Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/187

 GOLDSMITH. 188 to the degree of bachelor of arts. About this period he left college, an event which was occasioned by improvi dence on his part, and severity on that of his tutor. He had, it seems, invited a party of young friends of both sexes to a supper and ball in his rooms, which coming to the knowledge of his tutor, the latter entered the place in the midst of their hilarity, and after abusing the whole company, proceeded to inflict manual chastisement on Goldsmith in their presence; this event had such an effect on the mind of Oliver, that he determined on quit ting a place where he had suffered so great a mortification. Accordingly, he immediately disposed of his books and clothes, and bidding adieu for ever to the college and i t s inmates, stepped boldly forth into the wide world, pre pared t o take the first path that Providence should point out. He wandered u p and down the streets considering what was t o b e his destination, till his money was com pletely exhausted. However, with a solitary shilling i n his pocket, h e a t last left Dublin this sum, small a s i t was, h e contrived t o make last him three days, and then was obliged t o part with his clothes; i n short, t o s o dread ful a n extremity was h e reduced, that h e confessed, a handful o f grey peas given him a t a wake, appeared t o him the most delicious meal he had ever made. After a series o f adventures a s numberless a s they were strange, h e b y some means contrived t o make his brother ac quainted with his situation; who, after having clothed him, carried him back t o college, and effected a t the same time a reconciliation between him and his tutor, which i t may b e supposed, was neither cordial nor durable. Soon after this, from the repeated i l l treatment h e received, h e fell into a despondence o f mind, and a total carelessness about his studies and pursuits, i n consequence o f which, h e neither obtained a scholarship, o r became a candidate for the premiums. Not long after this period his father died, and his friends wished him t o prepare for holy orders; t o this, however, h e unreservedly declared his dislike, and was recommended a s tutor i n a private f a