After a tedious apprenticeship as a curate, he obtained at length a small living, on which he proceeded to reside. What often happens in similar circumstances, happened also in this. His establishment consisted of one maid-servant, plain, ignorant, and of the very meanest extraction; her, however, he thought proper to marry. The consequence was a numerous family, and the most deplorable poverty. This latter evil, he attempted in some degree to palliate, by the exercise of his pen in the particular branch of science for which he had long been justly eminent. Nor was it wholly without success. Fortunately for him, he had some connection with the conductor of a literary journal of extensive circulation, who knew his merits, and availed himself of his talents and industry. The particular proofs in this way, and through this channel, which were exhibited of his knowledge as a Cambist, attracted the notice of a very distinguished individual, who had the disposition as well as the opportunity, of encouraging and rewarding literary merit. He was accordingly introduced to this personage, and at no great distance of time, presented to a piece of preferment so considerable, that it held out to him the hope of passing the remainder of his life in ease and tranquillity. He died, however, if not prematurely, at least before he effectually enjoyed the benefits of his new situation. For his wife and family, there could be but a very scanty provision. The active benevolence of a friend, promoted a subscription for them, but this could not be of any great magnitude or importance.
Non tu scis Bacchæ Bacchanti si velis adversarier
Ex insana insaniorem facies, feriet sæpius,
Si obsequere, una resolvas plaga.[2]
CHAPTER XXIV.
Mention has before been made of the Abbé’s two sisters. The character of one of them was so very singular, and her fortunes so bordering on the romantic, that they ought not entirely to be passed over.
The sisters at first kept a school for young ladies, and as they were clever and accomplished, and promised something of refinement, beyond the ordinary level of provincial schools, they were for a time very successful. But it is more than probable that this success was interrupted and finally destroyed by the wayward and very eccentric character and conduct of the younger. She was of the Wolstoncraft school, a great stickler for the dignity of the sex, and the rights of women. She was an authoress, a poetess, and afterwards an actress. She exhibited the remarkable phænomenon of representing on the stage, the principal character in a tragedy written by herself, which nevertheless was damned. She printed a volume of poems by subscription, and her conduct with respect to the printer, brings to mind a story of a simple clergyman, which may as well be told first.
A poor vicar, in a very remote province, had, on some popular occasion, preached a sermon so exceedingly acceptable to his parishioners, that they entreated him to print it, which, after due and solemn deliberation, he promised to do. This was the most remarkable incident of his life, and filled his mind with a thousand fancies. The conclusion, however, of all his consultations with himself was, that he should obtain both fame and money, and that a journey to the metropolis, to direct and superintend the great concern, was indispensable. After taking a formal leave of his friends and neighbours, he proceeded on his journey. On his arrival in town, by great good fortune he was recommended to the worthy and excellent Mr. Bowyer, to whom he triumphantly related the object of his journey. The printer agreed to his proposals, and required to know how many copies he would choose to have struck off. “Why, Sir,” returned the clergyman, “I have calculated that there are in the kingdom so many thousand parishes, and that each parish will at least take one, and others more; so that I think we may venture to print about thirty-five or thirty-six thousand copies.”
The printer bowed, the matter was settled, and the Reverend author departed in high spirits to his home. With much difficulty and great self-denial, a period of about two months was suffered to pass, when his golden visions so tormented his imagination, that he could endure it no longer, and accordingly wrote to Mr. Bowyer, desiring him to send the debtor and creditor account, most liberally permitting the remittances to be forwarded at Mr. B.’s convenience. Judge of the astonishment, tribulation, and anguish, excited by the receipt of the following account, or something very much resembling it.