Obituaries Australia

Died— At 11 o'clock on Monday night, at his house in Philip-street, the Rev. Dr. Halloran, of a spasmodic affection of the heart, during his convalescence from a late severe illness. This very highly gifted and learned individual has left behind him a wife and large family deeply to deplore his loss. To describe the misfortunes, the distresses, and the sorrows of the deceased during the last ten or twelve years, as well as the invincible fortitude and courage evinced under such trials would defy the powers of a pen less able than his own. It would have seemed that "misfortune was enamoured of his parts," for truly it might be said, that during the whole of that long period, they had become inseparable companions. These remarks are unavoidably connected with an announcement of the unhappy event; but which it is hoped will be soon substituted by a memoir, or some other tribute more worthy of his memory.

Dr. Halloran has left a widow and large family who have always (since he lost his public situation) been dependent on the Doctor's personal labours for their support, save, what an elder branch of the family contributed; and whose filial duty has led him always to sacrifice his own prospects in life for the sake of a father's comforts, whose virtues he emulated, and to whose infirmities he piously shut his eyes. To his children however the Doctor had no failings, save that of excessive tenderness. He was to them a father indeed. Dr. Halloran was a man of great virtues and great faults. To distinguish between them, and to observe how so bright a man could sometimes so egregiously err, requires a candid and discriminating judgment. Doctor Halloran was a man who had a very high sense of gratitude, and was of unbounded generosity. To have shone out in all his native moral strength unimpaired, the Doctor ought never to have been nipt by the hand of penury. But his life was greatly chequered. The troubles he went through are as much above the common lot of humanity, as the unshaken firmness with which he endured them was above the fortitude of ordinary men.

Dr. Halloran has been accused of implacability. His writings display vast feeling in denouncing and lashing his enemies; but a man more ready to forgive and forget even in the height of his paroxysms never existed, provided it were told him the party desired peace.

Putting party politics on one side, Dr. Halloran by his writings in New South Wales has done the Colonists great service, and we trust now that this venerable old man can no longer raise his pen in their service (he was busy writing on popular subjects half an hour before his death) we do trust we say that his widow, a lady of real worth, and greatly esteemed by all who have the pleasure of knowing her, will not be allowed to be forgotten, and to pine away in the shade, without substantial testimonials of the popular sympathy. Her late husband felt always for the public strongly; too strongly, God help him, if he had looked more to his own, and less at the public interests; but Dr. Halloran could not resist his nature; and his nature was to be a public man, although he should be left by that public to starve for his pains. His relict therefore is entitled to the public sympathy. We trust it will be shown. It would not cost the people of Sydney a great sum to buy a small cottage in the name of Trustees, for the benefit of the widow and young children. Surely the people will shew regard to the connexions of one, whose brilliant part, both natural and acquired, were so continually devoted either to their amusement or instruction? Let then a Committee of Gentlemen appoint themselves without delay, and let them apply for and collect public subscriptions, for this purpose.