bitterly, she led them into a + small room adjoining the hall, in which burned a light, and, having closed + the door, she sat down between them. After thanking them for the haste + they had made, she proceeded to tell them, in words incoherent from + agitation, that Sir Robert had in private, and in the most solemn manner, + told her that he should die upon that night, and that he had occupied + himself during the evening in giving minute directions respecting the + arrangements of his funeral. Lady D—— here suggested the + possibility of his labouring under the hallucinations of a fever; but to + this Lady Ardagh quickly replied: + </p> + <p> + 'Oh! no, no! Would to God I could think it. Oh! no, no! Wait till you have + seen him. There is a frightful calmness about all he says and does; and + his directions are all so clear, and his mind so perfectly collected, it + is impossible, quite impossible.' And she wept yet more bitterly. + </p> + <p> + At that moment Sir Robert's voice was heard in issuing some directions, as + he came downstairs; and Lady Ardagh exclaimed, hurriedly: + </p> + <p> + 'Go now and see him yourself. He is in the hall.' + </p> + <p> + Lady D—— accordingly went out into the hall, where Sir Robert + met her; and, saluting her with kind politeness, he said, after a pause: + </p> + <p> + 'You are come upon a melancholy mission—the house is in great + confusion, and some of its inmates in considerable grief.' He took her + hand, and looking fixedly in her face, continued: 'I shall not live to see + to-morrow's sun shine.' + </p> + <p> + 'You are ill, sir, I have no doubt,' replied she; 'but I am very certain + we shall see you much better to-morrow, and still better the day + following.' + </p> + <p> + 'I am NOT ill, sister,' replied he. 'Feel my temples, they are cool; lay + your finger to my pulse, its throb is slow and temperate. I never was more + perfectly in health, and yet do I know that ere three hours be past, I + shall be no more.' + </p> + <p> + 'Sir, sir,' said she, a good deal startled, but wishing to conceal the + impression which the calm solemnity of his manner had, in her own despite, + made upon her, 'Sir, you should not jest; you should not even speak + lightly upon such subjects. You trifle with what is sacred—you are + sporting with the best affections of your wife——' + </p> + <p> + 'Stay, my good lady,' said he; 'if when this clock shall strike the hour + of three, I shall be anything but a helpless clod, then upbraid me. Pray + return now to your sister. Lady Ardagh is, indeed, much to be pitied; but + what is past cannot now be helped. I have now a few papers to arrange, and + some to destroy. I shall see you and Lady Ardagh before my death; try to + compose her—her sufferings distress me much; but what is past cannot + now be mended.' + </p> + <p> + Thus saying, he went upstairs, and Lady D—— returned to the + room where her sisters were sitting. + </p> + <p> + 'Well,' exclaimed Lady Ardagh, as she re-entered, 'is it not so?—do + you still doubt?—do you think there is any hope?' + </p> + <p> + Lady D—— was silent. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh! none, none, none,' continued she; 'I see, I see you are convinced.' + And she wrung her hands in bitter agony. + </p> + <p> + 'My dear sister,' said Lady D——, 'there is, no doubt, + something strange in all that has appeared in this matter; but still I + cannot but hope that there may be something deceptive in all the apparent + calmness of Sir Robert. I still must believe that some latent fever has + affected his mind, or that, owing to the state of nervous depression into + which he has been sinking, some trivial occurrence has been converted, in + his disordered imagination, into an augury foreboding his immediate + dissolution.' + </p> + <p> + In such suggestions, unsatisfactory even to those who originated them, and + doubly so to her whom they were intended to comfort, more than two hours + passed; and Lady D—— was beginning to hope that the fated term + might elapse without the occurrence of any tragical event, when Sir Robert + entered the room. On coming in, he placed his finger with a warning + gesture upon his lips, as if to enjoin silence; and then having + successively pressed the hands of his two sisters-in-law, he stooped sadly + over the fainting form of his lady, and twice pressed her cold, pale + forehead, with his lips, and then passed silently out of the room. + </p> + <p> + Lady D——, starting up, followed to the door, and saw him take + a candle in the hall, and walk deliberately up the stairs. Stimulated by a + feeling of horrible curiosity, she continued to follow him at a distance. + She saw him enter his own private room, and heard him close and lock the + door after him. Continuing to follow him as far as she could, she placed + herself at the door of the chamber, as noiselessly as possible, where + after a little time she was joined by her two sisters, Lady Ardagh and + Miss F——d. In breathless silence they listened to what should + pass within. They distinctly heard Sir Robert pacing up and down the room + for some time; and then, after a pause, a sound as if some one had thrown + himself heavily upon the bed. At this moment Lady D——, + forgetting that the door had been secured within, turned the handle for + the purpose of entering; when some one from the inside, close to the door, + said, 'Hush! hush!' The same lady, now much alarmed, knocked violently at + the door; there was no answer. She knocked again more violently, with no + further success. Lady Ardagh, now uttering a piercing shriek, sank in a + swoon upon the floor. Three or four servants, alarmed by the noise, now + hurried upstairs, and Lady Ardagh was carried apparently lifeless to her + own chamber. They then, after having knocked long and loudly in vain, + applied themselves to forcing an entrance into Sir Robert's room. After + resisting some violent efforts, the door at length gave way, and all + entered the room nearly together. There was a single candle burning upon a + table at the far end of the apartment; and stretched upon the bed lay Sir + Robert Ardagh. He was a corpse—the eyes were open—no + convulsion had passed over the features, or distorted the limbs—it + seemed as if the soul had sped from the body without a struggle to remain + there. On touching the body it was found to be cold as clay—all + lingering of the vital heat had left it. They closed the ghastly eyes of + the corpse, and leaving it to the care of those who seem to consider it a + privilege of their age and sex to gloat over the revolting spectacle of + death in all its stages, they returned to Lady Ardagh, now a widow. The + party assembled at the castle, but the atmosphere was tainted with death. + Grief there was not much, but awe and panic were expressed in every face. + The guests talked in whispers, and the servants walked on tiptoe, as if + afraid of the very noise of their own footsteps. + </p> + <p> + The funeral was conducted almost with splendour. The body, having been + conveyed, in compliance with Sir Robert's last directions, to Dublin, was + there laid within the ancient walls of St. Audoen's Church—where I + have read the epitaph, telling the age and titles of the departed dust. + Neither painted escutcheon, nor marble slab, have served to rescue from + oblivion the story of the dead, whose very name will ere long moulder from + their tracery, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Et sunt sua fata sepulchris.'(1) +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) This prophecy has since been realised; for the aisle in + which Sir Robert's remains were laid has been suffered to + fall completely to decay; and the tomb which marked his + grave, and other monuments more curious, form now one + indistinguishable mass of rubbish. +</pre> + <p> + The events which I have recorded are not imaginary. They are FACTS; and + there lives one whose authority none would venture to question, who could + vindicate the accuracy of every statement which I have set down, and that, + too, with all the circumstantiality of an eye-witness.(2) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (2) This paper, from a memorandum, I find to have been + written in 1803. The lady to whom allusion is made, I + believe to be Miss Mary F——d. She never married, and + survived both her sisters, living to a very advanced age. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE LAST HEIR OF CASTLE CONNOR. + </h2> + <p> + Being a third Extract from the legacy of the late Francis Purcell, P. P. + of Drumcoolagh. + </p> + <p> + There is something in the decay of ancient grandeur to interest even the + most unconcerned spectator—the evidences of greatness, of power, and + of pride that survive the wreck of time, proving, in mournful contrast + with present desolation and decay, what WAS in other days, appeal, with a + resistless power, to the sympathies of our nature. And when, as we gaze on + the scion of some ruined family, the first impulse of nature that bids us + regard his fate with interest and respect is justified by the recollection + of great exertions and self-devotion and sacrifices in the cause of a lost + country and of a despised religion—sacrifices and efforts made with + all the motives of faithfulness and of honour, and terminating in ruin—in + such a case respect becomes veneration, and the interest we feel amounts + almost to a passion. + </p> + <p> + It is this feeling which has thrown the magic veil of romance over every + roofless castle and ruined turret throughout our country; it is this + feeling that, so long as a tower remains above the level of the soil, so + long as one scion of a prostrate and impoverished family survives, will + never suffer Ireland to yield to the stranger more than the 'mouth honour' + which fear compels.(3) I who have conversed viva voce et propria persona + with those whose recollections could run back so far as the times previous + to the confiscations which followed the Revolution of 1688—whose + memory could repeople halls long roofless and desolate, and point out the + places where greatness once had been, may feel all this more strongly, and + with a more vivid interest, than can those whose sympathies are awakened + by the feebler influence of what may be called the PICTURESQUE effects of + ruin and decay. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (3) This passage serves (mirabile dictu) to corroborate a + statement of Mr. O'Connell's, which occurs in his evidence + given before the House of Commons, wherein he affirms that + the principles of the Irish priesthood 'ARE democratic, and + were those of Jacobinism.'—See digest of the evidence upon + the state of Ireland, given before the House of Commons. +</pre> + <p> + There do, indeed, still exist some fragments of the ancient Catholic + families of Ireland; but, alas! what VERY fragments! They linger like the + remnants of her aboriginal forests, reft indeed of their strength and + greatness, but proud even in decay. Every winter thins their ranks, and + strews the ground with the wreck of their loftiest branches; they are at + best but tolerated in the land which gave them birth—objects of + curiosity, perhaps of pity, to one class, but of veneration to another. + </p> + <p> + The O'Connors, of Castle Connor, were an ancient Irish family. The name + recurs frequently in our history, and is generally to be found in a + prominent place whenever periods of tumult or of peril called forth the + courage and the enterprise of this country. After the accession of William + III., the storm of confiscation which swept over the land made woeful + havoc in their broad domains. Some fragments of property, however, did + remain to them, and with it the building which had for ages formed the + family residence. + </p> + <p> + About the year 17—, my uncle, a Catholic priest, became acquainted + with the inmates of Castle Connor, and after a time introduced me, then a + lad of about fifteen, full of spirits, and little dreaming that a + profession so grave as his should ever become mine. + </p> + <p> + The family at that time consisted of but two members, a widow lady and her + only son, a young man aged about eighteen. In our early days the progress + from acquaintance to intimacy, and from intimacy to friendship is + proverbially rapid; and young O'Connor and I became, in less than a month, + close and confidential companions—an intercourse which ripened + gradually into an attachment ardent, deep, and devoted—such as I + believe young hearts only are capable of forming. + </p> + <p> + He had been left early fatherless, and the representative and heir of his + family. His mother's affection for him was intense in proportion as there + existed no other object to divide it—indeed—such love as that + she bore him I have never seen elsewhere. Her love was better bestowed + than that of mothers generally is, for young O'Connor, not without some of + the faults, had certainly many of the most engaging qualities of youth. He + had all the frankness and gaiety which attract, and the generosity of + heart which confirms friendship; indeed, I never saw a person so + universally popular; his very faults seemed to recommend him; he was wild, + extravagant, thoughtless, and fearlessly adventurous—defects of + character which, among the peasantry of Ireland, are honoured as virtues. + The combination of these qualities, and the position which O'Connor + occupied as representative of an ancient Irish Catholic family—a + peculiarly interesting one to me, one of the old faith—endeared him + to me so much that I have never felt the pangs of parting more keenly than + when it became necessary, for the finishing of his education, that he + should go abroad. + </p> + <p> + Three years had passed away before I saw him again. During the interval, + however, I had frequently heard from him, so that absence had not abated + the warmth of our attachment. Who could tell of the rejoicings that marked + the evening of his return? The horses were removed from the chaise at the + distance of a mile from the castle, while it and its contents were borne + rapidly onward almost by the pressure of the multitude, like a log upon a + torrent. Bonfires blared far and near—bagpipes roared and fiddles + squeaked; and, amid the thundering shouts of thousands, the carriage drew + up before the castle. + </p> + <p> + In an instant young O'Connor was upon the ground, crying, 'Thank you, boys—thank + you, boys;' while a thousand hands were stretched out from all sides to + grasp even a finger of his. Still, amid shouts of 'God bless your honour—long + may you reign!' and 'Make room there, boys! clear the road for the + masther!' he reached the threshold of the castle, where stood his mother + weeping for joy. + </p> + <p> + Oh! who could describe that embrace, or the enthusiasm with which it was + witnessed? 'God bless him to you, my lady—glory to ye both!' and + 'Oh, but he is a fine young gentleman, God bless him!' resounded on all + sides, while hats flew up in volleys that darkened the moon; and when at + length, amid the broad delighted grins of the thronging domestics, whose + sense of decorum precluded any more boisterous evidence of joy, they + reached the parlour, then giving way to the fulness of her joy the widowed + mother kissed and blessed him and wept in turn. Well might any parent be + proud to claim as son the handsome stripling who now represented the + Castle Connor family; but to her his beauty had a peculiar charm, for it + bore a striking resemblance to that of her husband, the last O'Connor. + </p> + <p> + I know not whether partiality blinded me, or that I did no more than + justice to my friend in believing that I had never seen so handsome a + young man. I am inclined to think the latter. He was rather tall, very + slightly and elegantly made; his face was oval, and his features decidedly + Spanish in cast and complexion, but with far more vivacity of expression + than generally belongs to the beauty of that nation. The extreme delicacy + of his features and the varied animation of his countenance made him + appear even younger than his years—an illusion which the total + absence of everything studied in his manners seemed to confirm. Time had + wrought no small change in me, alike in mind and spirits; but in the case + of O'Connor it seemed to have lost its power to alter. His gaiety was + undamped, his generosity unchilled; and though the space which had + intervened between our parting and reunion was but brief, yet at the + period of life at which we were, even a shorter interval than that of + three years has frequently served to form or DEform a character. + </p> + <p> + Weeks had passed away since the return of O'Connor, and scarce a day had + elapsed without my seeing him, when the neighbourhood was thrown into an + unusual state of excitement by the announcement of a race-ball to be + celebrated at the assembly-room of the town of T——, distant + scarcely two miles from Castle Connor. + </p> + <p> + Young O'Connor, as I had expected, determined at once to attend it; and + having directed in vain all the powers of his rhetoric to persuade his + mother to accompany him, he turned the whole battery of his logic upon me, + who, at that time, felt a reluctance stronger than that of mere apathy to + mixing in any of these scenes of noisy pleasure for which for many reasons + I felt myself unfitted. He was so urgent and persevering, however, that I + could not refuse; and I found myself reluctantly obliged to make up my + mind to attend him upon the important night to the spacious but + ill-finished building, which the fashion and beauty of the county were + pleased to term an assembly-room. + </p> + <p> + When we entered the apartment, we found a select few, surrounded by a + crowd of spectators, busily performing a minuet, with all the congees and + flourishes which belonged to that courtly dance; and my companion, + infected by the contagion of example, was soon, as I had anticipated, + waving his chapeau bras, and gracefully bowing before one of the prettiest + girls in the room. I had neither skill nor spirits to qualify me to follow + his example; and as the fulness of the room rendered it easy to do so + without its appearing singular, I determined to be merely a spectator of + the scene which surrounded me, without taking an active part in its + amusements. + </p> + <p> + The room was indeed very much crowded, so that its various groups, formed + as design or accident had thrown the parties together, afforded no small + fund of entertainment to the contemplative observer. There were the + dancers, all gaiety and good-humour; a little further off were the tables + at which sat the card-players, some plying their vocation with deep and + silent anxiety—for in those days gaming often ran very high in such + places—and others disputing with all the vociferous pertinacity of + undisguised ill-temper. There, again, were the sallow, blue-nosed, + grey-eyed dealers in whispered scandal; and, in short, there is scarcely a + group or combination to be met with in the court of kings which might not + have found a humble parallel in the assembly-room of T——. + </p> + <p> + I was allowed to indulge in undisturbed contemplation, for I suppose I was + not known to more than five or six in the room. I thus had leisure not + only to observe the different classes into which the company had divided + itself, but to amuse myself by speculating as to the rank and character of + many of the individual actors in the drama. + </p> + <p> + Among many who have long since passed from my memory, one person for some + time engaged my attention, and that person, for many reasons, I shall not + soon forget. He was a tall, square-shouldered man, who stood in a careless + attitude, leaning with his back to the wall; he seemed to have secluded + himself from the busy multitudes which moved noisily and gaily around him, + and nobody seemed to observe or to converse with him. He was fashionably + dressed, but perhaps rather extravagantly; his face was full and heavy, + expressive of sullenness and stupidity, and marked with the lines of + strong vulgarity; his age might be somewhere between forty and fifty. Such + as I have endeavoured to describe him, he remained motionless, his arms + doggedly folded across his broad chest, and turning his sullen eyes from + corner to corner of the room, as if eager to detect some object on which + to vent his ill-humour. + </p> + <p> + It is strange, and yet it is true, that one sometimes finds even in the + most commonplace countenance an undefinable something, which fascinates + the attention, and forces it to recur again and again, while it is + impossible to tell whether the peculiarity which thus attracts us lies in + feature or in expression, or in both combined, and why it is that our + observation should be engrossed by an object which, when analysed, seems + to possess no claim to interest or even to notice. This unaccountable + feeling I have often experienced, and I believe I am not singular. but + never in so remarkable a degree as upon this occasion. My friend O'Connor, + having disposed of his fair partner, was crossing the room for the purpose + of joining me, in doing which I was surprised to see him exchange a + familiar, almost a cordial, greeting with the object of my curiosity. I + say I was surprised, for independent of his very questionable appearance, + it struck me as strange that though so constantly associated with + O'Connor, and, as I thought, personally acquainted with all his intimates, + I had never before even seen this individual. I did not fail immediately + to ask him who this gentleman was. I thought he seemed slightly + embarrassed, but after a moment's pause he laughingly said that his friend + over the way was too mysterious a personage to have his name announced in + so giddy a scene as the present; but that on the morrow he would furnish + me with all the information which I could desire. There was, I thought, in + his affected jocularity a real awkwardness which appeared to me + unaccountable, and consequently increased my curiosity; its gratification, + however, I was obliged to defer. At length, wearied with witnessing + amusements in which I could not sympathise, I left the room, and did not + see O'Connor until late in the next day. + </p> + <p> + I had ridden down towards the castle for the purpose of visiting the + O'Connors, and had nearly reached the avenue leading to the mansion, when + I met my friend. He was also mounted; and having answered my inquiries + respecting his mother, he easily persuaded me to accompany him in his + ramble. We had chatted as usual for some time, when, after a pause, + O'Connor said: + </p> + <p> + 'By the way, Purcell, you expressed some curiosity respecting the tall, + handsome fellow to whom I spoke last night.' + </p> + <p> + 'I certainly did question you about a TALL gentleman, but was not aware of + his claims to beauty,' replied I. + </p> + <p> + 'Well, that is as it may be,' said he; 'the ladies think him handsome, and + their opinion upon that score is more valuable than yours or mine. Do you + know,' he continued, 'I sometimes feel half sorry that I ever made the + fellow's acquaintance: he is quite a marked man here, and they tell + stories of him that are anything but reputable, though I am sure without + foundation. I think I know enough about him to warrant me in saying so.' + </p> + <p> + 'May I ask his name?' inquired I. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh! did not I tell you his name?' rejoined he. 'You should have heard + that first; he and his name are equally well known. You will recognise the + individual at once when I tell you that his name is—Fitzgerald.' + </p> + <p> + 'Fitzgerald!' I repeated. 'Fitzgerald!—can it be Fitzgerald the + duellist?' + </p> + <p> + 'Upon my word you have hit it,' replied he, laughing; 'but you have + accompanied the discovery with a look of horror more tragic than + appropriate. He is not the monster you take him for—he has a good + deal of old Irish pride; his temper is hasty, and he has been + unfortunately thrown in the way of men who have not made allowance for + these things. I am convinced that in every case in which Fitzgerald has + fought, if the truth could be discovered, he would be found to have acted + throughout upon the defensive. No man is mad enough to risk his own life, + except when the doing so is an alternative to submitting tamely to what he + considers an insult. I am certain that no man ever engaged in a duel under + the consciousness that he had acted an intentionally aggressive part.' + </p> + <p> + 'When did you make his acquaintance?' said I. + </p> + <p> + 'About two years ago,' he replied. 'I met him in France, and you know when + one is abroad it is an ungracious task to reject the advances of one's + countryman, otherwise I think I should have avoided his society—less + upon my own account than because I am sure the acquaintance would be a + source of continual though groundless uneasiness to my mother. I know, + therefore, that you will not unnecessarily mention its existence to her.' + </p> + <p> + I gave him the desired assurance, and added: + </p> + <p> + 'May I ask you. O'Connor, if, indeed, it be a fair question, whether this + Fitzgerald at any time attempted to engage you in anything like gaming?' + </p> + <p> + This question was suggested by my having frequently heard Fitzgerald + mentioned as a noted gambler, and sometimes even as a blackleg. O'Connor + seemed, I thought, slightly embarrassed. He answered: + </p> + <p> + 'No, no—I cannot say that he ever attempted anything of the kind. I + certainly have played with him, but never lost to any serious amount; nor + can I recollect that he ever solicited me—indeed he knows that I + have a strong objection to deep play. YOU must be aware that my finances + could not bear much pruning down. I never lost more to him at a sitting + than about five pounds, which you know is nothing. No, you wrong him if + you imagine that he attached himself to me merely for the sake of such + contemptible winnings as those which a broken-down Irish gentleman could + afford him. Come, Purcell, you are too hard upon him—you judge only + by report; you must see him, and decide for yourself.—Suppose we + call upon him now; he is at the inn, in the High Street, not a mile off.' + </p> + <p> + I declined the proposal drily. + </p> + <p> + 'Your caution is too easily alarmed,' said he. 'I do not wish you to make + this man your bosom friend: I merely desire that you should see and speak + to him, and if you form any acquaintance with him, it must be of that + slight nature which can be dropped or continued at pleasure.' + </p> + <p> + From the time that O'Connor had announced the fact that his friend was no + other than the notorious Fitzgerald, a foreboding of something calamitous + had come upon me, and it now occurred to me that if any unpleasantness + were to be feared as likely to result to O'Connor from their connection, I + might find my attempts to extricate him much facilitated by my being + acquainted, however slightly, with Fitzgerald. I know not whether the idea + was reasonable—it was certainly natural; and I told O'Connor that + upon second thoughts I would ride down with him to the town, and wait upon + Mr. Fitzgerald. + </p> + <p> + We found him at home; and chatted with him for a considerable time. To my + surprise his manners were perfectly those of a gentleman, and his + conversation, if not peculiarly engaging, was certainly amusing. The + politeness of his demeanour, and the easy fluency with which he told his + stories and his anecdotes, many of them curious, and all more or less + entertaining, accounted to my mind at once for the facility with which he + had improved his acquaintance with O'Connor; and when he pressed upon us + an invitation to sup with him that night, I had almost joined O'Connor in + accepting it. I determined, however, against doing so, for I had no wish + to be on terms of familiarity with Mr. Fitzgerald; and I knew that one + evening spent together as he proposed would go further towards + establishing an intimacy between us than fifty morning visits could do. + When I arose to depart, it was with feelings almost favourable to + Fitzgerald; indeed I was more than half ashamed to acknowledge to my + companion how complete a revolution in my opinion respecting his friend + half an hour's conversation with him had wrought. His appearance certainly + WAS against him; but then, under the influence of his manner, one lost + sight of much of its ungainliness, and of nearly all its vulgarity; and, + on the whole, I felt convinced that report had done him grievous wrong, + inasmuch as anybody, by an observance of the common courtesies of society, + might easily avoid coming into personal collision with a gentleman so + studiously polite as Fitzgerald. At parting, O'Connor requested me to call + upon him the next day, as he intended to make trial of the merits of a + pair of greyhounds, which he had thoughts of purchasing; adding, that if + he could escape in anything like tolerable time from Fitzgerald's + supper-party, he would take the field soon after ten on the next morning. + At the appointed hour, or perhaps a little later, I dismounted at Castle + Connor; and, on entering the hall, I observed a gentleman issuing from + O'Connor's private room. I recognised him, as he approached, as a Mr. + M'Donough, and, being but slightly acquainted with him, was about to pass + him with a bow, when he stopped me. There was something in his manner + which struck me as odd; he seemed a good deal flurried if not agitated, + and said, in a hurried tone: + </p> + <p> + 'This is a very foolish business, Mr. Purcell. You have some influence + with my friend O'Connor; I hope you can induce him to adopt some more + moderate line of conduct than that he has decided upon. If you will allow + me, I will return for a moment with you, and talk over the matter again + with O'Connor.' + </p> + <p> + As M'Donough uttered these words, I felt that sudden sinking of the heart + which accompanies the immediate anticipation of something dreaded and + dreadful. I was instantly convinced that O'Connor had quarrelled with + Fitzgerald, and I knew that if such were the case, nothing short of a + miracle could extricate him from the consequences. I signed to M'Donough + to lead the way, and we entered the little study together. O'Connor was + standing with his back to the fire; on the table lay the breakfast-things + in the disorder in which a hurried meal had left them; and on another + smaller table, placed near the hearth, lay pen, ink, and paper. As soon as + O'Connor saw me, he came forward and shook me cordially by the hand. + </p> + <p> + 'My dear Purcell,' said he, 'you are the very man I wanted. I have got + into an ugly scrape, and I trust to my friends to get me out of it.' + </p> + <p> + 'You have had no dispute with that man—that Fitzgerald, I hope,' + said I, giving utterance to the conjecture whose truth I most dreaded. + </p> + <p> + 'Faith, I cannot say exactly what passed between us,' said he, 'inasmuch + as I was at the time nearly half seas over; but of this much I am certain, + that we exchanged angry words last night. I lost my temper most + confoundedly; but, as well as I can recollect, he appeared perfectly cool + and collected. What he said was, therefore, deliberately said, and on that + account must be resented.' + </p> + <p> + 'My dear O'Connor, are you mad?' I exclaimed. 'Why will you seek to drive + to a deadly issue a few hasty words, uttered under the influence of wine, + and forgotten almost as soon as uttered? A quarrel with Fitzgerald it is + twenty chances to one would terminate fatally to you.' + </p> + <p> + 'It is exactly because Fitzgerald IS such an accomplished shot,' said he, + 'that I become liable to the most injurious and intolerable suspicions if + I submit to anything from him which could be construed into an affront; + and for that reason Fitzgerald is the very last man to whom I would + concede an inch in a case of honour.' + </p> + <p> + 'I do not require you to make any, the slightest sacrifice of what you + term your honour,' I replied; 'but if you have actually written a + challenge to Fitzgerald, as I suspect you have done, I conjure you to + reconsider the matter before you despatch it. From all that I have heard + you say, Fitzgerald has more to complain of in the altercation which has + taken place than you. You owe it to your only surviving parent not to + thrust yourself thus wantonly upon—I will say it, the most appalling + danger. Nobody, my dear O'Connor, can have a doubt of your courage; and if + at any time, which God forbid, you shall be called upon thus to risk your + life, you should have it in your power to enter the field under the + consciousness that you have acted throughout temperately and like a man, + and not, as I fear you now would do, having rashly and most causelessly + endangered your own life and that of your friend.' + </p> + <p> + 'I believe, Purcell, your are right,' said he. 'I believe I HAVE viewed + the matter in too decided a light; my note, I think, scarcely allows him + an honourable alternative, and that is certainly going a step too far—further + than I intended. Mr. M'Donough, I'll thank you to hand me the note.' + </p> + <p> + He broke the seal, and, casting his eye hastily over it, he continued: + </p> + <p> + 'It is, indeed, a monument of folly. I am very glad, Purcell, you happened + to come in, otherwise it would have reached its destination by this time.' + </p> + <p> + He threw it into the fire; and, after a moment's pause, resumed: + </p> + <p> + 'You must not mistake me, however. I am perfectly satisfied as to the + propriety, nay, the necessity, of communicating with Fitzgerald. The + difficulty is in what tone I should address him. I cannot say that the man + directly affronted me—I cannot recollect any one expression which I + could lay hold upon as offensive—but his language was ambiguous, and + admitted frequently of the most insulting construction, and his manner + throughout was insupportably domineering. I know it impressed me with the + idea that he presumed upon his reputation as a DEAD SHOT, and that would + be utterly unendurable.' + </p> + <p> + 'I would now recommend, as I have already done,' said M'Donough, 'that if + you write to Fitzgerald, it should be in such a strain as to leave him at + perfect liberty, without a compromise of honour, in a friendly way, to + satisfy your doubts as to his conduct.' + </p> + <p> + I seconded the proposal warmly, and O'Connor, in a few minutes, finished a + note, which he desired us to read. It was to this effect: + </p> + <p> + 'O'Connor, of Castle Connor, feeling that some expressions employed by Mr. + Fitzgerald upon last night, admitted of a construction offensive to him, + and injurious to his character, requests to know whether Mr. Fitzgerald + intended to convey such a meaning. + </p> + <p> + 'Castle Connor, Thursday morning.' + </p> + <p> + This note was consigned to the care of Mr. M'Donough, who forthwith + departed to execute his mission. The sound of his horse's hoofs, as he + rode rapidly away, struck heavily at my heart; but I found some + satisfaction in the reflection that M'Donough appeared as averse from + extreme measures as I was myself, for I well knew, with respect to the + final result of the affair, that as much depended upon the tone adopted by + the SECOND, as upon the nature of the written communication. + </p> + <p> + I have seldom passed a more anxious hour than that which intervened + between the departure and the return of that gentleman. Every instant I + imagined I heard the tramp of a horse approaching, and every time that a + door opened I fancied it was to give entrance to the eagerly expected + courier. At length I did hear the hollow and rapid tread of a horse's hoof + upon the avenue. It approached—it stopped—a hurried step + traversed the hall—the room door opened, and M'Donough entered. + </p> + <p> + 'You have made great haste,' said O'Connor; 'did you find him at home?' + </p> + <p> + 'I did,' replied M'Donough, 'and made the greater haste as Fitzgerald did + not let me know the contents of his reply.' + </p> + <p> + At the same time he handed a note to O'Connor, who instantly broke the + seal. The words were as follow: + </p> + <p> + 'Mr. Fitzgerald regrets that anything which has fallen from him should + have appeared to Mr. O'Connor to be intended to convey a reflection upon + his honour (none such having been meant), and begs leave to disavow any + wish to quarrel unnecessarily with Mr. O'Connor. + </p> + <p> + 'T—— Inn, Thursday morning.' + </p> + <p> + I cannot describe how much I felt relieved on reading the above + communication. I took O'Connor's hand and pressed it warmly, but my + emotions were deeper and stronger than I cared to show, for I was + convinced that he had escaped a most imminent danger. Nobody whose notions + upon the subject are derived from the duelling of modern times, in which + matters are conducted without any very sanguinary determination upon + either side, and with equal want of skill and coolness by both parties, + can form a just estimate of the danger incurred by one who ventured to + encounter a duellist of the old school. Perfect coolness in the field, and + a steadiness and accuracy (which to the unpractised appeared almost + miraculous) in the use of the pistol, formed the characteristics of this + class; and in addition to this there generally existed a kind of + professional pride, which prompted the duellist, in default of any more + malignant feeling, from motives of mere vanity, to seek the life of his + antagonist. Fitzgerald's career had been a remarkably successful one, and + I knew that out of thirteen duels which he had fought in Ireland, in nine + cases he had KILLED his man. In those days one never heard of the parties + leaving the field, as not unfrequently now occurs, without blood having + been spilt; and the odds were, of course, in all cases tremendously + against a young and unpractised man, when matched with an experienced + antagonist. My impression respecting the magnitude of the danger which my + friend had incurred was therefore by no means unwarranted. + </p> + <p> + I now questioned O'Connor more accurately respecting the circumstances of + his quarrel with Fitzgerald. It arose from some dispute respecting the + application of a rule of piquet, at which game they had been playing, each + interpreting it favourably to himself, and O'Connor, having lost + considerably, was in no mood to conduct an argument with temper—an + altercation ensued, and that of rather a pungent nature, and the result + was that he left Fitzgerald's room rather abruptly, determined to demand + an explanation in the most peremptory tone. For this purpose he had sent + for M'Donough, and had commissioned him to deliver the note, which my + arrival had fortunately intercepted. + </p> + <p> + As it was now past noon, O'Connor made me promise to remain with him to + dinner; and we sat down a party of three, all in high spirits at the + termination of our anxieties. It is necessary to mention, for the purpose + of accounting for what follows, that Mrs. O'Connor, or, as she was more + euphoniously styled, the lady of Castle Connor, was precluded by + ill-health from taking her place at the dinner-table, and, indeed, seldom + left her room before four o'clock.(4) We were sitting after dinner sipping + our claret, and talking, and laughing, and enjoying ourselves exceedingly, + when a servant, stepping into the room, informed his master that a + gentleman wanted to speak with him. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (4) It is scarcely necessary to remind the reader, that at + the period spoken of, the important hour of dinner occurred + very nearly at noon. +</pre> + <p> + 'Request him, with my compliments, to walk in,' said O'Connor; and in a + few moments a gentleman entered the room. + </p> + <p> + His appearance was anything but prepossessing. He was a little above the + middle size, spare, and raw-boned; his face very red, his features sharp + and bluish, and his age might be about sixty. His attire savoured a good + deal of the SHABBY-GENTEEL; his clothes, which had much of tarnished and + faded pretension about them, did not fit him, and had not improbably + fluttered in the stalls of Plunket Street. We had risen on his entrance, + and O'Connor had twice requested of him to take a chair at the table, + without his hearing, or at least noticing, the invitation; while with a + slow pace, and with an air of mingled importance and effrontery, he + advanced into the centre of the apartment, and regarding our small party + with a supercilious air, he said: + </p> + <p> + 'I take the liberty of introducing myself—I am Captain M'Creagh, + formerly of the—infantry. My business here is with a Mr. O'Connor, + and the sooner it is despatched the better.' + </p> + <p> + 'I am the gentleman you name,' said O'Connor; 'and as you appear + impatient, we had better proceed to your commission without delay.' + </p> + <p> + 'Then, Mr. O'Connor, you will please to read that note,' said the captain, + placing a sealed paper in his hand. + </p> + <p> + O'Connor read it through, and then observed: + </p> + <p> + 'This is very extraordinary indeed. This note appears to me perfectly + unaccountable.' + </p> + <p> + 'You are very young, Mr. O'Connor,' said the captain, with vulgar + familiarity; 'but, without much experience in these matters, I think you + might have anticipated something like this. You know the old saying, + "Second thoughts are best;" and so they are like to prove, by G—!' + </p> + <p> + 'You will have no objection, Captain M'Creagh, on the part of your friend, + to my reading this note to these gentlemen; they are both confidential + friends of mine, and one of them has already acted for me in this + business.' + </p> + <p> + 'I can have no objection,' replied the captain, 'to your doing what you + please with your own. I have nothing more to do with that note once I put + it safe into your hand; and when that is once done, it is all one to me, + if you read it to half the world—that's YOUR concern, and no affair + of mine.' + </p> + <p> + O'Connor then read the following: + </p> + <p> + 'Mr. Fitzgerald begs leave to state, that upon re-perusing Mr. O'Connor's + communication of this morning carefully, with an experienced friend, he is + forced to consider himself as challenged. His friend, Captain M'Creagh, + has been empowered by him to make all the necessary arrangements. + </p> + <p> + 'T—— Inn, Thursday.' + </p> + <p> + I can hardly describe the astonishment with which I heard this note. I + turned to the captain, and said: + </p> + <p> + 'Surely, sir, there is some mistake in all this?' + </p> + <p> + 'Not the slightest, I'll assure you, sir.' said he, coolly; 'the case is a + very clear one, and I think my friend has pretty well made up his mind + upon it. May I request your answer?' he continued, turning to O'Connor; + 'time is precious, you know.' + </p> + <p> + O'Connor expressed his willingness to comply with the suggestion, and in a + few minutes had folded and directed the following rejoinder: + </p> + <p> + 'Mr. O'Connor having received a satisfactory explanation from Mr. + Fitzgerald, of the language used by that gentleman, feels that there no + longer exists any grounds for misunderstanding, and wishes further to + state, that the note of which Mr. Fitzgerald speaks was not intended as a + challenge.' + </p> + <p> + With this note the captain departed; and as we did not doubt that the + message which he had delivered had been suggested by some unintentional + misconstruction of O'Connor's first billet, we felt assured that the + conclusion of his last note would set the matter at rest. In this belief, + however, we were mistaken; before we had left the table, and in an + incredibly short time, the captain returned. He entered the room with a + countenance evidently tasked to avoid expressing the satisfaction which a + consciousness of the nature of his mission had conferred; but in spite of + all his efforts to look gravely unconcerned, there was a twinkle in the + small grey eye, and an almost imperceptible motion in the corner of the + mouth, which sufficiently betrayed his internal glee, as he placed a note + in the hand of O'Connor. As the young man cast his eye over it, he + coloured deeply, and turning to M'Donough, he said: + </p> + <p> + 'You will have the goodness to make all the necessary arrangements for a + meeting. Something has occurred to render one between me and Mr. + Fitzgerald inevitable. Understand me literally, when I say that it is now + totally impossible that this affair should be amicably arranged. You will + have the goodness, M'Donough, to let me know as soon as all the + particulars are arranged. Purcell,' he continued, 'will you have the + kindness to accompany me?' and having bowed to M'Creagh, we left the room. + </p> + <p> + As I closed the door after me, I heard the captain laugh, and thought I + could distinguish the words—'By —— I knew Fitzgerald + would bring him to his way of thinking before he stopped.' + </p> + <p> + I followed O'Connor into his study, and on entering, the door being + closed, he showed me the communication which had determined him upon + hostilities. Its language was grossly impertinent, and it concluded by + actually threatening to 'POST' him, in case he further attempted 'to be + OFF.' I cannot describe the agony of indignation in which O'Connor writhed + under this insult. He said repeatedly that 'he was a degraded and + dishohoured man,' that 'he was dragged into the field,' that 'there was + ignominy in the very thought that such a letter should have been directed + to him.' It was in vain that I reasoned against this impression; the + conviction that he had been disgraced had taken possession of his mind. He + said again and again that nothing but his DEATH could remove the stain + which his indecision had cast upon the name of his family. I hurried to + the hall, on hearing M'Donough and the captain passing, and reached the + door just in time to hear the latter say, as he mounted his horse: + </p> + <p> + 'All the rest can be arranged on the spot; and so farewell, Mr. M'Donough—we'll + meet at Philippi, you know;' and with this classical allusion, which was + accompanied with a grin and a bow, and probably served many such + occasions, the captain took his departure. + </p> + <p> + M'Donough briefly stated the few particulars which had been arranged. The + parties were to meet at the stand-house, in the race-ground, which lay at + about an equal distance between Castle Connor and the town of T——. + The hour appointed was half-past five on the next morning, at which time + the twilight would be sufficiently advanced to afford a distinct view; and + the weapons to be employed were PISTOLS—M'Creagh having claimed, on + the part of his friend, all the advantages of the CHALLENGED party, and + having, consequently, insisted upon the choice of 'TOOLS,' as he expressed + himself; and it was further stipulated that the utmost secrecy should be + observed, as Fitzgerald would incur great risk from the violence of the + peasantry, in case the affair took wind. These conditions were, of course, + agreed upon by O'Connor, and M'Donough left the castle, having appointed + four o'clock upon the next morning as the hour of his return, by which + time it would be his business to provide everything necessary for the + meeting. On his departure, O'Connor requested me to remain with him upon + that evening, saying that 'he could not bear to be alone with his mother.' + It was to me a most painful request, but at the same time one which I + could not think of refusing. I felt, however, that the difficulty at least + of the task which I had to perform would be in some measure mitigated by + the arrival of two relations of O'Connor upon that evening. + </p> + <p> + 'It is very fortunate,' said O'Connor, whose thoughts had been running + upon the same subject, 'that the O'Gradys will be with us to-night; their + gaiety and good-humour will relieve us from a heavy task. I trust that + nothing may occur to prevent their coming.' Fervently concurring in the + same wish, I accompanied O'Connor into the parlour, there to await the + arrival of his mother. + </p> + <p> + God grant that I may never spend such another evening! The O'Gradys DID + come, but their high and noisy spirits, so far from relieving me, did but + give additional gloom to the despondency, I might say the despair, which + filled my heart with misery—the terrible forebodings which I could + not for an instant silence, turned their laughter into discord, and seemed + to mock the smiles and jests of the unconscious party. When I turned my + eyes upon the mother, I thought I never had seen her look so proudly and + so lovingly upon her son before—it cut me to the heart—oh, how + cruelly I was deceiving her! I was a hundred times on the very point of + starting up, and, at all hazards, declaring to her how matters were; but + other feelings subdued my better emotions. Oh, what monsters are we made + of by the fashions of the world! how are our kindlier and nobler feelings + warped or destroyed by their baleful influences! I felt that it would not + be HONOURABLE, that it would not be ETIQUETTE, to betray O'Connor's + secret. I sacrificed a higher and a nobler duty than I have since been + called upon to perform, to the dastardly fear of bearing the unmerited + censure of a world from which I was about to retire. O Fashion! thou gaudy + idol, whose feet are red with the blood of human sacrifice, would I had + always felt towards thee as I now do! + </p> + <p> + O'Connor was not dejected; on the contrary, he joined with loud and lively + alacrity in the hilarity of the little party; but I could see in the flush + of his cheek, and in the unusual brightness of his eye, all the excitement + of fever—he was making an effort almost beyond his strength, but he + succeeded—and when his mother rose to leave the room, it was with + the impression that her son was the gayest and most light-hearted of the + company. Twice or thrice she had risen with the intention of retiring, but + O'Connor, with an eagerness which I alone could understand, had persuaded + her to remain until the usual hour of her departure had long passed; and + when at length she arose, declaring that she could not possibly stay + longer, I alone could comprehend the desolate change which passed over his + manner; and when I saw them part, it was with the sickening conviction + that those two beings, so dear to one another, so loved, so cherished, + should meet no more. + </p> + <p> + O'Connor briefly informed his cousins of the position in which he was + placed, requesting them at the same time to accompany him to the field, + and this having been settled, we separated, each to his own apartment. I + had wished to sit up with O'Connor, who had matters to arrange sufficient + to employ him until the hour appointed for M'Donough's visit; but he would + not hear of it, and I was forced, though sorely against my will, to leave + him without a companion. I went to my room, and, in a state of excitement + which I cannot describe, I paced for hours up and down its narrow + precincts. I could not—who could?—analyse the strange, + contradictory, torturing feelings which, while I recoiled in shrinking + horror from the scene which the morning was to bring, yet forced me to + wish the intervening time annihilated; each hour that the clock told + seemed to vibrate and tinkle through every nerve; my agitation was + dreadful; fancy conjured up the forms of those who filled my thoughts with + more than the vividness of reality; things seemed to glide through the + dusky shadows of the room. I saw the dreaded form of Fitzgerald—I + heard the hated laugh of the captain—and again the features of + O'Connor would appear before me, with ghastly distinctness, pale and + writhed in death, the gouts of gore clotted in the mouth, and the + eye-balls glared and staring. Scared with the visions which seemed to + throng with unceasing rapidity and vividness, I threw open the window and + looked out upon the quiet scene around. I turned my eyes in the direction + of the town; a heavy cloud was lowering darkly about it, and I, in impious + frenzy, prayed to God that it might burst in avenging fires upon the + murderous wretch who lay beneath. At length, sick and giddy with excess of + excitement, I threw myself upon the bed without removing my clothes, and + endeavoured to compose myself so far as to remain quiet until the hour for + our assembling should arrive. + </p> + <p> + A few minutes before four o'clock I stole noiselessly downstairs, and made + my way to the small study already mentioned. A candle was burning within; + and, when I opened the door, O'Connor was reading a book, which, on seeing + me, he hastily closed, colouring slightly as he did so. We exchanged a + cordial but mournful greeting; and after a slight pause he said, laying + his hand upon the volume which he had shut a moment before: + </p> + <p> + 'Purcell, I feel perfectly calm, though I cannot say that I have much hope + as to the issue of this morning's rencounter. I shall avoid half the + danger. If I must fall, I am determined I shall not go down to the grave + with his blood upon my hands. I have resolved not to fire at Fitzgerald—that + is, to fire in such a direction as to assure myself against hitting him. + Do not say a word of this to the O'Gradys. Your doing so would only + produce fruitless altercation; they could not understand my motives. I + feel convinced that I shall not leave the field alive. If I must die + to-day, I shall avoid an awful aggravation of wretchedness. Purcell,' he + continued, after a little space, 'I was so weak as to feel almost ashamed + of the manner in which I was occupied as you entered the room. Yes, <i>I—I</i> + who will be, before this evening, a cold and lifeless clod, was ashamed to + have spent my last moment of reflection in prayer. God pardon me! God + pardon me!' he repeated. + </p> + <p> + I took his hand and pressed it, but I could not speak. I sought for words + of comfort, but they would not come. To have uttered one cheering sentence + I must have contradicted every impression of my own mind. I felt too much + awed to attempt it. Shortly afterwards, M'Donough arrived. No wretched + patient ever underwent a more thrilling revulsion at the first sight of + the case of surgical instruments under which he had to suffer, than did I + upon beholding a certain oblong flat mahogany box, bound with brass, and + of about two feet in length, laid upon the table in the hall. O'Connor, + thanking him for his punctuality, requested him to come into his study for + a moment, when, with a melancholy collectedness, he proceeded to make + arrangements for our witnessing his will. The document was a brief one, + and the whole matter was just arranged, when the two O'Gradys crept softly + into the room. + </p> + <p> + 'So! last will and testament,' said the elder. 'Why, you have a very BLUE + notion of these matters. I tell you, you need not be uneasy. I remember + very well, when young Ryan of Ballykealey met M'Neil the duellist, bets + ran twenty to one against him. I stole away from school, and had a peep at + the fun as well as the best of them. They fired together. Ryan received + the ball through the collar of his coat, and M'Neil in the temple; he spun + like a top: it was a most unexpected thing, and disappointed his friends + damnably. It was admitted, however, to have been very pretty shooting upon + both sides. To be sure,' he continued, pointing to the will, 'you are in + the right to keep upon the safe side of fortune; but then, there is no + occasion to be altogether so devilish down in the mouth as you appear to + be.' + </p> + <p> + 'You will allow,' said O'Connor, 'that the chances are heavily against + me.' + </p> + <p> + 'Why, let me see,' he replied, 'not so hollow a thin, either. Let me see, + we'll say about four to one against you; you may chance to throw doublets + like him I told you of, and then what becomes of the odds I'd like to + know? But let things go as they will, I'll give and take four to one, in + pounds and tens of pounds. There, M'Donough, there's a GET for you; b—t + me, if it is not. Poh! the fellow is stolen away,' he continued, observing + that the object of his proposal had left the room; 'but d—— + it, Purcell, you are fond of a SOFT THING, too, in a quiet way—I'm + sure you are—so curse me if I do not make you the same offer-is it a + go?' + </p> + <p> + I was too much disgusted to make any reply, but I believe my looks + expressed my feelings sufficiently, for in a moment he said: + </p> + <p> + 'Well, I see there is nothing to be done, so we may as well be stirring. + M'Donough, myself, and my brother will saddle the horses in a jiffy, while + you and Purcell settle anything which remains to be arranged.' + </p> + <p> + So saying, he left the room with as much alacrity as if it were to prepare + for a foxhunt. Selfish, heartless fool! I have often since heard him + spoken of as A CURSED GOOD-NATURED DOG and a D—— GOOD FELLOW; + but such eulogies as these are not calculated to mitigate the abhorrence + with which his conduct upon that morning inspired me. + </p> + <p> + The chill mists of night were still hovering on the landscape as our party + left the castle. It was a raw, comfortless morning—a kind of + drizzling fog hung heavily over the scene, dimming the light of the sun, + which had now risen, into a pale and even a grey glimmer. As the appointed + hour was fast approaching, it was proposed that we should enter the + race-ground at a point close to the stand-house—a measure which + would save us a ride of nearly two miles, over a broken road; at which + distance there was an open entrance into the race-ground. Here, + accordingly, we dismounted, and leaving our horses in the care of a + country fellow who happened to be stirring at that early hour, we + proceeded up a narrow lane, over a side wall of which we were to climb + into the open ground where stood the now deserted building, under which + the meeting was to take place. Our progress was intercepted by the + unexpected appearance of an old woman, who, in the scarlet cloak which is + the picturesque characteristic of the female peasantry of the south, was + moving slowly down the avenue to meet us, uttering that peculiarly wild + and piteous lamentation well known by the name of 'the Irish cry,' + accompanied throughout by all the customary gesticulation of passionate + grief. This rencounter was more awkward than we had at first anticipated; + for, upon a nearer approach, the person proved to be no other than an old + attached dependent of the family, and who had herself nursed O'Connor. She + quickened her pace as we advanced almost to a run; and, throwing her arms + round O'Connor's neck, she poured forth such a torrent of lamentation, + reproach, and endearment, as showed that she was aware of the nature of + our purpose, whence and by what means I knew not. It was in vain that he + sought to satisfy her by evasion, and gently to extricate himself from her + embrace. She knelt upon the ground, and clasped her arms round his legs, + uttering all the while such touching supplications, such cutting and + passionate expressions of woe, as went to my very heart. + </p> + <p> + At length, with much difficulty, we passed this most painful interruption; + and, crossing the boundary wall, were placed beyond her reach. The + O'Gradys damned her for a troublesome hag, and passed on with O'Connor, + but I remained behind for a moment. The poor woman looked hopelessly at + the high wall which separated her from him she had loved from infancy, and + to be with whom at that minute she would have given worlds, she took her + seat upon a solitary stone under the opposite wall, and there, in a low, + subdued key, she continued to utter her sorrow in words so desolate, yet + expressing such a tenderness of devotion as wrung my heart. + </p> + <p> + 'My poor woman,' I said, laying my hand gently upon her shoulder, 'you + will make yourself ill; the morning is very cold, and your cloak is but a + thin defence against the damp and chill. Pray return home and take this; + it may be useful to you.' + </p> + <p> + So saying, I dropped a purse, with what money I had about me, into her + lap, but it lay there unheeded; she did not hear me. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh I my child, my child, my darlin',' she sobbed, 'are you gone from me? + are you gone from me? Ah, mavourneen, mavourneen, you'll never come back + alive to me again. The crathur that slept on my bosom—the lovin' + crathur that I was so proud of—they'll kill him, they'll kill him. + Oh, voh! voh!' + </p> + <p> + The affecting tone, the feeling, the abandonment with which all this was + uttered, none can conceive who have not heard the lamentations of the + Irish peasantry. It brought tears to my eyes. I saw that no consolation of + mine could soothe her grief, so I turned and departed; but as I rapidly + traversed the level sward which separated me from my companions, now + considerably in advance, I could still hear the wailings of the solitary + mourner. + </p> + <p> + As we approached the stand-house, it was evident that our antagonists had + already arrived. Our path lay by the side of a high fence constructed of + loose stones, and on turning a sharp angle at its extremity, we found + ourselves close to the appointed spot, and within a few yards of a crowd + of persons, some mounted and some on foot, evidently awaiting our arrival. + The affair had unaccountably taken wind, as the number of the expectants + clearly showed; but for this there was now no remedy. + </p> + <p> + As our little party advanced we were met and saluted by several + acquaintances, whom curiosity, if no deeper feeling, had brought to the + place. Fitzgerald and the Captain had arrived, and having dismounted, were + standing upon the sod. The former, as we approached, bowed slightly and + sullenly—while the latter, evidently in high good humour, made his + most courteous obeisance. No time was to be lost; and the two seconds + immediately withdrew to a slight distance, for the purpose of completing + the last minute arrangements. It was a brief but horrible interval—each + returned to his principal to communicate the result, which was soon caught + up and repeated from mouth to mouth throughout the crowd. I felt a strange + and insurmountable reluctance to hear the sickening particulars detailed; + and as I stood irresolute at some distance from the principal parties, a + top-booted squireen, with a hunting whip in his hand, bustling up to a + companion of his, exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + 'Not fire together!—did you ever hear the like? If Fitzgerald gets + the first shot all is over. M'Donough sold the pass, by——, and + that is the long and the short of it.' + </p> + <p> + The parties now moved down a little to a small level space, suited to the + purpose; and the captain, addressing M'Donough, said: + </p> + <p> + 'Mr. M'Donough, you'll now have the goodness to toss for choice of ground; + as the light comes from the east the line must of course run north and + south. Will you be so obliging as to toss up a crown-piece, while I call?' + </p> + <p> + A coin was instantly chucked into the air. The captain cried, 'Harp.' The + HEAD was uppermost, and M'Donough immediately made choice of the southern + point at which to place his friend—a position which it will be + easily seen had the advantage of turning his back upon the light—no + trifling superiority of location. The captain turned with a kind of laugh, + and said: + </p> + <p> + 'By ——, sir, you are as cunning as a dead pig; but you forgot + one thing. My friend is a left-handed gunner, though never a bit the worse + for that; so you see there is no odds as far as the choice of light goes.' + </p> + <p> + He then proceeded to measure nine paces in a direction running north and + south, and the principals took their ground. + </p> + <p> + 'I must be troublesome to you once again, Mr. M'Donough. One toss more, + and everything is complete. We must settle who is to have the FIRST SLAP.' + </p> + <p> + A piece of money was again thrown into the air; again the captain lost the + toss and M'Donough proceeded to load the pistols. I happened to stand near + Fitzgerald, and I overheard the captain, with a chuckle, say something to + him in which the word 'cravat' was repeated. It instantly occurred to me + that the captain's attention was directed to a bright-coloured muffler + which O'Connor wore round his neck, and which would afford his antagonist + a distinct and favourable mark. I instantly urged him to remove it, and at + length, with difficulty, succeeded. He seemed perfectly careless as to any + precaution. Everything was now ready; the pistol was placed in O'Connor's + hand, and he only awaited the word from the captain. + </p> + <p> + M'Creagh then said: + </p> + <p> + 'Mr. M'Donough, is your principal ready?' + </p> + <p> + M'Donough replied in the affirmative; and, after a slight pause, the + captain, as had been arranged, uttered the words: + </p> + <p> + 'Ready—fire.' + </p> + <p> + O'Connor fired, but so wide of the mark that some one in the crowd + exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + 'Fired in the air.' + </p> + <p> + 'Who says he fired in the air?' thundered Fitzgerald. 'By —— + he lies, whoever he is.' There was a silence. 'But even if he was fool + enough to fire in the air, it is not in HIS power to put an end to the + quarrel by THAT. D—— my soul, if I am come here to be played + with like a child, and by the Almighty —— you shall hear more + of this, each and everyone of you, before I'm satisfied.' + </p> + <p> + A kind of low murmur, or rather groan, was now raised, and a slight motion + was observable in the crowd, as if to intercept Fitzgerald's passage to + his horse. M'Creagh, drawing the horse close to the spot where Fitzgerald + stood, threatened, with the most awful imprecations, 'to blow the brains + out of the first man who should dare to press on them.' + </p> + <p> + O'Connor now interfered, requesting the crowd to forbear, and some degree + of order was restored. He then said, 'that in firing as he did, he had no + intention whatever of waiving his right of firing upon Fitzgerald, and of + depriving that gentleman of his right of prosecuting the affair to the + utmost—that if any person present imagined that he intended to fire + in the air, he begged to set him right; since, so far from seeking to + exort an unwilling reconciliation, he was determined that no power on + earth should induce him to concede one inch of ground to Mr. Fitzgerald.' + </p> + <p> + This announcement was received with a shout by the crowd, who now resumed + their places at either side of the plot of ground which had been measured. + The principals took their places once more, and M'Creagh proceeded, with + the nicest and most anxious care, to load the pistols; and this task being + accomplished, Fitzgerald whispered something in the Captain's ear, who + instantly drew his friend's horse so as to place him within a step of his + rider, and then tightened the girths. This accomplished, Fitzgerald + proceeded deliberately to remove his coat, which he threw across his horse + in front of the saddle; and then, with the assistance of M'Creagh, he + rolled the shirt sleeve up to the shoulder, so as to leave the whole of + his muscular arm perfectly naked. A cry of 'Coward, coward! butcher, + butcher!' arose from the crowd. Fitzgerald paused. + </p> + <p> + 'Do you object, Mr. M'Donough? and upon what grounds, if you please?' said + he. + </p> + <p> + 'Certainly he does not,' replied O'Connor; and, turning to M'Donough, he + added, 'pray let there be no unnecessary delay.' + </p> + <p> + 'There is no objection, then,' said Fitzgerald. + </p> + <p> + '<i>I</i> object,' said the younger of the O'Gradys, 'if nobody else + will.' + </p> + <p> + ' And who the devil are you, that DARES to object?' shouted Fitzgerald; + 'and what d—d presumption prompts you to DARE to wag your tongue + here?' + </p> + <p> + 'I am Mr. O'Grady, of Castle Blake,' replied the young man, now much + enraged; 'and by ——, you shall answer for your language to + me.' + </p> + <p> + 'Shall I, by ——? Shall I?' cried he, with a laugh of brutal + scorn; 'the more the merrier, d—n the doubt of it—so now hold + your tongue, for I promise you you shall have business enough of your own + to think about, and that before long.' + </p> + <p> + There was an appalling ferocity in his tone and manner which no words + could convey. He seemed transformed; he was actually like a man possessed. + Was it possible, I thought, that I beheld the courteous gentleman, the + gay, good-humoured retailer of amusing anecdote with whom, scarce two days + ago, I had laughed and chatted, in the blasphemous and murderous ruffian + who glared and stormed before me! + </p> + <p> + O'Connor interposed, and requested that time should not be unnecessarily + lost. + </p> + <p> + 'You have not got a second coat on?' inquired the Captain. 'I beg pardon, + but my duty to my friend requires that I should ascertain the point.' + </p> + <p> + O'Connor replied in the negative. The Captain expressed himself as + satisfied, adding, in what he meant to be a complimentary strain, 'that he + knew Mr. O'Connor would scorn to employ padding or any unfair mode of + protection.' + </p> + <p> + There was now a breathless silence. O'Connor stood perfectly motionless; + and, excepting the death-like paleness of his features, he exhibited no + sign of agitation. His eye was steady—his lip did not tremble—his + attitude was calm. The Captain, having re-examined the priming of the + pistols, placed one of them in the hand of Fitzgerald.—M'Donough + inquired whether the parties were prepared, and having been answered in + the affirmative, he proceeded to give the word, 'Ready.' Fitzgerald raised + his hand, but almost instantly lowered it again. The crowd had pressed too + much forward as it appeared, and his eye had been unsteadied by the + flapping of the skirt of a frieze riding-coat worn by one of the + spectators. + </p> + <p> + 'In the name of my principal,' said the Captain, 'I must and do insist + upon these gentlemen moving back a little. We ask but little; fair play, + and no favour.' + </p> + <p> + The crowd moved as requested. M'Donough repeated his former question, and + was answered as before. There was a breathless silence. Fitzgerald fixed + his eye upon O'Connor. The appointed signal, 'Ready, fire!' was given. + There was a pause while one might slowly reckon three—Fitzgerald + fired—and O'Connor fell helplessly upon the ground. + </p> + <p> + 'There is no time to be lost,' said M'Creagrh; 'for, by ——, + you have done for him.' + </p> + <p> + So saying, he threw himself upon his horse, and was instantly followed at + a hard gallop by Fitzgerald. + </p> + <p> + 'Cold-blooded murder, if ever murder was committed,' said O'Grady. 'He + shall hang for it; d—n me, but he shall.' + </p> + <p> + A hopeless attempt was made to overtake the fugitives; but they were + better mounted than any of their pursuers, and escaped with ease. Curses + and actual yells of execration followed their course; and as, in crossing + the brow of a neighbouring hill, they turned round in the saddle to + observe if they were pursued, every gesture which could express fury and + defiance was exhausted by the enraged and defeated multitude. + </p> + <p> + 'Clear the way, boys,' said young O'Grady, who with me was kneeling beside + O'Connor, while we supported him in our arms; 'do not press so close, and + be d—d; can't you let the fresh air to him; don't you see he's + dying?' + </p> + <p> + On opening his waistcoat we easily detected the wound: it was a little + below the chest—a small blue mark, from which oozed a single heavy + drop of blood. + </p> + <p> + 'He is bleeding but little—that is a comfort at all events,' said + one of the gentlemen who surrounded the wounded man. + </p> + <p> + Another suggested the expediency of his being removed homeward with as + little delay as possible, and recommended, for this purpose, that a door + should be removed from its hinges, and the patient, laid upon this, should + be conveyed from the field. Upon this rude bier my poor friend was carried + from that fatal ground towards Castle Connor. I walked close by his side, + and observed every motion of his. He seldom opened his eyes, and was + perfectly still, excepting a nervous WORKING of the fingers, and a slight, + almost imperceptible twitching of the features, which took place, however, + only at intervals. The first word he uttered was spoken as we approached + the entrance of the castle itself, when he said; repeatedly, 'The back + way, the back way.' He feared lest his mother should meet him abruptly and + without preparation; but although this fear was groundless, since she + never left her room until late in the day, yet it was thought advisable, + and, indeed, necessary, to caution all the servants most strongly against + breathing a hint to their mistress of the events which had befallen. + </p> + <p> + Two or three gentlemen had ridden from the field one after another, + promising that they should overtake our party before it reached the + castle, bringing with them medical aid from one quarter or another; and we + determined that Mrs. O'Connor should not know anything of the occurrence + until the opinion of some professional man should have determined the + extent of the injury which her son had sustained—a course of conduct + which would at least have the effect of relieving her from the horrors of + suspense. When O'Connor found himself in his own room, and laid upon his + own bed, he appeared much revived—so much so, that I could not help + admitting a strong hope that all might yet be well. + </p> + <p> + 'After all, Purcell,' said he, with a melancholy smile, and speaking with + evident difficulty, 'I believe I have got off with a trifling wound. I am + sure it cannot be fatal I feel so little pain—almost none.' + </p> + <p> + I cautioned him against fatiguing himself by endeavouring to speak; and he + remained quiet for a little time. At length he said: + </p> + <p> + 'Purcell, I trust this lesson shall not have been given in vain. God has + been very merciful to me; I feel—I have an internal confidence that + I am not wounded mortally. Had I been fatally wounded—had I been + killed upon the spot, only think on it'—and he closed his eyes as if + the very thought made him dizzy—'struck down into the grave, + unprepared as I am, in the very blossom of my sins, without a moment of + repentance or of reflection; I must have been lost—lost for ever and + ever.' + </p> + <p> + I prevailed upon him, with some difficulty, to abstain from such agitating + reflections, and at length induced him to court such repose as his + condition admitted of, by remaining perfectly silent, and as much as + possible without motion. + </p> + <p> + O'Connor and I only were in the room; he had lain for some time in + tolerable quiet, when I thought I distinguished the bustle attendant upon + the arrival of some one at the castle, and went eagerly to the window, + believing, or at least hoping, that the sounds might announce the approach + of the medical man, whom we all longed most impatiently to see. + </p> + <p> + My conjecture was right; I had the satisfaction of seeing him dismount and + prepare to enter the castle, when my observations were interrupted, and my + attention was attracted by a smothered, gurgling sound proceeding from the + bed in which lay the wounded man. I instantly turned round, and in doing + so the spectacle which met my eyes was sufficiently shocking. + </p> + <p> + I had left O'Connor lying in the bed, supported by pillows, perfectly + calm, and with his eyes closed: he was now lying nearly in the same + position, his eyes open and almost starting from their sockets, with every + feature pale and distorted as death, and vomiting blood in quantities that + were frightful. I rushed to the door and called for assistance; the + paroxysm, though violent, was brief, and O'Connor sank into a swoon so + deep and death-like, that I feared he should waken no more. + </p> + <p> + The surgeon, a little, fussy man, but I believe with some skill to justify + his pretensions, now entered the room, carrying his case of instruments, + and followed by servants bearing basins and water and bandages of linen. + He relieved our doubts by instantly assuring us that 'the patient' was + still living; and at the same time professed his determination to take + advantage of the muscular relaxation which the faint had induced to + examine the wound—adding that a patient was more easily 'handled' + when in a swoon than under other circumstances. + </p> + <p> + After examining the wound in front where the ball had entered, he passed + his hand round beneath the shoulder, and after a little pause he shook his + head, observing that he feared very much that one of the vertebrae was + fatally injured, but that he could not say decidedly until his patient + should revive a little. 'Though his language was very technical, and + consequently to me nearly unintelligible, I could perceive plainly by his + manner that he considered the case as almost hopeless. + </p> + <p> + O'Connor gradually gave some signs of returning animation, and at length + was so far restored as to be enabled to speak. After some few general + questions as to how he felt affected, etc., etc., the surgeon, placing his + hand upon his leg and pressing it slightly, asked him if he felt any + pressure upon the limb? O'Connor answered in the negative—he pressed + harder, and repeated the question; still the answer was the same, till at + length, by repeated experiments, he ascertained that all that part of the + body which lay behind the wound was paralysed, proving that the spine must + have received some fatal injury. + </p> + <p> + 'Well, doctor,' said O'Connor, after the examination of the wound was + over; 'well, I shall do, shan't I?' + </p> + <p> + The physician was silent for a moment, and then, as if with an effort, he + replied: + </p> + <p> + 'Indeed, my dear sir, it would not be honest to flatter you with much + hope.' + </p> + <p> + 'Eh?' said O'Connor with more alacrity than I had seen him exhibit since + the morning; 'surely I did not hear you aright; I spoke of my recovery—surely + there is no doubt; there can be none—speak frankly, doctor, for + God's sake—am I dying?' + </p> + <p> + The surgeon was evidently no stoic, and his manner had extinguished in me + every hope, even before he had uttered a word in reply. + </p> + <p> + 'You are—you are indeed dying. There is no hope; I should but + deceive you if I held out any.' + </p> + <p> + As the surgeon uttered these terrible words, the hands which O'Connor had + stretched towards him while awaiting his reply fell powerless by his side; + his head sank forward; it seemed as if horror and despair had unstrung + every nerve and sinew; he appeared to collapse and shrink together as a + plant might under the influence of a withering spell. + </p> + <p> + It has often been my fate, since then, to visit the chambers of death and + of suffering; I have witnessed fearful agonies of body and of soul; the + mysterious shudderings of the departing spirit, and the heart-rending + desolation of the survivors; the severing of the tenderest ties, the + piteous yearnings of unavailing love—of all these things the sad + duties of my profession have made me a witness. But, generally speaking, I + have observed in such scenes some thing to mitigate, if not the sorrows, + at least the terrors, of death; the dying man seldom seems to feel the + reality of his situation; a dull consciousness of approaching dissolution, + a dim anticipation of unconsciousness and insensibility, are the feelings + which most nearly border upon an appreciation of his state; the film of + death seems to have overspread the mind's eye, objects lose their + distinctness, and float cloudily before it, and the apathy and apparent + indifference with which men recognise the sure advances of immediate + death, rob that awful hour of much of its terrors, and the death-bed of + its otherwise inevitable agonies. + </p> + <p> + This is a merciful dispensation; but the rule has its exceptions—its + terrible exceptions. When a man is brought in an instant, by some sudden + accident, to the very verge of the fathomless pit of death, with all his + recollections awake, and his perceptions keenly and vividly alive, without + previous illness to subdue the tone of the mind as to dull its + apprehensions—then, and then only, the death-bed is truly terrible. + </p> + <p> + Oh, what a contrast did O'Connor afford as he lay in all the abject + helplessness of undisguised terror upon his death-bed, to the proud + composure with which he had taken the field that morning. I had always + before thought of death as of a quiet sleep stealing gradually upon + exhausted nature, made welcome by suffering, or, at least, softened by + resignation; I had never before stood by the side of one upon whom the + hand of death had been thus suddenly laid; I had never seen the tyrant + arrayed in his terror till then. Never before or since have I seen horror + so intensely depicted. It seemed actually as if O'Connor's mind had been + unsettled by the shock; the few words he uttered were marked with all the + incoherence of distraction; but it was not words that marked his despair + most strongly, the appalling and heart-sickening groans that came from the + terror-stricken and dying man must haunt me while I live; the expression, + too, of hopeless, imploring agony with which he turned his eyes from + object to object, I can never forget. At length, appearing suddenly to + recollect himself, he said, with startling alertness, but in a voice so + altered that I scarce could recognise the tones: + </p> + <p> + 'Purcell, Purcell, go and tell my poor mother; she must know all, and + then, quick, quick, quick, call your uncle, bring him here; I must have a + chance.' He made a violent but fruitless effort to rise, and after a + slight pause continued, with deep and urgent solemnity: 'Doctor, how long + shall I live? Don't flatter me. Compliments at a death-bed are out of + place; doctor, for God's sake, as you would not have my soul perish with + my body, do not mock a dying man; have I an hour to live?' + </p> + <p> + 'Certainly,' replied the surgeon; 'if you will but endeavour to keep + yourself tranquil; otherwise I cannot answer for a moment.' + </p> + <p> + 'Well, doctor,' said the patient, 'I will obey you; now, Purcell, my first + and dearest friend, will you inform my poor mother of—of what you + see, and return with your uncle; I know you will.' + </p> + <p> + I took the dear fellow's hand and kissed it, it was the only answer I + could give, and left the room. I asked the first female servant I chanced + to meet, if her mistress were yet up, and was answered in the affirmative. + Without giving myself time to hesitate, I requested her to lead me to her + lady's room, which she accordingly did; she entered first, I supposed to + announce my name, and I followed closely; the poor mother said something, + and held out her hands to welcome me; I strove for words; I could not + speak, but nature found expression; I threw myself at her feet and covered + her hands with kisses and tears. My manner was enough; with a quickness + almost preternatural she understood it all; she simply said the words: + 'O'Connor is killed;' she uttered no more. + </p> + <p> + How I left the room I know not; I rode madly to my uncle's residence, and + brought him back with me—all the rest is a blank. I remember + standing by O'Connor's bedside, and kissing the cold pallid forehead again + and again; I remember the pale serenity of the beautiful features; I + remember that I looked upon the dead face of my friend, and I remember no + more. + </p> + <p> + For many months I lay writhing and raving in the frenzy of brain fever; a + hundred times I stood tottering at the brink of death, and long after my + restoration to bodily health was assured, it appeared doubtful whether I + should ever be restored to reason. But God dealt very mercifully with me; + His mighty hand rescued me from death and from madness when one or other + appeared inevitable. As soon as I was permitted pen and ink, I wrote to + the bereaved mother in a tone bordering upon frenzy. I accused myself of + having made her childless; I called myself a murderer; I believed myself + accursed; I could not find terms strong enough to express my abhorrence of + my own conduct. But, oh! what an answer I received, so mild, so sweet, + from the desolate, childless mother! its words spoke all that is beautiful + in Christianity—it was forgiveness—it was resignation. I am + convinced that to that letter, operating as it did upon a mind already + predisposed, is owing my final determination to devote myself to that + profession in which, for more than half a century, I have been a humble + minister. + </p> + <p> + Years roll away, and we count them not as they pass, but their influence + is not the less certain that it is silent; the deepest wounds are + gradually healed, the keenest griefs are mitigated, and we, in character, + feelings, tastes, and pursuits, become such altered beings, that but for + some few indelible marks which past events must leave behind them, which + time may soften, but can never efface; our very identity would be dubious. + Who has not felt all this at one time or other? Who has not mournfully + felt it? This trite, but natural train of reflection filled my mind as I + approached the domain of Castle Connor some ten years after the occurrence + of the events above narrated. Everything looked the same as when I had + left it; the old trees stood as graceful and as grand as ever; no plough + had violated the soft green sward; no utilitarian hand had constrained the + wanderings of the clear and sportive stream, or disturbed the + lichen-covered rocks through which it gushed, or the wild coppice that + over-shadowed its sequestered nooks—but the eye that looked upon + these things was altered, and memory was busy with other days, shrouding + in sadness every beauty that met my sight. + </p> + <p> + As I approached the castle my emotions became so acutely painful that I + had almost returned the way I came, without accomplishing the purpose for + which I had gone thus far; and nothing but the conviction that my having + been in the neighbourhood of Castle Connor without visiting its desolate + mistress would render me justly liable to the severest censure, could + overcome my reluctance to encountering the heavy task which was before me. + I recognised the old servant who opened the door, but he did not know me. + I was completely changed; suffering of body and mind had altered me in + feature and in bearing, as much as in character. I asked the man whether + his mistress ever saw visitors. He answered: + </p> + <p> + 'But seldom; perhaps, however, if she knew that an old friend wished to + see her for a few minutes, she would gratify him so far.' + </p> + <p> + At the same time I placed my card in his hand, and requested him to + deliver it to his mistress. He returned in a few moments, saying that his + lady would be happy to see me in the parlour, and I accordingly followed + him to the door, which he opened. I entered the room, and was in a moment + at the side of my early friend and benefactress. I was too much agitated + to speak; I could only hold the hands which she gave me, while, spite of + every effort, the tears flowed fast and bitterly. + </p> + <p> + 'It was kind, very, very kind of you to come to see me,' she said, with + far more composure than I could have commanded; 'I see it is very painful + to you.' + </p> + <p> + I endeavoured to compose myself, and for a little time we remained silent; + she was the first to speak: + </p> + <p> + 'You will be surprised, Mr. Purcell, when you observe the calmness with + which I can speak of him who was dearest to me, who is gone; but my + thoughts are always with him, and the recollections of his love'—her + voice faltered a little—'and the hope of meeting him hereafter + enables me to bear existence.' + </p> + <p> + I said I know not what; something about resignation, I believe. + </p> + <p> + 'I hope I am resigned; God made me more: so,' she said. 'Oh, Mr. Purcell, + I have often thought I loved my lost child TOO well. It was natural—he + was my only child—he was——' She could not proceed for a + few moments: 'It was very natural that I should love him as I did; but it + may have been sinful; I have often thought so. I doated upon him—I + idolised him—I thought too little of other holier affections; and + God may have taken him from me, only to teach me, by this severe lesson, + that I owed to heaven a larger share of my heart than to anything earthly. + I cannot think of him now without more solemn feelings than if he were + with me. There is something holy in our thoughts of the dead; I feel it + so.' After a pause, she continued—'Mr. Purcell, do you remember his + features well? they were very beautiful.' I assured her that I did. 'Then + you can tell me if you think this a faithful likeness.' She took from a + drawer a case in which lay a miniature. I took it reverently from her + hands; it was indeed very like—touchingly like. I told her so; and + she seemed gratified. + </p> + <p> + As the evening was wearing fast, and I had far to go, I hastened to + terminate my visit, as I had intended, by placing in her hand a letter + from her son to me, written during his sojourn upon the Continent. I + requested her to keep it; it was one in which he spoke much of her, and in + terms of the tenderest affection. As she read its contents the heavy tears + gathered in her eyes, and fell, one by one, upon the page; she wiped them + away, but they still flowed fast and silently. It was in vain that she + tried to read it; her eyes were filled with tears: so she folded the + letter, and placed it in her bosom. I rose to depart, and she also rose. + </p> + <p> + 'I will not ask you to delay your departure,' said she; 'your visit here + must have been a painful one to you. I cannot find words to thank you for + the letter as I would wish, or for all your kindness. It has given me a + pleasure greater than I thought could have fallen to the lot of a creature + so very desolate as I am; may God bless you for it!' And thus we parted; I + never saw Castle Connor or its solitary inmate more. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE DRUNKARD'S DREAM. + </h2> + <p> + Being a Fourth Extract from the Legacy of the late F. Purcell, P. P. of + Drumcoolagh. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'All this HE told with some confusion and + Dismay, the usual consequence of dreams + Of the unpleasant kind, with none at hand + To expound their vain and visionary gleams, + I've known some odd ones which seemed really planned + Prophetically, as that which one deems + "A strange coincidence," to use a phrase + By which such things are settled nowadays.' + BYRON. +</pre> + <p> + Dreams! What age, or what country of the world, has not and acknowledged + the mystery of their origin and end? I have thought not a little upon the + subject, seeing it is one which has been often forced upon my attention, + and sometimes strangely enough; and yet I have never arrived at anything + which at all appeared a satisfactory conclusion. It does appear that a + mental phenomenon so extraordinary cannot be wholly without its use. We + know, indeed, that in the olden times it has been made the organ of + communication between the Deity and His creatures; and when, as I have + seen, a dream produces upon a mind, to all appearance hopelessly reprobate + and depraved, an effect so powerful and so lasting as to break down the + inveterate habits, and to reform the life of an abandoned sinner, we see + in the result, in the reformation of morals which appeared incorrigible, + in the reclamation of a human soul which seemed to be irretrievably lost, + something more than could be produced by a mere chimera of the slumbering + fancy, something more than could arise from the capricious images of a + terrified imagination; but once presented, we behold in all these things, + and in their tremendous and mysterious results, the operation of the hand + of God. And while Reason rejects as absurd the superstition which will + read a prophecy in every dream, she may, without violence to herself, + recognise, even in the wildest and most incongruous of the wanderings of a + slumbering intellect, the evidences and the fragments of a language which + may be spoken, which HAS been spoken, to terrify, to warn, and to command. + We have reason to believe too, by the promptness of action which in the + age of the prophets followed all intimations of this kind, and by the + strength of conviction and strange permanence of the effects resulting + from certain dreams in latter times, which effects we ourselves may have + witnessed, that when this medium of communication has been employed by the + Deity, the evidences of His presence have been unequivocal. My thoughts + were directed to this subject, in a manner to leave a lasting impression + upon my mind, by the events which I shall now relate, the statement of + which, however extraordinary, is nevertheless ACCURATELY CORRECT. + </p> + <p> + About the year 17—, having been appointed to the living of C—-h, + I rented a small house in the town, which bears the same name: one morning + in the month of November, I was awakened before my usual time by my + servant, who bustled into my bedroom for the purpose of announcing a sick + call. As the Catholic Church holds her last rites to be totally + indispensable to the safety of the departing sinner, no conscientious + clergyman can afford a moment's unnecessary delay, and in little more than + five minutes I stood ready cloaked and booted for the road, in the small + front parlour, in which the messenger, who was to act as my guide, awaited + my coming. I found a poor little girl crying piteously near the door, and + after some slight difficulty I ascertained that her father was either dead + or just dying. + </p> + <p> + 'And what may be your father's name, my poor child?' said I. She held down + her head, as if ashamed. I repeated the question, and the wretched little + creature burst into floods of tears still more bitter than she had shed + before. At length, almost provoked by conduct which appeared to me so + unreasonable, I began to lose patience, spite of the pity which I could + not help feeling towards her, and I said rather harshly: + </p> + <p> + 'If you will not tell me the name of the person to whom you would lead me, + your silence can arise from no good motive, and I might be justified in + refusing to go with you at all.' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh, don't say that—don't say that!' cried she. 'Oh, sir, it was + that I was afeard of when I would not tell you—I was afeard, when + you heard his name, you would not come with me; but it is no use hidin' it + now—it's Pat Connell, the carpenter, your honour.' + </p> + <p> + She looked in my face with the most earnest anxiety, as if her very + existence depended upon what she should read there; but I relieved her at + once. The name, indeed, was most unpleasantly familiar to me; but, however + fruitless my visits and advice might have been at another time, the + present was too fearful an occasion to suffer my doubts of their utility + or my reluctance to re-attempting what appeared a hopeless task to weigh + even against the lightest chance that a consciousness of his imminent + danger might produce in him a more docile and tractable disposition. + Accordingly I told the child to lead the way, and followed her in silence. + She hurried rapidly through the long narrow street which forms the great + thoroughfare of the town. The darkness of the hour, rendered still deeper + by the close approach of the old-fashioned houses, which lowered in tall + obscurity on either side of the way; the damp, dreary chill which renders + the advance of morning peculiarly cheerless, combined with the object of + my walk, to visit the death-bed of a presumptuous sinner, to endeavour, + almost against my own conviction, to infuse a hope into the heart of a + dying reprobate—a drunkard but too probably perishing under the + consequences of some mad fit of intoxication; all these circumstances + united served to enhance the gloom and solemnity of my feelings, as I + silently followed my little guide, who with quick steps traversed the + uneven pavement of the main street. After a walk of about five minutes she + turned off into a narrow lane, of that obscure and comfortless class which + is to be found in almost all small oldfashioned towns, chill, without + ventilation, reeking with all manner of offensive effluviae, and lined by + dingy, smoky, sickly and pent-up buildings, frequently not only in a + wretched but in a dangerous condition. + </p> + <p> + 'Your father has changed his abode since I last visited him, and, I am + afraid, much for the worse,' said I. + </p> + <p> + 'Indeed he has, sir; but we must not complain,' replied she. 'We have to + thank God that we have lodging and food, though it's poor enough, it is, + your honour.' + </p> + <p> + Poor child! thought I, how many an older head might learn wisdom from thee—how + many a luxurious philosopher, who is skilled to preach but not to suffer, + might not thy patient words put to the blush! The manner and language of + this child were alike above her years and station; and, indeed, in all + cases in which the cares and sorrows of life have anticipated their usual + date, and have fallen, as they sometimes do, with melancholy prematurity + to the lot of childhood, I have observed the result to have proved + uniformly the same. A young mind, to which joy and indulgence have been + strangers, and to which suffering and self-denial have been familiarised + from the first, acquires a solidity and an elevation which no other + discipline could have bestowed, and which, in the present case, + communicated a striking but mournful peculiarity to the manners, even to + the voice, of the child. We paused before a narrow, crazy door, which she + opened by means of a latch, and we forthwith began to ascend the steep and + broken stairs which led upwards to the sick man's room. + </p> + <p> + As we mounted flight after flight towards the garret-floor, I heard more + and more distinctly the hurried talking of many voices. I could also + distinguish the low sobbing of a female. On arriving upon the uppermost + lobby these sounds became fully audible. + </p> + <p> + 'This way, your honour,' said my little conductress; at the same time, + pushing open a door of patched and half-rotten plank, she admitted me into + the squalid chamber of death and misery. But one candle, held in the + fingers of a scared and haggard-looking child, was burning in the room, + and that so dim that all was twilight or darkness except within its + immediate influence. The general obscurity, however, served to throw into + prominent and startling relief the death-bed and its occupant. The light + was nearly approximated to, and fell with horrible clearness upon, the + blue and swollen features of the drunkard. I did not think it possible + that a human countenance could look so terrific. The lips were black and + drawn apart; the teeth were firmly set; the eyes a little unclosed, and + nothing but the whites appearing. Every feature was fixed and livid, and + the whole face wore a ghastly and rigid expression of despairing terror + such as I never saw equalled. His hands were crossed upon his breast, and + firmly clenched; while, as if to add to the corpse-like effect of the + whole, some white cloths, dipped in water, were wound about the forehead + and temples. + </p> + <p> + As soon as I could remove my eyes from this horrible spectacle, I observed + my friend Dr. D——, one of the most humane of a humane + profession, standing by the bedside. He had been attempting, but + unsuccessfully, to bleed the patient, and had now applied his finger to + the pulse. + </p> + <p> + 'Is there any hope?' I inquired in a whisper. + </p> + <p> + A shake of the head was the reply. There was a pause while he continued to + hold the wrist; but he waited in vain for the throb of life—it was + not there: and when he let go the hand, it fell stiffly back into its + former position upon the other. + </p> + <p> + 'The man is dead,' said the physician, as he turned from the bed where the + terrible figure lay. + </p> + <p> + Dead! thought I, scarcely venturing to look upon the tremendous and + revolting spectacle. Dead! without an hour for repentance, even a moment + for reflection; dead I without the rites which even the best should have. + Is there a hope for him? The glaring eyeball, the grinning mouth, the + distorted brow—that unutterable look in which a painter would have + sought to embody the fixed despair of the nethermost hell. These were my + answer. + </p> + <p> + The poor wife sat at a little distance, crying as if her heart would break—the + younger children clustered round the bed, looking with wondering curiosity + upon the form of death never seen before. + </p> + <p> + When the first tumult of uncontrollable sorrow had passed away, availing + myself of the solemnity and impressiveness of the scene, I desired the + heart-stricken family to accompany me in prayer, and all knelt down while + I solemnly and fervently repeated some of those prayers which appeared + most applicable to the occasion. I employed myself thus in a manner which, + I trusted, was not unprofitable, at least to the living, for about ten + minutes; and having accomplished my task, I was the first to arise. + </p> + <p> + I looked upon the poor, sobbing, helpless creatures who knelt so humbly + around me, and my heart bled for them. With a natural transition I turned + my eyes from them to the bed in which the body lay; and, great God! what + was the revulsion, the horror which I experienced on seeing the + corpse-like terrific thing seated half upright before me; the white cloths + which had been wound about the head had now partly slipped from their + position, and were hanging in grotesque festoons about the face and + shoulders, while the distorted eyes leered from amid them— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'A sight to dream of, not to tell.' +</pre> + <p> + I stood actually riveted to the spot. The figure nodded its head and + lifted its arm, I thought, with a menacing gesture. A thousand confused + and horrible thoughts at once rushed upon my mind. I had often read that + the body of a presumptuous sinner, who, during life, had been the willing + creature of every satanic impulse, after the human tenant had deserted it, + had been known to become the horrible sport of demoniac possession. + </p> + <p> + I was roused from the stupefaction of terror in which I stood, by the + piercing scream of the mother, who now, for the first time, perceived the + change which had taken place. She rushed towards the bed, but stunned by + the shock, and overcome by the conflict of violent emotions, before she + reached it she fell prostrate upon the floor. + </p> + <p> + I am perfectly convinced that had I not been startled from the torpidity + of horror in which I was bound by some powerful and arousing stimulant, I + should have gazed upon this unearthly apparition until I had fairly lost + my senses. As it was, however, the spell was broken—superstition + gave way to reason: the man whom all believed to have been actually dead + was living! + </p> + <p> + Dr. D—— was instantly standing by the bedside, and upon + examination he found that a sudden and copious flow of blood had taken + place from the wound which the lancet had left; and this, no doubt, had + effected his sudden and almost preternatural restoration to an existence + from which all thought he had been for ever removed. The man was still + speechless, but he seemed to understand the physician when he forbid his + repeating the painful and fruitless attempts which he made to articulate, + and he at once resigned himself quietly into his hands. + </p> + <p> + I left the patient with leeches upon his temples, and bleeding freely, + apparently with little of the drowsiness which accompanies apoplexy; + indeed, Dr. D—— told me that he had never before witnessed a + seizure which seemed to combine the symptoms of so many kinds, and yet + which belonged to none of the recognised classes; it certainly was not + apoplexy, catalepsy, nor delirium tremens, and yet it seemed, in some + degree, to partake of the properties of all. It was strange, but stranger + things are coming. + </p> + <p> + During two or three days Dr. D—— would not allow his patient + to converse in a manner which could excite or exhaust him, with anyone; he + suffered him merely as briefly as possible to express his immediate wants. + And it was not until the fourth day after my early visit, the particulars + of which I have just detailed, that it was thought expedient that I should + see him, and then only because it appeared that his extreme importunity + and impatience to meet me were likely to retard his recovery more than the + mere exhaustion attendant upon a short conversation could possibly do; + perhaps, too, my friend entertained some hope that if by holy confession + his patient's bosom were eased of the perilous stuff which no doubt + oppressed it, his recovery would be more assured and rapid. It was then, + as I have said, upon the fourth day after my first professional call, that + I found myself once more in the dreary chamber of want and sickness. + </p> + <p> + The man was in bed, and appeared low and restless. On my entering the room + he raised himself in the bed, and muttered, twice or thrice: + </p> + <p> + 'Thank God! thank God!' + </p> + <p> + I signed to those of his family who stood by to leave the room, and took a + chair beside the bed. So soon as we were alone, he said, rather doggedly: + </p> + <p> + 'There's no use in telling me of the sinfulness of bad ways—I know + it all. I know where they lead to—I seen everything about it with my + own eyesight, as plain as I see you.' He rolled himself in the bed, as if + to hide his face in the clothes; and then suddenly raising himself, he + exclaimed with startling vehemence: 'Look, sir! there is no use in mincing + the matter: I'm blasted with the fires of hell; I have been in hell. What + do you think of that? In hell—I'm lost for ever—I have not a + chance. I am damned already—damned—damned!' + </p> + <p> + The end of this sentence he actually shouted. His vehemence was perfectly + terrific; he threw himself back, and laughed, and sobbed hysterically. I + poured some water into a tea-cup, and gave it to him. After he had + swallowed it, I told him if he had anything to communicate, to do so as + briefly as he could, and in a manner as little agitating to himself as + possible; threatening at the same time, though I had no intention of doing + so, to leave him at once, in case he again gave way to such passionate + excitement. + </p> + <p> + 'It's only foolishness,' he continued, 'for me to try to thank you for + coming to such a villain as myself at all. It's no use for me to wish good + to you, or to bless you; for such as me has no blessings to give.' + </p> + <p> + I told him that I had but done my duty, and urged him to proceed to the + matter which weighed upon his mind. He then spoke nearly as follows: + </p> + <p> + 'I came in drunk on Friday night last, and got to my bed here; I don't + remember how. Sometime in the night it seemed to me I wakened, and feeling + unasy in myself, I got up out of the bed. I wanted the fresh air; but I + would not make a noise to open the window, for fear I'd waken the + crathurs. It was very dark and throublesome to find the door; but at last + I did get it, and I groped my way out, and went down as asy as I could. I + felt quite sober, and I counted the steps one after another, as I was + going down, that I might not stumble at the bottom. + </p> + <p> + 'When I came to the first landing-place—God be about us always!—the + floor of it sunk under me, and I went down—down—down, till the + senses almost left me. I do not know how long I was falling, but it seemed + to me a great while. When I came rightly to myself at last, I was sitting + near the top of a great table; and I could not see the end of it, if it + had any, it was so far off. And there was men beyond reckoning, sitting + down all along by it, at each side, as far as I could see at all. I did + not know at first was it in the open air; but there was a close smothering + feel in it that was not natural. And there was a kind of light that my + eyesight never saw before, red and unsteady; and I did not see for a long + time where it was coming from, until I looked straight up, and then I seen + that it came from great balls of blood-coloured fire that were rolling + high over head with a sort of rushing, trembling sound, and I perceived + that they shone on the ribs of a great roof of rock that was arched + overhead instead of the sky. When I seen this, scarce knowing what I did, + I got up, and I said, "I have no right to be here; I must go." And the man + that was sitting at my left hand only smiled, and said, "Sit down again; + you can NEVER leave this place." And his voice was weaker than any child's + voice I ever heerd; and when he was done speaking he smiled again. + </p> + <p> + 'Then I spoke out very loud and bold, and I said, "In the name of God, let + me out of this bad place." And there was a great man that I did not see + before, sitting at the end of the table that I was near; and he was taller + than twelve men, and his face was very proud and terrible to look at. And + he stood up and stretched out his hand before him; and when he stood up, + all that was there, great and small, bowed down with a sighing sound, and + a dread came on my heart, and he looked at me, and I could not speak. I + felt I was his own, to do what he liked with, for I knew at once who he + was; and he said, "If you promise to return, you may depart for a season;" + and the voice he spoke with was terrible and mournful, and the echoes of + it went rolling and swelling down the endless cave, and mixing with the + trembling of the fire overhead; so that when he sat down there was a sound + after him, all through the place, like the roaring of a furnace, and I + said, with all the strength I had, "I promise to come back—in God's + name let me go!" + </p> + <p> + 'And with that I lost the sight and the hearing of all that was there, and + when my senses came to me again, I was sitting in the bed with the blood + all over me, and you and the rest praying around the room.' + </p> + <p> + Here he paused and wiped away the chill drops of horror which hung upon + his forehead. + </p> + <p> + I remained silent for some moments. The vision which he had just described + struck my imagination not a little, for this was long before Vathek and + the 'Hall of Eblis' had delighted the world; and the description which he + gave had, as I received it, all the attractions of novelty beside the + impressiveness which always belongs to the narration of an EYE-WITNESS, + whether in the body or in the spirit, of the scenes which he describes. + There was something, too, in the stern horror with which the man related + these things, and in the incongruity of his description, with the vulgarly + received notions of the great place of punishment, and of its presiding + spirit, which struck my mind with awe, almost with fear. At length he + said, with an expression of horrible, imploring earnestness, which I shall + never forget—'Well, sir, is there any hope; is there any chance at + all? or, is my soul pledged and promised away for ever? is it gone out of + my power? must I go back to the place?' + </p> + <p> + In answering him, I had no easy task to perform; for however clear might + be my internal conviction of the groundlessness of his tears, and however + strong my scepticism respecting the reality of what he had described, I + nevertheless felt that his impression to the contrary, and his humility + and terror resulting from it, might be made available as no mean engines + in the work of his conversion from prodigacy, and of his restoration to + decent habits, and to religious feeling. + </p> + <p> + I therefore told him that he was to regard his dream rather in the light + of a warning than in that of a prophecy; that our salvation depended not + upon the word or deed of a moment, but upon the habits of a life; that, in + fine, if he at once discarded his idle companions and evil habits, and + firmly adhered to a sober, industrious, and religious course of life, the + powers of darkness might claim his soul in vain, for that there were + higher and firmer pledges than human tongue could utter, which promised + salvation to him who should repent and lead a new life. + </p> + <p> + I left him much comforted, and with a promise to return upon the next day. + I did so, and found him much more cheerful and without any remains of the + dogged sullenness which I suppose had arisen from his despair. His + promises of amendment were given in that tone of deliberate earnestness, + which belongs to deep and solemn determination; and it was with no small + delight that I observed, after repeated visits, that his good resolutions, + so far from failing, did but gather strength by time; and when I saw that + man shake off the idle and debauched companions, whose society had for + years formed alike his amusement and his ruin, and revive his long + discarded habits of industry and sobriety, I said within myself, there is + something more in all this than the operation of an idle dream. + </p> + <p> + One day, sometime after his perfect restoration to health, I was surprised + on ascending the stairs, for the purpose of visiting this man, to find him + busily employed in nailing down some planks upon the landing-place, + through which, at the commencement of his mysterious vision, it seemed to + him that he had sunk. I perceived at once that he was strengthening the + floor with a view to securing himself against such a catastrophe, and + could scarcely forbear a smile as I bid 'God bless his work.' + </p> + <p> + He perceived my thoughts, I suppose, for he immediately said: + </p> + <p> + 'I can never pass over that floor without trembling. I'd leave this house + if I could, but I can't find another lodging in the town so cheap, and + I'll not take a better till I've paid off all my debts, please God; but I + could not be asy in my mind till I made it as safe as I could. You'll + hardly believe me, your honour, that while I'm working, maybe a mile away, + my heart is in a flutter the whole way back, with the bare thoughts of the + two little steps I have to walk upon this bit of a floor. So it's no + wonder, sir, I'd thry to make it sound and firm with any idle timber I + have.' + </p> + <p> + I applauded his resolution to pay off his debts, and the steadiness with + which he perused his plans of conscientious economy, and passed on. + </p> + <p> + Many months elapsed, and still there appeared no alteration in his + resolutions of amendment. He was a good workman, and with his better + habits he recovered his former extensive and profitable employment. + Everything seemed to promise comfort and respectability. I have little + more to add, and that shall be told quickly. I had one evening met Pat + Connell, as he returned from his work, and as usual, after a mutual, and + on his side respectful salutation, I spoke a few words of encouragement + and approval. I left him industrious, active, healthy—when next I + saw him, not three days after, he was a corpse. + </p> + <p> + The circumstances which marked the event of his death were somewhat + strange—I might say fearful. The unfortunate man had accidentally + met an early friend just returned, after a long absence, and in a moment + of excitement, forgetting everything in the warmth of his joy, he yielded + to his urgent invitation to accompany him into a public-house, which lay + close by the spot where the encounter had taken place. Connell, however, + previously to entering the room, had announced his determination to take + nothing more than the strictest temperance would warrant. + </p> + <p> + But oh! who can describe the inveterate tenacity with which a drunkard's + habits cling to him through life? He may repent—he may reform—he + may look with actual abhorrence upon his past profligacy; but amid all + this reformation and compunction, who can tell the moment in which the + base and ruinous propensity may not recur, triumphing over resolution, + remorse, shame, everything, and prostrating its victim once more in all + that is destructive and revolting in that fatal vice? + </p> + <p> + The wretched man left the place in a state of utter intoxication. He was + brought home nearly insensible, and placed in his bed, where he lay in the + deep calm lethargy of drunkenness. The younger part of the family retired + to rest much after their usual hour; but the poor wife remained up sitting + by the fire, too much grieved and shocked at the occurrence of what she + had so little expected, to settle to rest; fatigue, however, at length + overcame her, and she sank gradually into an uneasy slumber. She could not + tell how long she had remained in this state, when she awakened, and + immediately on opening her eyes, she perceived by the faint red light of + the smouldering turf embers, two persons, one of whom she recognised as + her husband, noiselessly gliding out of the room. + </p> + <p> + 'Pat, darling, where are you going?' said she. There was no answer—the + door closed after them; but in a moment she was startled and terrified by + a loud and heavy crash, as if some ponderous body had been hurled down the + stair. Much alarmed, she started up, and going to the head of the + staircase, she called repeatedly upon her husband, but in vain. She + returned to the room, and with the assistance of her daughter, whom I had + occasion to mention before, she succeeded in finding and lighting a + candle, with which she hurried again to the head of the staircase. + </p> + <p> + At the bottom lay what seemed to be a bundle of clothes, heaped together, + motionless, lifeless—it was her husband. In going down the stair, + for what purpose can never now be known, he had fallen helplessly and + violently to the bottom, and coming head foremost, the spine at the neck + had been dislocated by the shock, and instant death must have ensued. The + body lay upon that landing-place to which his dream had referred. It is + scarcely worth endeavouring to clear up a single point in a narrative + where all is mystery; yet I could not help suspecting that the second + figure which had been seen in the room by Connell's wife on the night of + his death, might have been no other than his own shadow. I suggested this + solution of the difficulty; but she told me that the unknown person had + been considerably in advance of the other, and on reaching the door, had + turned back as if to communicate something to his companion. It was then a + mystery. + </p> + <p> + Was the dream verified?—whither had the disembodied spirit sped?—who + can say? We know not. But I left the house of death that day in a state of + horror which I could not describe. It seemed to me that I was scarce + awake. I heard and saw everything as if under the spell of a night-mare. + The coincidence was terrible. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Purcell Papers, by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PURCELL PAPERS *** + +***** This file should be named 509-h.htm or 509-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/509/ + +Produced by Judith Boss and Charles Keller + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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