The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-10-06

lion.
The Recollections of Aubrey de We're. printed in
The Century are full of striking stories of life in
Ireland generation ago. In the October number
he tells of the great struggle in which the cry was
Repeal of the Union" Mr.. de We're writes:
An election took place in the County of Limerick.
and both sides prepared for the conflict Nearly all
the propretors were banded together against Re-
peal, and 0Connell. including the few who had adj
vocated Catholic Emancipation. The candidate on
the opposite side was man of ancient family, ex-
eellent character, and not, think Repeater, but
it suited the Repeal game to support him, lin order
to separate the tenants from their landlords. OF
these the most powerful by far was certain noble
man. the Earl of k, whose territories 10000
acres. with rental of $4,000 per annum. extended
through large part ofthree counties, and included
much of these Desmond lands, some 100000 acres of
which had been confscated by Queen Elizabeth in
a single day. He was also, believe, descended in
the female line from the white knight" to whom
that title had been given after battle fought many
centuries previously. by the White Knights
father, the Earl of Desmond.
The despotic temper OF the Earl OF x was no
doubt increased by scenes which he had witnessed
as boy. When he was but fourteen, during
great social gathering at his fathers residence,
prohigate neighbor one of the county gentry,
though a married man. induced daughter of the
house to elope with him. The moment the crime
was discovered the earl, accompanied by the boy,
went in pursuit of the criminal. After several days
pursuit the outraged father arrived, late in the
night. at an inn which the fugitives had reached
few hours previously. He got out of his carriage,
accompanied by his young son. and with pistol in
each hand mounted the stairs. door was pointed
out to him. 1t was locked but the earl kicked it
A had ID II 6rad f,ya
pistols and the betrayer fell dead at his feet The
earl was arraigned for this act before the Irish
House of Lords. and made no defence. The peers
walked professionally in their robes. and each. as
he passed the throne, laid his hand on his breast
aud pronounced the verdict, Not guilty, upon my
honor" A few years later the boy witnessed an
other important event. He had become young Of
eer the Irish rebellion of 179S burst out and with
several other persons of importance he was sudden
ly captured. and detained as hostage. When for
tune turned against the insurgents in the first rage
of disappointment massacre ensued, and he had
narrow escape from DEATH
When the family estates had become his own the
earl is said to have ruled with sway almost alb
solute that of of his forefathers who as was
reported transported several persons to America on
his own sole authority. He had been for long
time kept out of the family residence by the pro-
tracted LIE OF MS mOtner. ner DEAN ne mi at
once for an architect Build me-" he said. "a cas-
tie. am no judge of architecture, but it must be
larger than any other house in Ireland. and it must
have an entrance tower named the White Knights
Tower No delay! 1t is time for me to enjoy"
When the castle was half finished wealthy manu-
facterer built huge chimney in the square of the
town which erouched beneath the hill on which
that castle stood. The earl sent him orders to pull
1t down or depart, two Invitations which the man of
business declined. The earl drove down into the
town, and, as usual, a crowd collected about his
carriage. He said: 81 am come to wish you good
by, boys This place is but small place. and
there irre. room in II for me ana the.
ing TO the factory. He says the law is on his side
and dare say it is, Consequently go to England
tomorrow morning" During the night the lord of
industry received visit from unlimited guests the
next morning no smoke went over the towers and
the woods, and on the third day he had taken his
departure
On the day of the election the earl sat with his
candidate in the house off friend at Limerick sur
rounded by gay company, while the x ten
antry marched past the window. Mr.. de We're thus
describes the scene that followed:
After an hour or two dizziness began to spread
over that gray apartment, and many talked in
whispers. The earl soon perceived that all was not
right and its usual sternness returned TO his strong
face. You are hiding something from me" he ex-
claimed something has gone wrong; what has
happenedg' After pause a gentleman moved for
ward. and replied, My lord. what has gone wrong
is this; the K-tenantry have voted" what of
that?' my lord they have voted with the enemy TO
a man The other tenants are following their ex
ample. The election is lost"
During the whole of the next day he sat alone in
his castle, speaking to none. and seen by none.
Late the second night the bell of his bedroom rang
without intermssion, and short time afterward
mounted courers securing all parts of his es-
tales, commanding the attendance at a certain
specified hour Of all the tenantry in occupation OF
its 60OOO acres. When the appointed hour arrived,
he sat enthroned the das. at one end of gallery
hundred feet long; his official persons were rang
ed near him in line at each side of that gallery.
The tenants thronged in at the lower end Of the gal
lery, advancing nearer each moment. as their num-
bers increased to where the earl sat. His eye was
fixed upon them with that look for which il was
famed, but he spoke no word. Suddenly its express
sion changed; he leaped from his seat, raised his
arms on high, and exclaimed They are come to
lear me in pieces they to tear me in piccesP
The next night but one he was in mad-house.
There he continued to live for many years, faith
fully attended by a devoted wi fe; but he is said
never to have had lucid interval.