fled up in my cloak, I indulged in my own reveries as usual, building
up castles which toppled over one after another as I built and rebuilt
again. At last one of the passengers blew his nose, as if to give
warning that he was about to speak; and then inquired of the gentleman
next him if he had seen the evening newspapers. The other replied in
the negative. "It would appear that Ireland is not in a very quiet
state, sir," observed the first.

"Did you ever read the history of Ireland?" inquired the other.

"Not very particularly."

"Then, sir, if you were to take that trouble, you will find that
Ireland, since it was first peopled, never has been in a quiet state,
nor perhaps ever will. It is a species of human volcano--always either
smoking, burning, or breaking out into eruptions and fire."

"_Very_ true, sir," replied the other. "I am told the White Boys are
mustering in large numbers, and that some of the districts are quite
impassable."

"Sir, if you had travelled much in Ireland, you would have found out
that many of the districts are quite impassable, without the impediment
of the White Boys."

"You have been a great deal in Ireland then, sir," replied the other.

"Yes, sir," said the other with a consequential air, "I believe I may
venture to say that I am in charge of some of the most considerable
properties in Ireland."

"Lawyer--agent--five per cent--and so on," muttered the third party, who
sate by me, and had not yet spoken.

There was no mistaking him--it was my former master, Mr Cophagus; and I
cannot say that I was very well pleased at this intimation of his
presence, as I took it for granted that he would recognise me as soon as
it was daylight. The conversation continued, without any remarks being
made upon this interruption on the part of Mr Cophagus. The agent, it
appeared, had been called to London on business, and was returning. The
other was a professor of music, bound to Dublin on speculation. What
called Mr Cophagus in that direction I could not comprehend; but I
thought I would try and find out. I therefore, while the two others
were engaged in conversation, addressed him in a low tone of voice.
"Can you tell me, sir, if the College at Dublin is considered good for
the instruction of surgical pupils?"

"Country good, at all events plenty of practice--broken heads--and so
on."

"Have you ever been in Ireland, sir?"

"Ireland!--never--don't wish to go--must go--old women