He seemed impatient as I said this, and referred once more to the paper before him, from whose minutes he appeared to have been speaking. ‘You must be in error, boy. I find here that the nation is devotedly attached to its traditions and literature, and feels no injury deeper than the insulting substitution of a foreign tongue for their own noble language.’ ‘Of myself I know nothing, sir; the little I have learned was acquired when a mere child.’ ‘Ah, then, you probably forget, or may never have heard the fact; but it is as I tell you. This, which I hold here, is the report of a highly distinguished and most influential personage, who lays great stress upon the circumstance. I am sorry, Tiernay, very sorry, that you are unacquainted with the language.’ He continued for some minutes to brood over this disappointment, and at last returned to the paper before him. ‘The geography of the country--what knowledge have you on that subject?’ ‘No more, sir, than I may possess of other countries, and merely learned from maps.’ ‘Bad again,’ muttered he to himself. ‘Madgett calls these “essentials”; but we shall see.’ Then addressing me, he said, ‘Tiernay, the object of my present interrogatory is to inform you that the Directory is about to send an expedition to Ireland to assist in the liberation of that enslaved people. It has been suggested that young officers and soldiers of Irish descent might render peculiar service to the cause, and I have selected you for an opportunity which will convert these worsted epaulettes into bullion.’ This at least was intelligible news, and now I began to listen with more attention. ‘There is a report,’ said he, laying down before me a very capacious manuscript, ‘which you will carefully peruse. Here are the latest pamphlets setting forth the state of public opinion in Ireland; and here are various maps of the coast, the harbours, and the strongholds of that country, with all of which you may employ yourself advantageously; and if, on considering the subject, you feel disposed to volunteer--for as a volunteer only could your services be accepted--I will willingly support your request by all the influence in my power.’ ‘I am ready to do so at once, sir,’ said I eagerly; ‘I have no need to know any more than you have told me.’ ‘Well said, boy; I like your ardour. Write your petition and it shall be forwarded to-day. I will also try and obtain for you the same regimental rank you hold in the school’--I was a sergeant--‘it will depend upon yourself afterwards to secure a further advancement. You are now free from duty; lose no time, therefore, in storing your mind with every possible information, and be ready to set out at a moment’s notice.’ ‘Is the expedition so nearly ready, sir?’ asked I eagerly.