The Purcell Papers

e legacy of the late Francis

ppeal, with a resistless power, to the sympathies of our nature. And when, as we gaze on the scion of some ruined family, the first impulse of nature that bids us regard his fate with interest and respect is justified by the recollection of great exertions and self-devotion

ffer Ireland to yield to the stranger more than the 'mouth honour' which fear compels.3 I who have conversed viva voce et propria persona with those whose recollections could run back so far as the times previous to the confiscations which followed the Revolution of 1688 - whose memory could re

iven before the House of Commons, wherein he affirms that the principles of the Irish priesthood 'ARE democratic, an

inal forests, reft indeed of their strength and greatness, but proud even in decay. Every winter thins their ranks, and strews the ground with the wreck of their lof

of tumult or of peril called forth the courage and the enterprise of this country. After the accession of William III., the storm of confiscation which swept over the land

Castle Connor, and after a time introduced me, then a lad of about fifteen, full of s

uaintance to intimacy, and from intimacy to friendship is proverbially rapid; and young O'Connor and I became, in less than a month, close and confidential c

y many of the most engaging qualities of youth. He had all the frankness and gaiety which attract, and the generosity of heart which confirms friendship; indeed, I never saw a person so universally popular; his very faults seemed to recommend him; he was wild, extravagant, thoughtless, and fearlessly adventurous - defects of character which, among the peasantry of Ireland, are hono

oicings that marked the evening of his return? The horses were removed from the chaise at the distance of a mile from the castle, while it and its contents were borne rapidly onward almost by the press

ed out from all sides to grasp even a finger of his. Still, amid shouts of 'God bless your honour - long may you reign!' and 'Make

the moon; and when at length, amid the broad delighted grins of the thronging domestics, whose sense of decorum precluded any more boisterous evidence of joy, they reached the parlour, then giving way to the fulness of her joy the widowed mother kissed and bles

ession than generally belongs to the beauty of that nation. The extreme delicacy of his features and the varied animation of his countenance made him appear even younger than his years - an illusion which the total absence of everything studied in his manners seemed to confirm. Time had wrought no small change in me, alike in mind and spirits; but i

when the neighbourhood was thrown into an unusual state of excitement by the announcement of a race-ball

that time, felt a reluctance stronger than that of mere apathy to mixing in any of these scenes of noisy pleasure for which for many reasons I felt myself unfitted. He was so urgent and persevering, however, that I could not r

ed by the contagion of example, was soon, as I had anticipated, waving his chapeau bras, and gracefully bowing before one of the prettiest girls in the room. I had neither skill nor spirits to qualify me to follow his

tle further off were the tables at which sat the card-players, some plying their vocation with deep and silent anxiety - for in those days gaming often ran very high in such places - and others disputing with all the vociferous pertinacity of undisguised il

the room. I thus had leisure not only to observe the different classes into which the company had divided itsel

lf from the busy multitudes which moved noisily and gaily around him, and nobody seemed to observe or to converse with him. He was fashionably dressed, but perhaps rather extravagantly; his face was full and heavy, expressive of sullenness and stupidity, and marked with the lines of strong vulgarity

this occasion. My friend O'Connor, having disposed of his fair partner, was crossing the room for the purpose of joining me, in doing which I was surprised to see him exchange a familiar, almost a cordial, greeting with the object of my curiosity. I say I was surprised, for independent of his very questionable appearance, it struck me as strange that though so constantly associated with O'Connor, and, as I thought, personally acquainted with all his intimates, I had never before even seen this individual. I did not fail immediately to ask him who this gentleman was. I thought he seemed slightly embarra

to the mansion, when I met my friend. He was also mounted; and having answered my inquiries respecting his mother, he easi

me curiosity respecting the tall, hand

a TALL gentleman, but was not aware

you know,' he continued, 'I sometimes feel half sorry that I ever made the fellow's acquaintance: he is quite a marked man here, and they tell

his name?'

that first; he and his name are equally well known. You will recognis

'Fitzgerald! - can it be

been unfortunately thrown in the way of men who have not made allowance for these things. I am convinced that in every case in which Fitzgerald has fought, if the truth could be discovered, he would be found to have acted throughout upon the defensive. No ma

ake his acquain

s countryman, otherwise I think I should have avoided his society - less upon my own account than because I am sure the acquaintance would be a

desired assur

ir question, whether this Fitzgerald at any time

ald mentioned as a noted gambler, and sometimes even as a blackle

aware that my finances could not bear much pruning down. I never lost more to him at a sitting than about five pounds, which you know is nothing. No, you wrong him if you imagine that he attached himself to me merely for the sake of such contemptible winnings

the propo

friend: I merely desire that you should see and speak to him, and if you form any acquaintan

f any unpleasantness were to be feared as likely to result to O'Connor from their connection, I might find my attempts to extricate him much facilitated by my being acquainted, however slightly, wit

r towards establishing an intimacy between us than fifty morning visits could do. When I arose to depart, it was with feelings almost favourable to Fitzgerald; indeed I was more than half ashamed to acknowledge to my companion how complete a revolution in my opinion respecting his friend half an hour's conversation with him had wrought. His appearance certainly WAS against him; but then, under the influence of his manner, one lost sight of much of its ungainliness, and of nearly all its vulgarity; and, on the whole, I felt convinced that report had done him grievous wrong, inasmuch as anybody, by an observance of the common courtesies of society, might easily avoid coming into personal collision with a gentleman so studiously polite as Fitzgerald. At parting,

pe you can induce him to adopt some more moderate line of conduct than that he has decided upon. If

hat if such were the case, nothing short of a miracle could extricate him from the consequences. I signed to M'Donough to lead the way, and we entered the little study together. O'Connor was standing with his back to the fire; on the tabl

man I wanted. I have got into an ugly scrape,

Fitzgerald, I hope,' said I, giving utteranc

much I am certain, that we exchanged angry words last night. I lost my temper most confoundedly; but, as well as I can recollect,

a few hasty words, uttered under the influence of wine, and forgotten almost as soon as ut

injurious and intolerable suspicions if I submit to anything from him which could be construed into an affro

s more to complain of in the altercation which has taken place than you. You owe it to your only surviving parent not to thrust yourself thus wantonly upon - I will say it, the most appalling danger. Nobody, my dear O'Connor, can have a doubt of your courage; and if at any time, which God forbid, you

a light; my note, I think, scarcely allows him an honourable alternative, and that is certainly

casting his eye hastil

ad, Purcell, you happened to come in, otherwise i

fire; and, after a mo

ay that the man directly affronted me - I cannot recollect any one expression which I could lay hold upon as offensive - but his language was ambiguous, and admitted frequently of the most insulting

Fitzgerald, it should be in such a strain as to leave him at perfect liberty, without

, in a few minutes, finished a note, which h

d upon last night, admitted of a construction offensive to him, and injurious to his

nor, Thursd

truck heavily at my heart; but I found some satisfaction in the reflection that M'Donough appeared as averse from extreme measures as I was myself, for I well

tramp of a horse approaching, and every time that a door opened I fancied it was to give entrance to the eagerly expected courier. At length I did hear the hollo

ste,' said O'Connor; 'd

he greater haste as Fitzgerald did not

to O'Connor, who instantly broke t

Mr. O'Connor to be intended to convey a reflection upon his honour (none such having bee

Thursday

the danger incurred by one who ventured to encounter a duellist of the old school. Perfect coolness in the field, and a steadiness and accuracy (which to the unpractised appeared almost miraculous) in the use of the pistol, formed the characteristics of this class; and in addition to this there generally existed a kind of professional pride, which prompted the duellist, in default of any more malignant feeling, from motives of mere vanity, to seek the life of his antagonist. Fitzgerald's career had been a rema

reting it favourably to himself, and O'Connor, having lost considerably, was in no mood to conduct an argument with temper - an altercation ensued, and that of rather a pungent nature, and the result was that he left Fitzgeral

ing for what follows, that Mrs. O'Connor, or, as she was more euphoniously styled, the lady of Castle Connor, was precluded by ill-health from taking her place at the dinner-table, and, indeed, seldom left her room before fou

er, that at the period spoken of, the importa

walk in,' said O'Connor; and in a fe

clothes, which had much of tarnished and faded pretension about them, did not fit him, and had not improbably fluttered in the stalls of Plunket Street. We had risen on his entrance, and O'Connor had twice requested of him to take a chair at the tab

reagh, formerly of the - infantry. My business here is with

; 'and as you appear impatient, we had bette

to read that note,' said the captai

it through, an

indeed. This note appears to

t much experience in these matters, I think you might have anticipated something like this.

to my reading this note to these gentlemen; they are both confidential fr

e nothing more to do with that note once I put it safe into your hand; and when that is once done,

en read the

morning carefully, with an experienced friend, he is forced to consider himself as challenged.

nn, Th

ment with which I heard this note.

ere is some mist

ear one, and I think my friend has pretty well made up his mind upon it. May I req

with the suggestion, and in a few minutes had

d by that gentleman, feels that there no longer exists any grounds for misunderstanding, and wish

mistaken; before we had left the table, and in an incredibly short time, the captain returned. He entered the room with a countenance evidently tasked to avoid expressing the satisfaction which a consciousness of the nature of his mission had conferred; but in spite of all his efforts to look gravely

erstand me literally, when I say that it is now totally impossible that this affair should be amicably arranged. You will have the goodness, M'Donough, to let me kn

thought I could distinguish the words -'By -- I knew Fitzger

n which O'Connor writhed under this insult. He said repeatedly that 'he was a degraded and dishohoured man,' that 'he was dragged into the field,' that 'there was ignominy in the very thought that such a letter should have been directed to him.' It was in vain that I reasoned against this impression; the conviction that he had b

at Philippi, you know;' and with this classical allusion, which was accompanied with a

he CHALLENGED party, and having, consequently, insisted upon the choice of 'TOOLS,' as he expressed himself; and it was further stipulated that the utmost secrecy should be observed, as Fitzgerald would incur great risk from the violence of the peasantry, in case the affair took wind. These conditions were, of course, agreed upon by O'Connor, and M'Donough left the castle, having appointed four o'clock upon the next morning as the hour of his return, by which time it would b

s to-night; their gaiety and good-humour will relieve us from a heavy task. I trust that nothing may occur to prevent their com

the mother, I thought I never had seen her look so proudly and so lovingly upon her son before - it cut me to the heart - oh, how cruelly I was deceiving her! I was a hundred times on the very point of starting up, and, at all hazards, declaring to her how matters were; but other feelings subdued my better emotions. Oh, what monsters are we made of by the fashions of the world! how are our kindlier and nobler feelings warped or destroyed by

other rose to leave the room, it was with the impression that her son was the gayest and most light-hearted of the company. Twice or thrice she had risen with the intention of retiring, but O'Connor, with an eagerness which I alone could understand, had persuaded her to remain until the usual hour of her departure had l

ory, torturing feelings which, while I recoiled in shrinking horror from the scene which the morning was to bring, yet forced me to wish the intervening time annihilated; each hour that the clock told seemed to vibrate and tinkle through every nerve; my agitation was dreadful; fancy conjured up the forms of those who filled my thoughts with more than the vividness of reality; things seemed to glide through the dusky shadows of the room. I saw the dreaded form of Fitzgerald - I heard the hated laugh of the captain - and again the features of O'Connor would appear before me, with ghastly distinctness, pale and writhed in death, the gouts of

ithin; and, when I opened the door, O'Connor was reading a book, which, on seeing me, he hastily closed, colouring slightly as he did so. We e

ection as to assure myself against hitting him. Do not say a word of this to the O'Gradys. Your doing so would only produce fruitless altercation; they could not understand my motives. I feel convinced that I shall not leave the field alive. If I must die today, I shall avoid an awful aggravation of wretchedness. Purcel

ient ever underwent a more thrilling revulsion at the first sight of the case of surgical instruments under which he had to suffer, than did I upon beholding a certain oblong flat mahogany box, bound with brass, and of about two feet in length, laid upon the table in the hall. O'Connor, thanking

hool, and had a peep at the fun as well as the best of them. They fired together. Ryan received the ball through the collar of his coat, and M'Neil in the temple; he spun like a top: it was a most unexpected thing, and disappointed his friends damnably. It was admitted

Connor, 'that the chances

to know? But let things go as they will, I'll give and take four to one, in pounds and tens of pounds. There, M'Donough, there's a GET for you; b - t me, if it is not. Poh! the fellow is stolen away,' he continued,

, but I believe my looks expressed my feel

g. M'Donough, myself, and my brother will saddle the horses in a jiffy

ool! I have often since heard him spoken of as A CURSED GOOD-NATURED DOG and a D-- GOOD FELLOW; but such eulogi

our, we proceeded up a narrow lane, over a side wall of which we were to climb into the open ground where stood the now deserted building, under which the meeting was to take place. Our progress was intercepted by the unexpected appearance of an old woman, who, in the scarlet cloak which is the picturesque characteristic of the female peasantry of the south, was moving slowly down the avenue to meet us, uttering that peculiarly wild and piteous lamentation well known by the name of 'the Irish cry,' accompanied throughout by all the customary gesticulation of passionate grief. This rencounter was more awkward than we had at first anticipated; for, upon a nearer approach, th

but I remained behind for a moment. The poor woman looked hopelessly at the high wall which separated her from him she had loved from infancy, and to be with whom at that minute she would have given worlds, she t

yourself ill; the morning is very cold, and your cloak is but a thin defence agai

oney I had about me, into her lap, but it

mavourneen, mavourneen, you'll never come back alive to me again. The crathur that slept on my bos

sh peasantry. It brought tears to my eyes. I saw that no consolation of mine could soothe her grief, so I turned and departed; but as I rapidly tr

d on turning a sharp angle at its extremity, we found ourselves close to the appointed spot, and within a few yards of a crowd of persons, some mounted and some on

in high good humour, made his most courteous obeisance. No time was to be lost; and the two seconds immediately withdrew to a slight distance, for the purpose of completing the last minute arrangements. It was a brief but horrible interval - each returned to his principal to communicate the result, which was soon caugh

gerald gets the first shot all is over. M'Donough sold th

mall level space, suited to the purpose; a

; as the light comes from the east the line must of course run north and

de choice of the southern point at which to place his friend - a position which it will be easily seen had the advantage o

g. My friend is a left-handed gunner, though never a bit the worse for

in a direction running north and south

Donough. One toss more, and everything is comple

e word 'cravat' was repeated. It instantly occurred to me that the captain's attention was directed to a bright-coloured muffler which O'Connor wore round his neck, and which would afford his antagonist a distinct and favourable mark. I in

gh the

h, is your pr

nd, after a slight pause, the captain,

y - f

de of the mark that some

in th

fool enough to fire in the air, it is not in HIS power to put an end to the quarrel by THAT. D-- my soul, if I am come here to

ercept Fitzgerald's passage to his horse. M'Creagh, drawing the horse close to the spot where Fitzgerald stood, thre

iring upon Fitzgerald, and of depriving that gentleman of his right of prosecuting the affair to the utmost - that if any person present imagined that he intended to fire in the air, he begged

his task being accomplished, Fitzgerald whispered something in the Captain's ear, who instantly drew his friend's horse so as to place him within a step of his rider, and then tightened the girths. This accomplished, Fitzgerald proceeded deliberately to remove his coat, which he th

ugh? and upon what grounds

r; and, turning to M'Donough, he added,

jection, then,'

ounger of the O'Gradys

t?' shouted Fitzgerald; 'and what d - d presumpt

the young man, now much enraged; 'and by -

e merrier, d - n the doubt of it - so now hold your tongue, for I promise you y

n possessed. Was it possible, I thought, that I beheld the courteous gentleman, the gay, good-humoured retailer of amusing anecdote

equested that time should

he Captain. 'I beg pardon, but my duty to my fr

ed, adding, in what he meant to be a complimentary strain, 'that he knew M

aptain, having re-examined the priming of the pistols, placed one of them in the hand of Fitzgerald. - M'Donough inquired whether the parties were prepared, and having been answered in the affirmative, he proceeded to give the word, 'Ready

ust and do insist upon these gentlemen moving back a

eathless silence. Fitzgerald fixed his eye upon O'Connor. The appointed signal, 'Ready, fire!' was given. There

t,' said M'Creagrh; 'for, b

is horse, and was instantly follow

as committed,' said O'Grady. 'He shall

es and actual yells of execration followed their course; and as, in crossing the brow of a neighbouring hill, they turned round in the sadd

e O'Connor, while we supported him in our arms; 'do not press so close, a

nd: it was a little below the chest - a small blue

omfort at all events,' said one of the g

ide, and observed every motion of his. He seldom opened his eyes, and was perfectly still, excepting a nervous WORKING of the fingers, and a slight, almost imperceptible twitching of the features, which took place, however, only at intervals. The first word he uttered was spoken as we approached the entrance of the castle itself, when he said; repeatedly, 'The

O'Connor should not know anything of the occurrence until the opinion of some professional man should have determined the extent of the injury which her son had sustained - a course of conduct which would at least have the effect

with evident difficulty, 'I believe I have got off with a trifling wo

by endeavouring to speak; and he remained

tally. Had I been fatally wounded - had I been killed upon the spot, only think on it'- and he closed his eyes as if the very thought made him dizzy -'struck down

lections, and at length induced him to court such repose as his condition admi

he bustle attendant upon the arrival of some one at the castle, and went eagerly to the window, believing, or at lea

tions were interrupted, and my attention was attracted by a smothered, gurgling sound proceeding from the bed in which

and almost starting from their sockets, with every feature pale and distorted as death, and vomiting blood in quantities that were frightful. I rushed to the door

asins and water and bandages of linen. He relieved our doubts by instantly assuring us that 'the patient' was still living; and at the same time professed his determination to take a

g that he feared very much that one of the vertebrae was fatally injured, but that he could not say decidedly until his patient should revive a little. 'Though hi

, placing his hand upon his leg and pressing it slightly, asked him if he felt any pressure upon the limb? O'Connor answered in the negative - he pressed harder, and repeated the question; still the answe

r the examination of the wound was

r a moment, and then, as if

would not be honest to fl

ing; 'surely I did not hear you aright; I spoke of my recovery - surely there is

manner had extinguished in me every hope,

. There is no hope; I should bu

reply fell powerless by his side; his head sank forward; it seemed as if horror and despair had unstrung every nerv

fession have made me a witness. But, generally speaking, I have observed in such scenes some thing to mitigate, if not the sorrows, at least the terrors, of death; the dying man seldom seems to feel the reality of his situation; a dull consciousness of approaching dissolution, a dim anticipation of unconsciousness and insensibility, are the feelings which most nearl

en accident, to the very verge of the fathomless pit of death, with all his recollections awake, and his perceptions keenly and vividly alive

f one upon whom the hand of death had been thus suddenly laid; I had never seen the tyrant arrayed in his terror till then. Never before or since have I seen horror so intensely depicted. It seemed actually as if O'Connor's mind had been unsettled by the shock; the few words he uttered were marked with all the incoherence of distraction; but it was not words that marked his despair most strongl

violent but fruitless effort to rise, and after a slight pause continued, with deep and urgent solemnity: 'Doctor, how long shall I live? Don't flatter me. Compl

will but endeavour to keep yourself tranqu

, my first and dearest friend, will you inform my poor mother of

e, I requested her to lead me to her lady's room, which she accordingly did; she entered first, I supposed to announce my name, and I followed closely; the poor mother said something, and held out her hands to welcome me; I strove for words; I could not sp

lank. I remember standing by O'Connor's bedside, and kissing the cold pallid forehead again and again; I remember the pa

er appeared inevitable. As soon as I was permitted pen and ink, I wrote to the bereaved mother in a tone bordering upon frenzy. I accused myself of having made her childless; I called myself a murderer; I believed myself accursed; I could not find terms strong enough to express my abhorrence of my own conduct. But, oh! what an answer I received, so mild, so swee

e; our very identity would be dubious. Who has not felt all this at one time or other? Who has not mournfully felt it? This trite, but natural train of reflection filled my mind as I approached the domain of Castle Connor some ten years after the occurrence of the events above narrated. Everything looked the same as when I had left it; the old trees stood as graceful and as grand as ever; no

ighbourhood of Castle Connor without visiting its desolate mistress would render me justly liable to the severest censure, could overcome my reluctance to encountering the heavy task which was before me. I recognised the old servant

that an old friend wished to see her for a

to see me in the parlour, and I accordingly followed him to the door, which he opened. I entered the room, and was in a moment at the side of my early friend an

me,' she said, with far more composure than I coul

nd for a little time we remained s

was dearest to me, who is gone; but my thoughts are always with him, and the recollections of his lov

t; something about re

- I thought too little of other holier affections; and God may have taken him from me, only to teach me, by this severe lesson, that I owed to heaven a larger share of my heart than to anything earthly. I cannot think of him now without more solemn feelings than if he were with me. There is something holy in our thoughts of the dead; I feel it so.' After a p

ted her to keep it; it was one in which he spoke much of her, and in terms of the tenderest affection. As she read its contents the heavy tears gathered in her eyes, and fell, one by one, upon the page; she wiped t

ou for the letter as I would wish, or for all your kindness. It has given me a pleasure greater than I thought could have fallen to the lot

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