Read "A Voyage to Botany Bay" by George Barrington online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
The once popular subject of this sketch was born about 1755, at a village called Maynooth, in Ireland; his father being a working silversmith, and his mother a mantua maker. Nearly ruined by law, they were unable to give their son an education suitable to the early abilities which he discovered. He was however taught to read and write; and a neighbouring surgeon instructed him in arithmetic, the elements of geography, and the general principles of grammar.
At sixteen, young Waldron was noticed and patronised by Dr. C--, a dignitary in the church of Ireland; and through whose influence he was placed at a free grammar-school in Dublin. But stabbing an older boy than himself with a penknife, from motives of revenge, he lost the support of his benevolent patron, and was severely chastised by the master. He could by no means forgive this degradation; and therefore resolved on leaving the school, and all his fair prospects behind.