CHAPTER XVII .-- A Moral Survey, or a Wise Man led by a Fool.
-- Marks of Unjust Agency--Reflections thereon--A Mountain Water-Spout, and Rising of a Torrent--The Insane Mother over the Graves of her Family--Raymond's Humanity--His Rescue from Death.
"Friday, * * * "I have amused myself--you will see how appropriate the word is by and by--since my last communication, in going over the whole Castle Cumber estate, and noting down the traces which this irresponsible and rapacious oppressor, aided by his constables, bailiffs, and blood-hounds, have left behind them.

When I describe the guide into whose hands I have committed myself, I am inclined to think you will not feel much disposed to compliment me on my discretion;--the aforesaid guide being no other than a young fellow, named _Raymond-na-Hattha_, which means, they tell me, Raymond of the Hats--a sobriquet very properly bestowed on him in consequence of a habit he has of always wearing three or four hats at a time, one within the other--a circumstance which, joined to his extraordinary natural height and great strength, gives him absolutely a gigantic appearance.

This Raymond is the fool of the parish; but in selecting him for my conductor, I acted under the advice of those who knew him better than I could.

There is not, in fact, a field or farm-house, or a cottage, within a circumference of miles, which he does not know, and where he is not also known.

He has ever since his childhood evinced a most extraordinary fancy for game cocks--an attachment not at all surprising, when it is known that not only was his father, Morgan Monahan, the most celebrated breeder and handler of that courageous bird--but his mother, Poll Doolin--married women here frequently preserve, or are called by, their maiden names through life--who learned it from her husband, was equally famous for this very feminine accomplishment.