At this portion of the manuscript, so many erasures and substitutions occur, that the most persevering diligence and investigation can with difficulty make out, that there was some drawback to this highly-coloured eulogium; some expectations excited 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 appropriated to the subject, these words are distinctly visible:—“... Surely this was cruel—a very moderate portion of that which was voluntarily 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 The purple light of hope, which beamed for a while with a steady brightness, was suddenly, was abruptly withdrawn, nor could my own activity, or the exertions of my friends, ever learn the cause.”
But let us descend a while from this lofty eminence, from this perihelion, where we are overpowered, and in danger of being consumed by excessive 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 narrative 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 frequently 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 considerable degree of practice. There was no professional honour to which he might not have aspired, 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 unimpeached character for integrity, abilities, and professional knowledge, enjoys a most extensive and lucrative practice, and is highly regarded and esteemed by all who know him.
Jus est mari, nunc strato æquore 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 inadequate to the maintenance of a son and a daughter. The son was destined for the law, and placed with an eminent attorney, but soon becoming 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 Bay of Gibraltar. He served as Lieutenant under Captain Macbride, in the Bienfaisant. A detachment from this ship was 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 quondam acquaintance, and offered him every indulgence in his power. The Englishman requested that his papers might be preserved without injury, which his official situation rendered highly important The request was not only complied with, but after treating him with the greatest kindness and hospitality, Langara gave him his release.