in fact, he had the parish to himself--many attending from a distance
of three, four, and five miles. His merits, however, were believed to
be great, and his character for learning stood high, though unjustly
so: for a more superficial, and at the same time, a more presuming
dunce never existed; but his character alone could secure him a good
attendance; he, therefore, belied the unfavorable prejudices against
the Findramore folk, which had gone abroad, and was a proof, in his own
person, that the reason of the former schoolmasters' miscarriage lay in
the belief of their incapacity which existed among the people. But Mat
was one of those showy, shallow fellows, who did not lack for assurance.

The first step a hedge schoolmaster took, on establishing himself in
a school, was to write out, in his best copperplate hand, a flaming
advertisement, detailing, at full length, the several branches he
professed himself capable of teaching. I have seen many of these--as who
that is acquainted with Ireland has not?--and, beyond all doubt, if
the persons that issued them were acquainted with the various
heads recapitulated, they must have been buried in the most profound
obscurity, as no man but a walking Encyclopaedia--an admirable
Crichton--could claim an intimacy with them, embracing, as they often
did, the whole circle of human knowledge. 'Tis true, the vanity of the
pedagogue had full scope in these advertisements, as there was none to
bring him to an account, except some rival, who could only attack him
on those practical subjects which were known to both. Independently of
this, there was a good-natured collusion between them on those points
which were beyond their knowledge, inasmuch as they were not practical
but speculative, and by no means involved their character or personal
interests. On the next Sunday, therefore, after Mat's establishment at
Findrainore, you might see a circle of the peasantry assembled at the
chapel door, perusing, with suitable reverence and admiration on their