Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1884-12-02
NEW SERIES, VOL. XIX, NO. A9.

it can never spread out. There i
no fire, water, or other convenience
in their cars; and as they use moth
ing but coke in their engines one i
free from the annoyance of scinders
smoke and offensive oders. The,
give no check for your baggage. II
answer to my question to one of th,
railroad guards who accompany tht
trains, how they would know the tru,
owner of the trunk, said that wa!
their business and it would be at
tended to. There is no delay in th,
delivery of your baggage for th,
want of Identification, they seem t.
know the owner of each piece. Nol
do they fling or pitch it heedlessly
about as is done in America. The
saratoga or the common American
trunk is not known abroad except as
the baggage of an American. They
use large bags made of very heavy
brown leather, fastened by straps.
If they use trunks 1 did not sec
them. And yet it is hard to see how
ladies' apparel can be carried other
wise than in large trunks. believe
they have baskets.
happened in Dublin at the time
of the trials of the Phoenix Park as
sassins. was not admitted to the
court room, as 1 had no ticket. The
castle, which is rude and common
looking building for a castle, in the
heart of the city, was not open to Wis
itors for some reason or other. One
regiment of horse, the Scotch Grays,
were the only troops saw. There
was no excitement, and no apparent
preparation for a disturbance. But
few policemen were seen. The peo-
pie were going about their business
as If nothing extraordinary was going
on. There were no knots of citizens
on the corners or sidewalks. In fact
but for the papers stranger would
not have known that a criminal court
was in session.
At the Regimental Stecplc Chases,
about nine miles from the city, Ga
regimental affair altogether, )the Lord
Lieutenant, Spenser, was present all
day, and so too were the officers of
the regiments, who did the riding,
dressed as jockies. What splendid
and fearless riders the British officers
are! They certainly have not their
equals in the world. It was regular
racing, with prizes of cups, money, &c.
These meetings take place annually,
and are well attended. Two officers
were thrown h0rs du combat, and
brought in seriously injured. Their
horses, one fell at a hedge, and the
other, shying ut a ditch, leaped the
fence and left his rider on the course,
whilst he strayed leisurely over the
meadow. There were some seven or
eight races, with about seven starters
in each. The number of ladies pres
ent was quite small. Nor was the
crowd in attendance any thing like as
great as that 1 afterwards saw in
England.
ION the Crown of Epson Downs,
Midst Surry's billy curves.
Where muster in bright significance,
The Derby day reserves"
The. great race OF the day, in the
opinion of the car drivers, was their
quick step back to the city in the eve
ming. After the races were over in
timated to my jolly, generous and
good natured driver, that was ready
to leave. Begging my pardon, he
earnestly urged me by all means to
wait awhile till the time for the coach
men to leave, when would see some
thing worth seeing. 1 yielded to him.
The air was getting fresh, the horses
were anxious and impatient; the
drivers as we'll as many others were
merry from drinking Dublin stout to
the memory of Guinness dead, and
to the health of Guinness alive
Soon they were ready to be off.
When they started they went slow
enough for mile till they reached
the main broad road, which was as
level and smooth as a floor. My
driver pressed his felt hat down and
cautioned me to hold fast. Instantly
the contest began. The Irish horse
is always ready to go, and when he
goes he goes it. They are hardy and
sinewy and free from surplus flesh,
and though gentle, are very spirited.
The drivers cracked them up and
away they went as if they feared the
devil would catch the hindmost. The
gait was trot, though at times it was
broken into a gallop. Fortune was
variable. Sometimes one would be
ahead, then another. At times they
would be joined together in the road
with wheels locked. Then their cry
and shout was like that of battle, and
as one got loose then another, the
knot was soon unraveled and again
they were strung along in line, and
thus continued till they reached the
city limits. They often called out
Timothy Kelly, Jim Cary skin the
goat, &C., names of the Phoenix Park
assassins. My good fellow delivered
me safely at my hotel, opposite
Stephens Green. He asked me how
l liked it, and what thought of the
race. Before 1 could reply he charged
me to say to the Irish in America.
that there was life in the old sod vet.
He gave me two blackthorn shilIelahs.
with the request that / should give
them to some good Irishmen at home.
I received them and carried them
openly all through England, Scotland
and Canada, and complied with his
request The English, in ridicule,
call these blackthOrn canes Irish red