Irishmen And Irishwomen

he cause. He was received with the usual hearty welcome, for he was a general favourite with his flock, at least with the well-conducted portion of it; and he was a welcome visitor, at all times, to Mrs. Costigan, who, in former days, had a greedy ear for that species of petty gossip, which even the most uninteresting country neighbourhood can contrive to funiish, if all its details be husbanded carefully, and properly embellished; and which Mr. Duff, from his general acquaintance among Protestants and Roman Catholics, of all ranks and parties, had the best opportunities of hearing, with, at the same time, rather a propensity for retailing, especially when sifted by some of his female acquaintances, who were, in general, very anxious to know all about the internal economy of the great houses to which he was occasionally invited. Though such topics had, of late, lost much of their interest with Mrs. Costigan, yet she was always glad to see him, for old acquaintance sake; and though his condolence consisted of a string of the veriest matterof-fact truisms, which at times irritated, rather than soothed her, still there was a thorough good-nature in his feelings, which threw a glow of kindliness over his most common-place expressions, and repressed any inclination to be angry. Then he could patiently listen to the often-repeated story of her grief, which, in circumstances like hers, is, perhaps, one of the kindest offices which a friend can perform. His visits, the...