"He was over in England one time, and he was brought to a party, and tea
was made ready and cups. And as they were sitting at the table, a
servant girl that was in it, and that was Irish, came to O'Connell and
she said, 'Do you understand Irish?' [IRISH: 'An tuigeann tu Gaedilge,
O'Connell?' 'Tuigim,'] says he, 'I understand it.' 'Have a care,' says
she, 'for there is in your cup what would poison the whole nation!' 'If
that is true, girl, you will get a good fortune,' said he. It was in
Irish they said all that, and the people that were in it had no ears.
Then O'Connell quenched the candle, and he changed his cup for the cup
of the man that was next him. And it was not long till the man fell
dead. They were always trying to kill O'Connell, because he was a good
man. The Sassanach it was were against him. Terrible wicked they were,
and God save us, I believe they are every bit as wicked yet!"