gested the idea to him, for he was of a diffident disposition. Ballitore seemed to be a suitable place for this purpose, a retired village in the county of Kildare, twentyeight miles south of Dublin, the river Griese, a pleasant stream, running through the valley in which the village stands, and contributing to its salubrity. It was a situation, also, which gratified Abraham Shackleton's inclination for the country, and his love of agriculture and planting. Hither, then, he brought his beloved Margaret. Here they passed their peaceful, pious lives; here shone the steady lustre of their bright example; and here they laid down their heads in a good old age. But their virtues left behind a sweet odour, when their places knew them no more; and their memories are handed down with respect and love, from one generation to another. The boarding-school was opened on the 1st of the 3d month, 1726, and succeeded beyond the humble hopes of its conductors; so that not only those of their own society, and of the middle rank, but many persons of considerable note, and of various denominations, placed their children under their care; several of whom, afterwards, filled conspicuous stations in life; and many not only retained a grateful and affectionate respect for the memory of their preceptor, but good-will and regard for the Society of Friends, on his account; remembering his extraordinary diligence and care in their tuition, his fatherly oversight of them, and also the living lesson of uprightness, temperance, gravity, and humility, which he taught by his example. And there is ground to believe, that the principles of the people called Quakers were better understood, and that many illiberal prejudices against them were removed, by means of Ballitore School. Amongst the scholars of Abraham Shackleton, one of the most distinguished for early attainments in literature, was Edmund Burke, who, with Garrett, and Richard, his brother, was placed under his care, in the year 1741. Edmund, being then about eleven years of age, manifested uncommon genius, with qualities which shelter that "painful pre-eminence" from those envious blasts, which annoy even when they cannot injure; for he was unassuming, affable, and modest. He and Richard Shackleton, the son of Abraham, pursued their studies together. The minds of both were strongly bent to literary acquirements; both were endowed with a classical taste, solid judgment, and keen perceptions; and with similar dispositions, cheerful, affectionate, and benevolent. Between these kindred minds a friendship was formed, which continued through life, notwithstanding the different spheres in which they moved. When they met afterwards, Edmund Burke delighted to converse with the friend of his youth, on subjects that recalled their juvenile days. In private life, he was distinguished by the practice of the domestic and social virtues, and by exemplary moral conduct. His manners and conversation were engaging and instructive; clothed with a simplicity which softened the brilliancy of his talents, and made him even more beloved than admired. Michael Kearney was another of Abraham Shackleton's pupils, a native of Dublin; a person of acknowledged worth and learning, and as remarkable for his modesty as for his acquirements. At the age of eighty, he gave proof, by a few lines addressed to one of the family, of the permanency of that friendship, which, springing from the soil of innocent and cultivated minds, produces blossoms and fruits, to gladden the heart in youth and in age. "A renewal," says he, "however slight, of a correspondence with Ballitore, excited a most affecting pulsation in my heart: it attracted my attention to old times, when I was accustomed to receive letters from your father, to whom I am indebted for much instruction in what is laudable and excellent." Speaking of the pleasure with which he read a description of Ballitore in verse, he adds, "It bestowed on me a momentary youth. I recollected the haunts of my boyhood with inexpressible pleasure, and retraced events that had occurred on every spot. The cowslips of the Mill-field were not forgotten, and many instructive conversations with your father started into my mind." It was not the recollection of hours spent with his friend in idleness, folly, or mischievous frolics, which was presented to his memory; but through the long retrospect of much more than half a century, this venerable man could pleasantly contemplate their past studies and recreations. The cultivation of taste and science is favourable to the preservation of purity in conduct and sentiment; and though there are lamentable instances of fine talents being laid waste, and, instead of raising a goodly and useful structure, affording, by their ruin, a shelter to the beasts of prey and birds of night; yet the generality of the dissipated and profligate, appear to be those who have neglected or despised the improvement of their own abilities, and endeavoured to depreciate those intellectual powers and accomplishments, which they were either unwilling or unable to comprehend; who, in the words of Gay, "O'erlook with scorn all virtuous arts; When Richard Shackleton was but five years old, his heart experienced the touches of Divine love; and he sometimes withdrew to a retired spot, where he poured out his soul in prayer, and was permitted to approach Him who said, "Suffer little children to come unto me." Often did he look back upon this time, and the scene of these early aspirations, which seemed hallowed in his view. It was a precious period of his life when he was led to enter into covenant with his Maker-when he walked out alone with his Bible, and poured out his prayers and his tears, being favoured with that heavenly feeling which surpasses every other enjoyment; and this tenderness continued, with very little interruption, to operate on his mind till the sixteenth year of his age. On his arriving at this critical period of life, the levity incident to youth, and his own natural vivacity, drew him, in degree, from that watchfulness enjoined by the highest authority, and on which our safety and happiness depend; and though preserved within the bounds of morality, the religious sensibility experienced in early life was weakened. This lapse, though it had been long recovered, he regretted, when about to close his exemplary life. He was very diligent in seeking after improvement in literary knowledge; and, while yet a child, was able to assist his father. For this purpose he spent some time in Dublin, attending lectures at the college, and learning the Hebrew language. The pious care exercised over him, when absent from his parents, will appear by the following extracts from letters written to him by his father. "Keep thy mind as quiet as possible, so that thou mayst have benefit of this little tour. I desire thou mayst have thy eye to Him that hath preserved, in some degree, him that writeth, and is his chiefest joy. Next to that, my joy is that mine may walk acceptably before Him. Durable riches, I know, and honours, are in his right hand, which He dispenses impartially, in his own fit time." 1744. "We are very desirous of seeing thee at home, for several reasons; and yet very loath to interrupt thee in that in which thou proposest to thyself an advantage, or, at least, a satis faction; for thou mayst assure thyself, whilst thou continuest to eye the best things, thou art and wilt be near to me." "My dear son, that gracious hand that dispenses divine favours liberally, hath not been wanting to my mind, since thou left us, and thou hast been nearly remembered by me; and my desires are, that thou mayst often participate of those riches and treasures that add no sorrow, but give the soul dominion over all lower enjoyments. This sifting, winnowing, purging, cleansing hand, that would make room for itself that would leave nothing but the pure, weighty grain-bring every thought, word, and action to judgment; may it be attended upon, and, when retired and withdrawn, patiently waited for. Experience tells us here, too, that the prodigal must know want." 1748. "Thou hast been pretty much in my mind since we parted, and I have often remembered that portion of Scripture: The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold.' Various are the probations that are permitted to fall to our share, in this vale of tears. I cannot think but, if it be not our own fault, they may turn to our lasting advantage, in purging away the dross, the tin, and the reprobate silver. The more deep the trials, the more severe and heavy the refining, reforming hand presses on our souls; the more high they may rise in acceptance, and have the more sensible enjoyments; and then may the soul bow, in the depth of humility, to the root, and know its dependance on that from whence living nourishment springs. Surely, the all-wise God hath, for a wise and blessed end, dispensed day and night to our souls, as well as to the outward creation, to engage and enamour our souls to love Him." 1748. Richard Shackleton very early in life became attached to Elizabeth, youngest daughter of Henry and Deborah |