University of Virginia Library

16. CHAP. XVI.

Irish Soothsayer.

Although Ellen was treated with indulgence on
the occasion just related, it was not long till she
suffered persecution enough of another kind. A
certain Sir Geoffrey Carebrow, a very formal
bachelor, of great property, who had lately come,
after several year's absence, to reside on an estate
which he possessed in the neighbourhood, having
met with her at a public ball which was given in
Larne, during the Christmas holidays, became
violently enamoured of her. He was a man, who,
from his youth, was noted for a union of two passions
seldom found united in the same person, a
love of women and a love of money. Although he
possessed estates which yielded him upwards of
fifteen thousand a year, with nearly a hundred
and fifty thousand pounds in the national funds,
he had hitherto been deterred from wedlock on
account of the expense of supporting a wife and
rearing a family. He fancied he could gratify his
amorous propensities at a much cheaper rate by
constantly keeping an obliging housekeeper, and
two or three good-natured servant girls. For the
offspring thus produced, he could with far less expense

provide, than for legitimate children, as
neither their expectations nor their claims would
be so high; and, as to a wife, he sagaciously concluded,
that there was no comparison between
the freedoms she would naturally take with both
his credit and his purse, and the trifling gratuities
he might voluntarily bestow on a menial girl. Thus
he had hitherto lived in the indulgence of both
lewdness and avarice, until his thousands and his
bastards had become equally numerous.

At the ball we have mentioned, the exquisite
beauty and bewitching sweetness of Ellen's countenance,
together with the graceful symmetry of her
form, and the inimitable easiness of her motions,
as she threaded the mazy dance, struck on his luxurious
fancy with a force altogether irresistible,
and he immediately centred all his wishes and
happiness in the enjoyment of such charms.

To effect this, he discovered to be no easy matter.
A little reflection convinced him that illicit
gratification was out of the question. Her principles
were unassailable by either flattery or bribery;
and as to stratagem or force, if he should by
such means succeed in overcoming her virtue, the
whole of that numerous party whom he knew to
be devoted to her grandfather, (for he had lately
become acquainted with some of the secrets of the
United Irishmen,) would mark him for vengeance,
and his life would inevitably pay the penalty of
such an offence. There remained, therefore, no
other means of possessing her than by breaking
through his long formed resolution against matrimony,
and making her the partner of his fortune.

This was a horrible alternative; but he felt that
he could not be happy without her, and he resolved
to adopt it. He accordingly took the earliest
opportunity of making known to her his wishes.

She at once gave him an unequivocal and decided
denial. In vain did he make her the most splendid
offers; in vain did he enlarge on his immense
wealth, and on the violence and sincerity of his
passion, which he asserted would never permit him
to know happiness without her. She was inexorable.

He next had recourse to her grandfather; and
soon gained his favour, by suddenly becoming
a warm friend to the United cause. As he had
been hitherto considered, not indeed a royalist,
but a very lukewarm favourer of the popular party,
O'Halloran looked on his accession as a matter
of great importance. At this juncture it
was in reality so. By order of the Dublin Directory,
a certain quantity of arms and ammunition was
to be provided by the Northern conspirators, before
the middle of March ensuing. To raise money
for this purpose was no easy matter. The greater
number of the zealous leaders were men of broken
fortunes; and the voluntary contributions of the
lower orders, came in so slowly, and in such small
sums, as to be of little or no service.

Great was the anxiety that our Northern chiefs
felt on this occasion; and frequent were the consultations
they held on the subject. O'Halloran
had already expended within the last fifteen months,
about thirty thousand pounds on account of the
confederacy; a great portion of which had gone
to relieve the distresses of those whom the government
had harrassed on account of their obnoxious
principles. Upwards of sixty thousand pounds
were wanted on the present occasion. To raise
this sum was beyond his power, without mortgaging
his estate, and perhaps paying an exorbitant interest.
This, however, he resolved to do, rather
than permit the cause to suffer. To Sir Geoffrey
Carebrow, he, therefore, applied, as at this crisis he
was almost the only monied man connected with

the party. A mortgage for sixty thousand pounds
was immediately executed, of which forty thousand
were paid down, at an interest, secretly agreed
upon, of ten per cent.; the remaining sum being
promised in six weeks. The parties to this bargain
also entered into a secret stipulation that both the
principal and the interest of this mortgage should
be at the control of Ellen Hamilton, when she
should become the wife of Sir Geoffrey Carebrow.
With the money thus procured, a vessel was despatched
to Scotland, from whence she returned in
a few weeks, with the requisite supply of warlike
stores for the conspirators.

In the meantime, Sir Geoffrey did not fail to use
the advantage which he had thus obtained over
O'Halloran, in prosecuting his suit for Ellen. His
vehement professions of patriotism blinded O'Halloran
to his other faults; and he looked with respect
upon a character whom had he known better
he would have detested. But being himself the
very reverse of a hypocrite, he was the less likely
to suspect hypocrisy in others. Hence he firmly
believed Carebrow's patriotism to be sincere. For
the same reason he was convinced, that his attachment
to Ellen was not only genuine, but ardent
and disinterested; and being unquestionably a man
of great wealth, he conceived that he consulted
both her interest and happiness by ordering her
to receive his addresses and to look on him as her
future husband. This was a source of great affliction
to this dutiful and affectionate girl. She
now felt herself for the first time obliged to disobey
him who was her only parent, and whose directions
she had hitherto considered as an unerring
rule of conduct.

Things were in this state, when that great national
day which warms and elevates every Irish
heart, the day consecrated to Erin's tutelary saint,

arrived, and was celebrated at O'Halloran Castle
by a splendid entertainment, somewhat in the character
of the political dinners which the Inns and
the Outs have so frequently given in the metropolis
of the British empire.

On this occasion all the Northern leaders of the
conspiracy who could conveniently attend were
present. The room was fancifully decorated with
national emblems and various transparencies, denoting
but not plainly expressing the sentiments
and views of the company. The figure of a harp
without the crown, over which was displayed in
large letters, the word Independence, and under-neath
Erin-go-bragh, ornamented the centre of the
walls, on the opposite sides of the room. On each
of the two other walls was seen a figure of St.
Patrick, in his ecclesiastical robes, baptizing the
monarch of Ireland, who held in his hand a branch
of Shamrock, over which was the inscription
“Three in One;” while over their heads were exhibited
the following words, “Be free in Christ;”
and at the bottom of the piece, “Love one another.”
In the centre of the room, equally distant
from two splendid chandeliers, which shed their
brilliant illumination all around, was suspended a
large transparent square, on each side of which
the following distich appeared in gilt letters:

The reader, if he has any thing of a tolerable
imagination, will easily conceive the nature of the
toasts that were given in this assembly; but as
he will readily suppose that the greater number of
them were not exactly what many would consider
of the most orthodox description, I beg permission to
omit them here, with the exception of the first;
“The memory of St. Patrick,” which was legiti

mate enough had it not been the first, and the
last; “The downfall of Tyrants,” which was undoubtedly
a very good toast, if the company could
only have agreed with their neighbours in the application
of the last word.

After supper the natural buoyancy of Irish
spirits found vent in a ball, which was graced by
as many beautiful female countenances as the same
number of the sex ever exhibited. It was opened
by the accomplished and enthusiastic Rober Emmet,
then on a tour through the North, and Ellen,
who decorated by her grandfather's desire, in the
most tasteful manner for the occasion, tript the
mazy round with a liveliness and grace which delighted
every one who beheld her.

Sir Geoffrey who was too unwieldy for dancing,
had his fondness for her so excited, that he kept
dangling about her and watching her motions in
the most disagreeable and troublesome manner.
Even the youth who was her partner, and whose
heart was at that time engaged to another, could
not escape his jealousy. He perceived it, and declined
dancing as soon as decency permitted.
When Ellen was seated, Sir Geoffrey placed himself
by her side, and exceedingly annoyed her
with his importunities; but she bore them with a
patience which displayed her good nature to so
much advantage, that it excited almost as much
admiration as her personal charms.

When the dance terminated, a new species of
patriotic entertainment was exhibited. It had been
invented by the Rev. Mr. Porter, expressly for
the occasion, and approved of by the other leaders,
as an excitement to the patriotic ingenuity of the
company.

A splendid seat, approachable by steps, resembling
a throne, was prepared for one of the ladies,
who should be chosen to personate the genius of

Ireland, in whose presence each gentleman who
joined in the amusement, should stand and deliver
some national sentiment. The person who, in her
opinion, should deliver the most striking, tasteful
and patriotic sentiment, she was to crown with a
wreath of artificial Shamrock, and pronounce him
the victor in this species of intellectual contest.

Ellen was unanimously chosen to represent her
Country's Genius. She ascended the throne, with
a wreath in one hand, and a small parchment tablet
in the other. When seated, she assumed a
peculiar dignity of manner, such as the imagination
of Shakspeare might have conceived the genius of
nature's sweetest island to possess; and addressed
the company in the following words:

“I invite every Irishman who hears me, to come
forward, and in the presence of his country's genius
express, in one sentence, the patriotic feelings
of his soul; and on the brows of him who shall excel
all his competitors, in the force, fervour and
elegance of his sentiment, so expressed, I shall bind
this wreath, the emblem of his country's faith, and
the reward of his merit.—But first, I require that
every candidate for this reward shall inscribe his
name on this tablet.”

The following names were immediately inscribed;
Samuel Nelson, Robert Emmet, Henry
M`Cracken, Henry O`Halloran, Luke Teeling,
James Porter, Geoffrey Carebrow and Thomas
Russel.

After counting the names, “eight patriots,” said
she, “are enrolled as candidates for this prize. If
there be any other present who wishes to contend
for it, let him come forward, now or never.”

One of the musicians, who appeared to be unknown
to the company, habited in the costume
of ancient minstrelsy, with a long flowing green
robe bound round his waist with a sash of the same

colour, and having a hood of green velvet so constructed
as to conceal his countenance from observation,
now modestly advanced, and making a
graceful bow to the fair genius, inscribed his name,
Patrick Fitzgerald.

The Genius then called over the names, and invited
Samuel Nelson, the first on the list, to deliver
his sentiment.

“Fair Genius,” said he, “it is my opinion that
the man who will not cheerfully sacrifice both life
and property, to rescue his country from a foreign
yoke, is unworthy to be called her son.”

Emmet then advanced. “Genius of Erin,” said
he, “I consider the man who has an opportunity,
to sacrifice both life and property for the independence
and freedom of his country, to be born to a
happy destiny, for he is born to immortal fame.”

M`Cracken then came forward. “Genius,” said
he, “may the oppressors of thy beloved Island be
like the serpents they so much resemble, unable to
exist on her soil.”

O'Halloran next advanced. “Genius,” said he,
“may the coward heart that will not resist tyranny
even unto death, never know the joys of
freedom, nor ever be found in an Irishman's bosom.”

Teeling next addressed her. “Genius of this
venerated country!” said he, “in striking for her
liberty, may the soul of him who dies be rewarded
by the applause of angels, and of him who survives
by the long enjoyment of a nation's blessing.”

Porter advanced and exclaimed—“Genius of a
once blessed and sanctified, but now unhappy and
polluted country! when the crisis of her fate arrives,
may Heaven supply her sons with strength
to avenge her wrongs, and restore her ancient happiness
and glory, and with wisdom to frame and

adopt such regulations as will preserve them to all
posterity.”

Sir Geoffrey next approached. “Charming Genius
of a charming country!” said he, “may he who
will not fight in her cause, never enjoy the fruits of
her soil, nor the smiles of her daughters.”

Russel now came forward and said, “Genius of
my native country! may we soon see the day when
our enemies shall be compelled to confess her sons to
be invincible, her cause to be just, and their own
disgrace and punishment to be merited.”

The minstrel Fitzgerald was now called. He
advanced modestly, but with dignity, and all-peculiarly
as he was attired, the elegance of his figure
struck the beholders, and many of the fair ladies
wished in vain for a view of that countenance
which he kept so carefully concealed.

“Lovely Genius of a beloved country!” said
he, “O! may that God who alone can rescue her
from misery, grant her a speedy and permanent
deliverance, and render her children happy and
worthy of happiness.”

“Nothing more can be wished, nor better wished,
for our dear but suffering country,” said the
Genius. “To thee, then, pious minstrel, I award
the wreath thou hast justly won, by the noble simplicity,
the affecting piety, and the fervid patriotism
of thy sentiment. Sentiments have been
given to-night of high merit in these respects, but
thine hath surpassed them all.”

She then crowned him with the wreath as he
voluntarily kneeled before her.

“Genius,” said he, still retaining his humble
posture. “This to me is a happy night; it shall
long be a proud one. I have fervently prayed to
my Creator in behalf of my country, in the presence
of thee, my beloved, and by thy hands is my

fervency thus rewarded. This sacred prize I shall
ever preserve for thy sake.”

He hastily arose, leaving Ellen in extreme agitation,
bowed to the wondering company, and disappeared
before any of them could sufficiently recover
from their astonishment, to ask him for a
gratification of that curiosity concerning him which
had become visible in every countenance.

“Who is he? Does any one know him?” exclaimed
several of the gentlemen.

“He is a noble, an elegant young man,” thought
all the ladies.

“He is an audacious intruder,” cried Sir Geoffrey;
“an impertinent puppy! What arrogance
and impudence, to make love in this public manner
to Miss O'Halloran! But I'll chastise the rascal.”

With difficulty he was prevented from immediately
rushing after the object of his rage in order
to attempt putting his threats into execution.

Although none of the gentlemen openly objected
to Ellen's disposal of the wreath, several of
them considered her as having displayed an erroneous
judgment, in giving the preference to a sentiment,
the patriotism of which was, in their opinion,
at least ambiguous. Nay, some of them, among
whom was O'Halloran himself, thought that they
could perceive in it, an implied censure on their
confederacy. It called upon heaven to deliver the
country from its calamities; but it did not discriminate
the party from which these calamities had
sprung. Nay it even insinuated that the people
were in the fault; for while it prayed for their
happiness, it took care to express a wish for their
amendment, that they might deserve it.

“Had it mentioned our oppressors,” said O'Halloran,
“and prayed either for their conversion or
destruction, we should then have known the side

to which this successful youth belongs. By not
doing so, he has plainly declared himself, if not
altogether our enemy, at least not very heartily
our friend.”

But no one complained in Ellen's hearing of her
decision. By previous arrangement her judgment
was to be absolute and final on the subject; and
although among themselves, the gentlemen might
animadvert on its correctness, they were aware
that it would be both illiberal and unjust openly to
blame her for exercising a prerogative with which
they themselves had invested her, and which not
one of them doubted that she had exercised conscientiously.