Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-07-19
MISCELLANEOUS.
MIKE LEARY
THE JEWEL OF BALLYHAUGH.


The Cathedral of Bayhaugn, as all the learned
in Hbernian topography will testify, rears it's tow
ers and turrets in parish OF the same euponious
name, which itself is corner of the arcadan dis
trict of Connemara, the whole being included in
that province of Provinces 'swate oud Connaught !;
and every mothers son Of We knows where Con-
naught is. Now this same cathedral is the glory
of the whole wide earth. Twas here ST Patrick,
bless his memory tried his prentice hand by
mixing mortar and gave his first lectures on shoul-
dering the hod, which his descendants, TO their hon
or be it said, have never forgotten. Surely this of
itself was sufficient to place orr parish first on the
file; but it has other distinguished claims. Its ca
thedral contains the most precious and inestlmabe
relic that ever was will be, the blessed por
tons of saint sinner; It's the Jewel OF Bally-
haugh, and the envy of Chrislendom. Add to this,
that its lads the best behaved, and most peace
able and its lasses the prettiest any where to be
found between Cape Fear and the Causeway, and
we have said. enough TO glorlty Ballyhaugh. In
the recollection of It's Oldest nhabitant no bailiff
has been known to dine on parchment wrts in its
precincts. 1.-THE proctor to be escorted out at the
point of the pitch-fork.
The beautiful sprgs, which, (nately tipped with
lead,) such convincers, through the length and
breadth of green Erin, grow in peace in Baybaugh
none cuts his stick I'LL compelled And all this
beautiful state of society, this blessed condition Of
purity, prettncss, and prosperity is entirely owing
to the level of relic and TO nothing in the world
open to public inspection, though jealousy guarded
by dragon in tie shape of Tim O'Flaggerty, the
niultuns IN pGrro of Ballyhaugh Tim being sex
ton, parish clerk, be-rmger, fiddler at wakes ant
weddings, and some other callings in the case
of need. Tim is, and naturally enough, proud o
his office, and he has reason to be SO. Tim, ant
his select friends, believe there is 10 other so dig
nihed TO be found throughout the land the lord
lieutenant has not half such a charge, and as t
the keepership Of Kings conscience, it's a mer
tin kettle affair in comparison with TINS.
The blessed jewel is enshrined in real silye
box, and this is placed in an old chest big an
strong enough to keep Behemoth out of mischIe
and the walls of the fine old cathedral enclose al
Thus secured, it may bid defiance to Mercury him
self, or to ii conclave Of relc-stealers, with tn
Pope at their head,
1t has always been regarded as an act Of condo
scenslon on the part Of Tim to exhibit his charge
ID lucky is the wayilrer deemed who can obtui
peep at it. Many and many noggin has bee
lavshed on Tim in vain, and even more potent PEI
suaders have occasionally failed But, wlthall, Til
is a good tempered soul and, catch him any da.
when the pigs are behaving respectfully, and ii
praties have turned out nOtely, and there is n
much danger Of refusal. ltchanced on certa
beautiful morning, that Tim, with IA dignity Of ilt
hcadle power opened for us the cathedral door
and graciousy pleased to permit us to inspe
the world famed, the nevor-to-be suifciently-e
teemed relic. When, after salam, that won
nave uone hOnOr 10 u IlloSieln, I'm opened lne 81
yer shrine, great was our surprise, immense our a
constituent; 1t not bone of saint, or beard
martyr, that we saw; II not a toe nail Of 5
Magnus, the spear-head of st. George, the remain
of St Andrews oatmeal, or st. Crspns lapston
or good St Anthonys nose. 1t was-a tail, tai
but such a tail Tie idea naturally and instant
neously obtruded ITSELF what animal could ha
borne such an appendage' 1t never wagged b
hind an Irish beast, that was certain; the unco
could not boast such an adjunct Our knowled.
OF Bunon- sad the naturaists was ransacked in val
Blckland, and the gIGOiogrstsy Id no more for
The sea-serpent's it could not be; a mammoth tic
err owned it. In size it nearly resenbled COW
but assuredy this never whisked off the flies ;
was covered with hair of an indescrbable quail
and its color was sooty black, beautifully tipp
with birthstone yellow.
This is all the information we can give for I
present. While we cogituted, Tin was singing
praises of his jewel he related the wonders he h
performed; he told of the many contests Il
had a.tated Chrlstendom for its possession; h
the blessed Pope had sent population to Bal
haugh to borrow it for three months, that he mi.
behold it, and how the pope was refused; to VIII
Tim added, that the divil himself would have be