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love of study and his desire for accomplishments commenced
with his earliest years, indeed, seems to have been born
with him and to have never quitted him during his lit. .
II. never offered at the shrine of luxury that greatest of
all sacrifices, the sacrifice of time. He deemed nothing
nobler than a life of toil ; nothing more derogatory than one
of luxury and self-indulgence.
Before he left Ireland for
London he had learned todraw,to ride.and to play the violin.
A manuscript volume of pieces
of original poetry,
as well
as poetical translations by his pen
from the French dated
from Gray's Inn, from Homerton, and elsewhere in 1812,
show how actively he indulged his literary taste during his
stay in London.
Literary And if a man's character is shown, as is said, by his com-
panions, Mr. Haliday's
appear from the men he
early inclination
associated with.
to letters will
He was in the
habit of dining, he said, during the time he was a clerk at
Lubbock's at a tavern in the city, and there made the
acquaintanceship of Lamb, author of "
Essays by Elia," and
of the Brothers Horace and James Smith, joint authors of
"
Rejected Addresses," all of them employed in the city in
houses ot trade, and accustomed to dine at the same house.
It was such companionship and a reputation for literary
acquirement! probably that got him introduced to Home
Tooke, a man no less celebrated for his literary tastes as
exhibited in his " Diversions of Purley," than for his politi-
cal notoriety, having run the risk of his life in a trial for
high treason for his opinions only, opinions that might at
this day be expressed with impunity and without question. 1
1 The following curious anecdote drew a long knife from his pocket,
is from a work of General Arthur opened the blade, and presenting
O'Connor's.
" In my youth," says it towards me with a furious look,
O'Connor, "I passed a day with '
This,' said he, '
is the argument I
Home Tooke at his house at Wim- employ with men who take the side
bledon. The French law of sue- of the question that you do.' I
cession was the bubject of discus- took an early moment to quit the
ion. In the midst of it Tooko room, and was followed bv Sir