And what were these other feelings? How often and how unavailingly has the question been discussed, whether individuals addicted to learned pursuits should marry. Petrarch, and many other sage and celebrated personages, have adduced some notable arguments on this subtle question, which one single smile from Laura, one kind glance from youthful beauty, one endearing emotion of avowed affection, would in a moment disperse into the thinnest air.
Such was the case in the present instance—
If lusty Love should go in quest of Beauty.
Where could he have more effectually found it, than in the object, the hope of possessing whom, outweighed every other consideration. Oh what a field is here opened! If fond recollection were to go back to these early hours, to retrace the difficulties which were presented to the accomplishment of mutual wishes, the ardour with which they were overcome, the triumphant exultation with which, the Rose of Sharon was conducted to the tent of Kedar, large volumes might easily be written. A hard restraint must be exercised, for what has love to do with literature? Yet if occasionally a few anecdotes should insinuate themselves into the narrative, originating in this source, and tinging with a brighter or a darker hue, many scenes in a protracted life, the reader may pass them over, or peruse them as he shall think proper.
The situation, as before observed, was accepted, and its duties, however irksome, were steadily performed. That which happens in the ordinary course and contingencies of every human life, happened here also. Of the inconveniences which were foreseen, some were greater and some less in their pressure than was expected; so was it also with respect to the advantages: on the whole, an equilibrium was preserved, with no important variation, during the whole of the period which was thus occupied, in the discharge of what was by no means an unimportant office. The place of residence was remote from the more attractive scenes of learning, taste, and refinement; but still “full many a gem of purest ray serene” has beamed from its recesses; full many a blushing flower of delicious sweetness has been transplanted from its bowers; many of the most illustrious names of ancient and of modern times, derived their origin from this our Bœotia.
Here let a tribute of the tenderest affection and regret be paid to the memory of one of these bright gems, whose lustre was too soon, alas! how soon obscured, in the dark unfathomed cave of death. He who employs the pen now used in delineating the character before us, knew him in boyish days, witnessed the earliest dawning of his genius, viewed his progress with delight and astonishment, occasionally aided his literary labours, remarked also with no common anguish the approach of that incurable malady, which finally and abruptly hurried him to his grave.
Nestoris annosi vixisses sæcula, si me
Dispensata tibi stamina neta forent.