This decency of feeling was
anticipated by the priest, and not overlooked by the people; for the
former, the reader may have observed, in the whole course of his address
never once mentioned the word "charity;" nor did the latter permit the
circumstance to go without its reward, according to the best of their
ability. So keen and delicate are the perceptions of the Irish, and
so acutely alive are they to those nice distinctions of kindness and
courtesy, which have in their hearts a spontaneous and sturdy growth,
that mocks at the stunted virtues of artificial life.
In the parish of Ballysogarth there were three altars, or places of
Roman Catholic worship; and the reader may suppose that the collection
made at each place was considerable. In truth, both father and son's
anticipations were far under the sum collected. Protestants and
Presbyterians attended with their contributions, and those of the
latter who scrupled to be present at what they considered an idolatrous
worship, did not hesitate to send their quota by some Roman Catholic
neighbor.
Their names were accordingly announced with an encomium from the priest,
which never failed to excite a warm-hearted murmur of approbation.
Nor was this feeling transient, for, we will venture to say, that had
political excitement flamed up even to rebellion and mutual slaughter,
the persons and property of those individuals would have been held
sacred.
At length Jemmy was equipped; and sad and heavy became the hearts of
his parents and immediate relations as the morning appointed for his
departure drew nigh.
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