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curiosity shop in Crampton-court, was engaged by his, Mr-
Haliday's, father, who then had a house at Dunleary, to teach
him drawing, "And while Petrie was teaching me drawing
(said Haliday) William was teaching Petrie Irish, and Irish
antiquities."
But whilst this gifted young man was engaged thus
zealously in his literary labours, his frame was a prey to
that insidious enemy of life, consumption ; and the ardour
with which he pursued both learning and pleasure together
only hastened the progress of his disease.
In 1812, much to his brother's surprise, he married. The
following are portions of Charles- Haliday's
brother on the occasion :
letters to his
"London, 3rd March, 1812.
" MY DEAR WILLIAM. From the unvarying round of waste-
books, journals, and ledgers, I scarce can steal time soberly to
congratulate you on your late change. As to my last lette-r, an
impatient hand just held the pen while a brain nearly turned with
joy guided its nourishes over half a sheet of paper. You may
conceive with what sensations I read your letter, when I tell you
it was the first intimation I had of a thing of the kind. Here is,
said I, a revolution. However, like a loyal subject my cry shall
be, " Long live William and Mary," and in due time I hope to
see their heir-apparent. I got a letter from your father u short
time since. It said you were dying. I got a letter from yon, it
said you were married. Upon my word, said 1 to myself, he has
chosen a queer physician, yet one with whom there will be far
more pleasure to die than in the hands of any of that learned body
who scribble those big M.D.s at the end of their names."
In the following letter he assumes a jocular tone, to
conceal probably the anxieties he felt concerning the state
of his brother's health.
"London, 20th April, 1812.
" DEAR WILLIAM. Your letter, which I received this day from
Mr. Martin, informs me that among other reasons for not writing
to me, it gives you pain to write. I am truly sorry to hear you
continue so unwell, and I sincerely wish you would follow the
advice that has been given, and try \vhat the milder air of England
can do in such a case. Of this, from experience, I am satisfied