Indeed the memorandums intimate, that not the least interesting
circumstance of his literary life was implicated in his connection
with this personage. This Dr. R. had a brother, who, for a long
series of years had been resident in a remote foreign country, where
he successfully prosecuted his profession. He became, from familiar
communication and personal observation, so well acquainted with the
natural history of the country, the peculiarities of the climate, its
endemic diseases, the manners of the inhabitants, laws, usages, and
singularities, that he wrote and published an interesting volume on the
subject, which was very favourably received, and extensively circulated.
Dr. P. succeeded to his brother in his professional reputation,
situation, and local advantages, and exercising his mind on similar
objects, with the addition of still more favourable opportunities, he
very considerably added to the stores which his brother had acquired,
and became eminently qualified, to reprint, with important alterations
and additions, the work which had obtained to his predecessor, no
insignificant degree of credit. He was called upon to undertake this
honourable office, and he assented.
At this period, the Sexagenarian was a sort of scholar of fortune, and
not being immediately engaged, as it should seem, in any work which
exclusively demanded his attention, did not disdain the task of revising
the manuscripts of authors, and superintending their labours through the
press. For this employment, an adequate compensation was expected and
rendered.
The parties, in the present instance, had frequently met, and were on
certain terms of familiarity. One evening, the Doctor took the writer
of these memoranda on one side, and proposed to him to undertake the
revision of his work in manuscript, and the correction of it subsequently
at the press. This was readily agreed to, but no terms were mentioned on
either side.
The manuscript, which was of no ordinary bulk or extent, was received,
examined with careful attention, at the expence of no small portion of
time, and finally committed to the press.
It extended to no less than two large quarto volumes, and probably
altogether a year, or somewhat more, was employed on the labour. In the
interval, our Sexagenarian and his family used to speculate on the golden
harvest about to be reaped, by way of compensation. What was it to be? a
pipe of Madeira? a pair of silver candlesticks? a gold repeater?
At length, the last sheet was sent to press, and the day of publication
announced. The corrector waited upon the author to felicitate him on his
safe delivery. A week passed away—a fortnight—a month—still no Madeira—no
piece of plate;—in short, no solid pudding, but a great deal of empty
praise. However it was soon forgotten.
Temporis officium solatia dicere certi est.
And it was not always so. Similar occupations were afterwards thrown
in the way, but he had the wisdom taught him by the experience he had
obtained, to undertake nothing but with certain specifications of
recompence.
This seems no improper opportunity of inserting a detached anecdote on
the subject of compensation for literary labour, which occurs somewhere
or other in our manuscript.
A venerable old clergyman, who had in part, directed the education of
our friend, and who took a warm and friendly interest in his reputation
and welfare, had been informed, with no benevolent intention, that he
prostituted his learning and talents to needy booksellers.
The Sexagenarian, on some occasion or other, revisited the place where
his friend and patron resided, and both from affection and gratitude,
hastened to pay his respects, where they were so justly due. He was
greatly surprised to find the warmth, with which he had hitherto,
invariably, been welcomed, changed into extreme coldness.
On requesting an explanation, Sir, said the old gentleman, I am informed
that you write for the booksellers, than which I cannot conceive any
thing more degrading, or more unbecoming, a scholar and a gentleman.
Pray Sir, did not Addison, and Swift, and Pope, and before them Dryden,
write for the booksellers?
Granted, but that was a very different matter: their reputation was
established, and they moreover, obtained very large sums for their
productions.
If, Sir, the largeness of the sum increases or diminishes, as you appear
to conceive it does, the turpitude of the action, how much do you imagine
I received for my last work? I beg you also to remember that I have a
large and increasing family, and nothing to depend upon but my talents
and my diligence.
Why perhaps fifty pounds.
I have received seven hundred guineas.
The old gentleman’s displeasure vanished in a moment. I cannot blame you,
I cannot blame you, he exclaimed, and they parted as good friends as ever.
Now to return to the brother author Doctor. Bating this single
circumstance of his being too tenacious of his money, he was a most
agreeable, well-informed, and good-natured man. Though far advanced in
years, he retained a great deal of vivacity, and has often enlivened
a numerous circle by his facetiousness and humour. No one endured a
jest with greater forbearance; and as he came from a country where the
Mahometan law prevailed, and had written a detailed account of the usages
and peculiarities of the haram, he was often laughingly reproached with
availing himself of the privileges of the Mahometan law to its fullest
extent. That he ranked as a bashaw of three tails, had four wives, &c.
&c.
Ηδη μεν πολέων εδαην βουληντε νοοντε
Ανδρων ηρωων πολληνδ’ επεληλυθα γαιαν
Αλλ’ ουπω τοιουτον εγων ιδον οφθαλμοισιν
Οιον⸺