persuaded from attempting to crawl, once From The Spectator. more, into the caves, from which she intended st, GEORGE'S SAUNTER IN BELGIUM. to take back splendid memorials and trophies. These Felix brought her, as he APPARENTLY well-versed in the early his. fancied, in profusion. tory and topography of the Low Countries, 1. "Och, bless the boy! You must go back Mr. George St. GEORGE devoted a considerand grope better. Them lumps of diamonds able part of last summer to a pedestrian saunwill cast a grand shine on ould Mrs. Rooney's ter through Belgium. Starting from Calais mantel shelf, and astonish all the ladies and one fine morning in June, equipped in a shootfaymales of Portmullina; but, for herself—the ing-jacket, a woven horse-hair cap, the namisthress--dear lady!--och, better will she tional blue shirt, and knapsack on his back like that same ugly, ill-shaped piece of his containing a few indispensable necessaries for Honour's handywork—the basket, boy-for a traveller, he pretty well threaded Flanders which yourself brought the twigs to the cave on foot. His plan of exploration was to make —the babby's craddle we left-which he the chief city of a district his head-quarters, would be making that weary winter, and her. thoroughly exhaust it, and then ramble to the self looking at him with the dew in her eyes, circumjacent towns and villages. His lodga and myself slyly watching both, till my own ings on his tour were befitting his assumed heart would be bursting. But run, like a Red character, and were taken up in the humblest shank, for it, boy-and his Riverence will auberges; where he seems to have fared well, wait you, if you be back afore night. Blessed and at a startling cheapness. The casual be His name! we throve well, and every day companions he met were of course the humsince then, and not a happier family or a bet-bler classes; of whose good temper, polite. ter landlord in the Province of Munster!" ness, and social virtues, he leaves a gratify ing impression. His accounts of the curiosi. ties to be seen are minute and even learned, especially of those relating to history and SONG. commerce rather than to the arts; his descrip tions of the country are clear, and his By the author of "Corn Law Rhymes.” sketches of persons characteristic. The ap. They tax our bread, they eat our souls, They brutalize despair pearances of the present, or the visible monu. Then mock the victims they embrute, inents of the past, do not, however, satisfy Mr. And cry, "What beasts they are!” St. George. He gives his reader an historical Their talk is still of guns and swords; account of every place he visits; commencing But soon their pride shall see, with its reputed foundation, and noting the We need no swords to conquer slaves, various fortunes it underwent during the And set our tyrants free. middle and latter ages, as well as enumerating That slaves they are, and beggars too, the eminent men it produced. For the traBy statute they declare; veller who really wishes to profit by a trip to Rascals by Act of Parliament! Belgium, this is a very useful feature in the Behold what Leasts they are! volume; as it collects into one focus a good Their hearts, ring'd round with ignorance, many curious particulars, which few know Are fetler'd to disdain; where to look for, if they could even spare Fraud jails their souls, and meanness links Their lusts to folly's chain. the time. The person who merely wishes to run through the country, or to read a volume We bought my lord the hat he wears, of adventures by the way, may think the We bought his lady's gown, quaint quotations from FROISSART, and some We bought the squire his coach-and-four- other historical chroniclers, rather too long. But wish he'd use his own. Of the few English with whom our author Nor gun nor lance need we;- account. One, a permanent settler-one of the No-set our tyrants free! scum of the Army of Waterloo he describes as the greatest scoundrel he ever met; and 7433W 1: 4;3037 07 Oh, would they swap for honest bread the anecdote he tells of him bears out the Biomed - The chains they forge and wear, character. A few others of the lower class From heav'n, lo visit man on earth, seem rather to be distinguished for that folly 10 The angels would repair! and awkwardness which John Bull generally But soon our light shall teach their gloom ila so What mind can do and be: exhibits in new circumstances, than any thing We'll forge no fetters into swords, beyond it. Here are two samples of a higher SyriBut set our tyrants free. Pisi! kind. !! a mise between her human affections and her but by a very gentle ascent, the path led, religious duties. He asked for a sight of that winding through the meadows and home. letter on which Mrs. Rooney set such weighi. fields of a well-cultivated and productive It was ingeniously concealed in a huge clue farm, attached to the living by a special enof worsted thread, from which Judith pur.dowment of a former incumbent. The path ported to be knitting at leisure intervals on ended in an irregular avenue or grove of her journey. When this was unwound, the beeches, among which stood the comfortable, letter was found to have come under the frank well-preserved, old house, looking like the of the Chief Secretary; but an address written substantial habitation of a well-endowed below was in the hand of Major Berrie. He priest, which in fact it was. The farm, which had no longer any doubt of the importance lay beautifully upon the warm and rich southof this missive, and while Judith restored it east slope of a mountain, had, together with to sale concealment, he composed her brief- the dwelling, been settled in perpetuity upon the imposing name which accredited or gentleihe parish priest for the time being, which beggars in Ireland give to the credentials with made this one of the most desirable rura! which they travel. Though averse to in-charges in Ireland. It possessed a good trusting Judith, at so critical a time, with library of books, in various literature; a celletters, he sent verbal messages to the objecıslar moderately stocked with the best vintages of her search; and, in the brief, recommended of Spain; a fully-peopled poultry yard, and a her to the hospitalities of some of his brethren well-filled fish pond; with sundry other agię.. whose dwellings lay upon her route to the mens, which would have made Father John holy fount. And ihus the grateful Judith the envy, if he had not been the love and ad. departed with his benediction, high in hope, iniration of his brethren and of his Rock. and affectionately recommending Mrs Rooney, from the excellent uses which he made of all “ who was wake and nervish,” to his special those blessings and bountics. It was a comkindness, and beseeching him, if she perish- mon saying in the country, that Father ed in her adventure, or was heard of no more, John's kitchen was never shut to the poor, "to remimber the good of her poor sowl.” nor his parlour 10 the gentle; and that he Though Judith held out sturdily and even dispensed ten times more "nate and drink actively for her age, it was not till the even-anong the needy, from year's end 10 year's ing of the fourth day ihat she found she had end, than the Archbishop of Cashel himself overshot the Holy Well by a good many way, ten and len.' miles; and this after a world of adventures The reputation of the hospitable father had which furnished her with fireside gossip for travelled far, carried by the grateful breath all the remaining years of her life. The sun of the poor; and it was, therefore, will conf. was going fast down; her place of pilgrimage dence that Judith advanced, not to the wing could not be reached in the present night; where company of her station usually repairand there was pointed out to her, at the dis-led, but to the open parlour window, where tance of about a mile, the snug smiling dwell-lhe priest was reading, and where, she curto ing of Father John O'Hanlon, to whom she had sied until her stort full petticoats ruffled the been especially recommended by his Rever-gravel. ence, and whom she had known many years “The blessing of the night to your River. before in Portmullina, where he had done ence!” And the priest returned a courteous dury for a short time, salutation. The woman was a traveller, none The parsonage of Father John--as seen of his own flock nor neighbours; and he would from the highway, across the cool green mea- have sent her at once to his housekeeper, had dows, basking in the slant beams of the even- she not looked surcharged to bursting with ing sun-was not a spot which a loil-spent matter. 6. Your Riverence, sure cannot reand foot-sore traveller, having claims upon mimber so poor a cratur as myself; but well its hospitalities, was likely to pass unheeded do I renimber yeez, though the deep learnin at the close of a hot and dusty day of over-has gleaned the fair hair off your young brow powering brilliancy. Judith set her down at since you left us.” a spring by the roadside, to bathe her face * An old friend, then?" replied the priest, and refresh herself; to put on the stockings smiling gently, and in a voice of singular and nailed shoes which she carried in her sweetness and mildness—"who has the ad. bundle,and otherwise make herself“ dacent,"vantage of me. Are you from my native before she struck into the path, bordered by place from my mother's neighbourhood? flourishing hawthorn hedges and pollard elms, Your speech savours of the west, and is not which led upwards to the dwelling and the for that the ss welcome to my ears.” adjoining chapel. Upwards we have said, " Sorrow bit o'me; and vexed I am I made a your Riverence bethink you of that dear were it martyrdom, for her dear child and country; for one's own country is ever dear, young lady and the Squire. as I found every weary step I dhragged to “The life of Mr. Joyce, but at all events his this from sweet Portmullina, a poor old liberty, depend upon his continued concealcratur, thinking it time to be making her ment for a few more weeks and months at soul, and so going to the Holy Well of this critical time. He is yet safe, but his Mitchelstown on a sore errand.” peril increases every day. At our utmost "The poorest creature in Portmullina is need, Povidence has sent you hither, worthy, kindly welcome here,” replied the priest. faithful creature; and in its hands the hum“Say, then, whạt can I do to speed your blest instruments are sufficient to accomplish errand?” Before Judith had either shiewed the highest ends. Are you able, Judith, even her brief or delivered the message of Dr. this same night, to extend your journey some Fitzmaurice, she announced to the gentleman miles farther, for even one night is precious?" whose amiable and conciliatory manners, as " Able and willing! och, willing and able!” much as his sacred profession, had inspired reiterated Judith. her with confidence, her own high attributes " Then, at midnight, when the household as the sole dry-nurse of Mrs. Joyce, of Cas'le is asleep, hold yourself in readiness. If you Joyce, now with her husband in concealment, are missed in the morning, it will be imagined or in prison, and in sore trouble for the bat you have departed on your pious errand. country; and the mysterious intimations Be silent and vigilant-I will give the neceswhich had led her on this pilgrimage. Father sary orders, and, when you are wanted, call John seemed somewhat started by the infor-you myself.” mation so frankly confided to him. When In this hospitable abode there were, beside his advice was craved, he suggested that the barn and out-house, a sort of barrackJudith should rest herself at least all the next room for the accommodation of poor chance day, before continuing her prilgrimage to guests and pilgrims; but the priest informed the Holy Well, by which time it was proba. his housekeeper that, as the stranger was a ble that some other pilgrim migiit sojourn respectable person, whose friends were known with him and bear her company. His par. to him, he wished her accommodated in one sonage of Ballyspiddal was an approved and of the numerous small dormitories, or promuch frequented stage among those bound phet's chambers in the wall, which were to be on such pious quests. found in this ancient house, and he specified Judith now first exhibited her written cre-one, in particular, in which Judith was dentials, and faithfully delivered the message shortly afterwards left to such repose as his entrusted to her; and when she understood bewildering intelligence permitted her to inthat, in this clerical passport, she was truly dulge. described as a most affectionate, faithful, and Even before the midnight hour, Judith was devoted adherent of her lady, and one who, summoned forth; and she stood prepared. for her station, possessed remarkable intelli- The priest himself led the way in silence gence and good sense, she was melted to tears through a labyrinth of intricate passages, by the goodness of her priest. Father John, until they emerged in a stable court, whence ringing his siver hand-bell, commended his they gained, by a side-door, a strip of planguest to the attention of his housekeeper, station, at the edge of which a man and horse with more than ordinary hospitable attention, were found, with a pillion for a female rider. and requested that she would see him again Into that, Judith, making a thousand apolobefore bedtime. The interview solicited gies " below her breath” for the labour and took place in his study or laboratory, of trouble which she gave his Reverence; was, at which he was careful to shut the door. last, fairly hoisted, encircled by her bundles; “If I were to tell you now, Judith, that I while the priest handed a basket to the horseknow something of your mistress and Mr. man seated before her, and driving the horse Joyce-nay, more, that your services at this to a canter, followed nimbly on foot. The time might be of essential use to them in mode of progression was one to which Judith their place of concealment I might depend, had not been accustomed for many years, and, not upon your fidelity--of that I made no moreover, one which she did not find imquestion-but upon your discretion and pre-proved in renewing with it the acquaintance sence of mind?-What of that?" of her, youth. But she would have walked Dowa dropt Judith on her knees, to asseve-barefoot over burning plough-shares, upon rate, by all that was sacred, not her powers the same errand of love; and now bore her of discrelion, but her earnest wish to suffer, manifold sufferings with the firmness of an VOL. XXIX, AUGUST, 1836.-35 a early martyr. The clear summer night shed ner which discovered that he fancied his proa soft light upon every near object, though mise made to be kept to the letter; and, iakdistances could not be distinctly seen; and ing her arm, he led her own blindfolded, but Judith, perceiving that the priest was still strong in faith. her companion, and walking stouily on, kept 6 You are a woman of sense and courage, a good heart. An uneasy pillion may, pro- Judith,” he said, in a low voice; " and, ere bably, make long miles; for Judith, clinging we reach our ultimate destination, there will to her silent cavalier of the basket, computed be calls for both. You will be exposed to a that they must have travelled a full score, good deal of scrambling in the dark, and per. when they had not, in reality, completed a haps, to some inconvenience, but to no bodily third of that distance. They had, however, peril. Have you resolution to face all this in taken many turns, and made sundry zigzags, seeking your friends?” which completely left at fault Judith's know- “ That and more, soggarth-aroon—why ledge of the stars, turning the heavens with would ye doubt it?” said Judy, with whom which she was acquainted at Portmullina, as temporary blindness has increased famiit seemed, east-side westmost, long before liarity. the priest called a halt, and assisted her to “ Then give me your bundles, and wait dismount. here for a few minutes; I trust to your not “ We have still some way to go,” he said; even thinking of removing the bandage from " but it will be best to walk the rest.” your eyes.” He seemed, with these words, 10 " Troth, then, myself is glad of it; for, save sink into the earth from her side; for breaththe honour your Riverence put on me, with lessly as Judy listened, no retreating step was man and horse, the bits of legs were the ea- heard. She found time to say over all her siest nag. But thanks to yourself, honest boy, prayers before his return, which was as sudwho brought me on well, and did not deafen den and noiseless as if a spirit had stolen up. me with your talk neither." on her. “ Wait ye here, Felix, under the trees; or, “ Now, be firm of heart and follow me.” if the day dawos, or if you see any danger, use And he entered a cavity, through which he your own judgment in retiring," said the dragged the blinded woman, led her on a few priest, taking the basket. steps, and then seating her upon the ground, “Felix!" cried Judy; "then it is the Tippe. told her that she was now to slide a little way rary widdy's boy is in it; and all is right!" as she had done when a girl; but that she She walked on with Father John, insisting must utter no sound of alarm. At the botupon adding the heavy bakset to her other tom of this rapid descent, where Judith arburdens, out of which excess of civility he rived in choking haste, the priest instantly good-humouredly joked her; and having per-overtook her. * Be of good courage-the formed a walk of at least another mile, he worst is past," was his cheering whisper . again halted, looked around in all directions, But Judith could not conscientiously suband seeing no one near, struck off the path, scribe to this opinion, when, after descending and invited her to follow. “There is one con- a flight of steep stairs, or what seemed a laddition I must make with you, Judith, which, der, she was again fast sliding down another for my own part, I deem quite unnecessary; inclined plane, with a velocity which had nearbut I am bound to observe it:-unless you ly shaken her faith, though she still kept her consent to be blindfolded, and so submit to promise not to scream. ; * But one more efmy guidance, I cannot lead you to her you fort, and the gaol is attained, said the priest, seek." and his voice rang in unearthly reverbera" Blind me!-then, in troth, it is hard, after tions as through a wide charnel vault, “ Down making me dumb all night already; but, if it on your knees now, and creep on all-fours asmust be, there is no help and if your Rere- ter me. Your trial is almost past." rence is under a row" * And time it was,” gasped Judith. “But “There is no row; but I am bound as are we near her now? Oh, then, soggarthmuch." that's your Reverence-don't leave me here " Then close my eyes, in the name of all the in this wild place; for I feel it wild, and Saints! Sure, what is the use of them? And cowld, and quare, as much as if the eyes of I'll put myself in the Lord's hands and your me were open." Riverence's, and follow you on to her-ay, “No fear; now, there you are, up on your like a little young lamb." feet again. We have cleared that last pass"That is enough, Judith; depend upon age; and now I may remove the bandage from me." And the priest knitted his silk hand- your eyes. In it was your safety. With the kerchief around the brows of Judith in a man- power of sight, and no use of vision save 10 discover the perils of your path, you never vants and your furniture? and when will you could have followed me. No woman could come home to your own cas'le?" have penetrated this abyss with open eyes, Judith did seem a little crazed. noting its horrors-none save one. “ Would you take me out of heaven already, " And that was herself! Och, my child, Judith? Alas, to me, these lone wild caverns my child! my own fosterer, that crept into have been as heaven--for here we have found my bosom and made my life a joy! shall I that peace, refuge, and safety, which the fair then see her again? And the light the blaze surface of Ireland no longer affords to us. But is striking to my blinded eyes; and, hark! I have furniture, Judith. You must come to the surely I hear the angels singing." garret-cave, where stands our water-pitcher, The bandage was removed from her eyes and our drinking-cups, and our couch of hea. by softer and more eager hands than those ther on its rude tressels. Thanks to this which had placed it there, and a scene burst gentleman's benevolence to kindness more upon Judith which made her exclaim aloud, than brotherly-we have wanted for nothing. “It is herself an angel! and the Squire, and See the well-stored basket he has brought us the Priest; and we are all in heaven!” to-night? And with one kind nurse, Judithi, "On earth, my poor Judith!” said Florence, in this splended hall, I have lacked no attentaking the hand of her nurse— or rather dance." And her eyes beamed with the driven into its bowels by cruel men, but follow- softest affection upon the doubly endeared ed even there by kind hearts. To your ma- companion of peril and adversity. And ny kindnesses, Father John, I am now to add now, you must help me to set my house in the comfort of seeing my kind, my most order, and to wait upon the Squire till better motherly nurse." times permit us to leave our dear hiding“ Och, jewel that said it!” cried Judy, kiss. place." ing and caressing the hand of her lady and 6 And with all the veins, honey-sweet. But child. 66 And is not this heaven, lady dear!" this is not out of the world entirely then? And she looked round bewildered upon a What turf heaps of diamonds and jewels scene of enchantment which might have ri- about us! I must take as much back to the valled the boldest inventions of oriental fic- world as will make Mrs Rooney a brooch, for tionists. They stood in the centre of what she loves trinkums, kind sow!! And would seemed a lofty hall, supported by massive not yourself sell as much of them, Squire, pillars of crystal; the floor of which sparkled in Dublin or Cork, as pay off the mortgages as if inlaid with diamonds, while magnificent to them thieves of creditors? festoons of the same beautiful gems depended " A happy idea, Judith; and I daresay not from the roof and the roughened walls; and my worst chance of paying off those respechanging round every point, coigne, and abut-table personages." inent, formed the most exquisite tracery, the " I heard a tale of a poor dacent man oncet, whole exhibiting a dazzling radiance, and who, without a meal of potatoes to his family, flashing in myriads upon myriads of shift- was wandering by the rock of Cashel, of all ing and intermingling rays of splendour, the days in the year on the eve of Good which overpowered the aching sense. Friday. But, sure, I can tell your Honour “ Queen of heaven! what a sight it is!” that same ould tale any day, and not forget cried the still bewildered Judith. “ But my duty now.” And Judith squatting down, more like a place in a fairy tale the beggars began rapidly to undo the ball of worsted would be telling of, in the ould times of the yarn, in which she had concealed Major Irish kings, than the blessed Paradise. And Berlie's letter. While thus employed, and Purgatory it cannot be, or neither herself nor at the same time volubly replying to the ma. Father John would be in it.” ny anxious interrogatories of Florence, and “Only you and I, Judy, would, in that putting all manner of questions in her turn, case, get it all to ourselves,” said Joyce, in the exercise of her high privileges of foslaughingly, and now claiming the attention of terage, we may rapidly glance backward to the nurse" though there is, you found, the events which had led Squire Joyce and some difficulty of getting to a birth after his lady to their present singular but safe all." place of concealment " Lord pardon yourself, Squire! and don't They had, in fact, for many weeks remainbe joking about such, though you was always ed hid in those celebrated caverns, now well merry. But och, darlin, lady dear, how came known as the Kingston Caves, and imagined a . you in this wild ould place; and pale and subsequent discovery. How long previous wan you look as the lily-and the arm in a to 1798, these magnificent subterranea temsling! How is it all? Where are your ser-Iples might have been known to a few persons, 66 a |