Men of Muscle, and the Highland Games of Scotland, etc.

OWEN DUFFY, OF COUNTY MONAGHAN. T HE great Irish novelist, Charles Lever, throughout his works maintains that the gallant sons of Erin are the most gentlemanly of men, the bravest of warriors, and the most ardent of lovers. That Irishmen are brave in battle is beyond dispute, as also is the fact of their success with the ladies. A ready wit and a continual flow of small talk, uttered with that delightful brogue which Father Magan pos– sessed, is always a sure talisman to the heart of most females. As to the gentlemanly qualification, no better sample could be produced than the worthy subject of this article, Owen Duffy. He was not prone to fighting, however, nor was he in any way a lady's man. Bluff, straightforward, and manly, with a big, broad smile, Duffy was welcome everywhere. Many a time have the committees of games kept back the putting until Duffy arrived, much to the annoyance of his opponents. He was born in the County Monaghan, Ireland, about 1847. When quite a young man, Duffy came over here, and shortly afterwards joined the Edinburgh Police Force, where he served for many years. \Ve remember him best after he had left the police, and when he had a little hard– ware shop at Abbey Hill, Edinburgh. Here Duffy was always pleased to see an acquaintance. "Ye'r from Glasgow, are ye?'' Duffy would say. "Troth I'm glad t' see ye. Come in, come in." And he would lead the way through narrow, tortuous passages among his goods and chattels, spread haphazard outside the counter jnto the back shop, where every variety of earthenware was piled up in confusion.