As it entered the precincts a rabbit ran rapidly across the grounds.

Instantly the procession broke up; the coffin was literally dropped to the ground, and the bearers, the mourners, and the whole company united in a hot and general chase of bunny.

Of course, I need not say," he added, "that there was no priest with them.

The fixed charge of the priest for a burial is twenty shillings, but there is usually no service at the grave whatever." This may possibly be a trace of the practices which grew up under the Penal Laws against Catholics.

When Rinuccini came to Ireland in the time of the Civil War, he found the observances of the Church all fallen into degradation through these laws.