sticks and threatening gestures swore that they would never allow the walls of the chapel to be desecrated by such a notice.  The bailiff, a most respectable and temperate man, did his utmost to pacify the excited mob.  He reasoned with them as best he could; and assured them that no desecration was intended—­that he was only carrying out the law, which required that the notice should be posted on the chapel walls.  But his voice had no more power than if he had spoken to a storm of wind; they leaped and danced madly about, whirling their sticks over their heads, and shouting that they would never allow him to touch the sacred edifice.

’The stipendiary magistrate now ordered him to do his duty, and that he would be protected in doing it by the police, and he, trembling with fear, as well he might, at length approached with the notice in his hand to post it in due form.  No sooner had he approached towards the chapel than a volley of stones sent him staggering back, though none actually struck him.  The police were now ordered to advance.  They did so amidst another shower of stones.  The storm of missiles still continuing and several of the police having been struck and injured, they were at length ordered to fire.  They aimed low, and directing their fire straight into the crowd of stone-throwers, they soon checked the vigour of the assault—­six or seven men fell under the volley and rolled upon the ground.  There was a short pause, a dead silence ensued—­but it was only for a moment, and before the police could recover themselves and load again, a furious rush was made upon them by the enraged populace.  Stones were seen flying as thick as hail; and finally the police, apprehending that they must be annihilated if they remained, ran to their cars, which were waiting at a little distance, and drove into Carrickmacross as fast as the horses could gallop, accompanied by the stipendiary magistrate!

’The field thus quickly won, remained in the possession of the insurgents.  One of the rioters was killed upon the spot—­shot through the body.  The others who fell were only slightly injured; one had his ear taken off, another was wounded in the finger, another shot in the arm.’

This was ‘the battle of Magheracloon.’  Mr. Trench wisely recommended a cessation of hostilities till the harvest was gathered in, promising the landlord that he would then by quiet means, acting on the tenants individually and privately, induce them to pay their rents.  He succeeded, but as Mr. Shirley declined to adopt his plans for the better management of the estate, he resigned.