ned that all the cattle had been branded with the word tithe, in
large and legible characters. The family on whom the execution was about
being levied, walked, about at their ease, and rather seemed to enjoy
the matter, as a triumph over law, than as a circumstance that was
calculated to depress or annoy them. They offered no obstruction;
neither did they, on the other hand, afford the slightest possible
facility to the officers of the law. They were strictly and to the
letter passive.

The heifer alluded to having been put aside for want of a bidder, a fine
cow was put up, and all the usual cajoling and seductive provocations
to competition and purchase were held out, but in vain. Every nourish
of the bailiff, who acted as auctioneer, was lost, as it were, on empty
space, and might as well have been uttered in a desert. Butter-casks,
kitchen' vessels, and everything on which the impress could be affixed,
was marked with the hated brand of "tithe." No one, however, would bid;
and when the bailiffs, on seeing that none present was either willing or
courageous enough to do so, began to bid themselves, the silence of the
people still remained unbroken. They then put up some furniture, all
of which was branded "tithe;" but, on purchasing it for another market,
they found that it was impossible to remove it, as neither horse nor
cart, nor any available vehicle for that purpose, could be had at
any cost. So far, therefore, the law and all its authority, supported
besides by a large body of constabulary, were completely defeated, and
it was obvious that, unless those on whom the perilous duty of executing
it fell, came provided with the means of removing the property, that is
to say, with horses, carts, and a body of military besides, every such
auction must terminate in failure.

The shortness of the day, and the distance they had to go, when taken
in connection with the ferocious state of the people, prevented the
bailiffs and their protectors from serving the process, to which we have
alluded, on another party. It was therefore determined on to abandon the
property for the present, and execute the service on the following day.

The next morning opened with the same dull, dark, and desolute
appearance, as did the preceding. On this occasion, there was no
auction to hold and but one process to serve, only a single bailiff was
necessary. No diminution, however, was made in the number-of police who
attended; and, indeed, the