In this manner would they incite some old man, and, perhaps, his older wife, to prolonged exertion, and keep them bobbing and jigging about, amidst roars of laughter, until the worthy couple could dance no longer.

During stated periods of the night, those who took the most prominent part in the dance, got a plate and hat, with which they went round the youngsters, to make collections for the fiddler.  Barny reserved his best and most sarcastic jokes for these occasions; for so correct was his ear, that he felt little difficulty in detecting those whose contributions to him were such as he did not relish.

The aptitude of the Irish for enjoying humorous images was well displayed by one or two circumstances which occurred on this night.  A few of both sexes, who had come rather late, could get no other seats than the metal pots to which we have alluded.  The young women were dressed in white, and their companions, who were also their admirers, exhibited, in proud display, each a bran-new suit, consisting of broadcloth coat, yellow-buff vest, and corduroy small-clothes, with a bunch of broad silk ribbons standing out at each knee.  They were the sons and daughters of respectable farmers, but as all distinctions here entirely ceased, they were fain to rest contented with such seats as they could get, which on this occasion consisted of the pots aforesaid.  No sooner, however, had they risen to dance than the house was convulsed with laughter, heightened by the sturdy vigor with which, unconscious of their appearance, they continued to dance.  That part of the white female dresses which had come in contact with the pots, exhibited a circle like the full moon, and was black as pitch.  Nor were their partners more lucky:  those who sat on the mouths of the pots had the back part of their dresses streaked with dark circles, equally ludicrous.  The mad mirth with which they danced, in spite of their grotesque appearance, was irresistible.  This, and other incidents quite as pleasant—­such as the case of a wag who purposely sank himself into one of the pots, until it stuck to him through half the dance—­increased the laughter, and disposed them to peace and cordiality.

No man took a more active part in these frolics than young Frank M’Kenna.  It is true, a keen eye might have noticed under his gayety something of a moody and dissatisfied air.  As he moved about from time to time, he whispered something to above a dozen persons, who were well known in the country as his intimate companions, young fellows whose disposition and character were notoriously bad.  When he communicated the whisper, a nod of assent was given by his confidants, after which it might be remarked that they moved round to the door with a caution that betrayed a fear of observation, and quietly slunk out of the barn one by one, though Frank himself did not immediately follow them.  In about a quarter of an hour afterwards, Rody came in, gave him a signal and sat down.  Frank then followed his companions, and after a few minutes Rody also disappeared.  This was about ten o’clock, and the dance was proceeding with great gayety and animation.