ent to Maynooth. This
ordeal was to occur upon a day fixed for the purpose, in the ensuing
month; and indeed Denis occupied as much of the intervening period in
study as his circumstances would permit. His situation was, at this
crisis, certainly peculiar. Every person related to him in the
slightest degree contrived to revive their relationship; his former
school-fellows, on hearing that he was actually destined to be of the
church, renewed their acquaintance with him, and those who had been
servants to his father, took the liberty of speaking to him upon the
strength of that fact. No child, to the remotest shade of affinity, was
born, for which he did not stand godfather; nieces and nephews thickened
about him, all with remarkable talents, and many of them, particularly
of the nieces, said to be exceedingly genteel--very thrifty for their
ages, and likely to make excellent housekeepers. A strong likeness to
himself was also pointed out in the features of his nephews, one of whom
had his born nose--another his eyes--and a third again had his brave
high-flown way with him. In short, he began to feel some of the
inconveniences of greatness; and, like it, to be surrounded by cringing
servility and meanness. When he went to the chapel he was beset, and
followed from place to place, by a retinue of friends who were all
anxious to secure to themselves the most conspicuous marks of his
notice. It was the same thing in fair or market; they contended with
each other who should do him most honor, or afford to him and his
father's immediate family the most costly treat, accompanied by the
grossest expressions of flattery. Every male infant born among them was
called Dionysius; and every female one Susan, after his favorite sister.
All this, to a lad like Denis, already remarkable for his vanity, was
very trying; or rather, it absolutely turned his brain, and made him
probably as finished a specimen of pride, self-conceit, and domineering
arrogance, mingled with a kind of lurking humorous contempt for his
cringing relations, as could be displayed in the person of some shallow
but knavish prime minister, surrounded by his selfish sycophants, whom
he encourages and despises.

At home he was idolized--overwhelmed with respect and deference. The
slightest intimation of his wish was a command to them; the beef, and
fowl, and mutton, were at hand in all the variety of culinary skill,
and not a soul in the house durst lay a hand upon his