Willy Reilly / The Works of William Carleton, Volume One

, but foolish, indefensible, mad. Here is a young man attached-may God pardon him-to the daughter of one of the most persecuting heretics in the kingdom. She is beautiful, by every report that w

favor and her affection, he will, like too many of his class, abandon the faith of

such heinous guilt, when we are not in a condition to bear out our suspicions. The character of this young gent

ecutor; and all for the sake of wealth and the seductive charms of a rich heiress. I say, then, that deep in this cold cavern shall be his grave, rather than have an opportunity of betraying the shepherds of Christ's persecuted flock, and of hunting them into the caverns of the earth like beasts of prey. Our retreat here is known only to those who, for the sake of truth and their own lives, will never disclose the knowledge of it, bound as they are, in addition to this, by an oath of the deepest and most dreadful solemnity-an oath the viola

to glory? I mean the surrendering of that life for the true faith. I feel, my lord, that in your presence I am nothing; still, in our holy Church there is the humble as well as the exalted

said the bishop in a voice whose stern ton

of our own religion. That may be true, and I grant that it is so; but, my lord, are you aware that he has exercised the influence which he has possessed o

hey calculated upon his accessio

them this night, guided and directed by the spirit of peace, and of the word of God itself, can afford your lordship a guarantee of the

ou say?" aske

lives of six Protestants-heretics, I mean-from bein

plied the stern bisho

cquainted; and, after having finished his brief narrative, the unfortunate man perceived that, inste

e the history of this dastardly co

lly become bloodshot, blazed again; his breath went

laying his hand in a gentle manner upon his arm, said, "Pray, my dear lord, let me entreat your lordship to remember the precepts of our great Master: 'Love your enemies; bless them that curse you; do good to them that hate you, and p

hand across his forehead, as if he felt confusion or pain-"under any circumstances, this pe

t all but certain that he was himself involved in it. The priest, in obedience to the

en Bawn, and of her love for you-be easy now-not a thing it will be but the meeting of two thunderbolts between you-and he's afraid you'll be deluded by her charms-turn apostate on our hands-and that the first thing you're likely to do, when you

y to ensue, he could not have taken a more successful course for that object. Reilly, the firm, the high-minded, the honorable, and, though last not least, t

and an honest Catholic, who, like our

bishop, "it is good to

t for my part, I must confess, I have no relish whatsoever for the hono

s, as much as to say: "You hear! incipien

ly's blood, somehow, is up; and there they are looking at each other, like a pair o' game cocks, with their

ering for your religi

have suffered any thing. Religion is made only a pretext for it; b

I inquire the cause

It comes not within your jurisdiction, but is a matter altogeth

endous effort, into a series of broken coughs, got up in order to conceal his alarm at

rial; but here neither friend nor fellow will know where to look for him. I was almost the first man that took the oath to keep the existence of t

into another comical shower of fragmental cou

by the charms of a deceitful and heretical syren, for the p

s lips uttered to me what you now have done, I would fling the falsehood in his teeth, as I do now

struck all who heard it with dismay, and also with hor

ther, knitting his brows; "from your own

long as your language applies only to myself and my religion, I shall answer you in a different spirit. In the first place, then

breathed more freely; a groan wa

er, sir," said this strange

pose, sir?" i

are at present here some of the-" he checked himself, as if afraid to procee

looks are wild, and the fire of insanity is in his eyes; if not, he is nothing less than an incarna

y and my honor, then,"

an until he is bo

then," replied Reilly; "for, mos

never leave the cavern which covers you," and h

en or sixteen of you present: may I be permitted to

the insane bishop in a voice of thunder-"

hat would imply want of honor in myself. Cease, t

m, and will join in their blessed society," and as he spoke, he rushed towards the stalactites in a manner somewhat wild and violent, so much so, indeed, that fro

managed precisely as they wished. Two of the persons present took charge of him, one sitting on each side of him. Reilly, who looked on with amazement, now strongly blended with pity-for

his life have clouded or destroyed a great intellect and a good heart. He has eaten only one sparing meal a day during the last mon

ame infectious, and in a few minutes there were not many dry eyes around him. Father Maguire, who was ignorant of the progressive change that had taken place in him since his last visit

which we have already described, there was a large projection of rock, which nearly divided it from the other, and which discharged the office of a wall, or partition, between the two apartments. Here there was a good fire kept, but only during the hours of night, inasmuch as the smoke which issued from a rent or cleft in

least a score of heather shake-down beds, the fragrance of which was delicious. Pots, pans, and other simple culinary articles were there, with a tolerable stock of provisions,

s, it's a shakedown fit for a prince!-and better than most of the thieves deserve. What bed of down ever had the sweet fragrance this flowery heather sends forth? Here, my lord-easy, now-lay him down ge

ntil he fell into a profound sleep, a fact which gratified them very much, for they assured Reilly and the priest that he

ed by them as his temporary absences from time to time; for, in truth, he was their messenger, their steward, and their newsman-in fact, the only link that connected them with external life, and the ongoings of the world abroad. The bed in which the bishop now slept was in a distant corner of this inner apartment, or dormitory, as it mi

g relish for something in the shape of sustenance-a relish which was exceedingly sharpened by the savory

credit to religion and a relief to the destitute, but which, alas!-and alas! again-we can only think of as a-in the meantime, I can stand this no longer. If I possess jud

of mutton, bacon, hung beef, onions, and potatoes, forming indeed a most delicious m

steady operations went on with a perseverance that was highly creditable; and it was now that, having a little agreeable leisure to observe and look about him, he began to examine the extraordinary costumes

aws so unsparing and oppressive. Increased rewards were also offered to spies and informers, with whom the country unfortunately abounded. A general disarming of all Catholics took place; domiciliary visits were made in quest of bishops, priests, and friars, and all the chapels in the country were shut up. Many of the clergy flew to the metropolis, where they imagined they might be more safe

hen the unfortunate men whom we are about to desc

requently compelled to put on the first disguise that came to hand, had not means, nor indeed disposition, to change

never forgot any duty connected with his position-be that

s a little race for you-every one of you seize a spoon, keep a hospitable mouth and a supple wrist. These creatures, Mr. Reilly, are so many little brands plucked out of the burning. They are the children of parents who suffered for their faith, and were brought here to avoid being put into these new traps for young Catholics, called Charter Schools, into which the Government wishes to hook in our ris

over, and in a few minutes they tumbled themselves into their

, what are you at?" he exclaimed, addressing an exceedingly ill-looking man, with heavy brows and a sinister aspect. "You forget, sir, that the management of the keg is my duty, whenever I am here. You are the only person here who violates our regulations in that respect. Walk back and wait till you are

replied Hennessy, with a se

tward man presents to confirm the truth of that. As for bearing a load either of the liquid

requisition, and a moderate portion of the keg was distributed among them. Reilly, while enjoying his cup, which as well as

s might most effectually disguise them, so that they would be able still, even in secret and by stealth, to administer the rites of their religion to the poor and neglected of their own creed. Some were dressed in common frieze, some in servants' cast-off liveries-however they came by them-and not a few in military uniform, that served, as it were, to mark them staunch supporters of the very Government that persecuted them. A reverend archdeacon, somewhat comely and corpulent, had, by some means or other, procured the garb of a recruiting sergeant, which fitted him so admirably that the illusion was complete; and, what bore it out still more forcibly, was the presence of a smart-looking little friar, who kept the sergeant in countenance in the uniform of a drummer. Mass was celebrated every day, hymns were sung, and prayers offered up to the Almighty, that it might please him to check the flood of persecution which had overwhelmed or scattered them. Still

erceiving their unaffected piety, which was evident by their manner, and a rude altar in a remote end of the cave, which was laid out night and day for the purpose

ave witnessed in this singular retreat. The poor prelate I pity; and

the first symptom he has shown of any derangement in his intellect, otherwise

yman here, called Hennessy; who i

concealment here bears hard upon him, and is depressing his spirits every day more and more. The only thing I ever could observe in him is what you saw yourself to-night-a slight relish for an acquaintance with the barrel. He sometime

oment this man makes his appearance his bishop will deprive him of all spiritual jurisdiction for life. Mark me now, Father Maguire; if he pleads any necessity for leaving this retreat and going abroad again i

lly, feeling fatigued and exhausted by what they had undergone in the course of the night, threw themselves each

Squire's Dinne

he result of having made him the confidant of her love. In this, however, she was agreeably disappointed; for, on meeting him the next morning, at breakfast, she was a good deal surprised to observe that he made no allusion whatsoever to the circumstance-if, indeed, an occasional muttering of some unintelligible words,

, "how did you rest last night, my love? Rested sound-eh

lept as well as usual,

. The villain.) Well come, let me have a

t have some

uture-hem-I mean we'll have Sir Robert, and-let me see-who else? Why, Oxley, the sheriff", Mr. Brown, the parson-I wish he didn't lean so much to the cursed Papists, though-Mr. Hastings, who is tarred with the same stick, it is whispered. Well, who next? Lord Deilmac

t proceed from

llain! we'll hang him to a certainty)-chanced, I say, to stray into the field, he would shy the shovel hat at them, without

is political pr

nd I tell you, girl, that if every Protestant in Ireland were as deeply devoted to his Church as he is to the bottle, we would soon be

loud and vehement in their outcry against Popery, have, nevertheless, on more than one or two occasions, harb

t be wise at all times. But after all, Helen (she has me there), after all, I say, there are some good Papists, and some good-ahem-priests, too. There now, I've

ffering enough, sir,

e next on my list-a fine fellow, who will touch it

I am told he equals Sir Robert Whitecraft in both cowardice and cruelty. Is not that a n

st be here. The scoundrel like Whitecraft!-eh-what am I saying? Smellpriest, I say, first began his career as a friend to the Papists; he took large tracts of land in their name, and even purchased a couple of estates with their money; and in due time, according as the tide con

y in some similar trust for Papists," observed Helen, "but who certain

etting into politics now, and that will never do. A girl lik

gion!

he subject as possible. Come, another cup of tea, with a little more sugar, for, I give you my honor, you did not make the last one of the

te of hot toast; and, as he was a privileged old ma

quivocal one, until he should see what views of the circumstance his m

o you allude to,

d place, sir. All he has, or

res of the old man, as if the doom of her life depended on his words;

his master; "who did it?-and b

ecraft and his m

eive he had any autho

t the Red Rapparee, who is now a good Pr

sion of the deed-"the red devil, sirra! would that justify such a cowardly scoundrel as Sir Robert-ugh-ugh-ug

and his me

hree fine estates, both here and in England; but he prefers living here, for reasons best known to himself and me, and-and to somebody else. Wel

lied the man with a smile; "for saying it?-why,

pdragon; but tell me the truth, ha

port goes they know nothing about hi

ot conceal, and feeling that another minute would disclose the delight which convulsed her heart and frame, she arose, and, with as much composure as she could assume, went slowly out of the room. On entering her apartment, she signed to her maid to withdraw, after which she closed and bolted the door, and wept bitterly. The poor girl's emotion, in fact, was of a twofold character; she wept with joy at

conflict with the other. In matters of business he was the very soul of integrity and honor, but in his views of public affairs he was uncertain and inconsistent; and of course his whole life, as a magistrate and public man, was a perpetual series of contradictions. The consequence of all this

ot her in London; and nothing was more certain than that she issued forth the English language clothed in an inveterate cockney accent. She was a high moralist, and a merciless castigator of all females who manifested, or who were supposed to manifest, even a tendency to walk out of the line of her own peculiar theory on female conduct. Her weight might be about eighteen stone, exclusive of an additional stone of gold chains and bracelets, in which she moved like a walking gibbet, only with the felon in it; and to crown all, she wore on her mountainous bosom a cameo nearly the size of a frying-pan. Sir Jenkins Joram, who took her down to dinner, declared, on feeling the size of the bracelets whic

y again, my lord?-w

in her right arm. There is nothing, however, so delightful as a general and loving sympathy between husband and wife; and here it was said to exist in perfection. Mrs. Smellpriest, on the other hand, was said to have been equally attached to the political principles of the noble captain, and to wonder why any clergyman should be suffered to live in the country but those of her own Church; such delightful men, for instance, as their curate, the Rev. Samson Strong, who was nothing more nor less than a divine bonfire in the eye

upon his lips, but with a kind of short cough he gulped it down, and got rid of it for the time. In what manner he might treat the act itself was a matter which excited a good deal of speculation in the minds of those who were present. He was known to be a man who, if the whim seized him to look upon it as a cowardly and vindictive proceeding, would by no means scruple to express his opinions strongly aga

all give it in order to ascertain whether we have any fair traitres

of consideration or delicacy of feeling that we do not think he ever o

is prosperity to Captain Sme

ged by an able and

of describing, with

e that of our peas

centric old squire

which this charge

ll aware as our cri

emale portion of th

together at varianc

t we really though

such, inference of

we had drawn of th

which the toast is

er man would have b

o refer to Mrs.

but especially to that which would punish any man for the great principle which we ourselve

t and a Christian, refuse it on the same pr

eded the squire, "that I addressed

h involve religious or political opinions. These, I am sure, you know too well, Mr. Folliard, are matters with which ladies have, and ought to have, nothing t

wed her example, whilst at the same time

d-humoredly, "that the sex-at least

Papists at heart," repli

now knew that the proposal of the toast was but a jest, and

rt. Here is Lady Joram and Mrs. Smellpriest and Mrs. Oxley-and they a

o drink a proper toast as this is; Sir Jenkins has not turned down his glass, and neith

of Old Hingland'-by witch," she proceeded, correcting herself by a reproving glance from the sheriff-"by witch he meant what he called the glorious sinews of the country at large, lestwise in the manufacturing districts. But upon a subject like t

e more than mirth in it, "are all the loyal subjects of the crown r

against Papists; I get my rent by their labor; but I

e toast was drank immediately, after whic

ins-for,-upon my soul, if it had been his Majesty's health, her ladyship couldn't have honored it with a fuller bumper. And, Smellpriest, your wife did the thin

ng, however, between ourselves, is a goose; he will believe any thing, and often sends me upon a cold trail. Now, I pledge you my honor, gentlemen, that this man, who is all zeal, has sent me out dozens of times, with the strictest instructions as to where I'd catch

escape yourself, captai

e ecclesiastical line, and, besides, he is cons

aid Whitecraft, "if he should as

d, "they tell me you burned the unfor-you

ire, sir," replied his intended son-in-l

you? I know the fellow is a Jesuit, a rebel, and an outlaw-at least you tell

ufficient justification; and I do not think that I am likely to be brought over the coals for it; on the contrary,

urself by such an oppressive act. I know that throughout the country your cond

my conduct it pleases," he replied, "but I

aken-keen, manly, and firm. He sat sipping his wine in silence, but turned from time to time a glance

asked Whitecraft; "can you no

bert," he replied; "bu

t do you think

the times m

o doubt of it; but then I have no personal malice against them; I proceed upon the broad and general p

onet, with a diabolical sneer. "As for me, Smellpriest, I make no such distinctions

e priest," rep

y lord?" asked Mr.

en you hang the priest, I agree with Whitecraft there, that it is all up with the man, and when you hang the ma

ied the baronet, "you woul

mile of neck; upon my soul, one would think you were made for it. Yes, I dare say I should like to see you hanged-I am rather inclined to think I would-it's a subject, however, on which I am perfe

itality would be deeply felt by the gentry of the neighborhood; for which reason," he o

ch keen noses for priests and rebels and criminals, you could come upon t

eriff?" asked Sir Robert, "and co

n a broadcloth brown coat, light-colored breeches, and had silver buckles in his shoes. The fellow was no common robber. Stuart-one of

lack?" asked Smellpriest. "Did you ob

On bringing the matter to my recollection, after I had got rid of the pain and agitation, I was able to

levied the fines that day, and who thought it no harm to transfer them back

ldiers were halloed on against our parsons, and all other Protestants conspicuous for an attachment to their religion, and anxious to put down the persecution under which we suffered; why, hang it, could you blame the parsons, when hunted to the death, for disguising themselve

rmer," observ

, I say he never robbed the sheriff here; and if he we

ter portion of the evening, fixed upon the baronet, like that of a basilisk, accompanied by a hidden meaning, which it wa

een me before. Your eye has scarcely been off me during the wh

t, Sir Robert," replied Has

press your admiration in some ot

that a cat may look at a king? Hastings must be a man o

onvivial spirit. The old squire's loyalty rose to a very high pitch, as indeed did that of his companions, all of whom entertained the same princip

-Papists are gone, we can breathe and speak a little more freely. Here's our glorious Constitutio

aid Sir Robert, "and I wonder, sir, you w

mellpriest, "includi

id the sheriff, "as

ink it-it doesn't matter. I suppose, coming from

eir brains, so did their determination to rid the squire of the r

uttered with their hands all clasped in each other with a strong and firm grip. From one mouth alone, however, proceeded, amidst a succession of hiccu

uted Sir Robert, "we mus

p, "with all my heart, Sir Rober

d the squire, "we shou

hip, emptying a bumper; "we shal

im, Dei

ell, ha

say, Deilmacare,

his lordship; "tr

revel, until they scar

nd Mrs. Oxley, for the express purpose of venting their petty malice against the girl, because they had taken it into their heads that she paid more attention to Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Hastings than she did to

t the morals of young ladies in 'igh life, by witch I

as if to solicit her consent to the observation she was about to make, "you know, my dear Mrs. Oxley, that

ughter of such a man should not be considered as moving in 'igh life-always, of course, provided that she forms no disgraceful attach

entertain a sufficiently ac

tter nor myself. I've seen a great deal of 'igh life. Feyther 'ad a willar at I'gate, and I'gate is

haps, you m

e proceeded, "that it is a shame for any young lady, as is a young lady, to take a liking to a Papist, because we kn

as oppress and persecute a portion of the people, and give an unjust license to one class to persec

exterminated; we should then have no apprehensions that our dau

ail their offensive and ungenerous remarks to her father, who, she trusted, would never see them under his roof again, nor give them an opportunity of indulging in their vulgar malignity a second time. Helen thanked her, and said their hin

ghly accomplished gentleman-a man, in fact, my dear Mrs. Brown, whom no woman, be her rank in life ever so high or exalted, might blush to love. I do not blush to make

ir existence puts a breach between you and Reilly, and under those circumstances my advice

ely happy; happiness, in its full extent, I never can hope to enjoy; but if he were only safe-if he were only safe, my dear Mrs. Brown

nly amounted to those general observations which, commonplace as they are, we are in the habit of hearing from day to day. Helen was to

entered the drawing-room. Sir Robert Whitecraft attempted to enter into conversation with Helen, but found himself firmly and decidedly repul

Robert Meets a

ets, but Cat

the destruction of whose property, without any authority from Government for the act, he felt himself guilty of-the reader may understand the nature and extent of his terrors on his way home. The distance between his own house and that of his intended father-in-law was about three miles, and there lay a long space of level road, hedged in, as was then the custom, on both sides, from behind which hedges an

hunter, on a small scale. I used to get them for Captain Smellpriest, but he paid me badly, and as there was great risk among the bloody Papists, I made up my mind to

e badness of the road and the darkness of the night, was obliged to walk his hors

other, "but it was

ediately behind the hedge. I rather think they are some of our own species;" an

is companion; "I beg pardon, I mean tha

r name?" ask

home. I need not say that you are hated by the Papists; and as the road is lonesome

, "you are a civil person, a

Sir Robert, I will stand by

be seen-the ghost of a priest whom I hunted for a long time; Smellpriest, it is said, shot him at the

ome with you afterwards, provided you will promise to give me a

bert, "not only in consequence of your at

On arriving at home, Sir Robert, who drank privately, ordered wine for himself, and sent Rowland Drum to th

ent for Mr. Drum, who, on entering the breakfas

s you say y

nd Dru

d Drum, are you well acquainted

ons of them all from Captain Smellpriest, which will be invaluable to you, Sir Robert. The fact is-and this I me

nly capture the priests, where I can, but every lay Papist that we suspect in the country. Here, for instance. Do you see those papers? They are blank warrants for the apprehension of the guilty and suspected, and also protections, transmit

t Reilly to come ov

uld be issued from the Secretary's office would not nor could not save him. Old Folliar

Sir Robert, there is a woman her who wishes

woman is she?" a

rapping wench, somewhat rough, in t

er the disguise of a woman, the celebrated informer, the Rev. Mr. Hennessy, a wretch whose criminal course of life, as we s

om and shave. My presence, I apprehend, won't b

what her business may be; but I shall be gla

once have recognized; but, at all events, the interview between

parture, Mr. Drum was sent for by the baronet

certainly more than he has done as yet. I have heard of his character as an immoral priest; and the man who could be false to his own creed is not a man to be relied upon. He has described to me the position of a cavern, in which are now hiding a set of proscribed priests; but I cannot have confid

but I will tell you, for I have it from his own cousin. His object is to have you assassinated, in order to restore himself to the good graces of the bishop and the Catholic party, who, I mu

hey are thirsting for my blood, but no

er knew nor do I believe that there is a cavern at all in it, and that is what makes me suspect the scoundrel's motives. He can have hundreds of outlaws secretly armed, who would never suffer you to escape with your li

s mission. It may not be safe for me to do so. Try if

Drum accordingly set out upon his mission, and having arrived at the cavern, with which he was so well acqu

d if you remain here twenty-four hours longer, Sir Kobert Whitecraft and a party of military, guided, probably, by the treacherous s

uainted with Sir Kobert Whi

way home from a dinner at Squire Folliard's I met him in a lonely part of the road, where he was thrown from his horse; I helped him into his saddle, told h

should not do evil that good may follow; and you have done evil in associating yourself, in

y has betrayed us; and if you do not disperse to other places of safety, he will himself, as I said, lea

mes by the hand of God or the persecution of man. Be faithful to the principles of our holy religion-be faithful to truth-to moral virtue-be faithful to God, before whose awful tribunal we must all appear, and render an account of our lives. It would be mere wantonness to throw yourselves into the hands of our persecutors. Reserve yourselves; for the continuance and the sustainment of our blessed religion; but if you should happen to fall, by the snares and devices of the enemy, into the power of those who are striving to work our extermination, and if they should press you to renounce your faith, upon the alternative of banishment or death, then, I say, banishment, or death itself, sooner than become apostates to your religion. I shall retire to a neighborhood only a few miles distant from this, where the poor Catholic

erty-which is mine only by a necessary fiction and evasion of the law-have passed into the hands of Sir Robert Whitecraft. I am wrong, however, in saying that it could. Mr. Hastings, a generous and liberal Protestant, took it in his own name for my father, but gave me

boots, and a huntsman's cap; vade retro sathanas, It is a damnable crime to have any

acon, by the way-"you yourself received prote

stinate as sathanas himself, and had Greek and Hebrew at his fingers' ends. I made several passes at him-tried Irish, and told him it was Italian. 'Well,' said he, smiling, 'I understand Italian too;' and to my astonishment he addressed me in

n the country, and the result was that the number of foreign priests-by which I mean Irish priests educated in foreign colleges-was utterly inadequate to meet the spiritual necessities of the Irish population. Under those circumstances, men of good and virtuous character, who understood som

stian love among us, and excited our sympathy for our poor persecuted flocks, so many of whom are now without a shepherd. I leave you with tears-but they are tears of affection, and not of despair. I shall endeavor to be useful wherever I may abide. Let each of you do all the spiritual good y

ept bitterly. There were indeed few dry eyes around him; they knelt before

ill permit me I shall share your fate, whatever it may be. The poor people you allude to are not i

or I knew not what I did. I shall be glad of your companionship. I fear I still stand in need of such a friend. Be it so, then,"

ignity has directed the vengeance of the law with such a bloodthirsty and vindictive spirit a

eft the cavern, each to procure

itary party together, and the cunning reprobate, in order to excite the baronet's vengeance to a still higher pitch

ive me that you are not leading me into an ambuscade? You know that I am unpopular, and the Papists would be

be placed between two of your men, and if you see any thi

ut on my guard against you by a person who escorted me home last night. He

s name?" as

d the baronet, "that

description, Sir Ro

bert d

as a drummer-for his father was in the army, and he himself was a drummer in his boyhood; and his object in preventing you from bringing a military party to

very mouth of the cavern, which he disclosed to them. It is unnecessary to detail the particulars of the search. The soldiers entered it one by one, but found that the birds had flown. The very fires were burning, but not a l

itted. As it was, they scoured the country in search of the inmates of the cave, but above all things in search of Reilly, for whose capture Whitecraft would have forgiven every man i