After three weeks passed in London, a year followed, during which William
and Henry never sat down to a dinner, or went into a bed, without hearts
glowing with thankfulness to that Providence who had bestowed on them
such unexpected blessings; for they no longer presumed to expect (what
still they hoped they deserved) a secure pittance in this world of
plenty. Their experience, since they came to town, had informed them
that to obtain a permanent livelihood is the good fortune but of a part
of those who are in want of it: and the precarious earning of
half-a-crown, or a shilling, in the neighbourhood where they lodged, by
an errand, or some such accidental means, was the sole support which they
at present enjoyed.
They had sought for constant employment of various kinds, and even for
servants' places; but obstacles had always occurred to prevent their
success. If they applied for the situation of a clerk to a man of
extensive concerns, their qualifications were admitted; but there must be
security given for their fidelity;--they had friends, who would give them
a character, but who would give them nothing else.
If they applied for the place even of a menial servant, they were too
clownish and awkward for the presence of the lady of the house;--and
once, when William (who had been educated at the free grammar-school of
the town in which he was born, and was an excellent scholar), hoping to
obtain the good opinion of a young clergyman whom he solicited for the
favour of waiting upon him, said submissively, "that he understood Greek
and Latin," he was rejected by the divine, "because he could not dress
hair."
Weary of repeating their mean accomplishments of "honesty, sobriety,
humility," and on the precipice of reprobating such qualities,--which,
however beneficial to the soul, gave no hope of preservation to the
body,--they were prevented from this profanation by the fortunate
remembrance of one qualification, which Henry, the possessor, in all his
distress, had never till then called to his recollection; but which, as
soon as remembered and made known, changed the whole prospect of
wretchedness placed before the two brothers; and they never knew want
more.
Reader--Henry could play upon the fiddle.