ld
can compare with a bog at sunrise! There's a sentiment to open a paper on
nationalities! I came up with the postboy, and took his letters to save him
a couple of miles. Here's one for you, I think from Atlee; and this is also
to your address, from Dublin; and here's the last number of the _Pike_,
and you'll see they have lost no time. There's a few lines about you. "Our
readers will be grateful to us for the tidings we announce to-day, with
authority--that Richard Kearney, Esq., son of Mathew Kearney, o Kilgobbin
Castle, will contest his native county at the approaching election. It will
be a proud day for Ireland when she shall see her representation in the
names of those who dignify the exalted station they hold in virtue of their
birth and blood, by claims of admitted talent and recognised ability. Mr.
Kearney, junior, has swept the university of its prizes, and the college
gate has long seen his name at the head of her prizemen. He contests the
seat in the National interest. It is needless to say all our sympathies,
and hopes, and best wishes go with him."'

Dick shook with laughing while the other read out the paragraph in a
high-sounding and pretentious tone.

'I hope,' said Kearney at last, 'that the information as to my college
successes is not vouched for on authority.'

'Who cares a fig about them? The phrase rounds off a sentence, and nobody
treats it like an affidavit.'

'But some one may take the trouble to remind the readers that my victories
have been defeats, and that in my last examination but one I got
"cautioned."'

'Do you imagine, Mr. Kearney, the House of Commons in any way reflects
college distinction? Do you look for senior-wranglers and double-firsts on
the Treasury bench? and are not the men who carry away distinction the men
of breadth, not depth? Is it not the wide acquaintance with a large field
of knowledge, and the subtle power to know how other men regard these
topics, that make the popular leader of the present day? and remember, it
is talk, and not oratory, is the mode. You must be commonplace, and even
vulgar, practical, dashed with a small morality, so as not to be classed
with the low Radical; and if then you have a bit of high-faluting for the
peroration, you'll do. The morning papers will call you a young man of
great promise, and the whip will never pass you without a shake-hands.'

'But there are good speakers.'

'There is Bright--I don't think I know another--and he on