MY TUTOR.
“Of Professor ⸺ there is not any biographical sketch. He was the son of a village blacksmith, nor is he, I verily believe, though now arrived at eminence, at all ashamed of his humble origin. He discovered, when a very boy, such an aptitude for figures, such acuteness and skill in the combination of numbers, that he was soon recommended to the notice of the clergyman, who, fortunately 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 auspicious. He distinguished himself far above his fellows, by his mathematical attainments and philosophical pursuits, and received in due time the reward of his diligence and his merits. He 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 valuable publications of modern times; and he yet lives[1], 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, experienced his kindness.
Dr. C. was a man of no ordinary talents, of extensive reading, and deep reflection. He unfortunately bewildered himself in the subtleties of metaphysics, 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 reputation in a branch of the medical profession, and who, with his parent, is equally entitled to this tribute 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 livelihood by teaching the classics and mathematics, (both, it may be apprehended, very imperfectly) used to go to the doctor’s house, at the distance of about five miles, every Saturday, and stay till Monday. For what he did, whatever that might be, probably teaching the younger children arithmetic, he professed himself to be perfectly satisfied with the hospitable welcome with which he was received. He abruptly, for some cause or other, discontinued his visits. After an interval, he determined to apply to the doctor for the present of a guinea. Strange to say, (yet many can vouch for the truth of the tale) though he had written a great deal, and read more, he had never had occasion, even at the age of fifty, to write a letter, and actually 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 anecdotes of this 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 Daughter,” “The School for Wives,” and “The Exemplary 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 progress of this work.