Dublin, December 23. 1808. Honoured Sir, How different is our situation this Christmas, from that, with which we were usually blest! It is, indeed, a gloomy change; but still, it is our duty to receive the change, as a visitation from the Almighty for, whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth.' Let us learn, to bear our present humiliation with patience and the Lord will, no doubt, reward our perseverance, in a manner beyond our expectations. Your ever obedient Son, Honoured Sir, WILLIAM PHELAN. April 28. 1809. I have just happened to receive the enclosed, and I hasten to remit it to you. My endeavours to do without it, will be facilitated, by the sweet hope, of its being useful to the best of parents. Your ever dutiful Son, Honoured Sir, Dublin, April 13. 1810. Enclosed, I send you share of another prize, which I obtained, at the time I took my deIt was for English verse; the first time I f gree. made any attempt that way: and, luckily, I have been very successful. I also, on the same day, got the gold medal*: so that, for a while, I am pretty well supplied with college honours. I know you, and my dear mother, will be glad to hear of this: so, I have told you every thing that has happened to me. I hope, my dear father, that, whenever you find yourself weakened by work, you will stop, and indulge yourself. I am young, Sir: my work is not so hard as yours; and I should be ashamed to hear, that he, to whom I owe my life and my education, should labour too hard, while I have the means of furnishing assistance. Tell my mother, that I am not, nor ever shall be, forgetful of her tender care of me: and believe me, dear Sir, Your ever grateful Son, My dear Father, Trin. Coll. Oct. 15. 1820. Once more, I must deny myself the pleasure of taking a trip to Clonmel. My entrance to-day, was only two pupils: and this is too small, to allow of any more travelling for the year. I wish very much, that you would lay out the en * See page 15., ante. closed upon yourself. This day three weeks, I shall send as much more: which can be used for the family purposes. I shall send the spectacles, by the first opportunity. Believe me, my dear Sir, Ever your affectionate Son, W. P. My dear Father, Trin. Coll. Oct. 7. 1821. I wish very much, that you would, immediately, have the flannel waistcoats made. Give up one pound, to the purpose; and I shall be sure, to make it up to you. Take care, and make yourself comfortable, this winter. It can make the difference of only a very few pounds to me; and, I hope, it is needless to say, that, for such a purpose, I do not value a few pounds. Your ever affectionate Son, My dear Father, W. P. Trin. Coll. Nov. 20. 1822. I beg you will employ the enclosed, in some articles of comfortable dress, for yourself, mother. Do not think of my being a little embarrassed for money; my difficulty, on that account, will be but for a short time; and my and my mother. uneasiness would be, beyond comparison, both heavier, and longer, if you wanted any thing which W. P. I could procure. My dear Father, Trin. Coll. Oct. 25. 1823. It has just occurred to me, that I have neglected you sadly as to money matters. To remove all such inconveniences in future, I shall make it a rule, please God, to pay you quarterly. You shall have, as long as we all live and do well, twenty-five pounds, on each of the following days, &c. W. P. Tuesday (1829). My dear Father, I do not know how to address you, at this afflicting time. Our darling B is gone to a better world; but you must feel the loss of her society deeply. deeply. However, it would be selfish, as well as presumptuous, to murmur at the will of Him, who is the Father of us all. I send the enclosed, for the purpose of buying mourning; it is right, that we should pay every respect to the memory of that sweet creature, who is gone from us. Ever, my dear Father, Your most affectionate Son, My dear Father, 3. Lower Merrion Street, Dublin, March 11. 1830. It will grieve me excessively, if I should discover, that you have been denying yourselves any thing comfortable, from reluctance to call upon me. Indeed, I am never satisfied, when I see, or hear, that you do not take all the care you ought of yourselves; or do not attend to those little supports of life, which your state, and that of my mother, requires. You cannot but feel, that I would count nothing within my power, too much for your use, &c. Ever, your affectionate Son, W. P. Dublin, March 25. 1830. My dear Father, It mortifies me, more than I can express, that I find it quite impossible, to accompany Catherine to Clonmel. Various things conspire, to make it necessary for us to leave Dublin, very early next week: and many preparations are to be made, before we can set out. All these causes compel me, to let Catherine travel alone. But, I live in hopes, that I shall see you, before the summer is over; and that I shall find you, and my dear mother, improved by the fine weather. You will perceive, by what Catherine brings, |