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476 THE ADVENTURES OF PHILIP
in Ireland were, of course, engaged to contribute to its columns.
Those pens would be hammered into steel of a different shape when
the opportunity should offer. Beloved prelates, authors of worldwide
fame, bards, the bold strings of whose lyres had rung through
the isle already, and made millions of noble hearts to beat, and, by
consequence, double the number of eyes to fill; philosophers, renowned
for science ; and illustrious advocates, whose manly voices
had ever spoken the language of hope and freedom to an &c. &c,
would be found rallying round the journal, and proud to wear the
symbol of THE SHAMROCK. Finally, Michael Cassidy, Esquire,
was chosen to be the editor of this new journal.
This was the M. Cassidy, Esquire, who appeared, I think, at
Mr. Firmin's call-supper ; and who had long been the sub-editor of
the Pall Mall Gazette. If Michael went to Dame Street, why
should not Philip be sub-editor at Pall Mall? Mrs. Brandon
argued. Of course there would be a score of candidates for Michael's
office. The editor would like the patronage. Barnet, Mugford's
partner in the Gazette, would wish to appoint his man. Cassidy,
before retiring, would assuredly intimate his approaching resignation
to scores of gentlemen of his nation, who would not object to
take the Saxon's pay until they finally shook his yoke off, and
would eat his bread until the happy moment arrived when they
could knock out his brains in fair battle. As soon as Mrs. Brandon
heard of the vacant place, that moment she determined that Philip
should have it. It was surprising what a quantity of information
our little friend possessed about artists, and pressmen, and their
lives, families, ways and means. Many gentlemen of both professions
came to Mr. Ridley's chambers and called on the Little Sister
on their way to and fro. How Tom Smith had left the Herald,
and gone to the Post ; what price Jack Jones had for his picture,
and who sat for the principal figures—I promise you Madam
Brandon had all these interesting details by heart ; and I think I
have described this little person very inadequately if I have not
made you understand that she was as intrepid a little jobber as
ever lived, and never scrupled to go any length to serve a friend.
To be Archbishop of Canterbury, to be professor of Hebrew, to be
teacher of a dancing-school, to be organist for a church : for any
conceivable place or function this little person would have asserted
Philip's capability. " Don't tell me ! He can dance or preach (as
the case may be), or write beautiful ! And as for being unfit to be
a sub-editor, I want to know, has he not as good a head and as
good an education as that Cassidy, indeed 1 And is not Cambridge
College the best college in the world \ It is, I say. And he went
there ever so long. And he might have taken the very best prize,