Page:The Leadbeater Papers (1862) Vol 1.djvu/63

mund at Dublin Castle, where he had apartments, and found him seated on the floor playing with his two little boys. Edmund brought a painter with him at one time, Eichard Sesson, a man of talent, and prevailed on my dear father to sit for his picture; he consented, though it was against his judgment, as not consonant to the practice of our Society. Probably for this reason an expression of uneasiness appears on the portrait, although it is otherwise a good likeness. The portrait of his old master, Abraham Shackleton, was also longed for by his illustrious pupil; but he durst not request it. To the conversation of the two accomplished friends, which was indeed "a feast of reason and a flow of soul," young Wrightson listened with delight, but with that silent modesty which is often the companion and ornament of exalted minds, especially in youth. Eichard Shackleton, suddenly turning to his pupil, enquired, with that liveliness peculiar to him, why he did not speak, assuring his friend that he could speak, and to the purpose. The youth blushed. Edmund grew angry, and retorted fiercely, "You insult his modesty."

My father used to delight in detailing instances of Burke's singular aptitude, and how soon he attained a superior station amongst his schoolfellows, many of whom he readily assisted in their exercises. He showed thus early his capacity for exerting his abilities on a sudden emergency, and of turning the ideas of others to useful account. Burke and his schoolfellows were permitted one day to go and see the procession