mination to make the best of his suffering, and not sink under
misfortune. What a noble trait of character--but how little appreciated!

With such a ground-work to act upon, what might not these people be
made? and that they have intellect of almost a superior order, cannot be
questioned. Their ready replies alone prove it; and their usual success
any where but in their own country, tells it truly. Some years ago I
stood talking to an English gentleman on particular business at a ferry
slip in Dublin, waiting for the boat. A boy, also waiting for it,
several times came up to shew some books he had for sale, and really
annoyed my friend by importunity, who suddenly turned round and
exclaimed, "Get away, you scamp, or I shall give you a kick that will
send you across the river." In an instant the reply came--"_Whi-thin
thank yur hanur fur thit same--fur 'twill just save me a ha-pinny._"
They are quick to a degree--and have great activity and capability for
labour and effort, _if but fed_, which may be seen by every Englishman
who looks and thinks. The coal-whippers of the Thames, the hod-men, or
mason's labourers of London, the paver's labourers, and such like,
almost all are Irishmen. But they must be fed, or they cannot labour as
they do here. Treat them kindly, confide in them, and be it for good or
evil; I mean to reward or punish, _never break a promise_, and you may
do as you please with them. My own experience is extensive; but one who
is now no more, my nearest relative, had forty years of trial, and he
accomplished by Irish hands alone, in the midst of the outbreak of '97
and '98, as Inspector-General of the Light-houses of Ireland, the
building of a work, which perhaps more than rivals the far-famed
Eddystone,--namely, the South Rock Light-house three miles from the
land, on the north-east coast of Ireland,--every stone of which was laid
by Irish workmen. And to the honour of the people be it spoken, when
the rebellion broke out it was known that a large stock of blasting
powder and lead lay at the works on the shore; yet not a single ounce of
one or the other was taken. It was known, too, that their employer was
then engaged in the command of a yeomanry brigade, formed for the
defence of the east side of Dublin; still his _lead_ and _powder_ lay
safely in the north of Ireland. But more extraordinary still, after the
battle of Ballinahinch, where the rebels were routed, his yacht was
taken by a party of them to m