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LIFE OP CHARLES HALIDAY.
fastidious critic, if apology be due, he will find it in the youth of
the author (the grammar having been written in his 20th year) ;
in the strong prejudice which prevails with many to pursuits like
his, and the little encouragement they meet with from any ; in
the difficulties attendant on self instruction in the Hebrew,
Arabic, Persian, Syrian, Sanscrit and Irish languages. These
difficulties were increased by the necessary attendance on an
arduous profession and in other obstacles which those by whom
they were created have now far too much reason to regret they
had ever placed to obstruct his way.
" In elucidation of the motive by which he was influenced to
publish the present translation of Keatinge's History of Ireland,
in addition to those mentioned in his preface, was the wish to
render that respectable historian more familiar to his countrymen."
Besides William, Charles Haliday had a younger brother,
Daniel Haliday, who graduated as a physician at Edinburgh,
in August, 1819, as appears by his Latin thesis on Apoplexy,
dedicated to his father, with another dedication to the
memory of his brother William, " optimi, dilectissimi, morte
eheu immatura, abrepti."
Daniel settled at Paris, and practised his profession
principally among the English and Irish residents there.
His political sentiments were '
National '
and anti-Unionist.
He was familiar with all the '98 men living in exile in
France.
Mr. Haliday told me an anecdote of him expressive of
his feelings. Daniel on returning to his apartments one
day found that in his absence some one had called and left
his card, with a message to the servant that he would call
next day at noon, as he was particularly desirous of seeing
Dr. Haliday. It was the card of Thomas Nugent Reynolds,
through whose disclosures the plans of the United Irishmen
for insurrection in 1798 were defeated, Lord Edward Fitz-
gerald was arrested, and many of them were convicted and
suffered death, and more driven into banishment. Daniel
Haliday was indignant. So taking down a cabinet portrait
of Lord Edward, and sticking Reynolds' visiting card
between the canvas and the frame, he hung it up outside