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[368] his visit to Ireland, he had become so well acquainted with various localities, that I believe he never in any instance failed to deceive them, when he said, ‘Och! and sure I came from old Ireland meself.’ After amusing himself in this way for a while, he would tell them, ‘It is true I did come from Ireland; but, to confess the truth, I went there first.’

Once, when he saw two Irishmen fighting, he seized one of them by the arm, and said, ‘I'm from ould Ireland. If thou must fight, I'm the man for thee. Thou hadst better let that poor fellow alone. I'm a dale stouter than he is; and sure it would be braver to fight me.’ The man thus accosted looked at him with surprise, for an instant, then burst out laughing, threw his coat across his arm, and walked off.

Another time, when he found two Irishmen quarrelling, he stepped up and inquired what was the matter. ‘He's got my prayer-book,’ exclaimed one of them; ‘and I'll give him a bating for it; by St. Patrick, I will.’ ‘Let me give thee a piece of advice,’ said Friend Hopper. ‘It's a very hot day, and bating is warm work. I'm thinking thou had'st better put it off till the cool oa the morning.’ The men, of course, became cooler before they had done listening to this playful remonstrance.

Once, when he was travelling in the stage, they passed a number of Irishmen with cart-loads of

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