“On the night of the 24th ultimo, the house of this most active and resolute magistrate was attacked by a numerous band of ruffianly Whiteboys, amounting to several hundreds—­who, in defiance of his well-known resolution, and forgetting the state of admirable preparation and defence in which he always maintains his dwelling-house, surrounded it with the intention, evidently, of visiting upon him the consequences of his extraordinary efforts at preserving the peace of the country, and bringing offenders to justice.  The exact particulars of this fearful conflict have not reached us, but we may, without offence, we trust, to the modesty of Mr. O’Driscol, venture to give a general outline of the circumstances, as far as we have heard them.  About two o’clock, on the morning alluded to, and while the whole family were asleep, an attempt was made to break open the hall-door.  This, however, having been heavily chained, barred, and bolted, and the keys removed to Mr. O’Driscol’s sleeping-room, resisted all attempts of the Whiteboys to enter—­a circumstance which filled them with fury and indignation.  In a moment the family were alarmed, and up.  On that night it so happened that Mr. Alick Purcel, a friend and neighbor of Mr. O’Driscol’s, happened to be staying with them, and almost immediately Mr. O’Driscol, placing the two young men in something like a steady military position, led them on personally, in the most intrepid manner, to a position behind the shutters.  From this place the fire of the enemy was returned for a considerable time with equal bravery, and, it is presumed, effect, as the grounds about the hall-door were found the next morning to be stained with blood in several places.  Tho heroism of the night, however, is yet to be related.  Mr. O’Driscol, who was certainly supported by his son and Mr. Purcel in a most able and effective manner, hearing a low, cautious noise in the back part of the house, went to reconnoitre, just in time to grapple with the leader of these villains—­a most desperate and ferocious character-cruel, fearless, and of immense personal strength.  He must have got in by some unaccountable means not yet discovered, with the hope, of course, of admitting his accomplices from without.  A terrific struggle now ensued, which terminated by the fellow, on finding, we presume, the mettle of the person opposed to him, flying down stairs towards the kitchen, and from thence, as Mr. O’Driscol thought, to the coal-hole, whether he fearlessly pursued him, but in vain.  On examining the coal-hole, which Mr. O’Driscol did personally in the dark—­we really shudder at that gentleman’s absence of all fear—­the ferocious Whiteboy could not be found in it.  The presumption is that he gave Mr. O’Driscol the slip during pursuit, doubled back, and escaped from the lobby window, which, on examination, was found open.  On this almost unprecedented act of bravery it is useless to indulge in comment, especially as we are restrained by regard for Mr. O’Driscol’s personal feelings and well-known modesty on this peculiar subject.  His worthy son, we are aware, inherits his father’s courage.”