There were also numbers of crippled and deformed beggars in every town,--quarrelling and fighting in the streets,--rows and drinkings at wakes,--gambling, duelling, and riotous living amongst all classes of the people,--things which could not but strike any ordinary observer at the time, but which have now, for the most part, happily passed away.
At the end of eighteen months, Bianconi's apprenticeship was out; and Faroni then offered to take him back to his father, in compliance with the original understanding.

But Bianconi had no wish to return to Italy.

Faroni then made over to him the money he had retained on his account, and Bianconi set up business for himself.

He was now about eighteen years old; he was strong and healthy, and able to walk with a heavy load on his back from twenty to thirty miles a day.

He bought a large case, filled it with coloured prints and other articles, and started from Dublin on a tour through the south of Ireland.