pecimen, and a fair specimen, of a most
remarkable body of men, who during two centuries have fought a good fight
in Ireland in the cause of civilization and religious truth; they were
sent as colonists, few in number, into a barbarous and unhappy country,
where ever since, though surrounded with difficulties of every kind, they
have maintained their ground; theirs has been no easy life, nor have
their lines fallen upon very pleasant places; amidst darkness they have
held up a lamp, and it would be well for Ireland were all her children
like these her adopted ones. "But they are fierce and sanguinary," it is
said. Ay, ay! they have not unfrequently opposed the keen sword to the
savage pike. "But they are bigoted and narrow-minded." Ay, ay! they do
not like idolatry, and will not bow the knee before a stone! "But their
language is frequently indecorous." Go to, my dainty one, did ye ever
listen to the voice of Papist cursing?

The Irish Protestants have faults, numerous ones; but the greater number
of these may be traced to the peculiar circumstances of their position:
but they have virtues, numerous ones; and their virtues are their own,
their industry, their energy, and their undaunted resolution are their
own. They have been vilified and traduced--but what would Ireland be
without them? I repeat, that it would be well for her were all her sons
no worse than these much calumniated children of her adoption.

CHAPTER X.

Protestant Young Gentlemen--The Greek Letters--Open
Chimney--Murtagh--Paris and Salamanca--Nothing to do--To Whit, to
Whoo!--The Pack of Cards--Before Christmas.

We continued at this place for some months, during which time the
soldiers performed their duties, whatever they were; and I, having no
duties to perform, was sent to school. I had been to English schools,
and to the celebrated one of Edinburgh; but my education, at the present
day, would not be what it is--perfect, had I never had the honour of
being _alumnus_ in an Irish seminary.

"Captain," said our kind host, "you would, no doubt, wish that the young
gentleman should enjoy every advantage which the town may afford towards
helping him on in the path of genteel learning. It's a great pity that
he should waste his time in idleness--doing nothing else than what he
says he has been doing for the last fortnight--fishing in the river for
trouts which he never catches; and wandering up the glen in the mountain,
in search of