Elfrida.
She was the daughter of a humble Suffolk farmer, and her education as limited as possible. Nevertheless, she so strongly felt within herself the consciousness of talents, and the desire of independence, that, though young and lively, and though in seeming contradiction to all the precepts of discretion, she rushed to the metropolis, without either recommendation or protection. Her very first adventure 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 knowing whither to go, she made some accidental enquiry of a passenger, who, as apparently much older than herself, she presumed would not deceive and mislead her. Thus the event happened. This same person finding her, on enquiry, artless, ignorant of the town, distressed and unhappy, 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 certain 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 Sexagenarian, 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 intimate connections, were among those who opposed the measures of government, were warm friends of the French Revolution, and some of them tainted with the contagion of the most extravagant democracy.
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 selfishness. Among the various ingenious things which she published, these two most absurd prejudices will be found exceedingly to predominate—an extravagant conception of liberty, and a foolish misapprehension with respect to the Clerical profession of different tenets from her own.
As it is said of those who are notorious for circulating 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 long 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 acquaintance was interrupted by the removal of each to situations distant from one another. Our memorandums inform us, that some exertions were made to convince the Lady, that all Bishops were not sensualists; that they did not confer distinctions and rewards inadvertently, and without due discrimination; 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 exceedingly and deservedly popular, whilst others were of the humblest pretension, and betrayed the extremest 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 influence upon her mind, that she abruptly gave up her acquaintance, retired into an obscure lodging, deprived 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 considerable theatrical talents. She appeared with reputation 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 pecuniary difficulties, he 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.
Vera incessu patuit dea.