iV#- \^ur ^' s ^irjNV-soi^ Y Asm\m mv OF-CAIIFO^ w\tm ^UIYHHIHV^ J^DW-SOV^ '^dJAINn-3\\v ^lOS-ANGEIij> ^UIBRARYQ^ ^HIBRARYQ^ ^/i3AINil-3WV v$clOS-ANGEL OF-CALIFO% V, S> ^ra3MNn-]\\v >> vr OFCALIFO% ^uivaaiH^' ^awmb^ ^UIBRARY-0/; > ^ \WE UNIVER%. ^10S;ANGEIj> ONHAIJ ^FCALIF(%, - \WEUNIVER%. ^> THE SEXAGENARIAN; OR, THE Lectton0 LITERARY LIFE. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. JLonuon : PRINTED FOR F. C. AND J. RIVINGTON, no. 62, st. Paul's church-yard; By R. and R. Gilbert, St. John's Square, ClerhenwtU 1817. * . .' ' ' ' ' * INTRODUCTION. AMONG various other particularities which marked the whimsicality of our Sex- agenarian's character, there were disco- i vered in his manuscript, a great many spe- cimens of Dedications, ready cut and J dried. Of these, some were inscribed with due solemnity to very great men, to Ministers, Prelates, Court Favourites, and so forth ; others were written in a less formal style to individuals of known genius, talents, and - learning; one or two were of a playful kind, and addressed to old college friends and acquaintance ; one more particularly was of a facetious tendency in the cha- racter of Satan to Bonaparte. Oh ! that the Sexagenarian had but lived to witness a 2 the the catastrophe of that miscreant adven- turer ! But of all these pieces, some composed with more and some with less care and circumspection, one more immediately forced itself upon the attention, inscribed TO AX OLD WOMAN. Something of an introduction seems in- dispensable on the present occasion, and perhaps nothing more to the purpose could easily be met with ; so it is inserted verba- tim ct literatim from the original document. " My dear old Woman, " Those were good old times for poor au- thors, when the usual accompaniment of an adulatory Dedication to some great personage, was ten pounds. Alas ! there is no such thing now-a-days. It is well if when dismissed from the audience of the patron, you are bowed out with a little faint praise, and a civil leer. Vet such is the effect effect of habit, and so inconsistent is the character of man, that there are no authors of equal celebrity with myself, (hem!) who will condescend to place their works before the public, without a Dedication, or In- scription of one kind or other. " But as ill luck would have it, my lite- rary pilgrimage has been so long and so extended, that I have exhausted my cata- logue of illustrious names, numerous as it was. I am compelled, as the French term it, " jouer a coupe im," in other words, to play alone. I am reduced to the neces- sity of looking about for somebody who cannot in reason refuse the honour in- tended ; from whom nothing is to be ex- pected but a good-humoured acquiescence in whatever I may choose to say ; whose vanity expects no flattery, whose pride can receive no wound. " Where then can I look with more com- placency, comfort, and confidence, than to " MY DEAR OLD WOMAN ? " Here VI " Here I may expatiate without fear of interruption, and what is more, without suspicion of my sincerity upon those intel- lectual qualities, which I have witnessed for almost half a century, growing as it were from a grain of mustard-seed to a tree, beneath whose spreading branches chil- dren and grand-children have reposed in security and peace. I might enlarge upon the sagacity which foresaw the approach of human ill, on the discretion which en- countered, and on the fortitude which en- dured it. Yes ! the imagination might indulge itself in remembering the delight with which we traversed together, the gay and enlivening fields of youth, and the cheerfulness and composure with which the chilling winds of age were opposed. " But on this subject it is time to pause, difficult as it is to forego the last opportu- nity of expatiating upon these fairy visions, the remembrance of which is still so dear. Mirror of Life, the glories thus depart Of all that Love, and Youth, ami Fancy frame, When painful Anguish speeds the piercing dart, Or Knvy blasts the blooming flowers of lame. " To Vll " To conclude in plain prose. Mayst thou with whom the various incidents of a perturbed life have been participated, the pressure of which has again and again been alleviated by thy sympathy, accept, in no adulatory terms of praise, but in those of sober gratitude and truth, my heartfelt acknowledgments of thy good- ness. " Well can I remember that when thou wast an object of admiration, not to the gay and thoughtless alone, but to the grave, the sedate, and the wise, that no external allurement could ever divert thee from the obligations of duty. " Nor can I forget that when our earlier career was obstructed by briars and thorns, thy sagacity found means to lessen their asperity, and thy unwearied exertions never failed to facilitate their removal. Surely too, amidst the sufferings and sorrows of repeated sickness, did thy tenderness assuage the pain, and impart the most de- lightful and salutary balm. << The 3 Vlll " The first vigour of my warm and youthful fancy was employed in represent- ing the emotions excited by thy presence. The last occupation of my trembling pen, is to offer, with an unfeigned devotion, the solemn prayer, that thy decline of life may be as little rugged and disturbed as the condition of humanity will permit; and so Farewell." Scilicet hasc stultos mortal es fallit inanis Spes vita?, doctis eadem indoctisque minatur Mors tamen, et magno finem itnpositura labor!, Desidiae et magna*. Nunc si sapis ergo Viator Vive tibi. Theodori BezcB, Juvenilia. CHAPTER I. XT is not always that the manuscripts of authors fall into good and faithful hands. He, the substance of whose history is now about to be given, would fre- quently make this observation, but he little thought what would be the ultimate destination of his own. Our friend was of a character somewhat singular ; yet, like most other men, he had very mixed qua- lities. The world gave him credit for learning and talents ; many of his productions were very favourably received, and extensively circulated. He did not, however, so much pride himself upon his reputation, as on the means by which he acquired it. From an humble origin and obscure situation, with many obstructions to remove, and vol. i. B great great difficulties to overcome, he contrived to raise himself to honourable distinction, and might reckon among his acquaintance, at least, a large proportion of those individuals, who in the last fifty years excited curiosity and respect, from their Station, their learning, and their abilities. He had substantial reasons to believe that Mr. Pitt thought favourably of him ; he was patronized by Lord Chancellor Roslyn ; he received kindness irom the venerable Archbishop Moore. He ex- pressed himself with emotions of the warmest grar titude towards Bishops Porteus, Barrington, Tom- line, and Bathurst. He had frequent and familiar intercourse with the most learned men of his time ; with Parson much, much with Burney, not a little with Dr. Parr, some with Dean Vincent, Dr. .Malt- by, Bishop Burgess, Professor Marsh, Professor Yince. The catalogue indeed might be far, though perhaps uselessly, extended. Of some of the advantages which such connec- tions promised, he did not avail himself as far as he might ; others he turned to the best of purposes. He had always a weak and delicate constitution, which, aided by a sedentary life, excited a morbid sensibility, and occasioned an improper and timid distrust of himself, at times, and on occasions, when he most wanted self-confidence. '1 his nervous weakness, which he often and deeply lamented, materially 3 materially obstructed his elevation to situations of honour and of rank, to which certain of his quali- fications seemed naturally to point the way, and the avenues to which, might eventually have been facilitated to him, by some at least of his high connections. Notwithstanding these and other infirmities, a few friends loved him well. Among some of his better qualities, he possessed good conversa- tion talents, talents he used to say not so much cultivated in this country as they ought, since they never fail to produce a powerful impression, and often outweigh more substantial and important en- dowments. Every man, he would assert, of the commonest observation, if he has lived at all in the world, must have much to remember which de- serves communication. lie was once urging this in his careless way, when he was reminded by a friend, whose judgment he much valued, that few were better qualified than himself, to produce from what he must have remembered, and was certainly able to communicate, a pleasing and a useful me- morial of himself and his contemporaries ; their entrance into and progress in life; their pursuits, successes, jid disappointments. He promised to think of it, and it appears that he did so. It is to be apprehended that some untoward circumstances, some modifications or disappoint- a '2 meuts, merits, clouds of duskier hue, attended him in the decline of life. He disappeared rather abruptly from anions his friends. 'S One morn we missed him on the 'customed hill, Along the heath, and near his favourite tree ; Another came, nor yet beside the rill, Nor up the lawn, nor at the wood was he. The circumstances of his death are but imper- fectly known. No one was more likely to fall a premature victim to too great anxiety, and it was conjectured that too large a share of it, accelerated his withdrawing himself from the society he loved. Be this as it may : a few months since, was adver- tised to be sold by auction, at the rooms of a po- pular auctioneer, under a fictitious name, his well chosen library. Among the books were some ma- nuscripts, which it was thought the family ought to have preserved. One in particular, was a very large C'ommon-place-book, from the examination of which it was evident, that at some period of his life or other, he had meditated the composition of Memoirs of his literary life, with anecdotes of all the distinguished personages, with whom he had lived on terms of greater or less familiarity, lint all was confusion ; there was nothing like arrange- ment. In one place, " Anecdotes of Bishop * in another, " Particulars of my Interview with the Lord * Lord Chancellor." In the very middle of the vo- lume, " A Narrative of my Boyish Days till I went to the University." This last, as far as it goes, seems the only portion of the manuscript, in which any thing like chronological order was observed. In the hurry of the sale, by some accident or other, this Common-place-book was disregarded, which may in some degree be accounted for from the following circumstance : Our friend wrote a miserable hand ; the rapidity to which he ac- customed himself, made his manuscript almost illegible. On this subject he would often tell many facetious stories of himself and his printer. On one occasion he was grievously tormented by a devil, at the moment of his being helped to a second slice of venison, (for he loved good eating) who came with two large sheets of copy to beg that he would put dots to his i's. At another time, he was seriously remonstrated with by his printer, a very worthy and primitive sort of man, for being the cause of more profane swearing in the printing- office, than is usuallv heard at Billingsgate. " Sir," exclaimed the honest printer, u the mo- ment copy from you is divided among the com- positors, volley succeeds volley, as rapidly and as loudly as in one of Lord Nelson's victories." Our friend shook his head, but he was incorrigible. To return to the auction. Several of the company took took this said Common-place-book into their hands, but as instantly laid it down again in despair. One person indeed rather maliciously asked if it was Arabic. At length it was put up ; nobody bade a sixpence, till a sly old man from one corner of the room who having known the author, recognized his hand writing exclaimed, " I will give a dollar for the chance of making out something." It is super- fluous to say, that there was no competition. The old gentleman carried otV his bargain without mo- testation or envy. It was a long time before he could make an iota of his purchase, nor would he perhaps at all, if accident had not thrown him in the way ot our friend the printer. This good man recollected, with no small delight, the Shibboleth (if such a term may be used to an autograph) of his old but tormenting acquaintance. They accord- ingly put their heads together, and the Reader is here presented with the result of their joint but continued labour. Labour indeed it might be called, for Porson would sooner have unravelled an Ethiopie inscription, than they were by much exertion, able to decypher a sheet of this abomi- nable manuscript. They succeeded at length. Jt is by no means intended on their parts to vouch for the entire authenticity of every fact, and anecdote, and circumstance, which these pages un- fold. They however profess, and the pi inter more particur particularly, such a general confidence in the vera- city of their old acquaintance, as to believe that there is no intentional misrepresentation, nor any thing set down in malice. Above all, the most re- mote idea of inflicting a wound on any person, who may survive to see some slight designation of them- selves, is earnestly and emphatically disclaimed. CHAP, Exultat levitate puer. CHAPTER IT. J. HE only part of the manuscript, at all Egotisti- cal, is the narrative of boyish days, which has the appearance of being drawn up for the amusement of some intimate friend. It commences thus : u I will give the earliest information of myself, that I can remember ; and as I have no motive for misrepresentation, the accuracy of my narrative need not be questioned. One of the earliest things I recollect of myself is, that I had a certain pruriency of parts, which in- duced my friends to suppose, that there was some- thing in me, beyond the ordinary level of boys of my age. I fear, however, that the harvest did not correspond with the promise of the spring; or rather, perhaps, that the partiality of parents and relatives, was in the first instance delusive. This, however, was not their fault, for they certainly be- stowed upon me the best education, which their means and opportunities afforded. Of the first schools 9 schools to which I was put, I remember very little, I fear that I did not learn much : at length I was told that I was to go to a Latin school. I retain the strong impression, that this intelligence electri- fied my whole frame. A train was laid to my am- bition, and I already conceived myself at the very summit of literary honour and distinction. But I was bitterly disappointed ; my instructor knew no- thing of the matter : he began at the wrong end, and I was plunged into the midst of a crabbed Latin author, without even knowing my accidence, for a time, however, I kept blundering on ; con- scious to myself, that I was making no progress, and having credit with my master for a large portion of dulness. How long this misuse of valuable hours might have continued, I cannot say ; not impro- bably till I had arrived at the dignity of pounding a mortar, spreading plasters, and compounding medicines. Accident at length removed me to a wider, a fairer, and more promising field. I must however do myself the justice cf declaring, that on since looking round me, in a circle not extremely limited, I have never been able to recognize any of the individuals, in whose society I dogs-eared the Colloquies of Corderius, and bewildered myself in the Fables of Phaedrus. An opportunity presented itself of removing me to a remote province, where good education, good air, 10 air, and kind treatment, came recommended urrdef the sanction of a desireable economy. My hope9 expanded, and my ardour increased. I loved my parents, dearly loved them ; but 1 had a certain portion of ambition, which stimulated mc to the at- tempt of rising above the situation in which circum- stances had placed me, and 1 had discernment enough to see, that this could not be done by re- maining where I was. I left home therefore with many golden and flattering dreams, and I arrived at the place of my destination, when the Midsummer vacation was about half expended. 1 had an im- posing sprightliness of manner, and a conciliating good humour. The first obtained me a credit which I did not deserve, the latter procured the kindness which as a stranger, I wanted. On being ques- tioned as to what I had read, it appeared that I was seemingly familiar with various books, which intimate a considerable advancement in knowledge. The master predicted that I should be a feather in his cap ; my dame was certain that I should cut a figure. Black Monday at length arrived the boys as- sembled. From what they had heard, some were jealous of me, others viewed me askance, and all kept at a distance. 1 at length stood forth. Alas I it was found that I knew nothing. My master was at fust angry, and thought me wilfully per- verse^ 11 verse. He left me for a while ; then came to me again soothed and cheered me. It was all in vain. 1 knew nothing. What was to be done? Instead of being placed in one of the higher classes, the master most judiciously determined, that I should begin again, from the very first rudiments. This was hitting the right nail on the head. Every thing went on smoothly. At first I proceeded slowly perhaps with a little sullenness; but I soon found that I was progressively getting that which I had not knowledge. I look back to these enchanting scenes with no ordinary satisfaction. A momentary bliss is im- parted by the recollection. Ah ! why should they return no more ! Then it was, that the heart, un- tainted by vice, and uncorrupted by the world, expanded itself to the impression of nature's beau- ties ; when the mind, full of hope and ardour, thirsting for improvement, which was every day obtained, indulged in lovely golden dreams of fancy, and constructed imaginary castles, with all the accompaniments of Sylph and Fairy creation. I very soon imbibed a love for reading, which almost instantaneously became a passion. I was voracious. The difficulty of satisfying my appetite in an ob- scure village of a distant province, remote from any market-town, served but to increase it. The first beginnings of a literary life do not always constitute 1 the 12 the least interesting part of it. Memory delights to retrace a few incidents at this period, the narra- tion of which will at least amuse myself. I hoarded my scanty allowance to subscribe to a circulating library, which I had heard was to be found at some four miles distance. It was occa- sionally expedient to send hither, to supply the domestic exigencies of the family. I offered my- self as volunteer for all messages, errands, and par- cels, and I returned laden with the produce of this contaminated and contaminating receptacle of trash. I had however a friend, whose kindness and judg- ment preserved me from any mighty mischief. My master had a daughter. It is not impossible that she may yet live, nor is it utterly improbable that she may peruse this narrative. Be it so. I do hot less willingly pay the debt of gratitude. This young lady distinguished me above my fellows, cheered me, encouraged my desire for books, directed me in the choice of them, nor did I venture to read any without the sanction of her awful fiat. CHAP. Qui semel imbuerit rugas nutricis amabjt. CHAPTER III. - feHALL I say which was the first book that most strongly excited my curiosity, and interested my sensibility ? It was Tom Jones. My female Mentor tantalized me without mercy. She would let me have but one volume at a time; and not only would not afford me any clue to the concluding catastrophe, but rather put me upon a wrong scent. Sometimes too when my impatience of expectation was at the very highest point possible, the succeeding volume was mislaid, was lent, was not impossibly lost. However, after a long and most severe trial, after hating Biifil with no common hatred, forming a most friendly intimacy with Partridge, loving Sophia with rapturous extravagance, I complacently ac- companied dear wicked Tom to the nuptial altar. I endeavoured of course to procure the other pro- ductions of this popular author, but I well remem- ber that I did not peruse any of them, no not within a hundred degrees of the satisfaction, which the Foundling communicated. The 14 The next book which chance threw in my way rendered me important service. It enlarged my mind, multiplied my ideas, inflamed my ambition, and gave my curiosity and desire of knowledge, a proper direction. I by accident picked up in a closet, little frequented, the first volume of Popes translation of the Iliad. It was a mean edition, which I do not remember to have since seen ; but it had notes and illustrations, which were to me ex- tremely necessary. It is not possible to express the enthusiasm, with which I hurried through it, nor the anxious impatience with which I hastened to my female adviser to supply the continuation. Alas ! no more volumes were to be found in the house. What was to be doner I could not endure the idea of beginning any other book. I made the attempt, indeed, but it was impossible. My mind was too elevated, to descend from gods and heroes, (from goddesses more particularly, for I adored Pallas) to the humdrum of common authors, and the incidents of ordinary life. At length my fair friend sent for me, to commu- nicate the joyful and momentous intelligence, that a gentleman, whose residence was a few miles distant from our own, compassionated my distress, and had promised to lend me a volume at a time, if I would take the trouble to walk and fetch them. I hardly stayed to express my thanks : it was asking a very hungry wretch, to Iced on the disli must delightful to his 15 his palate. I was at the appointed place as expedi- tiously as youthful speed could carry me. The gentleman was pleased with my ardour, and kindly encouraged it. lie conceived a friendship for me, and under certain very proper restrictions, accom- modated me with the use of his library. These were truly Halcyon days, for my friend was a man of taste and talents, and his collection of books proved him to be so. Under such aus- pices, I essentially increased my store of knowledge. I remember (and the remembrance at this very dis"-^ tant period is still painful) that he was absent once for an interval, to me an eternity, of almost two months. What a dreadful void, and how was I to iillitup? I had exhausted the circulating librarv above-mentioned, long since. 1 had read again and again the little library of my Mentor, when in the corner of a village shop, I discovered an odd volume of the Town and Countrv Magazine. Might I be permitted to borrow it ? The nod of assent was a signal to me to hurry home with it as fast as possi- ble. I did not exactly know what to make of it, but it had the charm oi novelty, and occasionally at the end of each month's magazine I found some tolerable poetry. By the way, this incident induces me to mention a circumstance for which I could never satisfactorily account. I was, from the first moment of having ability to read, exceeding!; fond of poetry, and almost as soon as I could write, made a coin- 16 a compilation of those pieces which most suited my taste, and best pleased my fancy. I had subse- quently read many popular authors, various ad- mired specimens had been pointed out to me, many of them were indelibly engraved upon my memory. I have since composed a great deal in this branch of literature, and some of my compositions have been very favourably received. I attained after- wards a facility of versification, which seems hardly credible. I once in the course of a short day tran- slated an heroic epistle from Ovid. It was printed, and has been approved by scholars. But at the period of which I am speaking, my repeated efforts to write any thing in verse, were ineffectual. My head was stored with poetical images. I had all the ardour of poetical feeling. I had scenes before me calculated to awaken and inspire any spark of genius, however latent ; nay more, I fancied myself in love : but still it would not do. I could not suc- ceed. What I wrote, wanted strength and nerves, wanted rithm, wanted harmony, wanted every thing. How is this to be explained ? I must sup- pose that I had too great an abundance of ideas, and had not the skill and judgment to arrange them. The scenes of Elysium which I have been de- scribing, were not doomed to last. What would I not give, once more to see the fields, and woods, and streams, through and near which, with romantic and 17 and unwearied step, t so often wandered, with no companions but my desultory thoughts and unsub- stantial visions. Accept, beloved village, this tri- bute of unaffected gratitude. I left your plains with anguish I remember them with extacy. A representation was made by my master, that he saw in me, indications of qualities and talents which pointed to some better station, than that of a village apothecary, and he recommended the sphere of my education to be enlarged ; that I should be removed to a great school, and finally to the uni- versity. Whether I should have been more useful to the world, or intrinsically more happy in myself, if the humbler path had been pursued which was first chalked out for me, He only knows from whom no secrets are hid. Flattering representa- tions in favour of a beloved and only son, are sel- dom listened to by parents with a deaf ear ; they were cordially welcomed by mine. In the shortest interval possible, the plan recommended for my future instruction, was executed. vol. r. C chap. Inde irae et lacrjm*. CHAPTER IV. X WAS now placed under the care of a great dragon of learning. My sensations, on my first arrival, at a scene so novel and so strange, cannot easily be expressed. I was long and seriously un- happy. I had so much to learn, to arrive at the level of those who were now my associates, so much to unlearn, to avoid derision and contempt, that my situation was for a time truly pitiable. I was humble, retired, and, as they thought, vulgar ; whilst to me, they all appeared insolent, rude, intolerable. I had not been taught, or taught imperfectly, to make Latin verses. This was my first labour, and arduous it was. I con- quered, however, the difficulty by perseverance, and became progressively reconciled to my situa- tion. I cannot say more, for perhaps the period of my life, which I look back upon with the smallest degree of satisfaction, is the time consumed in this seminary. Perhaps I sh )uld qualify the term, con- sumed. I became a good scholar, in the ordinary 1 accepts* 13 acceptation of the word, but I by no means pasged my time to my satisfaction, and lost, as I tbeni thought* and still believe, no unimportant portion of time, in learning to unravel the complicated per- plexities of Greek metre, which after all Ivery imperfectly understood. I could, however, at the time of my departure* compose in Latin with tole- rable ease, read any Latin author without difficulty, and Greek with no great degree of labour. At this place and time, when probably the foundation of my literary character was laid, I have not half so much to remember, at all deserving commemo* ration, as I have of the hours spent at my remote but beloved village. Two incidents present them- selves. My difficulty in making verses long pursued me. The pains I took to conquer this inaptitude, this stupidity, if you please, were inconceivable ; many a severe rebuke, and far worse than rebuke, had I to sustain from my Orbilius. At length my luckier stars beamed upon me all at once, in a manner beyond my comprehension. After being tossed about in a tumultuous ocean, the storm subsided, the clouds dispersed, and I saw land. We had always a double portion of verses for our Saturday's exercise. I am not quite certain that the subject on this occasion was not " Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac." I always went to this task with a heavy c % heart; *0 heart, but some how or other, for I cannot explain the process, words seemed to present themselves suitable, and in their proper places, and with little or no exertion I completed my number, with an equal mixture of self-complacency and self-asto- fjishment. On the Monday / showed up, with greater confidence than I had ever before expe- rienced. The master read my verses, sneered, which he was wont to do, and said nothing. I well knew what he meant, but was not discouraged. I felt within myself that I had crossed the asses' bridge, and I detei mined to persevere. I did so, and in the course of the week showed up another and a still better copy of verses. My master, when he had proceeded about half way through them, paused, and looking at me significantly, exclaimed in a half angry tone, Arc these verses your own ? I replied in a tone which satisfied him of the truth, Yes. I had in consequence, the appellation of good boy, a term very sparingly and reluctantly be- stowed. The other incident was this. I had not yet con- quered the difficulty of writing English verse. In- deed I had long given it up in despair. I deter- mined to make another effort. At a certain part of the school we were allowed occasionally to make English verses, instead of hexameters and penta- meters ; but it waB an act of hardihood to do so, for SI for the failure was attended with inevitable dis- grace and punishment, derision from the boys, fla- gellation from the master. I resolved, however, to flesh my maiden sword in the enterprize. I suc- ceeded with one single exception. I had my head full of old English poetry, of which I was exceed- ingly fond, and 1 unluckily transferred an obsolete epithet from Spenser, to a version of an ode from Horace. It was not unaptly applied, but it marks the extreme shrewdness and felicity with which boys catch the opportunity of conferring a cog- nomen. It gave me a nick-name, and I could not complain, that it was either absurd or unjust. 1 know not whether it be worth the mention, but here it was that I first had lessons in the French language, from a raw-boned Scotchman, whose dialect was as much like the Parisian, as the barbarous vocabulary of Oonalashka resembles the polished language of Moscow. I would now give the character of my instructor, but as I wish my secret not to be disclosed, 1 am aware that I must use no common circumspection. I do not now indeed dread the lightning of his eye, the thunder of his voice, or the weight of his arm ; but I do not wish the bonds of complacency and civility, so long established between us, to be broken. If any one therefore shall think he can indi- vidually apply what follows, be it at his peril, not mine. My 22 My master then, be it known, was a most extra- ordinary personage ; not Less distinguished in lite- rature than in politics. Indeed they who know iiim best, and do not love him least, have con- stantly been of opinion, that if he had consecrated .more of his time to the first pursuit, and much less to the latter, he would have enjoyed a far larger portion both qf public esteem and of public ho- nours. As a master, he was severe, wayward, and irregular. What he imposed in the form of exer- cise, was not always consistent with the time and capacities to be employed. He would, in solem- nity of tone and manner, declare from his awful tribunal, that henceforth he should be in the school at six, and punish those who were absent with the utmost severity. He would observe this for two or three mornings, when it passed away like a dreary and was heard of no more. Prejudice against individual boys, and strong par- tiality in favour of others, is perhaps in some degree unavoidable, but he did not always take the trouble to conceal or disguise it. I was not in his favour; but at this distance of time, and at a period when no foolish self-love predominates, I verily believe that he had no justifiable motive for his dislike. An anecdote here occurs, not much worth relating, perhaps, except to demonstrate, that confusion and perplexity of countenance and demeanour, on being accused 23 accused of an offence, do not always demonstrate guilt. A very reprehensible act of indelicacy had been perpetrated in the apartment of one of the upper boys, such as it might be reasonably sup- posed no gentleman would commit. It could only have been done by one in the higher part of the school, or by a servant; the lower school was de- nied the opportunity of access. The upper boys were assembled by the master in his library, a place which none of us ever approached without dismay. After a long preparatory discourse, each was called upon to declare his innocence upon his honour. Why he suspected me, I never could imagine, but he from time to time cast such terror- striking looks on me, that they were irresistible. I declared myself innocent upon my honour, but I was so perplexed and agitated, that I must have appeared guilty to every one but the real culprit himself. It requires at this moment no ordinary effort of charity and forbearance, entirely to forgive so great an act of cruelty and injustice. The in- jury done to me was incalculable. It inflicted a deep wound upon my mind ; it debased and de- preciated me in the eyes of my peers ; it checked every ingenuous ardour, and drove me almost to despondency. Every thing unseemly which occurred after- 24. Afterwards, was imputed to my agency, and my situation became intolerable. I could specify many instances of similar undeserved personalities, but I had justice rendered me afterwards. My Orbilius, at a subsequent period, whether he discovered his error, or found that I was not cast in the mould which he had imagined, made honourable atone- ment I accepted it, and peace was made. And now for the other side of the picture, for the person of whom I am speaking had very con- tradictory qualities. His taste was exquisite, acute, accurate, elegant, and this he seemed to communi- cate and inspire. It was really delightful to hear him read, and I do not think that this accomplish- ment, which is never sufficiently cultivated, can possibly be carried to a greater degree of perfec- tion, than it was by him. He possessed also ex-r traordinary powers of eloquence ; his easy flow of words could only be equalled by his nervous, ap- propriate, and happy disposition of them. He was proud of this talent, and somewhat ostentatious in the display of it. When he gave the upper boys u subject for a theme, he would descant upon the subject in all its ramifications, for the best part of an hour. Very amusing indeed, and instructive also, but somewhat superfluous as to the immediate object, of enabling boys to compose an essay of twenty lines. This gilt, delightful as it was, wag 4 accoii}- 25 accompanied by one evil ; when not among boys, it disposed him to disputation, and in disputation no small portion of his life was passed, I cannot say that he was ill-humoured, but when touched, no minister could be more sore. With :rcat powers and great learning, much opportunity and earnest invitation, he has done but little to secure a posthumous reputation. A few disputative tracts, originating in personal and local altercation, some scattered volumes, manifesting his political creed, attachments, and speculations, and a few sermons on particular subjects and occasions, form the en- tire works of an individual, who might have en" lightened, instructed, and adorned society. I Jmow not whether he yet lives. If he shall be re* moved to a better world Requiescat in pace. CHAP. Meriioque ut limine cuiras Icare, ait, nioneo. CHAPTER V. XN some interval which preceded my removal to the university, I came in contact with Poison. At a succeeding period of life, I lived for a continued series of years in considerable intimacy with him, but it so happened, that after this our first inter- view," we did not for a very long time, meet again. It was at the house of a clergyman, whose kindness encouraged, and whose judgment often directed my studious pursuits. I was intormed by him that I was to meet an extraordinary bov, one from whom the greatest things were expected, he having already excited both surprize and admiration. I proceeded to the house with emotions of respect and awe, prepared to listen and admire. I was alone with him for an hour : he discovered the greatest talents for silence ; I could not get a word from him. Alter dinner, as I had the prerogative of being older, I tried again ; it woukl not do ; he was in- vincibly reserved, and we parted with little, or rather 27 rather with no colloquial communication I, with the impression that he was sullen, which I do not think he was, and he probably with the idea that I was a great chatterer ; in which, perhaps, he was not much mistaken. I had, however, sufficient sagacity to discover that he was " no vulgar boy," and I retained this impression so^forcibly, that not long afterwards, finding myself in the village where he was born, I visited the schoolmaster who was his first teacher, and made enquiries concerning him. The old gentleman, who joined to his occu- pation of schoolmaster, those also of exciseman and shopkeeper, was not displeased with my curiosity. " There," says he, " is where Dick used to sit, and this is his slate, but he soon got beyond me." I have more than once mentioned this circumstance to Porson, and he assented to its truth, though I have seen statements of his earlier life, which seem- ingly contradict it. At length the momentous period arrived, big with my future fate, when I was to be fixed at the university. I entered upon this career, with all the ardour of hope and expectation, with the resolution to acquire both knowledge and reputation. Alas ! a very short interyal convinced me how vain and unsubstantial were the dreams X had indulged. Reputation, it appeared, was only to be obtained by the acquisition of a branch of knowledge, of which 23 which I at present possessed very little, and for which I had rather repugnance than inclination. However, there was no alternative, and I set dog- gedly about it. I so far succeeded, that at my departure, I did no discredit to the society of which I was a member. At this point, let me be allowed to digress a little on the subject of our universities. They do indeed seem to require a strong and power- ful reforming hand. When an East Indiaman first arrives off the Hoogly river, in Bengal, a crowd of black mer- chants, and other orientals of various descriptions* hurry on board, as if to seek whom they may de- vour. One of these gentry will go up to a young Englishman on the quarter-deck, and accost him with " Massa, what appointment are you come out with?" " I am a cadet." " Oh, Massa, very bad no gold mohurs no pagodas very bad." To another he will say, " Well, Massa, what ap- pointment bave you got?" " A writership." " Oh, Massa, excellent good plenty of mohurs, pagodas, rupees make me Massa's debash, head-man Massa want no money no nothing Massa pay one time or other." Well would it be, if when young men first en- tered at the university, even such a distinction was made, that the poor cadet was left to him- self to make his way as he can, and that only the Massa 29 Massa writer (alias the known inheritor of wealth and distinction) was encouraged in the career- of sensuality and extravagance. But this is far from being the case ; and lamentable it is to say, that every young man, without distinction, on shak- ing off the trammels of school, at his very first appearance in the character of a man, at Oxford or Cambridge, has every facility afforded him to pursue a career of thoughtless ex pence ; nor does he recover himself, if he does recover at all, till remorse harasses his spirits, and fetters every better propensity by the compunctious recollection, that he has involved himself in debts and difficulties, which it must require the exertion and the labour of years to remove. Surely this ought -not to be possible. But where is the remedy, or rather, where the preventive? It is beyond doubt a matter of considerable diffi- culty ; but still something might be done. Some- thing like sumptuary laws might be established to prevent the sons of peers, and the sons of honest commercial persons, of private gentlemen, or of clergymen, from being confounded and immersed in one common vortex of dissipation and expence. I have a letter before me from Oxford, dated Ba- liol college, 1766, in which a person of considerable experience in that university states, that fourscore pounds a year is a sufficient allowance for a com- moner, 30 moner, but that a gentleman commoner should be allowed two hundred. I had personal knowledge of an individual at Cambridge, the whole of whose college expences did not exceed forty pounds. This perhaps would hardly now be practicable, but surely the heads of the universities, and the tutors of colleges, might, by their firm and salu- tary interference, prevent such extraordinary and extravagant excesses, as now pollute their discip- line, and disgrace their establishment. Might not parents be protected by a fiat from the caput, from enormous bills incurred at taverns, li- very-stables, and confectioners ? Might not tutors, "without invidiousness, quietly communicate with the tradesmen of their respective colleges, on the subject of the present means and future expectations of the young men under their protection, and thus prevent any great accumulation of credit on one side, and of debts on the other ? Might not private dinners in private rooms be strictly prohibited, and the pos- sibility of making foolish, expensive, and pernicious jaunts to London, and elsewhere, be prevented ? I am satisfied that something might be done, and I am certain that something ought to be done. I speak feelingly, smarting as I do in the persons of near and dear connections, and knowing no incon- siderable number of parents and guardians who sympathize with me. Formerly, and at the period which 31 which I am about to describe more at length, I verily believe that, except in the rooms of noble- men, and of a very few young men of great and known hereditary property, the" more expensive wines were utterly unknown ; whereas, at present, most of the young men have, occasionally at least, their claret and champagne ; and a friend of mine shewed me the other day a bill for three months only, amounting to a hundred pounds, for these articles, incurred by a jackanapes, dependent upon the liberality of distant relatives, without a sixpence of his own. Formerly an occasional excursion to Gogmagog Hills, or on some gaudy day to Huntingdon or Newmarket, satisfied the Cantab's ambition, with the addition of but a few pounds to his annual expences ; but now fifty, sixty, eighty pounds a year, run up at a livery-stable, is thought no mighty matter ; and sorry am I to say, that the fellows who keep these places, encourage the young men in their extravagance, with the delusive expectation that they will be paid some time or other. Formerly the collegians met sociably, after dinner in the hall, to drink wine in each other's apartments, and expended two shillings, or perhaps half a crown, on something like a desert, which usually consisted of a few biscuits, apples, and walnuts. Now for- sooth, two pounds will hardly suffice for this indul- gence, 52 gence, which is carried to a most pernicious and culpable excess : now there must be ices, the most costly fruits, sweetmeats, and the like. The ex- pence of a desert was formerly so trifling, that it hardly came into the calculation of expences. Now it forms a very serious part of a joang man's items of incumbrances ; and I have seen a bill for this unnecessary luxury, incurred in the period of a year, by a youth whose parents were obliged to practise much self-denial and forbearance to main- tain him at college, exceeding fifty pounds. Now ought this to be ? And may it not, with a little exertion on the part of the superiors at the univer- sities, in part at least be remedied ? I could say much more on this subject, for a thousand abuses, absurdities, and irregularities, press upon my mind, but it is time that 1 should return to myself, and the good old time. CHAP. Flagranti or aequo Non debet dolor esse viri nee vulnere major. CHAPTER VI. V JN my first arrival at the university, I felt my- sgIt on the wide sea, out of sight of land, with little knowledge of the compass, and in a vessel by no means sea-worthy. Ere long, however, I learned to take an observation ; became better acquainted with my real situation, and steered along with tolerable steadiness. 1 had not, however, been a great while at college, when my bark in a squall Struck against a sunken rock, and had well nigh foundered. Two young men of the college, of much higher pretensions than myself as to worldly pros- pects, of much humbler, perhaps, as to intellectual endowment, offended me by their neglect, and dis- gusted me by their arrogance. In a thoughtless moment, I inscribed an epigram in one of the cha- pel prayer-books, so apposite, that it could be ap- plied to nobody else, and so severe, as unavoidably to provoke their indignation and resentment. They vol. r. D were 34 were of some standing, I a raw freshman. The consequence was, that they formed a party against me, and, from the plausible argument that no one was safe from such a talent, so exercised, I was avoided as a dangerous malignant. This affliction (and a great one it was for a time) might easily have been averted, but for the insincerity of a young man, to whom I was more particularly re- commended, and who called himself my friend. He was the first, who discovered this specimen of rashness and folly, and instead of erasing it, and remonstrating with me on the danger and impro- priety of my conduct, he carried it to the parties concerned, induced, as I am rather inclined to sus- pect, by some secret jealousy of my supposed su- periority in learning, which threatened to interrupt his views. This false friend, for such he was, at least in this instance, has long since been called to the settlement of his last awful account. May he there receive the same unqualified forgiveness for all errors, which he lias long since had from me on this account. The mischief, however, was but temporary, and the advantage was great and permanent. Left in a great measure to myself, 1 avoided many provoca- tions to expence and dissipation, many scenes of youthful thoughtlessness and folly, and compelled, as it were, to fly for refuge to my books, my mind w a>. soothed. 3.5 soothed, enlightened, and improved. I had at length the triumph, and a grateful one it was, to see my ac- quaintance solicited by those who had disdainfully rejected it, and the tables were so far turned, that the notice was obviously considered as a favour on my part, which would once on tlieir's, have been deemed the extreme of condescension. Here let me indulge an emotion, pardonable, I hope, of self-complacency. They who from long observation and experience are best qualified to judge of the scope and extent of my talents, (if I may be said to have any) have invariably affirmed that my excellence was satire ; that if I had exer- cised myself in this unlovely branch of writing, I should have obtained reputation. If I really had this quality within me, it was kept where it ought to be in a napkin. I never gave way to it but in the circumstance above detailed, and in a very few other instances. One was to expose the imbecility of an otherwise truly amiable man. He had con- siderable talents, some learning, an exquisite taste for music, and most agreeable powers of conversa- tion ; but he permitted himself to be hen-pecked by a crabbed old landlady, with whom he boarded, and made himself ridiculous, by the obsequiousness with which he submitted to her caprices. I intro- duced them in an Amcebaean Eclogue, in which their characters, peculiarities, and foibles, were so d 2 strongly 36 strongly and happily delineated, that every hearer was impressed with the truth of the resemblance, and delighted with the vivacity of the composition. The other essay was far more important, was studied with care, artfully contrived, and ela- borately finished. A man who was my senior in years, and superior in station, had treated me ill, had provoked my resentment, not by one solitary act of oppression, but by numerous marks of enmity and persecution. lie had some strong and striking peculiarities and foibles ; he had made himself obnoxious in various places of residence, by his insolence of temper, by engaging in personal animosities and squabbles, and by various demon- strations of an arbitrary and tyrannical disposition. To this person I addressed a letter from his Satanic Majesty, thanking him for the services he had ren- dered the diabolical empire, as exemplified in va- rious overt acts at different places, which I circum- stantially detailed and described. When finished, I invited a confidential friend to hear me read it, and I am, at this very distant period, strongly impressed with his continuedexchnnationson its force, truth, severity, and humour. lie compared it to the best things of the kind in our language, and indeed said every thing which could soothe ami sa- tisfy my vanity. When he left me, I began to reflect on what I had done, and its probable conse- quences. 37 quences. I examined myself with some severity, and the result was much self-reproach. I had in- dulged many unamiable propensities anger, re- venge, and every auality which was in opposition to candour and to charity. I threw my satire into the fire, and since that time, though I have had abundance of temptations, I never wrote severe satire. But to return. The period of my first appearance at the university was marked by one circumstance unfavourable to my literary ambition. The num- ber of students of my own standing was great, be- yond all ordinary precedent, and no small propor- tion of them were distinguished as well by their literary diligence, as by superior abilities. Many of those who yet remain, are at this moment of the highest reputation, and are displaying their great talents in the senate, and in the highest situations of the bar, and the church ; so that my tutor imme diately told me, that in any other year I might have expected an exalted situation, but as things were circumstanced, I must moderate my ambi- tion. -- t. ()-?,) CHAP. Sic neque Peliden terrebat Achillea Chiron Thessalico permixtus equo, nee pennifer Atlas Amphitryoniadem pumim, sed blandus uterque. CHAPTER VII. VV ITH the above chapter, Egotism nearly ter- minates. The remainder of the manuscript con- sists chiefly of unconnected scraps and memoran- dums, written with less or greater care, as the subject promoted, or as opportunity presented it- self, but obviously with the determination of form- ing the whole into one connected scries, at some future period. The reader will unite, as he thinks proper, what follows with what precedes. MY TUTOR. " Of Professor * * * * * there is not any bio- graphical sketch. He was the son of a village blacksmith, nor is he, 1 verily believe, though now arrived at eminence, at all ashamed of his humble origin. He discovered, when a very boy, such aii aptitude for figures, such acuteness and skill in the combination of numbers, that he was soon recom- mended to the notice of the clergyman, who, fortu- nately for my friend, was a man of learning himself, and a zealous encourager of it in others. He assisted in the education of the youth, liberally and effectually, and in due time procured his admission at college. His progress was uniform and aus- picious. He distinguished himself far above his fellows, by his mathematical attainments and philo- sophical pursuits, and received in due time the re- ward of his diligence and his merits, lie enjoyed the highest honours in the power of the university to bestow ; he assisted the studies of many of the most eminent men who have adorned, first the seat of Alma Mater, and afterwards, their country ; he has enriched the branch of learning which he so successfully cultivated, with some of the most va- luable publications of modern times; and he yet lives *, and long may he live, with professional: dignity and honourable ease. A word ought to be said of his patron, for I also, in some degree, expe- rienced his kindness. Dr. C. was a man of no ordinary talents, of ex- tensive reading, and deep reflection. He unfortu- * It must not be forgotten that this wa long since written. nately i 40 nately bewildered himself in the subtleties of meta* physics, and he had formed some peculiar opinions as to his theological creed ; but he was an amiable, excellent, and accomplished man, and was father to a gentleman who now enjoys -the very highest repu- tation in a branch of the medical profession, and who, with his parent, is equally entitled to this tri- bute of respect. Mrs. C. also, was eminent for her abilities, and, amidst the anxiety of rearing a large- family, contrived to amuse herself, and others, by producing some of the best novels in the English language. Here let us relate an honourable anecdote of this worthy personage. A most singular and eccentric character, who got a very scanty live- lihood by teaching the classics and mathematics, (both, it may be apprehended, very imperfectly) used to go to the doctors house, at the distance of about live miles, every Saturday, and stay till Monday. Tor what he did, whatever that might be, probably teaching the younger children arithme- tic, he professed himself to be perfectly satisfied with the hospitable welcome with which he was re- ceived. He abruptly, for some cause or other, dis- continued his visits. After an interval, he deter- mined to apply to the doctor for the present of a guinea. Strange to say, (yet many can vouch for foe truth of the tale) though he had written a great dcuT, 41 deal, and read more, he had never had occasion, even at the age of fifty, to write a letter, and actu- ally he had never written one. With the assistance of a friend, a letter was sent, entreating the gift of a guinea. Some days elapsed without an answer, and the silence was construed to be a refusal. The silence was however accidental, and a letter soon arrived, enclosing not a guinea, but five pounds, with many expressions of kindness, and assurances of esteem. The object of this bounty was one, who, whatever might be his merits, never made more by his employment than about eighteen shillings a week. A volume might easily be filled with anec- dotes of ttiis extraordinary personage, personally known and well remembered by him who records this fact. But to return to Mrs. C. The titles of her works were, " Fanny Meadows," " The Daugh- ter," " The School for Wives," and " The Exem. plary Mother." All these books were written with the ardent desire of promoting the influence of Christian morality ; and whoever has perused these productions of her pen, and was acquainted with the virtues of her heart, must readily acknowledge that she exemplified, in every station of life, those characters of ideal excellence which her fancy painted. She will again be mentioned in the pro- gress of this work. COLLEGE 42 COLLEGE LIFE CONTINUED. Under the Professor's guidance and instruction, considerable progress was made in mathematical and philosophical studies ; and that this must have been done, appeared from his always speaking of his pupil's advancement in terms of strong appro- bation, and with the assurance on his part, that he entertained no doubt of his arriving at the highest honours. This, however, did not actually happen. His heart was not in these studies ; he had a con- stant hankering after the classics and belles lettres and again and again detected himself in the depth of old English literature, when he should have been preparing himself for the Professor's lectures. The book which first gave him a taste for old English writers, the poets more particularly, was " Percy's Reliques," which he read over and over again with inconceivable satisfaction. He was proceeding quietly and happily in this path, when an incident occurred, which disturbed him not a little. lie was called upon in his turn, to compose and repeat a declamation in the chapel, and a prize of books was at this precise period, bequeathed by a former master Of the college, to the best decla- mation of the year. This was a great stimulus, and roused all his energies. But his mortification was undescribable, when sitting down to compose on the given subject, lie found he could make nothing of * 43 of it. The mind, it is true, was crowded with ideas, illustrations, characters, anecdotes, but he was unable to combine and arrange them. It was still worse when he attempted to express them in Latin. He could make Latin verse readily, and with some degree of elegance. He had indeed written themes, made translations from various English authors ; but the thing was totally differ- ent : a regular composition of several pages first to be digested, and afterwards recited, seemed to present difficulties invincible. To make bad worse, he had brought with him to college something of a reputation for classical attainment, and at exami- nation first, and afterwards at the ordinary college lectures, he certainly did not lose the footing he had gained. Rut original composition was a very distinct matter, and more particularly in Latin. The time was limited, the last day came, and he had made very little progress. He however put something to- gether, and with the help of a little self-command, and a tolerably good manner and modulation of voice, he got through better than he expected. He was, however, abashed and ashamed to put the composition into the hands of the tutor, which it was customary to do. It was very indifferent, and at best but English Latin. It must be unnecessary to say, that the declamation prize was not gained this year, but it was the next. " Here 4* "Here let me speak the truth. ( Loquitur pro tem- pore Sexagaiarius.) I never encountered any lite- rary difficulty in the whole course of my studies greater than that of a proficiency in writing Latin, properly so called. For alas ! though I did obtain the prize in the subsequent competition of my bro- ther under-graduates, 1 thinkthatatthistimel should be afraid and ashamed to peruse the successful essay. It must have been from a mere relative superiority, and from no intrinsic merit in the composition itself. It is very singular, but very true, I could read the language with sufficient faci- lity ; I could speak it with a sort of fluency, and in my Act, and other exercises of the School, was complimented for this very talent by the Moderator, who was an approved scholar, and was afterwards the author of a popular tract on Greek and Latin metres. Yet I could not catch the idiom the rhythm was English. At a subsequent period I was more successful, and at length I could write it habitually, with correct and real Latinity. But in the interval, a circumstance occurred which I will candidly relate. I have written more than one Harveian Oration for different members of the college, who were my friends. I was present at the delivery of the first which I wrote, and so, unluckily, was Sir William Fordyce, a most excellent scholar. When it was finished, 45 finished, several of the members complimented my friend on the composition ; but I had the mortifi- cation of hearing Sir William whisper a stander-by, that it was good English Latin. What he said was perfectly true. My next essay was becter." Perhaps it should in strict propriety have been related, that the writer of these memoranda con- cerning himself, did not proceed to the university wholly unacquainted with mathematical learning, and in justice a tribute of respect should have been paid to one who well deserved it. There were a number of tradesmen of the middle rank, or rather somewhat below it, who formed a society for their mutual improvement and assistance in knowledge. The very idea implies them to be what they actually were, men of considerable ta- lents ; indeed, as well as can be remembered, there was not one among them, who does not deserve a separate memoir. Humble and limited as their education must have necessarily been, the very meanest of them had some knowledge of the classics, or had made some proficiency in ma- thematics and philosophy. It were to be wished, that more particulars could be obtained concerning them. One was the most extraordinary and eccen- tric character that ever lived, to whom some slight allusion has been made before. lie had been ap- prentice to a cooper, a private soldier, a journey- man-weaver, and a writer to an attorney ; yet he was 46 was a very good Latin scholar, and had attained no contemptible proficiency in Greek ; but he was an excellent mathematician, and of no mean acquire- ments in philosophical knowledge. As his income was of course exceedingly scanty, he made the experiment upon how little he could actually sub- sist, in case of necessity ; and strange as it may seem, he made something less than a halfpenny a day suffice. lie bought a farthing's worth of po- tatoes, and a farthing's worth of salt, and he saved from each day of both, what proved sufficient for his dinner on Sunday. This, however, was not the person who assisted the Sexagenarian. The name of his friend was o Peter I> y. He was what is called a Throwster, f which no further explanation can here be given, than by saying that his occupation was, to prepare the yarn for the weaver. His situ- ation was of the humblest kind, but never was there a more acute, intelligent, or able man. His knowledge of mathematics was surprizing ; but how he obtained it, nobody could imagine. He was perfectly self-taught, or at least had no better instruction than a common charity-school sup- plied ; and what he might have obtained both of acquirements and celebrity, with the advan- tages of education, and under more favourable circumstances of local situation, it is not easy to ascertain. 13c this as it may, it was impossible not 47 not to admire the precision and clearness of his mode of instructing; and the Sexagenarian left him, after spending an hour in the day with him for two or three months, as well acquainted with Euclid and simple equations as it was necessary to be. No mention would have been made of this person, whose memory much deserves respect, but for his mental endowments. He had, how- ever, even after he had passed the middle age of life, most extraordinary agility. He could do, what few other persons would ever attempt. He used to take a few steps, and putting one of his feet against the wall, would turn the other over it, so as to make a complete revolution of his body. He performed many similar feats of activity. It is not known that any specimens of his talents were printed, except in the Ladies' Diary, to which he was a frequent contributor ; and to which, if the reader will refer, if he shall have the opportunity, he will, from about the years 1768 to 1780, have sufficient demonstration, that this venerable and early instructor of our friend, merits the tribute of respect which is here paid him. CHAP. Parce Venturis, tibi more paramur, Sis licet segnis, properamus ipsi. CHAPTER VIII. XN this place also, as far as these Recollections can avail, let us rescue from the oblivion it by no means merits, the memory of a man somewhat, as appears from the dates, our friend's junior in standing, but of extraordinary talents, the greatest simplicity of mind and manners ; and though of no mean proficiency in classical and mathematical learning, artless, modest, and entirely unassuming. Alas ! he died prematurely ; and, from the unfor- tunate bias which he subsequently took, he might probabiy not have entirely fulfilled the promise of his talents, and the expectations of his friends. His name was G * * * ; he was the son of a pork- butcher, but he discovered when a child such acute- ness of remark, and powers of reflection, that his parents determined to give him the best education which their humble means afforded. He 49 He was unlucky in imbibing his first rudiments. He was placed under the tuition of the eccentric cha- racter introduced in one or two preceding passages of this narrative, and to be mentioned again here- after, who boldly and openly professed not to be a christian, for the most preposterous of all rea- sons, namely, that the lives of the professors of Christianity, did not correspond with its precepts. He did indeed allow a final cause, but his ideas even on this head, were rude, perplexed and confused ; they bewildered himself, and confounded others. But the quality by which he was most strongly and peculiarly characterized, and which from principle he communicated to others, was a universal scepti- cism. His first and last maxim to his pupils was believe nothing but on proof. The effects of this injunction on a mind so constituted as was that of this young man, may be easily anticipated. He doubted of every thing, extended his suspicions to whatever came within the sphere of his observa- tion, and, as far as recollection goes, the impres- sion remains strongly fixed, that he ultimately fell a victim to the gloomy sentiments, which ill-founded notions and prejudices on the subject of religion inspired. He was recommended to the Sexagenarian by a common friend, an amiable clergyman, and excellent scholar, who for a time directed the vol. i. E course 50 course of his studies, and assisted the young man's literary views. The writer of these memoranda, as appears from his notes, undertook to read with him certain parts of Homer, Horace, and Virgil. It was his custom to interrupt him with perpetual questions, which were sometimes answered to his satisfaction, but often far otherwise ; but what was most surprizing, the most animated and beautiful passages excited no emotions of gratification or delight ; and on being asked whether he did not admire such and such descriptions, as charac- teristic of superior genius, he would say, they are very pretty, but what is the use of them ? I learn nothing from them ; they prove nothing. With mathematics it was far otherwise. Euclid in particular was the constant theme of his praise and admiration, and his progress accordingly kept pace with his partiality, in this branch of study. In pro- gress of time, he was admitted a member of Pem- broke-hall, in Cambridge, where he studied so in- tensely, that his health was materially injured. Our friend, it seems, saw him but once afterwards ; he then retained all his early peculiarities, with a proportionable increase of scepticism, and more particularly so, in what regarded religion. When next enquired after, he was no more. Having an opportunity of visiting the place of his nativity, the friend who writes thii> record of him, was anxious to 51 to obtain some further anecdotes concerning him. But alas ! no one was found who had even the re- membrance of his name ; gladly therefore do we render this imperfect tribute to his talents, his attainments, and his truly amiable manners, bating the waywardness which the extreme singularity of his opinions threw around him, and which to stran- gers made him appear in a less acceptable point of view. But it is time to return to the university. Ac- cording to the manuscript, our friend's studies appear to have proceeded in the even and ordinary course. He got progressively some addition to his stock of knowledge, and his tutor and fellow-colle- gians anticipated for him higher honours and dis- tinctions than he afterwards attained. He affirms that he was much captivated with the simple but energetic manner of the celebrated Dr. Ogden's preaching ; he also occasionally frequented a cha- pel, where a Mr. Robertson preached, who was a very popular teacher among the dissenters, and who afterwards published various works which were well received : he, however, decidedly gave the preference to Dr. Ogden. He also makes re- peated mention of Michael Lort, of bibliographical memory, old Cole of Milton, Masters, the histo rian of Corpus Christi College. Concerning these individuals, we could relate many particulars from e 2 our 52 our friend's papers ; but the subject has been so ably handled by Mr. Nichols, in his Anecaotes of Bowyer and his Press, *hat it seems less necessary. The great antiquarian Gough, the very accom- plished Michael Tyson, Wale, the artist, &c. &c. came frequently within the sphere of his personal knowledge ; but for the reason adduced in the preceding paragraph, we furbear any particular details concerning them. Old Masters, it seems, had a son of singular character, person, and de- meanour. He affected, on all occasions, the great- est parsimony as to dress, and other expences ; his suit of clothes was made of what the young men of that day called Ditto, as we believe they do still ; he knew that his fortune would be consider- able, but he preferred living in a garret, to one of the better rooms to which he was entitled ; his spoons were of pewter ; his tea apparatus the mean- est that could be procured ; but he was sharp and sensible, and alledged, in vindication of his whim- sicality, that he wanted things for their use, and not for show. He would certainly have been dis- tinguished in life by many great eccentricities, but he died prematurely of a consumption. There was another contemporary of a singularity of character, which seems worthy of being recorded. He was educated at a public school, was a very good scholar, of agreeable manners, and of rigid accuracy S3 accuracy as to his moral conduct ; but he had the infirmity, amounting almost to disease, of the most invincible indolence. There was no rousing him to exertion of any kind ; he could with difficulty be prevailed upon to stir from the precincts of the college ; with still greater difficulty it was, that he could be induced to rise in the morning to chapel. Jle had been expostulated with, threatened by his superiors, and at length was unequivocally assured, that if he did not appear at chapel some morning in the following week, he should certainly be rus- ticated. Every morning but one had passed away, and he was still not visible. As our friend had an esteem for him, he undertook to call him himself, on the only morning remaining for his probation ; he determined to see him dress, and con- duct him to chapel. He accordingly went to his apartment in due time ; woke, and so far roused him, that he sate up, and began to dress, but very reluctantly. To prevent, as was imagined, the possibility of his lying down again, he touk the pitcher of water standing by his washing-stand, and emptied it into his bed. He then went to chapel., expecting him every moment. Alas ! he came not. The writer of these notes afterwards went up to his room, and found him fast asleep upon the wet bed-clothes. The result was, that he was sent 54 sent from college. On subsequent enquiry after him, it was found that he had got into orders, but that the same unaccountable perverseness and indolence still accompanied him. He would keep the parishioners waiting in the church-yard, till they went away in disgust. It is feared that he was afterwards reduced to great inconveniences, and we believe that he is now dead. About the same period, the college was electrified by an occurrence which fortunately does not very frequently happen. A young man, of good family and connections, had been admitted from one of the great public schools ; but when the day fixed for his leaving his parental house for the university arrived, he suddenly disappeared, to the extreme consternation of his friends. After a diligent en- quiry, it appeared that he had been seduced by a notorious beldam of high rank and fashion, with whom he was residing in some remote and obscure place. JIc was rescued from her temporary grasp, and brought to his destined abode ; but his mind was vitiated, and lie constantly longed for the gar- dens of his Armida. No great time elapsed before the sorceress pursued him, and once more caught him in her toils. It is supposed she was tired of him at last, for after a while he returned to his duty, and continued in it without further molestation and interruption; but he had incurred a habit of profuse ex pence, 55 expence, incompatible with his situation, with an aversion to any thing like study or confinement. He obtained, however, by his connections consider- able preferment ; but we understand that he died at no advanced period. His paramour, we are inclined to think, yet lives, the victim, it may be reasonably supposed, of the bitterest remorse. If her mind should ever wander to the person alluded to above, her sensations of self-reproach will not be greatly palliated. CHAP. Qui pectore magno Spem t majestatem, res data, dantis habet. CHAPTER X. JVaR. PITT'S tutor was so intimately connected with every thing relating to his illustrious friend, that we cannot any where more properly introduce what appears in our manuscript about him. This eminent person's mind is of far too high a stamp to experience any thing like mortification or chagrin at the mention of his origin, and the rank of his forefathers. It has, indeed, been said, that some remoter branch of the family had been of the rank of baronet Be this as it may, when our friend first went to the university, he spent a part of the day where he remembered seeing the name, con- nected with some lucrative mercantile concern. This he afterwards found was the father, who, on his son's elevation, retired from business to a very respectable 65 respectable and comfortable residence in the placS where he had lived so long and so reputably ; and died not long since, full of years and peace. On our friend's arrival at Cambridge Dr. P. was soon pointed out to him, and he was at first very unfa- Tourably impressed with his forbidding appearance. His countenance was, to his apprehension, strongly maiked with harshness and austerity. This idea weighed so deeply upon his mind that afterwards, when in the Senate House under examination for his degree, Professor ***** thought he was not likely to have justice done him, and desired Dr. * * * * to see what he could do, he was so much under the influence of prejudice against him that he declined it, to his most obvious disadvantage. He felt himself, however, bound in duty and gratitude, to acknowledge that never were first impressions more fallacious. He was afterwards admitted to the Bishop on terms of familiarity, indeed we may say friendship, and a more amiable, courteous, excellent man never lived. But to expa- tiate on these qualities here, would be wandering from the course. Fortunately for Dr. * * * * *, Pembroke was the college selected for Mr. Pitt's place of education. The society could then boast of no other person equally qualified to superintend the studies of a youth, so circumstanced, and so endow- ed. It was perfectly natural, that a great intimacy vol. j. F should 66 should be progressively formed and cemented be- tween the instructor and the pupil, and it is alike honourable to both, that this attachment continued without interruption, to the very last moment of Mr. Pitt's too abbreviated life. Among his other qualities and accomplishments Dr. * * * * had one, by the exercise of which he had attained the highest distinctions in the power Of the university to bestow ; and which could not fail of being peculiarly useful and important to Mr. Pitt in his situation of Chancellor of the Exchequer. This was a remarkable acuteness and knowledge with respect to every thing connected with nume- rical computations. This talent was of course ex- ercised to good account Mr. Pitt was not at all backward in acknowledging the merits of his early instructor, and the claims of his friend. If we mistake not, his first preferment was a Prebend in Westminster; this was not held long, before in quick succession it was followed by a Canon Resi- dentiaryship, a Deanery, and a Bishopric. Jn all these situations Dr. * * * * proved him- self no indolent consumer of the emoluments of his high offices: a more vigilant, active, useful Prelate never adorned the bench. The able works which he has produced in succession, are to be classed among the most valuable publications of modern times. Not alone useful to students in theology, to 1 67 to the rights of the church, and the general inte- rests of literature, they form standard books of re- ference and authority for all writers on theological subjects, now and hereafter. Perhaps the Refuta- tion of Calvinism is that which displays most effec- tually the Bishop's powers of argument, extensive reading, and controversial skill. This work has been repeatedly attacked, but never will be an- swered. They who shall have the charge of pupils intended for the Ecclesiastical profession, never can be said to have discharged their duty, unless they enforce the most familiar acquaintance with, and the repeated contemplation of the Elements of The- ology. But we can only touch on these subjects, for having much to say of many, it appears neces- sary to curtail our friend's memorandums, and be satisfied with giving their substance, even when speaking of those who, like the Bishop of * * # *, would justify long and circumstantial detail. It has been understood that Mr. Pitt took much and anxious pains to elevate his tutor and friend to the see of Canterbury, and that he would have succeeded, but that the King considered himself as pledged to Bishop * * *. Nobody entertains the smallest doubt that the Archbishopric of York was intended for him, if Lord Grenville had conti- nued in office. It is equally notorious that at the decease of Bishop Randolph, the Bishopric of Lon- f 2 don 68 c!on was pressed upon him, which, however, for various reasons, important to himself and his family, he declined. There is one mote fact to mention concerning this distinguished prelate, and we must have done. A whimsical old gentleman of Lincolnshire, whose name was T , conceived a great parti- ality for the Bishop, and principally from his punc- tual and conscientious discharge of the Episcopal duty. After a few interviews this attachment in- creased, and he openly avowed his determination to make Dr. P * * * * his sole heir and residuary legatee. But the matter was supposed to be sus- pended but on a slight thread, for Mr. T had done the same by others, and made similar pro- mises again and again. Indeed, if our friend was richtlv informed, the circumstance of his tea not being made one evening in a manner perfectly agreeahle to the old gentleman's palate, was very near overturning the baseless fabric. He went home exceedingly chagrined and out of humour; but on the suggestion that it was another's fault, and that the Bishop could not possibly help it, lie recovered his temper and suflered things to remain as they were. He died, and the property to a very great amount came into the Bishop's possession : the whole could not be estimated at so little as tuo thousand a-year. One pleasing circumstance attended Attended it : on felicitating the Bishop on an event so highly flattering in itself, and beneficial to his family, his lordship assured our friend, as appears from the manuscript, that there were no poor rela- tions who could justly complain of being injured. This estate, with its appurtenances, has since been settled on the Bishop's eldest son. The Lishop had a brother, of Pembroke college also, who was nearly our friend's contemporary. He had the reputation of talents which had the came bias as those of the Bishop, but he was of infirm health ; and at the usual time of examina- tion for degree, he was not able to encounter the fatigues and anxieties of the Senate House, and was accordingly put to his probation, privately in his room. It must have been a vexatious circum- stance, for he had so distinguished himself in the schools, that it was generally imagined he would have been the senior wrangler of his year. This honour was, however, well bestowed on a Mr. Oldishaw, a gentleman of Emanuel college, who was afterwards domestic chaplain to Bishop Sutton, and now, if we mistake not, resides on preferment in Norfolk, given him by his patron, where also he has the rank of -Archdeacon. Mr. * * * *, as might naturally be expected, was a participator of his brother's good fortune. He obtained the chancellorship of L , and a prebend 70 prebend in the cathedral of N . He was to have been Canon Residentiary of St. Paul's, but this, if our information be correct, was objected to by the king himself, who learning that it might by possibi- lity happen, that the Dean with his brother might form a majority in the chapter, for this, and for thi* reason only, refused his consent. CHAP. Bene ubi quod dicimus consilium, accidisse, hominem cautum eum Esse declaramus, stultum autem ilium quoi vortit male. CHAPTER XL CLOSELY connected with Mr. Pitt and the Bishop, was another gentleman whom, as appears from the manuscript, our friend knew at college, and afterwards with more familiarity on the great theatre of the world. He cannot be more pro* perly introduced than in this place : more parti- cularly as he held a very distinguished situation for a long series of years, and rose finally to worldly prosperity, exceeding that of both his illustrious friends. Mr. ***** W as a native of Norfolk. There have been contradictory reports of his pa- rentage ; but he was the son of a reputable coal and corn merchant at Colteshall, and who, dying young, left his widow and four small children in very 72 very indifferent circumstances. The Kev. Dr. *****, uncle to the subject of this article, was at the time of his brother's death, master of * * * * college, and in him, the widow and orphans found a most kind and benevolent protector, for he took them all to reside entirely with him. Mr. ***** received part of his education at the Free School of Norwich, but was afterwards removed to Harrow. He took his degree with considerable reputation, and afterwards, if our friend's recollec- tion did not fail him, had a travelling fellowship. The time, however, came when it was necessary to determine on his ultimate destination in life. It was fixed that he should take orders: this he by no jjjewns liked ; but he had, however, proceeded so tar towards the accomplishment ot the proposed object, as to cut off his hair. In this interval he yvas offered by Mr. * * * of the treasury, a tempo- rary situation as clerk in that establishment. The moment was peculiarly auspicious : Dr. P. who was then private and confidential secretary to Mr. Pitt, wanted some assistance, and Mr. ***** was recommended for the purpose. When the Ilishop retired, Mr. ***** succeeded to his situation about Jklr. Pitt's person, and remained in it as long as Mr. Pitt continued to discharge the functions of prime minister. The inference in favour of his abilities, integrity, and other merits, must be sufficiently ob- vious, 75 \ious. Mr. Pitt, though it must reluctantly be confessed that he was never very forward in encou- raging the labours, or promoting the interests of literary men, was never backward in conferring marks of his liberality and esteem on the indivi- duals to whom he was attached, and whose abilities he exercised. Mr. ***** had various places of honour and emolument bestowed upon him: he was secretary to Mr. Pitt as Governor of Walmer castle; he was Receiver General of Stamps; he enjoyed a lucrative appointment in one of the West Jndia islands, we believe Jamaica; he was pay- master of the out-pensioners of Chelsea, which appointment was subsequently extended and im- proved, by being made to comprehend the Irish Pensioners resident in this country. Mr. *****s flow of worldly prosperity did not, however, termi- nate here : by his first wife, he obtained very con- siderable property. On her decease he married Miss C , a relation of Lord S ; with her, it should seem, he has not succeeded to less than one hundred thousand pounds. He purchased at Newport, in Essex, the splendid seat of the Hon. Percy Wyndham, formerly belonging to the Mar- quis Thomond. Here he enjoys, with an amiable wife and a numerous family, the real otium cum d'ignltatc. In different conversations which the Sexagenarian had with him on the subject of Mr. Pitt, he uni- formly 74 formly had occasion to conclude, that this truly great man was as amiable in private and domestic life, as he was wise, magnanimous, and sagacious in the conduct of public affairs. He was exceedingly attached to every individual of his family, and to the last hour demonstrated the most dutiful and pious reverence to his mother. Our papers' contain one anecdote of him, in whkh his temper must in some degree have been put to the test Mr. ***** lived in a street remote from the treasury, and used to go every day at ten o'clock to the Minister's house in Downing-street: one morning the Secre- tary unfortunately lost, as he supposed from his pocket, on Constitution Hill, Mr. Pitt's bunch of private keys. The consequence was, that all busi- ness was suspended till every lock was forced, and new locks and keys provided. Mr. Pitt, however, did not demonstrate the least ill humour or chagrin. chap. Tout ce qui luit n'est pas or. CHAPTER XII. INTIMATELY connected with the above distin- guished personages, but more particularly with the Bishop of*****, was ***** ****#*#*, t h Q first and present Bishop of . He, I should think, will not feel a false shame in being classed among those who, having nothing to boast on the score of their birth, make their way to a situation of eminence and honour, by the exercise of laudable industry, and no inconsiderable abilities. What his father was, does not appear, nor is it of consequence. He was, when young, dependent upon an uncle, who was a respectable attorney. His first desti- nation was for trade, and he was bound apprentice to a grocer, in which situation the Sexagenarian had seen him employed ; but he had a taste and talent for more exalted things than weighing plums, and breaking sugar, and had also the good fortune to have his wishes seconded and promoted by his kind relative. He was admitted of ***** col- lege, 76 ege, where he took his degrees with much credit* After taking orders, he returned to the Provincial town, where his friends resided, and from whence he discharged the humble duty of a curate in va- rious neighbouring churches. He was at length a candidate for a preferment, the appointment to which was vested in the parish, and after a strenuous oppo- sition he succeeded. There was a decent house, and an income perhaps of two hundred pounds a year, and probably at that period, the utmost ot his am- bition did not soar to any thing much more elevated At this crisis, most fortunately for him, his friend, Dr. P. was placed on the bench of Bishops, and immediately nominated Mr. ******** to be his domestic chaplain. I tn The brightest prospects now opened to his view, nor was he disappointed. His first preferments were two good livings in * * * *, in the vicinity of the bishop's residence, to which was afterwards added a Stall in the Cathedral. It appeared about this period to government, to be expedient to fix an ec- clesiastical establishment in the province of , of which a Bishop was to be the head. The inti- macy between the Bishop of L. and the Prime Mi- nister still, indeed always, continued, and his recom- mendation of his friend and chaplain, to till this eminent office, was accordingly accepted. Dr. *## *##** wos consecrated Lord Bishop of x with a noble salary, afterwards increased tf 77 to 30001. a year. Here perhaps he still continues, in the useful and honourable discharge of his high functions. It has been doubted, by those who knew him best, whether this splendid banishment was ex- actly in consonance with the Bishop's natural pro- pensities. He was, as a young man, of an elegant taste, fond of society, and particularly of iemale society ; attached to the belles lettres, and no con- temptible poet. It was a strong contrast to these habits and propensities, to assist in the illumination of Esquimaux, Cheroquees, and their Squaws. Dr. ******** has appeared before the public as an author, but principally as a writer of poetry. Whilst resident at Cambridge, he published a quarto tract of poems, sufficiently elegant, but somewhat of too amatory a cast. He had a peculiar turn for epigrammatic writing, and there are preserved in ur manuscript, one or two which probably never have been printed ; the insertion of them may tend to enliven our narrative. About the period before alluded to, an inge- nious blind man made his appearance where the Bishop then resided, and, as he had done in various other places, undertook to give philoso- phical lectures. His name was Moves, concern- ing whom, more particular accounts than we are able or desirous to give, may be found, it is believed, in the Gentleman's Magazine, and other periodical 78 periodical publications of the day. It was a very fashionable thing, and particularly among the ladies, to attend his lectures. Their tender sympathy was excited towards him, from the circumstance of his blindness ; but he was also of a goodly form and countenance, lively in his manners, eloquent in his delivery of his lectures, which he also contrived to season with surprizing narratives and amusing anecdotes. One of the hypotheses upon which he chose to dilate, was that of latent heat in bodies. Our lively friend, for such he was then, and pro- bably still continues, availed himself of the popular malady, to produce the following epigram. Blind Cupid, tired with his celestial joys, Descends to earth in shape of Dr. Moyes, With dames delights to take his seat, And fires each female breast with latent heat. In the same provincial town was established a Catch Club, of which the members were each and all of them, of great musical and vocal accomplish- ments. Our Sexagenarian seems to have known them well, and had often been delighted with the exertion of their talents. Unfortunately, from some tritiing cause or other, a violent schism took place among them. Dr. tnen Mr. * * *, did not lose the opportunity of exercising his sarcastical wea- pons, und the following jcu d 'esprit was circulated. Tis 79 f is said that affected by fogs of November, The Catch Club is in a sad case, But by losing in time every mortified member, The body's recovering apace. Were the attempt to be made either by hunting among the loose pages of our manuscript, or by local enquiry, it would be easy to get together a great many of these trifles ; but these may suffice. Some of the venial levities of younger days, pro- mulgated by another Bishop, will be introduced elsewhere. But there seems to be here, somewhat of a deviation from the regular path ; and the manuscript appears in danger of entangling our eccentric friend amid the wilds of Canadian forests, or bewildering him in the crowd of his ecclesiasti- cal superiors. At the period, to which his notes have thus far conducted him, it must be remembered that he n.erely is seen as an humble under-graduate of Cambridge. chap/ RrdlcuTcis setmo cui vita rebellis- abhorret Ergo cave Doctor dissonus esse tibi. CHAPTER XIII. AFTER some pages of erasure, and scraps not exactly intelligible, we again meet with some con- nected paragraphs. What follows seems a de- tached memorandum, relating principally to a cha- racter well known, and highly respected, in his day ; and we therefore give it in our friend's own words. " The interval between a young man's earliest admission at the university, and the taking of his first degree, can hardly be expected to involve may matters of importance. At a remote period, and when we are far advanced in life, so far, that its close becomes almost discernible through the ga- thering clouds, memory delights to dwell on scenes that are past, and meditation lingers on the differ- ent individuals with whom we started in the race together, whose loss we deplore, or who yet fill stations in the world within the reach of our obser- vation. A Sexagenarian must necessarily have many to lament, and others who, though they have Dot 81 not prematurely disappeared, so far excited his attention, or interested his feelings, that he looks back to them with a mingled regret and esteem. u I had occasion, during my progress to my de- gree, to consult a physician, and I was directed to Dr. Glynn. He was a most singula^ eccentric cha- racter, but had many amiable qualities, and was a learned and accomplished man. Detached anecdotes of him may be found in various publications, but I have often lamented that no authentic and more circumstantial account of his life and manners has been given, by some familiar and intimate acquaint- ance. He was not always disposed to admit pa- tients, and I well remember that when I first waited upon him, I distinctly heard him pacing up and down his room, spouting Greek. I knocked two or three times, but no notice was taken. I became impatient, and fancying my case to be one which -would not admit of delay, with a venial eagerness I should hope, I repeated my knocks. Again n notice was taken, At length, I ventured to open the door, and, to my great consternation, found the old gentleman still traversing his apartment, and spouting aloud. On my entrance he stopped, and somewhat harshly demanded my business. I threw as much obsequiousness into my manner, and as much of a supplicating tone into my voice, as I could, and he was so far softened, that he asked vol. 1. G me 82 me to sit down, and listened attentively to my case. He was afterwards kind to me, and called at my rooms more frequently than perhaps was necessary, as far as malady was concerned. I learned also from my tutor, that he would accept of very little as a compensation for his trouble, for physicians' fees were then paid by the tutor ; of the present practice I know nothing. I remember that his first and greatest favourite was Juvenal, the whole of whose writings he appeared to have at his fingers ends. He certainly must have written many things worth preserving, for the mind whkh could have composed so beautiful an Essay asthe lines on the Day of Judgment, to which the name of Dr. Glvnn is annexed in Seaton's Prize Poems, must also and successfully have been exercised on other subjects of literature. " I think it was during my residence, that he took the name of Cloberry, in consequence of the will of a relation, who left him his estate ; but I do not believe that he was ever so called by any resident member of the university, all of whom seemed to recognize something of agreeable and affectionate familiarity in the appellation of Dr. Glynn. It should be added, that in contradiction to the dis- tance and austerity, in some degree necessary, per- haps, to the heads and seniors of a university, Dr. Glynn was remarkably kind and obliging to his juniors, 83 juniors, and would often invite young men to his apartments. I wish I could remember more par- ticulars concerning him. I know that he assisted both Mr. Bryant and Mr. Mathias in the Chatter- tonian controversy, but all my enquiries have not enabled me to discover whether he was the author of any other literary productions. Every person will remember the affectionate tributes to his merit, which appeared in the Pursuits of Literature." o 2 chap. Si duceris ira Servitii patiere jugum, tolerabis iniquaa laterius leges, tunc omnia jure tenebv* Cum poteris rex esse tui. CHAPTER XIV. GILBERT W. J HE name of this personage occurs in various parts of our manuscript ; but the scrap which fol- lows, did not seem unworthy of insertion, and ap- pears to have been drawn up with some care and pains. The celebrated Gilbert W. was also a contempo- rary. He has written his own life with some diffuse- ness, and he who writes this account is not disposed to controvert any of his assertions, as they relate to himself. With respect to others, the case is very different. lie viewed every body, who at all pre- sumed to have opinions opposite to his own in mat- ters of religion, politics, or literature, with a jealous and a jaundiced eye; nor could it be easy in the common 85 common intercourse of life, ever to meet with a man in these instances so inflexibly pertinacious. Our friend, it seems, and we use nearly his very words, knew him on his entrance into life. He knew him in life's progress, knew him tin within a near period to his dissolution. He was invariably the same ; petulant, tend of dispute, impatient of contradiction, and estimating every one's talents and merits merely as they harmonized with, 01 o|>- posed his own prejudices and propensities ; yet, in his character and conduc:, he involved this singular contradiction his demeanour in private society, was mild and urbane, and certainly unprovoking ; but the moment he took his pen in hand, he ap^ peared to divest himself of his customary garments, and to clothe himself in storm aud tempest, turning his thunderbolts like another Jupiter irom Ida. His first appearance in the schools at Cambridge can never be forgotten. He had excited a general opinion of his superior abilities, and as his way- wardness of temper was also universally known, curiosity led numbers to hear him when he had to sustain the character of Respondent against three Opponents. All were surprized at his acuteness, and admired his dexterity, but all were offended with his petulance, and indignant at the asperity of manner, with which he seemed to browbeat the Moderator. Most of the auditory in appearance had 86 had made up their minds, that he was a man not to be beloved, but that he would certainly make some noise in the world. Our friend further writes, that in a very short in- terval after this public exhibition of his talents, he met him at the rooms of a common acquaintance. He warmly expresses the astonishment he felt at perceiv- ing the same man, whose external carriage and de- meanour had in public so excited displeasure, enter into conversation and argument with a sort of mild- ness, which by the contrast looked like affectation. But thus it always was, and this justice is willingly rendered him ; that however reprehensible his public principles, his asperity in political animosities, his want both of temper and judgment in his criticisms, bis pertinacity of opinion, and the total absence of candour, nay, it may be said, of charity, in his measuring all virtue and all knowledge by the standard of his own prejudices yet when seen in the bosom of his family, he certainly appeared to conduct himself with the greatest mildness. Nor did we ever hear of but one assertion to the contrary, but this is of such authority, that it is impossible not to yield it our assent. A learned and amiable judge, after the business of the assizes was over, paid a visit to Dorchester jail, at the time when W. was there, most justly suffering the penalty of an atrocious and abominable libel. He had 5 not 87 not proceeded far into the interior of the pri- son, when he was annoyed by the loud complain- ings of a boy, apparently suffering from a severe beating. Upon enquiry, he found that it was Mr. W. inflicting parental and perhaps salutary chastisement, on his son. Allowance may, how- ever, be reasonably made for the circumstances in which he then was placed, and which might have a tendency to sour the benignity of his temper. The impression* however, upon the amiable judge was, that such behaviour did not seem quite in character with the avowed principles of this friend of human kind, this perpetual exclaimer against war, and of every species of severity of man against man. The above anecdote was communicated by the judge himself, who witnessed the incident, and the gaoler said it was a daily occurrence. His system of educating his children was cer- tainly a little singular ; but as it is only in part de- tailed in our manuscript, it is impossible to decide peremptorily upon its merits. One thing is thus spe- cified : u Calling upon him one morning when he resided at Hackney, I was shown into his library ; I there found him standing over one of his daughters, who was not more, apparently, than fourteen ; she had a volume of the octavo edition of Clark's Homer before her. On my expressing some surprise, he desired me to examine her in Greek. I did so ; she 8& she read a few lines very readily, construed them, vithout hesitation, knew the derivation of the more complicated words, and discovered a familiar ac- quaintance with the Greek syntax." We have since heard that this young lady has invariahly been of the most amiable character and manners, and filled a very useful and honourable station jn society. Our Sexagenarian had at different times inter- course by letter with W. and though they were noto- riously and avowedly at variance, upon mapy essen-r tial and important matters, they lived for a time on terms of remarkably good fellowship. Jt was at length violently broken asunder by W. never to be renewed, and by the following, occurrence. Our friend, as he represents the fact, ljad been for some time engaged in a literary work pf considerable ex- tent, and among other communications which he re- ceived from different friends, Mr. \Y. accommodated him with a few memoranda, \Ye are willing to give any share of blame to our friend, which the severest reader may think proper to impute to him; but on the publication of this work, the few notes trans- mitted to him by Air. W. did not appear of sufficient importance to demand, or to warrant, specific ac? knowlcdgment- He, however, thought far other- wise ; and, in the first ebullition of his indignation, v : Ac the fyllpwing curious epistle : P Mr, 89- " Mr. W. has seen Mr. 'slast publication, Vv which, among other acknowledgments, there is np mention made of Mr. W.'s assistance. Mr. W. therefore sets down Mr. for a complete bar- barian, as actuated by some church and king mo- tives, all of which, God be thanked, .are coming to a speedy issue in this country." It may be asked of those who undertake to be the advocates of G. W.'s tenderness of heart, and benevolence of conduct, by what feelings he could possibly be influenced, when he wrote the above note. What .could he intend by the sentence, " influenced by some church and king motives, all of which, God be thanked, are coming to a speedy issue in this country." As Dr. Johnson observed of Andrew Millar, when told that on receiving the last portion of the manuscript of the dictionary, he thanked God he had done w.ith him (Johnson) ; so it may be ob- served in the present instance. But for what could W. thus piously thank his Maker, unless for the .hope which he enjoyed by anticipation, that he might see the church overturned, and the king destroyed ; which, as these things could not be accomplished without many scenes of bloodshed and misery, must seem alike creditable to the piety and humanity of him who prayed thus with himself. A mutual friend, who had much influence with #ur Sexagenarian, and apparently possessed the same 90 same with W., kindly undertook to heal the breach ; but it would not do he was implacable and the Philanthropist never forgave or forgot the sup- posed injury. Of Porson there will be occasion to say a great deal in another place, but we are anxious to rescue his memory from an injurious and unjust aspersion east upon it, in W.'s Posthumous Letters to Mr. Fox. We shall then have done with Mr, W. In those letters W. undertakes to give a character of Porson, who, by the way, had always a con-? tempt, which he was at little pains to conceal, for W.'s critical abilities. In this character, it is la- mentable to say, there is more truth than could be wished ; but when it is affirmed that Porson was dull in conversation, it may be maintained that W. knew nothing of the man. If it be true, as perhaps it may, that Porson never spent but one day at W.'s, it appears from his notes that our friend spent that day with him, and accompanied him thither, lie well knew Porson's sentiments of their host, and thought that he rather exerted himself more than usual on that day, and that the conversation on all sides was lively and interesting. Be that as it may, Porson could on no account be represented as dull. It he did not like his com- pany, he would perhaps be silent ; but whenever he did say any thing, they must have been dull hearers, who did not immediately discern rays of intel 91 intelligence, acuteness, and information, whatever the subject introduced might be. It is extremely difficult to account for W.'s thus committing him- self on the subject of Porson, and for his asserting what he must have been conscious at the time, it was in the power of so many persoas living, to contradict and refute. On the whole, perhaps, the biographical sketch which W. has given of himself is agreeable enough, for it can hardly be expected that an individual should exhibit a representation of his own infirmi- ties and defects. Our friend certainly retained no particle of enmity against his memory, but there are memorandums before us, from which it appears that the venerable Sylvanus Urban, Gent, has at different times received letters from W. of which the spirit was to the full as harsh and acrimonious, as that which has been transcribed above. CHAP. Tat aiLLXTu/TTZUf X(Ci OfXKOVTCijbtlS K9patr. CHAPTER XV. \VlTH respect to what follows in the pages im- mediately succeeding, he who undertook to select from, and place in something like order, the scraps and memorandums of the Sexagenarian, confesses that to him the whole is perfectly unintelligible. But as it is not ill written, and certainly alludes both to some extraordinary personage and very par- ticular events, it is inserted for the exercise of the sagacity of contemporaries, if any shall yet remain, Mho can break the sphinx's head. " How can I entirely pass over, or in what terms shall I reveal one of the most singular and extraor- dinary facts that ever occurred, but which in my time excited an universal fermentation in our uni- versity. A thousand feelings press upon my mind at 95 at the remembrance of it, each and all tending to restrain my pen from diffuse or circumstantial de- scription. A star appeared in our horizon, brilliant as the sun of the morning; in a dire moment, when every eye was expecting its increasing splen- dour, it suddenly sunk in night : but the night was not eternal the star rose again it still illuminates our extensive sphere. I myself have repeatedly basked- among its rays, and enjoyed its genial warmth. The phenomenon exhibits one of those very rare instances, where the steady exertions of diligence, prudence, and circumspection, aided by talents, and directed by genius, rise superior to the enormous pressure of disgrace alid contempt: where a secret and latent vitality lurks in the sap of the blighted rose tree, which being transplanted to a genial soil, a balmy air, duly watered and carefully watched, the principle of life slowly and gradually circulates and ascends, and the senses are finally charmed and delighted with fragrance and with beauty. I forbear to say more, but may in this place not improperly introduce the following anec- dote. " A young man of the college remarkable rather for his knowledge of dogs and horses, than for the brilliancy of his literary attainments, had incurred the displeasure of his tutor. lie was sent for to the tutor's apartment, and after much expostulation and itid remonstrance, a Spectator was put into his hands, the longest paper selected, and he was or- dered, on pain of rustication, not to leave hi6 rooms till he should have rendered it into Latin. On his return, in no very cheerful mood, he found in his rooms a friend. He immediately began his melan- choly tale. " Here," said he, " am I to be confined till the vacation, for it will take me at least till that time, to complete the abominable task of translating this eternal paper into Latin." His friend desired him to compose himself, to sit down, take pen and paper, and write as he dictated. He did so, and in an inconceiveably short space of time the task was accomplished. He did not, however, venture to take it to the tutor till the day following, and very great astonishment was even then expressed at so early an execution of what had been imposed. The young man departed in high glee ; but he had not long been gone, before he was hastily sent for again. ,c Young man," said the tutor, " do not make bad worse, by telling me a falsehood. I well know that this exercise is not of your own composition ; but I insist upon knowing who did it for you." Thus on compulsion the name of the real author was of ne- cessity revealed. The reader may guess the rest. It was an early effulgence of that same brilliant star, which set for a time to rise again with renewed and extended radiance. " The 95 u The remembrance of this tutor excites a sigh of" deep regret Nature on the score of genius had done a great deal for him, study more. He was a philosopher, a poet, well acquainted with the clas- sics, an excellent linguist, a truly accomplished man. Remarkable for his kindness to his inferiors^ more particularly so to those under- graduates whose means did not allow them the opportunity and ad- vantage of private tutors. To such, even beyond the precincts of his own college, he would himself supply the deficiency, without hope or prospect of any compensation but their gratitude. How shall I relate the sequel. He has long ceased to animate and enliven his friends, who loved him. He was, I fear, too ardent a votary to that power, who of all the fabled divinities of Greece and Rome, treats his followers with most unkindness, who repays their libations with malady, their songs with degra- ding infirmities, their triumphs with defeat. Peace to his ashes. If ever man deserved a tear of sym- pathy, it was * * * *." On peut trouver des femmes qui n'ont jamais en He ga~ fanterie ; raais il est rare d'en trouver qui n'en aient jamais eu qu'une. CHAPTER XVI. A PORTION of the Manuscript now presented itself, not a little perplexing from the frequent era- sures and interlineations, whilst not seldom, these were a second time crossed out with the pen, as if the writer could not exactly make up his mind, whether the incidents noted should remain at all, or in what terms they should be expressed. Thus, for example, by holding up the paper to the light, the words w College Pranks" were with some diffi- culty discernible. These had been erased, and for pranks, the word " Vagaries" was substituted. This word also had been rejected, and, as appeared from the ink at no great distance of time, " College Fol- lies" was inscribed in a larger hand, as if intended for the head of a chapter. But 97 But of these " Pranks," " Vagaries," and " Fol- lies," there were not many which seemed recorded for any other purpose than for the moralizing sen- timents and reflections which seemed to have accom- panied the recollection of them. The anecdote which follows, from the warmth and earnestness which the partly pleasing and partly painful re- membrance, evidently excited in the writer, must long and sensibly have occupied his mind. It is communicated in substance thus. After about a year's residence in the university, an accident introduced him to the society of a lovely young widow, whose brother was a re- spectable tradesman, but had occupations which occasioned him to be much absent from home. His sister kept his house, and in her brother's ab- sence had many lively parties, composed princi- pally of females of the better class in the mercan- tile line, and of young gownsmen. He frequented her society, till a very strong attachment was mu- tually formed and avowed. Marriage, as it would have been the utter ruin of both parties, was never mentioned by either, but a tender and affectionate intercourse took place, which had subsisted for many months, [Here the manuscript has such blots and erasures, that many lines are totally illegible.] The narrative is afterwards thus re- sumed : In absence they corresponded for a vol. r. H long 9S long time with the most unabated attachment, when at length, (for tenderness is sharp-sighted) our hero fancied he perceived the style of his widow to be somewhat colder. Her letters were less frequent ; they now contained excuses for their brevity, and after a while they were altogether remitted. What he suspected had actually taken place, as lie had ample testimony on his return, after the long vacation in October. A young man, somewhat above his standing, who was remarkable for his personal confidence, for his wit and humour, and above all, for his gailantries, had addressed himself to the Fair Inconstant, even before she had known him who now complained of her perfidy. He failed, however, in his attack at this time, and better fortune hailed our friend. The connection upon whom the new gallant was dependent, and with whom he lived, (a learned and venerable clergyman) was compelled by circumstances to reside princi- pally in the university. He artfully availed himself of this opportunity, and of her lovers absence, to renew the siege, and after close and continued assaults, he supplanted his rival. After some desultory remarks on female vanity and fickleness, of no great interest or importance, the subjoined words occur in the margin in the form of a note, and evidently were written in a long interval of time after the anecdote itself. The 99 The sequel of the story of this my successful rival is not a little whimsical, nor can a greater contrast be imagined between what he was, when he contended with me in calling Eyes, which are the frailest softest things. Tyrants-; Butchers Murderers And what he is now ; between the levity, facetious- ness, and improvidence of his youth, and his present severity, loftiness, and pride. That all should ac- knowledge and lament youthful indiscretions, should exhibit a contrary conduct, and, by exam- ple, encourage the young and the thoughtless to decency and rectitude of demeanour, is expedient and wise ; but surely it is not amiable to be cited as an exemplar of rigorous austerity, of inflexible tenacity, with respect to the obsequiousness of inferiors; of a too severe exactor of penalties, inconsiderately incurred by the want of reflec- tion and experience. Such a transition, from con- templating with delight " eyelids where many graces sate,' 1 to minute and aristarchical animadversions on youthful freaks, might, one should suppose, have been somewhat checked by the knowledge and con- viction, that there are still in circulation, composed by this now greatly exalted personage, Poetic Trifles and Levities, of which the mildest repre- h 2 sentation 100 sentation that can be given is, that they are prodi- giously amatory. But let this pass ; this man is now * * * *. Here again is a considerable hiatus in our MS. but it is impossible not to smile at the anecdote which succeeds, of which the substance is this : One of the tutors of the college was far from being popular, and the principal reason seemed to be, that he was what was then denominated " a Tuft hunter ;" that is, one who prefers the society of a peer to that of a commoner, a lord to a baro- net, and proportions his obsequiousness in an ex- actly graduated scale of rank and dignity. It was understood that his Reverence was to dine with a young nobleman, more remarkable for the quantity of claret he could exhaust, than for the brilliancy or variety of his intellectual attainments. The opportunity was accordingly taken to screw up his door so very securely, as to render admission by it impossible till the morning. Let the reader judge of the sensations, wrath, and indignation of a very pompous man, returning at a late hour of the night, with perhaps as much wine as he could de- cently carry, in vain attempting to procure entrance to his apartment. Alter some persevering exer- tions, which were ineffectual, the porter was sum- moned, and with due examination, aided by nu- ni' rous lights, the mischief was discovered. The conspirators, 9 101 conspirators, who affected to be roused from their beds by the noise which the catastrophe occasioned, assembled, with well-feigned commiseration, and with professed eagerness, to assist, and ultimately enjoyed the wicked satisfaction of seeing their plot fully accomplished, by assisting the unlucky and ill-starred tutor to get admission to his rooms, by means of a ladder placed against the window. The above nobleman, by the way, ought not to be passed over without a little further notice. He so far forgot in subsequent life the dignity of his ele- vated station, as to play the part of Pandarus to one greater than himself The beautyf however, of the lovely object in question, proved so irresistible, that he fell a victim to it himself, and betrayed the trust reposed in him. The circumstances have since been partially related by the lady herself, and the whole would involve sufficient materials for a most curious novel. CHAT. Vidi jam juvenem premerct cum serior aet^w, Moerenlem btultos praeteriisse dies. CHAPTER XVII. X HE good humoured manner in which our Eriend relates a jest, successfully practised upon himself, shows that he enjoyed it almost as much as they who contrived it. He receive i a card from a young man, of higher rank and connections than himself, from whom he had just reason to expect such an act of civility, in return for some good office which, he hacj before he arrived at the university, an opportunity of rendering him. He accordingly accepted of the invitation to supper, which the card conveyed, and went at the appointed time. On his arrival, he was introduced to a large party, all of whom were perfect stranjers to him, and appeared to look so strangclv nn<\ coldly upon him, that he began to suspect what was really the case, that the invitation was a forgery, and that it was intended to laugh at him* 103 him. He made an effort to retire, but was pre- vented, and after a short interval, joined heartily in the laugh against himself. It appears from a loose memorandum, that our friend, notwithstanding his systematic regularity, and rigid attention and conformity to College dis- cipline, had once a very narrow escape from incur- ring the severest censure of his superiors, from which accident alone preserved him. A thoughtless young man, of very eccentric character, had most improperly introduced a female of degraded fame and manners into his apartments, and with equal indiscretion had supplied her with liquor till she became ungovernably intoxicated, nor was he him- self a great deal better. About midnight, he so far recovered his recollection as to wish to get rid of his unruly guest. This, however, was no very easy task. She refused to depart ; and when with some violence he had got her into the quadrangle, she began with most vehement screams to utter the cry of murder. Jn this dilemma, the young man went and called up our friend, who with more good nature than considerateness, rose to assist him. The woman continued screaming, and when the tutor and some of the fellows appeared to see what was the matter, no other young man was visible but the subject of this narrative, pulling the young woman with difficulty along to the porter's lodge. Here. 104 Here the advantage was experienced, of a previous good character ; nothing else could have preserved him from disgrace and punishment.. He had the address to secure his friend from detection, and to save himself. His narrative was, that being dis- turbed by the cry of murder, he left his rooms to sea the cause, and finding a drunken woman in the quadrangle alone, he thought that in propriety it became him to conduct her to the porter. This, however improbable it might sound, was credited, and no disagreeable consequences ensued. The character and history of the young man, in- volved in the above foolish act of profligate incon- siderateness, is so very singular, that many remarks and anecdotes concerning him, subsequently occur. From these collectively, the following concise nar- rative was deduced. His father died when he was yet a child. He was left to the guardianship of his mother, a very weak and foolish woman, at whose decease he was to succeed to considerable personal pro- perty, and a clear unencumbered estate of about a thousand pounds a year. Nothing could pos- sibly be better conditioned than this estate was ; it was a freehold, and compactly circumscribed by a ring fence. The youth's education was totally neglected, and he was suffered to do whatever he pleased. When about sixteen, he expressed 105 expressed a great desire to go to college ; but as he was totally uninstructed, except in the commonest village school learning, some consultation was ne- cessary about the most practicable means of ex- tending his education, and improving his knowledge. It occurred that there was a distant relation of the same name, established in a curacy at the provin- cial town, who might be glad to undertake his in-> troduction to the rudiments of Greek and Latin. This was accordingly done, and after remaining under his cousin's care for about two years, my gentleman was removed to college, and by way of counsellor and guardian, his relation accompanied him. However, he soon threw off all restraint, and dashed boldly and uncontrouled into all the irregularities and extravagance of the place. Whe- ther he waited or not to take any degree, does not appear ; but certain it is, that in a very short period of time, his profuseness reduced his mother to the extremest difficulty and distress, and materially les- sened their common income. In this dilemma, it was thought expedient that he should go abroad^ and accordingly he departed for the continent, and fortunately for his future and declining days, with riome young men of fortune, two of whom have lince made a distinguished figure in the political world. A short time was sufficient to waste what remained of his property, and in a very brief inter- val 100 val after his return to his native country, not an acre, nor a single shilling remained, of all his valu- able patrimony. That the poor old mother died in the utmost penury, it can hardly be necessary to state ; the son, if he yet lives, subsists on an annuity allowed him by his former gay companions, who in this instance assuredly did not verify what is usually asserted about the desertion of friends in adver- sity. It remains to exhibit a slight delineation of his character. lie was remarkably good-natured, even to excess, lie would thoughtlessly give away the guinea which was his last. With equal thoughtlessness he would borrow whatever he could obtain from others, without the remotest idea of returning it again, lie once carried his mother to an inn in a provincial town, where he ordered a sumptuous dinner, and the most expensive wines. When the bill was produced, though they went in their own carriage, it appeared that neither mother nor son had a six- pence in their pocket. They were relieved from the awkwardness of their situation by the writer of this narrative, who as he never expected, so did he never see a shilling of his money again. When youn^, and the talent was probably continued to him, the original of this portrait had an extraordi- nary faculty of exciting mirth, by the most unac- countable and unexpected sallies of humour and 7 ridicule. 107 ridicule. To this he was probably indebted fojr the protection which he subsequently received, when he most wanted it. He had almost always an avowed disregard of what are invariably re? spected as the decencies of life, and would, with- out scruple, if asked by an old acquaintance where he was to be found, give his card at a common brothel, or at the lodgings of some celebrated courtezan. At the same time he could assume the mildest manners, and conciliate the kindness of the most timid and the most modest of the sex. His ruin was certainly to be imputed to a neglected education, and the unpardonable indulgence which was shown him in his earliest years. He doubtless had those qualities of heart, and those endowments of intellect, which, if they had been directed, chast- ened, and disciplined, by a skilful and experienced guide, would have rendered him as useful and as amiable, as he certainly turned out unworthy of any virtuous esteem. CHAP. Stet quicunque volet potens, Aula? culmine lubrico, Me dulcis saturet quies Obscuro positum loco. CHAPTER XVIII. A NOTABLE contrast to the preceding was ano- ther singular and eccentric character, a fellow- collegian of the same standing. He has been slightly alluded to in a former part of this narra- tive, and deserves to be yet further remembered. J J is father was a farmer of some respectability, and he, as the eldest son, was allowed to choose his profession, which he was originally induced to make that of a linen- weaver. He toiled on year after year very inauspiciously ; he contracted, how- ever, a fondness for reading, and at the age of at least thirty-six, took it into his head that he would go to college, and be a clergyman. lie accord- ingly 109 ingly converted his stock and moveables into money, and with the assistance of a neighbouring clergy- man, got just Latin and Greek enough to pass ex- amination at college. He had calculated his means with such extreme precision, that with the advantages he was to re- ceive from being a Sizer, the sum of forty poundg was to cover the whole of his year's expences at college, and he never exceeded it. He was a man of mean abilities, but of indefatigable industry, and with no other help than such as the college lectures afforded, he obtained his degree reputably. He limited himself in every particular as to time, occupation, dress, exercise, and the minutest arti- cles of expenditure. For example, once a week- he would invite some one to breakfast, once a fort- night to supper; whilst a hat, a coat, &c. &c. would be made to last for two years each. He was much respected for his inoffensive manners, his consistency of conduct, his regularity and in- dustry. Although he must unavoidably have accustomed himself to great privations, he was always cheerful; and often by the force, which greater experience gave to his remonstrances, deterred his younger companions from acts of inconsi I grateness and folly. His great ambition was at length satisfied to the full. He obtained orders, and a decent curacy. U6 curacy. Here for many years he conscientiously practised the duties of his situation. Preferment he never sought, nor if he had, with his humble pretensions, was he likely to have obtained it. But his public spirit was constant and unwearied, and conceiving some local improvement of great importance to the provincial town, near which he resided, he made a very extensive circuit, princi- pally on foot, to solicit contributions for this pur- pose, from those who were able and disposed to bestow them. Nor did he rest till he had accumu- lated several hundreds of pounds, for the accom- plishment of his favourite object, which he vested in the hands of proper trustees. He died not long since, at an advanced period of life, with the bles- sings of the poor, and the esteem of a respectable neighbourhood. Far, very far different, in fate and fortune, from the two individuals above described, was a cotem- porary of a different society, who (if any man ever had) had most abundant cause to bow before the shrine of the divinitv, who with such seeming ca- priciousness, savo lata fiegotio, distributes her smiles and favours. His father was a respectable clergyman in moderate circumstances ; his educa- tion rattier confined, but certainly in some private seminary. He went to the university with no par- ticular pretensions of talent, learning, or applica- tion ; Ill tion ; but he had a fine person, and conciliating manners, and it should almost seem that he trusted to these with greater confidence than to any of his acquired endowments. It was for a time doubtful" which of the learned professions he should assume, but he finally determined on the law. At this pe- riod, he was mild, unassuming, and generally ac- ceptable to his numerous acquaintance, lie lived on the fair give and take system of equality, with those whose pretensions were not higher than his own, and partook of his bread and cheese supper with men of his own standing, with a good humoured cordiality. All at once he ceased to be seen among his quondam friends. On enquiry, it was found that his person and address had recommended him to the partial notice of a lady of very large fortune, acquired by indus- trious relations in commercial pursuits. The change had an extraordinary effect upon his memory. lie forgot his former and humbler acquaintance. He acted the great man, at least in one part of the character, and in fact he really became one as to rank and station. All have their infirmities ; pros- perity is hard to bear, and minds, even stronger than that which distinguished the object of these animadversions, might be in some danger 'from so beautiful and splendid a prospect opening all at once upon them ; from being suddenly elevated to the 112 the dignity of a senator, to large landed property, and a splendid establishment, in exchange for a situation, relatively at least, humble and insignifi- cant. CHAP. Tarpeium limen adora Pronus et auratam Junoni cnede juvencam, Si tibi contigerit capitis niatrona pudici. CHAPTER XIX. oTILL different, and far, very far less auspicious, was the fate of another of their cotemporaries. His father filled the situation of an organist in a Pro- vincial town, but had saved money enough to give liis son a decent education, and establish him at the university, with the design of his taking orders. He passed through the ordinary course with an unexceptionable character, in due time was admitted with some credit to his degree, was ordained sub- sequently, and was elected fellow of the college. Most unfortunately for him, his exertions to procure what appeared to be an eligible curacy, in a very remote and retired situation, were but too success- ful, and to this he owed his utter and irretrievable ruin. He was a well made, handsome man, of great good nature, and very agreeable manners. vol. i. I There 114 There was, as ill luck would have it, another Potiphar's wife in the village ; he was exposed to precisely the same temptations as the Joseph of Scripture, but unhappily did not possess similar virtue. He too easily fell into the snare. The connection was discovered, and a prosecution was the consequence. It but little availed him, that there was no pretence for the charge of seduction on his part, that the frail lady was the mother of a numerous family, that the husband was much absent from home, that opportunies to assail his firmness were studiously sought, and that pretences to have him almost constantly in the house, were ingeniously invented. Far heavier damages were awarded against him than he was able to pay, and in conse- quence, he absconded. The society of which he was a member, was but too well justified in with- holding the preferment, to which in his regular turn he would otherwise have been entitled ; and he had the mortification to live to see a generation almost pass over him, and severally enjoying, what if he had but listened to the voice of duty, or even of prudence, he would fully have participated. lie was however permitted, and this was no small indul- gence, to retain the emoluments of his Fellowship. The catastrophe of his fortune and life was dis- astrous ; he took to drinking. It is more than apprehended, that notwithstanding his collegiate oath, 115 oath, which was indispensable to the enjoyment of the revenues of his fellowship, he married. The woman was content to live with him, retaining her maiden name. He at length died prematurely, very much the victim of remorse, arising from his accumulated irregularities. The moralist, with tears of pity and regret, might here expatiate on the de- structive consequences of one false step, on the entrance into life. Had this poor man been for- tunately under the protection, or within the sphere of the admonitions of some sincere friend and ex- perienced counsellor, he might have adorned the society which he disgraced, and benefited the sys- tem which he injured. " The subject of cotemporaries (such are our friend's remarks) is at an advanced period of life more painful than pleasing. Many of those whom we most loved and esteemed, are separated from us to meet no more, but in another scene of things. Of the majority, perhaps, of the rest, there is so much to lament and to regret, in the failure of their views and hopes, in their calamities, their fol- lies, and their errors, that remembrance presents the mind with a motley picture, where there is more gloom than sunshine, more thorns than flowers." There was one fellow-collegian in particular, who appears to have excited an extraordinary de- gree of interest in the writer of these remarks. i 2 He 116 He was of a studious and somewhat indolent cha- racter, perpetually proposing to his fancy the tran- quillity and happiness, he flattered himself with hereafter enjoying in the marriage state, and in do- mestic life. This was the constant theme of his conversation, and the extrcinest limit of his ambi- tion. lie was connected with families who. had ample means of satisfying his wishes, as far as revenue was concerned, and accordingly, at no distant pe- riod after he was qualified to receive them, Bene- fices were bestowed upon him, equal to his warmest wishes. It is lamentable to detail the final conse- ees. He carried a woman without principle. His flattering views of happiness in the domestic life, vanished in smoke, and if he yet lives, he lives ice scorn and ridicule of many, who were well war- ranted in their prediction of what actually ensued. Another individual, of very superior talents, and who had many and various attainments, as well as the most pleasing and conciliating manners, failed in his. expectations of happiness, with still more provoking perverscness. lie had obtained consi- cci able distinction at the university, and might, if he had thought proper, have succeeded to some- thing far more substantial than mere University honours; but he chose to marry, and unluckily he united himself to a person so inferior to himself in 4 education 117 education and acquirements, that when he retired to his paternal inheritance, he found that he wanted a suitable companion. This induced him to plunge into business, for which, perhaps, of all men, he was the least qualified. He laid out the whole of his property in the purchase of great tythes in dif- ferent places. The consequence was, that for the remainder of his life, he was perpetually involved in law-suits ; and though he was generally right, and successful also, his spirits were harassed, his constitution gra- dually impaired, and his means exhausted. This estranged him from his wife, soured his temper, and finally shortened his days. He was imprisoned in the Fleet, where a lingering disease carried him off, and in his dying moments he had no other consolation than that which he received from his medical friend, who, most fortunately for him, had known him intimately at college, and who took care with great benevolence, that the necessities of his miserable situation were duly supplied. CHAP. Fortuna sxvo lacta nejrotio. CHAPTER XX. ANOTHER College anecdote presents itself in this portion of the manuscript, which, though ludi- crous at first sight, terminated in a disastrous ca- tastrophe. There was a very respectable fellow of one of the minor colleges, who, in expectation of valuable preferment from his society, had formed a connection with a lady of his own years. Un- luckily, the incumbent, whose decease was earnestly expected, was one of those personages, of whom there are many, who exemplify the old proverb of " creaking doors," &c. The old gentleman thought proper to live a great while, nor did he at length take his departure, till the engagement had conti- nued for so extended a period, that the season of youth and manhood too, had passed away ; till the infirmities of approaching age excited discontent and murmurings on one side, and wrinkles produced deformity U9 deformity oh the other. . The engagement, how- ever, was now to be fulfilled, and the day was ap- pointed for the marriage ; but on the morning of that day, the bridegroom elect was found dead in his bed, the victim of his own despondency, or perhaps reluctance from confirmed habit, to change his ordinary modes of life. It would appear expedient to close this melan- choly catalogue, and revert to other subjects, but that the catalogue itself changes its aspect, and some examples, exhibiting a brighter contrast, assert a claim to notice. Not all of those who entered the theatre of the great and bustling world nearly about the same period, terminated the exertions of their youth and manhood, under auspices so disastrous and afflicting as some of those specified above. " Memory brings back one in particular, who arrived at the most exalted station to which the profession on which he entered could possibly lead, uhose titles (if he yet survives) would occupy a spacious page ; who basks in the sun-shine of royal favour patron of learning protector of in- digence rewarder of merit. How splendid, how enviable a pre-eminence! *********" At this portion of the manuscript, so many era- sures and substitutions occur, that the most perse- vering diligence and investigation can with difficulty make out, that there was some drawback to this highly 120 highly-coloured eulogium ; some expectations ex- cited by this same illustrious personage, with respect to the writer, which never were fulfilled; some promises made, which were neglected and forgotten. At least, towards the conclusion of what seems to have been a sort of chapter appro- priated to the subject, these words are distinctly visible : * * * " * Surely this was cruel a Tery moderate portion of that which was volun- tarily placed within my view, almost within my touch, would have satisfied the warmest wishes of my heart would have diffused cheerfulness and tranquillity around a large and numerous circle of dependants would have soothed the sufferings of disease, and animated the languor of declining years. The purple light of hope, which beamed for a while with a steady brightness, was suddenly, was abruptly withdrawn, nor could my own acti- vity, or the exertions of my friends, ever learn the cause." But let us descend a while from this lofty emi- nence, from this perihelion, where we are over- powered, and in danger of being consumed by ex- cessive radiance. There are gradations of altitude to which those beneath may look without being too much overawed, and from which those above may contemplate inferior objects, without the risk of being vertiginous. In preceding parts of this nar- rative, ill rative many eminent men, cotemporaries of the writer, have been introduced, as having arisen to Episcopal dignity. It remains to speak of a few other individuals, in their day well known and esteemed, and rewarded with consequent honours in their several lines of life. Of one in particular, it is with a sort of surprise remarked in our manuscript, that " he is not yet a Judge." There was a large family of them, but the individual of whom mention is here made, was the only son. The mother had formerly been in no higher a condition than that of a mantua-maker the father was a land-steward to different men of fortune. In this situation he saved considerable wealth. The son was sent to Eton, where he was contemporary with Porson, and the writer has fre- quently heard him remark, that on his first going to Eton, Porson by no means was distinguished above other boys, either for parts or application. The subject of this article, however, made great advances in classical learning, and left Eton for the university, with a very high character as a sound scholar. His reputation was progressive at college, and he eminently distinguished himself on taking his degree. He chose the profession of the law, nor was it a great while, before he rose to a con- siderable degree of practice. There was no pro- fessional honour to which he might not have aspired, but Hi but that he took a perverse line in politics, and contrived, as far as political interest and influence were concerned, never to be on the right side. He has however invariably preserved the most un- impeached character for integrity, abilities, and pro- fessional knowledge, enjoys a most extensive and lucrative practice, and is highly regarded and esteemed by all who know him. CUAP. Jus est mari, nunc strato aequore blandiri, nunc procellis ac fluctibus inhorrescere. CHAPTER XXI. AN insertion here occurs in the manuscript, which has the appearance of having been written at a subsequent period, and introduced in this place, as if to preserve something like chronological accuracy. " The man of whom a concise account is now about to be given, in every respect, whether we consider his talents, his virtues, or his fortunes, merits a more circumstantial detail, and a better biographer. His father was a very respectable tradesman in a provincial town, where he arrived at honours, bestowed only on the most eminent and most opulent citizens. However, from some cause or other, when he died, his property was found in- adequate to the maintenance of a son and a daughter. The son was destined for the law, and placed with an eminent attorney, but soon be- coming 124 coming tired of the drudgery of the desk, he went into the army ; and the daughter was taken under the protection of a wealthy family, from which she afterwards happily married. The person of whom we are speaking had a commission in the Marines, and was in all Lord Rodney's celebrated battles. He has been heard to describe with extraordinary pathos and effect, as the sublimest spectacle, and at the same time the most terrible, he ever witnessed, the blowing up of the seventy-four Spanish ship in the battle with Don Langara, in the Day of Gibraltar He served as Lieutenant under Captain Macbride, in the Bienfaisant. A detachment from this ship wa3 employed to take possession of the Spanish Admiral Langara. Langara was pleased with the courtesy and gallantry of this young man, and an acquaintance, indeed friendship, took place, of which he reaped the advantage almost twenty years afterwards. He was, when on some military service, taken prisoner in the Mediterranean, and brought to Langara, who immediately recognized his quon- dam acquaintance, and offered him every indul- gence in his power. The Englishman requested that his papers might be preserved without injury, which his official situation rendered highly impor- tant. The request was not only complied with, but after treating him with the greatest kindness and hospitality, Langara gave him his release. Finding, 125 Finding, that in spite of all his activity and ex- ertions, promotion in the department of the Marines was very tardy and very precarious, he quitted this line of service. He afterwards went to the "West Indies with General Bruce, as his Secretary. His gentle and conciliating manners made friends wherever he went, and he was recommended by General Bruce to his relative Lord Elgin, who was then English Minister at the Court of Brussels. On coming over to England with dispatches, he was, in an evil hour to him, introduced to the patronage of a very great man ; from which patronage flowed all the troubled waters in which he was ever after- wards immersed, and finally sunk. He was much too honest and simple for a court. His talents were discerned and acknowledged his manners were admired ; but his incorruptibility was his ruin. He was appointed, with certain co- adjutors, to a very responsible situation in a foreign country. He had various accounts of foreign Princes to check, and, in the simplicity of his heart, con- ceived that his first duty was to watch the interests of his country. In the accounts of one foreign Prince he detected a trifling error of 1C00/. With great delicacy and respect, he ventured to commu- nicate the circumstance to his Highness. Sir, re- plied the Prince with great indignation, did you think 1 was bred in a counting house ? In short, the 126 the evidence of his probity, and of the want of it in those with whom he acted, is alike irrefragable : nor have the accounts in which he was concerned with others, to the amount of more than half a mil- lion, ever yet been duly balanced. Whilst abroad, he was much noticed by Sir Charles Stuart, brother to L rd Bute, who had the command in Portugal. This gentleman was so much impressed with the accuracy and excellent precision in which his military accounts were kept, that he wrote home in his favour, and recommended the general adoption of his plan. He embarked with the fleet under Lord Nelson, when he went to Egypt, but separated from him at Marmora, and went to Constantinople. Here he renewed his acquaintance with Lord Elgin, and tra- velled through Greece with Mr. and Mrs. Nesbit, parents of Lady Elgin. On his return to his native country, he gave a memorable example of the most inflexible integrity, which nevertheless served to embitter the remainder of his life. He was required by some individuals with whom he was connected in service, to do that with his and their common accounts, which it may be presumed they thought compatible with recti- tude, but which to him seemed disreputable and dishonest. Notwithstanding repeated importunity of friends, the mo3t flattering invitations, and splen- did 12,7 did promises, he continued firm and immoveable, and pertinaciously resisted every effort and every offer. As his seeming obstinacy had a tendency to implicate some individuals of high station, in what would have had but an awkward appearance, if any parliamentary enquiry had been set on foot, attempts were made to prevail upon him to accept of a lucra- tive appointment abroad. But this also he con- stantly refused, from the manly impression that it would look like shrinking from the investigation of truth ; and he also thought that artifice, fraud, and self-interest, might be exerted in his absence, to do that with respect to his accounts, which never could take place, when he was present to explain or refute. But the continued vexation and chagrin arising from this perpetual contest with eager and powerful opponents, added to the effects of laborious service in hot climates, at length had a serious effect on his strength and constitution. He retired from the noise and tumult of the metropolis to his native place, where he flattered himself with the hope of spending a few tranquil years with a daughter whom he loved, and in the society of a few friends whom his spirit, his integrity, and his accomplish- ments had conciliated. But it was unfortunately too late he died in the interval of a few months after 128 after the last object of his wishes was placed within his view. Few lamented him more than h; ho pays this affectionate, though fleeting tribu memory. His mind, as has before been rem was uprightness itself; and though in man) hard fought contests, both by sea and land, he had given the most unquestionable proofs of his bravery, he was particularly mild, gentle, and unassuming. He had withal, a remarkably fine taste in the arts, and for painting more particularly; and having pre- ceded the great ravager Bonaparte, and his myrmi- dons, in his excursion to Italy, he, by honest means, though for perhaps little money, obtained some very choice and valuable curiosities of art, both in sculpture and painting, from the finest galleries at Rome, and the most splendid collections of Naples, as well as in other places. Several of these specimens adorn the best Col- lections in this country. One of them in par- ticular, strongly exemplifies the perverse fortune which seemed invariably to accompany him. The picture he most valued and esteemed, was one from the Villa Albani, at Rome. It was indeed exquisite, and, as since acknowledged, the un- doubted production of a very great master. Un- fortunately for its owner, circumstances required a supply of ready money. -He trusted to the force of v 129 of truth and nature, and so confided in the intrinsic merit, and obvious excellence of the composition, thaj he sent it without any sort of restriction or re- serve, to a celebrated auction-room. He was too proud and too honest, to resort to the usual methods on such occasions, and left his picture to its fate. On its exhibition, the dealers affected doubt and suspicion as to its being a genuine pic- ture of the master to whose pencil it was assigned ; and this so far prevailed, that an opulent trades- man, from the pure emotion of feeling, and the im- pulse of natural taste, was allowed to carry off the prize for the small sum of three hundred pounds. But the picture had excited curiosity; and these same dealers, on its being removed beyond their reach, went to visit and examine it again. It is not long since, that one of these gentlemen sent to offer twelve hundred pounds for the picture, which was refused. Not unworthy of recital with respect to this personage, is an accident which once happened to him, and which nearly cost him his life : He was on a shooting party with an old general officer, and in a spot, access to which they mutually presumed could not properly be denied them, in beating a small covert, our young friend (for such he then was) trod upon a man-trap, which caught him in the leg. He was unable to extricate him- yol. i. K self. 130 self, but luckily his friend was at no great distance. By their joint efforts he was released, but he was most severely lacerated, and it was a very long time before he effectually recovered. But let us now turn into another path. chap. Partes autem quibus eroditi homines censeri vel maxime solent, saltern ut e multis aliquas afferamus, sunt, acuta iu- ventio, rei obscurse explicatio, inveterati erroris depulsio, multijuga lectio, locorura in priscis scriptoribus coirup- torum emendatio, dicendi elegantia et oitor, atque alia hjs cognata. CHAPTER XXL XHERE was another considerable person, of precisely the same standing, in whose progressive reputation our Sexagenarian appears to have taken a lively interest. He was born of respectable parentage, in a pro- vincial town, who, however, bestowed no better education upon him, than the grammar school of this same town afforded. He was accordingly transplanted to the university, unaccompanied by that eclat, with which young men are often intro- duced from public schools, with inferior preten- sions both of learning and abilities. He was soon, however, distinguished; and the progress to his degree was marked by the general prediction, that k 2 he 132 he would attain the highest honours. In this in- terval, and in the course of the university exercises, the writer of this sketch became acquainted with him, and was greatly impressed with his acuteness and ingenuity. The prediction concerning him was verified to the fullest extent. He was in the very first class, and arrived at the summit of his literary ambition. He did not wait a great while for the usual testi- mony of the approbation of his college ; but not long after he had obtained a Fellowship, partly from infirm health, and partly from the desire of ex- tending his literary acquisitions, he went abroad. How successfully he obtained one at least of his object , literary reputation, has been demonstrated by some of the most learned and valuable works which modern times have produced. Learning, however, in the abstract, does not always lead to independence; and the person of whom we are speaking, was perhaps principally in- debted for his subsequent elevation in life, to a political work, in which it is far from easy to decide which is most entitled to admiration, the force of its argument, or the auspicious period which was selected to introduce it. The French Revolution had begun to circulate its venomous and destructive poison through the different states of Europe, and through Germany in particular. To effect this with greater 3 133 greater certainty, the powerful engine of the press was but too successfully employed. And as this country was from the very beginning the firm, un- shaken opponent of French principles, all the powers of argument, of misrepresentation, indeed of falshood, -were exercised, to debilitate the influ- ence of England, to assign undue motives to all its public acts, to shake its alliances, and impair its credit. Fortunately at this time this momentous time, an Englishman was found in Germany, who had the patriotism, the spirit, and the sagacity, to vindi- cate his country from the hostile attacks of the mischievous hireling writers, in the interest of France, and who exercised with superior skill, in the cause of truth and justice, weapons which the re- volutionists and their crew had sharpened and em- ployed for the basest and worst of purposes. The work in question was published in German at Leipsic, (since so memorable for the discomfiture and overthrow of Bonaparte) in the year 1799, and not only vindicated Great Britain from the foul slanders of the German Journalists, either in the absolute pay of France, or meditating similar anarchy at home, but proved incontestibly that a rupture with France, was a thing unavoidable on the part of this country. Such 134 Such is the force of truth, and such was the power of the writer's arguments, that the first and most distinguished Reviews in Germany, the Alge- mcine Literatur-Zeitung, the Gottingen Review, and even the famous Mr. Genz, acknowledged that the point proposed, was fully established, and Great Britain fairly vindicated from the calumnies di- rected against its Ministers. That such a pro- duction would secure for its author a favourable reception on his return to England, could hardly admit of a doubt. Accordingly, on his revisiting his native country, he was without delay introduced to Mr. Pitt, through the medium of the Bishop of L. He had an immediate mark of ministerial favour conferred upon him, which he is still per- mitted to retain, with a promise of succeeding in reversion to a dignified and lucrative appointment, which he now fills with the highest reputation. The subject of politics, however, seems to have been forced upon him by local and peculiar circum- stances ; the natural bias of his mind, and his stu- dies, had a very different direction. The most ce- lebrated Theological writers on the Continent had exercised his talents, and occupied his time so effectually, that the result was the publication of a work, which no scholar would choose, and no theo- logical student ought, to be without. Others, equally 135 equally important and valuable, in the strict line of his profession, have succeeded ; and whether his profound erudition, his sagacity in detecting error, his subtilty of disputation, or his facility of writing, be considered, there are but few authors of mo- dern times who can submit to a competition with him. He bears, however, his faculties meekly ; and though in a very lofty situation, his manners are ex- tremely conciliating without the smallest symptoms of superciliousness or arrogance, even towards his opponents. CHAP* Illud magis vereor ne ignorans verum iter gloriae, glori- osum putes, plus te uuum posse quara omnes, et metui a civibus tuis quam diligi, malis. CHAPTER XXII. W HEN the mind contemplates a number of young men assembled at the University, with va- rious talents, propensities, and pursuits, upon a looting of local equality, and communicating with one another on terms of greater or less familiarity ; and again, after an interval of half a century, makes enquiry into their relative condition and con- nections ; how wonderful a contrast is exhibited, and what food is administered for deep and serious reflection ! These pages have already detailed some, it is to be hoped, not uninteresting examples of un- expected elevation, as well as of extraordinary and melancholy depression, to say nothing of the dimi- nution of the long, long catalogue, by the resistless ravages of death. One splendid instance of suc- cess JS7 cess and temporal prosperity has already been de- tailed. Here, however, was nothing to shock pro- bability. The advantages of birth and splendid connection accompany a man through life, and he must be eminently deficient in talent, sagacity, or prudence, who does not in his progress through the' world, turn them to adequate account. One fa- vourite of fortune remains to be introduced to no- tice, who possessed no hereditary advantages, but who, meeting with a ladder placed against the Temple of Greatness, boldly ascended step by step, till he triumphantly reached, and remained enthroned, at the summit. It is sometimes exceedingly convenient to deal in the article of " Supposes." It is a very useful word to a lively fancy, and supplies many a chasm in an imaginary structure, which would seem muti- lated, imperfect, and deformed, without it. It is adopted on the present occasion, because it will appear to many the most suitable. The facts are so contrary to the ordinary chances of life, that they who are not in the secret, may be inclined to be- lieve them " suppositions" altogether. Suppose, therefore, good and gentle reader, a schoolmaster, established in a country town of no great celebrity, but which still furnished him with so much employment, that attention to his business enabled him to educate his two sons at a public school. 13$ ichool. Suppose this good man to die, and his widow again to marry respectably, and settle finally in the metropolis. Suppose the elder son, though of infirm health, to marry a woman of large for- tune, a valetudinarian like himself. It is no ex- travagant effort of imagination to conceive both of these personages to pay the debt of nature, and the surviving brother to become the inheritor of the possessions of them both. Here we appear to have advanced a few steps up the ladder. Now then, let us suppose the surviving brother called to the bar, and, by abilities and assiduity to which the bar has affixed a jocular name, to ob- tain progressively a considerable practice. Are we not mounting still higher? Now, then, let us picture to ourselves a great, a very great man, possessing the disposal of seats in a certain assem- bly, usually understood to display the most inviting avenues to fame and fortune. Fancy this great man, in perplexity from some unexpected accident how to supply the loss of a friend, vacating one of these seats, with an individual, who by no means must be inferior to his predecessor in obsequious attention to his patron's political interests, his in- tentions, and injunctions. Accident, the veriest accident, might introduce the practitioner of the law to huggtry of another kind. What think you now, good people ? are we not in a fair way to- get 139 get to the top of the ladder ? Conceive us, then, permanently fixed in this same honourable assem- bly; and a combination of talent and diligence, a proper degree of well-timed flexibility, with a due proportion of smiles and bows, may easily be sup- posed to accomplish all the rest. But that which is to succeed can surely never be supposed. Can it be supposed, that one so favoured by a concurrence of fortunate events, should treat with neglect those to whose interposition and re- commendation, he immediately owed his greatness ? Can it be supposed, that he was detested by his de- pendants, for the most unrestrained insolence and intolerable arrogance ? Can it be believed, that the friends and play-mates of his boyish days, equals to him in ability, far, very far superior in merit, should be contumeliously kept at an awful distance, some- times oppressed with an assumed condescension, at others disgusted at unconcealed haughtiness? Can it be imagined, that when local circumstances assigned to him a division of influence and autho- rity, in conjunction with individuals of high here- ditary rank, he should proudly assume a pre- eminence ; should direct, dictate, issue his imperial fiats, mandates, and decrees, and make all bow be- fore his golden image ? Will it be believed, that, as the Chinese cere- monial requires, the head of him admitted to the * Royal 140 Royal presence to be knocked nine times against the floor, and Mere this obeisance once, and once only, omitted, it is deemed high treason, and re- quires the utmost severity of punishment ; so from the lack of some such attentions to this high and mighty person, there are many individuals who have reason to deplore, in bitterness of sorrow, their unpardoned inconsiderateness ; and can ascribe their ruin to nothing, but the seeming want of reverence to his consequential importance? No, no, no, none of these things can possibly be within the reach of the wildest suppositions ; they can only have existence in the chimerical dreams of the most extravagant fancy. Nor will it ever obtain a moment's credit, except indeed a similar representation should be made from * * * *. But here prudence bids pause Secuius licet JEneam rutulumque ferocem Committas : nulli gravis est percussus Achilles. CHAP. Tollimur in coelutn curvato gurgite, et idem Subducta ad manes imos desidinius unda. CHAPTER XXIII. _L IIOM such princes of the people, let us once more descend to notice an individual, whose for- tunes indeed were very different, but whose abili- ties, although exerted in contrary pursuits, were, not at all inferior, and whose peculiarities were of the most singular and striking kind. His father followed the occupation of a sadler, in a town of considerable eminence in a remote province. The family consisted of this son and two daughters, who, on their father's decease, found themselves left with a very scanty provision. The young man had a taste and turn for learning, to gratify which the more easily, he went for some years to the continent, where, among other attainments, he so acquired the manners, singularity, and even gri- mace of the people, among whom he sojourned, that on his return the Agnomen of Abbe' was spon- taneously and universally given him. He 142 He subsequently became a member of the uni- versity, where he was invariably respected for his talents, his diligence, and his learning, and as con- stantly laughed at for his eccentricities and whim- sicalities of manners. Me took orders with very little prospect of any preferment, but by a rigid economy, added to some trifling literary employ- ment, he managed to make a respectable appear- ance. At a very early period, he distinguished himself for his profound and accurate knowledge as a Cambist, in matters of commerce, exchanges, and specie, and became an avowed opponent of Dr. Price, and others of that class. A nephew of the celebrated Dr. Price, who was a dissenting minister, and of considerable abilities, resided in the neighbourhood of our Abb, and similar pur- suits and propensities had introduced a familiar acquaintance between them. At this period, Dr. Price's nephew was well known to be a writer in the Monthly Review, and in a country town, this was a circumstance which conferred a sort of local dignity and importance. The subject of this article had printed some Tract or other on his favourite topic, in which Price and his friends were not mentioned in the terms of respect, to which this relative of one of them thought they were entitled ; and the consequence was, that in a subsequent Review, the publication above alluded 143 alluded to was handled with no common severity. There was no difficulty in imagining the author, or if there had, this was removed by the person at- tacked, who found an opportunity of seeing the manuscript of the offensive article. This he thought was a grievous and unpardonable violation of the laws of confidence and honour, and the conse- quences which ensued, though somewhat serious, border on the ludicrous. The aggrieved person called as usual upon his quondam friend, and requested his company to take a walk. This was complied with without he- sitation. When they had proceeded to some dis- tance, and came to a retired spot, the critic was not a little astonished, at seeing his companion strip to his shirt, and with many and bitter reproaches, insist upon satisfaction for the baseness and trea- chery with which he had been treated. Remonstrance and expostulation was in vain, and there was no alternative between submitting to a hearty drubbing, or standing upon the defensive. The result was, what not unfrequently happens in similar cases, the offending person, who was the more athletic of the two, proved the conqueror, and the mortified and discomfited author retired from the contest with one of his ribs broken. Another adventure in which he was engaged, and from which he did not escape with much brighter laurels, seems worthy of being recorded. A family 144 A family of rank and opulence had their villa at a short distance from the Abbe's residence. They had a taste for learning, and were remarkable for the distinction which they paid to literary charac" ters. They were seldom without some more or less eminent individuals in their house, and among others, they always treated the Abb6 with parti- cular kindness. The lady, however, of the man- sion had rather a propensity to what she considered as innocent mischief, and would often amuse herself at the expence of her guests. One evening the party was kept up till a very late hour, by the recital of ghost-stories, to which our hero had listened with extraordinary attention. On returning to his apartment, and ruminating upon what he had recently heard, he thought lie perceived something like motion in the countenance of an old family picture. He was a little startled, but on looking more attentively, he evidently saw the eyes of the picture open and shut, and at last a loud groan was uttered. He could bear it no longer, but rung his bell, and running out of his room, made the old staircase reverberate with the cries of thieves and murder. The family, who were prepared for the event, all assembled, with well feigned astonishment and sympathy, to hear the cause of his alarm, and to search his apart- ment. When 145 When an eclaircissement took place, it appeared that the head had been taken out of an old picture, and a groom, properly instructed to act his part, was placed behind the tapestry. One of these jests was however carried rather too far, and threatened a much more serious ter- mination. A young lady, of somewhat masculine appearance, and less polished manners, which in- duced the belief that she had more courage than the event demonstrated, was upon a visit at the house. On going one night to bed, she perceived the bolster and pillow rise gradually, and elevate her to a considerable height. She gave a loud scream, and fell into a fit, from which she was with difficulty recovered. But to return to our Abbe\ After a tedious apprenticeship as a curate, lie ob-. tained ut length a small living, on which he pro- ceeded to reside. What often happens in similar circumstances, happened also in this. His esta- blishment consisted of one maid- servant, plain, ignorant, and of the very meanest extraction ; her, however, he thought proper to marry. The con- sequence was a numerous family, and the most deplorable poverty. This latter evil, he attempted in some degree to palliate, by the exercise of his pen in the particular branch of science for which he had long been justly eminent. Nor was it wholly vol. i. L without U6 without success* Fortunately for him, he had some connection with the conductor of a literary journal of extensive circulation, who knew his me- rits, and availed himself of his talents and industry. The particular proofs in this way, and through this channel, which were exhibited of his knowledge as a Cambist, attracted the notice of a very distin- guished individual, who had the disposition as well as the opportunity, of encouraging and rewarding literary merit He was accordingly introduced to this personage, and at no great distance of time, presented to a piece of preferment so considerable, that it held out to him the hope of passing the re- mainder of his life in ease and tranquillity. He died, however, if not prematurely, at least before he effectually enjoyed the benefits of his new situa- tion. For his wife and family, there could be but a very scanty provision. The active benevolence of a friend, promoted a subscription for them, but this could not be of any great magnitude or im- portance. c u a ?. * Non tu scis Bacchae Bacchanti si velis adversaria Ex insana hisaniorem facies, feriet seepius, Si obsequere, una resolvas plaga. CHAPTER XXIV. MENTION has before been made of the Abbess two sisters. The character of one of them was so very singular, and her fortunes so bordering on the romantic, that they ought not entirely to be passed over. The sisters at first kept a school for young ladies, and as they were clever and accomplished, and promised something of refinement, beyond the ordinary level of provincial schools, they were for a time very successful. But it is more than pro- bable that this success was interrupted and finally- destroyed by the wayward and very eccentric cha- racter and conduct of the younger. She was of * In allusion to the Bacchanalian women, who struck every one they met with a Thyrsus ; oppose them, they will hit the oftener. I.S the 148 the Wolstoncraft school, a great stickler for the dignity of the sex, and the rights of women. She was an authoress, a poetess, and afterwards an actress. She exhibited the remarkable phenomenon of representing on the stage, the principal character in a tragedy written by herself, which nevertheless was damned. She printed a volume of poems by subscription, and her conduct with respect to the printer, brings to mind a story of a simple clergy- man, which may as well be told first. A poor vicar, in a very remote province, had, on s'omc popular occasion, preached a sermon so exceedingly acceptable to his parishioners, that they entreated him to print it, which, after due and solemn deliberation, he promised to do. This was the most remarkable incident of his life, and filled his mind with a thousand fancies. The conclusion, however, of all his consultations with himself was, that he should obtain both fame and money, and that a journey to the metropolis, to direct and superintend the great concern, was indis- pensable. After taking a formal leave of his friends and neighbours, he proceeded on his journey. On his arrival in town, by great good fortune he was recommended to the worthy and excellent Mr. Howyer, to whom he triumphantly related the object of his journey. The printer agreed to his proposals, and required to know how many copies he 149 he would choose to have struck off. " Why, Sir," returned the clergyman, " I have calculated tint there are in the kingdom so many thousand pa- rishes, and that each parish will at least take one, and others more ; so that I think we may venture to print ahout thirty-five or thirty-six thousand copies." The printer bowed, the matter was settled, and the Reverend author departed in high spirits to his home. With much difficulty and great self-denial, a period of about two months was suffered to pass, when his golden visions so tormented his imagina- tion, that he could endure it no longer, and ac- cordingly wrote to Mr. Bowyer, desiring him to send the debtor and creditor account, most liberally permitting the remittances to be forwarded at Mr. B.'s convenience. Judge of the astonishment, tri- bulation, and anguish, excited by the receipt of the following account, or something very much re- sembling it. The Rev. * * * * Cr. . 3. d. By the sale of 1 7 copies of sermon - 1 5 6 Dr. By printing and paper, 35',000 copies of said sermon - 785 5 6 By balance due to Mr. Bowyer - 74 They 150 They who know the character of this most amia- ble and excellent printer, will not be at all sur- prized to hear, that in a day or two, a letter to the following purport was forwarded to the clergyman. Rev. Sir, I beg pardon for innocently amusing myself at your expence, but you need not give yourself un- easiness. I knew better than you could do, the extent of the sale of single sermons, and accord- ingly printed but 50 copies, to the expence of which you are heartily welcome, in return for the liberty I have taken with you, &c. Sec, Very similar to the conduct of this clergyman, vas that of the young lady of whom we have been speaking. She sent for the printer, and giving him the manuscript, desired him to strike off a thousand copies. The manuscript contained enough for a tolerably thick volume of royal octavo. The printer himself represents the succeeding dialogue to have taken place. " Have you made any estimate of the expence ?" " No ; but I must have a thousand copies." " How many subscribers have you ?"' * c About two hundred ; but I know, indeed I have no doubt, of an extensive sale. I must have a thousand copies.'. " Perhaps, 151 " Perhaps, Madam, you may not be aware, that of your two hundred subscribers, all will not send for their copies, and of those who do, some will not send the money ; that the expence is immediate, as no long credit can be given ; so that, after the first advertisements, the poems of an unknown author are generally considered as waste paper." " It does not signify, Sir, I must and will have a thousand copies." The result may be easily anticipated ; a thousand copies were actually printed, but after a lapse of several years, no less than seven hundred and fifty still groaned upon the shelves of the printer's ware- house. This was a most extraordinary young lady. She certainly possessed considerable talents, but she was vain, conceited, and pragmatical ; and, as was before observed, a worthy disciple of the Wol- stoncraftian school. Having failed as a teacher, as an authoress, and, above all, as an actress, she offered herself and was accepted as a governess in the family of a lady, who had formerly been brought up by her sister and herself. The lady was of an old and considerable family, and heiress to a large property ; her husband was the elder son of a ba- ronet, of no great pretensions on the score of intel- lect, but a well meaning, good sort of a man. Till the governess came among them, the family hart lived 152 lived tranquilly together, u ith no other or greater interruptions than are found to occur in all families. No sooner had the poetess entered upon her office, than she took it into her head, that delicacy was offended by the familiarity and unconcealed affec- tion, with which her quondam pupil outwardly treated her husband. She endeavoured to persuade the wife that this was highly indecorous, and un- happily she but too well succeeded. Her familiarity was turned into cold civility, her affection changed into a reserved demeanour, and the whole character of her behaviour assumed a new form. The husband was not insensible of the alteration, which at first excited his astonishment, and after- wards his indignation. On discovering the cause, he very naturally insisted that the governess should be dismissed. .The foolish wife, however, resisted this, and so implicated her own case with that of her counsellor, that she declared one would not go without the other. The husband was firm, and the result was, that the indiscreet wife sacrificed three young children, and the society of her husband, with whom she had hitherto lived happily, to share with her female friend the disgrace, contempt, and privations, which accompanied their departure. The husband instituted different suits in Doctors Commons, for the establishment of his just rights, in every one of which, the decisions, as might be expected, 153 expected, were in his favour. The fugitives at length found it expedient to retire from Great Bri- tain to a remote island in its dependencies, where they lived, and may perhaps yet live, victims of self-reproach, of the grossest folly, and most unjus- tifiable perverseness. The name of this sage female counsellor, ought perhaps to be published by way of punishment. It was, however, printed in the proceedings of the Consistorial Court, where her conduct was most severely animadverted upon, by the Judge who presided. It is withheld in this place, merely from respect to the memory of her deceased brother. CttA?. Si lucri quid detur rem divinam deseram* CHAPTER XXV. J^AUD vvc the gods," we are at length re- leased from a narrative involving so much extrava- gance and folly ; proceed we to one somewhat motley indeed, in its hue, but neither distressing in its progress, nor offensive in its termination. The subject of this sketch, when first known to the Sexagenarian, was a dissenting minister ; he had very respectable talents, but did not shine much as a preacher. He had, however, an elegant mind, with which he had taken considerable pains ; and though no very profound scholar, he was well acquainted with the modern languages, and was, in truth, an accomplished gentleman. The career of a dissenting minister in a provincial town, does not display a very wide field for ambition of any deno- mination ; it is not at all surprising, therefore, that our friend became tired both of his situation and profession, and strenuously entered upon the study of 155 of the law. If he was not splendidly successful in this new career, it was soon manifest that he had changed for the better. He married a woman of fortune. The lady who perhaps would have re- jected his pretensions as an obscure dissenting parson, had no objection to be designated as Coun- sellor # # * r s wife. She did not, however, live a great while, and he inherited her property. He pursued his occupation diligently, and at- tended the circuit in that part of the kingdom where Jus early connections were formed ; and before a great length of time had elapsed, married again.- As far as secular matters are concerned, he was still more fortunate than before. He now was able to contemplate and enjoy the otium cum dignitate, and, from local circumstances and connections, was elevated to a high official situation, where he had formerly spent his youth. In the exercise of his professional talents, he was occasionally apt to forget (a very venial transgression) his origin and former occupation ; but there were generally some good natured friends at hand, to give a stimulus to his memory. He was one day examining a witness who either did not, or was not inclined to remember things so circumstantially as the cause in hand required, when our Barrister became a little angry, and ex- claimed, " Why, Friend, you do not seem to re- member 156 member any thing;" ".Yes, I do," replied the wit- ness, " I very well remember your being a Presby- terian Parson." This occasioned so much laughter, that the Barrister was greatly disconcerted. One talent this gentleman possessed to an extra- ordinary degree of perfection : he could retain the longest sermon from the pulpit, or speech in the senate, or at the bar, with the most circumstantial minuteness, and transcribe it almost verbatim. CHAT. Noscenda est menjsura sui, spectandaque rebus In summis minimisque ; etiam cum piscis eiuetur Ne mullum cupias, cum sit tibi gobio tantutn Iu loculis. CHAPTER XXVI. Jb AR more singular and eventful was the history of a brother Barrister, a cotemporary of the former, and of the writer. His parents were of the very humblest situation and circumstances ; his education of the most con- fined limits ; his views not extended beyond that of a writer in an attorney's office. With this prospect, he was articled to a very respectable practitioner in a country town. After a certain period of residence, he conciliated the good opinion of his employer, by extraordinary diligence and attention to his duty, and discovered progressively, evident marks of supe- rior abilities. Here also he contracted an insatiable thirst for reading, which he indulged to such excess, that he would sit up the greater part of the night for this purpose, to the neglect and injury of his health. At 158 At the termination of his engagements, his con- duct was so acceptable, and his services so manifest, his influence withal among the clients was found to be so extensive, that his principal was induced to receive him into partnership ; and the firm thus established, carried in its name a degree of confi- dence, and obtained such an extent of business, as perhaps was hardly ever exceeded in any of the pro- vinces. The immediate cause was never generally understood, but suddenly, when the prosperity of the concern seemed at its height, a separation took place between the partners, and each proceeded on his own bottom. It was indeed whispered, that the taste for reading had proceeded to such an extent with the younger partner, as to occasion the neglect of more important business. Be this as it may, this propensity began to dilate itself into Book Collect- ing; and within an interval of time of no great extent, a library was formed, both in number and value, of very considerable magnitude and impor- tance. In a short time, the subject of this article found it expedient to be called to the bar, by which, if he increased his income, he lessened his conse- quence. His education and early habits manifested their effects in his demeanour, which was slovenly, mean, and unconciliating. These also taught him to disregard certain forms and observances, which, among professional men 7 oa 169 on the circuit, are considered as sacred and indis- pensable ; such, for example, as travelling from one assize town to another in stage-coaches, the un- disguised practice of Huggery, which has before been mentioned, but without explanation. The meaning of the term is, the paying undue court and attention to attorneys, metaphorically called hugging them ; but in reality, cajoling and feasting them, by way of obtaining their recommendation to clients. By these and similar arts, added to a consider- able degree of acuteness, and a popularity which he had long acquired among farmers, graziers, and individuals of that description, in his former cha- racter of attorney, he certainly obtained very ex- tensive practice. He contrived also to make him- self so acceptable and so useful to an individual of high rank and influence, that he obtained a respon- sible and extremely lucrative appointment. At the same time, he undertook the conduct of a cause of great intricacy and importance, for a pauper. The incident was this : an extensive and valuable landed property, with a large mansion annexed, had been for a long time in abeyance. The whole was not worth less than 30,000/. On failure of male issue, the descendants on the female side put in their claim, among whom this pauper stood foremost. The Barrister, however, was so convinced of the solidity of his title, which of course he examined, and 160 and re-examined, and cross-examined, with indefa-* tigable assiduity, that he undertook to carry this man and his cause through every court in the king- dom, upon certain conditions; and moreover, he engaged to supply his client with a guinea per week for his support, during the process. The conditions were, that if the Barrister suc- ceeded in gaining the cause, in consideration of taking upon himself all the risk, expences, and la- bour, he should enjoy the estate, whilst the claimant was to receive an annuity for life of three hundred pounds. In the mean time, the reign of taste extended itself beyond its ordinary limits. Books were mul- tiplied without end duplicates, triplicates, and quadruplicates. There was also a fine and exten- sive library in chambers in one of the Inns of Court. Bronzes of great curiosity purchased old china of very great cxpence, procured without bounds a pinery cultivated with such other pur- suits, as indicated greater capacity of mind, than of purse of liberality, than discretion. Let it be remembered also, and recorded to his honour, that in the interval of his greatest prosperity, he was the avowed friend of literary men, and, as far as his means and influence extended, was their patron also. He was their liberal and active friend; he accommodated them with his books ; and conferred upon 161 upon many who needed aid, substantial marks of friendship. A whimsical circumstance once occurred, which seems not altogether unworthy of being recorded. A self-taught genius of very humble situation, who, with great and strong natural talents, possessed but very limited opportunities of cultivating them, had made considerable progress in a particular branch of science. Having, however, access but to very few books, he had adopted without reserve the system of his teachers, with all their preju- dices and all their errors, and had formed, which is a common mistake in similar circumstances, the absurd idea, that few, if any other books than those which he had seen, were necessary. On being in- troduced into the library of our Barrister, his asto- nishment was excessive, at the number of the books. He was informed that he was welcome to the loan of any, which he might conceive to be useful or essential to the prosecution of his imme- diate pursuits. He accordingly commenced, after examination of the library, to transcribe the titles of such as he should like to possess. At first the number was limited to five or six. On a second visit, and after a second survey, the number was more than doubled ; after a third visit, they were yet more extended ; till at length, from repeated visits and examinations, the catalogue of this self M denying 162 denying philosopher, who habitually exclaimed against all luxurious indulgences, and particularly against the passion of collecting books, exceeded in number two thousand ; which he honestly con- fessed he thought important and useful to the ob- ject of his own confined and particular pursuit. Now, mark the sequel of this Barrister's most eventiul history. Some years since, the Sexage- narian being, by acciuental circumstances, on the spot which had been the scene of his varied and multiplied pertormances, made enquiry after him. He had witnessed his progress from obscurity to distinction from ignorance to no inconsiderable knowledge and felt both curiosity and a portion of friendly interest concerning him : indeed, he acknowledged obligations to him. Judge of his astonishment and regret, on receiving the informa- tion that the Barrister was in prison his lucrative office filled by another his library dispersed by a public auction his bronzes, drawings, antiques, scattered among collectors and amateurs. That he subsequently found ways and means to extricate himself from his bonds to obtain a se- cond time, under extraordinary difficulties, no con- temptible portion of employment in his profession ; that he a second time laid the foundation of a va- luab'e library, and again got together many curio- silica ci antiquity and specimens of art; is an evi- dent 163 dent demonstration of no common abilities of a mind, which, properly directed and exercised must, by an undeviating path, have conducted him to affluence and honour. U 2 CHAP. Adde repertores doctrinamm, atque leporum Adde Helicomadum comites, quorum unus Homerus Sceptra potitus, eadem aliis sopitu, quiete est. CHAPTER XXVII. X ROM this long list of contemporaries, our Ma- nuscript once more changes the scene, and turns back to college concerns. Here, the sameness of each passing day may easily excuse our proceeding, almost at once, to the last great catastrophe of the taking the degree. It may just be related in the interval, that a personage occurred, with whom the writer of these notes formed an intimacy, and the recollection of whom, seems to have excited a mixture of satisfaction and melancholy. It was again the turn of our Sexagenarian to pronounce a declamation in the chapel ; and having been ho- nourably distinguished with the prize, on a preced- ing occasion, an anxiety was naturally induced not to appear altogether undeserving of what had been conferred. In the interval of preparation for this great 1 66 great event, for such it then appeared, chance brought hiin into the society of a young Welch clergyman, from whose Conversation so much satis- faction was derived, that the subject of the pro- posed declamation was introduced, and underwent much discussion. So many new ideas were in con- sequence communicated on the subject, so much knowledge, and extensive reading displayed, that the greatest advantages were experienced, and an intimacy formed, which was only dissolved by that irresistible power, w r hich separates all human con- nections. Grateful recollection (says our MS.) most wil- lingly pays the tribute which follows, to this same Welch clergyman. '* His birth and parentage were as obscure as any Welchman can be induced to allow his genealogical table to be; but the opportunities of education and learning were easy of access, and he availed him- self of them to the utmost. The means of going to the university were not afforded, but .the facility of obtaining orders was greater at that time than at present ; and even now, in that part of the king- dom, where benefices are at the same time nume- rous and small, the circumstance of a periodical residence at the university is often dispensed with. Having procured ordination, his ardour and ambi- tion soon ascended beyond the summits of his da- tive 9 .166 tive mountains, and earnestly spread their wings towards the south. There is an interval in his life, which memory at this time is not qualified to sup- ply ; but at the time when accident formed the friend- ship which is here commemorated, he was second master of a Foundation School, well endowed and numerously filled. With the emoluments of this, added to a curacy, he lived very respectably, and was well received in the first society of the town and neighbourhood. " He was remarkably accomplished not indeed profound, or critically versed in classic erudition ; but he was a respectable scholar, and understood familiarly all the modern languages. A very strong emotion is excited, from the recollection that from this individual was received the first guinea, which the writer of these pages had, by way of compensation, for literary labour. IIow very bright and golden it appeared, and how very va- luable it was esteemed, it is not in the power of common language to express. " M'he Wclchman possessed all the lofty and irritable feelings of his countrymen. He was cor- rect in 1 lis -demeanor, polite in his manners, warm in his attachments, but captious, and extremely susceptible of any violation of his dignity. It ap- pears that the writer of this narrative, wanting to C0iult him, recognized him at a distance, as he was 167 was proceeding to call upon him. He hastened his step, and, perhaps somewhat too eagerly, tapped him on the shoulder. He instantly turned round with all the fierceness of offended pride, and in a tone of anger exclaimed, " I hate such familiarity." He knew, however, that he had not asincerer friend, and no alienation ensued. Still, this high-minded Welchman could not, with all his attainments, and with most respectable connections, obtain any pre- ferment of importance in his profession. A small vicarage, of not more than fifty pounds a year in value, was the apex beyond which he could never rise. His manners and attainments, however, eon- ciliated the esteem and affection of a very lovely woman, the daughter of a tradesman of the higher order. With her he lived for some time in much domestic felicity, and had some charming children. Things, however, at length went wrong. -Disap- pointments, and perhaps the dread of poverty, preyed upon his lofty spirit his mind was un- hingedthe intellectual powers lost their balance and he died prematurely in confinement." CKAF. Hie niilii servitium video dominamque paratam Jam mibi libertas ilia patei na vale. CHAPTER XXVIII. JljUT surely it is time that we should get our old friend from college, and accompany him to the active scenes which we have been describing. The awful period of examination for degree approached, and perhaps it may be truly observed, that the youthful and ingenuous mind, ambitious of distinc- tion, but with the greatest industry and application, conscious of various deficiencies, never subse- quently experiences so much perturbation. The personage immediately in question, had previously distinguished himself in public disputations, and had established a character for superior knowledge. This knowledge he really possessed, and it was the opinion and belief of those who knew his attain- ments, that he was very much superior in fact to many, who obtained precedence above him. Ikit his health was impaired ; his spirits failed him ; he 169 he shrunk from vigorous competition ; and although highly distinguished, and honourably placed, his precise situation was neither equal to his own hopes, nor to the expectation of his friends. His elastic it of mind soon however returned, and he renewed his studious pursuits with increased ardour, and at all events resolved on a retired and literary life. A few months had passed without any tempta- tion to deviate from those paths, which familiarity and habit began to render delightful, when a pro- position was made which required very serious de- liberation indeed. The object was no less than to exchange a life of literary ease and indolence, for one of certain labour and precarious emolument, independence for subserviency, and subserviency to one individual in particular, from whose severity and waywardness, much mortification and uneasi- ness had formerly been experienced. By the way of balance on the other side, the employment proposed was literary ; a path might be opened eventually to useful, perhaps to splendid connection, and frequent communication was indis- pensably necessary with one, to whom the greatest scholars of the day bowed their heads, whose learn- ing was alike various and profound, whose intellec- tual powers of every kind were bounded by no ordinary limits, whose conversation could not fail of being instructive, and whose friendship was by many 170 many considered as synonymous with patronage* Pride co-operated with certain other feelings, and the offer was accepted. What follows in this and the succeeding chapter, is a literal transcript from the Sexagenarian's Com- mon-Place-13ook. And what were these other feelings? How often and how unavailing has the question been dis- cussed, whether individuals addicted to learned pur- suits should marry. Petrarch, and many other sage and celebrated personages, have adduced some notable arguments on this subtle question, which one single smile from Laura, one kind glance from youthful beauty, one endearing emotion of avowed affection, would in a moment disperse into the thin- nest air. Such was the case in the present instance If lusty Love should go in quest of Beauty. "Where could he have more effectually found it, than in the object, the hope of possessing whom, outweighed every other consideration. Oh what a field is here opened ! If fond recollection were to cto back to these early hours, to retrace the ditficul- ties which were presented to the accomplishment of mutual wishes, the ardour with which they were overcome, the triumphant exultation with which the Rose of Sharon was conducted to the tent of Kedar, 171 Kedar, large volumes might easily be written. A hard restraint must be exercised, for what has love to do with literature ? Yet if occasionally a few anecdotes should insinuate themselves into the nar- rative, originating in this source, and tinging with a brighter or a darker hue, many scenes in a pro- tracted life, the reader may pass them over, or peruse them as he shall think proper. The situation, as before observed, was accepted, and its duties, however irksome, were steadily per- formed. That which happens in the ordinary course and contingencies of every human life, hap- pened here also. Of the inconveniences which were foreseen, some were greater and some less in their pressure than was expected ; so was it also with respect to the advantages : on the whole, an equilibrium was preserved, with no important variation, during the whole of the period which was thus occupied, in the discharge of what was by no means an unimportant office. The place of resi- dence was remote from the more attractive scenes of learning, taste, and refinement; but still " full many a gem of purest ray serene" has beamed from its recesses ; full many a blushing flower of delicious sweetness has been transplanted from its bowers; many of the most illustrious names of an- cient and of modern times, derived their origin from this our Bceotia. Here m Here let a tribute of the tenderest affection and regret be paid to the memory of one of these bright gems, whose lustre was too soon, alas ! how soon obscured, in the dark unfathomed cave of death. He who employs the pen now used in delineating the character before us, knew him in boyish days, witnessed the earliest dawning of his genius, viewed his progress with delight and astonishment, occa- sionally aided his literary labours, remarked also with no common anguish the approach of that in- curable malady, which finally and abruptly hurried him to his grave. CHAP. Nestoris annosi vixieses saecula, si me Dispensata tibi stamina neta forent. Nunc ego quod possum. Tellus levis ossa teneeo Pendula librato pondus et ipsa tuum, Semper serta tibi dabimus, tibi semper odores Non unquam sitiens tiorida semper eris. CHAPTER XXIX. XxFNRY'S father was a clergyman, discharging humbly and meritoriously his professional duties in a country village. He discerned early marks of supe- rior talents in his son, and placed him under a distin- guished master, whose instructions have produced many eminent men and accomplished scholars. The youth's health was always delicate, which gave him a propensity to retirement, to books, and particularly to poetry. There was a characteristic taste, delicacy, and feeling, in his earliest produc- tions, which will at this distant period stand the test of the severest criticism. Under the instructor above alluded to, he became a very good, if not a very profound scholar ; and he went to the univer- sity 174 ity with the greatest ardour for literary pursuits, still retaining his early prepossessions in favour of poetry. The bias which he took towards ancient English poetry, and the perseverance and zeal with which he pursued and cultivated a knowledge of the earliest English poets, probably arose from his introduction to Thomas Warton, whose History of English Poe- try, and other productions in illustration of our ancient bards, were his great and constant favourites. With the feelings which this kind of reading in- spired, aided by the delicate frame of his constitu- tion, and the natural sensibility of his temper, he at this period wrote some beautiful pieces of poetry, which he was induced to print. They were soon disposed of, and were for a long time enumerated among the scarce tracts of our language, but they have since been reprinted. It was not at all likely that such exquisite suscep- tibility of mind and temper as characterized our friend, should be a long time without fixing on one individual object, to share his tenderness and sym- pathy. This accordingly happened, but " Jiinc illce lacrym obscure, unknown individual, without connection, introduction, or seeming opportunity of any, to surmount the difficulties, perplexities, and intrica- cies, which threatened to obstruct his path, and interrupt his progress ? Patience and perseverance finally succeeded, and over what opposition will not these qualities triumph ? The first necessary and indeed indispensable step was to form literary connections ; but this was by no means found difficult. Similar propensities and endowments soon discover one another, and induce frequent and familiar association. Generally speak- ing, in London at least, there is great liberality among literary men, a ready disposition to inter- change communications, which may be mutually useful, to accommodate one another with the loan of books, to point out sources of information, in- deed to carry on, by a sort cf common treaty among one another, a pleasant,, friendly, and profitable commerce. One material assistance in forming and cementing literary intercourse, is presented at book- auctions; another, and still a better, occurs in the shops of eminent booksellers. The few old fellows that are yet left, chuckle at the recollection of the numerous and cheerful meetings which used to take place at honest Tom Payne's, at the Mews Gate, and at Peter Elmslcy's, in the Strand. ' 7 I B 197 In these places of resort, at a certain period of the afternoon, a wandering scholar, in search of Pabulum, might be almost certain of meeting Cracherode, George Steevens, Malone, Windham, Lord Stormont, Sir John Hawkins, Lord Spencer, Porson, Burney, Mr.T. Grenville, Wakefield, Bishop (then Dean) Dampier, King of Mansfield-street, Townley, Col. Stanley, and various other bookish men. Honest Tom Payne ! and well indeed did he deserve the name so universally bestowed upon him, and happily and effectually has he entailed it on his successor, than whom a worthier character does not exist. He who willingly pays this tribute, does it from the experience of almost forty years. The earliest literary efforts are almost always of the same kind. The first productions are most pro- bably poetical, but soon, very soon, the ardour of immortalizing " the tangles of Nea^ra's hair" sub- sides, and gives place to austerer studies, and more elaborate pursuits. This is more particularly the case, if the olive branches should multiply apace, and two puddings are found necessary to smoke upon the board. After poetry is in some degree gone by, as every young author dearly loves to see himself in print, the next display of talent or eru- dition, is made in the periodical publications of the day. In this particular path, old Sylvanus Urban has 198 has been found exceedingly commodious, and many a maiden pen, which has subsequently been entitled to have its letters wreathed with laurels, has first of all inked itself in his pages. If the propensity shall lead to politics, the popular jour- nals of the day are invitingly ready to enlist the zeal of youthful authorship. But the appetite of literary reputation progressively increases, nor will it finally be satisfied, till it fancies at least that it has established some monumental column, " arc perenwus" C }1 A |\ Camoenarum decus Exemplar unutn in Uteris Quas aut Athenis docta coluit Graecia. Aut Roma per JLatium colit. CHAPTER XXXIIL AFTER skirmishing with various success, and after multiplied rencontres, in which some know- ledge of the service was obtained, and some dexte- rity acquired, a determination was made on the part of him whose pen has in our MS. traced records of the dead and the living, to make one great and bold attempt. The result was to be fame and profit, A proposal was made to an eminent bookseller to publish a very extensive work, which appeared to be wanted ; the execution of it, however, required what is properly called learning, knowledge of lam guages, history, geography, and indeed every scho- lar-like accomplishment. Strange as it may appear, the proposal, though made by-a young, obscure, and almost inexperienced adven*- 200 adventurer in the fields of literature, was accepted. The work was successfully completed. A very large impression was printed and sold, which Mas in time succeeded by a second. " Sooth to say," observes our MS. " the remembrance of the undertaking, from its magnitude and difficulty, from the little help that was received in its progress, from the very limited ac- cess to literary supplies and reinforcements, excites at this distant period an irresistible sort of trcmour." Notwithstanding many defects, which were una- voidable, many more which were very justly im- putable to the author's deficiency of talent, or of learning, or perhaps of both, the work was accom- panied by reputation, and still remains a staple commodity in the market. Among other advantages which resulted from the undertaking, was the very valuable one of an extensive introduction to the most eminent and considerable literary characters. Ah ! that of these so few should survive to peruse this narrative. One connection was formed, which endured to the satis- faction of both, as long as life's frail thread per- mitted, and this was with Porson. It commenced in this manner : A crabbed sort of composition in a dead language had made its appearance, which from the singularity of the circumstance, the cele- brity of the writer, and the feverish susceptibility of the times, excited universal curiosity. It seemed to 01 to defy all attempt to render it into the Vernacular language. The attempt, however, was made, and with such effect, that Porson expressed a desire, a thing not very usual with him, to know the " Cun- ning Shaver," who had been guilty of this audacious enterprize. In consequence, a common friend brought them together, and an intimacy succeeded, which suffered no interruption till the melancholy period of the Professor's premature death. They had before met in very early life, and their earliest friends were nearly connected. It may be said, that perhaps nobody knew Porson better, very few so well. Much has been said of this extraordinary scholar, but by no means enough ; a great deal more is due to him. In what follows, he who wrote this narrative, may boldly defy contradiction. It is by no means intended to enter into contro- versy with the only two accounts of Porson which have hitherto been given with any thing like autho- rity, or materially to contradict their assertions. The first appeared in the Morning Chronicle, the second in the periodical publication called the Athenaeum. This latter has usually been assigned to * * * * * * t a most learned and able contem- porary, and who was, beyond all possibility of doubt, accurate as far as circumstances enabled him to be so. The other account was communicated to the editor of the Morning Chronicle by Porson's sister, who attended his funeral, This 202 This lady's name is H * * * *, and her residence atC* # * ## * in N ***** * She is pro- bably some four or live years younger than her brother, to whom she bears a strong personal re- semblance, more particularly in the lower features of her face, her tone of voice, and peculiarity of smile. After her return from the funeral, she com- municated to the editor, the substance of what ap- peared in that paper on the day following. Its accuracy will hardly be called in question ; yet all that she had to tell, must necessarily, as far as her actual knowledge went, be confined to Porson's boyish days, for after he went to Eton, he had but little intercourse with his family. Neither was she circumstantially correct, as she subsequently ac- knowledged, on being desired to call to mind whe- thet* her brother did not imbibe his very first rudi- ments from a person of the name of W ***** *, who kept the village school at B *****, in N * * * * * *, where Porson's father and mother lived. She remembered the fact, but observed, that W. was a plain ignorant shopkeeper, to whom her brother was sent when a child about six years of ago, but that he did not continue long with him, it being soon discovered that the pupil could read as fluent!)' as his master. This may or may not have been the truth. That Mr. W ****** was a plain shopkeeper, and that he kept the village 1 school, 203 school, cannot be denied ; but that he was so igno- rant, as the lady's remark seemed to intimate, may fairly be questioned. He was well known to the writer of this narrative, who had frequently con- versed with him on the subject of Porson. He spoke in the highest terms of his early proofs of capacity, and was not a little proud of having been accessory to the formation of the base of that mo- nument, which afterwards lifted its proud eminence so high. Mr. W ****** na d a respectable appoint- ment under the Excise Office, another proof, if one were wanting, that he could not be so exceedingly ignorant. He was also greatly respected by * * * * * * y the squire of the parish, who was subsequently the patron of Porson, as well as by #####* t } ie clergyman, who was Porson's earliest friend. Thus much for honest Mr. W*** * *. Paullo majora canamus. CHA?. "Nam et in ratione conviviorum quamvis a plerisque cibis fcinguli tempcreinus, totam tamcn coenam laudare omnes solenius : nee ea quae stomacbus noster recusat, adiuiunt gratiaai illis, qui bus capitur. CHAPTER XXXIV. jPORSON was born at Earl Ruston, in Norfolk, on Christmas day, 1759- His father was parish- clerk to Mr. H. who was also Minister of B. Mr. II. was a most amiable and truly benevolent man; and beyond all doubt was the first encourager of Porson's early disposition to learning, and the in- dividual also, to whose exertions he owed the opportunities he afterwards enjoyed, and so well improved. Porson had certainly, when quite a child, the practice of making letters on any sandy or moist surface, upon which they could be conspi- cuously formed. His relations were wont to draw inferences very favourable to his intellect, from this circumstance; 205 circumstance ; but after all, this is a very conmmon practice, indeed much too frequent to be considered as any indication of a prodigy. Mr. W. who was mentioned in the preceding chapter, noticed in him very soon an extraordinary quickness with regard to figures this was much more to the pur- pose and this he ever retained. Porson's father and mother were both totally destitute of any education, except so far as being able to read and write. The father was a man of exceedingly strong sense, very silent and very thoughtful, and was accustomed with great regu- larity, to exercise Porson's memory. To what an extraordinary degree of perfection, exercise finally brought this faculty in the Professor, must be in the recollection of many ; yet, strange to say, he who wrote this sketch of his friend, has repeatedly heard him assert, that he had not naturally a good memory, but that what he had obtained in this respect, was the effect of discipline only. His re- collection was really wonderful. Pie has been known to challenge any one to repeat a line or phrase from any of the Greek dramatic writers, and would instantly go on with the context The Letters of Junius, the Mayor of Garratt, and many favourite compositions, he would repeat usque ad Jastidium. But, to return; the solidity and seri- ousness of Porson's father, seem to have been well relieved by the cheerful and sprightly temper of 20G of* his mother, who was very lively and very light- hearted. She had also a taste for poetry, very seldom met with in the wife of a cottager; she was familiar with the writings of Shakspeare, and could repeat many of his favourite and popular passages. It is stated by the writer in the Athenasum, who calls himself Hellenophilus, that Mr. Summers, to whom afterwards Porson went to school, was a plain man, who professed nothing beyond English and the common rudiments of Latin. This is not quite correct. Mr. Summers was, and it is pre- sumed is, a very respectable scholar. He was living when this was first written, and was master of the Free School at Ilappesburg, in Norfolk. Another inaccuracy in that account must also be corrected. It is there stated, that at nine years of age, Porson, and his youngest brother Thomas, were sent to the village school, kept by this Mr. Summers. But at this period, his brother Thomas was not born. It is further remarked in that publication, that the Rev. Mr. H. heard of Por- son's extraordinary propensity for study. -Of course, the writer could not possibly have known that Porson's father was Mr. II. 's parish-clerk. There is still another error in that memoir, of no immediate consequence with regard to Porson, but 207 but somewhat unaccountable, considering the quarter from which it proceeded. It is stated in the Athenaeum, for Nov. p. 430, that Porson married Mrs. Lunan, the sister of Mr. Perry, Editor of the Morning Chronicle, in 1795, and that she died of a decline in 1797. Whereas, the fact is, that Por- son married Mrs. Lunan, in Nov. 1795, and the lady died some time in the April following. The rest of the memoir is generally unexceptionable. With respect to the eulogium passed at the conclu- sion of the article in the Morning Chronicle, these are the sentiments ipsissimis fere verbis, of Mrs. H. as expressed to an enquiring friend. " I wish it had been suppressed. The Editor, X have no doubt, had the most obliging intentions in the world, when he represented me as an amiable, and accomplished woman ; but I really have no taste for such flattery. He must have known, from my situation in early life, that it was impossible I should possess any accomplishments. I wish not to be brought before the public ; my only ambition is, at the close of life to have deserved the character of having been a good wife to my husband, and a good mother to my children." It is impossible to record these sentiments, with- out admiration of their good sense, modesty, and merit. It is with great satisfaction we are enabled to subjoin, that this lady's husband is a brewer at Coltishall, 208 Coltishall in Norfolk, extremely respectable, and in flourishing circumstances. The sentiments of Mrs. H. as above ex- pressed, demonstrate great congeniality of feeling with her brother. No man was ever less assailable by flattery, or disliked it more; nor could any one be possibly more averse than he was to be pointed out digito prcetcramtium. But let us proceed. At the age of nine, Porson was placed under the care of the abovementioned Mr. Summers, by whom he was well grounded in Latin. He re- mained with him three years. At twelve, he was taken under the care of Mr. H. who was then employed in the education of his own children ; with him he also continued three years. By him he was introduced to Mr. Norris, of Witton, the ad- joining parish to Bacton ; and this gentleman be- came his professed patron. First by his example, and afterwards by his strenuous recommendation, a subscription was set on foot for the general pur- poses of educating Porson, and of maintaining him at the university. The individuals who interested themselves about him, were highly respecta- ble, both with regard to their rank, their cha- racter, and their number. Among them was Bishop Bagot, one other Bishop, whose name has escaped, Sir George Baker, Dr. Poynter, Dr. Hammond Prebendary of Norwich, &c. Sir George 209 George Baker was the Treasurer. But there was a lady among them, whose zeal and anxiety con- cerning Porson, surpassed perhaps that of her gen- tlemen coadjutors. This was Mrs. Mary Turner, the grand -daughter of Sir Charles Turner; she was related to Mr. Norris, by whom Porson was intro- duced and recommended to her. She afterwards became his principal protector. Her house was always open to him, and whenever he returned from Eton, to pass his holidays in Norfolk, he enjoyed at Mrs. Turner's house the most constant and unre- strained hospitality. She was afterwards entirely alienated from him; for which the following reasons have been alledged. She was very piously disposed, and was exceedingly anxious that Porson should go into the church. The decision to which he came, of not subscribing to the articles, and con- sequently of resigning his Fellowship, was to her utterly incomprehensible, and exceedingly shocked and distressed her. But the publication of his Letters to Travis gave the coup de grace to our un- lucky friend. Some officious person represented this work to the old lady, as a calumnious attack upon Christianity, and as malignantly intended to call in question the truth of the Gospel. It could only be the work of an apostate, an infidel, an abandoned reprobate. These circumstances pre- vol, r, P vailed $ld vailed upon Mrs. Turner to alter her will, in which she had left him a very considerable sum of money. He had only a legacy of SOL We must now go back to our chronological order. CHAP, Amicus dulcis ut sequum est Quum mea compenset vitiis bona ; pluribus hisce Si modo plura inilii bona sunt, inclinet, amari Si volet hac lege in trutina ponetur eadem. CHAPTER XXXV. J-N the year 1774, when Porson was about four- teen years of age, and had teen under the care of Mr. H. for two years, he had already discovered a most extraordinary quickness of parts. His acquirements, indeed, even at that early pe- riod, and his remarkable powers of abstraction and of memory, the force of his intellect in whatever direction it was excited, induced in the breast of Mr. Norris a desire of extending the scale of his education. It was determined to send him to Eton. A circumstance relating-to this event is commu- nicated by his family, so much out of the ordinary p Q mode 212 mode of . proceeding in similar cases, that a little suspicion of its accuracy may, without offence, be indulged. It is stated by his relations, that pre- viously to his being admitted at Eton, Mr. N orris sent Poison to Cambridge, to be examined as to his proficiency in the classics, by the Greek Pro- fessor. This was in the midsummer of 1774. It is added, that in his examination, he displayed so much talent, and such extensive acquirements, that he was sent to Eton in the following summer, viz. in 1775. Now, if this really were the fact, it is more than probable that such an incident never took place before, and can only be explained by the possible circumstance, that the Greek Professor, who was at that period Dr. * * *, was an intimate friend of Mr. Norris, and from a natural curiosity on his part, was entreated to perform this office. But there exists a still stronger reason for supposing there must be some mistake in this matter. Many of his schoolfellows at Eton still survive, and they all affirm, "without any variation, that when Porson first went to Eton, he was not particularly distin- guished above the other boys, either for learning, acquirements, or studious habits. Further than this, it is said by one, who is well qualified to judge, that is, by no less a personage than the pre- sent amiable and learned , that as a bov, 213 a boy, he discovered but an indifferent taste, and in his compositions was very fond of mixing Greek with his Latin, as thus, " ingtmuere ttcOo," &c. &c. It may perhaps be the fact, that there is a little confusion and mistake with regard to dates. Por- son was necessarily and officially examined by the Greek Professor, when he sate, as it is termed, for the university scholarship ; and he might, after his admission at college, and before his actual resi- dence, go down to Cambridge from Eton, or, not improbably in some interval of the holidays, from his friends in Norfolk, for this particular purpose. It is very certain, that his contemporaries at Eton, with little, very little exception, do not re- member much about him. The following particulars concerning him at this period, may, however, be depended upon, being either communicated by him- self, or from authority which cannot be doubted. When at Eton, he wrote two dramatic pieces, and acted in them himself. All, however, that is remembered of either is, that one was more elabo- rate than the other, and indicated more of plot, in- genuity, and contrivance. The title of it was, "Out of the Frying-pan into the Fire." The other was a shorter piece, of less importance, and was occasioned by some private circumstance, or anecdote, among the boys themselves. 214 It is an extraordinary, but well attested fact con- cerning bim, that the first book he ever read with attention was Chambers's Dictionary, which ha fairly and regularly perused from beginning to end. He was always fond of algebra, and was a very skilful algebraist. He taught himself the princi- ples from the above dictionary. After Porson left Eton to reside at Cambridge, a very long time elapsed without there being any intercourse between him and his family. This cir- cumstance has brought upon him, particularly in Norfolk, the severest censure. Yet that this appa- rent, and indeed culpable neglect, did not entirely arise from insensibility to the ties of nature and of blood, is very certain. Porson was undoubtedly not deficient in filial reverence. His sister had not seen her brother for twenty-two years, when, in J 80+, she wrote to inform him, that her father was exceedingly ill, and considered as being in great danger. Porson immediately went down to Nor- folk to see him, and at that time continued for seven weeks with his sister. The old gentleman reco- vered; but when seized with his dying illness, two years afterwards, Porson was again written to by his sister, and again replied to her letter by his pre- sence. This was his last visit into Norfolk, when he passed a month at Coltishall. Now, it must be 8 acknowledged, 215 acknowledged, that these facts demonstrate any thing rather than filial ingratitude, and,pty,T/XcV rj/xe/r, r* htus e^ovra, vpos *XXrOC EKAAUC0HNXEIPECAEKONINCUNE0HKA- NANAKTOC OCMOUKAICTHAHTONAEXAPAHEAOrON". A great many people, and learned people too, thought it an ancient inscription, and so it is, but the Professor omitted to say where he met with it. It is however to be found among the E7riyp*fAfA<*]ot d$tAINHTAI YMEN nPOEINAI H AOEAAI EYXAPISTfiMES EPPHSTE. CHAP. Non hie Centauros, non Gorgonas, Harpyiasque Invenies : hominem pagina nostra sapit. CHAPTER XXXIX. JlROCEED we next to one whose house Porson for a long series of years frequented with more fa- miliarity and regular intimacy, than that of almost any body else. The expression of regular intimacy is deliberately used ; for, in this respect, the Pro- fessor was particularly wayward. After visiting at a friend's house, for perhaps four or five days in succession, he would abruptly, and without any assignable reason, absent himself for as many weeks. The individual of whom we are about to speak, did not in this respect fare better than his neighbours. This individual was # *= # # It appears from the scattered memoranda, from which what follows has been compiled and ar- ranged, that our Sexagenarian's acquaintance with him 24fi him commenced in childhood, but different places of education, and a different period of residence at the university, occasioned a separation for many years ; the connection was renewed, on again meet- ing in the metropolis. His history in few words is this : His father was a clergyman, and master of an endowed free-school in Yorkshire. He received a small number of private boarders into his house, which,' with the addition of curacies, enabled him to live with respectability and comfort. The for- tunes of men often turn upon slight hinges, and he who has the sagacity to avail himself of the fa- vourable opportunities which present themselves, without any imputation on his integrity, is justly entitled to esteem and praise. The elder Mr. * * * was a very good scholar, re- markably quick and intelligent, and, very differ- ent! v from the general herd of mastcis of seed- shops and seminaries, by courtesy ycleped board- ing schools, his plan of educating his pupils was admirable. lie knew the right way, and pursued it : he was not satisfied with his boys having a sort of smaltcrinij of this book and the other what they knew, they knew effectually; for their know- ledge was grounded on the most familiar intimacy vvitU grammar. He was also of a sociable and convivial 247 convivial temper, and exceedingly acceptable to the gentlemen of the neighbourhood. Fortunately tor him, and, indeed, for his family, he served the curacy of a village (the name is now forgotten by the writer), where Lord * * *, who married the gay, alas ! too gay, daughter of Lord 1 resided. Lord was at that time a great favourite with the Queen ; and, at the intercession of his daughter, his Lordship applied to her Majesty for a presentation to a great and. popular seminary, for the subject of this article. The request was granted ; and thus the foundation of his future good fortune was permanently laid. But this was not all the good derived to the family from this splendid connection. In- pre cess of time, the old gentleman, who well deserved it, obtained from the kindness of the same noble family, very valuable preferment. Another son also was en- abled from the same source to appear with great distinction in life, was confidentially and honour- ably employed in their affairs, and did at one time at least, if not now, represent in parliament one of the boroughs in this interest. But, to return to our immediate subject. He passed through the ordinary routine of a public school with credit, whence he removed to Cam- bridge, acquitted himself with great respectability, became 248 became a fellow of the society, and, at the usual period, entered into orders. He was for a time curate of the parish in which some of the relatives of that unfortunate India Captain who perished at sea in the Holwell, resided, and he preached on that occasion a funeral sermon which lie was after- wards induced to publish. As far as recollection is of avail, the discourse was in every respect highly creditable to his sensibility and judgment. A va- cancy happening at the public school where he was educated, among the under masters, he removed thither, and most probably was invited to do so. After various gradations, he rose to the chief situa- tiun, which he retained till his death. He obtained at different times, different pieces of preferment, and having always his house full of pupils, in all probability died opulent. I lis connection with Poison commenced at the university, and was only interrupted by that which breaks all human bonds asunder a summons to the grave. Different a* they were in ttie powers ol intellect, and attainments of learning, properly so called, though it is by no means intended to insi- nuate, that this gentleman's talents and learning were not very highly reputable, yet there was a certain congeniality of mind and sentiment between him and Poison, which tended to confirm and ce- ment their intimacy. They took the same decided Hue 249 line in politics ; both were strenuous advocates, at first, at least, of the French Revolution, both asso- ciated intimately with its warmest defenders, and both were alike sceptical on certain points of eccle- siastical controversy. Of the subject of this article, it was facetiously remarked by a Barrister, who was one of his auditors, that having engaged to preach at Lincoln's Inn, on Trinity Sunday, he preached against the Trinity. But perhaps by this remark no more was intended, than that the preacher did not enter very profoundly into the question, but rather permitted it to escape in a vapour of gene- rality. Both these worthies were deluded enough to think Fox the true lover, and Pitt the decided enemy of his country. But what will not the spirit of party do ? Now, in our opinion, and in more instances than one, Fox was the enemy of -his country. But we are well aware that these may be called prejudices on the other side ; and it is not in- tended to throw down the glove for political hos- tility in this narrative. To show, however, our candour, the following ingenious nonsense is in- serted, which some have given to Porson, others to * * *. It is more probable to have been the pro- duction of the former, who had a great talent for splendid trifles; for trifles they certainly are, even when such a genius sports with them. Oracui.a S50 ORACULA ECHUS DE BliLLO ET STATU NATIONIS. Hue ades, hue ades presto, resonabilis Echo Romanam credidi oloQa. xal cXXwiim AAAEIN AAAEIN. Forsan Sc Gallice, polyglolta, possis loqui ? O qu'oiti. Et Anglica nostra non sit tibi prorsus SgNOTA? NOTA. Bene, rircT$u)vvi.e, Tr No/xr, rr,v ExkX72?j 25G Tf, dtofxxi, mvTuv ri rs^arn rt//AOPA ; .o(r ra-ym., 6cx ! a/xsoov ra yy 2ITAN ? 21 TAN. At causas JJelli nondum dixisti: aperte loQUERE QUiEUE. Qurrram : a?*Xic niihi, quis erit hujusmodi Belli evrntus? VENTUS. Scilicet, fiu&tia tentamus istos subjicere CjALLOS.'' AAAftS. i?rtcanur ergo l)ios_, ut qua in maturimc finiatur cert- AMEN. AMEN. Whoever was the author of the above facctious- ncss, was indebted for the idea to a book of no common occurrence, of which the title is " Lusus Imaginis Jocosir sivc Echus, a variis Poctis, variis Unguis et uuii.criti exculti. Ex Uibiiotheca Theo- lori 253 dori Dousae, I. F. Accessit M. Schoockii Dissertalio de natura Soni et Echus. Ultrajecti. Ex onicina iEgidii Roman. Acad. Typog. 1638." The volume consists of poems, in the style and manner of that above printed, in Greek, Latin, French, Italian, Dutch, German, and English ; a? for example : Echo in Nuptias Nobiliss. Viri HENRicr Van Eede-J* et Nobil. Virginis DousjK, quae maternum stemma ducit e familia Domiuorum Van Reed en. Die age quern tlialamo deposcit filia Reeden \'i Eeden num thalamo vota parata? rata. Num sponsum inoresque probos adamabit ? amabti Qualis ei conjunx ? res operosa ? rasa. Quae pestis procul esse velis ? lis optima virtus Conjugii quae sit, die mihi clamor ? amor. Dicite saxa, thori quae spes, num foemina vel nw Mas. At Posteritas quos sibi dicet avos? Vos. Sibi num celebres Dowmus annectere gaudet? Audit Quid sponso dicere mane ? mane Num colet Henricus teneraui sine labe puellam ? Ellam num magnum credet amare*? mare'-' An mihi tarn chari thalami fas dicere civis ? Si vis at Musae si faveant 't aveant Num candor, doctrina, boni cultura sodalis, lt probitans illi est uuica Thais r ais. C. Barlxl's. Thij 254 This Caspar, or Gaspar Barlaeus was a very learned physician of Antwerp, of whom Vossius says, " Dubiuin Foeta inelior an Philosophus." Many of his works are extant, and highly esteemed. But, to return to our subject. Let not such of * * *'s surviving friends as may peruse this article take offence, when it is asserted that he was not the most profound of scholars, nor was his taste the finest and most accurate in the world ; but he was certainly an excellent teacher, and many very eminent scholars have been pro- duced under his guidance. He was far from defi- cient in judgment, was possessed of excellent com- mon sense, and was wise enough to turn his fami- liar and intimate connection with Porson to excel- lent use. Many a lecture on the Greek dramas has smacked sensibly of the Professor. It is not known that he ever wrote any thing by which 'the sermon above-mentioned excepted) his intellectual powers, or acquired attainments, can be brought to the test. The oration which follows in the Ap- pendix was undoubtedly of his composition. As one of Porson's has been exhibited, composed by him in very early youth, it should be noticed that the oration subjoined was produced not a great while before * * * changed this state for a better. They who are so disposed may there, if they please, enter into a ciitical examination and coin- t parison 255 parison of the Latinity of these two distinguished personages. We have something else to do. It is not pretended to say that the author of this last oration was defective in good taste with respect to literary composition, but it is rather extraordinary that so protracted a course of scholastic discipline did not create more. One thing is alike remark- able and certain, and was notorious to the pupils in almost every division of their classes, that their master had no great talent for versification. They who have seen the Masters of Westminster, of Eton, or Harrow, correct verse exercises, must be well aware of the extreme readiness, facility, and precision, with which a false quantity is detected, an unpoetical word erased, a better substituted, and every part of the rhythm accurately deter- mined. Whereas the learned man of whom we are speaking, made few or no remarks when cor- recting verse exercises, and was generally satisfied with putting a mark under the mistakes of his boobies. This is not intended to depreciate his value as a schoolmaster. By no means ; as a mas- ter, ne had the more useful and valuable qualities, though he could not be said to have had much of poetry in his composition. It is an old and generally received adage, " a man is known by the company he keeps." We will not altogether apply this to * * * in the present C5(J present case, because it is most willingly con ceded that he had a great share of mildness and benevolence in his temper ; and perhaps it might be illiberal to infer, that his kindness to certain in- dividuals was the result of an entire congeniality and community of feeling. We trust that it was not, and more particularly with respect to one person, hereafter to be mentioned. Of the subject of this article, little more remains to be said, than that he died prematurely, and much lamented by an extensive circle of friends and acquaintance. It does not appear that he left behind him any thing with the view of publication, though among his manuscripts, particularly when his long intimacy with Poison is remembered, them must probably have been many things well deserv- ing of public notice. tit A P. Alteram genus est eorum, qui quanquam premuutur aere alieno, dominationem tamen expectant : rerum potiri volunt, bonores quos quieta republica desperant, perturbata con- sequi se posse aibitrantur. CHAPTER XL. X HE individual alluded to in the conclusion of the preceding article was j # # * * # Q##### than whom a more extraordinary character has not of late years, appeared as a candidate for public notice. He was born, if we mistake not, in the Island of St. Christopher's, in the West-Indies. He was the presumed heir to considerable property, but this was the subject of legal dispute. In the interval, J * * * * * was sent to England for his education, and being placed under the care of the late emi- nent surgeon, Mr. Bromfield, he was by that gen- tleman consigned to Doctor, at that time Mr. Parr. vol. l. S Mr, **) o Mr. Parr having been disappointed in his views of succeeding Dr. Sumner in the head mastership of Harrow school, had established himself in its vici- nity, at Stanmore, whither he brought with him many of his former pupils, sons of noblemen, and other distinguished persons. G ***** soon gave proofs of the greatest abi- lities, and had he, fortunately for himself and the world, pursued his natural propensities for lite- rary pursuits, he would, beyond all doubt, have shone as a star of the first magnitude, and avoided the miserable fate, which at a premature period, re- moved him from the world. But he was all fire a real child of the sun w ithout deliberation or re- flection, without care or thought of remoter conse- quences, he yielded implicitly to the first impulses of his mind, and was too proud and too lofty to retract or recede. Most unluckily, at the moment when G ***** was beginning to feel the consci- ousness of his intellectual superiority, the poisonous and malignant seeds of the Trench Revolution had .shewn their germs above the surface of the earth, and were advancing to an ill-omened maturity. The delusive cry jf liberty always impresses the youth- l'ul mind with an impatient ardcur, and when pro- perly disciplined and restrained, may afterwards display itself in the zeal of a sound and honest pa- triotism, and eventually become the parent of every manly 259 manly virtue. But when the object of this ardour takes a false name and wrong direction, when zeal is misled by an ignis fatuus, and not by the genuine flame of real liberty when the name of liberty is made the stalking horse of ambition, the instrument of selfish ends and motives, the tool of the dema- gogue, the whoop of a low and sanguinary multi- tude, what great, what dire, and what deplorable mischiefs may be expected, we have too disastrous a proof in the source, progress, and history of the French Revolution. It was this false fire which led J * * * * G * * * * astray, and with no ordinary deviation. It was not like the error of an inconsiderate young man, who for a time obeys the impulse of some particular passion, but on reflection sees his danger, retraces his steps, and makes compensation by acknow- ledging his indiscretion, and afterwards pursuing the safe and straight line of duty. G * * * * * all at once, like an unbroken colt, burst every check and restraint, and bounded away over hill and dale, through woods, over plains and rivers, with the impetuous and ungovernable fury of the wildest buffalo. The word liberty being once sounded in his ears, he dressed up her image in the gaudiest hues of a vivid imagination, and bowed before it, with all the devotion of the most superstitious idolatry. s 2 Tw 260 In the interval, however, but it is not pretended to be particularly accurate as to chronological pe- riods, G * * * * * returned to the West-Indies, where iie married, and had a son and a daughter. There he left his wife and children, and coining back to England, immediately took an active part in the busy and perilous scenes which were then exhi- biting. His former and natural love of literature was totally forgotten, or rather absorbed, by the boundless prospects presented to his political am- bition, lie had made some preparations to be called to the bar, but all ideas of entering upon any profession, were now contemptuously thrown aside, and conventions, corresponding societies, committees, delegates, &c. danced before his dis- turbed fancy, in all the mazes of political confu- sion. Finally, he became a zealous and active member of the Corresponding Society, and in the year 1793, had, what to his infatuated mind appeared no or- dinary distinction, the high honour of being elected with Maurice Margarot (par nobile jratrum) as a delegate to what was absurdly denominated the British Convention, which assembled at Edin- lr;ryh. licit bo it permitted to pause awhile, and la- ment the wa) wurdiicss of this man's mind. There was no eminence in any nrofession to which he might 261 might not have aspired, and had he pursued any other path but the delusive one which obtained his partial preference, he might have lived in dignified independence, and left a revered and honoured name behind him. His temper, it must be con- fessed, was not of the most conciliating kind, and like most of the lovers of reform, and advocates of liberty and equality, he was tyrannical, insolent, imperious, and overbearing. Among his other qualifications, he had consider- able theatrical talents, and when very young, per- formed the arduous character of Zanga in the Re- venge, to the admiration and delight, of a numerous and very enlightened assembly. The individuals with whom he ostensibly lived in the greatest familiarity, were his old master, Dr. Parr, Mr. (now Sir James) Mackintosh, his old school-fellow, the Historian of Hindostan, Mr. She- ridan, Dr. Raine, and the editors of those papers more particularly pre-eminent in their opposi- tion to the measures of government, and their countenance of the French Revolution. But it is now well known, that he had other unavowed connections ; that, like Jaffier, he had his midnight divan, where he presided as Auto- cratist. His principles gave way, either to the contagion of the low and mean herd, with whom he finally 262 finally associated, or were made subservient to his political schemes and projects. He once had the candour to make this acknowledgment himself; but he ultimately threw off all regard to decorum; lived in open licentiousness, and indulged in every sensual irregularity. His writings of a particular kind were very nu- merous, but chiefly consisted of small pamphlets, letters, and paragraphs ; all of them characterized by great vigour and acuteness. His most extensive work was entitled, " A Convention the only Means of saving us from Ruin," which was distinguished by its extraordinary boldness, and contemptuous disregard of existing authorities. The melancholy sequel of his story is well known ; but it may be a public benefit, and operate as a beacon to the young and unwary, here to recapi- tulate it. The writer of this article saw him for the last time, when he was about to take his depar- ture for Scotland, to surrender himself for trial. He evaded the recollection of an old acquaintance. There was a haggard wildness in his looks, a dis- order in his air, a sort of despondency in his demea- nour, which made an indelible impression. He was for a lon^ time confined in Newgate, on his way from Scotland to fulfil his sentence of trans- portation to Botany Bay. Here his pride was gra- tified, and his mental exacerbation soothed, by a crowd 63 crowd of visitors, some of whom were of no mean rank. It is singular to say, but the fact is indispu- table, that while he was in Newgate, orders for Drury-lane Theatre, with the signature of J * * * * * G .** * * *, were admitted. This may well excite sur- prize, but when this was written, there were many living evidences able to bear testimony to the fact. Another thing too, which may at first view appear alike difficult of belief, is, that whilst he was in Newgate, Lord Melville (then Mr. Dundas) sent to him, and offered to be the instrument of obtain- ing his free pardon, on condition of his signing a paper, purporting his determination to conduct himself for the time to come, as a peaceable and quiet subject. This he positively and ungraciously refused refused too at a moment, when his health was obviously giving way to the irregularities of his life, and the perturbation of his mind ; when he had great reason to think, that he was going to certain and inevitable death. Various offers of money were made him by pri- vate persons : these also he pertinaciously rejected. lie was well supplied elsewhere. One thing, how- ever, unfortunately for himself, he did not refuse, namely, that which undermined and finally de- stroyed his constitution he indulged in the fatal habi< of drinking spirits. He departed for the place of his destination, without any ostensible de- pression 64 pression of spirits, and, as might be anticipated, he returned no more. The writer of this sketch has heard, and so have many others, Porson relate a singular anecdote of G * * * * *. He had occasionally met Porson, but though perhaps on one or two topics, there might exist something like community of sentiment be- tween them, intimacy was out of the question. G*****was too tierce and boisterous, and had of late years too much neglected those pursuits which absorbed Porson's attention altogether, to make them at all likely to assimilate. Porson was one morning at his solitary breakfast in the Temple, whenG***** called upon him, accompanied by a female. He desired permission and materials to write a letter. After spending a considerable time, in reading, writing, altering, and consulting his female companion, he finished his letter, and returning thanks to the Professor, took his leave. Porson saw no more of him for an interval of three years, when (and Porson's accuracy might always be trusted in what related to memory) on that very day three years, precisely the same scene was repeated. Q * * * * * cari )e a second time, at the same hour, accompanied by the same female, requested leave and materials to write a letter, con- sulted his companion as before, and having finished what 265 what he was about, in like manner took his leave, and departed. Porson saw him no more. q # * * i e f t a son . by th e benevolence of pri- vate friends, he was educated at the Charter-house, and is now occupied in some of the various branches of the law. CHAT* Desine blanditias et verba potoruia quondam Perdere, non ego sum stultus, ut ante fui. CHAPTER XLI. j j * # # # * ^y * * * * * * A HE series of biographical sketches is for a time interrupted, to revert to the more immediate object of this narrative. Another work of considerable magnitude, undertaken by the writer of these Fragments, Mas proposed to, and accepted by, those most effectual patrons of literary men the booksellers. This occasioned on his part a survey and examination of those more distinguished per- sonages, to whom an introduction had been ob- tained from the claim of literary attainments, with the view of selecting a patron for this new work. -After due deliberation, the individual fixed upon was II * * * * * W ***** * ? of whom more here- al't< r. He was accordingly solicited for the honour of his permission to prefix his name to the medi- tated publication, and this honour was graciously conceded. A difficulty now presented itself. An author rising slowly from obscurity, is apt for a while to be dazzled with the splendour of elevated rank, 267 rank, and to feel his powers somewhat depressed and awed, in the presence of rank and grandeur. There must, however, be a dedication to this great man, the composition of which seemed more diffi- cult and more formidable, than the execution of the proposed work itself, though of the extent of seve- ral volumes. It was, therefore, alter many vain and unsatisfactory attempts, finally determined to call for external aid. This aid was at hand, and a Dedication was written by a powerful and friendly hand. As the Dedication itself, and the manner in which it was refused, seem to form no incurious literary anecdote, the reader, it is hoped, will be amused with what follows, and may employ himself, if he shall think proper, in endeavouring, from a compa- rison and analysis of the style, to discover who the friend was that supplied the Dedication. My Lord, Men of learning will see at a glance, and men of' sensibility will strongly feel the propriety of the permission which I have requested, to dedicate such a work as * * * * to such a nobleman as the Earl of * * *. From the curious researches into antiquities, and the elegant disquisitions in criticism which adorn the 26*8 the work I have now the honour to lay hefore the public, under the protection of your exalted name, their minds will naturally be turned towards those numerous writings, with which you have enlightened and charmed your contemporaries, and in which posterity will acknowledge, that the most various erudition is happily united with judgment the most correct, and taste the most relined. Like the worthies of whom we read in Greek and Roman story, you find in old age a calm and dignified consolation from the continuance of those studies, which, with the lustre of high birth, and amidst the fascinating allurements of ambition, you, my Lord, have devoted a long and honoura- ble life to the calmer and more ingenuous pursuits of literature. Perhaps, my Lord, you feel new affiance in the wisdom of your choice, when you reflect on the peculiar circumstances of the times, which, big uo they have been with awful events, and fatal as they may be to the fairest forms of society, leave * * Aliter. Leave in the sacred retreats of science some- shelter to wise and good men, disgusted with the view of surrounding crime-;, and alarmed at the prospect of impending woes. Or thus, Leave some shelter to the contemplative scholar and the dispassionate philosophise in 269 in the sacred retreats of science some shelter to the human mind, disgusted with the view of human crimes, and damped with the prospect of human woes. I have the honour to be, &c. &c. But all this would not do. The noble Lord de- clined all these fine things, in the following letter. Oh si sic omnia. I do beg and beseech you, my good Sir, to for- give me, if I cannot possibly consent to receive the Dedication you were so kind and partial as to propose to me. I have, in the most positive and almost uncivil manner, refused a Dedication or two lately. Compliments on virtues which the persons addressed, like me, seldom possessed, are happily exploded, and laughed out of use. Next to being ashamed of having good qualities bestowed upon me to which I should have no title, it would hurt me to be praised for my erudition, which is most superficial, and on my trifling writ- ings, all of which turn on most trifling subjects. They amused me while writing them, may have amused a few persons, but have nothing solid enough to 270 to preserve them from being forgotten with other things of as light a nature. 1 would not have your judgment called in ques- tion hereafter, if somebody reading your work should ask, " What are these writings of Lord Orford which this author so much commends ? Was Lord Orford more than one of the mob of gentlemen who wrote with ease ?" Into that class I must sink, and I had rather do so imperceptibly, than be plunged down to it by the interposition of the hand of a friend, who could not gainsay the sentence. Tor your own sake, my good Sir, as well as in pity to my feelings, who am sore at your offering what I cannot accept, restrain the address to a mean (sic) inscription. You are allowed to be an excellent * * * *. How unclassic would a Dedi- cation in the old fashioned manner appear, if you had published * * *, and had ventured to prefix a Greek or Latin Dedication to some modern Lord, with a Gothic title ! Still less had these addresses been in vogue at Rome, would any Roman author have inscribed his work to Marcus, the incompetent son of Cicero, and tell the unfortunate offspring of so great a man of his high birth and declension of ambition. It would have excited a laugh on poor Marcus, who, whatever may have been said of him, had more sense 5271 sense than to leave proofs to the public of his ex- treme inferiority to his father. I am, dear Sir, with great regard, Your much obliged, [And I hope by your compliance with my earnest request to be your much more obliged] And obedient humble servant, # # * # Another Dedication was submitted to the noble Lord's deliberation, but neither did this altogether satisfy him, as appears from the following expres- sion of his opinion. Dear Sir, I scarce know how to reply to your new flattering proposal. I am afraid of appearing guilty of af- fected modesty, and yet I must beg your pardon, if I most sincerely and seriously entreat you to drop all thoughts of complimenting me, and my house and collection. If there is truth in man, it would hurt, not give me satisfaction. If you could see my heart, and know what I think of myself, you would be convinced that I think myself unworthy of praise, and am so far from set- 8 tinsr 272 ting value on any thing I have done, that could I recall time, and recommence my life, I have long been persuaded, that, thinking as I do now, nothing would induce me to appear on the stage of the public. Youth, great spirits, vanity, some flattery, (for I was a Prime Minister's son) had made me believe I had some parts, and perhaps I had some, and on that rock I split ; for how vast the distance between some parts and genius, original genius, which I confess is so supremely my admiration, and so ho- nest is my pride, for that I never deny, that being conscious of not being a genius, I do not care a straw in which rank of mediocrity I may be placed. I tried before I was capable of judging myself, but having carefully examined and discovered my ex- treme inferiority to the objects of my admiration, I have passed sentence on my trifles, and hope nobody will think better of them than I do myself, and then they will soon obtain that oblivion, out of which I wish I had never endeavoured to emerge. All this I allow, Sir, you will naturally doubt, yet the latter part of my life has been of a piece with my declaration. I have not only abandoned my mistaken vocation, but have been totally silent to some unjust attacks, because I did not choose my name should be mentioned when I could help it. It will be therefore indulgent in a friend, to let 873 let me pass away unnoticed as I wish, and I should be a hypocrite indeed, (which indeed I am not) if it were possible for me to receive compliments from a gentleman, whose abilities I respect so much as I do yours. I must have been laying perfidious snares for flattery, or I must be sincere. I trust your candour and charity will at least hope I am the latter, and that you will either punish my dissi- mulation, by disappointing it, or oblige me, as you will nssuredly do, by dropping your intention. I am perfectly content with the honour of your friend- ship, and beseech you to let these be the last lines that I shall have occasion to write on the disagree- able subject of * * *. Dear Sir, Your obedient humble servant, Means were contrived to appease the apprehen- sions and satisfy the scruples of the venerable Peer. The work was published under the sanction of his name, and is now out of print. That he did like the Dedication in its ultimate form, appears from the following. Dear Sir, I beg a thousand pardons for not returning your Preface, which I like much, and to which I could vol. i. T hnd 374 find but one very slight correction to make, which I have marked with pencil. But I confess I waited anxiously for an assurance from you, that you would suppress the intended Dedication, which I should have been extremely sorry to have seen appear. I have this moment received that promise, and am infinitely obliged by your compliance. I shall be in town on Saturday, and happy to see you in Berkeley-square, when you shall have a mo- ment to bestow on Your obedient servant, # # CHAP. Auimu* quod perdidit optat, Atque in praeterita se totus imagine versat. CHAPTER XLIII. OUR Sexagenarian knew and saw Lord * * * * much and often, both before and after he came to the title, the accession to which (whatever and however just may have been the imputation on his vanity) most assuredly was a vexation to him, rather than a pleasure. The first introduction of the parties in question to each other, was at one of those evening parties, contemptuously denominate^ Blue Stocking Club. There was really nothing in these assemblies to provoke or justify contempt, for tbey in fact consisted of a considerable number of very accomplished persons of both sexes, and except that Ihe entertainment was confined to con- versation, with the occasional introduction of music, they were cheerful, interesting, and the vehicle of circulating much curious information on Subjects of literature and science. The principal persons were Mrs. Carter, Mrs. Montague, Horace t Walpole, 576 AValpole, Sir Charles Blagden, the Miss Baillies, Lady Louisa Macdonald, the Miss Berries, Lady Herries, Mrs. John Hunter, the two Messrs. Ly- sons, Mr. (now Sir Everard) Home, Aleppo Russel, and a great many other very considerable persons both as to rank and talent. One of the principal houses of resort for these meetings, was John Hunter's, and the old Philosopher himself occa- sionally mingled with the party, and enjoyed the social conversation. The first place, however, was, by a sort of com- mon consent, whenever he appeared among them, which was very often, assigned to H * . * # # * W ***** *. He well deserved the distinction, on such occasions at least. His resources of anec- dote were inexhaustible ; his mode of communi- cating what he knew, was easy, gracious, and ele- gant, as can be imagined. He was the last of the old school, after the death of the venerable Earl Bathurst, who, when he left the world, seems not to have had a surviving friend, to record his various talents and accomplishments. Yet Lord Bathurst was a noble- man of no ordinary attainments, of admirable taste, acute discernment, and great learning. When in the decline of life, and his sight began to fail him, his relation and chaplain, the present Bishop of Norwich, used to read the classics to him. The Bishop is known to be an excellent scholar, yet Lord 277 Lord Bathurst would every now and then stop him, and say, " Harry, you read that passage as if yon did not understand it ; let me hear you read it again." He would then, with the greatest preci- sion, explain any difficulty which might have oc- curred, and was pleased >vith the opportunity of communicating what he knew. The reader, it is hoped, will excuse this digres- sion in favour of a great and good man ; but it is time to return to H * * * * * W * * * # * *. As far as verbal communication went, or com- munication of what he retained in his memory, availed, all his stores were at the service of literary men, and many of our modern popular books owe much of their zest and interest to this sort of assist- ance received from Lord * * * *. Among others, Pennant's London was very particularly indebted to his " Reminiscences." The Messrs. Lysons will doubtless not deny their obligations of a similar kind, nor Mr. Nichols ; nor would the late Mr. Gough, nor Michael Lort, nor Michael Tyson, nor a great many others. Further than such commu- nication, with perhaps the exception of a scanty dinner at Strawberry-hill, there is no instance on record of his liberality having proceeded. He cer- tainly was proud of being considered as a sort of patron of literature, and a friend to literary men, but he did not choose to purchase the pre-eminence at 278 at a higher price than a little flattery and praise, and a pudding neither over large nor over solid. Here two anecdotes occur not to be forgotten. Upon one occasion, a gentleman of no small liter rary distinction, who had a sort of general in- vitation to his Villa, was induced by a fine summer morning to pay his respects to Lord O, On his arrival, he was kindly greeted, and invited to stay and dine. The invitation was accepted. The noble Lord rang his bell, and on the appear- ance of his Swi^s, enquired what there was for din- ner. " Hashed mutton, my Lord," was the reply. " Let there be hashed mutton for two, as Mr. * * * is to dine with me." In a very short time, the Swiss returned with a long face " My Lord, there is only hashed mutton for one." The visitor made his apologies, engaged to come again at a more favourable opportunity, and left T in impransus. N. B. His Lordship's servants were always on board-wages. The other anecdote is not much less whimsical, and this relates to the writer himself. On his first invitation to dinner with his Lord- ship, he accompanied Mr. K. There were no other guests. The Sexagenarian presumed that he should for once enjoy the luxury of a splendid din- ner, and prepared himself accordingly. Dinner was served, when to the poor author's astonish- ment, ' 279 ment, one dish only smoked upon the noble board, and that too, as ill luck would have it, was a species of fish not very agreeable to the palate of the guest. He waited, however, in patience, and the fish was succeeded by a leg of mutton. Wae worth the man, who, in the pride and naughtiness of his heart, presumes to say any thing to the disparagement of a leg of mutton. The author, however, thought that he might have leg of mutton at home, and taking it for granted, that at a nobleman's table, a second course would succeed, where there would be some tit-bit to pamper his appetite, he was very sparingly helped. Alas ! nothing else made its appearance. " Well then,'' exclaimed the dis- appointed visitor, " I must make up with cheese." His Lordship did not eat cheese. So to the great amusement of his companion, the poor author re- turned hungry, disconcerted, and half angry. He was, however, regaled on his arrival in Russel- street with a roast duck. "With respect to Chatterton, the less, perhaps, that is said the better. We are certain of two things, that Chatterton made application to him for assistance, communicating, at the same time, testimonies of his necessities, and of his talents. In return, he received nothing. The Rev. Mr. L * # * * * was his chaplain, but it does not appear that he either gave him any pre- ferment, or used his interest to procure any thing for 280 for him. He did once indeed put himself a little out of his way. Being called upon to ask a living lor a poor clergyman, who, as he confessed, had claims upon him, he wrote the following letter to the Commissioners of the Great Seal, at a parti- cular period, when a Lord Chancellor had not yet been appointed. " To the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal. " The Larl of * * * * *, not presuming on having any claim to ask any favour of the Lords Commissioners, nor trespassing so far, hopes their Lordsliips will not think he takes too great a liberty in this address : but having been requested to give an attestation to the character an J merit of a very worthy clergyman, who is a suitor to their Lord- ships for the vacant living of * * * *, Lord ***** cannot help bearing his testimony to the deserts of * * * *, whose virtues, great learning, and abili- ties, make him worthy of preferment, which are in- ducements with Lord ***** to join his mite to these far more interesting recommendations, which he hopes will plead his pardon with their Lordships for troubling them by this intrusion." This was a true courtier's letter, and as such it was considered by the Lords Commissioners, who returned a civil answer, and bestowed the prefer- ment 281 ment elsewhere. Yet let us be permitted here to make an observation on the short-sightedness of man, and the limited penetration of the greatest human sagacity. Our disappointments are always in proportion to our hopes ; and as the expectation from such an interposition was very great, so was the mortification and regret which accompanied the refusal. Yet had the petitioner, in the above in- stance, obtained what he so ardently hoped and so eagerly expected, it would eventually have proved a severe injury and real misfortune. It would necessarily have removed him from the the- atre on which he was progressively advancing to reputation, and where his exertions subsequently obtained far greater and more desireable advan- tages. CttAP. Coniis convivis nunquam inclamare clientes, Ad fanutlos muiquam tristia verba loqui ; Ut placidos nioreb, tianquillos sic cole manes, Et cape ab * * * munus Amice Vale. CHAPTER XLIV. ABOUT this period, the fever of the French Re- volution was beginning to manifest its effects, in some of those horrible paroxysms of frenzy, which produced crimes that will for ever throw a stain upon the pages of French history. The alarm was contagious, and, in every part of Europe, infected the serious, reflecting, and, more particularly, the aged part of the community. In this country it was verily believed, that the apprehension of seeing the French atrocities perpetrated among us, acce- lerated the death of many individuals. The ami- able and excellent Mr. C * * *, endured such extreme and constant anxiety on this head, that it greatly disturbed his tranquillity, threw a gloom over 283 over his ordinary occupations and pursuits, under* mined his health, and hastened his dissolution. Neither did Lord * * * * escape the panic. How great and serious was the perturbation of his mind, will sufficiently appear from the following letters, which, in other respects also, appear to be worth preserving. Sept, 24-, 1792. You do me too much honour, dear Sir, in pro- posing to me to furnish you with observations on * * * which you are so much more capable of ex- ecuting yourself. I flatter myself you do not think me vain enough to attempt it. Your own learning, and your familiarity with all the classic authors, render you more proper for the task than any man. I, on the contrary, am most unqualified. It is long since I have been conversant with classic litera- ture Greek I have quite forgotten ; but, above all, I hold Seventy-five so debilitating an age to whatever may have been taken for parts, and have so long pitied authors of Senilis, that I am sure I will not degrade your work by mixing my dregs with it ; nor, by your good nature and good breed- ing, lay you under the difficulty of admitting or re- jecting what you, probably would find unworthy of being adopted. I have great satisfaction in read- ing 284 ing what you write ; but beg to be excused from writing for you to read. Most entirely do I agree with you, Sir, on all French politics, and their consequences here it is indeed to be forced to call assassinations and mas- sacres, politics. It is my opinion, like yours, that homicides should be received no where, much less monsters who proclaim rewards for murderers. What can put a stop to such horrors sooner than shutting every country upon earth against unparal- leled criminals r There may be inconveniencies, no doubt, from a vast influx of the present poor refugees, but I con- fess I see more advantages. They will spread their own, and the calamities of their country a neces- sary service, when some newspapers, paid by Jaco- bin, perhaps by Presbyterian, money, labour to de- fend, or conceal, or palliate such infernal scenes, which can only be done by men who would kindle like tragedies here. The sufferers that arrive, many being conscientious ecclesiastics, must, I should hope, be a warning to the Catholics in Ire- land not to be the tools of the Dissenters there, and of another use they may certainly be : they will be the fittest and surest detectors of their dia- bolic countrymen, who arc labouring mischief here, both openly and covertly. Of their covert trans- actions we have a gloomy proof in the Drawer, who, having 285 having subscribed a guinea to the defence of Po- land, and redemanding it, received a guinea's worth of Paine's pamphlet in return. This fact evinces that the opening of that subscription was not, as it seemed to be, the most ridiculously impotent at- tempt that ever was made, but a deep-laid plan of political swindling. Had it produced a thousand or five thousand pounds, it would have removed Mount Athos as soon as have stopped one Russian soldier. No ! under colour of pity towards the ho- nest and to be lamented Poles, it is evident that it was a scheme for raising a new sum for dissemi- nating sedition, and therefore I wish the vile trick might be made public. It may warn well meaning persons against being drawn into those subscrip- tions ; and such a base trick of swindling should be laid open and exposed in severe terms. I am just going to General * * * for a few days, and am, Dear Sir, Your most sincere and obliged Humble servant, # * # * 2S6 Oct. 16, 1792. I agree most sincerely and sadly with you, Dear Sir, in being shocked at the lamentable change o* scene , but am far from knowing more than you do, which are general reports ; nor whether there have been other causes than the evident, constant deluge, which have annihilated, for all good pur- poses, the Duke of Brunswick's army. It is not less horrid to hear that the abominations of France, which had made us so rich, and promised such se- curity to us, should now tend to threaten us with something of similar evils. I say with something, for, till this year, I did not conceive human nature capable of going such execrable lengths as it has done in France ; and therefore I grow diffident, and dare not pronounce any thing impossible. But, alas! the subject is too vast for a letter. May our apprehensions be too quick may a favourable, turn happen ! Foresight and conjecture we find arc most fallible: and I have on all emergencies found them so. In my long life I have seen very black icras, but they vanished, and the sky clearcd- again. I am very sorry I cannot directly accept the kind ofier you and Mr. K. arc so good as to make 287 make me, but you shall hear frm me again as soon as I am sure of my own movements. I am, Dear Sir, Most sincerely, 4 .. # # # Extract from a Letter, dated Nov. 2, 179. Dear Sir, I thank you for your information on the two Latin words, and am persuaded you are perfectly right : Xenophon might be so too, in his solution of the Spartan permission of robbery. As he was very sensible, it is no wonder he tried to explain so seemingly gross a contradiction, as an allowance of theft, where there was a community of property. But, to say the truth, I little regard the asser- tions of most ancient authors, especially in their accounts of other countries than their own ; and even about their own, I do not give them implicit credit. They dealt little in the spirit of criticism, information was difficult to be obtained, nor did they pique themselves on accuracy, but set down whatever they heard, without examination. With many 188 many of the contrary advantages, how little historic truth is to be gleaned even now ! I wish the report of the delivery of the King and Queen of France were not still unauthentic cated. One did wish to believe it, not only for their sakcs, but as some excuse for the otherwise inex- plicable conduct of the King of Prussia. He still wants a Xcnophon ; so do the Austrians too, who, with four times his numbers, do not make quite so sagacious a retreat. *#*** Vain-glory shall not be one of my last acts. Visions I have certainly had, but they have been amply dispelled. I have seen a noble seat built by a very wise man, who thought he had reason to expect it would remain to his pos- terity, as long as human foundations do in the ordi- nary course of things ; alas ! Sir, I have lived to be the last of that posterity, and to see the glorious collection of pictures, that were the principal orna- ments of the house, gone to the North Pole, and to have the house remaining, half a ruin, on my hands. Forgive me, dear Sir, for dwelling so long on this article ; not too long for my gratitude, which is perfect, but perhaps too full on my own senti- ments. But how could I do otherwise than open my mind to so obliging a friend, from whom I can- not conceal weaknesses, to which both my nature J and 289 and my age have made me liable ? But they have not numbed my sensibility ; and, while I do exist, I shall be, Dear Sir, Your most obliged, &c. # # *r Nov. 17, 1793. Dear Sir, I have been so much out of order for near four months, that quiet is absolutely necessary to me ; and I have remained here, to avoid every thing that could agitate or disturb me, French politics especially, which are so shocking, that I avoid all discussion of them as much as possible, and have quite declined seeing any of the Emigres in my neighbourhood, that I may not hear details. Some of the most criminal have, indeed, brought swift destruction on themselves ; and, as they have ex- ceeded all former ages in guilt, we may trust they will leave a lesson to mankind that will prevent their fury from being imitated. Pray excuse my saying more than that I am, Dear Sir, Yours most sincerely, # # # vol. I- U Many 290 Many loiters, of course, passed in the interval ; but the next which presents itself as worthy of attention, is the following : Dear Sir, You would have heard of mc before this time, but I have not been well since I cume hither, and I am going to London to-morrow, for a few days, as I am sorry to say the atmosphere of the town agrees better with me than the air of the country ; at least, I find that change now and then is of use. However, I think of coming back on Monday, and if you have half an hour to spare before that day, I shall be very glad to see you in Berkeley-square. I approve extremely of ***** * ? and its tem- per, which will contribute to establish its reputation; though I do not doubt but he will sometimes be O provoked to sting those who would wield daggers, if they dared. Though perhaps ridicule may have more effect than nettles. Teach the people to laugh at incendiaries, and they will hiss, and not huzza them. Montesquieu's brief answer to the critics of his Esprit des Loix, and Voltaire's Short Summary of the Nouvelle Eloise, were more felt and tasted than regular confutations, and are oftener resumed ; for the world does not supply readers enough for the daily mass of new publications : it must 291 must expect to be diverted, I mean at times, for it has not quick digestion enough to feed long on solid food only. Nay, men who have sense to comprehend sound reasoning, are too few and too sedate to trumpet the reputation of grave authors ; and by pronouncing just and temperate judgments, (for such men do not exaggerate,) they excite no curiosity in the herd of idle readers. The deepest works that have become standards, owe their cha- racters to length of time ; but periodic publications must make rapid impression, or are shoved aside by their own tribe ; and to acquire popularity, must gain noisy voices to their side. This is not the most eligible ; but as the object of the * * * * is to serve his country by stemming error, and exposing its apostles, the favour of the multitude must be gained, and it is necessary to tickle them before they will bite. I am, Dear Sir, Yours most sincerely, # * * Lord * * * retained, to the latest period of his life, his vivacity of conversation and powers of memory. The last anecdote which our Sexage- narian heard him relate, was his explaining the reason which induced him to seek for a town resi- w 2 dence deuce in Berkeley-square. In the time of Sir Ro* bert Walpole it was the established etiquette that the prime minister returned no visits: it may pro- bably be so now. But, on his leaving office, Sir Kobert took the earliest opportunity of visiting his friends; and one morning he happened to pass, for tills purpose, through Berkeley-square, the whole of which had actually been built whilst he was minister, and he had never before seen it. He stopped the coachman, and desired to know where he was. This incident alone prevailed upon his son, Horace, to take the first opportunity which offered, of purchasing a mansion in this place. One of his amusements in the latter part of his life, was to preserve all the seals of the numerous letters he received, in a china vase, which was placed upon his writing table. Once a week he examined them carefully, and putting aside such as were remarkable or curious, lie destroyed the rest ; and thus, as he observed, he obtained, on easy terms, a curious collection of antique seals and gems. His breakfast service was of very beautiful Dresden china, which lie never would permit any of the domestics to touch. He always washed them, and put them away himself. His Lordship was applied to in a very compli- mentary letter from the lute and last King of Po- land, 293 land, for a set of his Anecdotes of Painting. It was not till this occasion presented itself, that he had any idea of the scarcity or value of the books, which he printed at Strawberry Hill. The only copy he had was interleaved, and full of marginal notes, additions, and corrections. He would often good humouredly relate the extreme difficulty he found in procuring a copy of the work, suitable, as to condition, to the rank of the Royal petitioner for it, as well as the chagrin he ex- perienced in being obliged to purchase it at the enormous price of forty guineas. The only classical work Lord * * * printed, was a beautiful edition of Lucan. The proof sheets were corrected by. Cumberland, and consi- derable pains were bestowed upon it ; nevertheless, though exceedingly scarce, and of high price, it is in no very great estimation for its accuracy. His establishment at his villa was not very splendid ; nor had his Lordship a very high cha- racter for hospitality. It Mas facetiously said by an author, who went to dine at , on invitation, that he returned as he went exceed- ingly hungry. He had, however, his gala days, when splendour went hand in hand with plenty. But his servants were on board-wages ; and when alone, his Lordship lived on the very humblest fare, drinking only water. He was a dreadful martvr 294 martyr to the gout, and the chalk-stones on his fingers were distressing to see : he held his pen with difficulty between his first and second finger. On the first symptoms of the approach of gout, he plunged his feet into cold water by many thought a most desperate experiment, but from which he, of course, either received benefit, or conceived that he did. He was, in the truest sense of the word, a per- fect courtier. He was consummately insincere; and would compliment and flatter those in conver- sation, whom, in his correspondence, he sneered at and abused. This was, in a more particular man* ner, the case with some literary acquaintances, who, when he wanted their aid and information in the prosecution of any pursuit, were ostensibly very high indeed in his esteem ; but, when he had got all he wanted, were either noticed with cold- ness, or made objects of his ridicule and contempt. This was remarkably the fact with respect to Ri- chard Gough, and Cole of Milton. He was accustomed to speak of those admirable specimens of satire, the Baviad and Maeviad, in terms of rapture : his expression was, " it is so soothing." At the same time, more than one of the objects of that satire were among his " dearest friends," and complimented by him on their poetic talents. On %95 On the first appearance of Dr. Darwin's cele- brated poem on " The Loves of the Plants," he was extravagant in his commendation of it " we had seen nothing equal to it since the time of Pope." His Lordship's admiration of it cooled afterwards. He certainly had an elegant taste for poetry ; and his smaller compositions of this kind, are models in their way. He had no great ex- tent of capacity, and very little learning; but he was undoubtedly a most entertaining companion, and a very polished and accomplished gentleman.- So much for II. W, CHAP* Tu procerum de stirpe solus praegressus et ipsos, Unde genus clarae nobilitatis erat, Ore decens, bonus ingenio, facundus et omni Dexjeritate vigens. CHAPTER XLV. Lord L * * *. AS the reader lias been introduced among the nobility, it may be permitted to linger with them a little longer, and pay a tribute of respect, esteem, and gratitude to one nobleman, who was learned himself, and a real friend and patron of learning in others. Such was Lord L. This appears no unsuitable opportunity of making mention of an Opus Magnum, in which the Sexagenarian was very materially concerned, and which, as well it might, had the countenance of the Nobleman of whom mention is about to be made, and of every other real friend of the constitution of his country in church and state. There 97 There was a time in England, and a dire timo it was, when the contagion of the French revolution had so infected our purer atmosphere, that the dis- loyal, ill-designing, and more profligate part of the community, dared to use the language of violence, and of menace, to overawe and intimidate those whose sentiments they knew to be adverse to their own ; who had the presumption to prophesy, that " church and state prejudices were coming to a speedy issue in this country ;" who had the inso- lence to use all their efforts to check and suppress the circulation of what the honest advocates of truth and order, wrote and published in vindication of their principles ; and even proceeded so far as to hold out threats to the individuals themselves, whom they affected, with equal absurdity and im- pertinence, to denominate " Alarmists." A sevenfold shield was wanted, beneath the pro- tection of which, the insidious and poisonous darts of the assailants might be repelled, and the wea- pons of those who fought for the good old cause, mi^ht be wielded with boldness and due effect. ]3efore this, the channels of communication with the public were preoccupied by a faction; the pure streams of truth were either obstructed in their progress, or contaminated in the very source ; the representations exhibited of things as they actually were, by the faithful pencils of loyalty and true patriotism, 298 patriotism, were misrepresented, defaced, defamed, ridiculed, and treated with every mark of ignominy. This powerful shield was at length produced; it was formed with no ordinary skill and labour, and proved of no common strength. From this auspicious moment, matters began to assume a very different aspect. Keligion and loyalty were enabled to defy, and to rise victorious over infide- lity and anarchy. The strong clear voice of truth was heard, and virtue triumphed. The subject is seducing; and memory lingers with pride and fondness on the eventful period. Public gratitude followed the manifestation of pub- lic benefit. The individuals who most distinguished themselves in the effectual extension of this shield, as well as by the ardour, and fortitude, and dexte- rity with which they used the weapons entrusted to them by their country, were not suffered to go without their reward. But the most grateful of all distinctions, were the praises of such men as the venerable Archbishop Moore; the protection, and countenance, and friendship of a Pitt, of Bishops Barrington, Porteus, Toinline; the cour- tesies of a Windham ; and the friendship of a Loughborough. Of political connections, prejudices, and pur- suits, it is not here intended to say any more to do so, would open far too wide a field ; yet one remark Z99 remark ought to be made with respect to this Noble Lord, that he was not the less reluctant to serve a man of learning, from the circumstance of his differing in opinion materially from himself, on certain political questions of great magnitude. For example, nothing is more notorious than the warm, strenuous, and active part which Lord Loughborough took against Mr. Hastings ; yet he not only endured, but admitted to his table, and, in some degree, to his confidence, those who he well knew had been zealous advocates of that illus- trious person had spoken, written, and, if we may so say, had fought in his behalf. Other instances might be adduced. Perhaps he is the only Lord Chancellor, at least of modern times, who gave preferment to literary men, merely as such, and with no other introduc- tion or recommendation than the merit of their publications. His predecessor, Thurlow, had the character of being friendly to literary men; but there is no example on record of his having acted with similar, and, if the expression be warranted^ with such disinterested liberality, with the excep- tion, perhaps, of Bishop Horsley alone. He gave, indeed, to , the translator of iEschylus, a pre- bendal stall in the Cathedral Church of Norwich; .but this gentleman had the additional claim of having been his schoolfellow, at the very seminary of 300 *f which he was afterwards master, namely, S , in Norfolk. Even on this occasion, he did not act very graciously. Mr. P. on receiving notice of the 'favour in- tended for him, immediately came to town, to make personal acknowledgments of his gratitude. He called several times at Thurlow's house, but could never obtain admission ; at length, he applied to his friend and neighbour, Sir John, afterwards Lord Wodehousc, and begged of him to see the Chan- cellor in the House of Peers, and ask when he might have the honour of waiting upon his Lord- ship, as he had been some days in town, and was anxious to return. Sir John accordingly did this, when the only answer he received was, " Let him go home again, 1 want none of his Norfolk bows." The manners of Lord Loughborough, on the contrary, were conciliating and agreeable, and there was a kindness in his manner of granting a favour, which greatly enhanced its value. He would often say, when he gave away preferment, and more par- ticularly to those whose merit was their only recom- mendation to him, <: Go to my Secretary, and desire him to prepare the presentation for my Fiat immediately ; or I shall have some Duke or great man make application, whom I shall not be able to refuse." He SOI He was also particularly desirous of so giving his preferment away, that, if practicable, the pa- rishioners themselves might be satisfied. More than once, he has disappointed friends for whom he intended to provide, in consequence of petitions from parishioners, in favour of some meritorious curate. He was remarkably acute in discerning charac- ters, and in appreciating the justice of the preten- sions to literary reputation of those who were in- troduced to him. No work of particular emi- nence appeared, without his desiring to know the author, if he was not already acquainted with him ; and when in the enjoyment of his exalted office, would often deny himself to individuals of high rank, and prefer spending the evening in social conversation with literary friends. He was very fond of theatrical exhibitions, and more particu- larly so of Mrs. Siddons ; his conversation on such subjects, at his own table, was particularly lively, and indicative of a refined taste and sound judg- ment. He was very curious also, with respect to all new publications of voyages and travels; but was much inclined to exercise a scrutinizing jealousy and sus- picion on the subject of their accuracy, lie knew Bruce well, and respected him ; but often indulged in a good humoured laughter at some of the more wonderful S02 m'onderful parts of bis narrative. He discovered much anxiety and curiosity when Park's Travels first appeared; but as it was universally known that Bryan Edwards had a principal share in the, arrangement and composition of that work, he without reserve expressed some doubts on certain passages. Our Sexagenarian yap ti xai mlo tun aXkuv naXKuviffAararj avian Xxei r CHAPTER LIL JrERHAPS there may be no fairer occasion of introducing a few words on the subject of Mrs. W , than whom a more eccentric and extraordinary character has not in modern times appeared upon the theatre of the world. Few individuals have combined qualities and talents so various, and so contradictory ; very few females have experienced more or greater vicissitudes, and none ever cm- ployed their time and abilities on subjects so much at variance with the common feelings and opinions of mankind. Her life and memoirs were given at length, by the person whom, after living with him for some S time 349 time as his wife, she finally consented to marry, in condescension to the foolish prejudices of the world. It cannot be at all wonderful, that these two persons should be brought together by a strong magnetic attraction ; the only matter of surprize is, that they did not come together sooner : for they leemed to be inspired with one soul, one common sentiment, one feeling, and one object. They agreed with the most perfect harmony in contemptuously disregarding whatever in religion, or morals, or po- litics, was sanctioned by the veneration of ages, and in introducing, with the most audacious perse- verance, wild, preposterous, and pernicious theo- ries. This lady's first entrance into life was characte- rized by the most striking peculiarities, and she seems to have imbibed very unaccountable notions of political justice, in contra-distinction to those of nature and of duty. As long as we continue uncorrupted by the world, the love of parents in most minds, grows with our growth, and strengthens with our strength. Thi3 good lady, on the contrary, was not eminently distin- guished by her filial piety, and at a very early pe- riod of her youth, she left her father's house with abruptness and disgust. We next hear of her as having, in conjunction with a friend, the direction of a day-school ; but this 350 this friend's delicate health requiring her to seek a milder climate, Miss W. soon afterwards gave up her employment, and crossed the sea to join her companion. On the above lady's death, Miss VV. returned to England, and became a governess in a noble family, where, however, she did not continue long; nor with her fantastical (not to say mischiev- ous} ideas on the subject of female education, was it likely that she should. She then settled in Lon- don, and, if we mistake not, became an authoress by profession ; and it was at the house formerly mentioned, which at that period was a general re- ceptacle for the friends of learning of both sexes, that the writer saw and became slightly acquainted with her. In London, as indeed every where else, she was characterized by the wildest extravagance of sentiment, and really appeared to think, that to obey the first impulses of inclination, uncontrouled by the sobriety of thought, or interposition of judg- ment, was the only true wisdom. She formed at this period the most violent attachment to a man of genius and talent, who, whatever might be his claims to reputation, was old enough to be her father, and certainly did not possess those external recommendations, which usually conciliate the par- tiality of women. This circumstance relating to an individual, for whom, on account of hi* talents^ it is impossible not to feel sentiments of respect, would 351 would not have been introduced, had not the lady's biographer spoken of the fact without re- serve. The gentleman alluded to, it may be apprehend- ed, did not return her predilection in his favour with equal ardour, and therefore to get rid of the torment of unrequited love, or, as the event proved, to change its object, she went to Paris, to which place also congenial propensities had at about the same period attracted others of our countrywomen, as Anna Maria Williams, Miss P., &c. &c. of whom more hereafter. At Paris our heroine fell in the way of a plain downright man of business from America, with no particular recommendation either of fortune, per- son, or talent ; but strange to tell, she almost in- stantaneously conceived for him a passion yet more violent and uncontroulable than that which she had formerly experienced for Mr. F. To him she sacrificed every thing, even her modesty ; for though she without scruple lived with him as his wife, she refused to be married to him even accord- ing to the slight and unsatisfactory ceremonial then observed in France. Her reasons for this conduct were somewhat whimsical. She did not choose that he should be made liable to debts for- merly incurred by her, and she also entertained the idea, that an avowed marriage with her, would expose 352 expose him to certain family iuconveniencies and embarrassments. But alas! for such hasty attachments! neither did our American return her passion with a suit- able enthusiasm. He left her at Paris in a state of pregnancy, under pretext of business, which re- quired his presence at one of the sea-ports, and with a promise of speedy return. He did not per- form this promise. She followed him to the sea- side. Here she was delivered of a daughter. The cold-blooded American pleaded business in Lon- don ; but promised her, that if she would go quietly back to Paris, he would soon return from Eng- land, and rejoin her. But though they did meet again, passion was quite exhausted on his part, never more, by any arts or exertions of hers, to be revived. To be brief he chose another com- panion, and recommended to her to do the same. This was rather too much to be endured. The lady did not indeed, in imitation of Sappho, preci- pitate herself from another Leucadian rock; she chose a more vulgar mode of death; she put some lead into her pockets, and threw herself into the water. She did not, however, use lead enough, as there was still gas sufficient left in her head to coun- terpoise it. She was rescued from the watery bier, and lived again to experience the feverish varieties of the tender passion. The S53 The anguish of her grief did not endure any very considerable time, for within a few months she united herself to a man, whose peculiarities of opi- nion were as strange and as preposterous as her own. Mark, reader, she did not marry him. . No ! that would have been pitiful, wondrous pitiful, on both sides. She had already demonstrated her amorous creed, the great maxim of which was, that Love, free as air, at sight of human ties* Spreads his light wings, and in a moment flies. Her new lover had, on the subject of marriage, already and solemnly declared, that " so long as lie should seek to engross one woman to himself, and to prohibit his neighbour from proving his superior desert, and reaping the fruits of it, he would be guilty of the most odious of all monopolies." The mind sickens at the continuation of a narra- tive, so replete with folly, and so offensive to every thing which piety, delicacy, and human obligations render sacred. The lady, on her return to this country, was considered as the wife of her Ameri- can lover, and in this character, on account of her talents, which nobody will presume to call in ques- tion, was visited by several very respectable females. But when in open defiance, and in contempt of all decency and good order, she cohabited with the author of P J , our precise sturdy country- vol. i. A a women 354 women thought that this was carrying the jest some- what too far, and accordingly withdrew themselves from her acquaintance. Such a proceeding at first excited the astonish- ment of the lady, and the scorn of the philosopher ; indeed the latter pretended to make it a matter of ridicule, but all would not do ; and it is understood that the lady condescended to use her iufluence with her lover, and, in spite of his public avowed hosti- lity to marriage, he became her legal husband. The union did not long continue ; it was dis- solved by that which dissolves all things the un- relenting hand of death. Mrs. G. died in child- bed, at no great distance from the time of the mar- riage ceremony having been performed. No one would surely speak with levity of human sorrows; and it is impossible not to revere the grief which is excited by the irreparable loss of relatives and friends. Yet there was something in the dogmas and maxims of the author of P J -, so very extraordinary, representing so con- temptuously the tender tics of nature, and what have hitherto been regarded as the strong obliga- tions of duty, that his conduct after his domestic privation, necessarily excited some degree of wonder. There were so many vulnerable parts in Mrs. W.s character and conduct, the principles which she 355 fihe avowed, and the system of education which she recommended : the maxims which she vindi- cated, were so dangerous to female virtue, and so obnoxious to the universal sentiments of the wise and good, that on her decease, much and un- reserved discussion concerning her took place* The result was undoubtedly not very honourable to her fair fame as a woman, whatever it might be to her reputation as aa author. To have been con- sistent with himself, and with his writings, the phi* losopher might have been expected to have disre- garded all these animadversions as unworthy of his notice, and beneath the dignity of his character. Far otherwise. Nature, it may be presumed, tri- umphed over philosophy. He was the victim of rage and resentment. He who had contended that man was a mere machine, that every thing which happens is the result of absolute necessity, that gratitude, the relative affections, parental love, filial duty, &c. are vices bounced and raved at the " calumnies which the virulence of a party spirit hitherto unexampled, had, on the occasion of her death, poured upon the memory of the most ex- cellent and admirable woman that it was ever his lot to know." He went even further still. Not satisfied with his own weapons, he employed those of certain intemperate and injudicious friends, whose skill and adroitness in wielding them were a a 2 not 356 not only inferior to his own, but who exposed their own inefficiency, as **ell as the weakness of the cause they so precipitately undertook to defend. The following character of this extraordinary woman appeared not long after her death, and with this, the article relating to her may not impro- perly conclude. " She was a woman of strong intellect, and of ungovernable passions. To the latter, when once she had given the reins, she seems to have yielded on all occasions with little scruple, and as little delicacy. She appears in the strongest sense a voluptuary and sensualist, but without refinement. We compassionate her errors, and respect her ta- lents, but our compassion is lessened by the mis- chievous tendency of her doctrines and example; and our respect is certainly not extended or im- proved, by her exclaiming against prejudices, of some of the most dangerous of which, she was her- self perpetually the victim, by her praises of virtue, the sanctity of which she habitually violated, and by her pretences to philosophy, whose real myste- ries she did not understand, and the dignity of which, in various instances, she sullied and dis- graced."' CHAP. Multa in muliebrem levitatem eoepit jactare. Quam facile adamarent. Quam cito etiam Philorum oblivisce- rentur. Nullamque esse feminam tarn pudicam, qua non peregrina usque ad furorem averteretur. CHAPTER LIII. KJF the same school, and not improbably a pro- selyte to the same doctrines, was H M W . What and how great a contrast is exhibited be- tween this female's first appearance on the theatre of the public, and her last fatal ending ! Lively, elegant, accomplished, and agreeable, of pleasing person, simple and gentle manners, without pride, or asserting any pretensions to distinction, she re- ceived the respect and attention of many of the most considerable persons in this country, both for talent and for rank. What is she now ? If she lives, (and whether she does or not, few know, and nobody cares) she is a wanderer an exile, unno* ticcd and unknown. The 35% The moment that the torch of anarchy was dis- played from the turrets of the Thujlleries, she caught the flame, and, as it were by magic, the form of every thing was changed to the visual ray of her understanding. She forgot the lessons of her youth, despised the precepts of her early in- structors, and forsook the land of her forefathers. The perfectibility of man, the rights *>f women, tho cap of liberty, alone occupied and overpowered her mind. She must needs go where alone these fas- cinating idols received the culture and the homage which in her imagination they deserved. To France then she hurried, connected herself instantaneously with the great tragedians of the day, was initiated in their mysteries, and adopted the whole of their gipsy jargon. She became in every particular a French woman. Nothing was in her eyes fair, or wise, or great, or good, but what was French ; and as for poor old England, its inhabitants, and its manners, nothing could be more paltry nothing more contemptible. Her friend, Mrs. W. had taught her, by her ex- ample, that female modesty might be laid aside "without any compunctious visitations; and, like her prototype, she formed an attachment to a Frenchman, who in Paris was generally considered as a spy oi the police ; even if he did not sometimes perform in a far less honourable character. This man J 359 man bad a wife living at the time, and Miss W. pro- bably knew it ; but this opposed but a trifling obsta- cle. The morality which then prevailed in the French metropolis, found a very convenient confederate in the facility with which divorces were obtained. But it is far from certain, that even this slight cere- mony was observed. Be this as it may, under this paramour's benignant auspices, she wrote about France, its politics, its new-fangled manners, Robespierre, and Danton, and Marat, and all that Stygian crew, with unrestrained volubility; and with a presumptuousness and impertinence, a de- termination to palliate and excuse the horrid atro- cities she had witnessed, such as to excite a mixture of contempt and resentment. Perhaps the following may be exhibited as an accurate epitome of her creed at this period, (we say at this period) for if she yet lives, she must be a greater fool than we think her, to persist in some of the articles of her political faith : " The guilt of the unfortunate king was clear." " The horrid murders and massacres were partial evils." " The French Revolution was destined to break the fetters of mankind throughout the world." This and far worse garbage than this, was the reader compelled to wade through m the various publications of this perverted writer. All 36*0 All this is wondrous pitiful, but pity 'tis, 'tis true. When accident first introduced our Sexagenarian to H. M. W. she yas young and lovely, ingenuous and innocent, liy the proper exercise of her ta- lents, she might have been an ornament to socictv, and useful to the world. Her decline of life might have tranquilly been passed under the shadow of her own vine, honoured and beloved. If she exists, she can have no other reflections but those which must be truly mortifying. She cannot fail now to be sensible, that she deserted substance for shadow, real liberty for ideal dreams abput its phantom, a long list of honourable friends, com- prehending some of the fairest names among us for whom? for Mrs. W., Thomas Paine, Danton, for her friend, or her lover, or her husband, (by whichever name she wishes him to be distinguished) for Ramond, Madame Roland, O'Connor, Santerre, &c. &c. To finish in a word, she exchanged the prospect of honourable fame, for neglect and con- tempt There still remain a few more of this class of females, with whom an introduction took place, by the means of common friends engaged in literary pursuits. It may be as .veil to bring them together and get rid of them at once. Recollection does not regard them with com- pact.: icy. Indeed, they were so amiable on first 56 1 first acquaintance, (and if the expression may be allowed, they so degenerated afterwards) that memory is oppressed with looking back upon them. Another disciple of this fantastic school was M H who really, when first known, appeared lively, in- genuous, innocent, and interesting. It is not pre- tended to say who or what perverted her principles, but she was a friend of the Wolstoncroft, a fol- lower of Helvetius, and a great admirer of Rous- seau. As ill luck would have it, she must needs write a novel, and as her evil genius prompted, was induced to publish it. What thinkest thou, gentle reader, was the outline of the story ? Why this : The heroine, Emma Courtney flight, falls in love, desperately in love, with a youth whom she had never seen ; at length, she encounters him worse and worse ! Passion now boils over, and she ex- ercises every female artifice to captivate his affec- tion in return. But it will not do; all her efforts prove ineffectual. What's next to be done ? Why take him by storm ; or, which is much the same thing, 362 thing, she voluntarily offers herself to live with him as his mistress. Make me mistress to the man I love. But this will not do : his heart proves made of impenetrable stuff, at length, the heroine, com- pelled by dire necessity, marries, contrary to her inclination, a man she dislikes exceedingly. But still she retains her first passion ; and what is more, disregarding the obligations of duty imposed by her new character, she attends on his dying bed, the man for whom she first suffered love. The consequence is almost ludicrously disastrous :- the husband attaches himself to a female domestic, and to conclude and complete the catastrophe, he finally shoots himself through the head. But alter all, things might have been yet worse, with respect to this same M. H. She might, like her friends, Mesdames Vv r . and H. M. W. nave emigrated to France, and disgraced herself and her country. She had the prudence to stay at home. She might hive written other st ill more mischievous, and still more foolish things. It pleased Provi- dence to remove her, and, as we earnestly hope to forgive her Some 363 Some greater degree of reserve is felt necessary in speaking of Miss p*******. The personal acquaintance, on the part of the Sexagenarian, with this most prolific author, was but slight ; but he ever and invariably expressed the most unaffected regret, that one so endowed, so qualified to contribute to the improvement of others, should, by pursuing one undeviating path, have made herself generally obnoxious, to those alone ex- cepted, who considered all as deserving of the burning fiery furnace, who did not fall prostrate before the shrine of Bonaparte, and adore the ,Briarean Idol of the French Revolution. The most extraordinary thing, with respect to each and every one of these doughty females, ap- pears to have been this : The very moment that they had made up their minds to acknowledge the wisdom of the French Revolution, the goodness of its leaders, and the felicity of its operation, they fancied themselves (as by some magic charm, some irresistible power of enchantment) converted into grave, subtle, and profound politicians. They knew every thing which was inyolved in the great ques- tions ot law, and right, and equity, as it were by intuition, and they pronounced their fiats ex Cathedra, as if it were both impious and treasonable at S64 at all to question their wisdom, their knowledge, and their sagacity. They became all at once, in their own foolish conceits, as subtle as Machiavel, profound as VatteJ, learned as Selden, and capable as Grotius himself, to discuss the momentous ques- tion de Jure Belli at Paris. Oh for the good old times ! when females were satisfied with feminine employments, with culti- vating their minds so far as to enable them to in- struct their children in useful learning only, and to regulate their families with judicious economy; to learn those graces and that demeanour, which ob- tained and secured love and esteem, nor suffered the Laban images of foreign vanities to contaminate their tents. Daughters of England, be not be- guiled ; be assured that the study of politics is ;iot essential to female accomplishments, that the pos- session of this Machiavelian knowledge will neither make you better mothers, wives, or friends ; that to obtain it, a long life, severe study, and the most laborious investigation, are indispensably necessary. Must it not excite the strongest emotions of con- tempt, to hear pert misses, just escaped from boarding-schools, harangue in a more peremptory language than Selden would have assumed, and with the slightest reading, and most superficial knowledge, presume to pass judgment on the poli- tical rights and conditions of nations ? Miss 365 Miss P. was one of the daughters of a venerable clergyman, who was, at the same time, Master of a College at Cambridge, and Prebendary of N . It may therefore be presumed, though nothing at all is known of the matter, that her education was in every respect correct, and consistent with her sphere of life. On the death of her parents, and at the accursed crisis of the French Revolution, she came to the metropolis. Here she immediately, with unre- served confidence, threw herself into the kindred arms of H. M. W. divided her enthusiasm, and partook of all her follies. France, France, France ! Liberty, Liberty, Liberty ! occupied their waking thoughts, and disturbed their mid- night dreams. In a word, they became totally Frenchified ; and as Free-masons, when once ini- tiated into their mysteries, retain the Shibboleth, which admits them beyond the Tyler, so did these females suffer themselves to be so intoxicated with the Circean draught, that the phrenzy remained incurable and unalterable. They determined to drink at the fountain-head, so up and away for Paris. We have heard of the Englishman at Paris, his prodigality and folly, but heaven bless us ! our English women at Paris beat their countrymen hollow, or, to use a homely phrase, " out and out." " What- 366 " Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things tre honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, what- soever things are of good report ; if there be any irtue, if there be any praise." This emphatical and beautiful apostrophe of the apostle, in the judgment of tins lady and her clan, could alone be applied to the French nation, under the benign influence of the Revolution, and to the Polar star of all who exercised the supreme autho- rity in France from Robespierre to Bonaparte. According to the sagacious and candid inferences of these subtle and profound Female Machiavels, in this country of England there was no wisdom, no foresight, no justice, and no public virtue ; whilst on the opposite side, the murders of the King, Queen, Princess Elizabeth, and the Duke d'En- ghcin, were acts either of fair retribution, or of unavoidable necessity ; either the just consequences of the imbecility of the sufferers, or provoked by their profligacy and crimes. Reader, is not all this truly lamentable? Far other emotions are awakened by the recollection of what this female, immediately under review, once was, when she appeared as a candidate for honour- able fame in the general walks of literature. Her talents claimed respect her diligence deserved praise. The variety of her information, and the extent 367 extent of her knowledge, particularly of languages, qualified her to be useful, and entitled her to esteem. Whether she subsequently repented of and re- strained the extreme extravagance of her preju- dices ; whether Bonaparte, his glory, his wisdom, his magnanimity, his religion, and his clemency, (and, for all these qualities he had this lady's praise) continued to any protracted period the objects of her fond idolatry, could not possibly be known to him, from whose collection the materials, which appear, in these pages, have been extracted. It is hoped that she may have seen the error of her ways ; have discovered a less dangerous and obstructed path, and auspiciously pursued it. chap. With pleasures too refined to pleafc; With too much spirit to be e'er at ease, With too much- quickness ever to be taught, With too much thinking to have common thought. CHAPTER LIV. DIFFERENT as light from darkness, is the? next female, whose character is introduced in the Recollections. Lively, ingenuous, of various and elcrant accomplishments, of splendid connections, with the most undisguised and contemptuous scorn of those who could not boast similar distinc- tion ; at no pains to suppress her almost adoration of our own monarchical government, or her indig- nation, amounting almost to rage, against the French Revolution, and all its supporters ; of ex- quisite taste, sensibility, and refinement; proud, but affable ; tenacious of her rank, but gentle as gentleness itself. Such was the female who will be described under the name by which she was alway* distinguished among her friends. Yes ! such was Ella. This 369 This lady was first known to the Sexagenarian, and obtained a place in his Recollections, by one of those singular accidents, which sometimes bring individuals together, who, entering the world at the opposite ends of the diameter, with different objects, pursuits, and employments, have but little seeming probability of ever meeting at the centre. Ella was extravagantly fond of poetry; it occu- pied all her thoughts, and was seated in her very soul. Among other trifles which our friend had written for amusement, and which had found their way into the world, a poem, which had received more of his time and attention than he usually gave to such things, (for he did not estimate his talent3 in this line very highly) was sent to a friend, who happened at this period to be resident under the same roof with Ella. It mightily struck her fancy, and she determined on obtaining the author's acquaintance. Her mind was of that eager and ardent temperature, that having once resolved on any measure, she spared no time or pains in accomplishing it. She accordingly sent him by the pot, a copy of verses, compli- menting him on the late production of his muse, in terms like herself, easy, airy, and elegant. The writer was soon discovered, (or as Pope said of Johnson, deterrt) and a familiar acquaintance commenced, which was only terminated by death. yol. i. B b If 370 If Ella's mind and talents had been under the regulation of sedate feelings and sober judgment, she would have been one of the most delightful and interesting creatures in the universe ; but un- fortunate 1\ for her, she was in every thing an en- thusiast. She obeyed, without reflection, the first impulse of her mind. She read whatever excited public attention and curiosity, but she read to little or no effect ; she impatiently hurried over the volumes before her, that she might begin some- thing els< : the consequence unavoidably was, that in a ver\ short interval, she retained no recollection of the principal features, facts, and characters, of the books she had recently perused. She also wrote a great deal, and some specimens of her poetical taste and talent are really very beau- tiful; but she wrote with extreme haste, and re- vised nothing. She was particularly solicitous, and not always with sufficient discrimination, to have a personal acquaintance with those of both sexes, who were distinguished in the world by their reputation for talents. Unhappily for her, there was no moderation in her attachments, from which she frtquenti) became the victim of artifice and fraud. Perfectly artless and unsuspicious her- self, she thought that intellectual superiority neces- sarily involved ingenuousness, honesty, and truth; nor was she cured of this infirmitv, till her fortunes ^ had 371 had been irretrievably impaired. Her liberality knew no bounds, and she literally gave, till no more remained for her to bestow. Her captivating manners, her high birth, her connections, her talents, necessarily drew a crowd of young men about her, for many of whom, in their turns, she suffered love ; but the flame was transitory in its effects, nor did she ever seriously entangle herself in an engagement which had mar- riage for its object, except with one individual, as unlike herself, in every possible particular, as the imagination can conceive. Her playfulness and most bewitching familiarity often, however, were the cause of her entangling others. Some might be named, who, though grave, reserved, and dignified personages, were un- able to resist the fascination of her charms and manners, and glided into her net with the easiest captivity imaginable. There was one very singular character, whom accident threw in her way, wild, romantic, and ingenious like herself. Both were devoted to the love of poetry, and they wrote fine things to one another, till a great intimacy took place, and the gentleman, who was also an enthusiast in all things, worshipped her as his idol. The life of this man would of itself make an en- tertaining volume ; a short digression upon it thcre- b b 2 fore 372 fore may be excused. He was almost the next de- scendant from one of the most extraordinary men of talent and genius that this kingdom ever knew, and apparently inherited many of his progenitor's eccentricities. A young man of one of the noblest families in the kingdom, and immediate heir to a dukedom, conceiving himself aggrieved by an illus- trious personage, of rank higher than his own, sent him a challenge, and a duel was the consequence. In the rencontre, the individual challenged, had a very narrow escape, the ball having grazed his cheek. The affair necessarily engrossed a considerable share of public conversation, and among other things of which it was the cause, our gentleman thought proper to publish a most bitter and exas- perating pamphlet against the young nobleman who had sent the challenge. The consequence was what might naturally be expected. Col. L. first enquired whether the au- thor was, from his station in life, worthy of his resentment. On finding that he was a gentleman, a duel ensued, in which the Quixotic advocate of Royalty, was shot through tne body, but asto- nished even his adversary by the courage and firm- ness with which he conducted himself. What his motive was, can hardly be imagined; but as his circumstances were but moderate, he not improbably conceived,, 373 conceived, that he might be rewarded with patro- nage and preferment. This, however, was not the case, though it must be acknowledged that the illustrious Personage, whose advocate he had so rashly been, once sent him compliments of enquiry and condolence. He was certainly a man of considerable talents, and particularly in poetry. He published many things, which were well received, and he left a great deal more behind him. The following extract from an unpublished poem, called a Hymn to Venus, occurs in our manuscript, and justifies what has been said of the author's abilities. " The various world thy various powers delight, Thy star precedes the morn, and gilds the night ; Thee, when Aurora's lingers paint the day, In the pure blush of morning we survey ; Or throned with Phoebus us lie sets in gold, Thy warmer glories in the West behold ; Night's radiant orbs in love and beauty roll, Love rules the sky, and Beauty lights the whole. " What space contains, what ample air provides, What earth unbosoms, or what ocean hides, Thy power proclaims ; each zephyr of the Spring, That fans the season with his purple wing, To Love belongs. Then each delightful bower Thy presence feels, confessing Beauty's power, And 374 And blossoms into joy ; the plnmy throng, Beauty's glad season welcome with their song, As instinct governs they select their loves, Twas Love thy sparrows paired, and yoked thy doves." The conclusion is yet better. Hail Beauty, Nature, or whate'er thy name, Fair seed of Jove, immortal and the same, Informing soul, pure spirit unconfmed, Pervading law, <..f matter and of mind, Eternal Truth ! whose universal light Directs to happiness, and points the right ! To thee our vows we pay ; to thee belong The hymn of praise and honorary song, Source of each wish, each pleasure, and each hope, Till kinder suns the rose of Passiou ope; A ruse without a thorn, that buds and blows, And takes the name of friendship as it grows ; Virtue's own zephyrs on her bosom play, An heaven-born flower, unconscious of decay. Then whether in Cythera's suns you rove, Or seek the coolness of the Cyprian grove, Or Papbos choose, or wander with thy maids Where all ldalia opens all her shades, Chaste goddess come ! and to our isle retire, Where Love at Hymen's altars lights his fire; Where Virtue guards, and Beauty lifts her throne, Diana's crescent with the Cyprian zone ; Oh still on Britain goddess bend thy smiles, The Queen <>f Empire as the Queen of Isles, That takes like thee from silver seas her birth, To rule with equal power, and bless the earth. Britain 375 Britain for beauty as for arms renown'd, Victorious Mars by conquering Beauty crown'd ; To Britain then thy gracious aid extend, And \\ ar's own god shall Beauty's cause defend. It is impossible to close onr account of this most singular personage, without giving another example of his waywardness and eccentricity. There was a wretched creature who molested the streets of Lon- don, barbarously insulting and wounding the females that he met, upon whom the appellation of Mon- ster was therefore bestowed, as it were, by common consent. On his apprehension and trial, this gen- tleman thought proper to throw down the gauntlet as his advocate ; not indeed his advocate with re- gard to his crimes, but a sort of legal advocate, pointing out the subterfuges of which he might avail himself. It was, however, like his insane duel, in- effectual in its consequences ; it neither sheltered the defendant from universal indignation and contempt, nor tended to diminish the severity of his punishment. After various vicissitudes, this unaccountable man returned to Ireland, where he was involved in a great number of perplexities, animosities, and liti- gations, and died at no very advanced age. ciiav. Durius in ferris nihil est quod vivat amanlc Mtc ;;.oilo si sapias |Uod minus esse veiis.- CHAPTER LV. J. HE case of entanglement, oi the side of Ella, alluded to in the former chapter, was this: Her limited fortune, notwithstanding her high and proud connections, made it expedient for herself and sister, to live with an elderly lady, who had also other fe- male boarders. An oiiicer, who had been wounded in the service of his country in a distant climate, with a constitution apparently broken, made appli- cation to be received into the family, of which our heroine was a member. The circumstance excited great alarm, arid occasioned much serious debate. At length, after many sage discussions, and beds of justice, it was resolved, ?ianine eontradicenle, that a wounded officer, somewhat advanced in life, and with an impaired constitution, was not an object to awaken the scruples, or alarm the fears of the sister- hood. Things, however, turned out quite contrary. " Love 377 i( Love (as it is said) laughs at locksmiths ;" and such a dart was shot from Ella's bright eyes through the thorax of the Major, where, by the way, there was a ball lodged already, which no medical skill could extract, that he surrendered at discretion. It is a little whimsical, that this catastrophe was ma- liciously predicted to the Lady by our Sexagenarian; but the prophecy was at first received with something like indignation. " Could it be supposed that a worn-out soldier, of no famity, fortune, or preten- sions, could excite any other emotion than pity r" Pity, how ever, it is well known, is next a kin to love, and so it proved in this instance. The final issue may be narrated in a few words. Application was made to Ella's great and noble friends, for their consent to this ill-suited union, to which the Hora- tian adage might strictly be applied ; most certainly might they be termed " impares formas atqut aminos" and the jugum, had it been worn, would have been truly aheneum. These mighty people, however, whose generosity never extended beyond giving their relative an occa- sional dinner, wrapped themselves in their magnifi- cence, and in stately terms, forbade the banns. What was to be done in this dilemma ? After due deliberation, it was determined that they should consider themselves as solemnly pledged, and wait for a favourable change of circumstances. Month, however, 378 however, succeeded month, and year followed year, and no such change took place. At length, the gentleman's health appeared to be growing worse and worse, and it was deemed indispensably neces- sary for his convalescence, that he should remove to Bath. Upon this occasion, the lady behaved with a characteristic nobleness of mind. She thought her friend and lover would return no more, and that the circumstances in which he was placed, with respect to herself, might induce him to make a will in her favour. As soon, therefore, as he had arrived at the place of his destination, she wrote to inform him, that, after duly considering the little probability there existed of their ever being happily united, she thought it best for both, that the engage- ment should be dissolved, and the connection at an end. Under this impression, therefore, she was determined positively to decline any favourable in- tention he might retain towards her, if induced to make his will. She added the strongest recommen- dation in favour of his nephew, whom he had mate- rially assisted in life, and who had also experienced many solid benefits from her friendship. CHAP. Negotii sibi qui volet vim parare, navem et mulierem, Haec duo sibi comparato. CHAPTER LVI. J.HE lover felt and acknowledged the great good sense and honourable conduct of his mistress ; and thus terminated a connection commenced under no very auspicious omens, protracted till mutual esteem was succeeded by the most perfect indifference, and which ever, during its continuance, was interrupted by jars and bickerings, the unavoidable consequence of inequality in temper, habits, and age ; and presenting at no period, any favourable prospect ol an harmonious union. The catastrophe of this young lady's history was very melancholy. With every talent and accom- plishment necessary to adorn the most elevated sta- tion, with every pretension of loveliness, grace, and manners, with a fortune which, by prudent manage- ment, might have secured an honourable, though fiot a splendid independence, her final exit was not very 380 very much unlike that so beautifully recorded by Pope, of Villiers, Duke of Buckingham. She first of all impoverished herself, by the pro- fuse liberality of her presents to those to whom she was partial. She Mas subsequently induced to lend, with the truest motives of generosity and friendship on her part, a portion of her capital, on very in- sufficient security. This she accordingly lost. There was an enthusiasm in her attachments bor- dering on infatuation, and very indiscriminating in the choice of its objects. Talent Mas her great idol, before which she bowed, but she often neg- lected to examine and investigate the private cha- racter and conduct by which it was accompanied. The consequence was, that she Mas perpetually im- posed upon, and did not discover her error till it Mas too late. Her finances became finally so exceedingly nar- rowed and embarrassed, that penury began to stare her in the face. Her friends, in some degree to ward off this evil, suggested the expediency of her publishing two volumes of her poems. This Mas accordingly done, under the inspection of a most judicious, able, and compassionate friend, whose attentions cheered and soothed the last sorrowful moments of her life. To him they were inscribed, with a very appropriate address. The reader may not be averse to see a specimen. Ej; una disce omnia. 381 THE BOY AND THE BUTTERFLY. Proud of its little day, enjoying The lavish sweets kind Nature yields, In harmless sports each hour employing, Ranging the gardens, woods, and fields. A lovely Butterfly extending Its grateful wing to Sol's warm beams, No dreaded danger saw impending, But basked secure in peaceful dreams. A wandering Urchin viewed this treasure, Of gaudy colours fine and gay, Thoughtless consulting but his pleasure, He chased it through the live -long day. At last the young but sly dissembler Appeared to follow other flies, Then turning seized the little trembler, Who crushed beneath his fingers dies ! Surprized he sees the hasty ruin His reckless cruelty had wrought, The victim which so long pursuing Scarce raised a wish, or claimed a thought, Now bid the tear of genuine sorrow O'er his repentant bosom flow, Yet he'll forget it ere the morrow, And deal to others equal woe. Thus the vain man, with subtle feigning, Pursues, o'ertakes, poor woman's heart, But soon his hapless prize disdaining, She dies the victim of his art. Her 3$<1 Her compositions were all of the same character and tendency tender, elegant, and tinged with the most romantic sensibility. Whether their publica- tion answered the proposed purpose to any effect, may reasonably be questioned ; for in her last ill- ness, if she did not actually want the necessaries incident to her situation, she had but a very scanty supply of them. After her death, when the kind friend above alluded to, undertook the office of executor, and the superintendence of her funeral, barely sufficient was got together, to have the last offices performed with due decency. She carried the preposterous enthusiasm of her misguided partialities to the very last. All the valu- able trinkets, rings, and jewels, which she had inhe- rited, had long since been given away, or otherwise disposed of, one diamond ring excepted, which had for time immemorial remained in her family. In drawing, up her will, she had bequeathed this jewel to a popular theatrical performer. Her executor having timely knowledge of this, insisted upon its erasure, and positively declined having any thing to do with her affairs, unless she bequeathed this ring to her sister. She was prevailed upon, though reluctantly, to do so. She died very prematurely, but she had been as negligent of her health, as of her worldly affairs, and 383 and indulged in habits, than which nothing could be more pernicious in themselves, or more inju- rious to her constitution. Being occasionally sub- ject to great depression of spirits, and habitually a very bad sleeper, she indulged in the use of aether and laudanum, to an excess that can hardly be credited ; by which, and by various other acts of similar imprudence, she doubtless much accele- rated her end. Among her intimate friends were many of the most elevated rank, and she was personally ac- quainted with all the females of her time, who were in the least celebrated for their intellectual accomplishments. She was the correspondent of Anna Seward, much acquainted with Mrs. Piozzi, Helen Maria Williams, and others who have already been mentioned in this narrative. Be it permitted us to lament, yes, deeply to lament, that no friendly pilot among those upon whom she had the claims of kindred and of blood, stepped forward, in the progress of her little life, to steer her frail vessel through the storms and perils of a treacherous world. She was left, at a very early age, an orphan adven- turer, to find her way, as best she could, o'er un- known seas and regions, and many a pelting did she get from divers pitiless storms. Poor 38-4 Poor Elk ! one tear at least is paid to thy memory, by an individual who knew thy worthy admired thy talents, and loved thee with the truest warmth of friendship. Being so poetical herself, and so addicted to the society of those who had the same disposition, vo- lumes might perhaps be made of the poems ad dressed to her. The following is selected, as par ticularly descriptive of her character. " Wil, beauty, goodness, sentiment refin'd, The brightest genius, with the purest mind ; Quick nerves, to sympathy too nicely strung, And sportive innocence for ever young; Gay beaming smiles, and each still varying grace, Accordant harmony of voice and face ; Sweet chat, that might despairing anguish soothe ; A soul all energy, a heart all truth ; Give it but wings, 'tis angel, goddess, Elf; Or add caprice and Ella 'tis thyself. CHAP. Idem semper eril quoniam semper fuit idem. CHAPTER LVII. IN the preceding narrative, the name of a very celebrated lady has been introduced, who, for a long series of years, greatly attracted public notice, and concerning whom, the loudest praises and the bitterest censures have been scattered about with unsparing profuseness. This lady was Mr*. P * * * * * She seems introduced in the Recollections merely as one of those to whom a certain degree of repu- tation in the literary world obtained an easy intro- duction, but by no means from any admiration either of her talents, or her conduct. A lpng in- terval of time elapsed between the first commence- ment of acquaintance with this lady, and its last renewal ; but the impression concerning her, re. mained the same unaltered and unalterable. vor.. r. C c Hev 3S6 Her great characteristic was vanity ; acute, inge- nious, and variously informed, she undoubtedly was ; but there was a pert levity about her, which induced a perpetual suspicion of her accuracy, and an affectation also, which it seems wonderful that Dr. Johnson could ever have endured. The fraternity who used to assemble at her par- ties, had certain cant words and expressions among them, perfectly characteristic of their numerous but fantastical school. Every body admitted to their familiarity was termed Dear, Dear Anna Seward, Dear Dr. Darwin, Dear Mrs. Siddons, Dear Sir Lucas Pepys, were terms perpetually vibrated in gentle undulations round the drawing-room. No person seems better to have understood this lady's character than Boswell. The term Lively Lady, in the sense in which he used it, was admirably descriptive of her mind and manner, both in writing and conversation. But her works and her character have long been before the. public, who have formed an adequate estimate of both. It is not perhaps generally known, that her decline of life was characterized with one of those extraor- dinary and preposterous acts, that fortunately do not often occur in society, but when they do, arc invariably animadverted upon with the asperity they deserve. It 387 It is very notorious that Mrs. P. had several chil- dren, and many grand-children. It is equally well known that she possesses considerable hereditary landed property, to the amount of not much, if at all less than four thousand pounds a-year. What does the reader anticipate ? Why in course that this property was bequeathed in just and rea- sonable proportions to the above-mentioned chil- dren and grand-children. No such thing. Such a humdrum and every day mode of proceeding would have been unworthy of the poetess, the authoress, the confidential friend of the benevolent Johnson. Our lively lady (Boswell, we thank thee for that word) aimed at fairer wreaths and brighter laurels. No ! diligent search was to be made in the Alps, for some booby relative of the last poor dear man, and the search succeeded. A young Italian mountaineer turned up, calling himself the nephew to the never enough to be lamented musi- cian man. He was accordingly imported to this northern region, educated first at an expensive school, and afterwards at the University ; and upon him, and his heirs for ever, are the estates and honours of one of the oldest families of Cam- brian origin, irrevocably vested and settled. The old family mansion, forsooth, was not good enough for his Italian Highness. This was accord- ingly pulled down, and a new and splendid struc- c c 2 ture 388 ture erected for his Honour, at an expence of not much less than twenty thousand pounds. To carry the jest as far as it will possibly endure to be car- ried, this paragon of mothers and of widows, con- stantly carries her dear boy's miniature picture in her bosom, and exhibits it, on all occasions, with the most unnnatural and preposterous exultation. So no more at present; good people, of the wor- thy hostess of Johnson. CHAP. Accede O tinea ilia qua? pusillo Ventrem corpore tam geris voracem, Tene Pieridum aggredi ministros Tene arrodere tam sacros labores Nee factum mihi denega. Ecce furti Tui exerapla, tuae et voracitatis. CHAPTER LVIII. VV ALK in, Ladies and Gentlemen, and you shall see what you shall see. The next female whom you are to contemplate, sits under that large and spread- ing canopy, made, by the way, out of some old bed- furniture ; she is the celebrated authoress of all manner of things Translations from the German, Novels, Sermons, Divinity Tracts, Original Novels, founded on domestic facts, and what not besides. But to render this lady the amplest justice, we iu sert the whole of her history, as recorded by the Sexagenarian. Come then the colours and the ground prepare. wu 390 What is here related concerning this very dis- tinguished Lady, must of course be authentic, for no other reference is necessary than to her own me- morials of herself: these will generally be con- finned by that personal knowledge, which circum- stances enabled the writer to possess. She has indeed exhibited the portraits of her family, her relatives, her friends, and herself, rather in uncouth lineaments, and in a somewhat high style of cari- cature. This is entirely her own concern, as it also is to settle the account with her filial piety, for representing parental infirmities in colours too vivid to be overlooked, and too characteristic to be misapplied. But lest we should be mistaken, the reader is en- treated, on the very threshold, to be assured that our friend's general opinion of this Lady, is very favoura- ble. She possesses considerable talents ; she has cul- tivated and improved them by severe study and ri- gorous discipline. Her knowledge of languages is very considerable, or once was so, for we must be understood as speaking of days that are past. She is, or was, familiarly conversant with German, French, Italian, and other modern languages, and far from ignorant cither of Greek or Latin. In- ileal, when we knew her, ^hc was able to read, and did read, the most popular of the Latin classics, with considerable facility. With respect to her other > qualities 391 qualities of mind, we know her to be kind-hearted, benevolent, and hospitable ; always ready to listen to, and relieve distress ; very anxious and zealous, without any tinge of fanaticism, on the subjects of religion and morals. Now, reader, with whatever reluctance it may be done, it is time to balance the account per contra. The first and great deficiency, we have to notice, is want of judgment. In all her original composi- tions, she seems to write down every thin^ which presents itself to her mind, without thinking it ne- cessary to use subsequent revision and consideration. Hence it is that her sentences are sometimes ex- panded to an inordinate length, and her ideas, forcible and good perhaps in their first conception, are dilated and spun out to cobweb ^substantiality. In her compositions also, there is the grossest affectation of learning, and a perpetual use of crabbed, uncouth, pedantic expressions; so that of two words, where one was simple, explicit, and perspicuous, and the other of similar import has a Greek termination, in defiance of all good taste, the latter would be assuredly preferred. There seems also, or did seem, an irresistible propensity to take every gossip anecdote and tea-table chatter of Lady Tittle-tattle, Mrs. Go-about, and Sir Timothy Newsmonger, as authentic fact, and make them 392 thm the occasion of some fine moralizing theorems, and philosophical discussion. There is, or was, but this perhaps may be sexual, a marvellous per- tinacity in adhering to the opinions and assertions once made and avowed, in defiance of counter au- thorities, and the best substantiated facts. It is far more pleasant to contemplate the other side of the picture. It is therefore with no common satisfaction we relate, that this lady's perseverance, determination, and consistent steadiness, in the earlier period of life, overcame the most formidable difficulties which were interposed between her and the cultivation of her mind ; the fortitude with which she resisted the mean and cruel attempts which were made to keep her in a state of ignorance, and to withhold from her every opportunity of improvement, is in the highest degree honourable to her, and marks very superior intellectual endowments. Her mother, a low-minded creature, was actu- ally jealous of her, and could not endure the idea that her daughter should know any thing of which she herself was ignorant. She constantly insulted and depressed her. Her father, a proud conse- quential man, had some talents. But let us pause. The lady has herself told all these things of herself, of her mother and father also, though under the in- genious veil of fictitious names and characters. We * shall 393 ihall therefore satisfy ourselves by the recapitula* tion of a few things, which she has not related of herself. In the first place, her persevering industry and determination to obtain somewhat of scientific ac- complishments, was, in her early youth, beyond all example. No obstacles intimidated her, no inter* ruptions relaxed her ardour, no unkindness turned her from her purpose. She would read by the scanty and pernicious light of dying embers; she would submit to the most serious privations ; she would alike defy cold, and heat, and hunger, and thirst, in pursuit of her ob- ject ; and she (as she deserved to do) obtained it. She qualified herself in case of accident or misfor- tune, though she had no reasonable grounds for expecting the necessity to operate, to obtain the means of livelihood, either as a teacher of others, or as a translator and author. She actually did, when in her father's house, without the knowledge of her parents, undertake a work for a bookseller, and successfully performed it; by which she ob- tained a sum of money sufficiently large to procure some indulgence she had in view, either of learning German, or of purchasing books, or something of the kind, which might extend her knowledge, and miprove her mind. Since 394 Since she became her own mistress, independent, and opulent, the same habits of diligence have re- mained ; a certain portion of every day is now, as before, regularly allotted for a particular study and employment. These habits are perhaps (or were) characterised by a precision, convenient undoubt- edly to herself, but in a certain degree offensive and troublesome to such of her inmates, as may not, like herself, happen to move with the regularity of a watch. The anticipation or delay of five minutes before or after the time precisely fixed for any par- ticular object, was wont to occasion a feverish irri- tability, and discompose the whole mental machine for a long interval. To finish this sketch, it behoves us to say, that in all the various works which have been produced by this Lady's pen, every thing good, and wise, and virtuous, and pious, is inculcated with all the force of her talents. We believe that her writings, as they have had a very extensive, so have they had also a very salutary circulation. The few faults which we have deemed it necessary to point out, are exceedingly venial in themselves, and not of importance from their number ; whilst her valu- able qualities, her abilities, and her usefulness, en- title her to a very considerable place among those females, who in modern times have been distin- guished by the attention of the public. (MAP. Vobis ergo sacra ferenda, Musae Sed qu vietima grata ? quae Camoenis I)icata hostia ? parcite O Camcenae Nova haec vietima, sed taraen suavis Futura arbitror, admodumque grata. CHAPTER LIX. X HE next female who makes her appearance in our " Recollections," is delineated under the name of Elfrida. She was the daughter of a humble Suffolk farmer, and her education as limited as possible. Never- theless, she so strongly felt within herself the con- sciousness of talents, and the desire of independ- ence, that, though young and lively, and though in seeming contradiction to all the precepts of discre- tion, she rushed to the metropolis, without either recommendation or protection. Her very first ad- venture on her arrival, though in the highest degree romantic, and, indeed almost incredible, proved her security, and procured her a guardian and a husband. Not 396 Not knowing whither to go, she made some acci- dental enquiry of a passenger, who, as apparently much older than herself, she presumed would not deceive and mislead her. Thus the event hap- pened. This same person finding her, on enquiry, artless, ignorant of the town, distressed and un- happy, compassionated her situation, found her a home, and soon afterwards married her. As her person was remarkably good, and she appeared to have a turn and talent that way, it was resolved that she should try her fortune on the stage, where she accordingly made her appearance. There was an invincible impediment to her success, in a cer- tain defect of enunciation, which all her endeavours were Unavailing to overcome. She accordingly left the stage, retaining the esteem of all the most considerable performers, and without the slightest imputation on the accuracy of her conduct. Ere long she was left a widow, and commenced author. At this period she was introduced to our Sexa- genarian, and a familiar acquaintance subsisted for some years between them. Previous to this acquaintance, Elfrida had been so far unfortunate, that her principal and most inti- mate connections, were among those who opposed the measures of government, were warm friends of the French Revolution, and some of them tainted with 397 with the contagion of the most extravagant demo- cracy. She had also another error. She was herself of the Roman Catholic persuasion ; and whether the idea had been communicated from others, or she had imbibed it from her own observations and course of reading, she fancied that all the Ecclesiastics of the established church, of whatever rank or situation, were remarkable only for sensuality or sel- fishness. Among the various ingenious things which she published, these two most absurd prejudices will be found exceedingly to predominate an ex- travagant conception of liberty, and a foolish mis- apprehension with respect to the Clerical profession of different tenets from her own. As it is said of those who are notorious for cir- dilating falsehoods, that they at last themselves believe what they propagate, so is it with respect to errors and prejudices early received, and allowed for a Ions; continuance to influence the conduct : they are seldom if ever totally laid aside. Whether the conversation and society of our friend had any tendency to meliorate her sentiments on these subjects, is uncertain, for the acquaint- ance was interrupted by the removal of each to situations distant from one another. Our memo- randums inform us, that some exertions were made to convince the Lady, that all Bishops were not 398 not sensualists ; that they did not confer distinctions and rewards inadvertently, and without due discri- mination ; that virtue, piety, and Learning, were to be found in members of the English, as well as of the Roman church. Her love of liberty was less likely to be prejudicial to the community, and when this subject was introduced, it was without seriousness. The other error of detracting from the value of a venerable body of men, inasmuch as it violated the interests and the dignity of truth, tended very considerably to diminish her reputation. Elfrida's publications were very numerous, and of different descriptions. She wrote a great deal for the stage : in some of these attempts she was eminently successful, in others she failed altogether. Some of her works of imagination were exceed- ingly and deservedly popular, whilst others were of the humblest pretension, and betrayed the ex- tremest ignorance of the characters she undertook to describe. She managed, however, on the whole, to realize a very considerable sum of money, which would have enabled her to enjoy the residue of life in ease and independence. Unluckily, in some evil hour, a foolish and chimerical dread of poverty took possession of her fancy, and had such influ- ence upon her mind, that she abruptly gave up her acquaint- 399 acquaintance, retired into an obscure lodging, de- prived herself of the ordinary comforts she might well have afforded, and spent her time in the most sordid manner. She had a brother, who, from feelings congenial with her own, scorned the humbler employment of a farmer, and would not that the " horn should any longer call him up in the morn." Accordingly, he joined himself to a company of strolling players. Here, after a time, he married one of the party, an amiable and accomplished woman, and of consider- able theatrical talents. She appeared with reputa- tion at many of the provincial theatres, particularly at Bath, Norwich, and York. Her husband was a good-natured, but imprudent man, of no abilities, being retained in the different companies which they joined, principally on account of his wife's merit. It is believed that having involved himself in pe- cuniary difficulties, lie found it expedient to retire to the continent. He went to Hamburgh, where being one day engaged in a dispute at a billiard- table, a duel ensued, in which he forfeited his life. What became of his unfortunate wife is not known. CHA*. Vera incessu patuit dea. CHAPTER LX. XT has been remarked, in the course of these Memoirs, that the manuscript document from which the substance of what has been communicated was drawn, was distinguished by any thing rather than regularity, or chronological accuracy. Some pains have been taken in our progress, to form the mate- rials into shape, but not always to our satisfaction. We come now to a remarkable proof, that these Memorandums were noted down, as they presented themselves to the recollection, for the two females about to be mentioned, should, in point of time, have taken the lead of the class to which they belong. Both are mentioned in terms of no ordi- nary esteem or regard. We shall first introduce Mrs. Yates. To this distinguished lady, our Sexagenarian ap- pears to have been introduced, on his first arrival at 401 at the metropolis. He could not well have been more fortunate, for at her house he immediately became acquainted with some of the most distin- guished literary characters of the time. Theie he met Murphy, Home, the Author of Douglas, Ri- chard Cumberland, Hoole, the Translator of Ariosto, the Add phi Adams, old Macklin, Mrs. Lennox, Mrs. Brook, and various other eminent individuals, all of whom, alas ! have now paid the last awful debt o( nature. Of Mrs. Yates's talents in her profession, it would be unavailing and useless to speak here. The few who remember her, cannot but allow, that in characters which required majesty, dignity of person, and of manner, she was incomparable. It is rather our province in this place to render the justice which is due to her pre-eminent intellectual endowments, her very highly cultivated mind, her polished man- ners, lier graceful and elegant elocution, her urba- nity, and universal benevolence. It was utterly impossible for a young man, hitherto ignorant of the world, and but little acquainted with the higher cast of society, to have been placed in a better school. Where she took a liking, (and no recommendation was so effectual to her as a desire of improvement) she enjoyed a particular pleasure in making a young person acquainted with those little, but inexplicable essentials, about which Lord Chesterfield has writ- ten volumes, and which the French emphatically vol. i, D d denominate 402 denominate ptt'Ues morales, agremens, and bicn- scancc. Nobody understood them better, or prac- tised them with greater effect. She was particularly partial to young clergymen, and as she was in no common degree delighted with the church service, and remarkably punctual in her attendance at pub- lic worship, she derived great satisfaction in in- structing her young friends in the art of reading with emphasis and effect. She herself read the liturgy in the most impressive manner, and there were many clergymen who were not reluctant to acknowledge, that if they possessed this valuable accomplishment to any degree of excellence, it was imputable principally to her suggestions, taste, and judgment. For a considerable period, Mrs. Yates, in con- junction with her most intimate and beloved friend, Mrs. Brook, (hereafter to be mentioned) was manager of the Opera-house. Under the direction of their taste, the undertaking flourished to no conimon degree. This circumstance also increased the satisfaction of being an inmate at her house, which consequently became the resort of many distinguished foreigners. Mrs. Yates was, however, remarkably circum- spect with respect to the characters of those, whom she admitted, and at that period, gave no mean ,prooi of her discriminating sagacity, by the utter rejection 403 rejection of some Italian and French miscreants, who, though their services were found expedient in the Haymarket, could never find admission to the elegant parties in Stafford-row. Some of these wretches afterwards conspicuously signalized them- selves on the theatre of the French Revolution, and ultimately met the fate they richly deserved. The taste of this Lady was remarkably correct, in her table, her furniture, her library, and indeed in every thing. At the period of her retiring from the stage, Mrs. Siddons was gradually rising to the acme of public favour ; but this did by no means excite in her any thing like envy or discontent, and she on all occa- sions readily bore testimony to the merit of her rival. On one occasion only, did she express her- self in a manner, which might have led the hearer to suspect, that her opinion of Mrs. Siddons was not exactly conformable to that of the public. She was in a box at the theatre, on some occasion when Mrs. Siddons appeared in one of her most popular characters, and immediately behind her were two Gentlemen, who were extravagantly loud in their applause. Among other specifications of her excellence, one of them highly extolled her voice, observing that her voice was like that of a man. Upon this, Mrs. Yates turned round, and said with a smile, " It is the first time I ever j)dU heard 404 heard it remarked, by way of compliment to a lady, that her voice resembled that of a man." It seems indispensable in one, who knew her for many years with the greatest familiarity of friendship, to render, as far as possible, an act of justice. It was maliciously reported, and too ge- nerally believed, (for the most unsupported calum- nies, like the wildest aberrations from the simplicity and purity of the gospel, are always certain of meeting with friends and proselytes) that in the decline ot life, she indulged in habits of inebriety. The writer of this article may boldly assert, that he never witnessed the smallest appearance of any such irregularity, nor could discover any propensity to improper indulgence of any kind. One fault she had, which, with respect to the unfortunate object concerned, was attended with very fatal con- sequences. Mr. Yates had a niece, who was edu- cated at his expence somewhere in France. On her removal to England, she was received into the house of her uncle, and was a sort of humble com- panion to the Lady. Mrs. Yates was hasty and passionate, and, on the least provocation from this poor girl, she would, by way of punishment, order her into the kitchen. The consequence may easily be anticipated she married the footman. The calamities in which she was afterwards involved, exceed the ordinary degrees 405 degrees of human suffering. She was discarded by her relations, her husband turned out exceedingly worthless, and she was leit a widow and a be^ar with several children. Miss Yates had a brother, who was a lieutenant in the navy, an amiable and ingenious man ; but his story would carry us beyond our bounds, and has little to do with our more immediate object. He was shot in his attempts to get into his uncle's house, to whose property he thought, as heir at law, he had just claim. He also left a widow in distress. What the ultimate fate was of these truly unhappy people, was not known when this was written. To return to Mrs. Yates. She was afflicted, towards the close of life, by a most painful ill- ness, and her sufferings were exceedingly severe. She endured them with a pious and Ciiristbn-like constancy; regularly had the prayers ot the church read to her when she was not able to read them her- self, and died with the greatest composure and re- signation, o CHAF. Hortua alat violis te volo, inde rosis. CHAPTER LXI. Jj/j[RS. Yates, in her last illness, and indeed for a considerable period which preceded it, had th consolation and the society of her beloved friend, Mrs. Brook. Her testimony, declared in the strongest and most unequivocal manner, is also to be added to that of the narrative, in contradiction of the aspersion on the fame of Mrs. Yates, to which there has before been allusion. Mrs. Brook was a very distinguished woman ; she had excellent and highly cultivated talents, and made the best use of them. She was very highly esteemed by Dr. Johnson, who frequently visited her, and she also reckoned among her friends, some of the most distinguished literary characters of her time. The friendship between her and Mrs. Yates, commenced at an early period, and was only terminated by death. Her husband was Chaplain to the English garrison at Quebec, and 407 and she accompanied him thither. Previously to her departure for Canada, she gave an entertain- ment to her particular friends, among whom was Dr. Johnson. On the breaking up of the com- pany, the Doctor, with the rest, took leave of their hostess with the customary good wishes. After a little interval, the servant came to the drawing- room, to inform Mrs. Brook, that Dr. Johnson wished to speak with her in the parlour below. She accordingly went down to him. " Madam," said the Doctor, on her- entering the room, with his usual solemnity of manner, " I thought I might never see you again, so I wished to salute you before we parted, which I did not choose to do before company." The Doctor accordingly saluted her, and took his leave. This anecdote was com- municated to the writer by Mrs. Brook herself. On her return from Canada, she wrote and pub- lished Emily Montague, which w r as universally ad- mired, as well for the story as for the very beauti- ful descriptions of the scenery she had just visited. It is not, however, intended in this place, nor in- deed would it be expedient, to enter into any cri- tical discussion concerning this excellent woman's various works. They were all well received, ex- cept, perhaps, one or two of her pieces for the sta^e. She had been on <*ood terms with Garrick. but she conceived that he had treated her ill, by th 9 408 the rejection of a tragedy ; and though one of the mildest and gentlest of human beings, she took her revenge in a novel called " The Excur- sion." She retired from the world on the death of her friend, Mrs. Yates, and finished her career at the house of her son, who was a clergyman in Lincolnshire. Her husband, Dr. Brook, was a very extraor- dinary personage, and in no one instance bore the smallest resemblance to his partner. lie was one of the finest figures for an artist that can be ima- gined, having a most impressive countenance, and hair as white as snow. He was one of the greatest bon %'rcants of his time, had considerable conver- sation talents, and a very numerous circle of friends. But the deity of the table was almost the only one he worshipped with consistent devotion, and in pursuance of this object, he was a member of a club which was called Number Six. It consisted of six members ; they met at six in the evening, and never part d till six in the morning. Notwithstanding his habitual indulgence in the festivities of the table, the old Gentleman lived to a very advanced age, and died within five days of his wife. The son was an amiable man, of no very re- markable talents, except for music ; he was an ad- mirable performer on the German flute. He was educated 409 educated at St. Paul's school, from whence he went to Cambridge, and afterwards to reside on a small piece of preferment purchased for him by his mother. There he died early. CHAI. Et sum pulchra licet, tabula imperfecta, reliquk Diffidens arti, me rude pic tor opus. CHAPTER LXII. JL HE manuscript now reverts to another, and a much more modern period, and speaks of an indi- vidual, surely not less entitled both to admiration and esteem, than any who have preceded. When the name of J B is intro- duced, we do not apprehend that our friend will incur the suspicion of being too lavish in his com- mendation, or will be censured for being too cir- cumstantial in his communication. Unfortunately, there exist too few sources of intelligence. There is but little more to detail, than that at a very early period, and long before she was a candidate for literary fame and distinc- tion, our Sexagenarian met her familiarly at the house of her very excellent, amiable, and accom- plished brother, Dr. B ; as well as at other social places of intercourse, where literary people were made 411 made welcome. The great characteristic by which she was pre-eminently distinguished, was an un- affected diffidence and modest reserve ; not at all prominent in conversation, always desirous of irv- formation, never making display of the powers she herself possessed, but courteously and agreeably inviting the unfolding of those sources of instruc- tion, which she knew appertained to others. It does not appear that the high reputation she has deservedly acquired, has in this particular at all diminished her claims to respect and esteem. She bears her faculties meekly ; or at least she did, when he who writes had the opportunity of duly appreciating her estimable qualities. Her talents are before the public ; and if this work were in- tended as an arena for the display of critical acumen, the opportunity would readily be em- braced, of paying the tribute of esteem which is most unaffectedly felt, and in this place sincerely acknowledged. But we must be satisfied with the declaration, that the short and passing acquaint- ance with J B , was a circumstance upon which the Sexagenarian has, in his manuscript no- tices, expressed himself with particular earnestness of satisfaction. CHAP. Les passions les plus violeutes nous laissent quelquefob du relache, niais la vanite nous agite toujuurs. CHAPTER LXIII. X HE transition from J a B -e, is to a female of as different a description and character as can well be imagined. In making this assertion, we would not, in the slightest degree, be understood to depreciate the merits, the virtues, or the talents of Mas. * * * *. fy <' The Sexagenarian has taken occasion to speak of female personages equally respectable in society, equally estimable for their talents, and perhaps equally amiable in private life, but still as opposite as possible in character, temper, and manners. Let the reader oppose in imagination, Mrs. Cooper to Mrs. Yates, Mrs. Hannah More to Mrs. Wol- itoncroft, Mrs. Hayley to Mrs. Trimmer, and the only conclusion to be drawn is, that from the mixed characters of life, we must extract as we can, what is useful, convenient, and grateful. Tho 413 The subject of Mrs. * * * *, therefore, who was known to the Sexagenarian from childhood, is en- tered upon without feeling the necessity of apology, (if any thing shall find its way from our notes not altogether acceptable) to the Lady herself, if she may yet survive to read these Memoirs, or to any of the numerous friends whom she has necessarily and meritoriously acquired. From a child she gave indications of talents above the ordinary level, but her earliest propensity was for music, in which she soon became a proficient ; and in the provincial town where she resided, fre- quently entertained and enlivened numerous parties with her concerts. From music to poetry, the tran- sition is natural and easy ; she wrote, when very young, many elegant and beautiful things, which perhaps have not been excelled by any of the pro- ductions of her maturer years. Her natural connections, her education, and the principles in which she had been brought up, gave her an unavoidable predilection in favour of those, who, on the breaking out of the French Revolution, vainly imagined that a glorious opportunity was presenting itself, for the melioration of the condition of mankind. She was, however, steady and consistent, and did not, like her friends, Mrs. Wolstonecroft and Helen Maria Williams, expose and . disgrace her- self. 414 self. On one occasion, indeed, her enthusiasm got die better both of her prudence, and the natural deli- cacy of her sex. She attended the trial of her ad- mired what shall we call him ? Patriot ! Well then, Patriot, if you please, Home Tooke, for High Treason. When the verdict of " Not guilty" was pronounced, she scrambled over seats and benches as she could, and hastening to where he stood, kissed him in the public court. When young, she was of a very lively and cheer- ful temper, of which character her earliest compo- sitions exhibited the amplest testimony. It may be conjectured, that about this period, her sensi- bility and tenderness must have received some very acute wounds, for almost all her subsequent publi- cations were of the most melancholy cast and ten- dency. Misery, deep and dreadful misery, seemed alone to be her favourite subject, to call forth all her talents, and to occupy the whole of her imagi- nation. Her union with a celebrated artist, could not, as one should think, be entirely congenial to her na- tural habits and propensities. They who knew her from her childhood, held up their hands in asto- nishment; but Venus delights in these vagaries. At his decease, it seemed for a time as if other and higher destinies awaited her; but she was still a widow when these Memorandums were committed to paper. When 415 When it is added, by way of conclusion to this sketch, that she was a most affectionate and dutiful daughter, warm and animated in her attachments, lively and agreeable in conversation, steady and consistent in her principles, if she could have known who it was that bore this testimony in her favour, she would perhaps have been more than satisfied. This also may tend to soften the resentment to which she may be inclined to give way, when it is still further added, that the flattering attentions she received from her childhood, so far spoiled her, that whatever she does, or says, or writes, is some- what tinged with vanity and self-conceit, and that perhaps no more perfect picture was ever exhi- bited in society, of a Precieuse. * CHAF, Ite procul, acer est loess, ite prcfani. CHAPTER LXIV. V ERY high in the circles of taste and elegance, stood the female who is next commemorated. Herself possessed of no inconsiderable portion of talents of various kinds, she had the happy knack of bringing together, on a very pleasant footing, the most distinguished literary characters. At the house of Mrs. J. H. there were found once in every week, elegant individuals of both sexes, whose acquaintance was generally culti- vated for their abilities, their knowledge, or their taste. Horace "WalpoJe, Chief Baron Maedonald, and his very accomplished wife, Lady Louisa, Airs. Montague, Mrs. Carter, Lady Herries, Joanna Baillie, Sir Charles Blagden, Mr. Matthias, Dr. P. Russel, the Lady's husband, the eminent J. II her brother, the no less eminent E, H, with a 7 long 417 long catalogue of other names of greatei 01 lass celebrity. They were for the most part conversation par- ties, though music was occasionally introduced. The Lady Hostess possessed an excellent taste for poetry, and at a certain period after the death of her husband, published a very elegant octavo volume of her compositions. Of these, many had been set to music, and became exceedingly popu- lar ; one in particular, the " Song of the Dying Indian Chief," was universally and deservedly esteemed. The society above alluded to, as has been slightly observed before, was by certain sapient folks, treated with ridicule, and denominated a Blue Stocking Club. It had nevertheless a very beneficial ten- dency. It was an excellent school for good man- ners. It gave a pleasing and a useful bias to the minds of young people, and of females in particu- lar ; encouraging them, by seeing the deference paid to accomplished minds, to cultivate their own. The conversation, though easy and unaffected, was always of an instructive kind ; and it was impos- sible to leave the meeting, without gaining either knowledge, or at least a direction where farther information on matters of science, might be obtained. The merits of new books were discussed, the pur- suits and designs of authors, literary undertakings vol. i- Ee proposed: 41& proposed ; nor on the other hand, did there appear any thing in the conduct or constitution of these meetings, to require or deserve ridicule very far the contrary. The Lady President was lovely in her person, of the most captivating manners, and on all occa- sions exhibited a salutary exemplar for the study and imitation of the young people about her. It is neither to be wondered, considering the spirit of the man, nor much to be lamented, that she was not left in a state of affluence by her husband, since the nation, by purchasing the truly curious and valuable museum, collected by Mr. IT. and ar- ranged scientifically by him, with the assistance of his brother-in-law, Mr. H. at the same time secured her honourable independence, and provided for the public, an admirable school of natural history and comparative anatomy. We are fast approaching at length to the limits we had prescribed to ourselves, for the discussion o( these sketches of female biography. Not that our catalogue is by any means exhausted very far otherwise. In the course of a protracted literary life, it appears from our notes, that there were not many females who, by general consent, claimed and were allowed ascendancy and distinction, on account fjf their talents, to whose society, our Sexagenarian had not access. Indeed, the manuscript from which these Memorials are derived, contain a number of anecdotes, 419 anecdotes, the communication of which would pro- bably afford as much amusement as any which may have preceded. But there is still such abun- dance of materials before us, that compression seems beginning to be necessary. We shall there- fore close this head with a brief description of a Lady, who may rank with the proudest and the highest, in the scale of intellectual endowments ; who has also afforded no unavailing assistance in works requiring great and various erudition, sound judgment, and much critical acuteness. Though educated in the principles of Dissenters, she was in the early part of her life engaged to be married to a clergyman, who was preceptor to one Of the branches of the Royal Family. He unfor- tunately died, and she afterwards united herself to a Dignitary of the Church, whose learning, abilities, and virtues, have since deservedly obtained for him a seat upon the Episcopal Bench. She was ever and invariablv distinguished for the assiduous cultivation of her mind, her extensive and various knowledge, and indeed for her general love of literature ; but she was more particularly remarkable for her fondness of theological studies, in which she became an extraordinary proficient. Indeed it has often been asserted, (nor has the assertion ever been from authority contradicted) that a popular work on Prophecy was very niate- ec2 riullv 420 rially indebted, not merely to this Lady's sugges- tions and assistance, but that no inconsiderable por- tion of it was actually written by her pen. That she has composed many other tilings, there can be no doubt ; and that they are alike distin- guished by extensive information, judgment, and acuteness, must be equally certain. But this is not her only praise. In the higher and more important offices of private life, she has done honour to an elevated station, and effectually and usefully ful- filled evenr duty in the circle of female obligation CHAH. Piincipibus plactusse viris non ultima laus est. CHAPTER LXV. VV E must now go back, and revert to the pe- riod at which we were, when the expediency of introducing a discussion on the characters and qua- lities of eminent female personages, suggested itself from our notes. Our digression commenced at the time when we were about to notice, that the pre- sumed usefulness of our Sexagenarian's literary labours and pursuits, occasioned his being intro- duced to Archb'=hop Moore, to Bishops Barring- ton, Porteus, Da:; pier, Tomline, and Burgess, &c. and others of the Episcopal Bench. All treated him with kindness. Of all, if he has not said it already, he has something to say, and of some not a little. Of Archbishop Moore, the distance or rank was too great, and the opportunities of forming any judg- ment too limited, forhim to ascertain much about the extent ofhis intellectual powers and accomplishments. But there was a graciousness, an affability, a be- nevolence, 422 ncvolence, tempered with dignity, which could nofc fail strongly to impress, and effectually to conciliate those who were admitted to his presence. There was, moreover, obviously conspicuous, an ardent desire to discharge vigilantly and accurately, the duties of his exalted station. When the writer of these Recollections first saw him, the mighty monster of the French Revolution was rearing its infernal brood of assassins, infidels, and miscreants ; and the Archbishop sagaciously foresaw and predicted, the horrible calamities which would be produced, by letting those hell-hounds loose upon society. It was his peculiar province and duty, to guard against the circulation of the poison in this country, as far as religion was con- cerned. He felt the full importance of his station. The steady advocates of loyalty and truth, found in his Grace, a friend, protector, and counsellor. lie collected the ablest among them under one banner, and by animating their zeal, encouraging their efforts, and rewarding their exertions, formed a bulwark for the defence and preservation of the church as connected with the state, which alike defied the open and avowed attacks of foreign ad- versaries, and the more formidable, because more disguised and secret, machinations of domestic con- ipirators. Peaces 423 Peace to his memory. On the first introduction of our friend, he anticipated him hy graciously saying "I know how assiduously and how use- fully you have exercised your time and talents, and acknowledge your claim on the country and myself. Consider me as your friend." He testified his friendship and good opinion by something better than words. Alike in their sense of the duties of their high stations, equally attached to the constitution and ecclesiastical establishment of their country, and resolved by every effort to support and defend both, in the same degree administering protection and encouragement to those, who in arduous and pe- rilous times avowed their loyalty, and strenuously vindicated their faith, Bishop B * * * *, as far as talents and learning are concerned, was cast in a yet higher mould. No further comparison need be made. Without entering into any political disqui- sitions, which might eventually lead to contrariety of opinions, it may be confidently asserted in this place, without apprehension of dispute, that Bishop B * * 's character lias beon invariably and con- sistently, that of the friend and patron of all who claimed his notice from the merits of learning, ta- lents, or virtue. In the different situations which he has so honourably tilled, his first care seems to have been to single out those who merited his distinction, and 424 and without regard to the incidental circumstances of rank, or external recommendation, to confer his favours and his bounty, promptly and substantially upon them. There are but few individuals who, within the last fifty years, have been esteemed for their parts and learning, who have not been honoured by his notice, and admitted to his table. But this is not all. His Lordship has not unfrequently conferred rewards upon learned and useful men, with no other knowledge of them than their works, communi- cated witli no other recommendation than their pood name. Perhaps there is not an instance be- yond the limit of his own family, where there was any excitement or inducement to the communication of his favours, but the decided and unequivocal tes- timony of the merits or virtues of the objects re- ceiving them. This too at a time when it was too generally understood, and it is to be feared too justly believed, that political and parliamentary interest and interposition, presented almost the only path to ecclesiastical promotion. The term almost is used, because there are some noble ex- ceptions to the contrary in the conduct of l^i^hop Porteus more particularly, hereafter to be men- tioned, as well as of some other ornaments to the Episcopal Bench. Hut 425 But Bishop B * * * * must not be considered and estimated as the mere patron of literature ; he always and successfully cultivated it himself, was ever deemed an excellent scholar ; and the dif- ferent Charges, Sermons, and Tracts, which he has at various times given |to the world, are to be classed among our happiest specimens of elegance, purity, and simplicity of diction. If his Lordship had ever condescended to do, what is here, it is feared, very imperfectly attempted, what an admirable miscellany he must have pro- duced. Having lived familiarly with the most learned, and most eminent; learned himself, and by his example, courtesy, and affability, inviting his friends to unfold their intellectual treasures, a Common Phce-Book from such a hand, must have afforded hints for many desirable works ; might have detected the sources of error, so as to prevent their repetition, and correct their tendency; and must have preserved innumerable anecdotes for the instruction and delight of posterity. We leave this article very reluctantly, for nothing could be more easy, from the knowledge commu- nicated in these -^collections, of instances on the part of the Bishop, of extraordinary zeal in the cause of learning, and of most generous and bene- volent interposition in behalf oi oppressed and suffering merit, than to extend these Remarks to an almost 426* almost indefinite length. No work of learning re- quiring patronage, which promised illumination of what was before obscure, improvement of any sci- entifkal pursuits, increase of utility in any depart* ment of the arts, way ever known to solicit Bishop B * * * * 's countenance in vain. No case of be- neTolencc, where the circumstances claimed and merited assistance, ever came before him without beiiiCT relieved. Two individuals who afterwards adorned the Episcopal Bench, were first introduced to notice as his domestic chaplains. The stalls of Durham bear strong and satisfactory evidence of his unli- mited liberality in rewarding learning and virtue. But we must turn aside from this agreeable and cheering prospect, to contemplate another, which, if inferior at all in any of the requisites to make a moral picture perfect, can only be so in points o$ comparative unimportance. ( II A I 1 . Quid favpr aut ca?ius, pleni quid honoribus anni Proiuerunr, sacris et vita quid artibus acta ? Abstuli' una dies aevi decus, ictaque luctu Conticuit Latisp tnstis facundia linguae Unica sollicitis quondam tutela salusque : il!e senatus Yindex, ille fori, legum ritusque togaeque. CHAPTER LXVI. JM.ILD, pious, good, and amiable, beneficent almost beyond example, candid in the construction of error, lenient even to those whose conduct he disapproved, but strenuous, firm, and courageous, in his vindication of the causes of religion and loy- alty ; extensively, if not profoundly, learned himself, but vigilant in discovering merit, anxious and gene- rous in the universal encouragement of science; active in promoting the cause of benevolence, steady in his friendships, constant in his engage- ments, extremely cautious of inspiring hopes which it was not his determined purpose to gratify such was Bishop Porteus ; such is the impression of his character l 428 character and virtues in the breast of one ho knew him, it' it may be permitted so to say, with great intimacy for twenty years ; saw him under different circumstances, which put his judgment, discernment, and temper to the proof, and who never knew him in i.ie least detective in those essential qualities which ought to characterize a Christian Bishop. Yet as ah have their infirmities and failings, he was not without his. He was timid with respect to the general opinion, and was sometimes diverted from his purpose, by an impudent paragraph in a newspaper, or by an anonymous letter. Alterca- tion and dispute were so ahhorrent from his na- ture, that he has on certain occasions compromised his dignity, to avoid them. But let that pass he had no other weakness. Nothing so delighted hina as the communication of happiness, and the exer- cise of benevolence. He who writes this, had on various occasions the high honour of bein his almoner; and it is really difficult to imagine, the remote situations, and various circumstances of in- digence, to which the stream of his bounty was directed. His situation as Metropolitan Bishop, exposed him to a prodigious number of applications, from the poorer order of clergymen. London is the point to which all direct their way, when matters have 429 have gone wrong in the provinces, either from mis- fortune, misconduct, or disappointed speculation. He attended to all, and relieved most. One pecu- liarity he had, which his successors, however ami- able, or deserving they may be, would do well to imitate. He considered every clergyman as enti- tled to personal respect and attention ; nor did he ever permit any letter to remain for more than a day unanswered. If he could not comply with the solicitation, he tempered his refusal with kindness and complacency. Nothing more highly gratified him, than an opportunity of indulging his wishes and intentions with respect to those whom he al- lowed to look to him with expectation. In many instances he conferred preferment un- expected and unsolicited. The present D. of C. had never been introduced to him, when he re- ceived a letter, offering him the living of St. James's, Westminster. He gave in the same manner, one of the best Prebends of his Cathedral Church to Dr. Paley. He was solely influenced, as he often said, in the first instance, by the deserved reputa- tion of Mr. A. as a preacher, and in the second by the excellence and utility of Dr. Paley 's writings. He demonstrated the very high estimation in which he held the venerable Mrs. Carter, by be- stowing preferment upon her nephew ; and he marked the great value which he put upon Mrs. Trimmers 43b Trimmef's meritorious exertions and literary la- bours, by conferring a similar favour upon her sori; His noble behaviour and generous intentions to- wards Dr. Beattie, are sufficiently detailed in the life of that amiable man, and excellent writer, by Forbes. He gave, with a very slight personal knowledge of the individual, a considerable benefice to Mr. Twining, the learned Translator of Aristotle's Poetics, from no other inducement than his esteem for his talents and erudition. As a reward for protracted, active, arid useful service, in the laborious office of Curate of Fulham, he bestowed a valuable living upon * * * *, the Secretary of the Bible Society.* Many, a great many other instances of the kind, might easily be specified ; indeed it was very obvious to all Mho knew him, that having provided for those to whom the ties of consanguinity and relationship, gave claims upon him, his earnest employment was to seek out those, who for their piety, their usefulness, or their learning, were suitable objects of his pa- tronage. There is probably no example, at least in modern times, of any Prelate's distinguishing, with such solid marks of kindness, so great a num- ber of literary characters. His last act of beneficence of this kind, was that perhaps which most of all occasioned his judgment to be called in question ; but his motives were as pure,. 431 pure, and his intentions as laudable, as in any in- stance, in which he had ever been called upon to exercise his discretion. He had often and seriously lamented, that Oriental literature was not suffici- ently cultivated by those who were destined for the ministerial office in the church, and he always wished for an opportunity of demonstrating his wishes and feelings on this subject. About the year 1 808, a person was introduced to him who had been born in Prussia, educated in Koningsberg, and had a licence for preaching granted him according to the ecclesiastical cere- monies of that country. He was afterwards elected by the people of Dantzick to the situation of Pastor to the Evangelical German Community settled at Smyrna. Here he employed his leisure in the study of the Oriental languages, and here also he learned English; and having occasionally been permitted to perform the duty in English, at the chapel of that nation, he was afterwards appointed to that office by the Levant Company. From Smyrna he visited Egypt, from thence went to Syria and Jeru- salem, and the more memorable places specified in Scripture. He next visited Damascus, Balbec, and the monastery of St. John. From thence he travelled to Tripoli and Aleppo, and visiting some of the Island* in his way, returned to Smyrna by sea. 432 sea. Having resided here some time, he went to Constantinople, and indulging his curiosity with respect to all the Greek islands of repute, he again returned to Smyrna. In 179-5, he was introduced to Mr. Wilbraham, in whose company he examined the site of ancient Babylon, and crossing the Eu- phrates and the Tigris, visited Bagdad. From Bagdad the travellers made a journey through Hamedan, the ancient Ecbatana, to Ispahan, and to Persepoiis and Shiraz. From the last place they went to Bussorah, and crossing the desart, after various deviations in different directions, once more took up his abode at Smyrna. His subsequent adventures were not a little ex- traordinary. A dreadful insurrection of the Turkish mob compelled him to leave Smyrna, from which place he departed with two pupils, on his way to Europe, on board an Imperial ship. They had hardly entered the Adriatic gulph, before they were taken by a Tripoline corsair, and carried to Modor. At Modor he und his pupils were released by an English renegado, who had the command of the Tripoline squadron, and who remembered having seen them at Smyrna. From Modor, therefore, they took their depar- ture for Zante ; but the French, who were then masters of the Seven Islands, detained them as prisoners of war. They were carried before Ge- neral 4S3 neral Chabot at Corfu, who treated them with civility, and gave them permission to proceed to Venice; thence they got to Vienna, Berlin, Ham- burgh, and finally to England. At this point, and not without reason, the indi- vidual, from whose short account of himself, printed at the Bishop's expence, and distributed to his friends, this is taken, emphatically exclaims, " How happy was I to see that most enviable country !" In England he had recommendations from the Levant Company to the Bishop of London. The sequel is very short. In this person the good and amiable Bishop thought he had found the very man he wanted, viz. one who was well versed in the Oriental languages, and who, with suitable encouragement, would devote his time and knowledge to the elucidation of Scripture. He did not perhaps consider that other qualities are indispensably necessary for this high and im- portant office, than the mere knowledge of Arabic, with some acquaintance with Syriac, in addition to having personally visited many of the places de- scribed in Scripture. Be this as it may, the most desirable living in his diocese becoming vacant, one which had been filled at different times by some of the greatest ornaments of the church, he gave it to this same personage. It would be invidious to vol. r. F f enter 434 enter into any discussion on the merits of the person who was thus distinguished ; but it may be ob- served, that the good Bishop's views do not appear to have been altogether answered. Two things are certain : first, that no publication has yet appeared from this quarter, illustrative of the Sacred Writings, or demonstrative of intimate acquaintance with the Oriental languages ; and secondly, that much dis- content was excited by this proceeding among the clergy of the diocese, who very naturally suggested the enquiry, whether there was not among those who were personally known to the Bishop ; whose services to the church had been conspicuous, their utility manifest, their talents exercised, and their merits proved, any one, upon whom this mark of favour would not have been more consistently and more properly bestowed. It must be perfectly unnecessary to enter into any critical discussion of the Bishop's merits as a writer. His works have been long before the pub- lic, and universally dd mired for their force and ele- gance. As a preacher he was incomparable, and so evidently felt every syllabic he uttered, that he could not fail, nor did he ever fail, to make the most strong and lasting impression on his hearers. For other and more detailed particulars of his life, the reader is referred to the Biographical Sketch of Archdeacon Hodgson. One or two things present themselves 435 themselves to the recollection, which, as they have not a place in that volume, may be admitted l^ere. They were communicated, it seems, to the Sexage- narian by the Bishop himself. When at Cambridge, and just after being ad- mitted into orders, he made several efforts to obtain a curacy, but in vain. He used with much good humour to relate the circumstance, which it did not become him, he observed, to forget, that there was a time when he did not possess interest enough to obtain a curacy. At length, it was proposed to him to read prayers to the family of the May- nards, at Easton Lodge. This was a considerable distance from Cambridge, but he was so pleased with the appointment, that, to use his own words used to say, " I thought I had got a Bishopric." After having been Bishop of Chester for many years, in which interval he used laughingly to say, he had never interest enough to procure a good Cheshire cheese, he was appointed to the Bishopric of London, not only withou^ny solicitation on his own part, or on that of his friends, but without the most remote expectation of such an event. He was sitting after tea in the warden with Mrs. Por- teus, at his favourite place of retirement in Kent, when a letter arrived from Mr. Pitt, notifying the appointment. Notwith- 436 Notwithstanding the obligation which he always avowed to the Queen, whose Bishop he was cus- tomarily, and perhaps not improperly called, he certainly, on one occasion at least, had the firmness to refuse compliance with a Royal recommendation, in favour of an individual, who was not in his judg- ment adequate to fulfil the duties of the situation required. Much more was said in the Manuscript on the subject of this excellent personage, but as it ap- peared to be rather expressive of private feeling and individual attachment, than to comprehend further and interesting anecdotes, it is here omitted. END OF VOL. I. Printed by 11. <|- R. Gilbert, Si.Jthu's Square, London. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 1QP ^//^,V ' " o f f fl ^ ; 7 KHC'D LD-URl 'M D-'JR] t^ MA . 1374 Form L'J-Series 1 I i REro ruum NOV 7 1988 SEP 10 1988 MAR 1 % Wt o^-LIBRAin PR to99 B42Z5 v.l V3-J0' J