The whole town was literally alive with animation and delight.

The news of the intended bonfire had gone rapidly abroad, and the country people crowded into the town in hundreds.

Nothing can at any time exceed the enthusiasm with which the Irish enter into and enjoy scenes like that to which they now flocked with such exuberant spirits.

Bells were ringing, drums were beating, fifes were playing in the town, and horns sounding in every direction, both in town and country.

The people were apparelled in their best costume, and many of them in that equivocal description of it which could scarcely be termed costume at all.