She shut herself up with her children, bestowing the whole of her time and attention on the care of their health, the formation of their manners, and the cultivation of their minds. She received not, as heretofore, even the most intimate and the oldest of her friends, wisely observing, that if the master of the house were not present to bid welcome, the feast would resemble that, in which Banquo’s chair was empty.
The space of the theatre in which the hero of the drama, subsequently exercised his talents, became very considerably enlarged. He was seen by the side of Princes, and Dukes, and Peers were his companions. He was a Member of the British Parliament, and inhabited a palace. He launched into all the luxuries of a depraved metropolis, and seldom saw his almost widowed wife except at the transient half hour of a two o’clock breakfast.
Nil erit ulterius quod nostris moribus addet
Posteritas.
The reader will not be unmindful that our Memoranda are still employed in brief communications concerning certain individuals personally known to the Sexagenarian, who, from the humblest beginnings, have risen from the contingencies of life to situations of affluence and honour. We come now to a Right Honourable—Aye!—a Right, Right Honourable!
His first origin could not possibly be very lofty, though it is not pretended to assert what it was, but his first appearance on the public stage was in the navy, and in its civil department; probably as captain’s clerk. That he should ascend to the highest degree of the department, and in due time become a purser, is in the natural order of things, and necessarily implies steadiness and good conduct. But the individual under review, had higher and greater qualities; and the next record concerning him, is the fact of his having entered into the line of politics, bustling among the great and powerful, and rendering himself serviceable to one of the greatest ministers this country ever beheld, by his strong sense, sagacity, powers of computation, and great expertness in all arithmetical calculations.
He became a Member of Parliament—forward, prompt, and useful, wherever and whenever the Minister required his assistance, which was principally in matters relating to the business of the Exchequer.
The value of his services was felt, acknowledged, and rewarded—rewarded indeed to no common extent. The advantages conferred at the time, and the sinecures still retained, now that the giver is no more, constitute no inconsiderable catalogue, and render the possessor one of the richest and most powerful of our English commoners. These benefits also result to the various branches of his family, who are all of them more or less distinguished by situations of honour and emolument.
All intention of depreciating the sterling value of the individual, whose portrait is here slightly delineated, is pointedly disavowed, nor indeed are the cursory remarks which are subjoined at all likely to lessen his currency.
But our friend adds drily, that if a treatise were to be elaborately written on “Memory,” and the vicissitudes it undergoes, its degrees of strength or weakness, as things turn out prosperous or adverse, he thinks it will appear, that it is apt to grow progressively weaker and more uncertain in those, whose elevation in life has exceeded their early prospects and expectations, than in those who have passed quietly and soberly along the middle path, neither drawn aside by ambition, nor thrust down by misfortune.