Page:Maria Edgeworth (Zimmern 1883).djvu/181

Rh to witness their meeting on his native soil." Miss Edgeworth writes:—

I am glad that kind Crampton had the reward of this journey; though frequently hid from each other by clouds of dust in their open carriage, they had, as they told us, never ceased talking. They like each other as much as two men of so much genius and so much benevolence should, and we rejoice to be the bond of union. Sir Walter delights the heart of every creature who sees, hears, and knows him. He is most benignant as well as most entertaining ; the noblest and the gentlest of lions, and his face, especially the lower part of it, is excessively like a lion ; he and Mr. Crampton and Mr. Jephson were delighted together. The school band after dinner by moonlight playing Scotch tunes, and the boys at leap-frog, delighted Sir Walter. Nest day we went to the school for a very short time. and saw a little of everything, and a most favourable impression was left. It being Saturday, religious instruction was going on when we went in. Catholics with their priest in one room ; Protestants with Mr. Keating in the other. More delightful conversation I have seldom in my life heard than we have been blessed with these three days. What a touch of sorrow must mix with the pleasures of all who have had great losses. Lovell, my mother, and I, at twelve o'clock at night, joined in exclaiming, " How delightful! O! that he had lived to see and hear this!"

Of the details of this visit, Lockhart, in his Life of Scott, has furnished an account. He draws attention to the curious coincidence that Goldsmith and Maria Edgeworth should both have derived their early love and knowledge of Irish character from the same district, Pallesmore being indeed in the property of the Edgeworths.

After a week's stay, Sir Walter and his friends departed to visit Killarney; and Miss Edgeworth, her sister Harriet, and brother William, were easily persuaded to be of the party. The journey was a delightful one to all concerned; and though a few little mishaps occurred, such as the difficulties of finding post-horses to convey so large a party, everything was