eze carried them through the lucid haze of
the atmosphere.

M'Kenna's family consisted of himself, his wife, two daughters, and
two sons. One of these was a young man addicted to drink, idle,
ill-tempered, and disobedient; seldom taking a part in the labors of
the family, but altogether devoted to field sports, fairs, markets,
and dances. In many parts of Ireland it is usual to play at cards for
mutton, loaves, fowls, or whiskey, and he was seldom absent from such
gambling parties, if held within a reasonable distance. Often had
the other members of the family remonstrated with him on his idle and
immoral courses; but their remonstrances only excited his bad passions,
and produced, on his part, angry and exasperating language, or open
determination to abandon the family altogether and enlist. For some
years he went on in this way, a hardened, ungodly profligate, spurning
the voice of reproof and of conscience, and insensible to the entreaties
of domestic affection, or the commands of parental authority. Such was
his state of mind and mode of life when our story opens.

At the time in which the incidents contained in this sketch took place,
the peasantry of Ireland, being less encumbered with heavy rents, and
more buoyant in spirits than the decay of national prosperity has of
late permitted them to be, indulged more frequently, and to a greater
stretch, in those rural sports and festivities so suitable to their
natural love of humor and amusement. Dances, wakes, and weddings, were
then held according to the most extravagant forms of ancient usage; the
people were easier in their circumstances, and consequently indulged in
them with lighter hearts, and a stronger relish for enjoyment. When any
of the great festivals of their religion approached, the popular mind,
unrepressed by poverty and national dissension, gradually elevated
itself to a species of wild and reckless mirth, productive of incidents
irresistibly ludicrous, and remarkably characteristic of Irish manners.
It is not, however, to be expected, that a people whose love of fighting
is so innate a principle in their disposition, should celebrate these
festive seasons without an occasional crime, which threw its deep shadow
over the mirthful character of their customs. Many such occurred; but
they were looked upon then with a degree of horror and detestation of
which we can form but a very inadequate idea at present.

It was upon the advent of one of those fest