ST. PATRICK'S EVE
By Charles James Lever
Illustrations by Phiz.
London:
Chapman And Hall, 186 Strand.
MDCCCXLV.
Contents
FIRST ERA.
SECOND ERA
THIRD ERA
List of Illustrations
TO MY CHILDREN
MY DEAR CHILDREN,
There are few things less likely than that it will ever be your lot toexercise any of the rights or privileges of landed property. It maychance, however, that even in your humble sphere, there may be those whoshall look up to you for support, and be, in some wise, dependent on yourwill; if so, pray let this little story have its lesson in your hearts,think, that when I wrote it, I desired to inculcate the truth, thatprosperity has as many duties as adversity has sorrows; that those to whomProvidence has accorded many blessings are but the stewards of His bountyto the poor; and that the neglect of an obligation so sacred as thischarity is a grievous wrong, and may be the origin of evils for which allyour efforts to do good through life will be but a poor atonement.
Your affectionate Father,
CHARLES LEVER.
Templeogue, March 1, 1845.
FIRST ERA.
IT was on the 16th of March, the eve of St. Patrick, not quite twentyyears ago, that a little village on the bank of Lough Corrib wascelebrating in its annual fair “the holy times,” devoting one day to everyspecies of enjoyment and pleasure, and on the next, by practising prayersand penance of various kinds, as it were to prepare their minds to resumetheir worldly duties in a frame of thought more seemly and becoming.
If a great and wealthy man might smile at the humble preparations forpleasure displayed on this occasion, he could scarcely scoff at