Billeder på siden
PDF
ePub

tray, Dogherty, or Maguire? The two former, as you know, are cool shots, and our friend Reggie (as he assured us on the ground) would have taken the liberty of reading the Dublin Evening Post through him; meaning thereby, that he, the said Reginald, would have made such an aperture in his (Nugent's) carcase, as would have enabled him to read small print through the vacancy. Now of this alleged exploit the former part obtained implicit credit, from our respected friend's success through life in killing and maiming multitudes of his Majesty's subjects; but, as to the reading, persons were found hardy enough to disbelieve it altogether, inasmuch as Reggie was always considered to be what Pangloss calls a little loose in his orthography.'

[ocr errors]

"I will not detain you with the fight; I shall only say that Moutray and I were first at the Scratch; for Bitter Bob, finding his man engaged to your humble servant, rather than sit out agreed to be my friend, while Nugent was picked up by an Artillery Officer. Since you

* I have remarked much inaccuracy, and not unfrequently, great obscurity, in the Author of O'Hara. Many passages I

drilled Felton at Newbridge, there was not a more interesting assemblage of the Sporting world. Dogherty rode into the field with

do not comprehend; the present chapter for example—in page 84, line 19, "The man in the fashionable coat seemed absorbed in the preservation of his toggery." This is not an English word; but, as a derivative, I do not much object to it. The toggery, (Latin, toga), a wrapper, (French, surtout,) was made after the Roman costume, and was undoubtedly imposing and grand; and Sharp and Singleton must have been persons of classic taste; but, in the present instance, great difficulty will occur in elucidating the passage in question. "The Scratch," I imagine, was the name of a particular field, from its having been indifferently harrowed or scratched over-hence it was afterwards called the Scratch. "Sit out," I understand perfectly. In duelling none but the parties were well accommodated with seats, and hence Mr. Moutray wished to have a comfortable and convenient situation. "Picked up by an Artillery Officer."-This is a scandalous stupidity, or carelessness, on the part of the author, or the publisher, or probably of both. The passage should run thus, "While Nugent was picked up on the road by an Artillery Officer." Mr. E. Nugent having either neglected to engage a second, or the second not having appeared, he (Mr. N.) perhaps went astray in looking for him, and was picked up on the road (i. e. discovered wandering) by an Artillery Officer. These inaccuracies are lamentable; and, therefore, I cannot recommend the work.-Jonathan Oldskirt.

Jonathan Oldskirt is a twaddling spoonie. The passages in this chapter are unexceptionable, and the style neat, gentlemanly, and perspicuous. The tailor, being a knowing

thirty or forty mounted friends and a couple hundred Broom-hedge Boys; while a position on the other side was taken up by Maguire, who, with a tremendous and well-armed banditti, whom he named the Tinints,'

'Rushed from his dark hills down, and swelled the din of war.

"Now although Messrs. Dogherty and Maguire happened to patronise the same cause on the present occasion, you are well aware of the existence of a feud of long standing between these worthies and their adherents, and consequently this was determined to be a fit and proper opportunity to decide it by a battle;

kiddie, had roofed it to save the coriander seed, and naturally had a care for his thatch and toggery, which, as the day was wet, were likely to come to trouble. If the author is inaccurate in any thing, it must be in calling it a surtout-whereas the Flashman, no doubt, sported a poodle Benjamin. An Artillery Officer having come in for Nugent, is properly said to have picked him up (seconded, now obsolete.) As to the terms of the scratch and sitting out-phrases so well known in Hell and among the Fancy-need no comment. In short, I admire the work, and confidently recommend it to my friends in and out of the Ring.-Pierce Egan.

"Who shall decide when Doctors disagree?"

I beg to refer the disputed passages to Josh Hudson, Colonel Berkeley, The Commissary-General, or any other competent scholar.-Robt. Ashworth.

VOL. II.

H

and I question whether we would have been allowed to perform our paltry part, had not the Sheriff and Ancient Britons been announced as approaching. This was a quietus to the factions, and between two mobs and a troop of Cavalry, Sheriffs, Magistrates, and posse comitatus, the affair of honour terminated, in Mr. Dogherty and friends, with many terrific yells, retreating to their respective homes; Mr. Maguire and Tinints,' with similar accompaniments, escaping to the mountains; Mr. Nugent exiting on a door; and Mr. William Thornton, the present deponent, retiring in close custody. My detention, however, was but momentary, for on finding Mr. Nugent was only lamed for life (the ball broke his knee-cap), the liberty of the subject was not to be trenched upon for a trifle, and I was accordingly discharged.

"And now, my dear O'Hara, as I have been obliged to allude to the very disagreeable subject of your father's arrest, may I advise you to return immediately. Let no pecuniary concerns detain you; for although no alarmist, such is the

state of the times and the temper of the Govern.

ment, that I have well founded reason to believe that the prosecution of the Major will be carried on promptly and vigorously. A crisis is fast approaching, and a few days may witness scenes of but I cannot, dare not, write more. Ever, and in all circumstances,

Your true and faithful friend,

WILLIAM THORNTON."

[ocr errors]

The envelope contained the following scroll: "Lady Sarah and the young one left C—C— the morning of the day your father was arrested. They have taken possession of M'Cullogh's house in Newbridge, which he vacated in their favour. The intended alliance between Beauty and the Beast' is the subject of universal discussionLady Sarah patronised a Yeomanry Ball on Friday night-the world say there would have been more delicacy in declining it-your father is confined in the Depôt, and every comfort and accommodation, consistent with a vigilant security of his person, is most amply afforded.

W. T."

The effect of this letter on a nervous invalid we need not attempt describing. He rang the

« ForrigeFortsæt »