按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
our quarters； and marched away to Templemore。 This was a large
military station； situated in a wild and thinly inhabited country。
Extensive bogs were in the neighbourhood； connected with the huge
bog of Allen； the Palus Maeotis of Ireland。 Here and there was
seen a ruined castle looming through the mists of winter； whilst；
at the distance of seven miles； rose a singular mountain；
exhibiting in its brow a chasm； or vacuum； just； for all the world；
as if a piece had been bitten out； a feat which； according to the
tradition of the country； had actually been performed by his
Satanic majesty； who； after flying for some leagues with the morsel
in his mouth； becoming weary； dropped it in the vicinity of Cashel；
where it may now be seen in the shape of a bold bluff hill； crowned
with the ruins of a stately edifice； probably built by some ancient
Irish king。
We had been here only a few days； when my brother； who； as I have
before observed； had become one of his Majesty's officers； was sent
on detachment to a village at about ten miles' distance。 He was
not sixteen； and； though three years older than myself； scarcely my
equal in stature； for I had become tall and large…limbed for my
age； but there was a spirit in him which would not have disgraced a
general； and； nothing daunted at the considerable responsibility
which he was about to incur； he marched sturdily out of the
barrack…yard at the head of his party； consisting of twenty light…
infantry men； and a tall grenadier sergeant； selected expressly by
my father； for the soldier…like qualities which he possessed； to
accompany his son on this his first expedition。 So out of the
barrack…yard； with something of an air； marched my dear brother；
his single drum and fife playing the inspiring old melody；
Marlbrouk is gone to the wars；
He'll never return no more！
I soon missed my brother； for I was now alone； with no being； at
all assimilating in age； with whom I could exchange a word。 Of
late years； from being almost constantly at school； I had cast
aside； in a great degree； my unsocial habits and natural reserve；
but in the desolate region in which we now were there was no
school； and I felt doubly the loss of my brother； whom； moreover； I
tenderly loved for his own sake。 Books I had none； at least such
'as I cared about'； and with respect to the old volume； the wonders
of which had first beguiled me into common reading； I had so
frequently pored over its pages； that I had almost got its contents
by heart。 I was therefore in danger of falling into the same
predicament as Murtagh； becoming 'frighted' from having nothing to
do！ Nay； I had not even his resources； I cared not for cards； even
if I possessed them and could find people disposed to play with
them。 However； I made the most of circumstances； and roamed about
the desolate fields and bogs in the neighbourhood； sometimes
entering the cabins of the peasantry； with a 'God's blessing upon
you； good people！' where I would take my seat on the 'stranger's
stone' at the corner of the hearth； and； looking them full in the
face； would listen to the carles and carlines talking Irish。
Ah； that Irish！ How frequently do circumstances； at first sight
the most trivial and unimportant； exercise a mighty and permanent
influence on our habits and pursuits！ … how frequently is a stream
turned aside from its natural course by some little rock or knoll；
causing it to make an abrupt turn！ On a wild road in Ireland I had
heard Irish spoken for the first time； and I was seized with a
desire to learn Irish； the acquisition of which； in my case； became
the stepping…stone to other languages。 I had previously learnt
Latin； or rather Lilly； but neither Latin nor Lilly made me a
philologist。 I had frequently heard French and other languages；
but had felt little desire to become acquainted with them； and
what； it may be asked； was there connected with the Irish
calculated to recommend it to my attention？
First of all； and principally； I believe； the strangeness and
singularity of its tones； then there was something mysterious and
uncommon associated with its use。 It was not a school language； to
acquire which was considered an imperative duty； no； no； nor was it
a drawing…room language； drawled out occasionally； in shreds and
patches； by the ladies of generals and other great dignitaries； to
the ineffable dismay of poor officers' wives。 Nothing of the kind；
but a speech spoken in out…of…the…way desolate places； and in cut…
throat kens； where thirty ruffians； at the sight of the king's
minions； would spring up with brandished sticks and an 'ubbubboo
like the blowing up of a powder…magazine。' Such were the points
connected with the Irish； which first awakened in my mind the
desire of acquiring it； and by acquiring it I became； as I have
already said； enamoured of languages。 Having learnt one by choice；
I speedily； as the reader will perceive； learnt others； some of
which were widely different from Irish。
Ah； that Irish！ I am much indebted to it in more ways than one。
But I am afraid I have followed the way of the world； which is very
much wont to neglect original friends and benefactors。 I
frequently find myself； at present； turning up my nose at Irish
when I hear it in the street； yet I have still a kind of regard for
it； the fine old language：
A labhair Padruic n'insefail nan riogh。
One of the most peculiar features of this part of Ireland is the
ruined castles； which are so thick and numerous that the face of
the country appears studded with them； it being difficult to choose
any situation from which one； at least； may not be descried。 They
are of various ages and styles of architecture； some of great
antiquity； like the stately remains which crown the Crag of Cashel；
others built by the early English conquerors； others； and probably
the greater part； erections of the times of Elizabeth and Cromwell。
The whole speaking monuments of the troubled and insecure state of
the country； from the most remote periods to a comparatively modern
time。
From the windows of the room where I slept I had a view of one of
these old places … an indistinct one； it is true； the distance
being too great to permit me to distinguish more than the general
outline。 I had an anxious desire to explore it。 It stood to the
south…east； in which direction； however； a black bog intervened；
which had more than once baffled all my attempts to cross it。 One
morning； however； when the sun shone brightly upon the old
building； it appeared so near； that I felt ashamed at not being
able to accomplish a feat seemingly so easy； I determined；
therefore； upon another trial。 I reached the bog； and was about to
venture upon its black surface； and to pick my way amongst its
innumerable holes； yawning horribly； and half filled