Become not a smuggler--forswear poteen.

The Lord forgive me, Mr.Hycy--no, I only wished to say forswear--not the poteen--but any connection wid the illegal alembic from which it is distillated, otherwise they will walk off wid the 'doublings,' or strong liquor, leaving you nothing but the residuum or feints.

Take a friend's advice, therefore, and retrograde out of all society and connection wid the villains I have described; or if you superciliously overlook this warning, book it down as a fact that admits of no negation, that you will be denuded of reputation, of honesty, and of any pecuniary contingencies that you may happen to possess.

This is a sincere advice from "Your Anonymous Friend, "Patricius O'Finigan, Philomath." After perusing this characteristic production, Hycy paused for a little, and felt it very probable that there might be some reasonable grounds for its production, although he could scarcely understand upon what motive these fellows should proceed to practice treachery towards him.
That they were without principle or honesty he was perfectly satisfied; but he knew it was their interest to keep within bounds in all matters connected with their employment, He laughed very heartily at Finigan's blunder--for such it evidently was--in signing his name to a document that he intended to be anonymous.
"At all events," thought he, "I will ride over to his 'seminary,' as he calls it, and see what he can mean, or what his object is in sending me such a warning." He accordingly did so, and in some twenty minutes reached a small cabin that stood about a couple of hundred yards from the high-road.

A little bridle way led to it, as did several minor pathways, each radiating from a different direction.