No. 4.

Or, The Chieftain's Weekly Gazette.

THE PRIVATE MEMOIRS OF
CAPTAIN ROCK.

CHAPTER III.

ABDUCTION OF A SCHOOLMASTER.

liness left him subject to a disgusting years at Ballyfearnagh when the cutaneous disease, in which he young fellows about Rockglen prided himself, alleging it as an thought it unreasonable that their axiom in physic, that the itch is a neighbours should monopolize so preventive against contagion. Per- much wisdom; and, thinking that ILLUSTRATION OF THE PENAL LAWS. haps he was right. The faculty might constitutes right,' they FOR Some time after the depar- should look to it; for what a bless-resolved that the tyros of Ballyture of poor Florence, we indulged ing if the music made by a Scotch fearnagh should allow others to in the hope that he might in a few fiddle had the power to charm profit by the instruction of him months return when the storm had away the plague and typhus ! » whose tuition they had so long enblown over; but we were disap- Dr. M'Inery was in his fiftiethjoyed. Knowing that such a treapointed, for the unfortunate man year when I first knew him; and sure as Dr. M'Inery would not be died of a broken heart in less than his image is yet before me, as he tamely surrendered, they formed two months from the time of his used to walk along the road, with an expedition, for the purpose of removal from the delightful neigh- a book in his hand, the bridle round carrying him off vi et armis; and, bourhood of Rockglen.* A peda- his arm, and his old cropped horse as I had already distinguished my.. gogue, qualified to supply his place, following him, as if unwillingly self as a pedagogue liberator, I was not easily found, for we were dragged after his master. The was chosen by unanimous consent determined to patronize no master dress of the doctor consisted of as to head the invading forces. unless he was capable of teaching many coats and waistcoats as were Greek and Latin, these languages worn by the grave-digger in Hambeing then fashionable among the let,' while his legs were swallowed Irish peasantry. After looking up in flannels, and a large red wig, about us for some time, we turned like the capital of a Corinthian our eyes to a parish half-a-dozen column, curled round under his old miles distant, which enjoyed the hat. His face indicated nothing rare felicity of a school-master who but benevolence; and the bless was at once celebrated for instruct-ings of the peasantry audibly deing the mind and healing the body, clared his active humanity. As a being an excellent classical scholar, physician, he was in general reand physician of vast reputation, quest; and while he resided in the his fame having extended beyond country no old woman or quack the limits of the parish where he got footing in the district. His lived a proof of eminence which learning admitted not of doubt, can be adduced by few of those and the Catholic clergy were unaniwhose names occur in Scotch di-mous in recommending him pupils. plomas.

This man, known by the name of Dr. M'Inery, was one of the most singular characters I have ever known, and was regarded by his pupils as a philosophic madman. His appearance was most repulsive, as he was never known to undress himself; while the absence of clean

From this account the reader will see a slight mistake into which the editor of my published Memoirs' has fallen.-He makes Florence die when I was only thirteen, and, because I had written hedge school, he supposed our academy was the shady side of a ditch. As well might he suppose the keeper of a hedge-alehouse

to sell drink under a bush.

But what made the doctor an ob.
ject of wonder was the mystery
which he sedulously threw over the
former part of his life. He re-
sisted all inquiries respecting his
family or connexions; and, though
it was quite apparent that he was
an Irishman, none could tell of
what county was he a native. His
creed too was dubious; for, though
be sometimes attended mass, he
never went to confession; but,
being looked upon as 'cracked
with the larning,' he was never
reproached with a neglect of reli-
gious duties.

He had resided for about seven

My chosen band consisted of about thirty young fellows, who, on this occasion, evinced an extraordinary love of education; and though, no doubt, there was much of a selfish feeling in the enterprise, yet it was one which reflects great credit on their literary courage. The roost-cock of Rock glen had proclaimed the solemn hour of midnight before we took our departure for Ballyfearnagh, and when we arrived there it was some time before we discovered the doctor's residence, for he had no settled habitation, leading, like most country schoolmasters, a kind of vagrant life, continually removing from one house to another. This night he had taken up his abode at the residence of a pupil, and was not a little surprised when informed that we were not inclined to consult his interest or inclination, being determined to compel submission to our wishes. He made many protests against such arbitrary proceedings; but, in spite of remonstrances, we seated him upon his sheep-skin saddle, and with three cheers commenced our progress The doctor towards Rockglen. was a practical philosopher; and, seeing that resistance was in vain,

6

he seemed to enter into the spirit doctor, imprudently interfering be-
of the thing, and joked upon the tween the belligerent parties, re-
honours paid him during the jour-ceived a wound from the stab of a
ney. He related many anecdotes pitchfork. The melancholy fact
of Plato, Socrates, and other peda. was no sooner known than the
gogues among the ancients; but horror it excited had the effect of
protested that his reading did not immediately terminating hostilities,
furnish him with an instance of the the contending powers vyeing with
abduction of a schoolmaster in the each other in regret for the alarm-
history of either Greece or Rome. ing accident. Being instantly re-
Having deposited our prize at moved to Rockglen, his wound
Rockglen, we commenced prepara- was dressed; but he, with too
tions against the attempt which we much accuracy, pronounced it fatal.
knew would be made to recover On the third day he put a sealed
the stolen doctor; and, as a neces- paper into my hand-for I had be-
sary precaution, stationed outposts come his favourite-and requested
to watch the appearance of the of me to preserve it for his sake.
About twelve o'clock It will,' said he, explain my
enemy.
word was brought me that the extraordinary conduct; and, if 1
heroes of Ballyfearnagh were ap- mistake not, awaken your sym-
proaching, burning for revenge, pathy for my misfortunes. Death,
and eager for battle. We received thank Heaven, is about to terminate
them warmly, and, after a pro-
a life of silent and secret misery;
tracted contest of three hours, they and, that its detail might benefit
retired, with the loss of half-a-dozen others, I request you will, after I
arms, and probably as many legs. have ceased to breathe, make the
My companions lauded me to the contents of that paper public.' On
skies for the military capacity I the next day an hemorrhage took
displayed on this occasion; and place, and he soon after surren-
even the defeated owned, like dered his soul into the hands of
O'Regan after the battle of the Him with whom I hope he had
Boyne, that, had they the enemy's previously made his peace. The
Captain, they should have proved day after I saw him quietly in-
victorious.
urned' I broke the seal of the
package, and read as follows:-

6

tinue undisturbed by my enemies.
While, therefore, I have opportu-
nity and leisure, let me endeavour
to exculpate my character from the
foul crime which is attached to it,
and leave behind me an apology
for the greatest error of my life.

The doctor soon became reconciled to his new situation; for, Tranquility is at length within though the base and unnatural my reach, and the remainder of conduct of my brother had depress-my miserable life is likely to coned my father into poverty, yet enough remained to bid a friend or stranger welcome. The doctor's horse was well taken care of, and himself comfortably lodged in a little room above the kitchen, from which it was separated by a hurdle. Here he continued for three weeks; when, seeing no further attempt at a rescue, we gave him his liberty, and inducted him into the professor's chair, left vacant by poor Florence. Here, however, he was not destined to continue long; for his former pupils renewed hostilities, and a desultory warfare was carried on for six months. One day the heroes of Ballyfearnaghbouring Protestant, named Gleninvested the school, and a desperate engagement took place, when the

'I was the eldest son of an Irish
Catholic, who descended from the
chieftains of Tyrone, whose name
he bore. I was baptized Henry
Neil O'Donnel; and my only
brother, two years younger than
I, was called Hugh O'Donnel. My
father had contrived to elude the
rapacity of Government; and,
through the kindness of a neigh-

non, he retained possession of his
ancient patrimony. The redeem-

ing qualities of human nature are generally a good security against despotic laws; for, though the informer was declared by act of Parliament highly honourable, and entitled to the property of such Catholics as he brought to what was called justice, yet in few instances only were men found base enough to avail themselves of such iniquitous laws, and hundreds of the old religion' retained their possessions notwithstanding these profligate enactments.

"My father was one of these, and, as his fortune was ample, he bestowed on his two sons an educa. tion suited to their rank and prospects in life. Being under many obligations to Mr. Glennou, it followed that a friendly intercourse existed between the two families, the younger branches of both being constantly together. Youth is the season of innocence and love; and, as our neighbour's only daughter was every thing that could attract and retain affection, it will not be wondered at that I whispered into her willing ear the sentiments of au unsophisticated mind. Caroline listened, and returned my affection :-we pledged an eternal attachment, and at eighteen I quitted her for the Continent with all the anguish of an ardent lover, having first promised inviolable fidelity, and marriage when I returned.

"For six long years I continued in the Austrian service, and, at the conclusion of the campaign, hastened to redeem the pledge I had given. I literally met my Caroline on the wings of Love, aud beheld with amazement that her brow was clouded, while her pallid countenance indicated some latent sorrow. As she appeared, however, to rejoice in my presence, and receive, without opposition, a renewal of my vows of love, I attributed her melancholy to her anxiety during my absence. In a little time she began to resume her wonted cheerfulness, and as we talked of our approaching union the cup of happiness seemed to overflow. But, alas! a jealous hand

better men breathe the atmosphere of the New World.

In every nation of the Continent Paddy is seen and dreaded on this day. Frenchmen record. with wonder, many of the strange and eccentric pranks of the Irish Brigade and Irish students; and it was long believed there that the natives of Ireland went mad on Saint Patrick's day.

London, however, displays a more gratifying sight-a blending of all denominations of Irishmen, for the purpose of charity and good feeling. The Catholic and Protestant wear the same undying foliage; and it would be impossible to say which of them is proudest of his country.

With mingled feelings of religion and melancholy I arose on this morning, placed the shamrock in my hat, and sallied out into the streets. At every step I recognised a countryman; and, as I looked upon his athletic frame, his firm tread, and cheerful countenance, I felt proud in belonging to a nation which deserves to be a nursery of heroes. John Bull is by no means to be despised for either his person or appearance; but he wants that something which indicates character, and which Pat has got in abundance. You would know him, even did he not wear a shamrock; for there is an eccentricity in his walk as well as in his conduct; particularly on Saint Patrick's day.

In London, however, there is not that nationality which Dublin displays. There you are aroused, by day-break, with cries of 'Green Shamrock!' and, as the shopkeepers do not take down their shutters, it wears the appearance of a holiday. In the evening Paddy gets into his glory, and the shilelagh is not unfrequently put into requisition ; but in general all is good humour and merriment. In the country parts shibbens are opened on this night, and some of the happiest hours of my life I have spent at these rustic gathering-places.

On the present occasion O'Ka

cious one-a selfish lawyer, instead of a disinterested Irishman.

O'Connell! I fear there is no alternative. You have, at length, got yourself into a dilemma, from which you must back out, or submit to be looked upon as deficient in either honesty or wisdom; for, if you are sincere in recommending the disfranchising of the Irish freeholders, you are, to say the least, a very ill-informed man; and, indeed, I already know how deficient you and your colleagues are in what appertains to the state of our pea. santry. A few days ago I heard, at a meeting held at the Crown and Anchor,' a great deal of Blarney, abundance of falsehoods, and by no means a small quantity of sheer nonsense. Since that day I have despaired of any good resulting from the present parliamentary inquiry into the state of Ireland, unless the legislature bring over the cottiers and farmers themselves, who should be examined on oath, otherwise (I state it fearlessly) the truth will not be ascertained.

ROCK TO O'CONNELL. My dear Dan, PARDON this familiarity, but really I cannot contain the overflowings of my gratitude on seeing you about to become my best patron and friend. Let the Government only take your advice, and the standing toast of the Rocks, Protestant Ascendancy,' will be superseded by that of Daniel O'Connell.' Bravo! the Genius of Riot' has not yet vanished; the sun of Rock glen has not yet set; the haggard and the barn will once more proclaim my existence and authority. Disfran. chise the forty-shilling freeholders by all means, and the standard of Rock will float triumphantly from the Lady's Island to the mouth of the Shannon-for where will the disinherited cottier fly for protection, unless to his natural guardian, the celebrated Irish Chieftain?' Cheer up, my poor heart! my family greatness will survive the grow-found sealing the doom of Ireland's ing prosperity of Ireland; for my greatest enemies are about to prove themselves my best friends.

A week or two ago I gave a rough draft of your character, and did not then imagine that I should have so soon to write a supplement to the imperfect sketch. At present, however, I will not enter upon the invidious task; I'll wait for the event; but you must recant your recent opinions, or, as an impartial delineator, I shall have to make a slight addition; and, in place of denominating you a great man,' I must pronounce you a very suspi

O'Connell! I tremble for you: you have, I fear, put the extinguisher on your useful popularity. The charges of your enemies, and the apprehensions of your friends, are about to be verified, and your name added to the list of those who have put the multitude in agitation, that their own bark might ride upon the storm into the harbour of ambition. Alas! poor human nature! Will Daniel O'Connell, after all, be

peasantry, that he might enjoy a silk gown (his perpetual topic), and a seat in St. Stephen's Chapel? Will he deprive half a million of their undoubted right, that he might add a thousand a year to his fortune? Is self, after all your boasting and talking, the secret spring that guides you? Is ambition the sole object you have had these twenty years in view?

These interrogatories you must answer in the affirmative, or do penance for the bill a bout to be introduced into Parliament under your auspices. What, sir, you a radical

have some share or influence in the dis

posal of them by law. Take the elective franchise from the Irish peasant, and you not only strip him of the present reality, or appearance of this right, but you disable him and his posterity ever to acquire it. He is now poor and oppressed, you then make him vile and contemptible; he is now the image of a freeman, he will be then the very essence of a slave.

But it is said, though the forty-shilling freeholds be abolished, and the qualification raised to suppose ten or twenty pounds, you will still have a great number possessed of the elective franchise. This supposition is unfounded; you will have but a small number, and they more corrupt than the lowest class now are.

"The taking away a vote is the taking away a shield which the subject has not only against the oppression of power, but that worst of all oppression, the persecu tion of private society and private manners. No candidate for parliamentary influence is obliged to the least attention towards them either in cities or counties: on the contrary, if they should become obnoxious to any bigoted or malignant people amongst whom they live, it will become the interest of those who court popular favour to use the numberless means which always reside in magistracy and influence to oppress them.*

But it is not universally true that the forty-shilling freeholders are driven like cattle to the hustings. The proof of this is found not only in contested elections, but also in counties where there is no contest, and where no man will offer himself as a candidate, whether it be Cavan or Galway that is to be represented, without avowing his sentiments to be in accordance not only with those of the gentry, but also with those of the forty-shilling voters They already have power, and it is the very exercise of this power which has contributed to raise an outcry against them.

her degradation, that measure is, in my opinion, the disfranchisement of the forty-debut in the affairs of Ireland better shilling freeholders!