THE IRISH PENNY JOURNAL.
| Number 40. | SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1841. | Volume I. |
THE IRISH MIDWIFE, Part III.—DANDY KEHO’S CHRISTENING.
BY WILLIAM CARLETON.
The following Sunday morning, Rose paid an early visit toher patient, for, as it was the day of young Dandy’s christening,her presence was considered indispensable. There is,besides, something in the appearance and bearing of a midwifeupon those occasions which diffuses a spirit of buoyancy andlight-heartedness not only through the immediate family, butalso through all who may happen to participate in the ceremony,or partake of the good cheer. In many instances it isknown that the very presence of a medical attendant communicatessuch a cheerful confidence to his patient, as, independentlyof any prescription, is felt to be a manifest relief. Sois it with the midwife; with this difference, that she exercisesa greater and more comical latitude of consolation than thedoctor, although it must be admitted that the one generallyfalls woefully short of that conventional dress with which wecover nudity of expression. No doubt many of her verychoicest stock jokes, to carry on the metaphor, are a little toofashionably dressed to pass current out of the sphere in whichthey are used; but be this as it may, they are so traditional incharacter, and so humorous in conception, that we neverknew the veriest prude to feel offended, or the morosest temperamentto maintain its sourness, at their recital. Not thatshe is at all gross or unwomanly in any thing she may say,but there is generally in her apothegms a passing touch offancy—a quick but terse vivacity of insinuation, at once sofull of fun and sprightliness, and that truth which all knowbut few like to acknowledge, that we defy any one not irretrievablygone in some incurable melancholy to resist herhumour. The moment she was seen approaching the house,every one in it felt an immediate elevation of spirits, with theexception of Mrs Keho herself, who knew that whereverRose had the arrangement of the bill of fare, there was sure[Pg 314]to be what the Irish call “full an’ plinty”—“lashins an’lavins”—a fact which made her groan in spirit at the barecontemplation of such waste and extravagance. She wasindeed a woman of a very un-Irish heart—so sharp in her temperand so penurious in soul, that one would imagine her veinswere filled with vinegar instead of blood.
“Banaght Dheah in shoh” (the blessing of God be here),Rose exclaimed on entering.
“Banaght Dheah agus Murra ghuid” (the blessing of Godand the Virgin on you), replied Corny, “an’ you’re welcome,Rose ahagur.”
“I know that, Corny. Well, how are we?—how is my son?”
“Begarra, thrivin’ like a pair o’ throopers.”
“Thank God for it! Hav’n’t we a good right to be gratefulto him any way? An’ is my little man to be christenedto-day?”
“Indeed he is—the gossips will be here presently, an’ sowill her mother. But, Rose, dear, will you take the ordherin’of the aitin’ an’ drinkin’ part of it?—you’re betther up to thesethings than we are, an’ so you ought, of coorse. Let therebe no want of any thing; an’ if there’s an overplush, sorramay care; there’ll be poor mouths enough about the door forwhatever’s left. So, you see, keep never