fosters.  This sort of thing ought not to be ignored in England.  As an international action, it is hitting below the belt, and when bad times come again to Ireland the Nationalists will look to the Ministers of the Great Bear for funds, and are not likely to be disappointed.  Still it is curious that a Government which, at home, exiles Nihilists and other bomb-throwers should, abroad, give contributions to the cause that instigated the blowing up of my house, and the outrages which rendered Ireland so notorious.

Not many years ago my wife was once more seriously alarmed at Edenburn by the formidable proclivities of a man P——­, who sat all day at my gate with a gun, which he said he used for shooting rabbits:  but we all knew I was the rabbit he wanted to put in his bag.  However, he has gone to another sphere, and I am spending the present summer of 1904 very happily in the same county.

A couple of letters addressed there showing the way in which an old widow expresses herself, when after great labour she has delivered herself of an epistle, may not prove undiverting.  The point is the amount she can obtain from her children.

’Samuel Mr. Hussey Esq.

Sir—­I hope you will be good enough to speak to Downing to give me Justice.  They have any amount of cattle, 2 horses, and my son-in-law’s wife carried 78 pounds book account before Mr. Downing got the case in hands I would get 2 hundred pounds.  I think it little for me according to the means that was theirs.  Now sir, two daughters very ritch sir minding milk and butter and the one taking it away and selling it.  My son is not wright in his health or mind.  They turned him against me and he is more foolish than your Honour would believe.  He says he will give his uncle that ran away long ago to America mortgage, that Mr. Downing gave him power to do what he like and those two daughters are very well off and they will not allow me to do anything.  Sir I am shamed of the way they are treating me.  My health and mind is very good, thanks be to God and to you two Sir.  They would not give me the price of the habit that was berried with their father.  Sir it would not pay my debts and support me long.  My father lived 100 years.  The Judge said I would live longer.  Sir three hundred pounds is little enough for me according to the means that is theirs.  If I went into the workhouse I would not take what they wish to give me.  L160 they are giving me and I have my Confidence in God and in your Honour’s charity that you will be good enough to speak for me.  If the land don’t sell to 5 hundred pounds I will give it back to the attorney.  Will your Honour tell them and I’ll pray to God sir ever to bless you.

Faithfully,

MARY LUCY.’

And the same dame favoured me with this further effusion: 

’Mr. Hussey Esq.