* Mass, humorously so called, from the fact of those
     who attend it beating their breasts during their
     devotions.

“Why, thin, by all that’s beautiful, it’s a good spree; and we’ll stick to you like pitch.”

“Be the vartue o’ my oath, you don’t desarve to be in it, or you’d dhrink dacent.  Why, here’s another bottle, an’ maybe there’s more where that was.  Well, let us finish what we have, or be the five crasses, I’ll give up the whole business.”

“Why, thin, here’s success to us, any way; an’ high hangin’ to them that ‘ud desart you in your skame this blessed an’ holy night that’s in it!”

This was re-echoed by his friends, who pledged themselves by the most solemn oaths not to abandon him in the perpetration of the outrage which they had concerted.  The other bottle was immediately opened, and while it lasted, the details of the plan were explained at full length.  This over, they entered the barn one by one as before, except Frank and Rody, who as they were determined to steal another bottle from the father’s stock, did not appear among the dancers until this was accomplished.

The re-appearance of these rollicking and reckless young fellows in the dance, was hailed by all present; for their outrageous mirth was in character with the genius of the place.  The dance went on with spirit; brag dancers were called upon to exhibit in hornpipes; and for this purpose a table was bought in from Frank’s kitchen on which they performed in succession, each dancer applauded by his respective party as the best in the barn.

In the meantime the night had advanced; the hour might be about half-past ten o’clock; all were in the zenith of enjoyment, when old Frank M’Kenna addressed them as follows:—­

“Neighbors, the dickens o’ one o’ me would like to break up the sport—­an’, in throth, harmless and dacent sport it is; but you all know that this is Christmas night, and that it’s our duty to attind the Midnight Mass.  Anybody that likes to hear it may go, for it’s near time to be home and prepare for it; but the sorra one o’ me wants to take any of yez from your sport, if you prefer it; all I say is, that I must lave yez; so God be wid yez till we meet agin!”

This short speech produced a general bustle in the barn; many of the elderly neighbors left it, and several of the young persons also.  It was Christmas Eve, and the Midnight Mass had from time immemorial so strong a hold upon their prejudices and affections, that the temptation must indeed have been great which would have prevented them from attending it.  When old Frank went out, about one-third of those who were present left the dance along with them; and as the hour for mass was approaching, they lost no time in preparing for it.

The Midnight Mass is, no doubt, a phrase familiar to our Irish readers; but we doubt whether those in the sister kingdoms, who may honor our book with a perusal, would, without a more particular description, clearly understand it.