CHAPTER LII.
Perhaps 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 employed 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 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 seemed 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 politics, was sanctioned by the veneration of ages, and in introducing, with the most audacious perseverance, wild, preposterous, and pernicious theories.
This lady’s first entrance into life was characterized 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. This good lady, on the contrary, was not eminently distinguished by her filial piety, and at a very early period 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 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 W. 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 mischievous) ideas on the subject of female education, was it likely that she should. She then settled in London, 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 receptacle 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 judgment, 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 partiality of women. This circumstance relating to an individual, for whom, on account of his talents, it is impossible not to feel sentiments of respect, would not have been introduced, had not the lady’s biographer spoken of the fact without reserve.
The gentleman alluded to, it may be apprehended, 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.