“’NOTICE.—­If we are honoured by the presence of the bloodthirsty perjurers at Mass on any of the forthcoming Sundays, take good care you’ll stand up very politely and walk out.  Don’t be under the impression that all the Moonlighters are dead, and that this notice is a child’s play, as Shawn Nelleen titled the last one.  I’ll be sure to keep my word, as you will see before long, so have no welcome for the Curtins, and, above all, let no one work for them in any way.  As you respect the Captain, and as you value your own life, abide by this notice.’—­Signed, ‘A MOONLIGHTER.’

“The above notice was written on tea paper in large legible style, and evidently by an intelligent person.  Groups were perusing it during the day.  A force of police marched through the village and back, but did not observe this document, as it is still posted on the door of the house.”

The “bloodthirsty perjurers” here mentioned were the daughters who had dared to demand and to promote the punishment of the assassins of their father!  For this crime these daughters were to be excommunicated by the people of Firies, and denied the consolations of religion in their deep sorrow, even in defiance of the order of the Catholic bishop.

As the advent of Mr. Gladstone to power in alliance with Mr. Parnell was then imminent, Mr. Sheehan, M.P., wrote a letter to the parish priest of Firies, the Rev. Mr. O’Connor, begging him in substance to put the brakes—­for a time—­upon the wheels of the local rack, lest the outcries of the young women subjected to this moral torture should interfere with the success of the new alliance.  This, in plain English, is the only possible meaning of the letter which I here reprint from a leaflet issued by an Irish society:—­

   “The Rev. Father O’Connor, P.P., has received the following letter
    from Mr. Sheehau, M.P., in reference to this matter, under date

   “’House of Commons, January 26th.

“’REV.  DEAR SIR,—­At this important juncture in our history, I am sorry to see reports of the Firies display.  Nothing that has taken place yet in the South of Ireland has done so much harm to the National cause.  If they persist they will ruin us.  To-morrow evening will be most important in Parliamentary history.  Our party expect the defeat of the Government and resumption of power by Mr. Gladstone.  If we succeed in this, which we are confident of, the future of our country will be great, and, although an appeal to the constituencies must be made, the Irish party in those few days have made an impression in future that no Government can withstand.  The Salisbury Government want to appeal to the country on the integrity of the empire, and, of course, for the last few days have tried all means to lead to this by raking up the Curtin case and all judicial cases, which must be avoided for a short time, as our stoppage to the Eviction Act will cover all this.—­Yours faithfully, J.D.  SHEEHAN.’”

This letter was read, the leaflet informs us, by the Rev. Mr. O’Connor, at the National Schools and other places.