It is true, that, as politicians, they were insane; but then they were at least sincere and honest; and I am satisfied that there is not a man of them, who would not have abandoned the object he had in view, sooner than accomplish it by sacrificing the popular virtues and moral character of the country for its attainment.

I have myself been a, strong anti-repealer during my whole life, and though some of the Young Irelanders are my personal friends, yet none know better than they do, that I was strenuously opposed to their principles, and have often endeavored--need I say unsuccessfully ?--to dissuade them from the madness of their agitation.
Having made these few necessary observations, I now beg to introduce to my readers the extraordinary narrative already spoken of--a narrative whose force and graphic power will serve only to bring shame upon the feeble superstructure which I have endeavored to erect upon it.

It is termed-- THE MURDER OF THE BOLANDS.
In the year 1808, there lived near Croom, in the county of Limerick, a farmer named Michael Boland.

He was an intelligent and prosperous man, and the owner of many hundred acres of the best land in that fine county.
He had two sons and two daughters, all grown up to manhood and womanhood, in this year, and the parish chapel never saw, in their time, a finer family for stature, symmetry, and comeliness, attend its mass than Michael Boland, his wife, and children.

With the growth of his family, his ambition and desire of increased wealthiness grew; and, by the agency of some hundred pounds, he became the tithe-proctor, or rector of several patches of tithes throughout the county.
At first he was successful in this speculation, and with his increased profits, himself and his children assumed a higher and more important tone and bearing in society.