It Will Be
Long Before I Forget These Irish, More Especially Their Head, Dr.
Gartland, A Genuine Scion Of The
Good Hibernian tree, an
accomplished scholar, and a courteous and high-minded gentleman.
Though fully aware who I was, he
Held out the hand of friendship to
the wandering heretic missionary, although by so doing he exposed
himself to the rancorous remarks of the narrow-minded native
clergy, who, in their ugly shovel hats and long cloaks, glared at
me askance as I passed by their whispering groups beneath the
piazzas of the Plaza. But when did the fear of consequences cause
an Irishman to shrink from the exercise of the duties of
hospitality? However attached to his religion - and who is so
attached to the Romish creed as the Irishman? - I am convinced that
not all the authority of the Pope or the Cardinals would induce him
to close his doors on Luther himself, were that respectable
personage at present alive and in need of food and refuge.
Honour to Ireland and her "hundred thousand welcomes!" Her fields
have long been the greenest in the world; her daughters the
fairest; her sons the bravest and most eloquent. May they never
cease to be so.
The posada where I had put up was a good specimen of the old
Spanish inn, being much the same as those described in the time of
Philip the Third or Fourth. The rooms were many and large, floored
with either brick or stone, generally with an alcove at the end, in
which stood a wretched flock bed.
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