Lordship, and that I would be discharged in the morning. However, at my earnest request, they placed a serjeant in the house, a distant relation of the family, who took his rest, during the night, without giving himself, or me, any trouble. This politeness and confidence I mention with pleasure; and am sorry that I shall have so few instances of the kind to record, as having occurred during my confinement in Ireland.*

About noon, next day, a Colonel Bainbridge arrived in Ballynahinch, from Lisburn, gave orders for my transmission thither, and, without seeing me, proceeded to Montello, to call on lady dowager Moira. Being informed of this, I dispatched a messenger, after him,' to request, that, as I was in a delicate state of health, and the weather intensely hot, I might be permitted. to ride, or travel in a chaise. The answer I received was not only blunt, but cruel: "A chaise, and be damned! Let him walk, or take a seat on the car, which goes to town with the old guns."

Irritated with this harshness, so different from the treatment, which I had experienced, on the preceding evening, I determined to walk, be the consequence as to my health, what it might, About four o'clock, in the afternoon, I set out

with

* This confinement commenced in the fifth month of my

53d. year.

with a guard of 14 men, and a car loaded with old guns, over a very rough and hilly road of eight miles, under a scorching Sun, and enveloped in clouds of dust. We reached Lisburn, about eight in the evening. I need not say that I was exhausted, almost to faintness. The moment that I was refreshed by some wine and water, and a change of the flannels next my skin, I waited on General Goldie, who received me, with all the politeness of a gentlemap and a soldier. On observing the exhausted state, in which I was, he expressed his sorrow that he could not accommodate me with a bed in his own lodgings, and told me that the place of confinement in Lisburn, was such that my passing a night in it might endanger my life; but, added, that I might take a carriage, in which he would send a discreet serjeant, with me, to Belfast, under an escort of two dragoons, and that he was sure General Nugent would immediately release me, "as there was no charge, of any kind, against me; a suspicion only existing that, as I had a general acquaintance in Scotland, spent a considerable time there, in Spring, and had been very much on horseback, şince my return, I might have been promoting a connexion between the 'disaffected here, and people of the same description, in that country."

Gratified with the attention and openness of the General, and flattered with the prospect

of

of immediate liberation, I ordered a chaise, and, my escort being ready, I hurried off to Belfast, little thinking that all my fairy prospects should so soon be blasted, and my expectations disappointed. On my arrival at the General's quarters, I sent in the Serjeant to receive his commands. Instead of liberation, these were to "carry me to the black-hole," then a guardhouse and prison, "and there to deliver me into safe custody." He did not even deign to

see me !

Having reached the black-hole, I was politely shewn in, and admitted without much ceremony. On admission, I there found Mr. Robert Hunter, a merchant of Down, who had been introduced a few minutes before, and was undergoing an examination, about arms found in his stores. In this all were so interested, that my entrance was little noticed, till some of the soldiers of the Monaghan militia, who were on guard, observing my exhausted situation, civilly offered me a seat, on a large platform, which served them for chairs, table, and bed. This offer I gladly embraced, as I was extremely fatigued, Mr. Hunter's examination being finished, I was asked some questions, my answers to which secured me possession of my seat, of which Mr. Hunter came and took part. I then inquired, where we were to be accommodated, during the night, and was answered, in a very rough

tone,

σε

tone, you are to stay where you are."

After some time, I asked, if I might be permitted to send for some refreshment. This, as we were told by a serjeant, no commissioned officer being present, was positively forbidden. However, on sending for the Captain of the guard, he came to us, and being told my situation* in particular, he kindly ordered that whatever we wanted, or might want, during the night, should be procured for us. His orders were obeyed; and we, having refreshed ourselves, asked if there was any spot, where we might enjoy a few hours rest; on which, one of the soldiers, civilly enough, offered us a part of their platform, on which we could stretch ourselves at length; and, as no better place could be procured, here we were obliged to lay ourselves down on hard boards, covered with filth and dust, without covering, and with my saddle-bags as our common pillow. To aggravate our feelings, we were nauseated with stench, and stunned with a continued torrent of ribaldry, oaths, and obscenity during great part of the night. Disgusting as this scene was, and

painful

* The Captain of the guard was Robert Wallace, Esq. then an Officer in the Belfast yeomanry, and now a Major of Brigade. He is son to the late Joseph Wallace, Esq. whose memory will ever be revered by all who knew him. That his son inherits his mild and amiable virtues, I have no reason to doubt. That he may ever enjoy, that inheritance, is my fervent wish,

painful to our feelings, to us these pains were only the beginning of sorrows.*

In the morning we had breakfast brought us, from Mr. Hunter's, after which we were detained, in this loathsome abode, till about two o'Clock in the afternoon, when we were removed to the Donegal Arms, then the Prevost prison. There, four others and I were thrust into a room, about sixteen feet by ten broad, without table, chair, or any other furniture, whatever; and, as our only window was unsecured, by iron bars or bolts, a chalked line was drawn across the floor, about six feet from it, and intimation given us, not to set a foot over said line, under pain of instant punishment. This left a space, of about ten feet square, in which, five people, accustomed, at least, to the comfortable conveniencies of life, some of them to its luxuries, were to take their exercise, eat, and sleep. Besides, as there was but one window in the room, we were obliged to have it kept open,

to

That this charge may not lie against the Monaghan regiment, justice requires that its weight should be laid on one of their officers, by whom the scene complained of was acted, and patronized. His name, as I was informed, is Cross. Of the wretch I had no previous knowledge, nor do I recollect that I ever saw him afterwards, during my confinement. The vileness of his conduct delicacy will not allow me to mention. Let him recite it if he dare. Of the other officers, I must say, that their conduct, so far as I ever knew or heard, was equally becoming gentlemen and soldiers,