When the father died, or what became of the son, was unknown, but the family fell back again to their original poverty.
A whimsical anecdote is recorded of the above individual. When riches began to abound, he must needs set up his carriage, and he applied to the parson of the parish to furnish him with a motto. This same person was a most eccentric character. Very fond of his pipe—still more fond of his bottle—but withal, was very learned, and had an abundant store of facetiousness and humour. On his wealthy friend’s application for a motto, he gave him the following—“Quo mihi fortunam?”
This was accordingly placed upon the carriage; but some of the banker’s half-learned friends pretended to dispute its accuracy; upon which, out of humour, he remonstrated with his clerical adviser for imposing an incorrect motto upon him.—“Friend Roger,” replied the old gentleman, “do you support your carriage, and I’ll support the motto.” The motto is indeed remarkable for the seeming spirit of prophecy with which it was communicated. The motto survives—the coach is no more.
The next two individuals, concerning whom notices present themselves, were of the ecclesiastical profession, and both may surely be denominated fortunate.
The one was in the humblest possible situation, compatible with the character of a student, in one of the colleges of Oxford, but he carried with him the best qualifications of steadiness of principle, thirst for knowledge, and the seeds of an honourable ambition.
On his first leaving the University, no better occupation presented itself than that of a humble curacy in a country village. But here fortune befriended him. Among his auditors was a venerable nobleman, who had himself risen to his wealth and dignities from no very splendid beginnings, by the active use of considerable talents, and who consequently had the sagacity to distinguish merit, and, as it appeared from the consequences, had, also the liberality to assist and reward it.
This nobleman having received the young curate into his familiar acquaintance, soon discovered that he had talents of the higher order, and which merited a more spacious held for their display and exercise. A very long period did not elapse, before a living of considerable value, with no small degree of responsibility attached to it, was procured by the nobleman for his friend.
In the discharge of this greater duty, he so well acquitted himself, that ere long, a Prebendal stall was added to it, and at no very great interval of time, he became a Dean, Bishop, perhaps hereafter ⸺
Let it not be supposed that this advancement to high ecclesiastical dignities, was the mere result of noble and powerful influence. In addition to private virtues and personal recommendations, claims to preferment were enforced by various and profound erudition exercised on professional subjects.