To these notices we have only to add, in reference to the subject of our illustration, that though, from the account which we have already given from the O’Clery MS. it might be supposed that Kilbarron Castle was erected by them in the sixteenth century, the castle itself bears evidences in many parts that it is of much earlier antiquity. The tradition of the country, as stated by the author of the Donegal Statistical Survey, is, that it was originally erected by O’Sginneen or Sgingin; and this tradition is fully verified by an entry in the Annals of the Four Masters, which states that Kilbarron Castle was rased to the ground by Donnell, the son of Murtogh O’Connor, in 1390. The probability, therefore, is, that it was re-edified immediately afterwards by Cormac O’Clery, though houses of stone were not erected within its enclosures till a later period. P. [1] _Tinnscra_, in the original--a reward, portion, or dowery--it being the custom among the Irish as among the Eastern nations, that the husband should make a present to his wife’s father, or to herself, upon his marriage. As Byron says-- “Though this seems odd ’Tis true; the reason is, that the bashaw Must make a present to his sire-in-law.” THE TALKING AND TACITURN AGES. Among all the enjoyments of life, there was none which our great lexicographer esteemed superior to a “good talk.” It was to him as the supper of the Gods. He would walk a long way for it; and if he attained his end, he would express his highest feelings of satisfaction by saying, “Sir, we had a good talk.” What share he took in it himself on such occasions, it might have been interesting to inquire. That it was a large one, we may rest assured; but few probably complained of the circumstance--so capital a talker was our “British Socrates.” Yet to a good talk on equal terms, it will be allowed there should be some reciprocity. To “harangue” in company is not to talk fairly. It is a practice, indeed, common enough in the world; but if the just rules which ought to prevail in the conversational commonwealth be considered, it must be allowed to be a violation of them. The formality of the speech is utterly destructive to the freedom of the republic. Reciprocity is its very life and soul; but the speech-maker lays it up at once in a state of suspended animation. Next to the speech-maker, we may rank as the greatest infringer of these laws the determined “argufier,” or disputatious person, who loves an argument so much that you can advance no proposition that he is not ready immediately to controvert. In the presence of such a person, conversation shares the fate of true love, and never can “run smooth.” There is an appearance of equitableness about this character, that may render him less manifestly engrossing than the former; but his egotism is only a little better concealed, and