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being thus alarmed； they flock to the house of the deceased； and by their
vociferous sympathy excite and at the same time soothe the sorrows of the
family。
It is curious to observe how good and bad are mingled in human
institutions。 In countries which were thinly inhabited； this custom
prevented private attempts against the lives of individuals； and formed a
kind of coroner's inquest upon the body which had recently expired； and
burning the straw upon which the sick man lay became a simple
preservative against infection。 At night the dead body is waked； that is to
say； all the friends and neighbours of the deceased collect in a barn or
stable； where the corpse is laid upon some boards； or an unhinged door；
supported upon stools； the face exposed； the rest of the body covered with
a white sheet。 Round the body are stuck in brass candlesticks； which
have been borrowed perhaps at five miles' distance； as many candles as the
poor person can beg or borrow； observing always to have an odd number。
Pipes and tobacco are first distributed； and then； according to the
ABILITY of the deceased； cakes and ale； and sometimes whisky； are
DEALT to the company
Deal on； deal on； my merry men all； Deal on your cakes and your
wine； For whatever is dealt at her funeral to…day Shall be dealt to…
morrow at mine。
After a fit of universal sorrow； and the comfort of a universal dram； the
scandal of the neighbourhood； as in higher circles； occupies the company。
The young lads and lasses romp with one another； and when the fathers
and mothers are at last overcome with sleep and whisky （VINO ET
SOMNO）； the youth become more enterprising； and are frequently
successful。 It is said that more matches are made at wakes than at
weddings。
GLOSSARY 29。 KILT。This word frequently occurs in the preceding
pages； where it means not KILLED； but much HURT。 In Ireland； not only
cowards； but the brave 'die many times before their death。'There
KILLING IS NO MURDER。
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