Stet quicunque volet potens,
Aulæ culmine lubrico,
Me dulcis saturet quies
Obscuro positum loco.
CHAPTER XVIII.
A notable contrast to the preceding was another singular and eccentric character, a fellow-collegian of the same standing. He has been slightly alluded to in a former part of this narrative, and deserves to be yet further remembered. His 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, however, 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. He accordingly converted his stock and moveables into money, and with the assistance of a neighbouring clergyman, got just Latin and Greek enough to pass examination at college.
He had calculated his means with such extreme precision, that with the advantages he was to receive from being a Sizer, the sum of forty pounds 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 articles of expenditure. For example, once a week he would invite some one to breakfast, once a fortnight 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 industry.
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 inconsiderateness and folly. His great ambition was at length satisfied to the full. He obtained orders, and a decent 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, principally on foot, to solicit contributions for this purpose, from those who were able and disposed to bestow them. Nor did he rest till he had accumulated several hundreds of pounds, for the accomplishment 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 blessings 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 cotemporary of a different society, who (if any man ever had) had most abundant cause to bow before the shrine of the divinity, who with such seeming capriciousness, sævo læta negotio, distributes her smiles and favours. His father was a respectable clergyman in moderate circumstances; his education rather confined, but certainly in some private seminary. He went to the university with no particular pretensions of talent, learning, or application; 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 period, he was mild, unassuming, and generally acceptable to his numerous acquaintance. He 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 industrious relations in commercial pursuits. The change had an extraordinary effect upon his memory. He 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; prosperity 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 dignity of a senator, to large landed property, and a splendid establishment, in exchange for a situation, relatively at least, humble and insignificant.