many subordinate traits suitable to the occasion his recollections of school-days at Kensington may have supplied him; and in pantomimic looks and gesticulations he required no teacher.

While pursuing the course of his studies at the University, the first misfortune that was destined to darken his path suddenly broke over his hitherto cheerful home. His father's early habits of active enterprise had led him to engage in more than one commercial speculation after his return from Spain. Amongst the rest, he had embarked a considerable sum (stated variously at from 10,000l. to 15,0007.) in a mercantile house in Dublin, which was extensively engaged in the Mediterranean trade. This he did under what was termed the Anonymous Partnership Act, which was passed in 1782, by the Parliament of Ireland, with a view of encouraging mercantile enterprise, by securing to capitalists who would not risk their entire fortunes the protection of limited liability. By the provisions of this statute, the name of a partner so contributing to the capital stock was not to appear in any act of the firm; and he, on the other hand, was inhibited from taking any part in the direction or control of the business. The courts of law held any infraction

of these conditions to amount to a defeasance of the limitation of liability. As few, however, availed themselves of the privileges thus afforded them,* no very precise notions seem to have generally prevailed as to what would and what would not constitute a renunciation of the limited and anonymous character of a partnership. Mr. Sheil unfortunately undertook to judge for himself on the point; and after the house with which he was connected, as above stated, had failed, the creditors sought to render him fully liable: and this they ultimately succeeded in doing, by proving that on one or two occasions he had been seen in the countinghouse, taking part in the management of the concern. The effect of this decision was almost equivalent to his ruin. He was compelled to break up his establishment, and reduce his mode of living from one of luxury to that of the most frugal expenditure. He was no longer able to afford the expenses necessary for his son's collegiate studies; and these must have been interrupted for a considerable time, if not wholly

*Every deed of partnership under the statute in question was required to be registered; and by a reference to the department in which the memorials of such deeds are enrolled, it appears that from the year 1782 to 1854, but 523 such deeds have been thus registered.

He

abandoned, but for the kindness and liberality of a relative, who spontaneously undertook to make Richard an allowance of a hundred pounds a year, until he should have been called to the bar. Doctor William Foley, by whom this generous offer was made, was a physician of eminence in Waterford, where he had acquired in his profession a considerable fortune. was connected through her mother's family with that of Mrs. Sheil, and had long been the intimate friend of her husband. In a letter dated 17th May, 1809, the young collegian warmly acknowledged the obligation thus conferred on him; and in a postscript his father added his own expressions of gratitude. He wished, however, that the allowance should not exceed eighty guineas a year, which would, he thought, suffice to enable Richard to complete his terms at the University and the Inns of court; and this sum appears to have been paid by Doctor Foley during the four following years.

In the autumn of the same year, Bellevue, together with some property which lay contiguous to it, were sold for the sum of 28,000l. to Mr. Nicholas A. Power, in whose possession they still remain. Mr. Sheil and his family removed to Dublin, where they continued to reside during the remainder of his life.

CHAPTER II.

1810-1813.

Historical Society-The Catholic question-Speeches in 1811— Personal appearance and manner-Lincoln's Inn-Quarrel with his uncle-Public events of 1812-The Veto-Speech at the Catholic Board-Reply to O'Connell.

DURING the latter part of his academic course, and while he was pursuing his studies for the bar, young Sheil was a constant attendant at the meetings of the Historical Society, which then were held within the walls of the University. Notwithstanding the latter circumstance, and the existence of a rule forbidding

any

direct reference to modern politics, strong opinions on the great subjects that have at all times divided thoughtful and inquiring minds, often found expression in the animated debates of the society. Regard for collegiate authority, which marked with jealous vigilance its proceedings, (and by which they were even

tually, in a moment of public excitement, summarily suppressed), prevented the use of party appellations and the open recognition of party distinctions. But the banners of Conservatism and Liberalism, though they waved unseen, were followed by the eye of youthful faith with ardour and enthusiasm. There were cheers and counter cheers for eloquent allusions, thinly veiled, to the stirring topics of the day, and not a few of those who afterwards bore a prominent part in Irish politics and polemics, were arrayed against one another in this preparatory school of earnest controversy. Looking back on these scenes of ingenuous and seemingly resultless excitement, some may perhaps have been tempted to regard them as little better than undress rehearsals of parts which, to be played well and effectively, require a greater audience and a more enkindling scene. But in the chill of after life, and amid its disenchantments, we commit few stranger errors than those which arise from the obliteration of early thoughts and immature convictions. If memory did not so frequently doze and deceive us, we should read, with exquisite sympathy for our former selves, any chance record that might remain of the intellectual struggles of our early days—struggles not intellectual only, but sus