'It is strange that he has conceived such a zest for the study of languages; no sooner did he come home than he persuaded me to send him to that old priest to learn French and Italian, and, if I remember right, you abetted him; but, as I said before, it is in the nature of women invariably to take the part of the second-born.

Well, there is no harm in learning French and Italian, perhaps much good in his case, as they may drive the other tongue out of his head.

Irish! why, he might go to the university but for that; but how would he look when, on being examined with respect to his attainments, it was discovered that he understood Irish?
How did you learn it?
they would ask him; how did you become acquainted with the language of Papists and rebels?
The boy would be sent away in disgrace.' 'Be under no apprehension, I have no doubt that he has long since forgotten it.' 'I am glad to hear it,' said my father; 'for, between ourselves, I love the poor child; ay, quite as well as my first-born.

I trust they will do well, and that God will be their shield and guide; I have no doubt He will, for I have read something in the Bible to that effect.

What is that text about the young ravens being fed ?' 'I know a better than that,' said my mother; 'one of David's own words, "I have been young and now am grown old, yet never have I seen the righteous man forsaken, or his seed begging their bread."' I have heard talk of the pleasures of idleness, yet it is my own firm belief that no one ever yet took pleasure in it.