From the wilds of Port Phillip for m a n y a mile
Flocked the gay loyal sons of the Emerald Isle,
A s strapping fine fellows as could well be seen,
W h o would shed their hearts' blood for their o w n beloved green.
Mononia sent forth her brave Southern sons, With limbs full of action, and hearts full of fun ; Whilst first in thefieldwere the gallant old Tips, With strength in their arms and smiles on their lips. Like the bright heaving surge of their own royal stream, The lads from the Shannon in ecstasy c a m e — While famed Garryowen poured its tribute along, A n d Clare's sturdy peasants soon mixed with the throng. As broods of young eagles from dark The The And
Gaultymore, yeomen of Aherlow, the sons of the Suir— "Boys of Kilkenny," and verdant Kildare, Kerry's lithe woodsmen in glory were there.
The scheme, so well planned and cleverly executed, thoroughly accomplished the object intended, or the display of so large a supply of physical force ready for any emergency, operated with such moral effect on the William-worshippers, that they prudently abandoned their intention of streetwalking, and not a few of them even repaired to the hill, and were excited spectators of the enlivening scenes carried on there. THE SECOND HURLING MATCH.
The old year died, and the new year was born, and about its period of middle age, Rumour, with her hundred tongues, began to babble in loud whispers of the wonderful things to which the next 12th July was to bear witness. This time there was to be a grand Orange procession with flags flying and drums beating. T h e Orange tune of " Croppies Lie D o w n " was to be played, and no hurling match or any other power under the sun should prevent it. T h e whisperings soon expanded into open and unreserved speaking, and elaborate preparations were m a d e for the celebration. N o w was the standard of " N o Surrender" to be unfurled, and a surrender of any kind should not be tolerated. T h e hurling match of the previous year had acted as such a specific that a repetition of the dose was in confidential conclave agreed to. T h e hurlies were accordingly well looked up and put in order so as to work freely if called into requisition for another purpose than "ball-walloping." T h e headquarters of Orangeism was an hotel in Little Flinders Street, between Swanston and Elizabeth Streets. It was known as the Bird-in-Hand, kept by a M r . E w a n Tolmie, and for a week before the 12th of July, nocturnal coteries were closeted there, working up a plan of the day's campaign and and concocting an imposing programme. En passant, it is worth while pointing out an Orange incongruity, i.e., celebrating the Battle of the Boyne of the ist July (1690) on the 12th, the birthday of the Battle of Aughrim (1691). T w o picturesque banners, manufactured to order, and some scores of orange and blue sashes were stored away in readiness for the much-expected demonstration. T h e excitement in town was not so intense as on the other occasion, as it was believed that a second hurling display would have the same convincing effect as before, and that the Orange procession would again be given up on the verge of the crisis. T h e preparations on both sides were quietly prosecuted, and the first startling intimation given was an advertisement in the Herald of the ioth proclaiming that " T h e greatest sport under the sun ! - T h e grandest hurling match ever witnessed (even in Old Ireland) will come off on Saturday next (12th), at twelve o'clock noon, on Batman's Hill." It was to be between all the Munster m e n in the province, and the players were to constitute a numerous team, for the "boys" of six counties were to be in thefielding,viz, Tipperary, Clare, and Limerick against Waterford, Cork, and Kerry. "All strapping young fellows were requested to attend, and to be sure and bring good shillelagh-hurlies, & c , & c , with them." W h a t "the etceteras" included was left
