“Certainly you speak, Mr. O'Driscol, like a man that knows the country, and can feel the pulse of the public officially--I mean, of course, as a magistrate--for it is now, and in times of such turbulence, that men--I mean magistrates--of your stamp--will prove themselves serviceable to the government of the country, and to the country itself; intelligent and determined men--I mean magistrates--who know not what fear is, and who will do their duty at the risk of their lives.” “True, John, it is such men, or rather magistrates, who can render the most important services to government. The duties of a loyal and attached magistrate are not a mere raycrayation during these times. And yet, John,” he added, sinking his voice into a confidential whisper, “I protest to my honor that the life of a man--I mane, as you say, a magistrate--who resolves firmly to perform his duty, is not extramely safe; why then should a man--I mane a magistrate--unnecessarily expose himself to the fate of Going,* when he might much more safely remain snug and quiet, without putting either himself or his neighbors to inconvanience by an over-strict discharge of his duty?” [* The name of a magistrate and clergyman, I think, who was assassinated.] “If everything be true that I have heard,” said John, “the government would scarcely expect to hear such sentiments from the intelligent and determined Mr. O'Driscol.” “Ha! ha! ha!--well done, John,--I drew you out. Upon my honor, I am glad to find that you are loyal, at all events, and that is a rare virtue among most persons of your creed;--excuse me, but, except in name, I can scarcely consider you as belonging to it. “Why, sir,” replied John, “I trust I am a firm, but not a bigoted Catholic.” “Roman Catholic, John, always say, if you plaise; we claim to be the true Catholics you know; and for that raison it is better always to avoid confusion.” “As to that, we shall not quarrel about it, I trust,” replied Purcel; “but with respect to another point, there is only one opinion, Mr. O'Driscol, and that is, that you are a most resolute and determined man.” “Magistrate you mane, I think, John; so magistrate, if you plaise--ha! ha!' ha! By the way will you touch the bell? Thank you.” “I beg your pardon,” proceeded Purcel, having touched the bell, “I should have said magistrate: because it very often happens that whilst the man is a coward, the magistrate is as brave as the Duke of Wellington.” “Upon my honor and conscience, there may be some truth in that,” said O'Driscol, nodding, but at the same time not exactly appropriating the category to himself; “but how do you make that appear, John?”