Legendary fictions of the Irish Celts

Witchcraft, Sorcery, G/iosts, and Fetches. 1 7
the bed." " Oh, my poor man, you are raving ! I gave
you a drink, sure enough, but this is the first time you
opened your mouth about a crock." " But sure, if you
come you can see the hole and the clay, and here is the
spade and shovel that I used." "And if they are, is
that a reason I should have your crock, that I never
heard of till this blessed hour ? "
There was great commotion in the neighbourhood.
Several people, including Mr. and Mrs. Rooney, went to
the rath, and saw the hole and the clay, but that did not
prove that Mrs. Rooney got the money. All that the
sharpest neighbour could make out was the absence of
the farmer and his wife from their house for about an
hour on the evening in question. It all resulted in poor
Brian losing his reason, and coming to vituperate Mrs.
Rooney about once a week at her own door. We will
say of her that she always gave him something to eat on
these occasions, and a coat or breeches when his need
was sore for good clothing. By degrees the farm was
improved, and more land taken. Her children were well
provided for, and so are such of her grandchildren as
are now living. Ill-got money does not in general produce
such comfortable results.
In the Leadbeater Papers will be found another version
ot the next legend. What we heard from Mrs. K. in
1816, or thereabouts, is here given to the reader most
conscientiously. It is a curious instance of old circum-
stances being attached to the fortunes of a new man, such
as Earl Garrett must be considered when thought of in
comparison with Holger the Dane or King Arthur.
Such legends belong to a race which has been obliged
to give way to a less imaginative people. James IV. of
Scotland survived Flodden, and will appear when his
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