While yet a school-boy, he showed strong military propensities; not, indeed, a predilection for the pomp and circumstance, so much as for the science, of war. He was fond of military evolutions; and he especially noticed scenery, with reference to the disposition of forces, the selection of commanding posts, and the occupation of important vantagegrounds. From topics of this nature, he was apt, in more advanced life, to borrow illustrations; but, always, strictly in keeping with the religious character of his mind.

But, that, under Mr. Ryan, his education never could be completed, he well knew. Therefore, both he and his father readily acceded to a proposal, which, about this time, was made to them. It happened, that two of his play-mates were about to be sent to the endowed school of Clonmel, then under the direction of the Rev. Richard Carey. Their father good-naturedly suggested, that it would be well, if they were accompanied by their young comrade. To school, accordingly, the three friends proceeded, as day-scholars. This occurred in 1803, when William was about four

teen years of age. The date seems not unworthy to be specified for this was the great providential

The Rev. Samuel, and Rev. Mortimer, O'Sullivan.

turning-point, which determined the direction and character of his future life.

Never, perhaps, was master more beloved and revered by his pupils, than was Mr. Carey. With extensive knowledge, critical acumen, and refined taste, he united the most child-like simplicity of spirit. It was almost impossible to be admitted to his familiar society, (and all his deserving pupils became his private friends,) without growing lenior ac melior,' gentler in manners, and more kind in heart. One who knew him well, has sketched the likeness of this amiable man*; with such just, though vivid colouring, that it were injurious to substitute other phraseology than his own:

I have his light and graceful figure' says my correspondent, at this moment before me. His bare and reverend forehead, slightly sprinkled with

* I, too, had the gratification of meeting Mr. Carey: but it was only once, . . Virgilium tantum vidi! But that once,

was enough to satisfy me, that all which I had heard of him, was strictly true. It was in the month of October, 1806, at Darling Hill, in the county of Tipperary, by the invitation of an old pupil of his, the present Mr. Serjeant Pennefather. It gave me singular pleasure, to see the good man. He recalled, almost every moment, the memory of my beloved college friend, JOHN SARGINT: who, in the course of the years 1791, .. 1798, delighted in recording anecdotes, of his school-boy days; and never failed to speak of his master, Mr. Carey, (who long survived him,) with the most affectionate veneration.-J. L.

The Rev. S. O'Sullivan.

the snows of time, and his mild countenance radiant with benignity, and sparkling with intelligence. The gentleness, and suavity of his disposition; the polished courtesy of his manners; his exact, and discriminative judgment; his various and profound learning,.. these were scarcely adverted to by his friends, amidst the love and veneration which were inspired, by the richer treasures of his moral nature: by his generous detestation of oppression; by his noble scorn of every thing mean, or base; by his fervent piety, his steadfast friendship, his rare disinterestedness, and his deep humility; by the charity, which prompted him to be liberal, often beyond his means; and by the singleness of nature, which almost unconsciously realized the gospel rule, not letting his left hand know, what his right hand did.' My recollection of William's first introduction into Mr. Carey's school, is vivid, as though it took place but yesterday. The good old man was, at that period, gradually withdrawing from active life; and his attention was limited, to a very small number of pupils. He received, indeed, those only, who were recommended by his personal friends. Of that number, my father had the good fortune to be one. And thence it was, that we were admitted to a trial. From the slovenliness, which, in that part of Ireland, then prevailed in the elementary parts of classical education, Mr. Carey had found it

necessary to establish the general rule, that all who came to him, from other schools, should, however plausible their seeming proficiency, retrace their steps through the Latin grammar. My brother and I, were, from our time of life, (we were a few years junior to our friend,) exempt from all mortification on this score: we were mere beginners; and, of course, were well satisfied to commence at the commencement. Some of the boys, however, officiously told Phelan, of the humiliation which awaited him; no slight one, it will be admitted, to a diligent student of six or seven years' standing, who had been already delighting himself, with the dense eloquence of Tacitus. He reddened, but said nothing. Then came the trial. A book was put into his hands: when such, at once, appeared his grounded knowledge of the Latin language, and so correctly classical was the diction of some exercises which he produced, that, without the least hesitation, Mr. Carey passed him into his highest class. On being asked what he would have done, if relegated to the pages of Lilly, . . ، I should immediately have walked out of the school,' said the high-minded youth, and never set my foot into it again?''

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This early anecdote is highly characteristic. The writer has seen Dr. Phelan under momentary bursts of feeling, which this trait of the Clonmel school-boy powerfully calls to mind. But I have heard, too, his ingenuous confessions of error ; his

He was now placed in circumstances, well fitted to unfold his powers. He soon came to revere Mr. Carey; who stood to him in the relation, not so much of an instructor, as of a parent, and a friend. Under him, in addition to his former acquirements, young Phelan gained a thorough knowledge of Greek and, what was far better, his genius was kindled, and his taste refined, by constant, familiar intercourse, with a master-spirit.' A slight, but characteristic incident, will best show the terms on which they lived. One evening, as they were returning towards the school, from a country residence of Mr. Carey's, Phelan, on passing a particular street, looked up, and said, . . ‹ That, Sir, is the house, in which I was born.'.. Well, William,' the benevolent man replied,.. I trust, that your fellow-townsmen, will, one day, point out this house, with a satisfaction no less lively, but

my

dear

humble and contrite submission, in cases where the offence had been purely venial. The truth is, he was intimately known to very few : few, therefore, could enter fully into his character. But, it is no more than justice to bear witness, that his failings, were but the infirmities of a noble mind. His native temperament, indeed, was peculiarly sensitive, and delicate; and while he strove, habitually, to keep it under due control, some allowance will be made, by every generous mind, for the natural influence of failing health. But, after all, I never knew a human being, with a more placable spirit, or a tenderer heart. This I say advisedly; and, as I think, with a thorough knowledge of the man.-J. L.