gave the details of the new Provincial Government
of Western Ireland, with the name of the "Prefect" a blank. There was
another, containing the police regulations for the "arrondissements" of
Connaught, "et ses dependances." Every imaginable step of conquest and
occupation was anticipated and provided for in these wise and
considerate protocols, from the "enthusiastic welcome of the French on
the western coast," to the hour of "General Humbert's triumphal entry
into Dublin." Nor was it prose alone, but even poetry, did service in
our cause. Songs, not, I own, conspicuous for great metrical beauty,
commemorated our battles and our bravery; so that we entered upon the
campaign as deeply pledged to victory as any force I ever heard or read
of in history.

Neal, who was, I believe, originally a schoolmaster, had great
confidence in this arsenal of "black and white;" and soon persuaded
General Humbert that a bold face and a loud tongue would do more in
Ireland than in any country under heaven; and indeed, if his own career
might be called a success, the theory deserved some consideration. A
great part of our afternoon was then spent in distributing these
documents to the people, not one in a hundred of whom could read, but
who treasured the placards with a reverence nothing diminished by their
ignorance. Emissaries, too, were appointed to post them up in
conspicuous places through the country, on the doors of the chapels, at
the smiths' forges, at cross-roads, every where, in short, where they
might attract notice. The most important and business-like of all these,
however, was one headed "ARMS!--ARMS!" and which went on to say that no
man who wished to lift his hand for old Ireland need do so without a
weapon; and that a general distribution of guns, swords, and bayonets
would take place at noon the following day at the palace of Killala.

Serazin, and, I believe, Madgett, were strongly opposed to this
indiscriminate arming of the people; but Neal's counsels were now in the
ascendant, and Humbert gave an implicit confidence to all he suggested.

It was four o'clock in the evening when the word to march was given, and
our gallant little force began its advance movement. Still attached to
Colonel Charost's staff, and being, as chasseurs, in the advance, I had
a good opportunity of seeing the line of march from an eminence about
half a mile in front. Grander and more imposing displays I have indeed
often witnessed. As a grea