of threescore, stooped mortally, was tall, raw-boned, hard-favoured,
with a woollen night-cap on his head; and he had stript
off his coat, that he might be more nimble in his motions --
Finding himself intruded upon, by a person he did not know, he
forthwith girded himself with a long iron sword, and advancing to
me, with a peremptory air, pronounced, in a true Hibernian
accent, 'Mister What d'ye callum, by my saoul and conscience, I
am very glad to sea you, if you are after coming in the way of
friendship; and indeed, and indeed now, I believe you are my
friend sure enough, gra; though I never had the honour to sea
your face before, my dear; for becaase you come like a friend,
without any ceremony at all, at all' -- I told him the nature of
my visit would not admit of ceremony; that I was come to desire
he would make less noise, as there was a sick gentleman below,
whom he had no right to disturb with such preposterous doings.
'Why, look-ye now, young gentleman (replied this original)
perhaps, upon another occasion, I might shivilly request you to
explain the maining of that hard word, prepasterous: but there's
a time for all things, honey' -- So saying, he passed me with
great agility, and, running down stairs, found our foot-man at
the dining-room door, of whom he demanded admittance, to pay his
respects to the stranger. As the fellow did not think proper to
refuse the request of such a formidable figure, he was
immediately introduced, and addressed himself to my uncle in
these words: 'Your humble servant, good sir, -- I'm not so
prepasterous, as your son calls it, but I know the rules of
shivility - I'm a poor knight of Ireland, my name is sir Ulic
Mackilligut, of the county of Galway; being your fellow-lodger,
I'm come to pay my respects, and to welcome you to the South
Parade, and to offer my best services to you, and your good lady,