Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 1.djvu/243

 BURKE 238 writing a play, of which little is remembered, but "that Alfred was the principal character, and that the piece contained many sublime sentiments on liberty. We lament the loss of this school-boy effusion; it is important to mark the gradations by which genius mounts If the first essays of great men could always be known, we should often find their ascent to have been more gra- dual than is usually imagined. Many a young aspirant, who is dismayed at the height which others have attained, would be cheered and stimulated if he could ascertain what they had accomplished at his age, and the indolent and confident would be reminded that no superiority of talent can supply the necessity of early and regular exertion. Burke regarded his preceptor, Mr. Shackelton, with feelings which did honour to both. For nearly forty-years that he went annually to Ireland, he invariably travel many miles to pay him a visit; nor did he confine his friendship to old Mr. Shackelton, his son enjoyed it also, with whom he was in habits of constant correspondence. From school, Burke went to Trinity College, Dublin but here, according to his contemporary, Goldsmith, he did not distinguish himself. It may excite surprise, that the motives which placed him at the head of his school, did not operate to raise him at the university; but let the progress of the human mind be carefully observed, and the inquirer will soon find that the springs of action are very different in the child and the adult. The child per- forms his task from love of imitation, hope of reward, and fear of punishment; as the intellect strengthens, he be- gins to love learning for itself, or for the distinction which he hopes to gain by the exertion of original powers; that which was before a means becomes an end, and his former hopes and fears, and wishes, pass away and are led forgotten. We are far from asserting that such a change obtains in every mind, and still farther from maintaining that it always happens at a particular age. We only suggest this new birth as unfavourable to a very ardent affection