hope for how could she doubt or despair when Lionel was by her side?

At length the folding doors of the supper room were thrown open, and we passed through triumphal arches of laurel, pillars wreathed with flowers, variegated Chinese taper-shades, costly vases, rich Ottomans on Turkey carpets, to enjoy what lordly hospitality and sumptuous elegance had prepared.

Need I say more than this-every thing was provided that Ireland could supply. We had the delicacies of India and America, in short, of the world, in tempting profusion. We felt no crowding, no pressing at side tables; saw not poverty peeping over the shoulder of ostentation: no, all was convenience, comfort, and ease. The ices were creamed and oranged to perfection; the wines were cool, rich in flavour, and as various as earth produces; the liqueurs were above all panegyric; the dessert alone was a feast for kings; and the ornaments of the table were such as to gratify mental as well as physical taste. Conversation circulated like the glass, and exhilaration beamed in every eye. The silver tongue of Emily was heard to move sweetly, and

many a strain of thoughts-breathing and wordsburning followed in lively and melancholy song.

Meanwhile, young men were amusing fair ladies' ears, and aiming at hearts, with the fascination of eye and tongue. Many a serious look mothers were casting at daughters, to repress natural vivacity. Dr. Seymour was entertaining Lord Conamore with an account of the ruins of Evan Macha, sometimes called Teagh na Heamnha, or the palace of Eamania, interspersed with observations on the glorious exploits of the Knights of the Red Branch; and I was amused with the questions Captain asked my friend, next whom he sat. He belonged to the regiment stationed at Conamore, which corps had just arrived, so that he was a stranger to every one at the table, his brother officers excepted. "Who is that gentleman in black, a little way

from you on the right ?" asked the Captain.

"That is my uncle, the reverend Charles replied my friend.

"Pray, who is that lady, opposite your uncle ?" continued the captain.

"That's my mother," was the answer. And th

to every inquiry, a near or distant relation appea

in the reply, till at length the captain, on being answered, "That is my wife,"-laughingly said, "Upon my honour, I must beg your pardon and hold my tongue, for I believe you are related to every one here." Indeed such was nearly the case; and I left Lord Conamore's reflecting on the happiness of my friend, in passing his life amongst kindred, compared to Captain - who in every change of quarters has to make up new acquaintances as poor substitutes for old friends.

Morning was now peeping over eastern hills, robed in the purple of distance; the silver moon was veiling herself with the majesty of light; the stars were retiring pale, like the loveliness we had left, but not with exhaustion, when we bent our course homeward. The voice of revelry still echoed in the mountains, and glimmering torches were yet seen creeping up to hilly homes. I was much pleased with an entertainment which reminded me of hospitality in times long passed away; and as we moved along the glittering and peaceful shore I praised the patriotism of Lord Conamore, and sighed to think how happy wretched Ireland would be, if like him all her landlords lived among their

tenants, promoting industry, rewarding merit, and discountenancing crime.

"Yes," said my friend, "his Lordship does a great deal of good to the peasantry around him. He is promoting education and happiness, reducing his rents to an equality with market rates, and enabling those under him to taste the rewards of useful industry. His whole life has been a course of public utility; like a fine river, he has fertilized the country of his existence; and his beneficent stream will be augmented by the tears of thousands when time shall number his days. When I was a boy Lord Conamore was in the meridian of his glory his voice was heard in the senate, and his advice as a statesman swayed royalty; but he married for love, and, too happy in the possession of earthly felicity, he left ambition's toilsome road for useful private life. He was doomed, however, to know the instability of human bliss. Sudden and awful death deprived him of his love; at once he saw his hopes all shipwrecked; and, brooding over his loss, he thought till thinking crazed him. S years after, he recovered the occasional use o faculties, and applied his powers of mind to

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die-aways," and our quick ones as complete "rattle-me-rounds" as Scotch reels. The musician in one case must palpitate along his strings in trembling fear of awaking a harsh tone; in the other he must move finger and bow as though life and fortune depended upon celerity. Honest Peter had primed the scrapers of silk and catgut, and they performed their parts with such melancholy and vivacity that all hearts were truly electrified, and feet kept as good time as drum-sticks.

Have you ever seen an Irish minuet? Perhaps

not.

Then it may be thus briefly described. Conceive two amorous Paddies leading out fair Shelahs, and forming a small square by standing in the four angles. The music immediately throws them into a melancholy attitude, and they gaze at each other as though in a state of complete fascination, during the first part of the tune. Then the boys doff their beavers, make a melting bow half way to the ground, which is returned by the lasses' best curtsy; they swim and sail about with as much grace as possible for some time; when the gentlemen put on their hats, the ladies change places, extending their hands, each to her partner, and after a few repetitions the