The ingenious proceedings of Captain C—— touching the mendicant fraternity, should not be omitted while on the subject.
When about to be quartered with his men in Mullingar, a friend told him before going there that the place was infested with beggars; and that his predecessor, the commanding officer of the last troop, had been greatly annoyed by them. The captain listened attentively, resolving to take his measures. On the night of his arrival at the hotel he called up the waiter.
‘I am informed,’ he said, ‘that you have a great many beggars in this town.’
‘Well, yes, sir; we certainly have,’ replied the waiter.
‘I wish to see them all—all collected together under the windows of this hotel. Do you think that could be managed?’
‘If you wish it, sir. O yes; Certainly, sir,’ said the man, with the usual waiter-like readiness to promise everything under the sun; albeit a little taken aback at so unusual a request.
‘Very well; let them be all here to-morrow at twelve o'clock precisely.’
Such a motley assemblage of rags and wretchedness as presented itself under the hotel windows next day was seldom seen. The tidings had spread like wild-fire; and from every lane and alley of the town came crowding in the blind, the lame, the maimed, the aged—beggary, deformity, idiotcy, and idleness in all their varieties. Curiosity and greed were equally on the qui vive, and the excitement of the eager crowd may be imagined.
At length the captain appeared on the balcony. There was a breathless silence.
‘Are you all here,’ he said, ‘every one?’