ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL ASSOCIATION. 13 



had a grand battle, and succeeded in securing one fellow of about four 

 cwt. It was very exciting ; we went armed with grains and guns ; 

 we saw three seals; the first got off clear ; the second we struck with our 

 harpoon, but, though tolerably deeply wounded, he got off, leaving us 

 only a little blubber. The last fellow Mr. M. and I struck ; I buried 

 my harpoon to the shaft in the shoulder, in about eight feet of water. He 

 took our boat out of the cave with amazing rapidity, and, after hauling 

 us about for some time, was obliged to put up his head, when we suc- 

 ceeded in dispatching him, but not until we had fired four shots, though 

 our harpoons were so bent, and the shafts so broken, that we had to go 

 to the lighthouse to get them repaired. When they were done, the 

 swell had so increased that it became impossible to approach the rocks ; 

 we were then caught in a squall, and shipped a few seas, but got safely 

 into a creek in Howth, and came home in the evening with our prize. 

 On examination, my harpoon had penetrated the ribs, lungs, and heart; 

 so much for gymnastic vigour. The creature measured 7 feet 2 inches 

 in length." It is now in the Museum of Trinity College, Dublin. 



The next five years (1829 to 1834) contain few events to record, 

 but his letters to his father show a constant desire to escape from the 

 thraldom of the office desk to some more active employment. He still 

 clung to the idea of entering College and going to a profession. At one 

 time he thought of applying to be made a stipendary magistrate ; at 

 another, he looked with a longing eye towards India. Anything de- 

 manding vigorous intellectual effort would have been hailed with plea- 

 sure, as much superior (to use his own words) to " a state bordering on 

 inanity, caused by a long course of stupid work." 



A few extracts from his letters tell all that need be told. In one 

 respect they are remarkable — for the extreme deference which they 

 uniformly evince to his father's opinions and wishes. 



February 25, 1830. " There are in course of appointment a number 

 of stipendary and resident police magistrates throughout the country ; 

 and from my knowledge of some of those already appointed, I am led 

 to think I would not be an unfit candidate." 



The two following are of the same year : — 



"We are kept closely employed from a little after 10 until 7 

 each day, and I understand we have no chance of any intermission of 

 this continual application. There are some other circumstances equally 

 unpleasing, but as I am not allowed to make any attempt to relieve my- 

 self of them, I must only submit." 



