fter he had
somewhat recovered, his friends assisted him home, where he lay confined
to a sick bed for better than a week.

Such is a tolerably exact description of scenes which have too
frequently taken place in the country, to the disgrace of religion and
the dishonor of God. We are bound to say, however, that none among
the priesthood encourage or take a part in them, unless those low and
bigoted firebrands who are alike remarkable for vulgarity and ignorance,
and who are perpetually inflamed by that meddling spirit which tempts
them from the quiet path of duty into scenes of political strife and
enmity, in which they seem to be peculiarly at home. Such scenes are
repulsive to the educated priest, and to all who, from superior minds
and information, are perfectly aware that no earthly or other good, but,
on the contrary, much bitterness, strife, and evil, ever result from
them.

Gerald Cavanagh was by no means so deeply affected by M'Mahon's vote
as were his two daughters. He looked upon the circumstance as one
calculated to promote the views which he entertained for Kathleen's
happiness. Ever since the notion of her marriage with Hycy Burke or
his brother--it mattered little to him which--he felt exceedingly
dissatisfied with her attachment to M'Mahon. Of this weakness, which we
may say, was the only one of the family, we have already spoken. He
lost little time, however, in going to communicate his daughter's
determination to that young man. It so happened, however, that,
notwithstanding three several journeys made for the purpose, he could
not see him; the fact being that Bryan always happened to be from
home when he went. Then came the denouncing scene which we have just
described, when his illness put it out of his power, without danger to
himself, to undergo anything calculated to discompose or disturb him.
The popular feeling, however, was fearfully high and indignant against
him. The report went that he had called Father M'Pepper, the senior
curate, a liar upon the very altar; and the commencement of
his explanation with respect to the fifty-pound note, was, not
unnaturally--since they would not permit him to speak--construed into an
open admission of his having been bribed.

This was severe and trying enough, but it was not all. Chevydale, whom
he unseated by his vote, after having incurred several thousand pounds
of expense, was resolved to make him suffer for the loss of his seat, as
well as for having