Glasgow Courier. — 1848-04-06 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

THE IRISH RANTERS.  By the newspapers we perceive that the old style of melodrama, which has so completely disappeared even from the Surrey and :he " Cowbug," has at length turned up on the other side of the 'rater; hut, at a distance no less considerable than across the Irish Channel. Smith O'Brien, Meagher, and Mitchel, form a trio of ranters and shouters quite equal to their predecessors, the Cob. hams, the Hickses, the Freers, and the H. Keuuhl s, who, during ,he thirty years' war of absurdity against common sense, were .iccustomed to devote their last—or at least, their loudest—breath o the once popular cause of dramatic extravagance. The following scene, shlrh is precisely the kind of absurdity in 'which Messrs. Mitchel, Meagher, and Smith O'Brien have been accustomed to perform, will remind such of our readers as may we acquainted with it, of the old traus-Tharnesian dramas, which .sere an famous is the Elizabeth-Martinian age:—  The Scene represents a back-room in the office of the United Irishman. Mitchel is discovered writiug. a leader.  Milchel—There—'tis concluded. Would that I could drive the point of this steel pen home to the hearts of the Saxon tyrants I or would that all England had but one reservoir of blood, that I ,night perforate the hated receptacle with a single dagger, and let the vile fluid wash over and fertiltse my unhappy and!l iEnter Smith O'Brien and Meagher.] Meagher—Well, comrade, are you prepared to drag the Saxon jackall from his lair, and release the Irish Eagle to his mountain tome?  Mitchel—No, not till I have sheathed this penknife in the bosom of tyranny, and planted the shamrock over my own grave. Smith fißriew—Your generous language warms me, and makes ne long to be once more an inmate of some sequestered cellar, vhere I may turn the black diamond of the Wal!scud into au ornament for martyrhood's diadem. Mitchel—Thou speakest bravely, friend. Let us swear to die on the altar of Erin, or strangle our oppressors with the wires of her ineglected harp. .Meagher_ to case I fall ere I can utter the feelings of my heart, wish uo other epitaph than that you, my friend (to Mitchel), should speak for me my last words, which I now speak in advance, " Avenge me, France!"  [Enter an Officer with a Warrant.] Officer (mildly).-1 beg your pardon, gentlemen, but it is my unpleasant duty to tell you that you are all three wanted on a charge of sedition. Smith O'Brien.—Wanted, indeed Yes, and many more like us are wanted to rescue the first flower of the earth and first gem of the sea from the grasp of the Saxon. Meagher (to the Officer)—Go, tell the vile usurper, of whom thou art the wretched minion, that we shall rush eagerly into the chains lie has prepared for US. • Officer (very mildly)—There are no chains, Sir; you can put in bail, if you happen to know any person that's respectable. Mitchel—Caitiff; already dues my trunkless head look from the murderous block on to my lifeless body, and I see my curling lip raising my clenched hand in stern defiance of thee, myrmidon, and thy base musters. Smith O'Brien—Take me to my cellar home—the home of him whose ouly criine is love of country and hatred of the opposite. Officer (still very mildly)—Well, gentlemen, you'd better reserve what y,tu've got to siy until you get before the magistrates. I've got nothing more to do but to serve you with these notices, and wish you good morning. Smith O'Brien—Meenest of dogs that dost thy master's bidding and snappest at the heels of heroes I Avaunt, I We come. ifsagifver —Conduct as to our prisons. We preferaihe martyr's pitcher of water, and the patriot's crust, to the traitor's glided cup, or the recreant's banquet. Mitchel—Go, tell the bloody Government we are prepared, and will one day be revenged. Officer (more mildly, if possible)—Certainly, Sir; I'll take the message; but the "one day" you allude to must not be to-morrow, if you please, for that's the latest time that can be allowed you for finding bail. Idinath O'Brien, Meagher, and Mitchel are all making up their minds and thew mouths for an overwhelming outburst of indignation, when the Scene closes in.] —Punch.