t
company in the melody, unless when moved by compassion for poor Bob, I
occasionally join him in _Croppies lie Down_ or the other tune, for the
purpose of sustaining him as a Christian and Orangeman.'

"At this time it was with something like effort that he or I could
hear each other as we spoke, and, by the way, it was quite evident that
little Solomon was very nearly in all his glory, from the very slight
liquefaction of language which, might be observed in his conversation.

"It occurred to me now, that as Solomon's heart was a little bit open,
and as the tide of conversation flowed both loud and tumultuous, it was
a very good opportunity of getting out of him a tolerably fair account
of the persons by whom we were surrounded. I accordingly asked him the
name and occupation of several whom I had observed as the most striking
individuals present.

"'That large man with the red face,' said I, 'beside your pious and
musical friend Spaight--who is he?'

"'He is an Orange butcher, sir, who would think very little of giving
a knock on the head to any Protestant who won't deal with him. His
landlord's tenants are about half Catholics and half Protestants, and
as he makes it a point to leave them his custom in about equal degrees,
this fellow--who, between you and me--is right in the principle, if
he would only carry it out a little more quietly--makes it a standing
grievance every lodge night. And, by and by, you will hear them abuse
each other like pickpockets for the same reason. There is a grim-looking
fellow, with the great fists, a blacksmith, who is at deadly enmity
with that light firm-looking man--touching the shoeing of M'Clutchy's
cavalry. Val, who knows a thing or two, if I may so speak, keeps them
one off and the other on so admirably, that he contrives to get his
own horses shod and all his other iron work done, free, _gratis_, for
nothing between them. This is the truth, brother Weasel: in fact my dear
brother Weasel, it is the truth. There are few here who are not moved by
some personal hope or expectation from something or from somebody. Down
there near the door are a set of fellows--whisper in your ear--about as
great scoundrels as you could meet with; insolent, fierce, furious
men, with bad passions and no principles, whose chief delight is to get
drunk--to kick up party feuds in fairs and markets, and who have, in
fact, a natural love for strife. But all are not so. There are many
respectable men her