or water the flowers. He disappeared, however, like a young wolf, when he was thought to be quite domesticated, and without any apparent reason. He is mentioned here merely as an instance of the changes men's opinions often undergo with respect to the theories of their earlier days. The Revelations of the Dead Alive' shews what a sceptic Banim was in the doctrines of phrenology, and his sincerity in the ridicule of that science at the time the above mentioned work was published; at this period, however, so firm was his creed in the soundness of its principles, that he never left this boy at the cottage when going out to drive, without placing him in charge of the man who was employed to do the champooing,' as he apprehended some dreadfui consequences might result from an opportunity being presented for gratifying the animal propensities which he fancied were indicated by his cerebral conformation. Here are facts to illustrate his

LOVE OF KIND.

6

which, far from being confined to his own immediate friends, was for ever displaying itself in some one or other species of action, having for its object the moral or social improvement of so much of the humbler classes, collectively or individually, as came within the scope of his influence.

In close proximity to Wind-gap Cottage stood a newly erected schoolhouse, a fine, spacious building, and at the time, perhaps, superior to any provincial structure of the kind in the kingdom; it was the work of Michael Banim's untiring zeal in the cause of education. He spared neither time nor labor in collecting subscriptions, soliciting donations, or superintending the tradesmen engaged in the work. Indeed, in his eagerness to complete the undertaking, he made considerable advances from his private means, which were never repaid him. The National System was then in its infancy, and by no means popular; Michael Banim was, however, amongst the first to perceive its advantages, and entertained sanguine expectations of achieving the happiest results to the children of the poor of his native city from a combination of those advantages with the free character of Father Connell's' charitable institution. With this view the idea of a National Free School, to supersede the theatre of Mick Dempsey's' labors, to be still governed by a committee of the society which had been founded for the support of the honored seminary, which, it is hoped Banim's page has now immortalized, the members whereof (comprising

every respectable individual in the community) still met occasionally and paid their small quarterly subscriptions; and to differ only from its predecessor in the enjoyment of a government grant, was conceived and executed.

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The result of Michael Banim's labors was not what he expected. The building being pronounced fit for occupation, the Committee met, and, through improper interference, from private motives, an incompetent person was elected to take charge of the new School, in opposition to the wishes and advice of the gentleman who had originated the plan, and done so much to carry it out and secure its success. Michael Banim, of course, ceased to take further part in the proceedings of the Committee; the members of the Society began to refuse subscriptions, on the ground of the support to be derived from the Board of Education, and to declare off altogether; few or no pupils made their appearance, on account of the prejudice that existed regarding the National System, and finally the Board of Education withdrew the gratuity, not recognising the claims of a school, in which no effort was made to promote the objects * for which the Board was instituted. Such was the condition to which Mick Dempsey's' once flourishing realm was reduced on Banim's return to Kilkenny. He regretted the disappearance of the old thatched roof under which the shivering limbs of so many poor children were made to experience annually the blessings of Father Connell's charity, and that of many another benevolent spirit long after the pulse of that commiserating heart had ceased to beat. The handsome edifice which replaced it was but a poor compensation, in Banim's opinion, for the good that had departed with it, and in the general apathy that prevailed with regard to the matter, he resolved to take upon himself the task of reviving the Society, and of turning the fine new school-house to some practical account at least, if the ancient utility of the old one could not be restored. For this purpose he put himself at once in communication with the Education Board to request a renewal of the connection, and with the local clergy to secure an attendance of pupils. Both these objects attained, he succeeded in interesting Mr. Keoghan, one of the Catholic curates of the parish, and a gentleman for whose zeal as minister, and acquirements as a scholar, he had the greatest esteem, so much in the furtherance of his views that the latter readily consented to accompany him on a questing excursion amongst the quondam subscribers. On a fixed day,

accordingly, the carriage was ready at an hour much earlier than usual, and Mr. Keoghan being punctual to his appointment, both gentlemen proceeded on their mission; the following day was devoted to the same object, and a sum was collected far exceeding all expectation. Banim's glee was great on the evenings of both these days, he and the clergyman congratulating themselves over a glass of sherry (which being plentifully diluted with water formed his favorite beverage) on their eminent success, and laughingly relating how, by judiciously flattering the wives, they succeeded in obtaining both arrears and current subscriptions, when the surly husbands would persist in obstinately refusing payment of either. Alas! for the mutability of human things, the good Father Keoghan was carried away in a few months after by a malignant fever caught in his attendance on a patient at the County Fever Hospital, Banim is scarcely remembered in his native city, while few, if any, know if there ever existed such a body as the once famous 'St. John's Parochial Society.' But to return. One week after Banim had formed his resolution the school was in efficient working order, and had an impetus communicated to it which bore it beyond the chance of again sinking into the condition from which his efforts had raised it. Nor did his solicitude in regard to it stop here; many an hour was snatched from other important business in order to pay a visit to the school. On these occasions it was necessary that the chair and cushions which he used at home should be sent before him, by which there was given timely intimation of his approach-a circumstance which frequently caused him to allude to his infirmity in terms of mingled pleasantry and sadness, and to observe how lucky it was for both teachers and pupils that they need be in no apprehension of ever being taken by surprise. And yet he would sometimes express himself on these and other occasions so as to lead one to think that he did not, at least at that time, quite despair that such might one day be the case.

Having taken possession of his chair in the school-room he would summon before him the various classes in turn, explain the subjects of the different lessons, lecture on the elements of Grammar and Geography, in the latter of which he would use his clenched hand with great effect as a substitute for a globe, when it was necessary to explain why the figure of the earth was usually represented by two circular pictures, &c., and communicate all sorts of knowledge in such popular

language, and in a manner so fascinating, that the little students were always sorry when his visit terminated. He bestowed many marks of favor and encouragement, too, on such of the boys as exhibited marks of talent. There was one in particular for whose future way in the world he was resolved to interest himself, but chancing, during an evening drive, to surprise him in the act of lighting a collection of straw which he had heaped on an unfortunate hedgehog, for the purpose of forcing the poor animal into a state of activity, and thereby furnish pastime to a crowd of associates, he abandoned all his kind intentions towards him, and save reading him a severe lecture on his cruelty, never again noticed him in any of his subsequent visits to the school, which were only given up when increasing feebleness rendered it impossible to continue them longer.

Besides the improved system of education which he was the means of introducing into the school, he had in contemplation another project for still further elevating the taste of the generation then springing up around Wind-gap Cottage. It was, the establishment if possible, of light theatrical performances, in connection with the school, somewhat after the fashion of educational Institutions of loftier pretensions. The practicability of the scheme was often gravely discussed, and its success considered certain. The musical and dramatic talents of the artisans of the 'faire citie' had been celebrated even before the time of Moore's theatricals there, and I may safely add were sufficiently noticeable at this time at least to be considered characteristic. From those, in conjunction with the pupils attending the school, he reckoned on being able to form a tolerably efficient company; the school-room he pronounced admirably adapted for the purposes of a theatre; and one of his own short pieces, which required but simple scenery and moderate artistic skill, would afford suitable material for a first attempt. The rehearsals and other details were to be an affair of personal superintendence, and the recovery of a little even of his former strength was all that was required to put the design in immediate execution. This he kept fondly promising himself was some time or other to return; the hope of renewed health, while capable of hoping, never completely deserted him; it was a vain expectation, however, and so the experiment was destined to remain untested. The same cause prevented him from giving to the world a work, the plan of which had been conceived some years before, and for

which considerable materials had been collected; it was to have been entitled the Lies of History,' and dedicated to his daughter.

When discussing his theatrical project, he would lay it down as a maxim, that a high, moral style of drama was a test of a country's greatness; that it fostered the seeds of nationality and matured its fruits; that it should be regarded as amongst the most powerful instruments of refinement and order; and that to cultivate and spread a taste for it was a task becoming every man truly desirous of regenerating his country or protecting her independence. His impressions in this respect seemed founded on grounds furnished by his own special case; for questioning his daughter, one day, on the subject of her school exercises, and looking through the little pile of books. from which she had been preparing her various lessons, he expressed some surprise at not being able to discover amongst them the one which of all others he most wished to see in her hands; and to her request to be informed to what particular book he alluded, he replied that it was the old 'Scott's Lessons,' or 'Speaker,' as that once popular treatise on Elocution was more generally called, adding that the study of the dramatic selections comprised in it, had taking into view the whole circle of his youthful discipline, by far the largest share in the process which formed his mind. Indeed the rival near the throne' of the realm of theatrical recitation, whom James Charles Bucmahon (Buchanan, for he was a real character, as I need scarcely say almost all Banim's were,) the Master of the English Academy, suspected he was one day to encounter in person of the young hero of Father Connell,' was no other than little John Banim himself. It was little John Banim's forefinger of the right hand that used to define with such exactitude the orb of Norval's shield; his little head that was wont to drop as naturally asleep on the form in the old school-room, as if it were the genuine royal couch on Bosworth field, and then express by such unmistakeable signs the mortal terror that had disturbed his slumber; and it was from his little fist when personating Will Boniface the imaginary ale' was quaffed with the smack and relish that were accustomed to draw tears of laughter from the good old priest, and throw the rough but warm-hearted housekeeper, who had never in the course of her life seen anything approaching a veritable actor, into a fever of delight, forcing her to vent her approval in terms so near the line in Shakspeare