this departure from the letter of fact is a legitimate liberty, since we find that the two families had at times had intermarriages, in spite of their bitter feuds. The introductory chapter explains, with historical accuracy, the events in Ireland that led to the deeply-critical situation of the country in 1565, shortly after the suppression of O'Nial's rebellion, when the contests between the earls of Desmond and Ormond, and the unjustifiable partiality of the English cabinet to the latter, led to important results and to a temporary renewal of civil war. The personal appearance of the former nobleman is thus described :-" Gerald, sixteenth earl of Desmond, assumed all the pomp and pride of an Irish chieftain. Descended from a long line of ancestors, who had enjoyed many extraordinary privileges, and who for centuries had lived in almost regal splendour, he sedulously endeavoured to preserve the peculiar customs of his progenitors uncontaminated by the innovations of modern ages. He delighted to retrace the genealogies of his high lineage, at the same time vaunting the exploits of his heroic predecessors, which the narrations of antiquarian records, the eulogiums of bardic fiction, and the equally romantic traditions of oral testimony, had immortalised. His appearance was manly and imposing. Time had stamped its seal upon his brow, and had blanched his venerable locks; yet age had failed to quell the spirit of his eye, that flashed with brightness on the slightest irritation. His figure was tall and robust, but eminently graceful and dignified. His dress was arranged with scrupulous attention to the ancient costume of his country. His head was usually covered with a close green cap, which, surmounted with plumes of the same color, was studded with Irish diamonds. He wore the cota, or shirt, made of fine saffron-coloured linen, which was wrapped in large folds upon the bosom, and was only partially concealed by a short purple vest, interwoven with threads of gold. This vest scarcely reached the elbows, and consequently displayed the immense sleeves of the cota, hanging in loose and graceful drapery from the arm. His shirt was open at his throat, which was adorned with a broad gold collar of exquisite workmanship, splendidly inlaid with jewels. His limbs were clothed with the truis, which formed trowsers and stockings in one, fitted close to the shape; and it was made of weft striped with various colors, running in divi sions, resembling the Tartan plaid. Over all was thrown the cocula, or upper gar ment, a kind of long flowing cloth mantle, which, like the regal robes of the East, was of bright crimson color, embroidered round the border, and edged with yellow silken fringe. This cloak was clasped at the breast with a large silver embossed fibula or brooch. Round his neck was a massive antique gold chain, and on his feet he wore buskins, or short boots." A spirited sketch is given of barbaric pomp and feudal festivity.-"The evening hour was generally the signal for the commencement of that clamorous wassail and boisterous mirth which distinguished the revels of the chieftain, when he regaled at his festive board the numerous clansmen of his house. Of his kindred and surname alone, the earl could enumerate above five hundred gentlemen, who, attended by a train of gallowglasses, kerns, foresters, and gossips, formed a multitudinous and imposing assembly, of which in later times we can scarcely conceive an adequate idea. The banqueting hall was an apartment of prodigious extent, the walls of which were completely covered with ancient armour, pikes, spears, and battle-axes, hostile weapons of various workmanship, hunting instru ments, and shields, or targets, curiously emblazoned on the outside with the bearings of the principal nobility and gentry of the kingdom. In imitation of the manner in which in former days the triennial parliaments of Ireland had been conducted in the palace of Tara, a principal herald was appointed to regulate the order of precedency, which was ever carefully observed. Down the middle of the hall, long tables were set, that were loaded with substantial viands, such as boar's flesh, beeves, and fallow deer, as well as with quantities of fish, and the more esteemed luxuries of pheasants, and game of every description. Low forms, covered with the furred skins of beasts, were placed on each side of the tables; and at the head of the central one, on an elevated chair of state, and under a splendid canopy, which was looped up by the gigantic horns of the cervus megaceros, sat the earl of Desmond. Two Irish wolf-dogs lay at his feet, and a cupbearer and page stood on either side of their lord. On his right his nearest of kin were placed; on his left, seated beneath their respective shields, were those chiefs who, in the event of a war, had been appointed to hold the rank of commanding officers in the Irish army. In the middle of each of the long tables enormous salt-cellars # were fixed, beneath which crowds of inferior guests and clansmen were indiscriminately seated. An extraordinary display of gold and silver vessels glittered among utensils of a rude and common description, some of which were made of baked clay, others of pewter and wood. The latter, however mean in the material of their composition, were often so beautiful in their designs, that they nearly approached the antique or classical form. Immediately facing the chieftain's throne, there was a sort of gallery, or orchestra, filled by a numerous band of musicians, over whom Cutholin, the chief minstrel of the Desmond family, presided with an air of conscious authority. The other bards occasionally struck their harps to swell the chorus of a national air, while celebrating with the fire of song the fame of departed heroes, whose actions were shielded from oblivion by the banners of victory. At the opposite end of the table, the hobillers, or Irish cavalry, the gallowglasses, or foot-soldiers, and the kerns, or light-armed infantry, were placed according to their military rank. They presented a very martial and striking appearance, as the rays of golden light which yet illumined the western sky, darting through the high Gothic windows of the hall, blazed on the lances of the cavalry, played on the javelins of the infantry, and fell powerfully on the stern and warlike countenances of the gallowglasses. Those men were clothed in linen vests, stained with saffron, which had long and open sleeves, surcharged by a short military harness. They were armed with large battle-axes; their heads were bare, and their long curling locks flowed on their shoulders, from which depended a loose cloak. The costume was picturesque, and aided by its strong effect the groupings of a scene, which produced some portraits worthy to create the inspiration of the most exalted genius. There was a wild and fearless, but shrewd and penetrating expression developed in the faces of the last class of soldiers, on which the philosopher might dwell with interest, or the painter linger with delight; for even the barbarism of ignorance had failed to quench the intellectual light that Nature had bestowed, which communicated a powerful - intelligence to the stern but finely-moulded features of the gallowglasses; who (to use the words of Stanihurst) were men of huge stature, able-bodied beyond the generality of men, brave swordsmen, but blood-thirsty, and strangers to mercy. They wore weapons of a foot in dimension, not unlike hatchets, double, and sharp as the keenest knife, which were affixed to halberts somewhat longer, and with these they wounded desperately whomsoever they struck. Before any one was admitted into the order, he was obliged to swear that he would never turn his back on his enemy in the field of battle, although time should have slackened the rigour of this usage. He also swore, that, if in any fierce and sharp contest he should come to close conflict, he would either be killed himself, or kill his adversary.' In the midst of the entertainment, Desmond demanded, from his chief bard, a strain of the deeds of heroes. The song called upon the chieftain to arise for the deliverance of Ireland, and it was received with shouts of exultation.-An instant's pause succeeded the glorious animation of the preceding moment; and during that absorption of spirit which overexcitement had created, a long shrill trumpet-blast was heard. Every eye turned to the great archway, from which the piercing note had issued. The massive oak doors of the banqueting-hall flew open, and a knight, clad in complete armour, entered, preceded by a flag of truce, and bearing on his shield the insignia of the house of Ormond. By a word, Desmond recalled his wolf dogs as they furiously bounded forward, and with a look he controlled the storm of conflicting feelings that raged in the breasts of his clansmen, while with dignity he turned to the stranger, and said, Sir knight, your own courage and the laws of honour prove your safeguard within these walls; yet this intrusion on our hour of revelry requires explanation. Speak-who are you?-whence do you come?-and upon what errand?'--Chieftain,' replied the knight, my name is Eustace Butler. I come from Thomas earl of Ormond. My errand is to declare, on his behalf, that, in revenge for your lordship's late unjust encroachments, my lord of Ormond hath levied his forces for the defence of the country; and, if reparation for those wrongs be now refused, he means to give you battle at Affane, where he awaits your answer,' My answer is here!" 6 exclaimed Desmond, starting from his seat, and unsheathing his sword, which seemed to flash the light of vengeance. • And here !—and here!' shouted a thou sand voices, as with the precipitation of outraged feelings and indignant heroism the whole assembly rose, and dispersed to prepare for the approaching contest, with all that ardour which men generally evince, when engaging in a cause which they conceive to be associated with the preservation of their rights and the honour of their country." an Desmond takes the field, is overpowered, carried a prisoner to Ormond castle, and there visited by his daughter Geraldine, whose beauty makes indelible impression on the son of the captor, her kinsman lord Thurles. On her father's removal to the Tower of London, she follows him, in company with her uncle, Sir John Desmond; but, before sharing his confinement, she is taken by Sir John to visit and consult Dr. Dee the astrologer. The description of the residence of this extraordinary man, of the reception of the visitants, and the sudden appearance of queen Elizabeth in his house, constitutes the most striking chapter of the first volume. In the sequel we have the trial of Desmond for high treason, at Westminster-hall-an imaginary event, for he was only examined before the council-as well as a view of Elizabeth's court, and of her splendid tournaments and entertainments. Thence we are not unwillingly taken back to Ireland, and presented with a battle between the Irish insurgents and the forces of England, more vividly described than any that we remember to have seen in description since the Flodden of Scott's Marmion. We shall only give the conclusion of it, which has some novelty of circumstance. "It was in vain to fight against impossibilities, and Irish rashness yielded to English steadiness. With a heart bursting with indignant desperation, Sir John was forced to command the little remnant of his army to retreat. The order was obeyed so slowly, that the Irish, in the act of withdrawing from the field of battle, looked more like a rallying than a routed army. Turning round several times, they resolutely faced their enemies, presenting the determined front of men who, even in the last hour of defeat and ruin, dared to come to the closest quarters with their conquerors. At length they neared their hill of refuge. As they approached still. closer to its foot, a shout of exultation broke from the harassed and almost exhausted Irish. It changed to a frantic cry, which was reverberated until it reached the skies. A startling discovery, an awful sight, had caused that burst of despair. The mountain was wrapped in a sheet of flame! The wood upon its side had been set on fire by the English. The impetuous element, aided by a strong wind, blazed from the crackling timber, and with frightful rapidity spread through the forest. For an instant each man stood transfixed in horror and surprise, and the next moment another electrical shout broke from the Irish, who, one and all, rushed unhesitatingly into a pass, which, though contiguous to the flames, had partially escaped them. The English pursued, and the tumult raged louder than ever. Yet, even amid the uproar and confusion of the awfully brilliant scene, the figures of two warriors rose pre-eminent. These were Thurles and O'Nial, who, once more closed in fight, were seen struggling together on the edge of a bare and rocky cliff, that jutted considerably from the burning mountain. The top and a great part of the sides of this platform had as yet escaped the conflagration; but a circle of fire nearly surrounded its base, while in the high background the outbursting element streamed a vivid light upon the combatants, and gave their glowing figures distinctly to the view, as they fought on their rocky pedestal. With a sea of flame beneath, and a fiery heaven above them, Thurles and O'Nial pursued their frantic strife, braving horrors from which the greatest hero might have shrunk. Danger thickened to destruction. The smoke and heat grew insupportable, as the advancing flames held on their de vouring progress. It became difficult, almost impossible, to breathe the stifling atmosphere, and no hope could be ration ally entertained of withstanding its bane ful influence beyond a few seconds.→→→ Yield!' cried lord Thurles in a suffocated voice, as he made a desperate attempt to obtain a last and sure revenge.-' Never! for Geraldine is mine!' burst in a sort of choked articulation from O'Nial. Scarcely had these difficult words found utterance, when an enormous brand of burning oak dropped from a tree which blazed above the heads of the combatants, and, falling with a dreadful crash between them, stop ped their career of vengeance. O'Nial, with the swiftness of lightening, leaped across a chasm that was now a gulf of flame, and, lighting on a rock which was still untouched by the blazing element, turned a projecting point, that gave access to a defile of the mountain. Thurles, springing down through volumes of smoke and flakes of fire, regained the open plain, from which his soldiers bore him to his tent half-senseless from exhaustion." The patriotism of the fair writer has not blinded her to the duty of developing the dark as well as the bright side of the Irish cause, and of exhibiting the mixture of atrocity in a portion of its savage partisans. The assassin, Sir John Desmond, accordingly forms not only a contrast to the polished Ormond and the chivalrous Thurles, but a foil even to the rude magnificence of his brother's character; and he has his part as a conniving agent in the abduction of the heroine;-an event which, followed by her rescue by Thurles, and her restoration to her father, forms one of the most spirited scenes of the work. Lord Thurles at length arranges a meeting for the object of pacification between his father and Desmond in the castle of the latter. On its issue the possibility of his union with Geraldine apparently depends, as well as the life of Desmond himself. With what agonising suspense Geraldine awaits in the adjoining chamber for that issue may be easily imagined. The affair comes so near to a conclusion that Ormond exclaims, 'Let the result of what I have advanced, my lord, be concord! Consent to the terms I have named, and then your princely person shall assume its proper station near the throne of England. You will enter on a career of honor and of glory for us all, and the union of our children shall be the cementing bond, to reconcile our feuds for ever!'-Thurles involuntarily lifted up his hands in the attitude of prayer, and, riveting his eyes upon Desmond, looked a thousand supplications, which no words could have expressed so eloquently as did that full affecting gaze. Desmond was moved. Parental affection, one of the strongest passions of his soul, now worked within him. Feelings of tenderness came over his heart, and the emotions of the father struggled with those of the misguided patriot. The lords Ormond and Thurles awaited, in speechless agitation, the issue of this inward contest. A scornful smile had never left the lip of Saunders the priest, who, during the latter part of this scene, stood like an incarnation of the evil spirit, watching for the moment when his ma chinations might be wielded to the best advantage. He now hastily advanced, and in a deep low voice he muttered in Desmond's ear, 'My lord, the lady Geraldine should be consulted on a point of such importance to her happiness.'—' 'Tis true-she ought. Father, I pray you, seek my child-tell her what has passed, and bring her quickly here.-Oh, God, direct!'-Desmond checked the broken exclamation, threw himself on a seat, and pressing his hand to his brow, as if to still the fever of his brain, he sunk into an agitated silence, when the door closed on Saunders, who with eager haste proceeded on his mission. The priest se creted Desmond's chief minstrel in a small room adjoining the audience-chamber, and, after having arranged some future measures with the bard, hurried to the private sitting-room of Geraldine. He entered, and found the object of his search alone, kneeling at a small table. Her eyes were mechanically fixed on the falling sand of an hour-glass that stood before her, and she clasped against her heart a small silver image of her guardian saint, as if silently imploring its protect. ion. There was a settled paleness on the maiden's cheek, that told the agonized suspense which she had suffered during the deliberations of the council in the audience-chamber. The moment Geraldine beheld the priest, she arose and tried to speak: but her tongue cleaved to the roof of her mouth, and she could only look the inquiry which she wanted power to utter. Saunders obliged her to sit down; and, taking a place beside her, he hastened to give a succinct but most exaggerated statement of the requisitions of lord Ormond, studiously concealing all the generous traits of conduct which the earl and his son had shown, and skilfully magnifying every point that could add a stimulus to the pride and patriotism of his auditress, or which could lead her to adopt the impressions that he labored to produce. The artful priest marked with joy the inward con flict, where love warred with pride, in the bosom of Geraldine. He gazed on her without feeling one relenting pang, while proceeding to communicate the permission which he said the earl of Ormond had reluctantly yielded to the marriage of his son with the daughter of Desmond. This information was followed by a distorted statement of the national degradation of Ireland, and the total compromise of the chieftain's honor, which, according to his confessor's account, were annexed to the execution of the compact that had been suggested. The glance of the high-souled Geraldine shot fire. Saunders seised an excited moment, that seemed propitious to his views, and communicated Desmond's message. Stating that Geraldine's decision on the proposed question would either preserve or destroy her father's consistency and her country's freedom, the priest implored a rejection of the specious offers of Ormond.-' Father! I will give the answer you require,' exclaimed our agitated heroine, in a tone in which pride and misery of heart contended. A sickness of the soul succeeded to these words: for she felt the vast extent of the sacrifice she was about to make, and keenly saw the dangers and the wretchedness which might follow it. Her senses swam. A film overspread her sight, and she breathed with difficulty. Saunders threw open a window, applied cold water to her temples, and forced some down her throat. Ger aldine struggled with her weakness. After the lapse of a few moments she arose, and, leaning heavily on the arm of the priest, pointed to the door, silently signifying that to obey her father's message, and the wishes of her spiritual guide, formed the immediate impulse of her mind. This was precisely what he most desired. He was anxious not to give our heroine time to think or reason. Supporting or rather carrying her, he hurried her across the passages that led to the audience-chamber. He quickly reached it, and, throwing open the door, exultingly exclaimed, My lord, I have told your daughter all;-she comes to answer for herself!'-The soul flashed forth from Geraldine's dark eyes, as they turned and dwelt on Thurles with a look of anguished love. Deprived of power to advance a single step, she was compelled to pause, and to cling still closer to Saunders' arm; but, finding it inadequate to support her tottering frame, she leaned against the door, seeming rooted to the spot. Her lips moved rapidly, but no sound escaped them, and the arm she had raised dropped motionless by her side. Thurles stretched out his hands imploringly, every faculty suspended in the intenseness of his feelings; and the whole group, almost equally agitated, stood in a state of mute and breathless expectation. "At this critical instant, the dead silence that reigned was broken by the war-strain of Desmond, which burst out like a peal of thunder. At the soulstirring sound, Geraldine, as if she were a statue starting into life, sprang forward, clasped her father's knees, and gasping forth, Be firm-honor!-liberty!' she raised her eyes and gazed on the chieftain with a wild look of fixedness, as though the grasp of death was on her. Insensibility, that blessed oblivion of wretchedness, was denied to Geraldine. Thurles rushed to her assistance; but, with admirable presence of mind, the priest threw himself between the lovers, and, raising the chieftain's daughter in his arms, bore her from the chamber with the quickness of thought.-'I will be firm,' were Desmond's first words, while all the veins of life appeared to throw their flushing tide into his face;-'I spurn your overtures and reject your counsels. Claim not ascendency for an apostate church, within a country where its rules were never recognised; redress the injuries that have been inflicted on this land; unite the English and Irish into one people, and endow them with the privileges of the laws to which they are required to submit. Grant this, and peace shall reign throughout the nation! Refuse it, and I will be the champion of Ireland! Her people shall arise to trample on the necks of their oppressors, and freedom shall be bought with blood! -This is Desmond's answer.'-'Rebel chief, hear mine!' vociferated Ormond in a volley of wrath. 'I refuse your terms, and throw defiance on your threats. If you do not retract them, and submit within four-and-twenty days, by proclamation you shall be declared a traitor!' "When Ormond, with terrible energy, had denounced this warning, he seised Thurles' arm, who clasped his hands convulsively together, and uttered a bitter exclamation of despair, as his father forced him away." The efforts of Desmond in the cause of his country are unsuccessful. The vigor of the lord-deputy Grey baffles the |