"Were there not a great many marriages in that ruined church ?" asked one of the company.

"Yes, the Protestants of Killarney often were married there.. When they don't get a license, they must be married in a parish church; and many couples modestly preferred the quiet solitude of the ivied walls of Kilkee, to the crowds that invariably gathered about weddings in the church of Killarney."

Mr. O'Connell's mind was, at this time, much engaged with the idea of an English Parliamentary Reform and Anti-Corn Law Convention. He entertained strong hopes that the labours of such a Convention would achieve a full measure of political liberty for Great Britain; and in working out that object, he was willing to co-operate. But he did not expect from it the smallest benefit to Ireland. He had learned, from bitter experience, to distrust the efficacy of British friendship for his country. He felt that Ireland could alone be served by her own exertions. To his private friends, the depth and sincerity of his love of peace-of his hatred of bloodshed and warfare-were now made manifest. A war with France had for many months been threatened, and at one period seemed inevitable. Had it it actually taken place, it would, in O'Connell's opinion, have greatly assisted the Repeal of the

Union. But, far from lamenting the pacific decision of the French Chambers, he sincerely rejoiced in an event which averted the crimes and the horrors of war, even although war would have made England but too happy to purchase the friendship and good offices of Ireland at the price of Repeal.

"One

Of war he had a conscientious horror. murder, or one robbery," said he, "will horrify; and I cannot conceive how robbery and murder are one whit the better for being multitudinous! Yet this is war."

His zeal for the popular liberties of England was sincere and fervid. It was highly honourable to his character, when placed (as it necessarily must be placed) in contrast with the cold indifference of English Liberals to Irish rights.

CHAPTER XX.

The Crelaghs-The Kerry Colonels-French RevolutionEffects of Catholicity and Protestantism on Social and Mercantile Advancement-Penal Laws-Reminiscences of Father Grady-Birth of the Princess Royal-The Duke of Wellington.

O'CONNELL, in speaking of the improved administration of the law in Ireland, contrasted the present days with the wild times that preceded the repeal of the Penal Code.

"When I was a child," said he, "there was a horde of cow-stealers called the Crelaghs, inhabiting the mountains of Glancara; they used to steal cows in Galway and Clare, and sell them in this part of the country; and then, with admirable impartiality, they would steal cows here, and sell them in Clare or Galway. They were a terrible nuisance to the peasantry; but they received a sort of negative protection, that is, they were left unmolested by the

leading Protestant gentry, who then were popularly called Colonels.' " To these 'Colonels' they occasionally made presents of cattle. Impunity emboldened them, and at length they stole fourteen cows from my father, who was in indifferent health at the time. This was intolerable, and my father collected a numerous party to surround the Crelaghs' hut one night, in order to take and surrender them to justice. The Crelaghs rushed out, and made a desperate defence; two of them were taken, but the rest escaped. My father shot one man through the hand in the scuffle; but the wounded fellow contrived to get off. Those who escaped still continued their depredations; and the power of the few Catholic gentry to check them was sadly crippled by the legal incapacity of Catholics to hold the commission of the peace.

"The Crelaghs resolved to avenge themselves upon my father, who got information one dark evening when out riding, that the gang lay in wait to murder him. His informant desired him to go home by a different road; he did so, and encountered the ruffians, who rushed down the hills to meet him, and fired. His mare, who was very wicked, kicked and threw him. Whilst he was down they fired again, and missed him a second time.

He re

mounted, and striking spurs in his mare, was speedily beyond their reach, escaping several shots that were fired after him.

"It was not very easy for a Catholic to interest the law in his behalf, even against these pestilent vagabonds. But at length, by good luck, one of the gang robbed a Mr. Hasset, a Protestant gentleman, of his purse and dress wig upon the highway. This incited Mr. Hasset to spirited measures, amongst which was his getting himself made a magistrate, and using his justiceship to bring the rogues to punishment. After this, the gang was soon dispersed; three were taken and hanged—the rest escaped."

So prevalent was the belief in the absolute authority of "the Colonels" at that period, and so lightly was the power of the law esteemed in comparison, that a notion prevailed among the depredators who infested parts of Kerry, that a judicial sentence, in order to be valid, should be backed by the fiat of one or other of these local chiefs. A man was convicted of horse-stealing at Tralee, and appeared quite careless and unconcerned while the judge was passing sentence of death upon him. "Do you know what my lord is saying, you stupid omadhawn?" inquired a bystander of the prisoner. To be sure I do!" returned the criminal, "but I