Havingoftenheardofthisabbey，whichinitsdaywasoneofthemostfamousinWales，Ideterminedtogoandinspectit。ItwaswithsomedifficultythatIfoundmywaytoit。Itstood，asI
　　havealreadyobserved，inameadow，andwasonalmosteverysidesurroundedbymajestichills。Togiveanycleardescriptionofthisruinedpilewouldbeimpossible，thedilapidationissogreat，dilapidationevidentlylesstheeffectoftimethanofawfulviolence，perhapsthatofgunpowder。Thesouthernisbyfarthemostperfectportionofthebuilding；thereyouseenotonlywallsbutroofs。Frontingyoufullsouth，isamassofmasonrywithtwoimmensearches，otherarchesbehindthem：entering，youfindyourselfbeneathavaultedroof，andpassingonyoucometoanoblongsquarewhichmayhavebeenachurch；aniron—barredwindowonyourrightenablesyoutolookintoamightyvault，theroofofwhichissupportedbybeautifulpillars。Then—butIforbeartosaymorerespectingtheseremains，forfearofstatingwhatisincorrect，mystayamongstthemhavingbeenexceedinglyshort。
　　TheAbbeyofGlenNeathwasfoundedinthetwelfthcenturybyRichardGrenfield，oneofthefollowersofRobertFitzhamon，whosubjugatedGlamorgan。NeathAbbeywasaverywealthyone，thefounderhavingendoweditwithextensivetractsoffertilelandalongthebanksoftheriversNeathandTawy。InittheunfortunateEdwardofCarnarvonsoughtarefugeforafewdaysfromtherageofhisrevoltedbarons，whilsthisfavourite，theequallyunfortunateSpencer，endeavouredtofindacovertamidstthethicketsofthewood—coveredhilltothenorth。WhenRichmondlandedatMilfordHaventodisputethecrownwithRichardtheSecond，thethenAbbotofNeathrepairedtohimandgavehimhisbenediction，inrequitalforwhichtheadventurergavehimhispromisethatintheeventofhisobtainingthecrown，hewouldfoundacollegeinGlenNeath，whichpromise，however，afterhehadwonthecrown，heforgottoperform。（20）Thewilyabbot，whenhehastenedtopayworshiptowhathejustlyconceivedtobetherisingsun，littledreamtthathewasabouttoblessthefuturefatheroftheterriblemandoomedbyProvidencetoplanttheabominationofdesolationinNeathAbbeyandinalltheothernestsofmonkerythroughouttheland。
　　LeavingtheruinsIproceededtowardsNeath。Thescenerysoonbecameverybeautiful；notthatIhadleftmachineryaltogetherbehind，forIpresentlycametoaplacewherehugewheelswereturning，andtherewassmokeandblast，buttherewasmuchthatwasruralandbeautifultobeseen，somethinglikeparkscenery，andthentherewerethemountainsnearandinthedistance。IreachedNeathatabouthalf—pastfour，andtookupmyquartersataninnwhichhadbeenrecommendedtomebymyfriendthebootsatSwansea。
　　CHAPTERCIII
　　TownofNeath—HoundsandHuntsman—SpectralChapel—TheGlowingMountainNEATHisaplaceofsomeantiquity，foritcanboastoftheremainsofacastleandisacorporatetown。ThereisbutlittleWelshspokeninit。ItissituatedontheNeath，andexportsvastquantitiesofcoalandiron，ofbothofwhichtherearerichminesintheneighbourhood。ItderivesitsnamefromtheriverNeddorNeth，onwhichitstands。NeddorNethisthesamewordasNith，thenameofariverinScotland，andisinsomedegreeconnectedwithNidda，thenameofoneinGermany。NeddinWelshsignifiesadingle，andthewordinitsvariousformshasalwayssomethingtodowithlownessorinferiorityofposition。AmongstitsformsareNetherandNieder。ThetermiswellappliedtotheGlamorganshireriver，whichrunsthroughdinglesandundermountains。
　　TheNeathhasitssourceinthemountainsofBrecon，andenterstheseasomelittlewaybelowthetownofNeath。
　　OntheMondaymorningIresumedmyjourney，directingmycourseupthevaleofNeathtowardsMerthyrTydvil，distantaboutfour—and—
　　twentymiles。Theweatherwasatfirstrainy，mistyandmiserable，butimprovedbydegrees。IpassedthroughavillagewhichIwastoldwascalledLlanagos；closetoitwereimmenseestablishmentsofsomekind。Thescenerysoonbecameexceedinglybeautiful；hillscoveredwithwoodtothetopswereoneithersideofthedale。I
　　passedanavenueleadingsomewherethroughgroves，andwaspresentlyovertakenandpassedbyhoundsandarespectable—lookingoldhuntsmanonablackhorse；aminuteafterwardsIcaughtaglimpseofanoldred—brickmansionnearlyembosomedingroves，fromwhichproceededamightycawing。Probablyitbelongedtotheproprietorofthedogs，andcertainlylookedaveryfitmansionforaGlamorganshiresquire，justiceofthepeaceandkeeperofapackofhounds。
　　Iwenton，thevaleincreasinginbeauty；therewasaconsiderabledrawback，however：oneofthosedetestablecontrivances，arailroad，wasonthefartherside—alongwhichtrainswerepassing，rumblingandscreaming。
　　Isawabridgeonmyrighthandwithfiveorsixlowarchesovertheriver，whichwasherefullofshoals。Askedawomanthenameofthebridge。
　　"PONTFAWReigalw，sir。"
　　IwasagainamongsttherealWelsh—thiswomanhadnoEnglish。
　　Ipassedbyseveralremarkablemountains，bothonthesouthandnorthernsideofthevale。LateintheafternoonIcametotheeasternextremityofthevaleandascendedaheight。ShortlyafterwardsIreachedRhigos，asmallvillage。
　　Enteringapublic—houseIcalledforaleandsatdownamidstsomegrimyfellows，whosaidnothingtomeandtowhomIsaidnothing—
　　theirdiscoursewasinWelshandEnglish。OftheirWelshI
　　understoodbutlittle，foritwasastrangecorruptjargon。Inabouthalf—an—hourafterleavingthisplaceIcametothebeginningofavastmoor。Itwasnowgrowingratherdusk，andIcouldseeblazeshereandthere；occasionallyIheardhorridsounds。CametoIrvan，anenormousmining—placewithaspectral—lookingchapel，doubtlessaMethodistone。Thestreetwascrowdedwithrough，savage—lookingmen。"IsthisthewaytoMerthyrTydvil？"saidItoone。
　　"Yes！"bawledthefellowattheutmoststretchofhisvoice。
　　"Thankyou！"saidI，takingoffmyhatandpassingon。
　　ForwardIwent，uphillanddowndale。Nightnowsetin。Ipassedagroveoftreesandpresentlycametoacollectionofsmallhousesatthebottomofalittlehollow。HearingastepnearmeIstoppedandsaidinWelsh："HowfartoMerthyrTydvil？"
　　"DimCumrag，sir！"saidavoice，seeminglythatofaman。
　　"Goodnight！"saidI，andwithoutstayingtoputthequestioninEnglish，Ipushedonupanascent，andwaspresentlyamongsttrees。
　　Heardforalongtimethehootingofanowlorratherthefrantichollo。Appearedtopassbywherethebirdhaditsstation。Toiledupanacclivityandwhenonthetopstoodstillandlookedaroundme。Therewasaglowonallsidesintheheaven，exceptinthenorth—eastquarter。StridingonIsawacottageonmylefthand，andstandingatthedoorthefigureofawoman。"HowfartoMerthyr？"saidIinWelsh。
　　"Tairmilltir—threemiles，sir。"
　　TurningroundacorneratthetopofahillIsawblazeshereandthere，andwhatappearedtobeaglowingmountaininthesouth—
　　east。Iwenttowardsitdownadescentwhichcontinuedforalong，longway；sogreatwasthelightcastbytheblazesandthatwonderfulglowingobject，thatIcoulddistinctlyseethelittlestonesupontheroad。Afterwalkingabouthalf—an—hour，alwaysgoingdownwards，Isawahouseonmylefthandandheardanoiseofwateroppositetoit。Itwasapistyll。Iwenttoit，drankgreedily，andthenhurriedon。Moreandmoreblazes，andtheglowingobjectlookingmoreterriblethanever。Itwasnowabovemeatsomedistancetotheleft，andIcouldseethatitwasanimmensequantityofheatedmatterlikelava，occupyingtheupperandmiddlepartsofahill，anddescendinghereandtherealmosttothebottominazigzagandtortuousmanner。Betweenmeandthehilloftheburningobjectlayadeepravine。AfteratimeIcametoahouse，againstthedoorofwhichamanwasleaning。"Whatisallthatburningstuffabove，myfriend？"
　　"Drossfromtheironforges，sir！"
　　Inowperceivedavalleybelowmefulloflights，anddescendingreachedhousesandatramway。Ihadblazesnowallaroundme。I
　　wentthroughafilthyslough，overabridge，andupastreet，fromwhichdirtylanesbranchedoffoneitherside，passedthrongsofsavage—lookingpeopletalkingclamorously，shrankfromaddressinganyofthem，andfinally，undirected，foundmyselfbeforetheCastleInnatMerthyrTydvil。
　　CHAPTERCIV
　　IronandCoal—TheMartyredPrincess—CyfarthaFawr—DiabolicalStructure。
　　MERTHYRTYDVILissituatedinabroadvalleythroughwhichrollthewatersoftheTaf。Itwastilllateaninconsiderablevillage，butisatpresentthegreatestminingplaceinBritain，andmaybecalledwithmuchproprietythecapitaloftheironandcoal。
　　ItbearsthenameofMerthyrTydvil，whichsignifiestheMartyrTydvil，becauseintheoldtimeaChristianBritishprincesswasslaininthelocalitywhichitoccupies。TydvilwasthedaughterofBrychan，PrinceofBrecon，surnamedBrycheiniawg，ortheBreconian，whoflourishedinthefifthcenturyandwasacontemporaryofHengist。HewasamanfullofChristianzeal，andagreatpreacheroftheGospel，andgavehischildren，ofwhichhehadmany，bothmaleandfemale，byvariouswives，aneducationwhichhehopedwouldnotonlymakethemChristians，butenablethemtopreachtheGospeltotheircountrymen。Theyprovedthemselvesworthyofhiscare，allofthemwithoutoneexceptionbecomingexemplaryChristians，andusefulpreachers。InhislatterdaysheretiredtoahermitageinGlamorganshireneartheTaf，andpassedhistimeindevotion，receivingoccasionallyvisitsfromhischildren。Once，whenheandseveralofthem，amongstwhomwasTydvil，wereengagedinprayer，abandofheathenSaxonsrushedinuponthemandslewTydvilwiththreeofherbrothers。EversincethattimetheplacehasbornethenameofMartyrTydvil。（21）
　　TheTaf，whichrunstothesouthofMerthyr，comesdownfromBreconshire，andenterstheBristolChannelatCardiff，aplacethenameofwhichinEnglishisthecityontheTaf。Itisoneofthemostbeautifulofrivers，butisnotnavigableonaccountofitsnumerousshallows。TheonlyservicewhichitrenderstocommerceisfeedingacanalwhichextendsfromMerthyrtoCardiff。ItissurprisinghowsimilarmanyoftheWelshriversareinname：Taf，Tawey，Towey，Teivi，andDuffydifferbutverylittleinsound。
　　TafandTeivihaveboththesamemeaning，namelyatendencytospreadout。Theothernames，thoughprobablyexpressiveofthepropertiesorpeculiaritiesofthestreamstowhichtheyrespectivelybelong，Iknownothowtotranslate。
　　Themorningofthefourteenthwasveryfine。AfterbreakfastI
　　wenttoseetheCyfarthaFawrironworks，generallyconsideredtobethegreatwonderoftheplace。AftersomeslightdemurI
　　obtainedpermissionfromthesuperintendenttoinspectthem。Iwasattendedbyanintelligentmechanic。WhatshallIsayabouttheCyfarthaFawr？Ihadbestsaybutverylittle。Isawenormousfurnaces。Isawstreamsofmoltenmetal。Isawalongductilepieceofred—hotironbeingoperatedupon。Isawmillionsofsparksflyingabout。Isawanimmensewheelimpelledroundwithfrightfulvelocitybyasteam—engineoftwohundredandfortyhorsepower。Iheardallkindsofdreadfulsounds。Thegeneraleffectwasstunning。TheseworksbelongtotheCrawshays，afamilydistinguishedbyastrangekindofeccentricity，butalsobygeniusandenterprisingspirit，andbysuchastrictfeelingofhonourthatitisacommonsayingthatthewordofanyoneofthemisasgoodasthebondofotherpeople。
　　AfterseeingtheCyfarthaIroamedabout，makinggeneralobservations。Themountainofdrosswhichhadstartledmeontheprecedingnightwithitsterrificglare，andwhichstandstothenorth—westofthetown，lookednownothingmorethananimmensedarkheapofcinders。Itisonlywhentheshadesofnighthavesettleddownthatthefirewithinmanifestsitself，makingthehillappearanimmenseglowingmass。Allthehillsaroundthetown，someofwhichareveryhigh，haveascorchedandblackenedlook。
　　AnoldAngleseabard，rathergiventobombast，wishingtoextoltheabundantcheerofhisnativeislesaid："ThehillsofIrelandareblackenedbythesmokefromthekitchensofMona。"WithmuchmoreproprietymightabardofthebanksoftheTaf，whoshouldwishtoapologisefortherathersmuttyappearanceofhisnativevaleexclaim："ThehillsaroundtheTafoncesogreenareblackenedbythesmokefromthechimneysofMerthyr。"Thetownislargeandpopulous。TheinhabitantsforthemostpartareWelsh，andWelshisthelanguagegenerallyspoken，thoughallhavesomeknowledgeofEnglish。Thehousesareingenerallowandmean，andbuiltofroughgreystone。Merthyr，however，canshowseveralremarkableedifices，thoughofagloomyhorridSataniccharacter。ThereisthehalloftheIron，withitsarches，fromwhenceproceedsincessantlyathunderingnoiseofhammers。Thenthereisanedificeatthefootofamountain，halfwayupthesideofwhichisablastedforestandonthetopanenormouscrag。Atrulywonderfuledificeitis，suchasBoswouldhaveimaginedhadhewantedtopaintthepalaceofSatan。Thereitstands：ahouseofreddishbrickwithaslateroof—fourhorridblacktowersbehind，twoofthembelchingforthsmokeandflamefromtheirtops—holeslikepigeonholeshereandthere—twoimmensewhitechimneysstandingbythemselves。Whatedificecanthatbeofsuchstrangemaddetails？IoughttohaveputthatquestiontosomeoneinTydvil，butdidnot，thoughIstoodstaringatthediabolicalstructurewithmymouthopen。Itisofnouseputtingthequestiontomyselfhere。
　　Afterstrollingaboutforsometwohourswithmyhandsinmypockets，Ireturnedtomyinn，calledforaglassofale，paidmyreckoning，flungmysatchelovermyshoulder，anddeparted。
　　CHAPTERCV
　　StartforCaerfili—JohannaColgan—Alms—Giving—TheMonstrousFemale—TheEvilPrayer—TheNextDay—TheAifrionn—UncleanSpirits—Expectation—WreakingVengeance—AdecentAlms。
　　ILEFTMerthyrabouttwelveo’clockforCaerfili。Mycourselayalongthevalleytothesouth—east。IpassedalargevillagecalledTroedyRhiw，orthefootoftheslope，fromitsbeingatthefootofaloftyelevation，whichstandsontheleft—handsideoftheroad，andwasspeedingonwardfast，withtheTafatsomedistanceonmyright，whenIsawastrange—lookingwomanadvancingtowardsme。Sheseemedbetweenfortyandfifty，wasbare—footedandbare—headed，withgrizzledhairhanginginelflocks，andwasdressedinragsandtatters。Whenabouttenyardsfromme，shepitchedforward，gavethreeorfourgrotesquetumbles，heelsoverhead，thenstandingboltupright，aboutayardbeforeme，raisedherrightarm，andshoutedinamostdiscordantvoice—"Givemeanalms，forthegloryofGod！"
　　Istoodstill，quiteconfounded。Presently，however，recoveringmyself，Isaid：—"Really，Idon’tthinkitwouldbeforthegloryofGodtogiveyoualms。"
　　"Yedon’t！Then，Biadhantaifrionn—however，I’llgiveyeachanceyet。AmItogetmyalmsornot？"
　　"BeforeIgiveyoualmsImustknowsomethingaboutyou。Whoareyou？"
　　"WhoamI？WhoshouldIbebutJohannaColgan，abedivilledwomanfromthecountyofLimerick？"
　　"Andhowdidyoubecomebedevilled？"
　　"Becauseawomansomethinglikemyselfsaidanevilprayerovermefornotgivingheranalms，whichprayerIhaveatmytongue’send，andunlessIgetmyalmswillsayoveryou。Soforyourownsake，honey，givememyalms，andletmegoonmyway。"
　　"Oh，Iamnottobefrightenedbyevilprayers！IshallgiveyounothingtillIhearallaboutyou。"
　　"IfItellyeallaboutmewillyegivemeanalms？"
　　"Well，Ihavenoobjectiontogiveyousomethingifyoutellmeyourstory。"
　　"Willyegivemeadacentalms？"
　　"Oh，youmustleavetheamounttomyfreewillandpleasure。I
　　shallgiveyouwhatIthinkfit。"
　　"Well，soyeshall，honey；andImakenodoubtyewillgivemeadacentalms，forIlikethelookofye，andknewyetobeanIrishmanhalfamileoff。Onlyfouryearsago，insteadofbeingabedivilledwoman，tumblingabouttheworld，IwasasquietandrespectableawidowascouldbefoundinthecountyofLimerick。I
　　hadanicelittlefarmatanaisyrint，horses，cows，pigs，andservants，and，whatwasbetterthanall，acoupleoffinesons，whowereahelpandcomforttome。Butmyblackdaywasnotfaroff。
　　Iwasamightycharitablewoman，andalwayswillingtogivetothebacahsandotherbeggarsthatcameabout。Everymorning，beforeI
　　openedmydoor，IgotreadythealmswhichIintendedtogiveawayinthecourseofthedaytothosethatshouldaskforthem，andI
　　madesogoodapreparationthat，thoughplentyofcripplesandotherunfortunateswanderingthroughtheworldcametomeeveryday，partofthealmswassuretoremainuponmyhandseverynightwhenIclosedmydoor。ThealmswhichIgaveawayconsistedofmeal；andIhadalwaysanumberofsmallmeasuresofmealstandingreadyonaboard，oneofwhichIusedtoemptyintothepokeofeverybacahorotherunfortunatewhousedtoplacehimselfatthesideofmydoorandcryout’AveMaria！’or’InthenameofGod！’
　　Well，onemorningIsatwithinmydoorspinning，withalittlebitofcolleenbesidemewhowaiteduponmeasservant。Mymeasuresofmealwereallreadyfortheunfortunateswhoshouldcome，filledwithallthemealinthehouse；fortherewasnomealinthehousesavewhatwasinthosemeasures—divilaparticle，thewholestockbeingexhausted；thoughbyeveningIexpectedplentymore，mytwosonsbeinggonetotheballybetagh，whichwassevenmilesdistant，forafreshsupply，andforotherthings。Well，Isatwithinmydoor，spinning，withmyservantbymysidetowaituponme，andmymeasuresofmealreadyfortheunfortunateswhomightcometoaskforalms。ThereIsat，quiteproud，andmorehappythanIhadeverfeltinmylifebefore；andtheunfortunatesbegantomaketheirappearance。Firstcameabacahoncrutches；thencameawomanwithawhiteswelling；thencameanindividualwhohadnothingatallthematterwithhim，andwasonlyapoorunfortunate，wanderingabouttheworld；thencameafarcake，（22）adarkman，whowasledaboutbyagossoon；afterhimasimpley，andafterthesimpletonsomebodyelseasmuchormoreunfortunate。Andastheafflictedpeoplearrivedandplacedthemselvesbythesideofthedoorandsaid’AveMary，’or’InthenameofGod，’orcrossedtheirarms，orlookeddownupontheground，eachaccordingtohispractice，Igotupandemptiedmymeasureofmealintohispoke，orwhateverhecarriedaboutwithhimforreceivingthealmswhichmightbegiventohim；andmymeasuresofmealbegantobeemptiedfast，foritseemedthatuponthatday，whenIhappenedtobeparticularlyshortofmeal，alltheunfortunatesinthecountyofLimerickhadconspiredtogethertocometoaskmeforalms。Atlasteverymeasureofmealwasemptied，andthereIsatinmyhousewithnothingtogiveawayprovidedanunfortunateshouldcome。SaysI
　　tothecolleen：’WhatshallIdoprovidedanymorecome，forallthemealisgone，andtherewillbenomorebeforetheboyscomehomeatnightfromtheballybetagh。’Saysthecolleen：’Ifanymorecome，can’tyegivethemsomethingelse？’SaysI：’Ithasalwaysbeenmypracticetogiveinmeal，andlothshouldIbetoalterit；forifonceIbegintogiveawayotherthings，ImaygiveawayallIhave。’Saysthecolleen：’Let’shopenooneelsewillcome：therehavebeenthirteenofthemalready。’Scarcelyhadshesaidthesewords，whenamonstrouswoman，half—naked，andwithalongstaffinherhand，onthetopofwhichwasacross，madeherappearance；andplacingherselfrightbeforethedoor，criedoutsothatyoumighthaveheardherforamile，’GivemeanalmsforthegloryofGod！’’Goodwoman，’saysItoher，’youwillbekindenoughtoexcuseme：allthepreparationIhadmadeforalmshasbeengivenaway，forIhaverelievedthirteenunfortunatesthisblessedmorning—somaytheVirginhelpye，goodwoman！’’Givemeanalms，’saidtheBeanvore，withaloudervoicethanbefore，’oritwillbeworseforyou。’’Youmustexcuseme，goodmistress，’
　　saysI，’butIhavenomoremealinthehouse。Thosethirteenmeasureswhichyouseethereemptywerefullthismorning，forwhatwasinthemIhavegivenawaytounfortunates。SotheVirginandChildhelpyou。’’Doyouchoosetogivemeanalms？’sheshrieked，sothatyoumighthaveheardhertoLondonderry。’Ifyehavenomealgivemesomethingelse。’’Youmustexcuseme，goodlady，’
　　saysI：’itismycustomtogivealmsinmeal，andinnothingelse。Ihavenoneinthehousenow；butifyecomeonthemorrowyeshallhaveatriplemeasure。InthemeanwhilemaytheVirgin，Child，andtheHolyTrinityassistye！’Thereuponshelookedatmefixedlyforamoment，andthensaid，notinaloudvoice，butinalow，half—whisperedway，whichwastentimesmoredeadly：—
　　"’Biaidhantaifrionngansholasduitabheanshilach！’
　　Thenturningfromthedoorshewentawaywithlongstrides。Now，honey，canyetellmethemeaningofthosewords？"
　　"Theymean，"saidI，"unlessIammuchmistaken：’MaytheMassnevercomfortye，youdirtyqueen！’"
　　"Ochone！that’sthemaningofthem，sureenough。Theyarecrampedwords，butIguessedthatwasthemeaning，orsomethingofthekind。Well，afterhearingtheevilprayer，Isatforaminuteortwoquitestunned；atlengthrecoveringmyselfabitIsaidtothecolleen：’Getup，andrunafterthewomanandtellhertocomebackandcrosstheprayer。’Imeantbycrossingthatsheshouldcallitbackordosomethingthatwouldtakethevenomoutofit。
　　Well，thecolleenwasratherlothtogo，forshewasabitscaredherself，butonmybeseechingher，shegotupandranafterthewoman，andbeingratherswiftoffoot，atlast，thoughwithmuchdifficulty，overtookher，andbeggedhertocomebackandcrosstheprayer，butthedivilofawomanwoulddonosuchthing，andwhenthecolleenpersistedshetoldherthatifshedidn’tgoback，shewouldsayanevilprayeroverhertoo。Sothecolleenlefther，andcameback，cryingandfrighted。AlltherestofthedayI
　　remainedsittingonthestoolspeechless，thinkingoftheprayerwhichthewomanhadsaid，andwishingIhadgivenhereverythingI
　　hadintheworld，ratherthansheshouldhavesaidit。Atnightcamehometheboys，andfoundtheirmothersittingonthestool，likeonestupefied。’What’sthematterwithyou，mother？’theysaid。’Getupandhelpustounpack。Wehavebroughthomeplentyofthingsonthecar，andamongstothersawholebollofmeal。’
　　’Youmightaswellhaveleftitbehindyou，’saidI；’thismorningasinglemeasureofmealwouldhavebeentomeofalltheassistanceintheworld，butIquestionnowifIshalleverwantmealagain。’Theyaskedmewhathadhappenedtome，andaftersometimeItoldthemhowamonstrouswomanhadbeentome，andhadsaidanevilprayeroverme，becausehavingnomealinthehouseIhadnotgivenheranalms。’Come，mother，’saidthey，’getupandhelpustounload！nevermindtheprayerofthemonstrouswoman—itisallnonsense。’Well，Igotupandhelpedthemtounload，andcookedthemabit，andsatdownwiththem，andtriedtobemerry，butfeltthatIwasnolongerthewomanthatIwas。ThenextdayI
　　didn’tseemtocarewhatbecameofme，orhowmatterswenton，andthoughtherewasnowplentyofmealinthehouse，notameasuredidIfillwithittogiveawayintheshapeofalms；andwhenthebacahsandtheliprouswomen，andthedarkmen，andtheotherunfortunatesplacedthemselvesatthesideofthedoor，andgavemetounderstandthattheywantedalms，eachinhisorherparticularmanner，divilanalmsdidIgivethem，butletthemstandandtooknoheedofthem，sothatatlasttheytookthemselvesoff，grumblingandcursing。AndlittledidIcarefortheirgrumblingsandcursings。TwodaysbeforeIwouldn’thavehadanunfortunategrumbleatme，orcurseme，foralltherichesbelowthesun；butnowtheirgrumblingsandcursesdidn’tgivemetheslightestunasiness，forIhadanevilprayerspokenagainstmeintheShannaGaileybythemonstrouswoman，andIknewthatIwasblightedinthisworldandthenext。InalittletimeIceasedtopayanyheedtothefarmingbusiness，ortotheaffairsofthehouse，sothatmysonshadnocomfortintheirhome。AndItooktodrinkandinducedmyeldestsontotaketodrinktoo—myyoungestson，however，didnottaketodrink，butconductedhimselfwell，andtoiledandlabouredlikeahorseandoftenbeggedmeandhisbrothertoconsiderwhatwewereabout，andnottogooninawaywhichwouldbringusalltoruin，butIpaidnoregardtowhathesaid，andhisbrotherfollowedmyexample，sothatatlastseeingthingsweregettingworseeveryday，andthatweshouldsoonbeturnedoutofhouseandhome，fornorintwaspaid，everypennythatcouldbegotbeingconsumedinwaste，hebadeusfarewellandwentandlistedforasodger。Butifmatterswerebadenoughbeforehewentaway，theybecamemuchworseafter；fornowwhentheunfortunatescametothedoorforalms，insteadoflettingthemstandinpacetilltheyweretired，andtookthemselvesoff，Iwouldmockthemandpointatthem，andtwitthemwiththeirsoresandothermisfortunes，andnotunfrequentlyIwouldflingscaldingwateroverthem，whichwouldsendthemhowlingandhoningaway，tillatlasttherewasnotanunfortunatebutfearedtocomewithinamileofmydoor。MoreoverIbegantomisconductmyselfatchapel，moreespeciallyattheAifrionnorMass，fornosoonerwasthebellrung，andtheholycorpusraised，thanIwouldshoutandhoorah，andgotumblingandtopplingalongthefloorbeforetheholybody，asIjustnowtumbledalongtheroadbeforeyou，sothatthepeoplewerescandalized，andwouldtakemebytheshouldersandturnmeoutofdoors，andbegantotalkofduckingmeinthebog。Thepriestoftheparish，however，tookmypart，sayingthatIoughtnottobepersecuted，forthatIwasnotaccountableforwhatIdid，beingapossessedperson，andundertheinfluenceofdivils。’These，however，’saidhe，’I’llsooncastoutfromher，andthenthewomanwillbeaholycratur，muchbetterthansheeverwasbefore。’A
　　verylearnedmanwasFatherHogan，especiallyincastingoutdivils，andaportly，good—lookingmantoo，onlyhehadalargerubiconnose，whichpeoplesaidhegotbymakingoverfreewiththecraturinsacret。Ihadoftenlookedatthenose，whenthedivilwasuponme，andfeltaninclinationtoseizeholdofit，justtoseehowitfelt。Well，hehadmetohishouseseveraltimes，andthereheputholyclothsuponme，andtiedholyimagestome，andreadtomeoutofholybooks，andsprinkledholywateroverme，andputquestionstome，andatlastwassoplasedwiththeanswersI