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where it was expected； if anywhere on this side of the grave； she would
meet with the recovery of her health and lost peace of mind。 As a proof
of his great popularity； I need only add that there was a song made upon
my master's untimely death in the newspapers； which was in everybody's
mouth； singing up and down through the country； even down to the
mountains； only three days after his unhappy exit。 He was also greatly
bemoaned at the Curragh ＇See GLOSSARY 22＇； where his cattle were
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well known； and all who had taken up his bets were particularly
inconsolable for his loss to society。 His stud sold at the cant at the
greatest price ever known in the county ＇See GLOSSARY 23＇； his
favourite horses were chiefly disposed of amongst his particular friends；
who would give any price for them for his sake； but no ready money was
required by the new heir； who wished not to displease any of the
gentlemen of the neighbourhood just upon his coming to settle amongst
them； so a long credit was given where requisite； and the cash has never
been gathered in from that day to this。
But to return to my lady。 She got surprisingly well after my master's
decease。 No sooner was it known for certain that he was dead； than all
the gentlemen within twenty miles of us came in a body； as it were； to set
my lady at liberty； and to protest against her confinement； which they now
for the first time understood was against her own consent。 The ladies too
were as attentive as possible； striving who should be foremost with their
morning visits； and they that saw the diamonds spoke very handsomely of
them； but thought it a pity they were not bestowed； if it had so pleased
God； upon a lady who would have become them better。 All these
civilities wrought little with my lady； for she had taken an unaccountable
prejudice against the country； and everything belonging to it； and was so
partial to her native land； that after parting with the cook； which she did
immediately upon my master's decease； I never knew her easy one instant；
night or day； but when she was packing up to leave us。 Had she meant to
make any stay in Ireland； I stood a great chance of being a great favourite
with her； for when she found I understood the weathercock； she was
always finding some pretence to be talking to me； and asking me which
way the wind blew； and was it likely； did I think； to continue fair for
England。 But when I saw she had made up her mind to spend the rest of
her days upon her own income and jewels in England； I considered her
quite as a foreigner； and not at all any longer as part of the family。 She
gave no vails to the servants at Castle Rackrent at parting； notwithstanding
the old proverb of 'as rich as a Jew；' which she； being a Jewish； they built
upon with reason。 But from first to last she brought nothing but
misfortunes amongst us； and if it had not been all along with her； his
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honour； Sir Kit； would have been now alive in all appearance。 Her
diamond cross was； they say； at the bottom of it all； and it was a shame for
her； being his wife； not to show more duty； and to have given it up when
he condescended to ask so often for such a bit of a trifle in his distresses；
especially when he all along made it no secret he married for money。 But
we will not bestow another thought upon her。 This much I thought it lay
upon my conscience to say； in justice to my poor master's memory。
'Tis an ill wind that blows nobody no good： the same wind that took
the Jew Lady Rackrent over to England brought over the new heir to
Castle Rackrent。
Here let me pause for breath in my story； for though I had a great
regard for every member of the family； yet without compare Sir Conolly；
commonly called； for short； amongst his friends； Sir Condy Rackrent； was
ever my great favourite； and； indeed； the most universally beloved man I
had ever seen or heard of； not excepting his great ancestor Sir Patrick； to
whose memory he； amongst other instances of generosity； erected a
handsome marble stone in the church of Castle Rackrent； setting forth in
large letters his age； birth； parentage； and many other virtues； concluding
with the compliment so justly due； that 'Sir Patrick Rackrent lived and
died a monument of old Irish hospitality。'
CONTINUATION OF THE MEMOIRS OF THE RACKRENT
FAMILY
HISTORY OF SIR CONOLLY RACKRENT
Sir Condy Rackrent； by the grace of God heir…at…law to the Castle
Rackrent estate； was a remote branch of the family。 Born to little or no
fortune of his own； he was bred to the bar； at which； having many friends
to push him and no mean natural abilities of his own； he doubtless would
in process of time； if he could have borne the drudgery of that study； have
been rapidly made King's Counsel at the least； but things were disposed of
otherwise； and he never went the circuit but twice； and then made no
figure for want of a fee； and being unable to speak in public。 He received
his education chiefly in the college of Dublin； but before he came to years
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of discretion lived in the country； in a small but slated house within view
of the end of the avenue。 I remember him； bare footed and headed；
running through the street of O'Shaughlin's Town； and playing at pitch…
and…toss； ball； marbles； and what not； with the boys of the town； amongst
whom my son Jason was a great favourite with him。 As for me； he was
ever my white…headed boy： often's the time； when I would call in at his
father's； where I was always made welcome； he would slip down to me in
the kitchen； and； love to sit on my knee whilst I told him stories of the
family and the blood from which he was sprung； and how he might look
forward； if the then p