THE WILD IRISH GIRL     

       By Lady Sydney Morgan     

       In Two Volumes, Vol. I     

       New York: P. M. Haverty.     

       1879     

  

  

       INTRODUCTORY LETTERS.     

       THE EARL OF M————     

       TO THE HONORABLE HORATIO M————, KING’S BENCH.     

       Castle M————, Leicestershire,     

       Feb. ——, 17———.     

 If there are certain circumstances under which a fond father can address an imprisoned son without suffering the bitterest heart-rendings of paternal agony, such are not those under which I now address you. To sustain the loss of the most precious of all human rights, and forfeit our liberty at the shrine of virtue, in defence of our country abroad, or of our public integrity and principles at home, brings to the heart of the sufferer’s dearest sympathising friend a soothing solace, almost concomitant to the poignancy of his afflictions; and leaves the decision difficult, whether in the scale of human feelings, triumphant pride or affectionate regret preponderate.     

I

       “I would not,” said the old earl of Ormond, “give up my dead son for twenty living ones.” Oh! how I envy such a father the possession, and even the loss of such a child: with what eagerness my heart rushes back to that period when I too triumphed in my son; when I beheld him glowing in all the unadulterated virtues of the happiest nature, flushed with the 

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