It is difficult to classify anecdotes or reminiscences which are not connected with each other. The course I propose to adopt is to lay before my readers the narratives which I have derived from sources anterior to my birth, from lips truthful and occasionally humorous, but now silent for ever. I shall reserve, as far as possible, my own personal recollections for the latter part of this publication, in the hope that the amusement and information obtained from others, may soften the critical reader to an indulgent reception of the portion peculiarly connected with myself. I may remark that some anecdotes in which my name is introduced have been very extensively published in several periodicals. I accord to their authors my willing testimony as to their great imaginative power, for in the statements concerning me there is not one word of truth. My friend, Mr. Fitzpatrick, in his recent productions of "The Sham Squire" and "Ireland before the Union," has mentioned me as the source from which he derived the particulars of a few incidents in those interesting works. His unexaggerated correctness forms a strong contrast to the flippant fictions of others. However, when my name is brought before the public, in reference either to fiction or fact, it affords me some apology for appearing _in propriâ personâ_. I cannot refrain from subjoining to this preface, with the permission of the writer, a letter which I received soon after the publication of the first edition. F. T. P. DUBLIN CASTLE, _29th October, 1875_. DEAR MR. PORTER, "I must thank you for the gratification and amusement Lady Burke and I have found in your "Gleanings." The stories are full of interest, and the anecdotes are told with wit, humour, and piquancy. The volume is one of the cleverest books I have read this long time." Yours very truly, J. BERNARD BURKE, ULSTER. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. PAGE Lonergan's Case--Old Prisons 1 CHAPTER II. Vesey and Keogh 6 CHAPTER III. Mary Tudor 16 CHAPTER IV. The Birth of a Word--A Letter of Introduction--The Honor of Knighthood 25 CHAPTER V. A Millionaire 31 CHAPTER VI. The Ship Street Diamond--Second-hand Plate--The Silver Slab--Law's Window--Old Newgate 33 CHAPTER VII. Gonne's Watch 42 CHAPTER VIII. The Major 49 CHAPTER IX.