Open [36.0 MB]

XXIV SOME NOTICE OP THE
that one's study is thus always ready, and that it is
to put on warm coats and rugs, 1 and that besides this a
man does not sit with his feet in the draught of cold air
drawn along the floor by the heat of the fire, and indeed
there was no fireplace in Mr. Haliday's study.
This practice of early rising he continued to his latest
day, thus living not merely a double length of life but
enjoying in those early hours a freedom from visitors and a
quiet not to be had during the rest of the day. The head
too is then free from the fumes of meat and wine. It was
these advantages probably that gave rise to the saying of the
Greeks *tX>/ rate Movaatc ijwc, Morning is friendly to the
Muses, so finely paraphrased by Pope
" On morning's wings how active springs the mind
That leaves the load of yesterday behind ;
How easy every labour it pursues
How coming to the poet every Muse."
His own library furnished him with every printed work
relating to Ireland and Dublin in particular.
He would not however rely on an author's statements,
but would verify them by referring to the original sources,
saying that an author writing of things done a hundred
years before his own time, even though his name were
Spencer, Davys, or Ware, was no better than he was as to
personal knowledge.
Hi common- It is only by his commonplace books of which there are
pUc* books.
six quarto volumes began on undertaking the history of
the Port of Dublin, that a true notion of his activity of
research can be obtained. These are most clearly written,
in a systematic manner, with correct references. They
form a vast repertory of information relating to the Port
of Dublin and to the antiquities of the city. By these it
The head and feet keep warm
1
There is an old French proverb,
Tenez chaud lea pieda et teste The rest will take no harm.
An demcurant vivez en beste : See Handle Cotgrave's French
Thus paraphrased
and English Dictionary, A.D., 1610.