CURRAN. 311 that an ill-acquired elevation, by rendering me more con- spicuous, would only make me the more universally and more notoriously contemptible." This appears to bave beeu the last occasion, on which the learned judge ven- tured a bite at the same file. Perhaps no man ever possessed powers of invective and exasperation, more virulent than those of Mr. Curran. Early in bis professional career, he was employed at Cork, to prosecute an officer, named Sellinger, for assaulting a catholic clergyman. Sellinger, justly or otherwise, was suspected by Mr. Curran to be a mere political creature of Lord Doneraile, and to have acted in mere subserviency to the religious prejudices of his patron. On this theme he expatiated with such bitterness and effect, that Sellinger sent him a message the next day. They met; Mr. Curran received, but did not return his fire; and thus the affair ended. "It was not necessary," said Curran some time afterwards to a friend, " for me to fire at him; he died in three weeks after the duel, of the report of bis own pistol. Mr. Curran might now be considered as prosperously established at the bar, rising to the very summit of his profession, and daily employed in those forensic exertions which so eminently contributed to his fortune as a lawyer, and his fame as an orator; but, notwithstanding the exten- siveness of his professional pursuits, he could find time to enjoy the eonvivial society of a few select friends. This society was entitled, the Monks of the Serew, and did not as a vulgar biographer of Mr. Curran has ignorantly stated, consist of shabby barristers and ale-bibbers, but of men of the first character, wit, and talents the country could boast; men as eminent for the polish of their manners, as for their learning and genius. Amongst these were the late Lord Charlemont, Mr. Flood, Mr. Grattan, Mr. Bowes Daly, Mr. George Ogle, Mr. Keller, Messrs. Day, Cham- berlaine, and Metge, since judges: Barry Yelverton (afterwards Lord Avonmore), the celebrated Dr. O'Leary, and a host of such characters were amongst its members. They met every Saturday daring the law terms, in a large
