support on their day’s wages, great suffering and inconvenience resulted from the slightest delay.  In addition to these causes of inconvenience, supplies of food had sometimes to be procured, and on this particular occasion serious consequences had nearly resulted from the obstinacy of an official, (a Mr. H——­,) a commissariat officer, who boasted of his experience in matters of the kind, during the Peninsular campaigns of the Duke of Wellington, and who refused to allow any food to be sold to the people, although ready money was offered on the spot.  An additional difficulty arose when it was made known that extensive works in the neighbourhood, upon which over one thousand persons had been employed, were stopped.  Great excitement was the result, and it was determined by the whole body of workmen employed upon the Caheragh relief works, to march into Skibbereen, levy contributions, and enforce compliance with their demands.  About twelve o’clock in the day, a number of persons, amounting to about a thousand, marched in the direction of the town, and had nearly reached their destination before the fact was made known.  I believe I was, myself, one of the first who saw the approach of those once stalwart men, but now emaciated spectres; and cannot describe adequately the interesting appearance of the body, as they marched along, bearing upon their shoulders their implements of labour, such as spades, shovels, etc., which, in the glitter of a blazing sun, produced a most surpassing effect.  Immediately a most exciting scene took place.  Under the apprehension that shops would be rifled, shutters were put up and doors were closed.  The servants in charge of children hastened to their respective habitations, and everything denoted that a serious onslaught was unavoidable.  The military force in the town amounted to seventy-five men, and by the sound of trumpet they were at once summoned to their post, and positive directions were given that under no circumstances should the invading party be allowed to enter the town.  The interposition of a long schoolhouse prevented the military from being seen until the party were within twenty yards of the school.  The orders were then given to prime and load, and I cannot describe what my feelings were as the clink of the ramrods clearly denoted what was likely to follow.  Fortunately, the force upon this occasion was under the command of Mr. Michael Galwey, J.P., a gentleman remarkable for his firmness and courage, his kindness and humanity, and extraordinary influence among the people.  When a sanguinary affray was almost inevitable, he took advantage of a temporary lull, and cried out in a stentorian voice:  “Three cheers for the Queen, and plenty of employment to-morrow,” a call which was immediately responded to in the best manner that the weakened vocal powers of the multitude would admit of.  The threatening aspect of affairs was completely changed.  Mr. G., in his own familiar phraseology, said, “H——­, we must get the biscuits, and we will all then go home in good humour.”  No sooner said than done.  The stores were opened, the biscuits were distributed, the price was paid, the effusion of blood was avoided, and this neighbourhood was saved from what in the commencement threatened to be a most fearful calamity.[167]