“In the 5th secret article there occurs the following:—­’We are not to carry away money, goods, or anything, from any person whatever, except arms and ammunition, and these only from an enemy.’

“This certainly shows the nature of the cruel and domiciliary tyranny which they, subsequently to ’98, carried to such excess in different parts of the country; and here, as in the other instance, what was there to guide them in determining the crime which constituted an enemy?  Why, their own fierce prejudices alone.  Here, then, we find a body irresponsible and self-constituted, confederated together, and trained in the use of arms (but literally unknown to the constitution), sitting, without any legal authority, upon the religious opinions of a class that are hateful and obnoxious to them—­and, in fact, combining within themselves the united offices of both judge and executioner.  With the character of their loyalty I have no quarrel; I perceive it is conditional; but the doctrine of unconditional loyalty is so slavish and absurd, that the sooner such an unnecessary fetterlock is struck off the mind the better.  To-morrow evening, however, I am to be introduced to an Orange Lodge, after the actual business of it shall have been transacted and closed.  This is a privilege not conceded to many, but it is one of which I shall very gladly avail myself, in order that I may infer from their conduct some faint conception of what it generally is.”

CHAPTER XIX.—­An Orange Lodge at Full Work

—­Solomon in all his Glory—­He Defines Drinking to be a Religious Exercise—­True Blue and the Equivocal—­Phil’s Eloquence—­A Charter Toast.

From the same to the same.

“Friday, * * *

“The order of business for each night of meeting is, I find, as follows:—­1.  Lodge to open with prayer, members standing. 2.  General rules read. 3.  Members proposed. 4.  Reports from committee. 5.  Names of members called over. 6.  Members balloted for. 7.  Members made. 8.  Lodge to close with prayer, members standing.

“It was about eight o’clock, when, accompanied by a young fellow named Graham, we reached the Lodge, which, in violation of one of its own rules, was held in what was formerly called the Topertoe Tavern, but which has since been changed to the Castle Cumber Arms—­being a field per pale, on which is quartered a purse, and what seems to be an inverted utensil of lead, hammered into a coronet.  In the other is a large mouth, grinning, opposite to which is a stuffed pocket, from which hangs the motto, ‘ne quid detrimenti res privata capiat.’  Under the foot of the gentleman is the neck of a famine-struck woman, surrounded by naked and starving children, and it is by the convenient aid of her neck that he is enabled to reach the purse, or; and, indeed, such is his eagerness to catch it and the coronet, that he does not seem to care much whether he strangles her or not.  On the leaden coronet, is the motto, alluding to the head which fills it, ‘similis simili gaudet.’