“We poor Irish, (said the priest,) find the unrestrained freedom of an inn not only in the house of a friend, but of every acquaintance, however distant; and indeed if you are at all known, you may travel from one end of a province to another, without entering a house of public entertainment; * the host always considering himself the debtor of the guest, as though the institution of the _Beataghs **_ were still in being. And besides a cordial welcome from my hospitable kinsman, I promise you an introduction to his three handsome daughters. So fortify your heart, for I warn you it will run some risk before you return.” * “Not only have I been received with the greatest kindness, but I have been provided with everything which could promote the execution of my plan. In taking the circuit of Ireland, I have been employed eight or nine months; during which time I have been everywhere received with a hospitality which is nothing surprising in Ireland: that in such a length of time I have been but six times at an inn, will give a better idea of this hospitality than could be done by the most laboured praise.”--M. de Latocknay. ** In the excellent system of the ancient Milesian government, the people were divided into classes; the Literati holding the next rank to royalty itself, and the Beataghs the fourth; so that, as in China, the state was so well regulated, that every one knew his place, from the prince to the peasant. “These Beataghs (says Mr. O’Halloran) were keepers of open houses for strangers, or poor distressed natives; and as honourable stipends were settled on the Literati, so were particular tracts of land on the Beataghs, to support, with proper munificence, their station; and there are lands and villages in many places to this day, which declare by their names their original appointment.” “Oh!” said Glorvina, archly, “I dare say that, like St. Paul, he will ‘count it all joy to fall into divers temptations.’” “Or rather, (returned I) I shall court them like the saints of old, merely to prove my powers of resistance; for I bear a charmed spell about me; and _now _‘none of _woman born_ can harm _Macbeth_.’” “And of what nature is your spell?” said Glorvina, smiling, while the priest remained a little behind us talking to a peasant. “Has Father John given you a gospel? or have you got an amulet, thrice passed through the _thrice blessed_ girdle of St. Bridget, our great Irish charm?” * * On St Bridget’s day it is usual for the young people to make a long girdle rope of straw, which they carry about to the neighbouring houses, and through it all those persons who have faith in the charm pass nine times, uttering at each time a certain form of prayer in Irish, which they thus conclude: “If I enter this thrice-blessed girdle well, may I come out of it nine times better.”