Burke Manuscript

Burke Manuscript: Page 179

Transcript

The boys amused themselves, must do something. Joe [blank] was doing “Bachelor Hall” in a cottage opposite the old Town Hall. On this occasion he had prepared a nice pie for his dinner and off he proudly went to his stable business, and, so pleased was he in anticipation of his tasty dinner, that he mentioned it to some of the lads. They appreciated the information for, when Joe at feeding time opened the oven door, he found on cutting the crust that he had to rejoice in a belly full of ashes. They had scraped the pie as hollow of meat as a sheep does a turnip, and filled it with wood ashes.

When the Duke of Edinburgh paid us a visit one most loyal citizen had gone to some trouble displaying posts and flags, but, what was his horror, on finding that the apple of his eye, a fine little fellow, of five or six, had had a green tie added to his neckgear, and a most beautiful rosette of deep green on his little manly breast. With these he had proudly strutted on the day of the Duke’s arrival.

That man did his best to find the author of the embellishments, but did not succeed. Had he, there would have been bloodshed.

Another little pastime. An Irishman, pretendedly loyal, but a rank Fenian, used often to get mellow, very, sometimes. On this day, on making for his bachelor quarters in the small hours, he was horrified to find in his bed a corpse, a decorated corpse, with all the emblems distinguishing the Fenian patriot. Drunk as he was, that straightened him. The others flew. He followed. On getting assistance, they found a mask and a suit of police clothes stuffed with rubbish for the occasion.

When Gilbert Butler and his wife got married they had rented a room in Cashel Street and it was furnished in the primitive fashion of the day. What was termed a colonial bedstead, &c. The scamps cut very nearly through the cross pieces and there was an earthquake. [remainder heavily crossed through and illegible]