Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 1.djvu/320

 CURRAN. 309 By degrees his character and talents became more known and respected; and, if report be correct, he was indebted for his first patron and rising fame to his own manly spirit, coupled with that mental energy to which a little incident proved favourable. He was retained during an election contest, in which common-place abuse and reciprocal invective are so fre quently resorted to both in England and Ireland, instead of law and reason; Mr. Curran employed both his wit and satire (in each of which he was matchless) against the pretensions of the opposite candidate; and particularly objected to a vote tendered in his behalf. This instantly produced many gross personal allusions on the part of the adversary, and the apparent meanness of the barrister's figure and dress proved a fruitful though vulgar theme for declamation. Mr. Curran, restrained only by the presence of the presiding magistrate from instantly conferring per- sonal chastisement, was compelled to adopt another expe- dient, and immediately poured forth such a torrent of sarcastie eloquence, that he overwhelmed his opponent with shame and confusion, while he enlisted all the noble and generous passions of his auditors on the side of out- raged humanity. His antagonist, instead of resorting to pistols (the honourable arbitration of right and wrong at that day) had good sense and generosity enough to acknowledge his errors; nay, more, he granted to the young lawyer his friendship and protection, and is said to have eminently contributed by his influence, to place his merit and talents in a fair point of view. But it was not alone with the probationary difficulty of a junior barrister that Mr. Curran had to contend in his early career; perhaps it is not, even in that liberal profes- sion, that a young man of humble origin and obscure connections, but superior talents and rising fame has to expect the least display of enmity from senior competitors, more fortunate in their alliances, wealth, and veteran stand- ing; there are certain invidious propensities in our frail