Such is a tolerably exact description of scenes which have too frequently taken place in the country, to the disgrace of religion and the dishonor of God.  We are bound to say, however, that none among the priesthood encourage or take a part in them, unless those low and bigoted firebrands who are alike remarkable for vulgarity and ignorance, and who are perpetually inflamed by that meddling spirit which tempts them from the quiet path of duty into scenes of political strife and enmity, in which they seem to be peculiarly at home.  Such scenes are repulsive to the educated priest, and to all who, from superior minds and information, are perfectly aware that no earthly or other good, but, on the contrary, much bitterness, strife, and evil, ever result from them.

Gerald Cavanagh was by no means so deeply affected by M’Mahon’s vote as were his two daughters.  He looked upon the circumstance as one calculated to promote the views which he entertained for Kathleen’s happiness.  Ever since the notion of her marriage with Hycy Burke or his brother—­it mattered little to him which—­he felt exceedingly dissatisfied with her attachment to M’Mahon.  Of this weakness, which we may say, was the only one of the family, we have already spoken.  He lost little time, however, in going to communicate his daughter’s determination to that young man.  It so happened, however, that, notwithstanding three several journeys made for the purpose, he could not see him; the fact being that Bryan always happened to be from home when he went.  Then came the denouncing scene which we have just described, when his illness put it out of his power, without danger to himself, to undergo anything calculated to discompose or disturb him.  The popular feeling, however, was fearfully high and indignant against him.  The report went that he had called Father M’Pepper, the senior curate, a liar upon the very altar; and the commencement of his explanation with respect to the fifty-pound note, was, not unnaturally—­since they would not permit him to speak—­construed into an open admission of his having been bribed.

This was severe and trying enough, but it was not all.  Chevydale, whom he unseated by his vote, after having incurred several thousand pounds of expense, was resolved to make him suffer for the loss of his seat, as well as for having dared to vote against him—­a purpose in which he was strongly supported, or into which, we should rather say, he was urged by Fethertonge, who, in point of fact, now that the leases had dropped, was negotiating a beneficial bargain with the gauger, apart from Chevydale’s knowledge, who was a feeble, weak-minded man, without experience or a proper knowledge of his duties.  In fact, he was one of,those persons who, having no fixed character of their own, are either good or evil, according to the principles of those by whom they happen for the time to be managed.  If Chevydale had been under the guidance of a sensible and humane agent,