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LIFE OP CHARLES HALIDAY. XX111
his charity, his love of learning, his zeal for the service of
his country and city, Be proud in the same way.
Fortunately our first interview was a little prolonged,
and he learned with equal surprise that I, whom he had
looked upon as a mere working barrister, was also fond of
historical and antiquarian studies.
In the following year I remember calling on him one
Sunday afternoon at Monkstown Park, being the first time
I had ever visited him there, and his hoping I would stay
to partake of his four o'clock Sunday dinner, " I never
invite anyone," said he, " to such a dinner, but if you will
only come when you can uninvited you will generally find
me too glad to stay you here."
From that time forward till his death I very generally Hi table talk,
dined with him on Sunday, none else being ever there, and
came thus to know something of the genera! tenor of his
pursuits, but unfortunately
too little of his life. I never
thought of asking him where he was at school, or when he
began to study Irish History, or when he began collecting
books and pamphlets, as I never thought of its
falling to
my lot to publish some notice of his life and labours.
Our conversation was generally
of the topics of the hour.
He preferred anecdotes and repartee to more serious
subjects having a great fund of such lore to draw upon.
For with Bacon he deemed gaiety and liveliness suitable to
meal times, just as Lycurgus set up an image of the God of
Laughter in each dinner hall at Sparta.
Mr. Haliday being now fitted with a public aim for his His early
reading and researches, instead of studying as previously studies.
for self improvement or for materials for conversation (for
vain is the reading and useless the study that in due time
is not brought to some useful end) he set to work with that
energy and earnestness which he exhibited in everything
he did. He was now up every morning, winter as well as
summer, by five o'clock, working without a fire as many
early rising students are in the habit of doing. They know