Protected by relays of cavalry, we reached the city in safety, not, however, without one or two hair-breadth escapes from molestation.  Everything around told that the insurrection had broken out:  church-bells rang, dropping shots now and then were heard, and houses, not very distant, were wrapped in flames.  Safely, however, we passed through manifold alarms, and at dusk entered the fortified barrier erected on one of the canal bridges, which was jealously guarded by a company of Highlanders and two six-pounders.  Brief shall be a summary of what followed.  While the tempest of rebellion raged, we remained safely in the capital.  Constance and I were over head and ears in love; but another passion struggled with me for mastery.  Youth is always pugnacious; like Norval,

  “I had heard of battles, and had longed
  To follow to the field some warlike”

colonel of militia, and importuned my father to obtain a commission, and, like Laertes, “wrung a slow consent.”  The application was made; and, soon after breakfast, the butler announced that my presence was wanted in the drawing-room.  I repaired thither, and there found my father, his fair dame, and my cousin Constance.

“Well, Frank, I have kept my promise, and, in a day or two, I shall have a captain’s commission for you.  Before, however, I place myself under an obligation to Lord Carhampton, let me propose an alternative for your selection.”

I shook my head.  “And what may that be, sir?”

“A wife.”

“A wife!” I exclaimed.

“Yes, that is the plain offer.  You shall have, however, a free liberty of election:  read that letter.”

I threw my eye over it hastily.  It was from the Lord Lieutenant’s secretary, to say that his excellency felt pleasure in placing a company in the ——­ militia, at Colonel Hamilton’s disposal.  “There is the road to fame open as a turnpike trust.  Come hither, Constance, and here is the alternative.”  She looked at me archly, I caught her to my heart, and kissed her red lips.

“Father!”

“Well, Frank.”

“You may write a polite letter to the Castle, and decline the commission.”

Half a century has passed, but ninety-eight is still, by oral communications, well known to the Irish peasant; and would that its horrors carried with them salutary reminiscences!  But to my own story.

Instead of fattening beeves, planting trees, clapping vagabonds “i’ th’ stocks,” and doing all and everything that appertaineth to a country gentleman, and also, the queen’s poor esquire, I might have, until the downfall of Napoleon, and the reduction of the militia, events cotemporaneous, smelt powder on the Phoenix Park on field days, and like Hudibras, of pleasant memory, at the head of a charge of foot, “rode forth a coloneling.”  In place, however, of meddling with cold iron, I yielded to “metal more attractive,” and in three months became a Benedict, and in some dozen more a papa.