The Irish standard., 1896-03-28
His Early Youth Did Not Give
Much Promise Of His
Later Years.
His Education Taken in Charge
by a Friendly Pastor Who
Saw in Him a Future.
Wit and BriIliancy at the Bar
and His Great Success as
all Advocate.

| ing members of the old Irish parliament
and one of the most eminent OF Irish
| lawyers, was born in Newmarket, Coun-
| ty Cork, on the first night Of July, l75O
His father was a seneschal to a local
manor court and enjoyed the esteem and
respect of all the inhabitants, writes Eu-
gene Davis in the Western Watchman
When his father died, there was no school
in Newmarket in those days, SO the boys oE.;i
pastor, Rev: Nathaniel Boyce, seeing thaaa
he was a. bright and Industrious lad
thought it a pity that he should pc
brought UP illiterate. The reverend gen
tle1nan accordingly took charge OF the
lads elementary education, which was
subsequently completed at a school in the
neighboring burgh of Middleton. He ev-
entually proceeded to Dublin, where he
won a sizarship in Trinity College, when
he was only 18 years of age. In 1773 he
took out degree of Master OF Arts IN
the far-famed educational establishment
Towards the close of the same year he
| W AOAuCl LII V4ASA w osuNJ
law, and entered the Middle Temple. Ac-
cording to the competent authorities, he
does not seem to have had any special
regard at this time for legal lore, sub
ject in which. however, he excelled. Dur
ing his Students days he was frequent
visitor to the hall, where the young as
piring barristers were practicing their
powers Of eloquence. Curran used to fol-
low their speeches with bated breath,
and a fascinating interest. He admired
oratory in others, and hoped that he
Knight some day possess f1isal
gift. So far he had not spo5teff
students parliament. He was the only
one of the members of that institution
who remained silent during the debates.
The president, remarking this inveterate
dumbness on Curran's part, addressed
him one evening in the following terms:
1--WE should like very much to have
Mr.. Currans s views on the subject we are
discuss:ng-the difference between con-
stitutional and unconstitutional law"
The room began to swim around Cur
ran as he staggered to respond to the
unexpected invitation. Scarlet bushes
rnantled his cheeks His limbs tottered
Under him. Nervous terror was pictured
on his features.
Gazing steadfastly on the ground he
stammered out as he fidgeted with the
lapel of his coat, a few disjointed phrases,
from which the amazed audience vaguely
gathered that he had no new light to
throw on the subject under discussion.
He then sat down in state cf the ut
most confusion, while the tears trickled
down his cheeks. Like those Of other IL
lustrious orators, Like Parnell, his first
attempt was q miserable failure. 4a44 I
He was, however, by no means dis.
couraged. After taking out his barris-
ter's diploma he returned to Ireland, and
settled down in Dublin, where he studied
for the Irish bar. In 1774 he married a
wealthy woman, with whom his life was
a misery. She was too fond of balls and
parties for his tastes. and eventually she
eloped with a country squire This mis-
fortune poisoned for some years after
ward the existence of the young man;
but his buoyant and hopeful tempera-
ment eventually triumphed over his sor
row, and he learned to forget the wretch
ed woman. In 1775 he was called to the
Irish bar. In his first case before the
court he happened to read a legal form
in such low and falf-hearted fashion
that the Judge reprimanded him, Say
ing:
"You must speak more distinctly, Mr..
Curran, or else your. future briefs viii
become as rare as white blackberries. .
Nettled by what he considered a Intent.
sneer in the magistrates rebuke, Curran
raised himself to his full height. and as
tonished the court by the elocut.onary
abilities he displayed in reading the re-
mainder Of the document Thencefor-
ward he began to make such rapid prog
ress in the hearts of public spealIing tfat
he eventually rose to be one Of the lead
ing orators of Ireland. Another charae
teristic which had begun to develop was
his sparkling wit, the first exhibition of
which was given at the Greenstreet
Court house on one esentful occasion. A
political prisoner, suspected of high trea-
son. was ON trial for that offense. Cur
ran was his lawyer. Judge Norblry, an
individual who had conceived a great dis
like for the young advocate. interrupted.
the latter as he was explaining on behalf.
Of his client the laws OF high treason.
What does little fellow like -. SIR
know about law? Sure, I could you
in my pocket" exclaimed the clustering
judge. f#.. ;
well. my lord, y said Curran. with cool
and biting sarcasm: &I have only TO state
that in i hat case you would have an in-
fin:teIy larger amount of law in your
pocket than ever you had in your head',
the audience roared with light at
this delicious repartee NorburY fumed
and foannel in the mouth Like an angry
tiger, and threatened to clear he cours If
any further indecent manifestation CT
111irth should occur. Outside the court
room Eurran Was subsequently congrat
ulafed on all sides. s9s
CusTan forged ahead rapid in his pro-
tession &c 1883 he slgsas pointed K. C.,l!