Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-12-03
MISCELL a n Y .
Vagrant Life.

TIE JOLLY BEGGARS OF DUBLIN.
An amusing letter appears in the London
Times, describing banquet of jolly beggars in
Dublin, and giving us some insight into the sys-
tenn of mendicancy which prevailed to such all
extent in Ireland about thirty years ago. The
writer had been sent by the Government to Dub
lin to note the progress of the Catholic agitation
He says
In the performance of this delicate duty had
numerous opportunities of witnessing scenes and
becoming acquainted with characters well worthy
of note; and one of these scenes was the follow
ing
In room not forty yards from the centre OF
Sackville street learned that the chiefs Of the
Corporation of jolly Beggars were to dine on
st. Patrick's Day evening; but how to obtain ad-
mission to the small ante-room, IN order that
might witness the scene, so novel, to Inc, was
puzzle A gentleman, however, who had most
minute and accurate knowledge of all that secret
ly transpired in the city, undertook to overcome
the fears and scrupes of the keeper OF the tav-
ern TO which the Corporation Hall was attached,
and managed to introduce me to him as an old
friend, who could, ofcourse, keep any amount OF
innocent secrets. After promising most solemn
ly not to divulge the secret until the keeper OF
the tavern at least should retire or die it was ar
ranged, after the deposit ofa handsome fee, with
written promise of good faith, that | should be
admitted, on the coming festive night, into lit
tie room technically called ''glory hole" from
which the diners could not only be seen, but
overheard in the easiest and coziest manner. |
may, for clearness, mention that into the partition
wall, between 'tglory hole" and the dinng-hall,
were inserted adroitly, among the pattern paper
of the wall, several opera glasses, commanding
H. - tha oh arn,op'c caot and 9TH
er important points of the room. But, besides,
there were inserted into the same wall auricular
apparatus which, on the application of the ear to
them, rendered it an easy task to hear any rea-
sonably audible sounds going on in the dining
hall.
The appointed time of dinner arrived and eigh-
ty-three guests of both sexes, respectfully attlr-
ed, sat down to it. There were three courses,
washed down by large libations of beer. wine,
and whisky
Next came the report of the Brat-lending Club.
This, as il was explained, showed horrid state
of things which had frequent opportunities Of
verifying afterwards in the street. The matter
was managed thus-an equal number of men and
women who preferred exciting compassion as
helpless parents entered their names on the Brat
lending Club list, and drew lots monthly for their
'DeGL, rs II WstS Cdllcu. 1nOSc WIZ Auei Shih-
dren lent them to those who had none, from rates
varying from 2s. Cd to 5s. per week, according
to the powers of the children to excite compass
sion by shivering, screaming, ,sobbing, &c. Then
arose the secretary of the Brothel house Com
mittee but the details of the arts of grlcatching
and management of this guild" make my blood
vet run cold, and forbid an attempt at detail
Next came the Report of the Swallow tail Club, y
that is, the 'pickpockets" who liked that form of
skirt on a gentleman's coat best as being easily
rifed This was part of the service which re-
ouired great interest to obtain entrance.
Then, after all the horrid detail, which caus-
ed one to shudder every few minutes when list
ened to, the cool manner in which these harples
spoke of their modes of preying on society, came
o set of the most brilliant speeches on political
and religious matters, followed by numerous songs
sung in right good style.
Our worthy host of that evening died about
two years since He raised himself from the
body he had the profit of entertaining until the
new police regulation and Poor Law Act put an
end to their meetings. He told me he first ran
errandS, then became little porter, then boots
in hotel, and saved rs much as enabled him at
the end of five years to open the house i'll which
the above scene took place. His testimony amply
confirmed what had long known to be the case
in some parts of London, that some beggars Of
the most abect and pitiable appearance live
well and are exceedingly dainty about the food
they eat. He said that the blind woman who
had sat on Essex Bridge for nearly thirty years
would not sell her daily earnings for 25s per
day, nor would the pretended cripple, who sat
on Carlisle Bridge give his for 3OS daily, and
that no two aldermen Of Dublin lived better
than did these two.
The cloth being removed, the wines with
fruits and confections placed, all now seated
themselves at the tables. Those who served hav-
ing dined previously now sat down with their
fellows to enjoy the reports toasts, speeches. and
genuine wit of the jovial party. Among the few
toasts that yet remeLnber were-frst Dan o.
COnnell, and Long Life to him." next, character
istically enough, Here's to the Green of the
Community, and long may they remain so."-
Next was, Long Life to his Holiness" the "cor-
learnt at this stage, was formed Of
(Roman Catholics solely,) and the last toast was
a sweeping anathema against all who opposed
emancipation. This was given in Celtic, rich