I8oi] Second Visit to Ireland, 



CHAPTER IV. 



SECOND VISIT TO IRELAND. 



[1851-] 



HE went to Trinity College, Cambridge, intending to 

 devote himself principally to the classics, in which, had it 

 not been for his constitutional delicacy, he might reason- 

 ably have expected to attain high honours, while at the 

 same time entering into the outdoor enjoyments of under- 

 graduate life. In point of fact, however, one year at the 

 University was sufficient to prove his unfitness for work 

 of the strenuous sort to which his habits of mind inclined 

 him. A severe illness at Easter prevented his keeping his 

 third Term of residence, and when, at the close of the long 

 vacation, he returned to Cambridge only to break down 

 once again and go home on sick leave in November, he 

 was obliged, as he sorrowfully records, to " give up all 

 thought of Classical Honours." Until the end of his eighth 

 Term (May, 1853), he clung to hopes of competing for the 

 Natural Science Tripos by way of substitute for the 

 Classical ; but this, too, constantly recurring attacks of ill 

 health obliged him finally to abandon. 



In other respects Cambridge benefited him greatly, 

 bringing him into contact with those who shared his tastes ; 

 among whom must be specially mentioned five, who.se 

 names mark so many powerful influences in the current 

 of his life. The beginning of his acquaintance'with one 

 he owed to Dr. Bell Salter, an introduction through whom 

 (in 1851) to Mr. C. C. Babington laid the foundation of a 

 lifelong friendship. The other four probably began as 

 college friendships usually do. His journals record most of 

 the dates ; and the four names may here be mentioned 

 together, in order of time: Henry Evans, 1850; R. A. 

 Julian, May, 1852 ; W. W. Nevvbould, November, 1852 ; 

 and Edward Newton, January, 1855. 



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