l, as possessing most influence over the
people, addressed them very impressively.

"There are," said he, in conclusion, "persons in this crowd whom we
know to be guilty; but we will have an opportunity of now witnessing the
lengths to which crime, long indulged in, can carry them. To such people
I would say beware! for they know not the situation in which they are
placed."

During all this time there was not the slightest allusion made to the
mysterious ordeal which had excited so much awe and apprehension among
them--a circumstance which occasioned many a pale, downcast face to
clear up, and resume its usual cheerful expression. The crowd now were
assembled round the ring, and every man on whom an imputation had been
fastened came forward, when called upon, to the table at which the
priests and magistrate stood uncovered. The form of the oath was framed
by the two clergymen, who, as they knew the reservations and evasions
commonest among such characters, had ingeniously contrived not to leave
a single loophole through which the consciences of those who belonged to
this worthy fraternity might escape.

To those acquainted with Irish courts of justice there was nothing
particularly remarkable in the swearing. Indeed, one who stood among the
crowd might hear from those who were stationed at the greatest distance
from the table, such questions as the following:--

"Is the thing in it, Art?"

"No; 'tis nothin' but the law Bible, the magistrate's own one."

To this the querist would reply, with a satisfied nod of the head,
"Oh is that all? I heard they war to have it;" on which he would push
himself through the crowd until he reached the table, where he took his
oath as readily as another.

"Jem Hartigan," said the magistrate to one of those persons, "are you to
swear?"

"Faix, myself doesn't know, your honor; only that I hard them say that
the Cassidys mintioned our names along wid many other honest people; an'
one wouldn't, in that case, lie under a false report, your honor,
from any one, when we're as clear as them that never saw the light of
anything of the kind."

The magistrate then put the book into his hand, and Jem, in return,
fixed his eye, with much apparent innocence, on his face: "Now, Jem
Hartigan," etc, etc., and the oath was accordingly administered. Jem put
the book to his mouth, with his thumb raised to an acute angle on the
back of it; nor was the smack by any means a silent one which he gave i