where, gaining partial relief, she continued for some years. In the meantime, when comfortably settled with her relatives, the Serjeant considered the moment favourable for giving his son a view of the interior of England. A tour was therefore undertaken through the Midland Counties, much to the gratification of both.
They did not reach Dublin till towards the end of the year—the Serjeant to his usual labours in the four courts, with occasional trips to a country residence and farm named Shinglass; and Edmond to college studies preparatory to further examinations. His father had formed a favourable opinion of his talents and diligence. His disposition was affectionate, his temper genial, his attachment to his mother and sisters devoted, to which the former more than once alluded; and there reigned between the brothers a degree of regard which appears never to have been interrupted. Their letters, as well as surviving testimony, render it apparent that there could not be a more united family. From the country retreat of his father, when taking a turn at farming, we have the following sensible admonitions to Edmond, January, 1760:—
My dear Neddy—I am very much obliged for your letter of last Sunday, which was a great treat to me, in this lonely place. I often wish for your company, but at the same time am glad that you made the choice you did, of sitting down to read for next examinations, as you will by that means soon recover the time lost by our English expedition last summer.
The seeing you and your brother both so diligent in the pursuit of the necessary means for your own happiness and