The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-11-19
III

III.
The book before us has cha pier on Irish
bulls. and most OF the examples given are
comparatively new 1t will be remembered
that Sir Richard Steele. himself On Irishman.
was asked by an English friend how 1t hap
pened that lrishnen wore so remarkable
for making bulls II believe" said he. 1T Is
som ething in the air Of the country. and dare
Ray If an Englishman was born here he would
do the same" There seems to have been an
enorm Gus quantity OF bulls perpetrated in the
Irish House Of Commons during the last years
OF its existence. We read that in 1885 in the
course Of a debate on the leather tax. the
Chancellor of the EXcheIuer. Sir John Parnell.
observed that in the prosecution OF the pres
emit war. every man ought to be ready to give
his last guinea to protect the remainder
Mr.. NanGeleur said that however that might
be. n tax on leather would press heavily on the
barefooted peasantry OF Ireland" To which
Sir Boyle Roche replied that this could be cas-
lily removed by making the underleathers OF
wood. Speaking in favor Of the union. Sir
Boyle said that ono OF its effects would be
that the barren hills would become fertile
valleys" In another debate he said. 80 boldly
answer in the affirmative. No." In mentioning
the Cape he declared that ''myrtles were
com mon there that they make birch brooms OF
them" He once mentioned some people who
were living from hand to mouth like the birds
OF the air." To Sir Boyle Roche also is attrib-
uted the portentous warning. You should
refrain from throwing open the noodgates OF
democracy lest you should pave the way for
general confagration." Tom Moore used to
tell story about staying as a boy with an
uncle at Sandymount. near Dublin. and find
Ing one m orning dead hghwayman lying on
the road. There was a small bullet hole In his
right temple. An old woman was looking at
him. Gentlemen" said she. isn't it the bless
Ing Of God it didn't hit him in the eye" We
must find space for few moro examples Of
the Irish bull. Some people. We are told were
laughing at an Irishman who won q race for
saying. Well. I'm first at last" You needn't
laugh" said he: sure wasn't behind be-
fore?' The following conversation. it seems.
was heard In the Fenian times. some years
ago. A cab driver named Tom begins the col
loquy: These are terrible times Bill" Be-
dad. they are. Tom: it's a wondher If we'll get
out of the world alive" I'm afeard We won't.
even il we had as many lives ns Plutarch." If
Oliver Cromwell could only come up out OF hell.
he'd soon settle it." "Bedad. maybe he'd
rather stop where he IS" In the coffee room at
an hotel in Dublin an Irish gentleman said to
a friend who was brea;fastinS with him: =" I'm
sure that's my old college friend West. at that
table over there.' Then why don't YOU go
over and speak to him ?" said his friend. Pm
afraid to-" replied the other. for he is SO very
shy that no would feel quite awkward II it
wasn't he." A barrster defending prisoner
in Limerick said: Gentlemen of the jury
think OF his poor mother-hls only mother"
About seventy years ago the Grand Jury ofthe
county OF Tipperary passed the following res
olutions: First that new court house should
be laid: second. that the materials Of tho old
court house be used In building the now court
house third that the Old court house shall not
be taken down till tho new court house is fla
ished." The following anocdote was rotated to
our author many years ago: Some young fell
lows OF the navy shaved the head Of n brother
officer an Irishman. when he was drunk. and
put him to bed. He had previously given or
ders that he was to be called at in tho morn
Ing. and he was. accordingly. called at that
hour. When he looked in tho glass and saw
an appearance unlike what he expected.
Hang me-" said he. il they haven't called
the wrong man."