ls of Castle Cumber were
duly covered with placards containing the points to be discussed, and
the names of the speakers on both sides of the question. The roads
leading to the scene of controversy were thronged with people of
all classes. Private jaunting cars, gigs, and carriages of every
description, rolled rapidly along. Clergymen of every creed, various as
they are, moved through the streets with eager and hurried pace, each
reverend countenance marked by an anxious expression arising from the
interest its possessor felt in the result of the controversy. People, in
fact, of all ranks and religions, were assembled to hear the leading men
on each side defend their own creeds, and assail those of their enemies.
The professional men relinquished, for the day, their other engagements
and avocations, in order to be present; and invalids, who had not been
long out of their sick rooms, tottered down, wrapped in cloaks, to hear
this great display of learning and eloquence. Early on the preceding
morning, the Catholic Clergy, though without the sanction of their
Bishops, formally signified to the committee of the society, their
intention of meeting them man to man on the platform. Before the door
was open to the crowd at large, the opposing clergymen and the more
select friends on both sides were admitted by a private entrance.
The gallery was set aside for ladies, who, in Ireland, and we believe
everywhere else, form an immense majority at religious meetings.

When the house was thronged to suffocation, none but a man intimately
acquainted with the two-fold character of the audience, could observe
much more within it, than the sea of heads with which it was studded.
The Protestant party looked on with a less devoted, but freer aspect;
not, however, without an evident feeling and pride in the number and
character of their champions. A strong dash of enthusiasm might be seen
in many fair eyes among the females, who whispered to each other an
occasional observation concerning their respective favorites; and
then turned upon the divine champions, smiles that seemed to have been
kindled by the sweet influences of love and piety. Among the Roman
Catholic party there was an expression of wonder created by the novelty
of the scene; of keen observation, evinced by the incessant rolling
of their clear Milesian eyes from one party to another, together with
something like pity and contempt for the infatuated Biblemen, as they
called th