The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-11-23
An Amusing Sketch.
Mr.. O'Connell and Mrs. Moriarty.


It was at an Irish Court of justice
that Mr.. O'Connell could be seen to the
greatest advantage. Every quality of the
lawyer and the advocate he Displayed
He showed research and perfect mastery
of his profession, and he exhibited his
own great and innats qualities. Who
that ever beheld him on the Munster cir
cult wheE he was in the height of his fame,
but must have admired his prodigious
versatility of formidable powers. His
psthos was often admirable, his humor
Aowed without effort of art What jokes
He uttered! what sarcasms! How well he
worked his case through, never throwing
away q chance, never relaxing his untiring
energiest
] One of the drollest scenes of vitupera-
tion that O'Connell ever figured in, took
place in the early part of his life. Not
long after he was admitted to the bar, his
character and peculiar talents received
rapid recognition from all who were even
casually acquainted with him. His talent
Tor vituperative language was perceived,
and by some he was even in these days
considered matchless as scold. There
was, however, at that time, in Dublin, a
ce,tain woman, Biddy Moriarty, who had
shookster's stall on one of the quays near
ly opposite the Four Courts. She was
virago of the first order, very able with
her fist. and still more formidable with her
tengue. From one end of Dublin to the
other she was notorious for her powers of
ebuee, and even in the provinces Mrs.
Moriarty's language had passed into cur
reney- The dictionary of Dublin slang
had been considerably enlarged by her,
and her voluble impudence had almost be
come proverbial. Some of O'Connell's
friends, however, thought that he could
beat her in the use of her own weapons
OF this, however, he had some doubts
himself. when he had listened once or twice
TO some minor specimens of her Billings.
gate. 1t was mooted once whether the
young Kerry barrister could encounter
her, and some of the company lin o Con-
nel,s preseuce) rather too freely ridiculed
the idea of his being able to meet the fa-
nous Madam Moriarty. O'Connell nev-
er liked the idea of being put down, and
be professed his readiness to encounter
her. and even backed himselffor the match.
Bets were offered and taken-it was de-
acided that the match should come off at
once.
, The party adjourned to the huckster's
stall, and there was the owner herself, su-
perintending the sale of her small wares
La few loungers and ragged idlers were
hanging around the stall--for Biddy was
q. s'character" and in her way, was one Of
the sights of Dublin.
. .O'Conneil was very confident of success.
he had laid an ingenious plan for over
coming her, and, with all the anxiety of
an ardent experimentalist, waited to put
IL into practice. He resolved to open
the attack. AT this time O'Connell's own
party, and the loungers about the place,
formed an audience quite sufficient to
arouse Mrs. Moriarty, on public provoca-
tion, to due exhibition of her powers,
..O'CoEnell commenced the attack:
Whats the price of this walking stick
Mrs. what's your name?'
'Moriarty, sir, is my name. and good
one it is. and what have you got to say
n agin it, and one and a sixpence is the price
8 Of the stick. Troth. it's as cheap as dirt
: 90 itis.'
,as Zone and sixpence for walking. stick
: vhewl why you are no better than an i'm
y poster to ask eighteen pence for what
cost you two pence
~ : Two pence, your grandmither,' replied
4 Mrs. Biddy; do you mean to say that it,
chatting the people ami imposter, indeed
: !. :. = tAy, imposter; and it's that I call yor
: to yonr teeth, rejoined O'Connell.
Ds esCome, cut your stick, you cantanksr
s4sus jsckanapes.' ~ -
Keep civil tongue in your head, yol
: cid diagonal, said O.Connell.'
oilssStop your jaw, you pug nosed badge
idsr I'll make you go quicker nor yoI
Come
sDon't be in passion, my old radiu
.---augsr will only wrinkle your beauty
IF you say another word Of your i'm
padence, I'll tan your dirty hide, yol