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BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 WILLIAM PHELAN, D.D. 
 
 BY 
 
 JOHN,: 
 BISHOP OF LIMERICK. 
 
 PRIVATE IMPRESSION. 
 
 LONDON 
 
 1832. 
 
LoNDOK : 
 
 I'linted by A. & R. Spotfiswoode, 
 
 New- Street- Square. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 OF 
 
 WILLIAM PHELAN, D.D. 
 
 William Phelan, D.D., was born at Clonmel, 
 in the county of Tipperary, on the 29th of April, 
 1789. His father, Mr. John Phelan, was in nar- 
 row circumstances, and of humble station * ; but 
 with feelings and habits, such as, in England, are 
 rarely to be met with, in the less fortunate portion 
 of society. It is, unhappily, matter of history, 
 that, down to the close of the seventeenth century, 
 changes of property in Ireland, were great, violent, 
 and irretrievable. In the course of those chances, 
 the ancestors of young Phelan were heavy suf- 
 ferers ; but they cherished the remembrance of the 
 pastt; and in this, and other instances, men, not 
 
 * He was, by trade, a wool-comber. 
 
 t A long remembrance: but thus it is in Ireland. The 
 great bulk of the Phelan property was lost, I believe, so early 
 as the twelfth century.— J. L. 
 
 VOL. I. a 
 
2 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 niiifli raised above the rank of peasants, were often 
 distin<ruislii'(l l)y a conscious dignity, wholly in- 
 dependent of, and superior to, mere outward con- 
 dition. Such was, peculiarly, the case in Clonmel. 
 Many reduced families resided there. To these, 
 was attached a kind of traditional estimation, by 
 persons, in externals, abundantly more prosperous : 
 and their children, not unfrequently, grew up with 
 a sense of personal respectability, and a disposition 
 to re-assume, if they could, what they thought 
 their proper station in society.* The subject of 
 this memoir, accordingly, was never vulgarized : 
 he was, what his father had been before him, a 
 native gentleman. There ever adhered to him, a 
 
 * The writer cannot help recording a curious fact, which he 
 heard several years ago from Dr. Phelan's own lips. His words 
 were nearly as follows : ' When I was a very little boy, I was 
 invited to attend a funeral. The house in which the people 
 were assembled, was within a short distance of Clonmel, on 
 the banks of the river Suir ; and commanding an extensive 
 prospect, into the county of Waterford. A friar, who hap- 
 pened to be present, drew me apart from the company, (I 
 was then a Koman-Catholic) ; he led me to a bay-window, 
 took me by the hand, and said, ' Look there, look around you, 
 my boy ; those mountains, these valleys, as far as you can see, 
 were once the territory of your ancestors : but they were 
 unjustly despoiled of it." I never can forget the impression. 
 My young blood boiled in my veins. For the time, I was, in 
 spirit, a rebel. And, I verily believe, if it had not been the 
 good pleasure of Providence, to lead me into other circum- 
 stances, and furnish me with better instructors, I might have 
 terminated my life on a scaffold.' — ,T. L. 
 
OF WILLIAM PIIELAN, D. D. 3 
 
 self-respect, and a dignity of character, which 
 shrunk from every thing ungenerous and unworthy. 
 And both the example and conversation of his 
 father, were well calculated to confirm his sood 
 dispositions. Filial piety, it will appear amply in 
 the sequel, was, with him, almost an instinct ; and 
 it is certain, that, thus to call it forth, there must 
 have been genuine worthiness in the parent. Nor 
 should it be omitted, that the literary aspirings of 
 the youthful student were first nourished beneath 
 the paternal roof The elder Mr. Phelan was 
 well versed in the Latin language ; and he failed 
 not to impart, where they might prove eventually 
 beneficial, his own classical predilections. But, 
 what was of far more serious consequence, those 
 principles of virtue and goodness were instilled, 
 which, during his short, but exemplary life, never 
 forsook the grateful son : he might, indeed, well 
 say, 
 
 ' Non patre praeclaro, sed vita et pectore puro : 
 Ipse mihi custos incorruptissinms.' * 
 
 In the year 1796, William was sent to a daily 
 grammar school, in his own immediate neighbour- 
 
 * Admirably transfused and heightened, by the greatest of 
 our later poets : . . 
 
 < My boast is not, that I deduce my birth 
 From loins enthroned, and rulers of the earth ; 
 But higher far my proud pretensions rise, 
 The son of parents passed into the skies.' 
 A 2 
 
4 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 hood. The master, Mr. Michael Ryan, was an 
 expert I>atinist ; pedantic, amiable, and entlnisi- 
 astic. Of general information, indeed, his por- 
 tion \vas but scanty ; and he was no Grecian ; bnt 
 the little that lie knew, he imparted with steady, 
 and affectionate sedulity. His pupil ever felt to- 
 wards him, a strong sense of obligation ; and 
 repeatedly declared, that, to him he was indebted, 
 for the correctness and facility, with which he both 
 wrote and spoke the Latin language. There he 
 remained, between six and seven years ; and, cer- 
 tainly, his time was not misemployed. The busi- 
 ness of the school he made, invariably, his grand 
 object. It seemed to be a law of his nature, that 
 the most important things had the first claim on 
 his attention. Matters of daily business once tho- 
 roughly mastered, then, and not till then, he felt 
 himself at liberty to look elsewhere for recreation : 
 this he found, in those healthful, manly exercises, 
 which he keenly relished ; but, especially, in those 
 more recondite pursuits, to which, from early youth, 
 he was devotedly attached.* His gaiety of heart, 
 and buoyancy of spirits, tempered, as they always 
 were, by a certain meditative gravity of mind, were 
 no less delightful to his companions, than they were 
 indicative of his own future eminence. 
 
 * Irish history and antiquities, shoukl, more particularly, 
 be mentioned among his favourite recreations. 
 
OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 5 
 
 While yet a school-boy, he showed strong military 
 propensities ; not, indeed, a predilection for the 
 pomp and circumstance, so much as for the science, 
 of war. He was fond of military evolutions ; and 
 he especially noticed scenery, with reference to the 
 disposition of forces, the selection of commanding 
 posts, and the occupation of important vantage- 
 grounds. From topics of this nature, he was apt, 
 in more advanced life, to borrow illustrations ; but, 
 always, strictly in keeping with the religious cha- 
 racter of his mind. 
 
 But, that, under Mr. Ryan, his education never 
 could be completed, he well knew. Therefore, 
 both he and his father readily acceded to a proposal, 
 which, about this time, was made to them. It 
 happened, that two of his play-mates * were about 
 to be sent to the endowed school of Clonmel, then 
 under the direction of the Rev. Richard Carey. 
 Their father good-naturedly suggested, that it 
 would be well, if they were accompanied by their 
 young comrade. To school, accordingly, the 
 three friends proceeded, as day-scholars. This 
 occurred in 1803, when William was about four- 
 teen years of age. The date seems not unworthy 
 to be specified : for this was the great providential 
 
 * The Rev. Samuel, and Ilev. Mortimer, O'SulIivan. 
 a 3 
 
C) BIOGRAPHICAL MEINIOIH 
 
 turninj^-point, wliich determined the direction and 
 character of" liis future life. 
 
 Never, perhaps, was master more beloved and 
 revered by his pupils, than was Mr. Carey. A\'ith 
 extensive knowledge, critical acumen, and refined 
 taste, he united the most child-like simplicity of 
 spirit. It was almost impossible to be admitted to 
 his familiar society, (and all his deserving pupils 
 became his private friends,) without growing 'lenior 
 ac melior,' gentler in manners, and more kind in 
 heart. One who knew him well, has sketched the 
 likeness of this amiable man* ; with such just, 
 though vivid colouring, that it were injurious to 
 substitute other phraseology than his own : 
 
 * I have his light and graceful figure' says my 
 correspondent, t * at this moment before me. His 
 bare and reverend forehead, slightly sprinkled with 
 
 * I, too, had the gratification of meeting Mr. Carey : but 
 it was only once, . . Virgilium tantum vidi ! But that once, 
 was enough to satisfy me, that all which I had heard of him, 
 was strictly true. It was in the month of October, 1806, at 
 Darling Hill, in the county of Tipperary, by the invitation of 
 an old pupil of his, the present Mr. Serjeant Pennefather. It 
 gave me singular pleasure, to see the good man. He recalled, 
 almost every moment, the memory of my beloved college 
 friend, John Sauoint : who, in the course of the years 1791, 
 . . 1798, delighted in recording anecdotes, of his school-boy 
 days ; and never failed to speak of his master, Mr. Carey, 
 (who long survived him.) with the most affectionate vener- 
 ation. — J. L. 
 
 t The Rev. S. O'Siillivan. 
 
OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 7 
 
 the snows of time, and his mild countenance radiant 
 with benignity, and sparkling with intelligence. 
 The gentleness, and suavity of his disposition ; the 
 polished courtesy of his manners ; his exact, and 
 discriminative judgment ; his various and profound 
 learning, . . these were scarcely adverted to by his 
 friends, amidst the love and veneration which were in- 
 spired, by the richer treasures of his moral nature : by 
 his generous detestation of oppression ; by his noble 
 scorn of every thing mean, or base ; by his fervent 
 piety, his steadfast friendship, his rare disinterested- 
 ness, and his deep humility ; by the charity, which 
 prompted him to be liberal, often beyond his means ; 
 and by the singleness of nature, which almost un- 
 consciously realized the gospel rule, ' not letting 
 his left hand know, what his right hand did.' My 
 recollection of William's first introduction into 
 Mr. Carey's school, is vivid, as though it took 
 place but yesterday. The good old man was, at 
 that period, gradually withdrawing from active life ; 
 and his attention was limited, to a very small num- 
 ber of pupils. He received, indeed, those only, who 
 were recommended by his personal friends. Of 
 that number, my father had the good fortune to be 
 one. And thence it was, that we were admitted 
 to a trial. From the slovenliness, which, in that 
 part of Ireland, then prevailed in the elementary 
 parts of classical education, Mr. Carey had found it 
 
 A 1< 
 
8 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 necessary to establish the general rule, that all who 
 came to him, from other schools, should, however 
 plausible their seeming proficiency, retrace their 
 steps through the Latin grammar. My brother 
 and I, were, from our time of life, (we were a few 
 years junior to our friend,) exempt from all mor- 
 tification on this score : we were mere beginners ; 
 and, of course, were well satisfied to commence at 
 the commencement. Some of the boys, however, 
 officiously told Phelan, of the humiliation which 
 awaited him ; no slight one, it will be admitted, to a 
 diligent student of six or seven years' standing, who 
 had been already delighting himself, with the dense 
 eloquence of Tacitus. He reddened, but said 
 nothing. Then came the trial. A book was put 
 into his hands : when such, at once, appeared his 
 grounded knowledge of the Latin language, and so 
 correctly classical was the diction of some exercises 
 which he produced, that, without the least hesitation, 
 Mr. Carey passed him into his highest class. On 
 being asked what he would have done, if relegated 
 to the pages of Lilly, . . ' I should immediately have 
 walked out of the school,' said the high-minded 
 youth, ' and never set my foot into it again ? " * 
 
 * Tliis early anecdote is highly characteristic. The writer 
 has seen Dr. Phelan under momentary bursts of feeling, wliich 
 this trait of the Clonmel school-boy powerfully calls to mind. 
 But I have heard, too, his ingenuous confessions of error ; his 
 
OF WILLIAM PHELAN, I). D. 9 
 
 He was now placed in circumstances, well fitted 
 to unfold his powers. He soon came to revere 
 Mr. Carey ; who stood to him in the relation, not 
 so much of an instructor, as of a parent, and a friend. 
 Under him, in addition to his former acquirements, 
 young Phelan gained a thorough knowledge of 
 Greek : and, what was far better, his genius was 
 kindled, and his taste refined, by constant, fa- 
 miliar intercourse, with a ' master-spirit.' A slight, 
 but characteristic incident, will best show the terms 
 on which they lived. One evening, as they were 
 returning towards the school, from a country re- 
 sidence of Mr. Carey's, Phelan, on passing a par- 
 ticular street, looked up, and said, . . * That, Sir, is 
 the house, in which I was born.' . . ' Well, my dear 
 William,' the benevolent man replied, . . ' I trust, 
 that your fellow-townsmen, will, one day, point out 
 this house, with a satisfaction no less lively, but 
 
 humble and contrite submission, in cases where the offence 
 had been purely venial. The truth is, he was intimately 
 known to very few : few, therefore, could enter fully into his 
 character. But, it is no more than justice to bear witness, 
 that his failings, were but the infirmities of a noble mind. His 
 native temperament, indeed, was peculiarly sensitive, and de- 
 licate ; and while he strove, habitually, to keep it under due 
 control, some allowance will be made, by every generous 
 mind, for the natural influence of failing healtli. But, after 
 all, I never knew a human being, with a more placable spirit, 
 or a tenderer heart. This I say advisedly ; and, as I think, 
 with a thorough knowledge of the man. — J. L. 
 
10 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 far better foiinded, tlian that, with which they now 
 show to the enquiring stranger, tlie birth-place of 
 unhappy Sterne ! ' Surely, not to love such a man, 
 was altogether impossible. 
 
 The young student's views for the future, were, 
 at first, not very definite : certainly, they were any 
 thing but hopeful. 
 
 His poor parents had made a great struggle, to 
 procure him the advantages which he already en- 
 joyed : and to think of the University, seemed 
 little less than preposterous. But Mr. Carey was 
 a vigilant, and ardent friend. He smoothed all 
 difficulties ; surmounted every scruple ; and, from 
 his own scanty income, advanced a sufficient yearly 
 allowance to cover all ordinary college expenses. 
 Nor was this assistance discontinued, but in con- 
 sequence of Phelan*s own earnest request ; when, 
 on his election to a scholarship, it ceased to be 
 strictly necessary. And, to bring his school-boy 
 days to a close, he was, after having remained three 
 years under Mr. Carey, admitted a sizer of Trinity 
 College, Dublin, in June, 1806, and in the eigh- 
 teenth year of his age. 
 
 Before his removal, however, to this wider 
 sphere of action, an important change had taken 
 place, in his theological opinions. The commence- 
 ment of this change, I have the advantage of 
 stating in the words of Dr. Phelan himself, as re- 
 
OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 11 
 
 lated by him to an early friend. * ' I was walking 
 home with *****^ (member of a lay fraternity of 
 Roman Catholics,) to translate for him some por- 
 tion of the Breviary, when Mr. Carey rode by on 
 his mule, at his usual quiet pace : . . * What a pity,* 
 said *****, 'that that good man cannot be saved!' 
 . . I started : the doctrine of exclusive salvation 
 never appeared so prodigious ; and I warmly denied 
 its truth, and authority. ***** was stubborn in 
 its defence ; and we each cited testimonies, in be- 
 half of our respective opinions. I withdrew to 
 l)ed ; occupied by thoughts which this incident 
 awakened ; went over, again, all the arguments, 
 pro and co7i., which my memory could supply ; 
 weighed all the evidence, which, in my judgment, 
 might throw light on the subject ; questioned, 
 whether any evidence could induce me to acquiesce, 
 in a dogma so revolting ; and fell asleep, in no 
 good disposition to the creed, which could pro- 
 nounce Mr. Carey's reprobation. In the morning 
 when I awoke, it appeared, that I had insensibly 
 reasoned myself into the belief of the right of 
 private judgment ; and, thus, I virtually reasoned 
 myself out of the Church of Rome.' 
 
 The impression thus happily made, was not suf- 
 fered long to remain dormant, or inactive. Even 
 in his boyish days, he had a most sagacious, pene- 
 
 * Tlie Reverend Mortimer O'Sullivan. 
 
12 IHOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 trating mind. Witli liini, religion was never a 
 matter of compromise, or convention. He regarded 
 it, as the main concern of life ; on which was sus- 
 pended his everlasting happiness or misery. It 
 became, therefore, the object of his very serious 
 thoughts ; and his anxious researches produced a 
 thorough conviction, that the Church of England 
 is the soundest portion of the church of Christ. 
 Accordingly, on entering college, he gave in his 
 name, as a Protestant. * While any lingering 
 doubts, (those fond misgivings of the finest and the 
 firmest minds,) which might, perhaps, at first, 
 have somewhat obscured his intellectual vision, 
 were entirely dissipated, by a judicious course of 
 reading; in which he was accompanied, and assisted, 
 by his able and affectionate tutor, at that time pre- 
 paring for holy orders.t Nor should it be omitted, 
 
 * In the University of Dublin, Roman-Catholics are ad- 
 missible. 
 
 A fact, which I have learned since writing the above 
 paragraph, should, by no means, be omitted. Before Dr. Plie- 
 lan's entrance into Trinity College, it had been the wish of his 
 father, (a very natural one surely,) that he should become a 
 student at Maynooth, with a view to the priesthood of the 
 Church of Rome. He was induced, accordingly, to attend an 
 examination, lield at Waterford, for one or more vacancies in 
 that seminary. Though much younger than the other can- 
 didates, his literary superiority was evident ; and a vacancy 
 was, in consequence, placed at his option. lie, however, 
 declined it. The fact is, his former opinions, had been already 
 shaken ; and lie soon became irrevocably attached to the 
 Church of England. — J. L. 
 
 t Dr. Wall. 
 
OF WILLIAM PHELAN, I). D. 13 
 
 for, ill him, it was quite characteristic, that the 
 clear convictions of his judgment were unaccom- 
 panied by the least acerbity of feeling. Indeed, 
 he never ceased to bear the tenderest affection 
 towards his Roman-Catholic brethren ; he, conti- 
 nually, and most earnestly, looked to their spiritual 
 improvement ; and, a very short time before his 
 death, he thus writes to a confidential friend: . . 
 ' My heart yearns to go to the south : I would 
 revive my Irish ; and acquire enough of it, for 
 expounding the Irish Bible.' 
 
 He was now(180G), fairly launched in academic 
 life ; and his progress may be not unfitly described, 
 as an unbroken career of successful application. 
 His competitors were the most distinguished men, 
 who, for many years, had appeared in the Uni- 
 versity. But, among the very foremost, he honour- 
 ably maintained his ground ; and, it is little to say, 
 that he obtained a scholarship, and the highest 
 honours, both classical and scientific, which could 
 be conferred ; for, in truth, he rated such things 
 at their proper value ; trifling in themselves, and 
 chiefly to be prized, as indicating studious habits, 
 and a healthful, manly mind. One great object, 
 indeed, he had, of what may be termed a holy am- 
 bition ; it was, that, under Providence, he might 
 become the support and stay of his aged parents. 
 
 It should be mentioned, that, during his under- 
 
14 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 graduate course, he o])taiiied several prizes, for 
 compositions, in En<ijlish verse, and Latin prose. 
 Such, however, was liis fastidiousness, or liis mo- 
 desty, that, in no single instance, did he keep a 
 copy : not a line of those early productions has 
 been found amongst his papers ; and there is every 
 likelihood, that they have altogether perished. But 
 the recollection of them is still vivid, among his 
 contemporaries. And it is worthy of being re- 
 corded, that an Englishman, Dr. Hall *, then 
 Provost of Trinity College Dublin, and afterwards 
 (for one short week!) Bishop of Dromore, . .one 
 of the most accomplished scholars of his day, was 
 often heard to express his admiration, at the skill 
 and power evinced, in the composition of Latin 
 prose, by this extraordinary young man. One 
 Essay, in particular, he used to say, was so purely 
 classical, that whole passages might have been taken 
 from it, and, without risk of detection, inserted in 
 the works of Cicero, t In English verse, too, his 
 union of metaphysical and poetical expression, was 
 truly remarkable. And it has been observed, by 
 one well acquainted with the early movements of 
 his mind, that, if he had chosen to concentrate his 
 powers, in one great poem, on Mental Philosophy, 
 
 * George Hall, D. D. : educated at the celebrated gram- 
 mar-school of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. 
 
 f From the information of a contemporary. 
 
OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D.D. 15 
 
 he would, perhaps, have been unrivalled, in the 
 art of clothing the abstractions of metaphysical 
 science, in language alike elegant, perspicuous, and 
 familiar.* Happily, however, his mind took an- 
 other direction. 
 
 In the spring of 1810, he commenced A.B. 
 On that occasion, the Provost and Senior Fellows 
 adjudged to him the gold medal, then given, not, as 
 at present, to the best answerer at an examination, 
 held expressly for the purpose ; but, to that gradu- 
 ating student, who, throughout the entire previous 
 course of four years, had evinced the greatest 
 industry, diligence, and ability.! About the same 
 time, he obtained the mathematical premium, on 
 Bishop Law's t foundation, the examiners being 
 Dr. Magee, Professor of Mathematics (late Arch- 
 bishop of Dublin) ; Dr. Brinkley, Professor of 
 Astronomy (now Bishop of Cloyne) ; and Dr. 
 Davenport, Professor of Natural Philosophy. 
 
 * He was fond, though not indiscriminately so, of the Anti- 
 Lucretius of Cardinal Polignac. See pp. 298. 319., of this 
 volume. — J. L. 
 
 -j- The writer is well aware, that there are difficulties in 
 the case. Still, however, he begs leave to express his doubts, 
 whether some modification of the old plan, might not be ad- 
 vantageously resorted to. It seems desirable, to have some 
 test, not only of comparative, but of positive merit : not 
 merely of a superiority, perhaps, accidental, in one great 
 trial ; but, of an habitual course of continuous, and well- 
 directed exertion. — J. L. 
 
 J John Law, D. D., formerly Bishop of Elphin. 
 
16 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIU 
 
 The important period liad now arrived, when 
 he was to make his choice of life : and, not without 
 some interval of suspense and deliberation, he 
 determined to read for a fellowship : an under- 
 taking, under any circumstances, aiduous in the 
 extreme ; but, in his case, attended with peculiar 
 difficulties. Like other candidates, he had the 
 probability before him (should life be spared) of 
 devoting six or seven of the prime years of life, to 
 intense, and perhaps unavailing, application. The 
 drawbacks, too, of a very delicate constitution, 
 were to be disregarded, or overcome j while the 
 daily drudgery of private tuition was to be endured, 
 not merely for his own support, but, what was a 
 far dearer object, for the maintenance and comfort 
 of his aged parents. All this he encountered, 
 with pious, and persevering equanimity : and, 
 perhaps, 1 may scarcely be credited, when I state 
 the fact, that, between reading, and lecturing, he 
 was commonly occupied, from four o'clock in the 
 morning, till ten or eleven at night ; while, almost 
 his single relaxation, was sought in variety of 
 labour. But, at all times, he evinced so collected 
 a mind, such disengagedness, animation, and sere- 
 nity, that it was visible only to the scrutinizing eye 
 of friendship, how irreparably he was undermin- 
 ing liis constitution. As matter of duty, his 
 anxious friends, sometimes, broke in upon his 
 
OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 17 
 
 abstruse speculations ; but, when, for a short space, 
 thus compelled to be comparatively idle, he would 
 always take the interruption in good part : and, 
 not less to the instruction, than delight of his asso- 
 ciates, would enter, with freshness and spirit, upon 
 some literary topic. Nor was he mindful, only, 
 or chiefly, of his own mental wants and feelings. 
 Often, with a shade before his weak eyes, his tem- 
 ples bathed with vinegar, and his mind engaged on 
 some difficult problem, has he cheerfully paused 
 from his labours, and, with alacrity, applied himself 
 to remove the scientific difficulties, not of his 
 pupils, (that was a distinct duty, to be performed 
 at stated intervals,) but of some junior friend, 
 or acquaintance. This was a volunteer service ; 
 the habit of aiding others, from pure benevolence 
 of disposition, grew into his very nature : thus it 
 was at school, from an early period ; nor, in after 
 life, was there, in this respect, any perceptible dif- 
 ference. 
 
 Throughout the fellowship course, his kind tutor, 
 Mr. Wall, regarded him, not merely as a friend, 
 but as a brother. Books, experience, literary 
 counsel, were ever ready at a call ; his purse, too, 
 was always generously open ; and he often intreated 
 that it might be allowed to supersede the necessity, 
 which the young candidate felt imposed upon him, 
 of taking private pupils. This aid, offered, as it 
 
 VOL. I. b 
 
18 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 was, with most scrupulous delicacy, was sometimes 
 accepted, with manly freedom ; one restriction, 
 however, he almost invariably imposed upon him- 
 self; he would never consent, (unless when himself 
 wholly unprovided,) to employ the resources, even 
 of his dearest friends, in aiding his beloved and 
 respected parents. It was his delight, the purest, 
 surely, which a pious son can enjoy, to afford as- 
 sistance, by his own independent exertions, to 
 those, who, with much difficulty, and self-denial, 
 had procured for him the benefits and blessings, of 
 a good early education. 
 
 Thus he persevered, for nearly three years, in a 
 course of well-sustained, though ruinous exertion ; 
 under which many a more vigorous constitution 
 must have inevitably sunk : but he was supported, 
 by the indomitable principle of filial piety. To- 
 wards the close, however, of the year 1812, his 
 medical advisers were constrained to make it a 
 point, that he should intermit some portion of his 
 daily labours ; and should sleep out of the air of 
 Dublin. Accordingly, he took a small lodging, at 
 a moderate distance from his college chambers. 
 Here it occurred to him, that, if he could obtain 
 a prize of 50/. then offered by the Royal Irish 
 Academy, for the best Essay on a given literary 
 subject, he might, for a time, relieve himself from 
 the irksome task of private tuition. But, as sue- 
 
OF WILLIAM PIIELAN, D. D. IQ 
 
 cess was uncertain, he was still obliged to retain 
 some pupils : and thus, till the period of decision, 
 his labours were not diminished, but increased. 
 In the brief interval, then, the hasty moments, 
 which he could snatch from his daily toil, he 
 penned his Essay, on the backs of letters, and on 
 such scraps of paper as might be at hand ; he 
 walked every evening, (the only exercise he allowed 
 himself,) to his College-chambers, that he might 
 give those papers to his brother for transcription ; 
 and relied on his memory alone, for taking up 
 the train of thought, each day, where it had been 
 laid down, the day before. He did not revise, or 
 even read, the transcript ; and, as this was his first 
 effort in English prose, he felt so much difficulty, 
 in arranging his thoughts in our language, that he 
 actually resorted to the expedient, of first mentally 
 composing in Latin : so that, the entire Essay, may, 
 in a great measure, be accounted a translation. It 
 is given in this volume (pp. 2(i0— 320.) ; therefore, 
 it is needless for me, to pass a judgment on its 
 merits. It will, I think, be considered an extra- 
 ordinary composition, to have been produced 
 under such circumstances, by a young man of less 
 than four and twenty ; and its terseness, facility, 
 and elegance of diction, may, perhaps, best be 
 accounted for, by the fact, that it was originfilly 
 
 b 2 
 
20 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 conceived in Cicero's own language, by a finished 
 classical scholar. To this Essay, was adjudged the 
 academy's first prize, in the beginning of 1813. 
 It may here be mentioned, that, in the earlier part 
 of 1814, he prepared another successful paper for 
 the Academy, * On the force of Habit, considered 
 in conjunction with the Love of Novelty.' This has 
 not been published in the Transactions ; having, 
 by some unfortunate mischance, been lost at the 
 Academy- House. I am told, however, that, both 
 by Dr. Phelan himself, and by others, it was con- 
 sidered superior to the Essay of the preceding year. 
 It showed an uncommon command of language, 
 and fine metaphysical powers. 
 
 But we must return to his great and over- 
 whelming pursuit. In the year 1813, then, he 
 offered himself a candidate, ibr one of the fellow- 
 ships at that time vacant : his preparation was 
 intense, and his answering, both in quality, and 
 style, was such, that it excited a very general inter- 
 est in his behalf. In the interval between the 
 examination, and the announcement of successful 
 candidates, scarcely a doubt was entertained, that 
 he would have been the second fellow. His 
 friends had, by anticipation, hailed the consumma- 
 tion of his labours ; and, even his own modest and 
 retirinc; nature, was unable wholly to withstand 
 
OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 21 
 
 the popular impression. But the event was 
 otherwise.* 
 
 In the ahiiost certain prospect of success, he 
 had set apart nearly the whole of that little which 
 he possessed, for the comfort and accommodation 
 of his parents ; nor, in the moment of defeat, did 
 he alter his pious purpose. His words to his bro- 
 ther, when he recovered from the first shock, are 
 never to be forgotten : . . ' Well, James, send the 
 money, nevertheless, to its proper destination : and, 
 my dear fellow, have a good heart, and a hope 
 fixed on high ; we shall overcome even this blow.* 
 
 A few days after this disappointment, he met 
 Dr. Gravest, one of his examiners; who, in his 
 
 * There were then three vacancies ; the fiUing up of the 
 first, was beyond all question ; Mr. Purdon had eight voices ; 
 those of the whole examining body. Respecting the other 
 two vacancies, there was more difficulty. Tlie examiners 
 were divided ; and Mr. Phelan was thrown out, by the casting 
 vote of the Provost. The statute requires, that vacant fel- 
 lowships shall be filled up, not ' seriatim,' but ' simul et semel' ; 
 and no provision is made, for ascertaining the value of each 
 particular vote. Tlie special hardship, which, in this instance, 
 inevitably grew out of this untoward arrangement, was, that, 
 had there been but two, instead of three vacancies, Mr. Phelan 
 must have succeeded. These facts I have from unquestionable 
 information. It is but proper to add, that there was not the 
 slightest shadow of unfairness, in the whole transaction. All 
 arose, from the unhapi)y wording of the statute ; which loudly 
 calls for alteration. — J. L. 
 
 t The late very Rev. Richard Graves, D. D., Dean of 
 Ardagh : honourably known, by his various theological publi- 
 
 b 3 
 
22 lUOGKAl'IIICAL MEMOIR 
 
 kind, sympathizing manner, said, . . ' Phelan, I 
 am sorry for you : but I did my best ; you had my 
 vote.* He bowed, smiled, and instantly answered, 
 
 ' Victrix causa Diis placuit, scd victa Catoni' : 
 
 The good, and benevolent man, was visibly af- 
 fected. 
 
 At this trying juncture, as, indeed, throughout 
 the whole course of his varied life. Divine Provi- 
 dence raised up to him many, and discriminating 
 friends : among these, was the Right Honourable 
 A\ illiam Conyngham Plunket, the present Lord 
 Chancellor of Ireland. The writer well remembers 
 the ardour, with which Mr. Phelan was accus- 
 tomed to dilate, on the high intellectual attainments 
 of that eminent individual. In the family of that 
 gentleman, he had been repeatedly domesticated ; 
 having been private tutor to several of his sons : and, 
 from his familiar conversation, he reaped advan- 
 tages, which no person was better able to enjoy, and 
 appreciate, than Mr. Phelan himself. At this season 
 of disappointment. Lord Plunket came forward, as 
 
 cations. May the writer be permitted to add, his humble, 
 but sincere tribute, to the learning, piety, and goodness, of 
 this exemplary man ? Towards his latter days, we had, on a 
 particular question, some trifling difference of judgment. But 
 I never can forget the impression, made on my youthful 
 mind, by the mild, but powerfid influence of his unaffected 
 zeal. — J. L. 
 
OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D.D. ^3 
 
 an attaclied friend ; he recommended to him the 
 study of the law; and, till practice should come in, 
 nobly pressed on him an allowance of 300/. a year. 
 For this princely offer, he was deeply grateful ; in- 
 deed, he never forgot it, to his dying day : but, after 
 mature deliberation, he most thankfully declined it. 
 In fact, he thought the kindness too great to be 
 accepted : but, what, with him, was flir more deci- 
 sive, though, like most young Irishmen of talents, 
 he had originally a predilection for the bar, . . his 
 more serious studies had given him another relish ; 
 and he thought he might be happier, as well as 
 more useful, in the service of the church. 
 
 Amidst his arduous labours, he derived never- 
 failing supplies of animation, from the fresh and 
 salient mind of Dr. Magee, afterwards Archbishop 
 of Dublin. This distinguished scholar, was in the 
 constant habit of visiting his chambers, inquiring 
 after his progress, and entering into all the mis- 
 givings of his sensitive mind. With the office of 
 speaking, as I feel, of almost my earliest friend ; of 
 him, who guided my first youthful efforts, and 
 encouraged the pursuits of my maturer years, I 
 should fear to trust myself. Therefore, it is with 
 peculiar satisfaction, that I resort to the anonymous, 
 but faithful testimony, of a friend ; which I know 
 had special, though not exclusive reference, to his 
 affectionate kindness for Mr. Phelan : 
 
 b 4 
 
24* BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 * The most engaging instances of his (Archbi- 
 shop Magee's) ])liilanthropy, were undoubtedly 
 those, in which he made it his business, and found 
 it his pleasure, to direct and animate by his advice, 
 the young men, in whom he perceived any remark- 
 able degree of ability : while he literally watched 
 over them, with the affection of a father, he entered 
 into their views, and concerned himself in their 
 interests, with the warmth and familiarity of a 
 friend. Were they desponding ? they were cheered : 
 were they negligent ? they were counselled : were 
 they straitened by pecuniary difficulties ? relief 
 was liberally afforded : did they experience an 
 embarrassment, in mastering the severer sciences ? 
 amidst all the cares, and occupations of his laborious 
 station, assistance never was withheld. Many are 
 the hours of despondency which hang upon the 
 spirits of that young man, who, unsupported by 
 wealth, or patronage, is labouring, by the path of 
 academic distinction, to attain a reputable independ- 
 ence. Frequent are the misgivings, which damp 
 his ardour, in a pursuit, where health, is, not sel- 
 dom, irrecoverably lost, before the object is accom- 
 plished : and no one feels with more poignant 
 bitterness, that ' sickness of the heart,' which arises 
 from ' hope deferred.' How often has Dr. Magee 
 passed, from the privacy of his own domestic circle, 
 to the lonely rooms of the pale and wasted votary 
 
OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D.D. 25 
 
 of science ; and banished, by his benignant pre- 
 sence, and his cheerful, animating conversation, the 
 morbid melancholy which was preying on him, and 
 which, otherwise, might have brought him to an 
 untimely grave ! How often have the studies, 
 which were abandoned in disgust, or despair, been 
 resumed, at his instance, with alacrity and dili- 
 gence ; and ultimately rewarded, with a success, 
 which must have been unattainable, but for his 
 generous and inspiriting encouragement ! ' 
 
 But a deeply-seated, and, as the event finally 
 proved, an immedicable wound, had been inflicted 
 on Mr. Phelan's constitution. The shock given 
 to his bodily frame, rendered him, for several 
 months, incapable of any continuous exertion ; 
 and, at this season of depression, the sole fruit of 
 his labours was, the second of his prize Essays, for 
 the Royal Irish Academy. 
 
 Towards the commencement of the year 1814, 
 we find him, again, devoted to severe fellowship 
 reading. In the month of June, he sat ; and was 
 defeated, by Thomas Romney Robinson, the most 
 distinguished of his contemporaries : now DoD., 
 and Astronomical Professor, on the foundation of 
 his namesake, but not his relative. Primate Robin- 
 son *, at the Observatory of Armagh. 
 
 * Lord Rokeby, Archbishop of Armagh : eminent for 
 princely munificence. 
 
26 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 And, here, it may not be improper, to say a few 
 words, on the character of Dr. Phelan's mind. 
 
 His powers of acquiring knowledge, were of a 
 peculiar, and very superior quality. He had the 
 happy faculty of instantly mastering a writer's 
 meaning : he could instinctively seize on every 
 thing, in every possible direction, which was of the 
 least real moment ; he glanced, with the rapidity 
 of lightning, through the most abstruse, and diffi- 
 cult volumes ; and his mind seemed invested with a 
 sort of magical influence, which compelled them 
 to render up their contents ; and turned, so 
 to speak, the minds of authors inside out. He 
 discerned matter, even in the more abstract sci- 
 ences, which could happily illustrate whatever 
 might be the immediate object of research. Facts, 
 and narratives, were to him, that, which the ele- 
 mentary forms of letters are, to ordinary readers ; 
 conveying, not so much the impression of them- 
 selves, as that of the thought, or principle, to- 
 wards imparting which, they were instrumental. 
 History, travels, philosophy, and poetry, no less 
 than matters of strict science, he read with a sa- 
 gacious, comprehensive spirit ; separating, always, 
 eternal principles, from the accidents in which they 
 were rendered visible. And that, which, even to 
 advanced students, is commonly the result of dis- 
 tinct, and often of severe reflection, was, in his 
 
OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 27 
 
 mind, the thing primarily noticed. The matter 
 professedly studied, was, to him, merely intro- 
 ductive and subordinate. 
 
 He used to complain, that his mind suffered from 
 mathematical pursuits ; that, when engaged in such 
 investigations, his finer and more delicate powers 
 were depressed ; and, that he became disqualified 
 for the pursuit, of higher and nobler inquiries. But 
 this, it is humbly conceived, was a mistake ; at 
 least, he appeared to his friends, always ready to 
 form a judgment, not only sound and good, but 
 exquisitely refined, on almost every subject within 
 the compass of letters : and, indeed, his very fond- 
 ness for the higher branches of mathematics, is, 
 in itself, a sufficient refutation of this morbid 
 apprehension. He was eager for principles, impa- 
 tient of details : but, at the same time, he subjected 
 every principle, to the severest possible test ; and 
 would never admit any position, within the scope 
 of ratiocination, till it was most incontrovertibly 
 proved. 
 
 All inquiries about light, and heat, had, for him, 
 a peculiar interest : these qualities seemed, on ac- 
 count of their extreme tenuity, ever ready to eva- 
 nesce, till they became almost immaterial. This 
 predisposition of his mind, may be illustrated, by 
 a little circumstance, within my own recollection. 
 During one of the visits with which he indulged me, 
 
28 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 when Rector of Abington, he manifested the most 
 intense gratification, (even now, I have a lively 
 image of it present with me,) at Sir Walter Scott's 
 beautiful fiction of the « White Lady : ' . . * Of all 
 apparitions,' he said, ' this comes nearest to my 
 conception of a pure spirit.' 
 
 But the pursuits, in which he took unmingled 
 pleasure, were those of mental and moral philoso- 
 phy. To these, when fatigued and exhausted by 
 severer study, he turned with ever-new delight. 
 On such occasions, he used, with our Platonic Bard, 
 to exclaim, 
 
 * How charming is divine Philosophy ! 
 Not harsh and crabbed, as dull fools suppose; 
 But musical, as is Apollo's lute, 
 And a perpetual feast of nectar'd sweets, 
 Where no crude surfeit reigns.' 
 
 In the weak state of his eyes, it was his habit to 
 read, with the eyes of a friend. In this manner, 
 he prepared the entire logical, and ethical course, 
 prescribed for fellowships in Dublin. His friend 
 particularly mentions the enthusiasm, with which he 
 used to expatiate on some parts of Cicero's Second 
 Book, ' De Legibus : ' of Bishops Berkeley, and But- 
 ler, too, he used to speak highly ; and with com- 
 placency, of Dr. lleid. He was not so well satis- 
 fied, with Mr. Locke. To him, the design of this 
 
OF WILLIAM PIIELAN, D. D. 29 
 
 eminent man, seemed to embrace too little, or too 
 much : too little, if the understanding alone, . . as 
 distinguished from the moral mind, imagination, 
 passions, and affections, . . was the object of his in- 
 quiry : too much, if the positions for which he 
 contended, be thought, in themselves, sufficient to 
 account for all the moral and intellectual phe- 
 nomena of our nature. 
 
 While reading for fellowships, his progress was 
 unquestionably retarded, by a habit in which he 
 freely indulged ; which, however, contributed much 
 to increase, not merely the extent, but the accuracy, 
 of his knowledge ; and to repress, at once, and 
 discipline, that fondness for mental anticipation, 
 which is so apt to beset youthful, and ardent minds. 
 The habit was, . . ' never to rest satisfied, with the 
 bare demonstration of a truth.' He wished, so 
 far as practicable, to know, whence it came, and 
 whither it was going. He would, therefore, to 
 the utmost of his power, investigate any import- 
 ant fact, in all its bearings ; and frequently has he 
 employed half a day, (a serious expense of time, as 
 all fellowship-men are perfectly aware,) in tracing 
 the various deductions, which might legitimately 
 be drawn from it. His competitors, on the other 
 hand, were often more prudently, if not so intel- 
 lectually, employed. They were collecting ma- 
 
30 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 terials, less recondite, indeed, but more immediately 
 producible ; and their object was, not so much to 
 lay the foundation for future researches, as to show 
 themselves competently versed, in tliat, which was 
 already known. Mr. Phelan could never endure 
 the thought, of becoming the mere carrier of intel- 
 lectual burthens. His wish was, so far as might 
 lawfully be, to lift the veil from nature ; and get 
 an insight into the wondrous principles, both 
 natural and moral, on which all-perfect Wisdom 
 regulates the world. Thus, the very superiority 
 of his mental powers and attainments, often stood 
 in his way. He read more like a master, than a 
 scholar ; more as one, whose own mind was to be 
 satisfied, than as a person, whose business it was, 
 to satisfy the minds of others. He looked around 
 him, with the ken of a philosopher : and he less 
 assiduously cultivated presence of mind, and fer- 
 tility of resources, than those subtler processes of 
 mind, which have ever formed the chosen exercise 
 of genius. Had the question been, who, of his 
 contemporaries it was, that possessed the seeds of 
 powers, most akin to those of the great Discoverers 
 of Science, or Restorers of Letters, he might, per- 
 haps, have ranked not greatly beneath the first 
 men, of our best days. As it was, . . with a nearly 
 exhausted constitution, broken spirits, and a de- 
 
OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D.D. 31 
 
 bilitcated frame, it is little to be wondered at, that 
 he was unequal to the arduous conflict : which, 
 however, he still gallantly sustained. 
 
 But, that we may pass to a more grateful topic, 
 it can be readily understood, that, with a mind 
 thus stored, and thus disciplined, he must have 
 been a delightful companion. That, which I have 
 heard from his early associates, was, in the course 
 of no slight, superficial intercourse, abundantly 
 realized to myself. I have rarely met with an indi- 
 vidual, who, in conversation, so fairly produced 
 his mind ; or, let me add, whose mind, was more 
 worthy of production. At the instant, he could 
 command all the powers of thought, and aids of 
 learning, to bear on any subject, which they might 
 properly illustrate ; and, what was more remarkable, 
 they never failed to come at his bidding. Those, 
 with whom he was in the habit of familiar inter- 
 course, will not readily forget the force and ani- 
 mation of his manner, when he wished to express 
 himself pointedly, upon any topic, which had seri- 
 ously occupied his mind. His sentences followed 
 each other uninterruptedly, and without effort ; 
 brief, terse, and emphatic : and if, on the spur of 
 occasion, taken down and made use of, they would 
 have been found to possess all the elements, of 
 exact and finished composition. While, there 
 would occasionally burst from him, the liveliest 
 
32 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 sallies of wit, and not unfrequently, a vein of play- 
 ful humour, which rendered his conversation, in 
 its happier hours, (and they were always its quiet 
 ones,) one of the richest intellectual enjoyments. 
 Such intercourse could not fail to delight ; for it 
 was ever natural, ever instructive : and it is still 
 among my chosen recreations, to recal the days, 
 and nights, which I have passed in the society of 
 William Phelan. 
 
 His trial for fellowships was now over : to all ap- 
 pearance, it was interminably closed. But he was 
 not destitute of consolation. He was conscious, that 
 he had done his best ; he could not charge himself 
 with any wilful failure of duty, or any want of per- 
 severing application ; and he viewed disappoint- 
 ment itself, as a mode of providential discipline, 
 which, ' He who careth for us', ever graciously 
 adapts to our peculiar exigences. 
 
 In July, 1814, he proceeded A.M. : and, shortly 
 after, on the kind and seasonable invitation of his 
 friend, and former associate on the fellowship 
 bench, the Rev. J. H. Stubbs, Master of the 
 endowed school of Dundalk, he became, for a 
 short time, the guest of that gentleman. An in- 
 fluential visit, as will afterwards appear : which, 
 eventually, occasioned a great change, in the pro- 
 spects and circumstances of his after life. In 
 the month of October, on the recommendation of 
 
OF WILLIAM niELAN, D. 1). 33 
 
 Dr. Magee, then Dean of Cork, he was appointed 
 second Master of the endowed school of Derry.* 
 Here, he entered into holy orders ; being ordained 
 deacon, Dec. 4. 181 i, and priest, Jan. 4. 1815, 
 by the Lord Bishop of Derry ; and, soon after his 
 first ordination, began to officiate, in the chapel 
 of ease of that city, t There, he continued for 
 upwards of two years ; applying himself diligently, 
 to the duties of his humble calling ; and devoting 
 every leisure hour to those sacred studies, which, 
 even then, constituted his resource, and delight. 
 
 * I cannot help mentioning, that at this school, I was edu- 
 cated, under the Reverend Thomas Marshall, A. M. This 
 kind and generous man, was the delight of his pupils : and 
 I never shall forget the tragic impression made on us all, 
 when, about the autunni of 1790, it pleased God to remove 
 him. How much I am indebted to his fostering care, I 
 shall never, in this world, be fully able to appreciate. One 
 of my earliest efforts, was a boyish, but sincere, tribute to 
 his memory ; it was an imitation of the ' Quis desidcrio,' &c. 
 of Horace. 
 
 But, to Derry school, and to Horace, I have other, and 
 far higher obligations. They were the means of introducing 
 xne to the notice of Alexander Knox, Esquire ; who was 
 fond of hearing me repeat my lessons, from that most feli- 
 citous of authors ; he, afterwards, became my guide, philo- 
 sopher, and friend. From him, in the course of a long 
 intimacy, I derived principles, which, I trust, will never die. 
 Obiit, eheu! Jun. 18. 1831. — J. L. 
 
 f His appointment, at the salary of ^50. a year, is dated 
 Dec. 27. 1814. : of which salary, he was never paid a single 
 shilling ; though he served the chaplaincy, without intermis- 
 sion, till March, 1817- 
 
 VOL. I. C 
 
31 BIOGRArmCAL MEMOIR 
 
 He thus disturbed the repose of a few valuable old 
 volumes, in tlie diocesan library ; though, of the 
 time occupied in this manner, there is, probably, 
 no written record. But his was a mind, which 
 was never idle ; and, to such information as he 
 already possessed, there is a moral certainty, that, 
 at this period, he added extensively. In the month 
 of August, 181(i, it should be mentioned, he was, 
 with some apparent hopes of success, a candidate 
 for the endowed school, or college, of Kilkenny. 
 
 About this period, the writer had the happiness 
 to form an acquaintance with Mr. Phelan, which, 
 at no distant day, ripened into friendship. A va- 
 lued contemporary of his *, had, some time pre- 
 viously, told me several interesting anecdotes of his 
 early life : and put into my hands, at the Rectory 
 of Abington, his prize Essay, * On Scientific and 
 Literary Pursuits.* I was, therefore, duly pre- 
 pared to appreciate a singularly modest, unpre- 
 tending letter, which he addressed to me from 
 Derry; bearing date the 14th of December, 1816. 
 It now lies open before me : and it could not fliil 
 to rekindle, were they dormant, which, happily, 
 they never have been, the liveliest feelings of 
 interest, in himself, his mind, and his pursuits. 
 Like every other production of his pen, which it 
 
 * The Rev. Ricliarcl Ryan. 
 
OF WILLIAM PIIELAN, D.D. 35 
 
 has been my fortune to see, (for in his instance, to 
 see, and to read, were identical,) it is clothed in 
 language, alike natural, manly, and independent. 
 The object of it, was, to ascertain how far his 
 judgment and mine might coincide, respecting 
 the eligibility of his publishing a short treatise, 
 which he was then preparing, on the subject of the 
 Bible Society. As to the general bearings of that 
 question, my feelings are, elsewhere, briefly stated.* 
 In conformity with opinions, which I had early 
 formed, and from which I have never swerved, 
 I ventured to suggest, that his mental powers 
 would be employed far more advantageously, on 
 some great original work, than upon what, must, 
 after all, rank as a mere temporary pamphlet. My 
 reasons, however, failed, to have quite so much 
 weight with Mr. Phelan, at the time, as they may, 
 perhaps, have subsequently had. He, accordingly, 
 published, not immediately, (for a very serious 
 occupation intervened) but in the autumn of the 
 next year, his able tract ; powerful in its reasoning, 
 though I never have been able to see the practical 
 wisdom of its publication ; ■kolvtol [xoi s^ea-riv, aXX' 
 ot> TTOLVTo, o-L»ju,cb£^£i. It was entitled * The Bible, not 
 the Bible Society.* This work, greatly praised, 
 and not good-naturedly vituperated, was, for a 
 long while, the alternate mark of reprobation and 
 
 * Practical Theology, vol. ii. p. 70. 
 c 2 
 
36 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 panegyric : and, in its immediate, and, yet more, 
 in its remote consequences, it gave a colouring, 
 nearly to the vvliole of Mr. Phelan's apparent 
 future life : but, happily, he had another, and a 
 better life, which was * hid with Christ in God.' 
 
 To the world, he was chiefly kno>\Ti as a pole- 
 mical writer ; indeed, it is probable that many of 
 his contemporaries have heard of him in that capa- 
 city alone. And, it must be confessed, that, hither- 
 to, from unhappy circumstances, there has been, in 
 Ireland, but little opportunity, and, if possible, less 
 encouragement, for theological learning. While, 
 under a proper system, and with wise selection, 
 eminent examples of it might have been multiplied, 
 to the unspeakable advantage both of church and 
 country. But, in fact, though some ephemeral 
 stimulus to exertion, may have occasionally been 
 applied, it is a melancholy truth, that the flip- 
 pant pamphlet, and slight brochure, (of merit 
 very different, indeed, from the slightest efforts 
 of Mr. Phelan,) have been generally thought, a far 
 more marketable commodity, than any solid work 
 of genius, piety, or learning. 
 
 But his was, in truth, a far loftier spirit : he 
 predominantly loved the high and lonely walk. 
 His most current, popular productions, occupied 
 but a small portion of his time, and less of his 
 thoughts. And they, who have enjoyed his confi- 
 
OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D.D. 37 
 
 dence the longest, and most unreservedly, are best 
 avvure, on themes how different from the vulgar 
 cant of the day, it was his delight to expatiate. 
 For my own part, I can safely say, that, in all our 
 years of friendly intercourse, he never uttered a 
 syllable, whether grave or gay, which did not, as 
 was said of Archbishop Leighton, more or less 
 directly tend to edification. Indeed, if I had not 
 intimately known, that he was something far other, 
 and better, than an expert controversialist, I will 
 candidly own, tliat the present memoir should not 
 have been written. This fore-dated disclosure will, 
 I trust, exempt me from all, but the bare mention 
 of his chief polemical tracts, in the order of publi- 
 cation. They were written merely ex Tra^e^you, 
 called forth by the seeming exigencies of the times : 
 but he was living centrally, for eternity, 
 
 * And all his serious thoughts had rest in Heaven.' 
 
 We may, now, revert to Mr. Phelan's more pri- 
 vate concerns. He had long been in a very deli- 
 cate state of health ; and his physicians thought 
 it might be expedient, that he should try the air 
 of Mallow, in the county of Cork. Symptoms, 
 however, seemingly improved : and as, on several 
 accounts, such an excursion must have been incon- 
 venient, it was not, under this favourable change, 
 at that time undertaken. 
 
 c 3 
 
38 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 Meimwliile, he was, unexpectedly, summonetl to 
 a wider sphere. Towards the close of March, 
 181 7, his vigilant friend. Dr. Wall, strongly urged 
 that he should, forthwith, come to Dublin, and 
 again sit for a fellowship ; of which, there were, at 
 that time, two to be filled up. All his friends, 
 none more earnestly than Dr. Magee, were, also, 
 instant in their intreaties. Therefore, after nearly 
 three years' alienation from academical pursuits, and 
 about six weeks before the day of trial, he came 
 to the scene of action. His first visit was to the 
 college chambers of a friend : * Well,* said he, 
 * here I am ; and what do you want with me ?' . . 
 < We want you,' was the reply, * to get a fellow- 
 ship.' He looked perplexed, and anxious. He 
 was almost certain, that, within the space of six 
 short weeks, it was hopeless that he should regain 
 so much lost ground. Besides, a great additional 
 weight of science had been thrown into the course : 
 especially the whole system of French Analysis ; to 
 which he was nearly a total stranger. To work, 
 however, he went ; and, with that vigour and 
 intensity, which seemed inseparable from his being. 
 And what was the consequence ? Difliculties, like 
 a 'frost-work,' suddenly * melted away'* before 
 him ; and he was unanimously elected a Fellow of 
 Trinity College, Dublin. 
 
 * Rogers : ' Pleasures of Memory.' 
 
OF WILLIA:\I PIIELAX, D. D. 39 
 
 During the short, but arduous course of imme- 
 diate preparation, he withdrew, to the adjacent vil- 
 lage of Dundrum ; and there, lie was affectionately 
 watched, and cheered, by his early and unchanging 
 friend, the Rev. Richard Ryan. 
 
 His own account of the transaction, is remark- 
 able for its simplicity, and candour ; it is derived 
 from two of his letters, written at the very time. 
 Short extracts from them, will, probably, interest 
 the reader. * April 12. I8I7. I am going in 
 again, for fellowships : not from any hope, nor, 
 indeed, from any wish, to succeed ; but merely 
 because I want money,' [clearly to relieve his 
 parents ; for his personal expenses were small, and 
 his prudence was great : J and I think it just pos- 
 sible, that I may get the first premium. Three 
 weeks ago, I formed this resolution ; and I have 
 now six weeks to read.* Three days after the 
 termination of the conflict, he again writes : 
 * June 5. By a caprice of fortune, entirely unex- 
 pected, I am now a fellow. The answering, you 
 may suppose, was but indifferent ; when, aftei 
 three years' cessation, I was considered the best 
 answerer.' Such w^as his own modest estimate ; 
 ever apt to undervalue his mental attainments : but 
 it was happily corrected, by the public voice ; his 
 very friends, too, the jealous guardians of his good 
 
 c 4 
 
K) BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 repute, were abundantly satisfied ; not by his suc- 
 cess merely, but especially at the manner of it. 
 
 He was, by the blessing of God, on his own 
 exertions, now placed in a station of permanent 
 independence : certain of an income, moderate, 
 indeed, but competent ; and having the fair pros- 
 pect of attaining, at no remote period, what to him 
 would be affluence. But his mind was raised 
 above all selfish considerations ; now, as formerly, 
 his parents were foremost in his thoughts ; and 
 the path which he marked out for himself, was one 
 of unassuming privacy. During the long vacation, 
 he sought that repose, which his wearied mind re- 
 quired ; he had done much, in a little time : and 
 it was not till October, I8I7, that he gave to 
 the press, that pamphlet, which he had prepared 
 at Derry. Thenceforward, his time was chiefly 
 divided betwoen private study, and his college 
 duties. 
 
 In November, 1818, he was elected Donnellan 
 Lecturer ; and preached the first sermon of his 
 course, on Trinity Sunday, 18iy. The manner, 
 and general purpose of these lectures, will be suf- 
 ficiently explained, by the following extract, from 
 the Registry of Trin. Coll. Dublin : . . 
 
 * Februaiy 22. 1704. 
 * Whereas, a legacy of 1213/. has been bequeathed 
 to the College of Dublin, by Mrs. Anne Don- 
 
OF WILLIAM PIIELAN, D.D. 41 
 
 ncllan, for the encouragement of religion, learn- 
 ing, and good manners, the particular mode of 
 application being entrusted to the Provost, and 
 Senior Fellows : 
 
 * Resolved, 
 
 ' 1 . That a Divinity Lecture, to which shall be 
 annexed a salary, arising from the interest of 1200/., 
 shall be established for ever, to be called Donnel- 
 lan's Lecture. 
 
 * 2. That the Lecturer shall be forthwith elected, 
 from among the Fellows of said College : and 
 hereafter, annually, on the 20th November. 
 
 * 3. That the subject, or subjects, of the Lecture, 
 shall be determined at the time of election, by the 
 Board ; to be treated in six sermons ; which shall 
 be delivered in the College Chapel, immediately 
 after morning service, on certain Sundays, to be 
 appointed on the 20th of November, next after 
 the election of the Lecturer, and within a year from 
 the said appointment. 
 
 * 4. That one moiety of the interest of the said 
 1200/. shall be paid to the Lecturer, as soon as he 
 shall have delivered the whole number of lectures ; 
 and the other moiety, as soon as he shall have pub- 
 lished four of the said lectures : one copy, to be 
 deposited in the Library of the College ; one, in 
 the Library of Armagh ; one, in the Library of 
 St. Sepulchre ■■, one, to be given to the Chancellor 
 
42 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 of tlie University ; and one to the Provost of the 
 College.' 
 
 This foundation, unquestionably well-intended, 
 has failed, nevertheless, to render all the service, 
 which originally was designed. Since its establish- 
 ment, upwards of eight and thirty years have 
 elapsed : how many volumes have, in consequence, 
 been published? how many sermons have been 
 preached ? The fact is, an original error seems to 
 have taken place, in limiting the field of the Don- 
 nellan Lectures, to the narrow circle of existing 
 Fellows ; seven seniors ; and fifteen (afterwards 
 increased to eighteen) juniors ; three, at least, of 
 whom, are statutably laymen. These able men 
 are all fully and laboriously occupied, in the go- 
 vernment, or education, of fifteen hundred under- 
 graduates ; and the inevitable consequence has been, 
 that few candidates have proffered themselves, for 
 the office of Donnellan Lecturer.* The remedy, 
 
 * On a former occasion, the writer used language nearly 
 similar ; which he here takes the liberty of citing : ' In 
 Ireland, wc have, unfortunately, not abounded in magnifi- 
 cent patrons of learning. The University of Dublin was 
 founded at a period, when the zeal for thus [by foundations, 
 benefactions, &c.] promoting good letters, had gone by. 
 Accordingly we have but one College, one Provost, and 
 twenty-five Fellows, for the education of about fifteen hun- 
 dred undcr-graduates. These twenty-six very learned men, 
 who attained their present honourable rank, after years of 
 intense study, and through the most arduous literary com- 
 
OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 43 
 
 in this case, seems natural and easy. Why not throw 
 the field of selection open, (as in the Bampton 
 Lecture Sermons, at Oxford, and the liulsean 
 Lectures, and office of Christian Advocate, at 
 Cambridge,) to all persons who have taken the 
 degree of Master of Arts. The present excellent 
 Christian Advocate of the latter University, never 
 was a Fellow. This suggestion is thrown out, in 
 ardent, but, it is hoped, not ill-regulated zeal, at 
 once for the credit of the College, and for the ad- 
 vancement of good letters in Ireland. The Uni- 
 versity, and the Country at large, ought, in various 
 respects, to be drawn more closely together : and, 
 from a proper intercourse, and community of feel- 
 ing, great benefits might, at no distant day, event- 
 ually arise to both of them. But we must pursue 
 our more immediate subject. 
 
 Dr. Phelan, if his health, which was always deli- 
 cate, be excepted, was well-circumstanced, for close 
 application to this additional duty. So young 
 among the Fellows, he had few pupils ; for whom, 
 indeed, neither directly, nor indirectly, neither by 
 
 petition in the world, have upon their shoulders, the in- 
 struction and government of fifteen hundred young men : 
 and, thus occupied, they certainly have little redundant 
 time, for the pleasures, and the pains of Authorship.' — 
 Bishop of Limerick's Speech in the House of Lords, June 
 10. 1824. 
 
44i BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 himself", nor by his friends, did he ever think it 
 right to seek. He had full leisure, therefore, for 
 his favourite pursuits. His mind always had a 
 predilection for inquiries, addressed, at once, to the 
 intellectual, and moral man : and he loved to re- 
 gard the deeper, and more mysterious truths of 
 Christianity, as, not merely, on proof given of their 
 divine authority, to be implicitly received, and 
 venerated ; but, much more, as indispensable parts 
 of a divine system, provided by the comprehensive 
 and all -gracious wisdom of God, for the renewal, 
 enlargement, and purification of our spiritual being. 
 He sought, therefore, to exhibit, the Christian 
 scheme, in such a manner, as might best show its 
 correspondence, in all its parts, to the wants and 
 anticipations of human nature. His lectures, ac- 
 cordingly, may, in some sort, be regarded, as an 
 effort to describe the physiology of Revealed Re- 
 ligion. Others have carefully examined facts, and 
 doctrines ; and discussed their evidence, according 
 to the dictates of forensic pleading : he, on the con- 
 trary, was more solicitous to discover, what may be 
 termed, the functions of those facts and doctrines. 
 It is one thing, for example, to establish the doc- 
 trine of the Trinity, by alleging the various pas- 
 sages of Holy AVrit, in which it is more or less 
 distinctly revealed. It is another, and, perhaps, a 
 yet more important office, to show, that this mys- 
 
OF WILLIAM PIIELAN, D.D. 45 
 
 terious, yet infinitely practical doctrine, is precisely 
 such a revelation of the Divine Nature, as could, 
 alone, enable man to accomplish the great pur- 
 poses, for which he was called into existence. By 
 the one line of argument, the timid believer may 
 be persuaded, that his Christianity is true ; by the 
 other, the candid sceptic may be convinced, that 
 it is reasonable and just. The judgment is thus 
 satisfied, through the previous conviction of the 
 moral sense ; and, from the congruity between 
 ends and means, between the weakness of man, 
 and the sufficiency of God, the facts and doctrines, 
 which may, once, have appeared, not merely above 
 reason, but contrary to it, will, at once, be found, 
 harmonious in their operation, and, so to speak, in 
 their nature necessary. 
 
 Such was the lofty argument, which habitually 
 occupied Dr. Phelan's mind ; and which he sought 
 to embody, in the Donnellan Lectures. How far 
 he may have succeeded, in the application of these 
 principles, and in all the resulting details, it re- 
 mains for the judgment of competent and medi- 
 tative readers, to determine. But all such are, at 
 the same time, intreated, habitually to keep in 
 mind, that the present publication, is a posthu- 
 mous one ; that, had life and health been spared 
 to the Author, he would have explained, and sup- 
 ported his theory, by extensive researches, both 
 
46 RTOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 ancient and modern j that a copious body of ma- 
 terials even now exists, among his papers, not only 
 unused, l)ut, from imperfect references, quite un- 
 usable ; and, that, had his own acute, and compre- 
 hensive mind, presided over a full exhibition of that 
 scheme, which, for many years, he had meditated 
 and planned, the result must have been far different, 
 from any thing which is now brought forward.* 
 But, especially in his later years, infirmities were 
 gathering fast upon him : in one letter to a friend, he 
 writes, ' for some months back, I have been hearing 
 with one ear, and seeing with one eye : ' in another, 
 what now seems like the language of solemn antici- 
 pation, * The abortive Donnellans lie in my col- 
 lege-desk J not to be disturbed again, at least, not 
 by my hands.* This sacred, and, he will add, this 
 delightful duty, has unexpectedly fallen, into other, 
 and, the writer fears, very incompetent hands : 
 but this he can say, with perfect truth, that, if he 
 were not convinced of the value, and importance, 
 of these papers, he would never have proposed to 
 undertake, what, to him, has proved a source of 
 unmingled satisfaction, the office of their Editor. 
 
 About this time, Mr. Pliclan became one of the 
 six university preachers. He was not what is called 
 
 * The publication of Dr. Phelan's Donnellan Lectures 
 had been delayed ; in the hope, that the Author might be 
 enabled to bring them out, with the advantage of extensive 
 notes and references. 
 
OF WILLIAM PIIELAN, D.D. 47 
 
 an orator, in the popular sense of the word : but he 
 was a much better thing ; a cahn, deliberate, and 
 singularly impressive preacher. His voice was far 
 from strong, or powerful ; its volume was thin, and 
 its compass very limited ; but its tones were clear, 
 animated, and flexible : his enunciation was distinct 
 and solemn ; his face, when he was preaching, as 
 when he was familiarly conversing, bore the stamp 
 of zeal, earnestness, and pure affection. He 
 thought that the natural variations of the eye, 
 voice, and countenance, were the sole legitimate 
 kind of action : the only one, suitable to the dig- 
 nity of the pulpit. And the combined effect of 
 his manner, his delivery, and that truth of cha- 
 racter, which the most eloquent words, in them- 
 selves, altogether fail to convey, was, that, as 
 Archdeacon Churton has beautifully said of Dr. 
 Townson, . . * You would pledge your soul on his 
 sincerity : you were sure, there was nothing he 
 longed for so fervently, as your salvation.' 
 
 Ten of the discourses thus preached, are given 
 as specimens of Dr. Phelan's peculiar manner. 
 They were not prepared by him for the press ; and 
 were composed in the ordinary discharge of his 
 duty, as university preacher. Their matter, though 
 perfectly practical and familiar, is distinguished, 
 amidst all its simplicity, by the same profundity of 
 thought, which characterizes his Donnellaii Lee- 
 
48 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 tures. While, in manner, they afford the liappiest 
 specimen, of united ease, and vigour ; of acute 
 reasoning, and affectionate familiarity. But their 
 great charm is, a certain air of reality, which every 
 where pervades them : they insensibly twine around 
 our hearts ; and, without the least effort at exhi- 
 bition, of which, indeed, he had not the remotest 
 thought, they set us at home, in the very scenes 
 and circumstances, which they cause to rise gra- 
 phically before us. Of our Lord's general charac- 
 ter, especially as it may be * pondered' * out of 
 the first few glimpses of his early life, the young 
 preacher had a deep, and strong impression : and 
 what he felt acutely for himself, he never failed to 
 impress vividly on others. Of the discourses, 
 those entitled ' Christ in the temple', * Few 
 notices of Christ's early Life', ' Jesus at Cana,' 
 and those which immediately follow, to the Seventh 
 Discourse inclusive, appear to the Editor, as, 
 he doubts not, they will do to the reader, full 
 of just, discriminative, and original observation : 
 and, even in their present unfinished form, seem 
 entitled fairly to take their place, (no common 
 praise,) beside Dr. Townson's exquisite Sermon, 
 * On our Lord's manner of teaching.' 
 
 It would be alike unjust, and injudicious, to 
 forestall the reader's interest, by any detailed notice 
 
 * S. Luke, ii. 19. 
 
OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 49 
 
 of this portion of tlie ' Remains.' But, from 
 amidst various passages of great interest and beauty, 
 it seems right to select one or two brief specimens, 
 which may, in some degree, illustrate the style and 
 power of Dr. Phelan's mind ; and, as the writer 
 thinks, the abiding influence of early circumstances 
 upon it. 
 
 Very early in his first discourse, he has, with 
 peculiar felicity, applied his knowledge and expe- 
 rience of humble life, to the elucidation of our 
 Lord's visit, in childhood, to Jerusalem, and its 
 holy Temple. In treating of that remarkable oc- 
 currence, to which Saint Luke (chap. ii. ver. 4G.) 
 refers, Dr. Plielan observes, that, * The first cir- 
 cumstance which should be noted, is, the kindly and 
 sociable spirit of the child Jesus. It is acknow- 
 ledged, that, in the course of his public ministry, 
 our Lord manifests a cordiality towards mankind, 
 second only, to that unreserved devotement, with 
 which he had surrendered himself to the business 
 of his heavenly Father. And we may perceive, 
 from the circumstances now before us, that this gra- 
 cious disposition was the impulse of his tenderest, 
 as well as the habit of his most mature years : 
 ' As they returned,' says the Evangelist, ' the 
 child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem ; and Jo- 
 seph, and his mother, knew not of it ; but, sup- 
 posing him to be in the company, tliey went a 
 
 e 
 
,00 BIOGUAIMIKAL MEMOIK 
 
 (lay's journey ; and they souglit liim among their 
 kinsfolk, and acquaintance/ No sooner do they 
 miss tlieir precious charge, than they conclude, 
 that he had mingled with the companions of their 
 journey. This persuasion is no less firm, than it 
 was instantaneous ; they travel a whole day, with- 
 out faltering in their assurance. At length, they 
 go in quest of him ; and where do they search ? Not 
 in solitude, or in secrecy ; not, as they might have 
 done for the austere Baptist, in a wilderness. 
 They seek him, among their kinsfolk, and acquaint- 
 ance, among persons, whose intimacy is generally 
 more unreserved, in proportion to the humility of 
 their rank in life ; and who were then, as we may 
 suppose, beguiling the fatigues of a toilsome journey, 
 by the free and playful interchange of confidential 
 conversation. Now, we cannot imagine, that Joseph 
 and his mother, were careless of the treasure com- 
 mitted to their keeping ; or, that, in their search 
 for him, they were guided by no surer principle, 
 than indiscriminating surmise. Their conviction, 
 that he had mingled with their friends, was natural, 
 and reasonable ; but it could not have been so, had 
 it not been suggested by his ordinary conduct.* 
 pajre 127, 128. 
 
 He thus beautifully touches on the poverty of 
 the blessed Jesus : . . 
 
 * We are, rrenerally, and incidentally, given 
 
OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 51 
 
 to understand, that our Lord was poor ; yet, no 
 images are presented to us, which can excite mean 
 and vulgar associations. There are, perhaps, only 
 two instances, in which his poverty is pictured 
 distinctly to the mind. These are, the scene 
 of his nativity, and that mournful expression of 
 his, that he had ' not where to lay his head.* 
 Now, in the first of these cases, the associated 
 ideas, are all even of unearthly magnificence ; 
 the stable of Bethlehem, is transformed into a holy 
 tabernacle, where the wise and great come to offer 
 their incense, and angels themselves, attend, in 
 humble ministration. And, as for the pathetic 
 expression of the son of man, there is a majesty 
 in its pathos, which exalts our conception of the 
 moral sublime. We hear nothing, but what is fit 
 to fall from the lips of persecuted royalty ; we 
 see nothing, save what a wise heathen, has pro- 
 nounced the noblest sight, even for God to see, . . 
 a great and good man rising superior to adversity. ' 
 Disc. iii. p. 1()0, l6l. 
 
 The susceptibility of our Lord, unmingled with 
 a single shade of weakness, is pictured, with hap})y 
 discrimination : . . 
 
 ' In the most highly gifted among men, that 
 temperament, by which the soul is softened, to 
 imbibe the influence of genius or of sensibility, 
 generally weakens the severer moral powers. In 
 
 e 2 
 
52 BIOGRArillC AL MEMOIR 
 
 Christ alone, botli arc united, in their full perfec- 
 tion. He feels all our infirmities, yet he yields to 
 none. He, no less than John the Baptist, is in- 
 clined to lonely meditation. He does not disdain 
 to contemplate, even the lilies of the field ; yet, he 
 can move unwearied and undisturbed, amidst the 
 tumults, and anxieties of public life. Unlike John, 
 he is courteous : but his is, always, the courtesy of 
 a superior being ; the serene grandeur of sovereign 
 dominion. He calls, and public officers rise and 
 follow him : he appears, and rich young men kneel 
 down to him, and call him master : he comes into 
 the synagogue of his own town, and the eyes of all 
 the congregation are fastened upon him : he is 
 silent, and no man durst question him : he speaks, 
 and the people wonder at the gracious words which 
 proceed out of his mouth.* Disc. iv. p. 175. 
 
 How these passages, (and, in the discourses of 
 Mr. Phelan, there are many such,) may affect the 
 reader, it is impossible to predict. To the editor, 
 it must be owned, they appear the mingled growth, 
 of native temperament, of indigenous habit, and, 
 he will add, of the triumphant grace of God. At 
 an early period of this memoir, it was intimated, 
 that the subject of it was ' never vulgarized,' that, 
 he was, in principle and manners, ' a native gentle- 
 man.' I will now add, from long experience and 
 observation, that he became more, and more, a 
 
OF WILLIAM THELAN, U. D. 5b 
 
 devoted, but a happy christian : and my wish, 
 serious as though it were my hist one, is, . . Sit 
 mea anima cum Phelano ! 
 
 It now seems proper to revert to Dr. Phehm's 
 state of feeling, on the occasion of fellowship -exa- 
 minations in 18 17. From the extracts already 
 given, of his correspondence (p. 39.), it is evident, 
 that he was neither sanguine in his hopes, nor 
 elated by his success. To some, indeed, it may 
 almost appear, that he had attained, or affected, 
 the tranquillity of stoical indifference. Far differ- 
 ent, however, was the real case : and, in order to 
 place it fairly before the reader, we must recur to 
 other passages of the same letters. In that of 
 April 12., he tells his friend, ' I am not happy : 
 nor can a fellowship make me so :' . . and, on 
 June 5., three days after having apparently realized 
 his most ardent hopes, he emphatically writes, . . 
 * At present, I feel myself very far from happy.' 
 The fact is, (and this will, at once, explain all 
 seeming contradictions,) that, during his visit to 
 Dundalk (p. 32.), his affections had been irrevoc- 
 ably engaged, to a sister of his friendly host. And, 
 although, during his continuance in Londonderry, 
 prudence, and principle, and voluntary devotedness 
 to his parents, allowed him not to think of an im- 
 mediate marriage, . . yet, he was not without 
 hopes, that some settlement might offer, compa- 
 e 3 
 
54 1510Gl'tAriII(-AL MEMOIR 
 
 tible with the attainment of his dearest wishes. It 
 is not wonderful, then, that a fellowship, which, 
 so long as it should be retained, must, probably, 
 doom him to hopeless celibacy, was any thing rather 
 than an object of complacency, or self-gratulation. 
 He literally, therefore, had not wished to succeed. 
 And, when, most unexpectedly, his efforts were 
 crowned with success, his great object was, if prac- 
 ticable, to emancipate himself, by a royal dispen- 
 sation. To accomplish this purpose, powerful 
 efforts, were, at different times, fruitlessly em^ 
 ployed. But the sudden death of the young lady's 
 natural protector, determined him, at all hazards, 
 to resign his fellowship, and fulfil his honourable 
 engagement. Accordingly, on the eighteenth of 
 May, eighteen hundred and twenty-three, he was 
 married, on the licence of the Lord Bishop of Ferns, 
 to Miss Margaret Stubbs, by her brother, the Re- 
 verend J. H. Stubbs, Vicar of Kilmacahill, in the 
 church of that parish. Within the time specified by 
 law, he subsequently resigned his fellowship, on the 
 twelfth of August, in the same year ; having re- 
 ceived, from the Provost and Senior Fellows, a gene- 
 rous engagement, to extend to him the future privi- 
 lege, of option to a college-living. Nor, should it be 
 omitted, for it is highly to their honour, that the 
 Junior Fellows voluntarily relinquished their 
 claims, to any emolument accruing from his late 
 
OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D.D. 55 
 
 pupils ; not only, for the remainder of the current 
 year, but, so long as they might continue their 
 names upon the college books.* 
 
 The connection thus disinterestedly formed, 
 greatly augmented his happiness : and probably, 
 also, contributed to the extension of his short, bat 
 valuable life. His delicate health demanded the most 
 tender care ; and this, Mrs. Phelan delighted to 
 administer, with all that noiseless assiduity, wiiich 
 attends every step and movement of an affectionate 
 female. Her principles, tastes, and habits, were in 
 complete accordance with his own ; and, for years 
 before their marriage,- she had been the faithful 
 depositary of his inmost thoughts, and feelings. 
 But the privacy of such a correspondence, is too 
 sacred a thing, to be needlessly violated ; fragments 
 of but one letter, have been committed to the 
 writer; and, as these are, at once, beautifully simple, 
 and throw a vivid light upon some particulars of 
 his life and character, . . I shall give them without 
 scruple. They seem to have been written, from 
 his native town, or its immediate vicinity ; and I 
 envy not the heart of that man, who can read 
 them, without emotions that he would wish to 
 cherish for ever : . . 
 
 * For this fact, I am indebted to the information of the 
 Rev. Dr. Wall ; at that time Junior Bursar. The sum thus 
 liberally ceded, was above 900/.— J. L. 
 
 e 4 
 
56 IMOGHAPIIICAL MEMOIR 
 
 .... * Have you not remarked, that the reli- 
 gious world, is, after all, the world : and has the 
 scripture marks of the world about it ? It is, con- 
 stantly, substituting things external, and adventi- 
 tious, for things internal, and essential. A dogma, 
 or a ceremony, or a public meeting, or any thing 
 else that the times may countenance, is sure to take 
 the lead, of * Righteousness, and peace, and Joy 
 in the Holy Ghost.' 
 
 * In the more immediate circle, at present, of 
 the church establishment, . . a dogma is the rage. 
 Did it ever occur to you, to note the opposite con- 
 duct of our Lord, in regulating his family ? No less 
 than four times, in the first three chapters of St. 
 Luke, it is said, that his mother and Joseph did 
 not know the import of expressions, relating to 
 him and his kingdom. We are not told, that he 
 even gave them any particular information. In 
 general, it is to be observed, that the truths, facts, 
 and persons, of the Gospel, are revealed to us, as 
 objects of the affections : they are addressed to the 
 intellect, only so far, as every object of the soul 
 must pass through the perceptive powers to the 
 heart ; when there, they are at home, no matter 
 how they effect the passage. All dogmatists pass 
 their time in examining, and, as they think, re- 
 pairing, the road to the intellect, and getting pre- 
 sentiments for short cuts, &c. &c. Thus, like our 
 
or WILLIAM PHELAX, D. U. 57 
 
 Irish highways, they are always a repairing^ never 
 in repair. Meanwhile, the heart is cut off from 
 all valuable communication, with that gracious, but 
 mysterious Being, who is, 'a God, that hideth 
 himself indeed, from ill-directed inquiries, but 
 who delights to abide, with the humble and contrite 
 spirit, ' full of grace and truth.' 
 
 Such, I firmly believe, was his indwelling with 
 your father : it was not manifested, by any direct 
 exhibition of religion ; but it was known by its 
 effects ; known, as a refreshing and purifying 
 essence, which makes an atmosphere of sweet- 
 ness, around the place where it is concealed. 
 
 ' Cherish, then, those feelings about your 
 father ; which become you, equally, as a child, and 
 as a christian. In the present trying moments, 
 they will console you : and, through life, they will 
 serve as those auxiliary lights, which the gracious 
 order of Providence kindles, from time to time, for 
 the guidance of the pure in spirit ; so that, they 
 count it all joy, when they fall into tribulation. 
 
 ' There is one quality, both of my mind, and of 
 my heart, to which, I do not believe, you have 
 much adverted ; that is, their youthfalness : they 
 promise to grow ; to shoot out blossoms and fruits, 
 for years to come. And, even in that stage, when 
 nature shall indicate, that we are shortly to remove 
 
58 BIOGRAPHICAL ME.MOIR 
 
 to another state of being, 1 trust, that I shall 
 still retain a buoyancy of spirit. 
 
 * The most grateful moments I can enjoy, are 
 those, in which I feel myself of value, to the few 
 whom I really love. The feelings I have towards 
 that dear old man my Father, are experienced, I 
 believe, by very few sons ; at least, by none that I 
 ever knew, to the same degree. And, I cannot 
 describe to you the delight I felt, when I saw his 
 face tinged, again, with the freshness which I used 
 to observe on it, in my childhood. 
 
 ' I have been travelling these one-and-twenty 
 years, and never saw so rich a harvest ; it is called 
 a war-harvest : the common people having a per- 
 suasion, that pre-eminently good seasons introduce 
 war, or some other calamity. 8uch is their theory 
 of the balancing of good and evil, in this wady- 
 buccady * world. 
 
 * The character of the people, in this country, 
 appears to most advantage, in times of calamity. 
 When above immediate want, their vivacity is apt 
 
 * See- saw, up-and-down : a game, in which two persons, 
 seated on the extreme ends of a long piece of timber, sup- 
 ported, in the centre, by a fulcrum, at once, balance each 
 other, and are alternately elevated and depressed, by that 
 motion which they communicate. 
 
OF WILLIAM PIIELAN, D. D. 59 
 
 to become insolent ; and their proud spirit breaks 
 into turbulence. But, in distress, the common 
 Irishman is meek as Moses. The loss of health, 
 wealth, friends, all, in a word, that our nature 
 deems most valuable, is met by him, with the ejacu- 
 lation, . . * Welcome be the grace of God.' They 
 see the correcting hand of providence, in every 
 visitation ; and receive it, as an act of mercy.* 
 
 On finally leaving College, in August 1823., 
 Mr. Phelan's first settlement, was, at the curacy 
 of Keady, in the Diocese of Armagh. This 
 situation, had, for several months, been kept open 
 for him, by the kindness of the Lord Primate : 
 and gave promise of that literary leisure, which he 
 keenly relished, but never allowed to run to waste. 
 * Here,' said he, to an early intimate*, ' I can 
 complete my attainments, as a scholar and divine : 
 all that I want, is a library.' 
 
 Just at this time, however, the Professorship of 
 Astronomy at Armagh, became vacant ; for this 
 situation. Dr. Phelan thought it right to apply : 
 but he learned, that, two days before, it had been 
 conferred on Dr. Robinson. At this appointment, 
 he was far from repining : on the contrary, he was 
 satisfied, that it did the Primate much honour. In 
 
 * The Rev. Richard Ryan. 
 
(iO BIOGRAPHICAL MK.MOIll 
 
 tliiit particular department, Dr. Robinson's repu- 
 tation stood, unquestionably, at the very highest : 
 and the choice has been amply accredited, by the 
 opinion of scientific Europe.* 
 
 Mr. Phelan's habits had, hitherto, been those of 
 a severe student. And he was better calculated 
 for the literary and preceptive, than for the more 
 active departments of his calling. His health was 
 exceedingly infirm ; and he was often unequal to 
 those laborious out-of-door exertions, the vast im- 
 portance of which he strongly felt. But his best 
 energies were faithfully devoted to the spiritual 
 improvement of his flock. He had, hitherto, 
 appeared in the pulpit, almost exclusively, before 
 a learned audience. And his discourses had been 
 adapted, always, to satisfy the requirements, of cul- 
 tivated minds ; and often, to rivet the attention, 
 of profound thinkers. It now became his duty, to 
 adopt a different style of preaching. And it is an 
 encouraging fact, to all persons similarly circum- 
 stanced, that, in adjusting his discourses to the 
 capacity of his humble congregation, he was quite 
 successful. He had not, formerly, been more re- 
 markable for the eloquence of thought, than he 
 now became for primitive simplicity. He seemed 
 
 * The Observations of" Dr. Robinson, have been more 
 numerous, and have excited greater attention, than those 
 made at any other Observatory, within the same period. 
 
or WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 6l 
 
 to preach under the habitual conviction, that * A 
 pastor is the deputy of Christ, for the reducing of 
 man, to the obedience of God.' * 
 
 On ordinary occasions, it was not his habit to 
 commit to writing the entire of his sermons ; he 
 used, merely, to note down his principal topics ; 
 for he felt, that a northern congregation especially, 
 would be more interested and impressed, by con- 
 ceptions, reduced, at the moment, to words, than 
 it could have been, by any more elaborate process 
 of composition. But his discourses were quite 
 free, from the usual defects of extemporaneous 
 addresses.t The thoughts were always lucidly ar- 
 ranged ; for the subject-matter had been thoroughly 
 digested. He never ascended the pulpit, without 
 an awful sense of ministerial responsibility ; nor, 
 willingly left it, without having enforced, at least, 
 some one religious truth, in a novel and interesting 
 manner. His learning was so attempered by sua- 
 
 * George Herbert. Country Parson. 
 
 t ' In this whole discourse, [the Sermon on the Mount],' 
 said Mr. Wesley, ' we cannot but observe, the most exact 
 method, that can possibly be conceived. Every paragraph, 
 every sentence, is closely connected, both with that which 
 precedes, and that which follows it. And, is not this the 
 pattern, for every Christian preacher? If any, then, are 
 able to follow it, without any premeditation, . . well. If not, 
 . . let them not dare to preach, without it. No rhapsody, no 
 incohercncy, [whether the things spoken, be true or false,] 
 comes of the spirit of Christ.' 
 
62 BIOGRAPHICAL MEM OIK 
 
 vity, that the people delighted in him, as a teacher ; 
 while his parental concern for their welfare, en- 
 deared him to them, as the tenderest of friends. 
 
 With true humility of mind, he united a strong, 
 and even lofty spirit of independence. He loved, 
 rather to confer, than to receive, a benefit ; and 
 could, with difficulty, be induced to incur a per- 
 sonal obligation. This the Primate well knew : 
 while, at the same time, he was apprehensive, that 
 on moving to the curacy of Keady, Mr. Phelan 
 must necessarily require some pecuniary aid. He, 
 accordingly, took an early opportunity, of calling 
 at the curate's humble residence ; and, after some 
 general conversation, delicately hinted at the ex- 
 pences, which must, almost inevitably, beset a new- 
 married man ; expressing a hope, that he might be 
 permitted to become his banker. Mr. P., with 
 very fervent acknowledgements, assured his Grace, 
 that he did not, at that time, stand in need of such 
 assistance ; but promised, that, should any emer- 
 gency arise, he would, without hesitation, avail him- 
 self of it. The Primate, still persevered : ' You 
 cannot,' said he, ' be aware, how many demands on 
 your purse must now be answered ; Mrs. Phelan, 
 too, must want several articles of comfort, which 
 your present means may not be able to supply.' 
 Mr. P. respectfully declared, 'That he was un- 
 conscious of any want, for which he was not already 
 
OF WILLIAM PIIELAN, D. D. 63 
 
 provided.'. . 'Come, Phelan,' says the Primate, 'you 
 must want a horse.' The reply was, ' My Lord, I 
 have two.' . . ' Well, then,' his Grace added, ' you 
 will excuse my importunity, . . but, . . the remittance 
 to your father, have you thought of that ?' . . ' My 
 Lord,' said Phelan, the tears of gratitude in his 
 eyes, ' I have not forgotten him ; before leaving 
 Dublin, I took care that he should not want.'* 
 
 These last, were far from words of course : in a 
 confidential letter to a friend, dated August 18. 
 1 823, he thus unbosoms himself : . . ' If I have 
 means enough to continue my usual allowance to 
 my father, I am perfectly satisfied.' 
 
 * Filial piety,' it has been said, at the commence- 
 ment of this memoir, ' was, with him, almost an 
 instinct.' And the fact is illustrated, by an affecting 
 entry, found in one of his note-books ; to which, 
 Mrs. Phelan says, he was fond of alluding. It is 
 simply this, . . for it would seem never to have been 
 wrought up, into regular composition, . . * The emo- 
 tions of filial piety, perhaps the nearest approach 
 that nature gives, to the love of God.' Now, his 
 owTi conduct shows the high sense which he ever 
 
 * Dr. Phelan related this conversation, to a friend : and 
 tlic editor could not suppress a circumstance, so richly 
 biographical. He must, therefore, at once, throw himself 
 upon the indulgence of the eminent individual, who, above 
 most other men, ' does good by stealth.' 
 
G'i 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 entertained, of both sacred ties : and the analogy 
 is the more beautifully striking, as coming from the 
 lips and heart, of such a son, and such a christian. 
 The sentiment of natural affection, in him, was 
 sublimated into a feeling, which had * less of earth 
 in it, than Heaven.' This was the animating soul 
 of all his efforts, from the first moment that such 
 efforts could availably be made, for the securing of 
 his parent's worldly comforts : it was the most re- 
 mote thing possible, from the callous and rigid 
 payment of a debt, involuntarily contracted ; and, 
 an indescribable emotion of mingled reverence and 
 love, from early childhood, to his latest hour, would 
 seem to have been, above most others, the master- 
 affection of his soul. ' I can never forget,' says 
 Mrs. Phelan, ' the manner, in which, on receiving a 
 letter, or other tidings from his first home, he was 
 wont to say, . . ' How I love and venerate that 
 dear old man, my Father ! ' ' 
 
 By the kindness of his family, the writer pos- 
 sesses copies of letters, addressed to that *dear father' 
 by Dr. Phelan, almost from the year of his en- 
 trance into College, to the year of his death : from 
 these, I now propose to insert extracts of a small 
 number, not selected with any very curious nicety ; 
 but evincing, as, indeed, all the letters do, the af- 
 fectionate and wholly unselfish character of his 
 nature. 
 
t)I' WILLIAM l^HLLAN, D. D. 65 
 
 Dublin, December 23. 1808. 
 Honoured Sir, 
 
 How different is our situation this 
 Christmas, from that, with which we were usually 
 blest ! It is, indeed, a gloomy change ; but still, it is 
 our duty to receive the change, as a visitation from 
 the Almighty : for, * whom the Lord loveth, he 
 chasteneth.* Let us learn, to bear our present 
 humiliation with patience : and the Lord will, no 
 doubt, reward our perseverance, in a manner be- 
 yond our expectations. 
 
 Your ever obedient Son, 
 
 William Phelan. 
 
 April 28. 1809. 
 Honoured Sir, 
 
 I have just happened to receive the 
 
 enclosed, and I hasten to remit it to you. My 
 
 endeavours to do without it, will be facilitated, by 
 
 the sweet hope, of its being useful to the best of 
 
 parents. 
 
 Your ever dutiful Son, 
 
 W. P. 
 
 # Dublin, April 13. 1810. 
 
 Honoured Sir, 
 
 Enclosed, I send you share of another 
 prize, which I obtained, at the time I took my de- 
 gree. It was for English verse ; the first time I 
 
 f 
 
06 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 made any attempt that way : and, luckily, I have 
 been very successful. I also, on the same day, 
 got the gold medal * : so that, for a while, I am 
 pretty well supplied with college honours. I know 
 you, and my dear mother, will be glad to hear of 
 this : so, I have told you every thing that has hap- 
 pened to me. 
 
 I hope, my dear flither, that, whenever you 
 find yourself weakened by work, you will stop, and 
 indulge yourself. I am young. Sir : my work is 
 not so hard as yours ; and I should be ashamed 
 to hear, that he, to whom I owe my life and my 
 education, should labour too hard, while I have the 
 means of furnishing assistance. 
 
 Tell my mother, that I am not, nor ever shall be, 
 forgetful of her tender care of me : and believe me, 
 dear Sir, 
 
 Your ever grateful Son, 
 W. P. 
 
 Trin. Coll. Oct. 15. 1820. 
 
 My dear Father, 
 
 Once more, I must deny myself the 
 pleasure of taking a trip to Clonmel. My entrance 
 to-day, was only two pupils : and this is too small, 
 to allow of any more travelling for the year. I 
 wish very much, that you would lay out the en- 
 
 * See page 15., ante. 
 
OF WILLIAM PHELAN, 1). I). 67 
 
 closed upon yourself. This day three weeks, I 
 shall send as much more : which can be used for 
 the family purposes. 
 
 I shall send the spectacles, by the first oppor- 
 tunity. 
 
 Believe me, my dear Sir, 
 
 Ever your affectionate Son, 
 W. P. 
 
 Trin. Coll. Oct. 7. 1821. 
 My dear Father, 
 
 I wish very much, that you would, im- 
 mediately, have the flannel waistcoats made. Give 
 up one pound, to the purpose ; and I shall be sure, 
 to make it up to you. Take care, and make your- 
 self comfortable, this winter. It can make the 
 difference of only a very few pounds to me ; and, 
 I hope, it is needless to say, that, for such a pur- 
 pose, I do not value a few pounds. 
 
 Your ever affectionate Son, 
 W. P. 
 
 Trin. Coll. Nov. 20. 1822. 
 My dear Father, 
 
 I beg you will employ the enclosed, 
 
 in some articles of comfortable dress, for yourself, 
 
 and my mother. Do not think of my being a 
 
 little embarrassed for money ; my difficulty, on 
 
 that account, will be but for a short time : and my 
 
 f 2 
 
6s BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 uneasiness would be, beyond comparison, both 
 heavier, and longer, if you wanted any thing which 
 I could procure. W. P. 
 
 Trin. Coll. Oct. 25. 1823- 
 My dear Father, 
 
 It has just occurred to me, that 1 have 
 neglected you sadly as to money matters. To re- 
 move all such inconveniences in future, I shall 
 make it a rule, please God, to pay you quarterly. 
 You shall have, as long as we all live and do w^ell, 
 twenty-five pounds, on each of the following days, 
 &c. W. P, 
 
 Tuesday (1829). 
 My dear Father, 
 
 I do not know how to address you, at 
 
 this afflicting time. Our darling B • is gone 
 
 to a better world ; but you must feel the loss of her 
 
 society deeply. However, it would be selfish, as 
 
 well as presumptuous, to murmur at the will of Him, 
 
 who is the Father of us all. 
 
 I send the enclosed, for the purpose of buying 
 
 mourning ; it is right, that we should pay every 
 
 respect to the memory of that sweet creature, who 
 
 is gone from us. 
 
 Ever, my dear Father, 
 
 Your most affectionate Son, 
 
 W. P. 
 
OF WILLIAM rilELAN, 1). D. f>9 
 
 5. Lower Merrion Street, Dublin, 
 March 11. 1830. 
 My dear Father, 
 
 It will grieve me excessively, if I 
 should discover, that you have been denying your- 
 selves any thing comfortable, from reluctance to 
 call upon me. Indeed, I am never satisfied, when 
 I see, or hear, that you do not take all the care 
 you ought of yourselves ; or do not attend to those 
 little supports of life, which your state, and that of 
 my mother, requires. You cannot but feel, that I 
 would count nothing within my power, too much 
 for your use, &c. 
 
 Ever, your affectionate Son, 
 W. P. 
 
 Dublin, March 25. 1830. 
 My dear Father, 
 
 It mortifies me, more than I can ex- 
 press, that I find it quite impossible, to accompany 
 Catherine to Clonmel. Various things conspire, 
 to make it necessary for us to leave Dublin, very 
 early next week : and many preparations are to be 
 made, before we can set out. All these causes 
 compel me, to let Catherine travel alone. But, I 
 live in hopes, that I shall see you, before the sum- 
 mer is over ; and that I shall find you, and my 
 dear mother, improved by the fine weather. 
 
 You will perceive, by what Catherine brings, 
 f 3 
 
70 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 that 1 am still in your debt. I trust that I shall 
 be able to pay you. With my best love to my 
 dear mother, 
 
 Ever, your affectionate Son, 
 
 William Phelan. 
 
 This was his last letter to his father : and gives 
 delightful evidence, that something far tenderer, 
 and more sacred, than mere family affection, was 
 triumphant, even to the close. 
 
 But a touching incident yet remains. The 
 heavy expences of his last illness, had drained his 
 purse ; and, for some time, he had been unable to 
 remit his father's allowance. Unexpectedly, there 
 came in, for the renewal of a lease, five-and-thirty 
 pounds. * Let that, immediately, be sent to my 
 father*,* said Dr. Phelan, • I have been in his 
 debt too long.* It was enclosed, accordingly : and 
 his sister observing his extreme weakness, was about 
 to direct the cover ; but he said, quickly, ' Give 
 me the pen, . . if he saw any other hand-writing than 
 mine, the dear old mant might think me worse 
 than I am.* Within three days, he breathed his 
 last! 
 
 * Here was, precisely, the same spirit, which dictated the 
 memorable saying to his brother, sixteen years before. See 
 page 21, ante. J. L. 
 
 ■f Dr. Phclan's usual phrase, when speaking of his father, 
 amidst his own familv. 
 
OF WILLIAM PIIELAN, 1>. 1). 71 
 
 Next spring, (1831.) Miss Phelan writes, ' My 
 father is pretty well, considering his infirmities : 
 he bows, with submission, to the will of our heavenly 
 Father. But the tears roll down his aged face, 
 whenever William is mentioned ; and, sometimes, 
 when alone, he speaks to himself, in Irish, about 
 his darling.' 
 
 In April, 1832., Mr. Phelan, senior, was in his 
 eighty-sixth, and Mrs. Phelan, in her sixty-ninth 
 year. 
 
 It is, perhaps, very generally felt, that the most 
 natural and affecting letters of Pope, Warburton, 
 and Hurd, are those dictated by filial piety. But, 
 in genuine pathos and simplicity, they are far ex- 
 celled, by several of Dr. Phelan's. We are con- 
 tinually reminded of those exquisite lines, which 
 few sons have equally realized : . . 
 
 * O friend, may each domestic bliss be thine : 
 Be no unpleasing melancholy mine : 
 Me, let the tender office long engage, 
 To rock the cradle of reposing age; 
 Explore the thought, explain the asking eye. 
 And keep awhile both parents from the sky ! ' 
 
 From 1823., to 1829-, Dr. Phelan's favourite, 
 und more congenial studies, were often interrupted, 
 by various political discussions of the day. To di- 
 late on such subjects, is foreign from the purpose 
 of this memoir; and, (may the memorialist be 
 allowed to add?) from the habits of his own life. 
 
 f 4 
 
T^Z l!I()C;itAl'm(\\I. MKMOIK 
 
 Thei-eforc, as has been already intimated, 1 shall 
 here confine myself, to the simple mention of his 
 chief treatises, in the order of publication : , . 
 
 1. Essay on the subject, proposed by the Royal 
 
 Irish Academy, ' Whether, and how far, the 
 pursuits of scientific and polite literature, assist 
 or obstruct each other ? ' 1813. Re-published 
 in the present Volume. 
 
 2. « The Bible, not the Bible Society.' I8I7. 
 
 3. A Letter to Marquis Wellesley, on ' The Case 
 
 of the Church in Ireland: by Declan.' 1823. 
 Declan was the name of the first Bishop of 
 Ardmore, in Ireland : traditionally a member 
 of the family, whence Dr. Phelan was de- 
 scended. Not published, till after the author 
 had withdrawn from College. 
 
 4. The same. Second Edition, much enlarged. 
 
 1824. 
 
 5. A second Letter to the Marquis Wellesley, 
 
 under the same title, and signature. 1824. 
 
 6. * ALettertoAVilliamWilberforceEsq.' Suggest- 
 
 ing some alterations in Mr. Goulbum's Tithe 
 Composition Act. 182,5. 
 
 7. * A Digest of the Evidence, taken before the 
 
 Committees of both Houses of Parliament, 
 &c. in 182.5.' Vol. II. The first Volume of 
 this work, was drawn up, by the Rev. Mor- 
 
or WILLIAM PIIELAX, I). 1). /^ 
 
 timer O'Sullivun. Both he, and Dr. Phehin, 
 had been previously examined, before the 
 Committees. The Digest was brought out, 
 in March, 1826. 
 
 8. * History of the Policy of the Church of Rome, 
 
 in Ireland, &c.' 1827. This work, forms the 
 second Volume of the present publication. It 
 is given, not as a controversial, but purely 
 as an historical discussion : and it is hoped, 
 that, when temporary excitement shall have 
 subsided, it may be studied with advantage, 
 by persons of every description ; and not 
 least, by members of the Church of Rome. 
 
 9. Two Letters, from a Clergyman in Ireland, to 
 
 his friend in England. 1828. 
 
 10. * Remains, &c.' 2 vols. 8vo. 1882. 
 
 On the 26th of May, 1824., he was appointed, 
 by the Primate, to the Rectory of Killyman, in the 
 Diocese of Armaoh. His announcement of this 
 event, (to him, certainly, an important one,) be- 
 spoke a singularly well-balanced mind. He had 
 been writing on other subjects, and at some length, 
 to his friend Mr. Ryan, when he thus proceeds : . . 
 * This morning, his Grace presented me with a 
 very well-circumstanced living, and unincumbered 
 with any claim for building. I have now, thank 
 God, an immediate prospect of competency ; after 
 a total demolition of my affairs, within the course 
 
71* BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 of the year. I am deeply grateful to Providence ; 
 but not elated : on the contrary, my mind is quite 
 still, and motionless/ 
 
 Killyman was eligible as a residence, in several 
 respects ; in none more so, than its vicinity to Ar- 
 magh. Thence, Dr. Phelan was enabled to pass 
 many agreeable, and many useful hours, in commu- 
 nication with the Primate : whom, it would be im- 
 possible to say, how deeply he revered. And there, 
 along with Archdeacon Stopford, and the present 
 Dean of Armagh, the Primate being generally 
 present, he acted as examiner for holy orders. 
 An important office : by him, most faithfully dis- 
 charged ; for none felt more acutely, its weighty 
 responsibility. 
 
 He succeeded, in virtue of the arrangement made 
 with the Provost and senior Fellows, to the Rectory 
 of Ardtrea, in the gift of the University of Dublin, 
 about the 23d October, 1825.* His pecuniary cir- 
 cumstances now gave promise of becoming easy ; 
 
 * The income of the two parishes, has been accurately 
 reported to me; it appears that Killyman produced about 
 850/., and Ardtrea 950/. per annum. From this amount, is to 
 be deducted 400/., allowed by Dr. Phelan to his Curates ; 
 and, at least, 1.50/. for the expences of collection, <Src. From 
 the charges of faculty, outfit, furniture, &c. he was just be- 
 ginning to emerge ; when it pleased God to remove him. 
 The delicate state of his liealth, put a life-insurance out of 
 the (juestion. It was not even so much as attempted ; nor, 
 indeed, in his circumstances, would the attempt have been 
 lionest. 
 
OF WILLIAM PIIELAN, D. D. 7^ 
 
 and had his life been spared, for a very few years, 
 he might have provided competently for his family. 
 It is, however, but fair to say, that his mere ac- 
 quaintances were apt to think him ambitious ; and 
 it needs not be concealed, that he, sometimes, 
 seemed to view with complacency, the possibility 
 of, at a future day, obtaining a more prominent 
 place in his profession. But the present writer, 
 speaking from some knowledge of facts, and after 
 much deliberate thought on the subject, does not 
 hesitate to say, that Dr. Phelan's ambition (no 
 modification of which, can be perfectly, or abstract- 
 edly, right,) was, at least, quite free from selfish- 
 ness; that he regarded station in the church, not 
 as an end, but as a means of usefulness ; and that 
 the prevailing disposition of his mind, was, to per- 
 form faithfully his own immediate duties, and leave 
 events confidingly, and unreservedly, in the hands 
 of God. 
 
 The testimony of my friend, the Rev. Charles 
 Forster, so perfectly accords with my own experience, 
 that I cannot allow myself to suppress it ; and it 
 is the more valuable, I conceive, because it is given 
 in his own unpremeditated words, taken down ex- 
 actly as they were spoken : ' In October, 1825.,. . 
 I saw Dr. Phelan in Dublin, immediately after he 
 had succeeded to the living of Ardtrea. It was 
 the last opportunity I enjoyed, of his confidential 
 conversation. The sentiment uppermost in his 
 
76 BIOGKAPIIICAL MEMOIR 
 
 mind, was a lively sense of the goodness of Provi- 
 dence towards him. He introduced, of his own 
 accord, . . the mouth manifestly speaking out of 
 the abundance of the heart, . . the great cause he 
 had for thankfulness ; expressed, with a look of 
 thoughtful calmness, his gratitude, at finding him- 
 self in a situation beyond his deserts, and fully 
 equal to his desires ; and concluded, by observing, 
 that he had nothing more to wish for in this 
 world ; but, had every reason, to be contented and 
 happy.* 
 
 In July, 1826., he proceeded D.D. ; and, imme- 
 diately after, was appointed, by the Lord Primate 
 of Ireland, his examiner for faculties ; this office, 
 however, soon virtually ceased ; the primate having, 
 greatly to his honour, declined to grant any more 
 faculties. 
 
 From the spring of 1827-, [with the exception 
 of his two letters to a Clergyman, &c., and a few 
 essays in the periodical Journals,] he did not pub- 
 lish : he seems to have resumed, for some time, his 
 earlier pursuits with unabated delight. He read 
 Plato, and the philosophers of his school ; Kant, 
 and the chief metaphysicians ; nor was he wholly 
 inobservant of the new system in progress, among 
 men of letters in France. But the Scriptures were 
 his real and profound study. He estimated the 
 best human productions, only, as, by correspond- 
 ence or by contrast, they served to display the 
 
OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 77 
 
 surpassing excellence of God's word : and he 
 thought our present intellectual systems, therefore 
 incomplete and uncertain, because they are formed, 
 not in accordance with, and subservience to, that 
 all-perfect rule. He, soberly, was of opinion, that, 
 when philosophy should condescend, to become 
 the humble disciple of Revealed Religion, she 
 would make the most rapid advances, and commence 
 a new era of metaphysical science. * If ever,' he 
 was used to say, ' there arises a Newton, in the 
 philosophy of Intellect, he vvill be a man profoundly 
 acquainted with the Bible.' Here, he was satis- 
 fied, are the principles of all knowledge, that has 
 man for its object : and, in the society of his 
 chosen intimates, whatever might be the subject of 
 conversation, it never failed to terminate in consi- 
 derations drawn from the sacred writings ; or 
 rather, he very soon proved, that, by the light of 
 Scripture, it could best be elucidated and expanded. 
 To his theological studies, therefore, he drew all 
 that was really interesting, in every literary pur- 
 suit : and, as his acquaintance with the Bible grew 
 more profound, it became more and more evident, 
 that, from thence, he was continually deriving new, 
 and striking thoughts. 
 
 Meanwhile, it was manifest to his anxious friends, 
 that his bodily health was rapidly on the decline. 
 The symptons were, perhaps, first, and most dis- 
 
78 BIOGRAPHICAL MEAIOIR 
 
 tiiictly, observed by himself: thus, so early as the 
 month of October, 1825., he writes to a confiden- 
 tial friend : ' I am beginning to liave fears, of an- 
 other kind : which I do not like to detail on paper, 
 but which occupy a great portion of my secret 
 musings/ Again, on the 19th of Nov. 1826. : 
 * As for myself, I am certainly not well. My 
 power of enduring study is greatly reduced ; and 
 my susceptibility of cold increases, to a most uncom- 
 fortable extent.* In the summer of 1827., l^is 
 feelings were yet more distressing: July 16., he 
 says, . . * I am very low, with respect to my own 
 state. For the last six years, I have had, occa- 
 sionally, an intermitting pulse, which, at first, was 
 said to be nervous. But, I was given to under- 
 stand, that, unless it were mastered by exercise, 
 and tranquillity of mind, it might ultimately turn 
 out to be organic. It was diminishing, up to last 
 winter ; so much so, that I had begun to hope I 
 had mastered it : but my long confinement then 
 brought it on, to a very serious degree. Common 
 sense agrees with the physicians, that a disease, 
 which attacks, so directly, the seat of life, must be 
 treated with very respectful attention. I have 
 been ordered, and I intend obeying the precept, to 
 give up my books and scribbling, and devote my 
 care to my health. The great difficulty, I feel, is, 
 how to avert my thoughts from my own state. 
 
OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 79 
 
 when I am not occupied in studious thinking. 1 
 find, that, minute care about myself increases the 
 agitation of my pulse ; and, from the long-formed 
 habits of my life, I do not know any way of divert- 
 ing my thoughts effectually, but by engaging in 
 some settled scheme of mental occupation. This 
 last, however, every one agrees in condemning. I 
 had designed, by this time, to have commenced a 
 
 series of ; but it will not be allowed. The 
 
 worst of the matter is, that, I really believe, the 
 irksomeness of want of settled employment, is as 
 bad for me as work.' His spirits, towards the 
 close of this year, appear to have been nearly over- 
 whelmed ; he writes, . . December 1. 1827., * A 
 History of the ancient Church of Ireland, has been 
 one of the many things, upon which my thoughts 
 have dwelt : but this, as well as all the rest, must 
 now be postponed ; perhaps, for ever. The state 
 of my pulse and nerves, renders application to 
 study perfectly impossible : and, as, in these cases, 
 mind and body re-act upon each other, I see no 
 reasonable prospect of improvement. An occasional 
 sermon, will now, probably, be the measure of my 
 labours, for the rest of my life. I attend to myself 
 very carefully ; rise at six o'clock, am systemati- 
 cally temperate, read very little, and go out, when- 
 ever the weather permits. My great desideratum 
 is, the want of society : the society, I mean, of men 
 
80 lUOGHAPHlCAL MEMOIK 
 
 with whom I might converse, upon those topics, 
 which arc now part of myself.* 
 
 The very evening of the day, in which this me- 
 lancholy letter was penned, he had a serious attack 
 of pleurisy : and, after five weeks' close confinement, 
 he was not able so nmch as to reach the hall-door. 
 The utmost exertion that he could make, was a 
 gentle walk about his study : and his friends were 
 desirous, that, when his strength should be tolerably 
 returned, he would consent to vary the scene. The 
 general feeling on the subject may be collected, 
 from a letter written at the time. ' Ardtrea, Jan. 
 25. 1828. Most people here speak of the Cove 
 of Cork, as the most desirable retreat for me ; the 
 doctors say, an excursion, and idleness, without 
 any particular destination ; and though last, not 
 least among my advisers, the Primate recommends 
 a trip to Dublin.' 
 
 To that city, therefore, he removed, in the win- 
 ter of 1828-9; medical men having concurred, in 
 ordering a removal, from the cold, damp climate 
 of the north, to a more genial atmosphere. While 
 he continued in Dublin, he, apparently, grew much 
 better ; but, no sooner had he returned home, than 
 the affection on his lungs became more distressing j 
 and he was medically forbidden to preach, or per- 
 fonn any part of divine service. Shortly after, he 
 was afflicted with a violent palpitation of the heart, 
 
OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 81 
 
 which forced him to give up his usual exercise ; a 
 short ride or walk, causing him much embarrass- 
 ment. 
 
 Just before his return, he addressed to his 
 brother-in-law a letter, which throws some inter- 
 esting light upon his character : * Dublin, Feb. 23. 
 1829. My life here is one of perfect seclusion: 
 except, so far as going occasionally to a news-room, 
 or to the College chapel on Sunday, may be called 
 going into society. I see * * * * but seldom ; and 
 scarcely ever dine out. You will be surprised, at 
 all this ; but it is, because you have mistaken my 
 character, and disposition : for, though I have, or 
 rather liad, somewhat of a lively manner, with my 
 very few close intimates, there is no one of a really 
 more retiring turn. I dwell too much among my 
 own thoughts, to have either the power, or the 
 will, to make myself acceptable to many of those 
 around me. There is much of this, that I would 
 not change, if I could ; for I am satisfied, that the 
 world is a very heartless affair. In some instances, 
 however, I am quite aware, that my shyness, or 
 sullenness, or whatever else it may be called, is 
 downright infirmity.* 
 
 Towards the close of 1829-, he again went to 
 reside in Dublin : not, however, with any very 
 beneficial effect. A Physician of great eminence 
 
 g 
 
82 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 interdicted, not merely preacliing, and performance 
 of all parochial duty, but any continuous writing, 
 and study of whatever kind. The tone of his mind 
 was unusually depressed : but, to me, the most af- 
 fecting thing of all, is, the rich vein of imagination 
 which was continually breaking forth ; evincing, 
 even in his most morbid state, the supremacy of 
 mind over matter. Thus on the 17th of Oct., he 
 writes to his friend Mr. Ryan : . . * I am, indeed, 
 very low : and the worst of it is, that the mind 
 has sunk into a kind of lethargy, from which I have 
 no power of rousing it. My faculties are not 
 gone : for, sometimes, when I dream, I can ener- 
 gize as well as ever, and am busy in discussions of 
 various kinds ; but, while awake, they go to hide 
 from me, and all my efforts cannot bring them out 
 of their holes. The cause, I suspect, is to be found 
 in a morbid excess of bile, which I have been 
 secreting. I remember to have seen, somewhere, 
 that a man's understanding is very much in his 
 stomach : and, from my recent experience, I be- 
 lieve it to be true.* 
 
 Yet, even at this period, his mind was, frequently, 
 as much alive as ever, to his intellectual improve- 
 ment and pursuits : thus, in a letter to his early 
 associate, Mr. S. O 'Sullivan, dated Dec. I7. 1829-, 
 he savs, with his usual modest estimate of his own 
 
OF WILLIAM rHELAN, D. D. 83 
 
 powers, . . * I opened an old sermon of my College 
 days, yesterday ; and was disappointed greatly at 
 the execution, though the thoughts are good. You 
 ought to give me a lecture in composition ; I hope 
 to he soon ahle to profit by it.* 
 
 The extracts lately given from Dr. Phelan's 
 correspondence, are evidently fitted to leave a far 
 less lively impression, than the just one, of the 
 habitual frame of his mind and spirits. But they 
 were, for the most part, written at times of illness 
 and depression ; and they have been selected, for 
 the express purpose of showing, that, even then, 
 his feelings were such, as one alike qualified to live, 
 and prepared to die, would willingly cherish, at 
 the approach of ' the inevitable hour.' They were 
 chiefly written, to that bosom-intimate*, by whose 
 kindness, I am enabled to characterize them, in 
 Dr. Phelan's own words : . . ' I have laid open my 
 reveries to you, in the same rambling, unreflecting 
 manner, as if I had been thinking aloud, and by 
 your fire-side. To you, I write of myself, because 
 I am sure, that what concerns me, is not uninter- 
 esting to you. There is no one, to whom I dare 
 behave so.' His last letter to his chosen friend, 
 written on the twenty-ninth of May, just seventeen 
 
 * The Rev. Kicluird Ryan. 
 
 (T o 
 <3 
 
8i BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 (lays before his death, has these words, . . a cha- 
 racteristic close of such a correspondence: . . ' I have 
 been greatly cheered, by your last two letters : and 
 I look forward, with impatient anxiety, to your 
 promised visit. The circle of our friends narrows 
 so fearfully, as we proceed in life, that the affections 
 gather, with intensity of regard, round the few 
 that remain, within the little inclosure. W. P.' 
 
 In April, 1830., his brother*, who, for nineteen 
 years, had, with anxious fondness, been watching 
 each expressive variation of his countenance, saw in 
 it, on his return to the country, the signs of fast 
 approaching dissolution. On May the twenty- 
 fourth, he went to the Chapel-in-the-woods, one of 
 the churches of Ardtrea, nine miles distant from 
 the rectory, to hold a vestry. The day was wet, 
 and tempestuous ; he sat, for several hours, in damp 
 clothes ; and, as might have been anticipated, took 
 a severe cold. On the twenty-eighth, the injurious 
 effects became sadly apparent : a distressing cough, 
 extreme difficulty of breathing, total sleeplessness, 
 impossibility so much as to lie down. Mrs. Plielan, 
 finding that the means prescribed wrought no 
 abatement of suffering, now proposed, that he 
 should go to his brother's at Killyman ; for, she 
 
 * The Rev. James Phelan, then curate of Killyman, now 
 Prebendary of St. Audocn's, Dublin. 
 
OF WILLIAM PHELAJT, D. D. 85 
 
 had often been led to remark, that the society of 
 that dear relative, in his affection for whom, were 
 blended the feelings of a brother, a father, and a 
 friend, had, commonly, a salutary effect upon his 
 health and spirits. He went accordingly. On en- 
 tering the house, he first saw Mrs. James Phelan ; 
 towards whom, he had ever felt, and showed, the 
 truest brotherly affection. To her he said, with that 
 playful seriousness, which, in him, was quite cha- 
 racteristic, ' Harriette, I am come to die with 
 you.' This was on the sixth of June. For the 
 next three days, in the course of which, he took 
 two airings in an open carriage, some hopes were 
 entertained of his recovery ; his cough was more 
 infrequent, his breathing less embarrassed, and he 
 had a little sleep. But, on the tenth, all the old 
 symptoms returned, with aggravation : and a new 
 symptom appeared, which seldom fails to prove an 
 immediate forerunner of dissolution. Still, how- 
 ever, on the eleventh, he ventured, supported by 
 his brother, to take a short walk in the garden : 
 and next day, he was up a little while. But, at nine 
 o'clock A. M., on Sunday, June the thirteenth, he 
 expired, without the slightest struggle. To the 
 last, he retained full possession of his mental 
 powers : and exercised, with unabated vigour, the 
 kindliest of human affections. Nor is it presumptu-i 
 
 g3 
 
86 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 ous to hope, that, through the merits and medi- 
 ation of a Divine Redeemer, lie is gone to tluit 
 state, where the aspirings of a purified spirit, shall 
 not be weighed down, by the pressure of a mortal 
 body.* 
 
 It may, perhaps, be expected, that the writer of 
 this memoir, should add somewhat in the way of 
 character. But he trusts, that, from almost every 
 page, may be collected his estimate, of this excel- 
 lent, and extraordinary young man. And, happily, 
 Mrs. Phelan has put into his hands, a paper, drawn 
 up by herself; the faithful result of fifteen years' 
 intimacy with his whole mind and heart. This, I 
 will give, almost as I received it : and I think its 
 beautiful simplicity far more eloquent, than the 
 most laboured panegyric. Here, then, I close my 
 biographic labours. And I cannot but express my 
 fervent wish, that many may be induced, not merely 
 to admire, but to emulate, the virtues and the spirit, 
 
 * At four o'clock in the afternoon, of June 15. 1830, his 
 remains were deposited, in a vacant space, where tlie old 
 church liad formerly stood, in the grave-yard of Killyman. 
 A numerous body of clergy, and a vast concourse of people, 
 assembled at the funeral. His brother, the Rev. James 
 Phelan, and his brother-in-law, the Rev. J. H. Stubbs, were 
 mourners. The funeral service was read by the Rev. Richard 
 Horner, Rector of the neighbouring parish of Drumglass ; 
 who pronounced a very instructive, and aflecting address, 
 at the grave. 
 
OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 87 
 
 of Dr. Phelaii. For my own part, I feel, that my 
 responsibility is, in no slight degree, increased by 
 the long and close inspection of such mature good- 
 ness. 
 
 John Limerick. 
 
 East-Hill, Wandsworth, 
 May 21. 1832. 
 
 g 4 
 
88 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 MRS. PHELAN'S PAPER. 
 
 • On looking through his earliest manuscripts, it 
 is evident, how entirely, from the beginning, his 
 mind was directed towards the one great end of 
 our being. Even in these unfinished papers, it is 
 an office of delightful interest, to trace the progres- 
 sive history of his fine mind : to see it, from ten- 
 derest youth, to maturest manhood, continue to 
 expand, and give forth fresh promise ; till, at length, 
 it burst forth from its earthly incumbrance, as we 
 may humbly trust, to enjoy heavenly converse, in 
 a state of unalloyed purity. 
 
 His many note-books, and even the smallest 
 shred of written paper left behind him, testify the 
 fulness of that mind, and its ever-budding fresh- 
 ness ; each beautiful thought seeming to contain 
 matter for a volume. While inspecting such do- 
 cuments, my heart is lifted up, in adoration of the 
 great Creator ; who alone, can give such faculties 
 to man, with the power, and the will to use them. 
 
 The sweetness of his domestic qualities shone, 
 in beaming tenderness, through his manly nature ; 
 rendering him, in all seasons, whether of labour or 
 repose, a most delightful companion. Delicacy of 
 
OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D.D. 89 
 
 constitution, and unintcrmitting devotedncss to 
 literary pursuits, enhanced his natural love of 
 home-quiet ; but never, for a moment, relaxed his 
 ever-working powers of thought. 
 
 Except when labouring under veiy distressing 
 illness, he was not merely cheerful, but animated, 
 and full of the joy even of childhood. Often have 
 I seen him, after dancing and singing with his 
 little children, . . suddenly throw himself into his 
 chair, take up his note-book, and write, exclaim- 
 ing, . . * I have worked up a good thing for my 
 book.' And thus, frequently, some of his happiest, 
 and most exquisite thoughts suggested themselves 
 to him, amidst the full enjoyment of his delighted 
 little family circle. 
 
 Abstractedness, therefore, so usual an accompa- 
 niment of literary habits, was never to be detected 
 in him. He was present to every thing ; always 
 ready to take a part in conversation ; and felt a 
 lively interest in whatever was going forward. 
 Even when engaged in the closest and deepest 
 application, his intercourse with his family was not 
 suspended : the amusements of his children did 
 not interfere with him ; their presence and enjoy- 
 ment gave him pleasure ; reading aloud interrupted 
 not tho train of his thoughts ; music seemed almost 
 to assist them ; and, in the midst of intense study, 
 he would pause to answer the simplest question. 
 
90 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 in a manner equally full of encouragement, and 
 affection. 
 
 But, whenever information of an instructive 
 kind was asked for, he delighted, especially, in 
 giving it ; and never failed to do so, in that happy 
 style of brevity and clearness, for which he was 
 remarkable : replying with readiness and interest, 
 as if the particular subject in question had exclu- 
 sively engaged his thoughts ; and, on such occa- 
 sions, his countenance and manner told what 
 pleasure he felt, in communicating knowledge. 
 Indeed, whenever he spoke, his air was animated 
 and joyous ; and so thoroughly was information, 
 at once general and deep, diffused throughout his 
 mind, that he viewed the most ordinary subject in 
 an uncommon light ; and unconsciously excited 
 new trains of thought, in the minds of those 
 around him. In his hours of necessary relax- 
 ation, he ever combined wit with instruction, and 
 philosophy with mirth : and playfully imparted 
 those treasures, which he had laboriously accumu- 
 lated, by severe study. Above most other men, 
 he possessed the happy fliculty of teaching, with- 
 out appearing to dictate ; and he continually en- 
 lightened the circle which revolved around him, 
 unconscious that he was himself the luminary, in 
 whose beams they were rejoicing. 
 
 His general manner was simple and unpretend- 
 
OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 91 
 
 ing ; he never assumed the air of conscious superi- 
 ority ; but, * possessing that prime knowledge, which 
 consists in knowing, how Httle can be known,' he 
 was, at all times, too deeply occupied with the 
 beauty and tendency of the idea, to dwell, for a 
 moment, on its mere origination. The same unaf- 
 fected demeanour marked him, whether in the pul- 
 pit, in private discussion with his friends, or in 
 the more general conversation of mixed society. I 
 never heard him speak, on any subject, whatever 
 its apparent difficulty, without feeling, that I 
 could, in some degree, at least, find my way 
 through it. Such was his lucid clearness, and 
 concise, though beautiful method of reasoning. 
 And, perhaps, the best evidence of a great mind, 
 is that power, of simplifying food for the feeble- 
 minded. 
 
 Devotion to his beloved studies, but too often, 
 and in many ways, affected his bodily health. At 
 one period, he became subject to a distressing com- 
 plaint, in one of his eyes. To this, however, he 
 never yielded, till acute pain made it indispensable, 
 that the organ should have rest. At these times, 
 he was in the occasional habit of dictating, from 
 the stores of his mind, that which another reduced 
 to writing. In the latter years of his life, he had 
 repeated attacks of this nature ; succeeding each 
 other, with so short a re^spite between, that, but 
 
92 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 for that active energy of mind, ^vllich never forsook 
 him, he must have sunk under mere physical de- 
 pression. When suffering in tliis way, lie has 
 often dictated various portions of his works ; ar- 
 ranging long passages in his mind, as he walked 
 through the room ; and repeating them with great 
 accuracy and clearness, while one of his family 
 wrote them down, for his future correction. And 
 at times, when able to use his eyes, but much 
 hurried in composition for the press, he has 
 worked double tides ; at once dictating to an 
 amanuensis, and rapidly penning some other part 
 of the same treatise. 
 
 It has been well observed of him, that ' he lived 
 two lives in one.' The quickness of his apprehen- 
 sion enabled him to acquire knowledge, in a far 
 shorter space of time than most persons : while 
 this faculty served l)ut to stimulate his exertion, 
 and excite an appetite for fresh information, never 
 to be satiated in the present stage of existence. In 
 his favourite study of theology, he laboured, with 
 a persevering ardour, perhaps seldom excelled, or 
 even equalled. And the result gives a fresh in- 
 stance of the fact, that a sincere and humble 
 search after truth, directed by a clear intellect, 
 and aided by solid learning, is always productive 
 of a self-conviction, which, generally, draws others 
 to the same belief In fiict. Dr. Phelan had read 
 
OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D.D. 93 
 
 more than enough to unsettle the minds of many 
 acute, but unballasted, unstable half-thinkers ; while, 
 to him, inquiry never failed to produce a deeper, 
 and more principled conviction of the great truths 
 of the Gospel. 
 
 No person, indeed, could be more deeply im- 
 pressed with a sense of man's utter helplessness, 
 in his unassisted state. Therefore the humility of 
 his faith was of the most profound character. But 
 he felt what noble things, restored, and re-created 
 man is capable of, and intended for. Therefore 
 he continually aspired, through Divine Grace, after 
 the renovation and improvement of his flillen na- 
 ture. 
 
 His conception of our Lord's character was so 
 perfectly lovely, that, where we might have 
 dreaded to approach, we are attractively drawn 
 forward ; and gratefully behold Divinity itself, 
 embodied in the Redeemer of our souls. By ever 
 keeping before him this Model of perfection, he 
 was gradually becoming conformed to His image ; 
 and he truly, and habitually, * walked humbly 
 with his God.' 
 
 For two or three months previous to his final 
 separation from us in the flesh, the idea of his 
 own approaching dissolution seems to have been 
 familiar to him. I had an opportunity of observ- 
 ing this, especially at one particular period j when, 
 
9i BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 from a recent confinement, and the interdiction of 
 all study, he became acutely nervous and sensitive. 
 About that time, too, he was seized with an alarm- 
 mcr numbness, in one of his arms ; attended by a 
 shock, similar to that of paralysis. During the 
 continuance of this attack, which lasted about an 
 hour, he appeared to undergo a great mental 
 struggle ; the agonizing conflict bringing tears to 
 his eyes. At length, the power having returned, 
 of shaking off this weakness, by a violent effort, 
 he was quite overcome by the gracious relief: and 
 immediately withdrew to his own room ; where 
 he remained alone, for upwards of an hour. Then 
 he rejoined his family, with more than his usual 
 cheerfulness ; and with a heavenly serenity, which 
 seemed newly given to him. 
 
 The last week of his mortal being, cannot, 
 while I remain after him, be severed from my 
 thoughts ; the recollection of it fills me with heart- 
 felt gratitude to the Most High. From the great 
 difficulty of breathing under which he laboured, it 
 was a period of almost unintermitting suffering ; 
 fits, nearly of suffocation, came on continually 
 during the night ; frequently, too, during the 
 course of the day. But his equanimity, patience, 
 and reliance on the Divine Mercy, never, for a 
 moment, forsook him. His resignation to the 
 Divine will was meek, and unvaried ; his whole 
 
OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D.D. 95 
 
 manner showed this ; and the few consolatory 
 words, wliich, at any time, he uttered, were evi- 
 dently designed, but, to relieve the agonized feel- 
 ings, of those who witnessed his sufferings. The 
 night before his departure, he called me to his 
 bed-side : and, in the beginning of his little ad- 
 dress, his countenance and manner bore an almost 
 playful animation. I am now fully persuaded, 
 that glimmerings of the glory so soon to be re- 
 vealed, were, at that moment, dawning on his 
 mental sight, and even giving him bodily ease, 
 while he spoke to me these comforting words : . . 
 
 * I am greatly relieved by the bleeding, thanks 
 be to God! And, though I have, indeed, had 
 a very violent attack, yet I feel, as though I had, 
 still, a sufficiency of strength, with God's help, to 
 bring me through. And now, go over, and lie 
 down in your bed, with a full confidence in the 
 power of the Almighty. I will call you to me, 
 when necessary. Pray for me : giving Him 
 thanks, for all his mercies to me. There never 
 was any one, who had more abundant cause for 
 humble gratitude.' 
 
 Then, nearly exhausted, his words gradually 
 became indistinct : and from mental prayer, he 
 sunk into a calm and childlike sleep. These were 
 the last words of consequence, I ever heard him 
 utter. But if, at any time, upon its separation 
 
96 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR. 
 
 from the body, a spirit has been blessed with tlie 
 foretaste of immortal peace, . . and if it be not pre- 
 sumptuous to indulge in the delightful confidence, 
 . . may I be enabled to rest in sure and certain 
 hope, that his Soul is numbered with the blessed ! 
 
 M. f: 
 
London, April 1832. 
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4 Valuable Works 
 
 XVI. An INQUIRY into the MODERN PREVAILING 
 
 NOTIONS respoctincr that FREEDOM of WILL which is siipposod to 
 he ICssentiiil to Monil Agency, Virtue and Vice, Reward and Punishment, 
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 XVIII. A SHORT HISTORY oftheCHRISTIAN CHURCH, 
 
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 2. LECTURES, Explanatory and Practical, on the EPISTLE of 
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Published by James Duncax. 5 
 
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 XX. MEMOIRS of EMINENTLY PIOUS WOMEN. By 
 
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 XXVI. A GREEK and ENGLISH LEXICON, for the 
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Published by James Duncan. 7 
 
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 1. PLATONIS OPERA OMNIA; recensuit et Commentariis Scho- 
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 THE MODERN TRAVELLER; 
 
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 LO.VJON : — J, MOVES, 20, CASTIE STAEBT, LEICKSTBIl SQCAIlli.