...of an hour and a half learned the whole alphabet perfectly and permanently."* He said of himself, " I was, in childhood, remarkably quick and persevering....fear of disgrace ; I desired to excel, and could not brooke the idea of being inferior to others. One day I was idle, and my teacher finding me imperfect...

...corroborated by another excellent witness — O'Connell himself. He said once, to O'Neill Daunt, " I was in childhood remarkably quick and persevering....the fear of disgrace : I desired to excel and could cot brook the idea of being inferior to others." Owing partly to the disturbances on the continent,...

...occasion upon which O'Connell was taught the alphabet. " I learned the alphabet in an hour. I was in my childhood remarkably quick and persevering. My childish...not brook the idea of being inferior to others."' As early as the age of nine O'Connell preferred reading to play. The first book he ever read was Captain...

...corroborated by another excellent witness — U'Connell himself. He said once, to O'Neill Daunt, " I was in childhood remarkably quick and persevering....could not brook the idea of being inferior to others." Owing partly to the disturbances on the continent, the brothers came home from their exile in Artois...