their present circumstances, the dispensation which withheld others
was a blessing to him that was given. Even Connor himself, argued the
miser, will be the gainer by it, for what would my five loaves and three
fishes be among so many? The pleasure, however, that is derived from the
violation of natural affection is never either full or satisfactory.
The gratification felt by Fardorougha, upon reflecting that no further
addition was to be made to their family, resembled that which a hungry
man feels who dreams he is partaking of a luxurious banquet. Avarice,
it is true, like fancy, was gratified, but the enjoyment, though rich to
that particular passion, left behind it a sense of unconscious remorse,
which gnawed his heart with a slow and heavy pain, that operated like a
smothered fire, wasting what it preys upon, in secrecy and darkness.
In plainer terms, he was not happy, but so absorbed in the ruling
passion--the pursuit of wealth--that he felt afraid to analyze his
anxiety, or to trace to its true source the cause of his own misery.

In the mean time, his boy grew up the pride and ornament of the parish,
idolized by his mother, and beloved by all who knew him. Limited and
scanty was the education which his father could be prevailed upon to
bestow upon him; but there was nothing that could deprive him of his
natural good sense, nor of the affections which his mother's love had
drawn out and cultivated. One thing was remarkable in him, which we
mention with reluctance, as it places his father's character in a
frightful point of view; it is this, that his love for that father was
such as is rarely witnessed, even in the purest and most affectionate
circles of domestic life. But let not our readers infer, either from
what we have written, or from any thing we may write, that Fardorougha
hated this lovely and delightful boy; on the contrary, earth contained
not an object, except his money, which he loved so well. His affection
for him, however, was only such as could proceed from the dregs of a
defiled and perverted heart. This is not saying much, but it is saying
all. What in him was parental attachment, would in another man, to
such a son, be unfeeling and detestable indifference. His heart sank
on contemplating the pittance he allowed for Connor's education; and no
remonstrance could prevail on him to clothe the boy with common decency.
Pocket-money was out of the question, as were all those considerate
indulgences to