During the progress of our meal we established ourselves in the good graces of the housewife, but she obstinately refused to allow us to remain for the night.

She directed us to a publichouse, where, on our arrival, we found a proclamation menacing any one who entertained, harboured or assisted us, with the direst punishment.

In answer to our inquiry the owner, who was a woman, pointed to the proclamation, as an argument against which all remonstrance was vain.

We made three or four other attempts equally fruitless; and when the night had closed around us, on a bleak, desolate road, I determined to call on the Roman Catholic priest, and state who we were; for while, if alone, we would infinitely prefer taking such rest as we could in the nearest brake, or under shelter of a wall, we could not think of submitting our delicate companion to the trials of a night in the open air, during an exceedingly inclement season.

With some hesitation and great alarm, he procured a lodging for us at a farmer's house in the neighbourhood.