WILLIAM Hamilton, the young hero of this true history, was eight years
of age when he removed to his uncle doctor Wentbridge’s school, in the
neighbourhood of Weatherby. That gentleman began his seminary with a
considerable prospect of success, and among a good number of pupils
had several boys of nearly his nephew’s standing. William’s genius,
therefore, both quick and strong, was stimulated by emulation. His
literary career gave his uncle very thorough satisfaction. Before
he reached his eleventh year, he was advanced to Cæsar and Ovid’s
Metamorphoses, and at the head of a class of promising scholars
in the various school exercises. Though in his disposition frank,
liberal, and bold, and very popular among his schoolfellows, yet he
continued passionate; his anger being vented in violence where prowess
could operate, but where valour was inapplicable, converging itself
into poignant and severe sarcasm; insomuch that his uncle told the
old vicar, William would turn out a very clever fellow whatsoever
profession he embraced, but if he became literary would most probably
be a satirist. The venerable clergyman was pleased with the testimony
borne by his son to his grandson’s ability, but declared his sincere
wish that the violence of his passions might be restrained, and his
sarcastic efforts might be repressed. Though Dr. Wentbridge was no
less desirous of confining his nephew’s satirical effusion within the
limits of moderation, he could not always succeed. There was at the
school an usher of acute and vigorous talents, but malignant in his
disposition, sour and sneering in his manners, selfish and avaricious
in his conduct, extremely ugly and coarse in his appearance. It was
customary at the return to school after the holidays for the scholars
to make a present to this person, and their treatment by him was
generally found indulgent or rigorous, according to the amount of the
donation. Dr. Wentbridge had not thought it necessary, as he paid his
teacher sufficiently himself, to make any addition on account of his
nephew. The covetous pedant was displeased at this omission, and vented
his resentment in rigour and insult to the boy as far as he durst,
without offending the master. William had once or twice complained
of the usher’s behaviour, but as Dr. Wentbridge well knew the
plaintiff’s irritability, and highly valued the defendant on account
of his preceptorial qualifications, he, on rather a summary inquiry,
gave judgment in the defendant’s favour.--The usher, encouraged by
these acquittals, had persisted in persecuting young Hamilton. One
day the boy, now turned of twelve, having finished an exercise, in
which he had translated into English verse the storm in the first
Æneid, had betaken himself to Tom Jones, which he was reading at his
leisure hours with a devouring eagerness. He had before pointed out
parson Thwackum to his schoolfellows, as the representative of Mr.
Scourge, and the usher, was not without an intimation of William’s
comments, but had not a plausible pretext for venting his gall. Now
perceiving that Hamilton was engaged with this novel, while those
about him were occupied at their exercises, he imperiously demanded
why he was not at his task. “The task is finished,” answered the
other, without the reverential preface of, sir.--“What stupid book is
that you are reading, sirrah?”--“I’m reading no stupid book, it’s all
very natural.--There, sir,” said the young dog, “you will see parson
Thwackum is at last found out by his master, and turned off.”--“What
do you say, you scoundrel,” said Scourge. “Away, I am no scoundrel,”
replied the boy, “but parson Thwackum was a scoundrel, and was treated
accordingly.”--The usher considering this remark as treason, proceeded
to summary punishment, and it would have fared hard with our hero,
had not one of the young gentlemen, who was stronger than the usher,
interfered, and sent another to the master, requesting his immediate
presence. Dr. Wentbridge appeared; at once malicious and mean Scourge
preferred his accusation. Wentbridge, not without a knowledge of
the dispositions and character of his deputy, and who of late had
discovered his acrimony against William, soon found out the real merits
of the case: but not desirous of lowering, in the eyes of the scholars,
a teacher whom he found extremely successful, he dismissed his nephew
with a slight rebuke, but sent for him into the parlour, and knowing
he could depend upon his veracity, though not on his temper, desired
him ingenuously to recount the whole circumstances. These Hamilton
very plainly and fully explained. He confessed that, enraged at the
usher’s severity, he had compared him to parson Thwackum, “though,
sir, I must confess, when I saw him entering a complaint to you, and
trying to simper and smile while he is really so rancorous, I thought
of another part.”--“What is that, sir?” said the doctor, pretending
to speak angrily: “Why, sir,” said William, who penetrated into his
uncle’s real sentiments, “that part in which Mr. Blifil, trying to
do mischief, has one of those grinning sneers, with which the devil
marks his best beloved.”--Wentbridge could hardly avoid smiling at an
application, which he could not help thinking most forcibly apposite,
but constraining his countenance, most severely rebuked his nephew for
speaking so disrespectfully of his teacher. He did not, however, fail
privately to expostulate seriously with the tutor on his harshness,
and charged him to abstain from it in future. The usher, who had a
better place than he could easily get anywhere else, was less violent
thereafter, and though, perhaps, he hated the boy more, flogged him
much less.
William’s time now passed very pleasantly, and he proceeded in his
studies, making rapid proficiency. His father and mother regularly
corresponded with our young hero, and derived high gratification from
his letters.
About two years before the regiment had been ordered to America, so
quickly that they had not time to revisit England, and embrace their
children. Our colonel was actively engaged in the battles of Long
Island, New York, and White-plains, and deemed them all, in decisive
success, little adequate to British force, valour, and efforts. He
accompanied lord Cornwallis in his victorious career through the
Jerseys, and had no doubt of capturing Philadelphia, when the commander
in chief, by recalling the victorious Britons, arrested the progress
as it was about to be complete.--He saw and regretted the dissipated
scenes of New York winter quarters, but fortified by principle, and
confirmed by habit, remained uninfected by the destructive contagion.
Disapproving of plans, he was intrepid and skilful in execution.
Lamenting the late outset of military operations in the campaign of
1777, and the circuitous course of invasion, which postponed active
warfare till the season for it was nearly expired. When the British
army at length took the field, colonel Hamilton was one of its most
valiant and skilful leaders. At Brandy Wine and German town, he was
particularly distinguished; he now hoped that British achievements,
though tardy in commencement, would be effectual in result. But
premature departure from the field completed the inutility of British
valour. Northern discomfiture combining with southern inefficiency,
demonstrated the contest to be henceforth hopeless. Hamilton perceived,
with sorrow, the debauchery that unnerved British prowess, and with
mingled pity and contempt beheld the farcical pageantry of triumph
without atchievement, which terminated inglorious command. The capture
of Burgoyne, and the obstinacy which continued hostile contention,
after its object was desperate, rendered large reinforcements of troops
necessary. The levies of new regiments procured Hamilton promotion,
which permitted him to return to Britain with his lady and his daughter.
Our hero was about fourteen years of age when revisited by his parents;
comely, healthy, active, and strong, and in his mental powers and
acquirements far beyond most youths of sixteen. Both father and mother
were proud of such a son, and anticipated future eminence from so
promising talents and accomplishments. As their second son was now at
the same seminary, a neighbouring boarding school was commodious for
the daughter. The colonel and his lady fixed their abode in the same
village. The venerable vicar of Brotherton having for upwards of forty
years discharged, without assistance, the duties of his trust, was,
after he had turned his seventieth year, prevailed on to delegate the
most laborious part of his function to a curate, and was thus able to
spend much of his time in the houses of his son or daughter.
Old Maxwell, though past his grand climacteric, found no difficulty
in walking twenty miles to visit these friends, and especially to
confer with the colonel on the military operations. “Please your
noble honour,” he would say, “I think we have not done half so much
against those yankies as we did against the French, and yet, God be
praised, British soldiers have fought like----what can I say? Why,
like British soldiers. But their generals----; O Lord, your honour,
the slippery ground at White-plains would not have stopped general
Wolfe; the heights of Abraham were a great deal steeper. Some people
change by preferment. I remember at that very place general ----, then
a colonel, was one of the first that got up the precipice. I must
say,” continued the loquacious veteran, “Fort Washington was a gallant
feat. The defence of Quebec was very well too; and so by G--d was the
attack. That Montgomery was a brave fellow; from his name he must be
a Scotchman by birth. Poor Fraser too--but I do not know how it was,
there was a great deal of courage and valiant fighting with no upshot.
We are no nearer the mark than when we began.” The colonel could not
help really coinciding with some parts of this criticism, though for
obvious reasons he did not reckon it expedient to open his mind without
reserve.
Both the Messrs. Wentbridge concurred in censuring the execution of
the war, but carried their strictures also to its plans and origin.
Hamilton as a military man had lofty ideas of the submission due
to government in every department, political as well as military;
and various disquisitions took place from a diversity of opinion,
sufficient to enliven and animate conversation without causing asperity
of dispute. Our hero was often present at these dissertations; and
being permitted to deliver his opinion, and instructed to support it
with acuteness and force, though with modesty and candour, he greatly
promoted the extension of his knowledge, as well as the invigoration
of his powers, by these exercises. He was himself strongly inclined
to the whig side, a reader of the newspapers, and a profound admirer
of Charles Fox. He often expressed the delight he should feel on
being the author of such speeches as were delivered by that celebrated
orator. His father would answer, “You may, if you have merit enough.
There are some eminent men in parliament, who raised themselves from
a situation no higher than yours.” Topics of this sort sometimes
led to considerations respecting the future profession of our hero,
especially when he approached the age of seventeen, and acquired a
degree of classical literature, as well as other knowledge, that
rendered him fit for being sent to an university. His grandfather
reviewing the happiness which he himself had enjoyed in a sequestered
life, and in the vigour of his own constitution hoping for several
years longer life, wished to secure the reversion of his living to his
grandson. The doctor, who by long residence at college chiefly regarded
academic dignities and promotion, did not doubt that the genius and
erudition of his nephew might rise to the highest appointments in
the university, if not in the church. He himself had by his college
connections procured a living, formed his school, and lately obtained a
more valuable benefice. He knew that a contented and unambitious temper
only prevented him from rising still higher, and saw that Hamilton was
of a much more aspiring disposition. The colonel, much as he venerated
the elder, respected and esteemed the younger Wentbridge, yet valued
political more than ecclesiastical advancement, and desired his son to
rise in the state rather than the church.--They all, however, agreed
that he should speedily be sent to an university; and as Cambridge
was best known and most highly prized by Dr. Wentbridge, that was the
seminary chosen for young Hamilton, and preparations were made for his
being entered of Trinity college.
Before William’s departure for the university, he unexpectedly became
acquainted with relations whom he had never as yet seen. The laird of
Etterick had, as we have recorded, returned to the north, possessing
all the charms of his Grizzle’s person, and the half of her twelve
thousand pounds, the old lady having retained the other during life,
a period which the honest laird could not help thinking very long.
Etterick had not all the satisfaction in this connection that he had
hoped;--not that he felt or had any reason to feel jealousy. The
amiable Grizzle had indeed had the good fortune never to excite any
inordinate desire: during her virginty the views of her suitors had
been bounded by her pockets; and since her entering the marriage-state,
all men that saw her regarded her as having disposed of the only
temptation which had been ever in her power; and the laird when in
his cups, sometimes wishing to celebrate the wonderful purity of his
wife, would declare that she was not only singularly virtuous, but
that he would venture to say no man ever desired her to be otherwise.
So wrong-headed women are sometimes found, that the lady did not
relish this compliment, and no subject was more grateful to her than
assertions that attempts had been made upon her virtue. The laird
and she, after the honey-moon was over, were not extremely rapturous
in their expressions of affection. Sometimes, indeed, they fell into
little sparring matches which temper the sweets of connubial ecstacies.
In these family-pieces Mrs. Sourkrout would now and then take a part.
The chief subject of dispute was the rank and consequence of the
respective families, whether the daughter of a mayor or the laird
of Etterick brought the greatest honour. This point was frequently
contested with warmth, and introduced a great variety of narratives,
of arguments, replies, and rejoinders. The laird would mention the
many centuries during which the family of Etterick had lasted. They
had often been in the suite of the earls of Douglas, and had been
extremely active in plundering the English borders. They had three
boars’ heads for their arms: from which it was inferred by themselves,
that their forefathers had been intrepid and successful hunters;
whereas the detractors of the family derived those emblems from the
will and bequest of one of its maternal uncles, who, having been an
eminent pork-butcher at Newcastle, in leaving his wealth to a nephew,
proprietor of Etterick, then much involved, had chosen to annex
to his legacy a condition referring to his own profession. To this
last interpretation the lady would adhere. The laird would farther
asseverate, that the family of Etterick had from many generations
in its marriages kept to its own rank; and that if he had a little
demeaned himself, he still thought Grizzle ought to be sensible of the
promotion she had received, and duly to value the alliance to which
she had been raised.--The lady’s first line of arguments by which she
opposed so unwarrantable attacks on the dignity of the Sourkrouts
consisted of the mayor and his importance, and corporation dinners and
election balls, and the mayoress partner to the chief candidate my
lord Ethelwald Mercia, son to Edgar earl of Pentweazle, the Countess
of Coventry’s Minuet danced by the said lord and said mayoress. But
if the first line by the force of his charge did not discomfit the
boars’ heads and the Etterick antiquity, there was a strong line of
reserve, commanded and with impetuous fury led on by Mrs. Sourkrout
herself, consisting of her uncle the bishop. The laird of Etterick
ought to remember, that the lady who had honoured him with her hand
was great niece to a spiritual lord. Was any of his boars’ heads a
right reverend father in God? could any of them shew a mitre on their
carriage?--The laird, finding his opponents more voluble than himself,
at last desisted from contesting the point; unless now and then when
he returned from a conference with the parson over Maggy Wood’s
whisky-punch, or from a meeting of justices held to promote good morals
and especially sobriety among the poor, or from a Monday’s dinner after
the administration of the sacrament.
With these little interruptions they were not on the whole deficient
in family harmony, and Providence blest their loves with a daughter,
who, followed by no sister and interrupted by no brother, was destined
heir of the estate of Etterick and the money of Sourkrout, both
considerably increased by the œconomy of her parents. Mrs. Sourkrout
passing the summer in Scotland generally wintered at her house in
Doncaster: there she was at this time situated. The laird not having
for many years seen his brother, proposed to fetch the dowager, and
with his wife and daughter to visit the colonel. Accordingly they set
out, and in due time reached the abode of our hero’s parents. The
colonel and his son were abroad on a visit; and Mrs. Hamilton, having
completely forgiven the machinations of the quondam Miss Sourkrout,
now received her with a cordiality and kindness of a sister-in-law,
and was no less affectionate in her treatment of the laird and their
young Miss. The heiress of Etterick was now about fifteen years of
age but a very forward plant, combining her father’s height with her
mother’s breadth and rotundity: she also inherited the maternal locks
with a ruddy complexion and sanguine aspect. Though father and mother
did not coincide in every subject, they agreed respecting Sukey; both
indulged her without restraint or moderation. The old lady, though it
must be confessed not very prone to kindness, cherished this her heir
and representative with more boundless fondness than even her parents
themselves. Miss Sukey was accustomed to speak without reserve whatever
she thought or felt. She had not been half an hour in the house before
she asked Mrs. Hamilton if they had many fine young men about the
place? and whether her cousin William was not very handsome? The lady
of the house having smiled without returning a direct answer, she went
on to an account of the different gentlemen she knew, with an accurate
description of their respective features, face, height, and shape. She
was standing by a window expatiating on these subjects, and her aunt
and mother were sitting at some little distance, when suddenly stopping
and gazing out for a minute she exclaimed, “Good Lord! mother, what a
lovely youth!” but before the mother came to make her observations,
the young man was out of sight. A few minutes after, colonel Hamilton
entered the room; and after a very affectionate meeting with his
brother, and paying his respects to his sister-in-law and niece, he
sent a servant to the doctor’s to summon his two sons. Henry, the
youngest, first made his appearance; a fine, active, blooming boy of
fourteen, with the carelessness about dress incidental to boys before
the ideas of commencing manhood give them different sentiments. Soon
but not immediately after arrived William, and was recognized by his
cousin to be the person whom a little before she had so lavishly
praised. William was now entered the eighteenth year of his age, with
an animated, expressive, and engaging countenance, above the middle
size, well proportioned, graceful, active, and muscular, with a frank
and manly address, and manners which, though they did not amount to
courtly politeness, coming directly, were more impressive than the
most studied refinement. His charms and accomplishments had already
made an impression on some of the young Delias who had learned, while
perusing their prayer-book at church, to take a glance at the Damons,
and with soft eyes, pouting lips, and dimpling cheeks to indicate the
blossoming emotions of nature. William however, though fully sensible
to female charms, had not fixed his attentions on any particular
object; or rather was the admirer of every pretty girl he saw, and
of her most whom he had last beheld. Young as he was, he moreover
possessed a very considerable discernment; and though he might be
pleased for a time he could not be long interested, by any object that
did not add good sense and sensibility to beauty. His cousin, minding
mere external appearance, was captivated at first sight with our young
hero; and having been instructed by her grandmother and her old nurse
that a young lady of fortune is to be baulked in nothing that she may
please to desire, instead of concealing her sensations, she with much
pains displayed them to their object; and though William certainly
did not make the expected return, yet, as she could not learn that he
was attached to any other, she hoped her battery might ultimately be
effectual. But before that blessed time arrived, our hero set off for
the university.