Page:A Compendium of Irish Biography.djvu/298

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KEU
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banker), Adam le Blound, Richard de Valle, and John le Poer. Her favourite son, William, was a banker. Seeing that the proceedings against her were not fol- lowed up in England, it is possible they had their origin either in jealousy of her wealth, or in some dispute with the Church. " In these dales lived in the diocese of Os- sorie the lady Alice Kettle, whom the Bishop asscited to purge herselfe of the fame of inchantment and witchcraft im- posed unto hir, and to one PetroniU and Basill hir complices. She was charged to have nightlie conference with a spirit called Robert Artisson, to whom she sacrificed in the high waie nine red cocks and nine pea- cock's eies. . . At the first conviction they abjured and did penance, but shortlie after they were found in relapse, and then was PetroniU burnt at Kilkennie, the other twaine might not be heard of. She at the hour of hir death accused the said William [the Dame's son] as privie to their sorceries, whome the bishop held in durance nine weeks, forbidding his keepers to eat or to drink with him, or to speake to him more than once in the daie. But at length, through the sute and instance of Arnold le Powre then seneschall of Kilkennie, he was delivered, and after corrupted with bribes the seneschall to persecute the bishop ; so that he thurst him into prison for three moneths. In rifling the closet of the ladie, they found a wafer of sacramental bread, having the devil's name stamped thereon in" ested of Jesus Christ, and a pipe of oint- ment, wherewith she greased a staffe, upon which she ambled and gallopped through thicke and thin, when and in what manner she listed. This businesse about these witches troubled all the state of Irelande the more, for that the ladie was supported by certeine of the nobilitie, and lastlie con- veied over into England, since which time it could never be understood what became of hir." ^^

Kengh, Matthew, Governor of Wex- ford during its occupation by the insur- gents in 1 798, was born in Ireland about 1744, entered the army, served during the American war, and rose to be Captain- Lieutenant. At the breaking out of the insurrection he was living upon his pro- perty in the town of Wexford. For revo- lutionary proclivities he had been deprived of the commission of the peace in 1796. His appearance is thus described by Mus- grave : " He was about five feet nine inches high, and rather robust. His countenance was comely, his features were large and indicative of an active, intelligent mind. Joined to a very happy and persuasive manner of expressing himself, he had an

engaging address and great afiability of manner." Upon the occupation of Wex- ford by the insurgents on 30th May 1 798, he was appointed Military Governor of the town. Though his power was much limited by the passions and prejudices of the peo- ple, he spared no endeavours to secure the safety of such of the royalists as re- mained. But he was not able to prevent the piking on the bridge on 20th June, of 97 out of the 260 royalist prisoners, against whom charges were brought of previous insults or wrongs against the peasantry. When Wexford was reoccupied by the mili- tary two days afterwards. Captain Keugh and others of the leaders remained, under the impression that their lives would be spared. He was, however, with many others, immediately brought to a drum- head trial. He made an able and manly defence, " during the whole of which," says Musgrave, "he was cool and delib- erate, and so eloquent and pathetick as to excite the most tender emotions in the breasts of his auditors. Lord Kingsborough, Mr. Lehunte, and other respectable wit- nesses proved that he acted on all occasions with singular humanity, and endeavoured to prevent the eflfusion of blood ; and that they owed their lives to his active interfe- rence." ""^^ He was executed on the bridge on 25th June — suffering with dignity and composure. His body was thrown into the river, and his head placed on the Court- house. ="' 33»

Eidd, William Lodge, M.D., a dis- tinguished medical practitioner, was born at Thornhill, in the County of Armagh, 1 6th December 1784. His early life was spent at sea as a navy surgeon during the French war. In the Raleigh, Polorus, and Bacchante he saw much active service. In 1 81 6 he retired on half -pay, and before long entered upon extensive practice at Armagh. In November 181 7 he read an important paper before the Royal Physical Society on the dreadful typhus then raging in Ireland. His exertions were untiring during the cholera year — 1832. He died 2nd April 1851, aged66. "s

Eilbum, William, an artist and calico printer, was born in Capel-street, Dublin, 1st November 1745. He was the only son of an architect of some eminence, and was apprenticed to calico-printing, as a busi- ness likely to afford scope to his talent for design. Removingto London, he executed the plates for Curtis's Flora Londiniensis, engaged in calico-printing, and rapidly amassed a large fortune. He died 23rd December 18 18, aged 73. Edmund Burke passed a bill through Parliament to protect Kilbum's designs from piracy.