14 DUBLIN UNIVEKSITY 



" I cannot refrain from expressing a desire that you would consult 



with as to my engaging in some professional pursuits ; for, not 



to mention the unpleasantness of my present situation, its precarious 

 tenure would be sufficient to make me desire some future source to look 

 to, independently of my anxiety to advance my mental powers (which 

 at present appear to be retrograding, and which, without some ultimate 

 object, I have not sufficient energy to cultivate). I am inclined to 

 think that some important changes are contemplated, which will be 

 much to my disadvantage. I cannot help putting you in possession of 

 my wishes, which, should you still consider futile, I will endeavour to 

 suppress." 



1831. The letters of this year contain frequent reference to hard 

 work: — "I was employed until 3 o'clock "Wednesday, a.m., in conse- 

 quence of a Return called for in Parliament. I have been for weeks 

 together working twelve hours a day." 



In December he was made Assistant Librarian and Keeper of Re- 

 cords: — " This, I hope, will be more instructive than my present occu- 

 pation ; my duty being to read, index, and make minutes of the several 

 papers submitted to Government; and will afford opportunity for acquir- 

 ing a very considerable knowledge of the State. Being an improver 

 and inventor of the index, has probably put me in for this." 1832. " I 

 have not yet made up my mind about the College affair ; it would cost 

 me over £100 to enter as a Fellow- commoner and to take rooms in 

 College. As I cannot muster that sum, this course cannot be taken, 

 and it would take me several months' preparation to enter as a Pen- 

 sioner." " I have credit in the new office as a clever machinist, hav- 

 ing suggested a copying machine on a construction, I believe, entirely 

 new; I obtained leave to have two of them made." 



"Asl have received no reward for extra labour, I have determined 

 not to undertake more than my neighbours; I shall then have more 

 time to myself, which I may dispose of usefully in acquiring a profes- 

 sion. J. W. is just about to sail for India as a surgeon to an Indiaman ; 

 this, though no great speculation, yet as possessing manly enterprise, 

 and affording room for acquisition of knowledge, would be to me far 

 preferable to drudging away life at a desk, for merely the means of 

 existence." 



In this year a consolidation of the different branches of the Chief 

 Secretary's Office took place, and to his surprise he found himself at the 

 bottom of the new office, having eleven placed between him and a certain 



