Give it to the parish priest, and dhraw it from
him when you want it. Don't join the parties or the factions of the
school. Above all, spake ill of nobody; and if the; masther is harsh
upon you, either bear it patiently, or mintion it to the priest, or
to some other person of respectability in the parish, and you'll be
protected. You'll be apt to meet cruelty enough, my good boy: for there
are larned Neros in Munster, who'd flog if the province was in flames.
"Now, James, I'll tell you what you'll do, when you reach the larned
south. Plant yourself on the highest hill in the neighborhood wherein
the academician with whom you intend to stop, lives. Let the hour of
reconnoitring be that in which dinner is preparing. When seated there,
James, take a survey of the smoke that ascends from the chimneys of the
farmer's houses, and be sure to direct your steps to that from which
the highest and merriest column issues. This is the old plan and it is
a sure one. The highest smoke rises from the largest fire, the largest
fire boils the biggest pot, the biggest pot generally holds the fattest
bacon, and the fattest bacon is kept by the richest farmer. It's a
wholesome and comfortable climax, my boy, and one by which I myself was
enabled to keep a dacent portion of educated flesh between the master's
birch and my ribs. The science itself is called Gastric Geography, and
is peculiar only to itinerant young gintlemen who seek for knowledge in
the classical province of Munster.
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