both hemispheres, a solitary soldier, in the muddy, red jacket of a
private in the English army, might be seen hastily wending his way
across a bridge which led from one of the most important strongholds
in Canada, to a town of considerable pretensions, that lay directly
opposite, and to which he was now bending his steps. Although the
weather, from the season of the year, might be presumed to be
somewhat genial, yet it was raw and gusty; and as the pedestrian was
without an overcoat, the uncomfortable and antagonistic shrug of his
shoulders, as the chill, fitful blast swept past him, was quite
discernible to any eye that happened to catch his figure at the
period. Soon, however, he left the bridge and river behind him, and,
stepping on terra firma, turned hastily down one of the unpretending
streets of the town, and entered a restaurant, out of the drinking
saloon of which, several narrow passages led to small convivial
apartments, or rather compartments, in which the landlord, or "mine
host" professed to work culinary miracles, of every possible shade,
in the interest of his patrons. The establishment, although not the
most fashionable in the place, was still regarded as respectable, and
was, consequently, the frequent resort of many well-to-do tradesmen,
and others, who, after the cares of the day had been laid by,
generally repaired thither to slake their thirst with a flowing
tankard, or indulge in "a stew," a quiet game of billiards or a
cigar, as the case might be. From the description of the various
pictures which adorned or decorated the bar-room, the nationality of
the proprietor was easily discerned. Just over a goodly and shining
away of handsome mirrors that, inside the counter, reflected a maze
of graceful bottles, cut glass and various ornaments appropriate to
the profession, hung a large map of Ireland, very beautifully gotten
up: while on either side of it, a neat, gilt frame, enclosing a most
excellent likeness of Daniel O'Connell and Robert Emmet,