Brian Condon: Letters and Documents in 19th Century Australian Catholic History

[Source: Adelaide Archdiocesan Archives copy]

Maynooth

23 April 1815

Dear John,

Before I devote myself to uninterrupted preparation for examinations, which even in anticipation are so terrible, I must discharge myself of the obligations which my correspondents have imposed on me. Reviewing them as they pass before an Imagination which loves to contemplate the images of absent friends, I see none to whom I have now the pleasure of addressing. Since through the channel of a letter I directed the current of my thoughts to you, the long period of a long year has elapsed. It is unnecessary to remind you that were it only a return for a similar delay on your part, it sufficiently justifies the protracted silence. I could not conjecture what motives inclined you to subject me to a privation of your correspondence for so long a time. I could not persuade myself that the principle from which it flowed could ever ultimately be resolved into a neglect towards me; the manifestation of every kind and affectionate attention, the renewal of your frequent and interested inquiries rendered me for a moment unable to entertain such a suspicion. Your letter, the propriety of its observations, the general accuracy of style, convinces me of the facility with which you can pen your letter. Unable therefore to discover your motive (and presuming that you had one to direct you) I remain in indetermination, without a curiosity to know what you might have a delicacy to disclose.

As to your letter, at the same time that I thank you for the profusion of your compliments, I must regret how far I am from meriting them. You might have given them in sincerity, for you would not descend to the baseness of flattery but, I can assure you, you aggravate much my qualifications and place them in a sphere much elevated above that in which they reside. Intense application may have improved the talent and enlarged the capacity which Nature or rather Nature's God bestowed upon me, but you must receive it from me, not as proceeding from an assumption of modesty but as being my sincere conviction and the real fact, that poor indeed are the attainments I have been able to glean from the studious fits of my boyhood or the unwearied assiduity of the flower of my youth.

And here I cannot omit remarking that advantage derivable from early application. Could we when engaged with the trifles that occupy the morning of life, and seduced by the follies that lure the youth to a dissipation of his time, be persuaded to turn from the play that diverts us and devote ourselves either to the Historian's tale or the Poet's song, we should on future days bless the happy manner in which we occupied that portion of life which is usually employed in unwearying games and useless sports. Here I mean not to be so rigorous as to exclude Recreation from among the engagements of youth. What I would prescribe would be judiciously to intermingle the sweets of Recreation and the bitters of Study and a compound would arise salutary in its effect on the intellect and morals. But too much exercise must produce languor, languor makes idleness a habit and when once habitual, how pernicious its consequences!

But this digression was not intended to occupy so much of this letter. You are I am inclined to suppose (tho' you omit its mention) happy in academic Retirement. Feasting on Reflection is indulging imagination; you know how to enjoy the shade which it affords, and fond of order and regularity, you benefit of the discipline which it enforces. Its nature is to nurture piety by the calmness which surrounds it and to promote learning by the generous emulation it excites among the favored pupils of the house. I trust your generous emulation will be successful in this struggle and bear away the premium of literature and the reward of merit from the other companions of your toil. It will be gratifying to your friends (to exclude me from whose number would indeed be injustice) and also encouraging to yourself to see your exertions crowned with appropriate rewards in the noble cause of learning. I earnestly desire, then, that success this year may ensure the continuance of your exertions.

It is pleasing to me to be able to collect from the general expressions of your letter that your fancy is lively and your metaphoric faculty more than ordinarily strong. They are the powers to whose exercise nature has conjoined the most exquisite emotions, and from whose indulgence is received the most sublime pleasure. They embody fiction in reality, conjure happiness into existence and lead us into a land where fragrant flowers are blooming for our enjoyment and delicious fruits anticipate the impulse of appetite. You are no stranger to these countries whose delight is the exhaustless talent of invention. But at the same time that tho' were I inclined to conduce, it should be lost in commendation, you will not be displeased if I take the liberty of observing that a congruity should even be observed in your metaphors and figures, that you have a great power over the perception of similitudes is (perhaps partial may be my judgement) my real opinion. Be not blind however in the adoption of those that hastily present themselves to your mind, investigate their nature before you make application and you will often discover traits of similitude and dissimilitude which a first glance was unable to discern. A native wildness is characteristic of a youthful imagination, its range is boundless in the sphere of possibility and in measure is infinite in the combination of things. Its range may sometimes be excentric and its combination not happy, but time and experience will correct the deviation of its course and teach it congruity in the formation of its pictures. Be not rigorous in curbing it lest its Spirit may degenerate and its warmth cool.

You will not forget to present Mr Horan with my remembrance. Rev. Mr Therry is assured that he is not forgotten, assure him that he is thought on with affection. I am in doubt whether I shall have the pleasure of seeing him in Cork next vacation. I am more strongly inclined not to remove my camp. The same circumstances that occur to interrupt my going home will, I am afraid, be an obstacle to my acceptance of that kind invitation to pass some days of Recreation in the villa of Nauaght-more. The kindness of the attention there manifested to me, the pleasure of the company which it afforded, the loveliness of the situation clothed in the chains of Nature and Sweet in its patriotic associations are inducements which will require very particular circumstances indeed to enable me to overcome them. If my attendance is precluded, I shall enjoy it in Spirit. I fondly calculate on your being a fellow student of mine next year. Under all circumstances remain assured that you are lively in the remembrance and participate largely in the affections of your friend,

Justin McNamara