belonged, there are few, if any, remaining. They sometimes were called
"Hedge-priests," * byway of reproach; though for our own parts, we wish
their non-interference in politics, unaffected piety, and simplicity of
character, had remained behind them.

* This nickname was first bestowed upon them by the
continental priests, who generally ridiculed them for
their vulgarity. They were, for the most! part, simple
but worthy men.

On the Sunday following, Dominick M'Evoy and his son Jemmy attended
mass, whilst the other members of the family, with that sense of
honest pride which is more strongly inherent in Irish character than is
generally supposed, remained at home, from a reluctance to witness what
they could not but consider a degradation. 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