The Emigrants Of Ahadarra: The Works of William Carleton, Volume TwoCarleton, William
General
The Emigrants Of Ahadarra: The Works of William Carleton, Volume Two
Carleton, William
Ireland -- Social life and customs -- Fiction
Further he could not proceed. It was in vain that he attempted to give
a true account of the letter and its enclosure; the enmity was not
confined to either groans or hisses. He was seized upon in the very
chapel, dragged about in all directions, kicked, punched, and beaten,
until the apprehension of having a murder committed in presence of
God's altar caused the priest to interfere. M'Mahon, however, was
ejected from the chapel; but in such a state that, for some minutes, it
could scarcely be ascertained whether he was alive or dead. After he had
somewhat recovered, his friends assisted him home, where he lay confined
to a sick bed for better than a week.
Such is a tolerably exact description of scenes which have too
frequently taken place in the country, to the disgrace of religion and
the dishonor of God. We are bound to say, however, that none among
the priesthood encourage or take a part in them, unless those low and
bigoted firebrands who are alike remarkable for vulgarity and ignorance,
and who are perpetually inflamed by that meddling spirit which tempts
them from the quiet path of duty into scenes of political strife and
enmity, in which they seem to be peculiarly at home. Such scenes are
repulsive to the educated priest, and to all who, from superior minds
and information, are perfectly aware that no earthly or other good, but,
on the contrary, much bitterness, strife, and evil, ever result from
them.
Gerald Cavanagh was by no means so deeply affected by M'Mahon's vote
as were his two daughters. He looked upon the circumstance as one
calculated to promote the views which he entertained for Kathleen's
happiness. Ever since the notion of her marriage with Hycy Burke or
his brother--it mattered little to him which--he felt exceedingly
dissatisfied with her attachment to M'Mahon. Of this weakness, which we
may say, was the only one of the family, we have already spoken. He
lost little time, however, in going to communicate his daughter's
determination to that young man. It so happened, however, that,
notwithstanding three several journeys made for the purpose, he could
not see him; the fact being that Bryan always happened to be from
home when he went. Then came the denouncing scene which we have just
described, when his illness put it out of his power, without danger to
himself, to undergo anything calculated to discompose or disturb him.
The popular feeling, however, was fearfully high and indignant against
him. The report went that he had called Father M'Pepper, the senior
curate, a liar upon the very altar; and the commencement of
his explanation with respect to the fifty-pound note, was, not
unnaturally--since they would not permit him to speak--construed into an
open admission of his having been bribed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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