Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 1.djvu/481

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470 CLANCY. ceptor. He accordingly resolved on proceeding to his native country; for which purpose he, took a place in the boat for Harfleur in Normandy, and shortly after arriving at Havre de Grace, obtained a passage to Dublin. Being perfectly ignorant of who is relations were, or at what place they residęd, but remembering to have heard that he sprung from a family on the borders of the county of Clare, he resolutely determined to proceed into that part of the kingdom; accordingly he commenced his ex- cursion, making the best of his way through Kilkenny, where he luckily met with a " good Samaritan," who, took compassion on his helpless state, and feeling an inclinatiop to pay back to the son some obligations conferred on, him by the father, eagerly embraced the opportunity that now presented itself, and supported him, and placed him in a free school belonging to that town. Here be continued for three years, when the misfortunes of his benefactor deprived him of the assistance he had derived from that quarter; fortunately for hin, however, it was his destiny in losing one benefactor to procure another, as, about this period, an unforeseea event brought him to the knowledge of his relations, by whom he was sent, to Trinity College, Dublin, and became a pupil of Dr. James King. At the university he remained nearly four years, at the end of which period, perceiving no prospect of advance- ment, and being of a lively disposition," and feeling an inclination to "see a little of the world," he once more left his native country for France, setting sail on board a ship bound for Rochelle, on the 25th of July, 17e4 In three days time the vessel gained sight of L'Isle Dieu on the coast of Britanny; but, on the fourth, a violent storm arose, which drove it, towards, the coast of Spain, where it was stranded on the shore about a mile's distance from the town of St. Sebastian, in Biscay.Erom, this place be obtained a passage to Rochelle, and from thence to Bor- deaux, where he iutended to commence the study, of phy sic, He afterwards, obtained, the, degree of doctor at. Bheims. At what time he returned to Ixeland is, unknowa