[334] Higgins to Cooke, June 13, 1801.
[335] The writer will be excused if he seems to linger on this theme; but from childhood 'Magan' has been to him a familiar household word. His grandfather, John Brett, lived next door to Magan's house at Usher's Island. Voices, long since hushed, often described their strange, silent neighbour, of whom it might be said, 'still waters run deep.' Brett, though not a rebel, had popular sympathies, and several patriots, including James Tandy, visited at his house. One day Major Sirr created a great scare at Brett's by instituting a search for pikes and papers. The hysterics of the young ladies and the protests of their brothers served only to stimulate his ardour. No nook was left unexplored, no stone unturned. The intruders even uprooted the flower-beds in the garden, hoping to make a discovery, but all in vain; and Sirr, with drooping plumage, at last withdrew.—See James Tandy's arrest, Appendix, infra.
[336] United Irishmen, ii. 234.
[337] Historical Review, ii. 256.
[338] O'Kelly held, from a close personal knowledge of the man, that he would be incapable of treachery.
[339] Correspondence of the Duke of Wellington (Ireland), pp. 485-6.
[340] Two gardens belonged to Moira House: one in front of Island Street, the other at its opposite side. These gardens are separated by Island Street, which runs parallel with Usher's Island. A subterranean passage under the street communicates with both pleasure grounds. Usher's Island was formerly called Usher's Garden.
[341] The monk names this figure, but I think overstates it.
[342] The Sirr MSS., Trin. Coll. Dublin.
[343] In library of the Royal Irish Academy, Dublin.