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LIFE OF CHARLES HALIDAY. Vll
Haliday, who, in later life at any rate, held opinions very
different from those of Home Tooke, being asked what kind
of looking man he was, said
jocularly,
" As ill-looking a
thief as you ever saw in your life."
In April, 1812, he had commenced business in London as Commence*
a commission agent for J. N. D'Esterre, 1
of 11, Bachelor's- Dublin,
walk, Dublin, then engaged in the provision trade, and for
one or two others, when an event occurred that changed the
course of his life by bringing him back to settle in Ireland.
That event was the death of his eldest brother, William
Haliday, who died in the month of October, 1812.
William had married the daughter and only child of Mr.
Alder, a merchant engaged in the bark trade.
Mr. Alder intended that William Haliday should either
become his partner, or should succeed him in his business.
Francis Burdett who was so shocked
with this action of Tooke's, that he
expressed
his sorrow and astonishment
so superior a man should in his
own house break off a discussion in
so brutal a manner."
"
Monopoly
the Cause of all Evil," by Arthur
Condorcet O'Connor, General of
Division, Vol. 1, p. 276 (Paris
and London ; Firmin Didot), 3
Volumes, Imperial 8vo, 1848.
Haliday Library, Royal Irish Aca-
demy.
This was the D'Esterre that
fell in a duel with O'Connell, fought
the 30th January, 18 1 5, at Bishopscourt
Demesne, then the seat of
Lord Ponsonby, now of the Earl of
Clonmell, fifteen miles from Dublin,
on the road to Cork. D'Esterre
had been in the navy and saved his
life by his courage. The mutineers
of the Nore endeavoured to force
him to join them, and on his refusal
placed a rope
round his neck to
string him up. They asked him
again before hanging him to join
them, but he cried out, "No!
Haul away and be d d. God
save the king 1" In admiration of
his undaunted courage they spared
him. Morgan O'Connell tells the
following anecdote concerning the
duel. His father and Major
MacXamara, his second, driving
back to town after the duel, were
met by a detachment of cavalry,
and the officer coming to the
carriage said, " Gentlemen, have
you heard anything of a duel that
was to take place in this neighbourhood?"
"It is over," said
MacNamara. . "And what was tht
result?" "Mr. D'Esterre baa
fallen." The officer thereupon
bowed, and turning to his men
Ci ied, " Right about face." The
guard had been sent to protect
D'Estcrre from the fury of the mob
if O'Connell had been killed.