ave
acted under the influence of his lordship's religious prejudice. Curran
rated him soundly on this, and with such effect that St. Leger sent him
a challenge the next day. They met, but as Curran did not return his
fire, the affair ended. "It was not necessary," said Curran, "for me to
fire at him, for he died in three weeks after the duel, of the _report
of his own pistol_."

THE MONKS OF THE SCREW.

This was the name of a club that met on every Saturday during term in a
house in Kevin-street, and had for its members Curran, Grattan, Flood,
Father O'Leary, Lord Charlemont, Judge Day, Judge Metge, Judge
Chamberlaine, Lord Avonmore, Bowes Daly, George Ogle, and Mr. Keller.
Curran, being Grand Prior of the order, composed the charter song as
follows:--

When Saint Patrick our order created,
And called us the Monks of the Screw,
Good rules he revealed to our Abbot,
To guide us in what we should do.

But first he replenished his fountain
With liquor the best in the sky:
And he swore by the word of his saintship
That fountain should never run dry.

My children, be chaste till you're tempted--
While sober, be wise and discreet--
And humble your bodies with fasting,
Whene'er you've got nothing to eat.

Then be not a glass in the convent,
Except on a festival, found--
And this rule to enforce, I ordain it
A festival--_all the year round_.

LORD AVONMORE.

Curran was often annoyed when pleading before Lord Avonmore, owing to
his lordship's habit of being influenced by first impressions. He and
Curran were to dine together at the house of a friend, and the
opportunity was seized by Curran to cure his lordship's habit of
anticipating.

"Why, Mr. Curran, you have kept us a full hour waiting dinner for you,"
grumbled out Lord Avonmore. "Oh, my dear Lord, I regret it much; you
must know it seldom happens, but--I've just been witness to a most
melancholy occurrence." "My God! you seem terribly moved by it--take a
glass of wine. What was it?--what was it?"--"I will tell you, my Lord,
the moment I can collect myself. I had been detained at Court--in the
Court of Chancery--your Lordship knows the Chancellor sits late." "I do,
I do--but _go on_."--"Well, my Lord, I was hurrying here as fast as ever
I could--I did not even change my dress--I hope I shall be excused for
coming in my boots?" "Poh, poh--never mind your boots: the point--come