Burges, Sept. 26. 1851.
_Anecdote of Curran_ (Vol. iv., p. 173.).--This anecdote, I beg to
observe, is incorrectly represented; and surely presents to the reader
no adequate provocation for the sharp retort on him attributed to the
hostess, on his offering her a glass of wine. But the fact is, that the
circumstance occurred, not at a small country inn, but in the city of
Galway; nor solely in company with a brother advocate, as stated by
M.W.B., but at the general bar-mess. The Connaught circuit was not
Curran's, who had been called there _specially_, and who, having heard
of the barmaid's ready wit, was determined to test it. Her name, I well
recollect, was Honor Slaven; and her quick repartee to the not very
delicate jokes constantly practised on her by the gentlemen (?) of the
bar, had spread her fame beyond the province. Curran, however, was far
superior to those whom she had foiled in these too often unseemly
combats, and was expected to prove that superiority in this contest.
Among the customary toasts of that time was a succession of three
alliterative ones, of which the last was of flagrant indecency; and this
Curran resolved should fall to Honor's turn to give in due rotation.
Making her take a seat, with one interposed between them, he began with
the first:--"Honor (directing himself to _her_) and Honesty," followed
by "Love and Loyalty" from his next neighbour; when, ordering a bumper,
he said, "Come Honor, you know the next toast; be not squeamish, and let
us have it." "No, Sir," replied she, with an arch smile, "but I will
pledge you in your own toast--'Honor and Honesty, or, _your absent
friends_.'" These last words were uttered with special emphasis, and, in
their provoked application, well sustained the barmaid's reported
character; as, indeed, promptly acknowledged by Curran himself. I have
more than once heard similar retorts from her when thus assailed.