The Wearing of the Green | Page 5

very imposing well-kept line, composed of young men of

the better class, well attired and respectable looking. These wore crape
hat-bands, and green rosettes with harps in the centre. Several had
broad green body scarfs, with gold tinsel shamrocks and harps
intertwined. As this portion of the procession marched they attracted
very considerable attention by their orderly, measured tread, and the
almost soldierly precision with which they maintained the line. They
numbered about four or five thousand, and there were few who were
not young, sinewy, stalwart fellows. When they had reached the further
end of Abbey-street, the ground about Beresford-place was gradually
becoming clear, and the spectator had some opportunity afforded of
glancing more closely at the component parts of the great crowd. All
round the Custom-house was still packed a dense throng, and large
streams were flowing from the northern districts, Clontarf, the Strand,
and the quays. The shipping was gaily decorated, and many of the
masts were filled with young tars, wearing green bands on their hats. At
half-past twelve o'clock, the most interesting portion of the procession
left the Custom-house. About two thousand young women, who in
attire, demeanour, and general appearance, certainly justified their title
to be called ladies walked in six-deep ranks. The general public kept
pace with them for a great distance. The green was most demonstrative,
every lady having shawl, bonnet, veil, dress, or mantle of the national
hue. The mud made sad havoc of their attire, but notwithstanding all
mishaps they maintained good order and regularity. They stretched for
over half a-mile, and added very notably to the imposing appearance, of
the procession. So great was the pressure in Abbey-street, that for a
very long time there were no less than three processions walking
side-by-side. These halted at the end of the street, and followed as they
were afforded opportunity. One of the bands was about to play near the
Abbey-street Wesleyan House, but when a policeman told them of the
proximity of the place of worship, they immediately desisted. The first
was a very long way back in the line, and the foremost men must have
been near the Ormond-quays, when the four horses moved into
Abbey-street. They were draped with black cloths, and white plumes
were at their heads. The hearse also had white plumes, and was covered
with black palls. On the side was "William P. Allen." A number of men
followed, and then came a band. In the earlier portion of the day there
were seen but two hearses, the second one bearing Larkin's name. It

was succeeded by four mourning coaches, drawn by two horses each. A
large number of young men from the monster houses followed in
admirable order. In this throng were very many men of business, large
employers, and members of the professions. Several of the trades were
in great force. It had been arranged to have the trade banners carried in
front of the artisans of every calling, but at the suggestion of the
chairman this design was abandoned. The men walked, however, in
considerable strength. They marched from their various
committee-rooms to the Custom-house. The quay porters were present
to the number of 500, and presented a very orderly, cleanly appearance.
They were comfortably dressed, and walked close after the hearse
bearing Larkin's name. Around this bier were a number of men bearing
in their hands long and waving palms--emblems of martyrdom. The
trades came next, and were led off by the various branches of the
association known as the Amalgamated Trades. The plasterers made
about 300, the painters 350, the boot and shoemakers mustered 1,000,
the bricklayers 500, the carpenters 300, the slaters 450, the sawyers 200,
and the skinners, coopers, tailors, bakers, and the other trades, made a
very respectable show, both as to numbers and appearance. Each of
these had representatives in the front of the procession, amongst the
fine body of men who marched eight deep. The whole ground near the
starting place was clear at half-past one, and by that time the
demonstration was seen to a greater advantage than previously. All
down Abbey-streets, and in fact throughout the procession, the
pathways were crowded by persons who were practically of it, though
not in it. Very many young girls naturally enough preferred to stand on
the pathways rather than to be saturated with mud and water. But it
may truly be said that every second man and woman of the crowds in
almost every street were of the procession. Cabs filled with ladies and
gentlemen remained at the waysides all day watching the march. The
horses' heads were gaily decorated with green ribbons, while every
Jehu in the city wore a rosette or a crape band. Nothing of special note
occurred until the procession turned into Dame-street. The