A fourth member of this society was an individual, than whom, no one’s
name has been more frequently before the public, or accompanied with more
general respect, at the same time, with much persecution, and great,
though undeserved, odium. Some there were, who, fancying that they saw
the vital spirit of genuine liberty, in the principles of the French
Revolution, were disposed to palliate enormities, at the bare memory of
which, every feeling heart revolts, under the impression that they must
ultimately lead to the melioration of man. These individuals reproached
our Symposiast with the imputation of spreading unnecessary alarms, from
an overweening zeal, and officious interference in political concerns.
But this zeal, these apprehensions, and this interference, contributed,
in the opinions of the majority of the best and wisest of our countrymen,
to the preservation of the country.
However this may be, the active and patriotic spirit exerted on the above
occasion, spread universally around, and collected a phalanx, which, from
its firmness, was capable of resisting all attack, from its vigilance
prevented surprize, and from its consciousness of supporting the good and
honest cause of religion and truth, despised and defied the artifices of
calumny, and the insinuations of malignity.
The prominent part taken by the gentleman, of whom we are speaking,
necessarily pointed him out to the government, as a fit object of their
protection and patronage. His abilities and integrity were accordingly
soon exercised in situations of confidence and honour. He well merited
the distinction, for few have ever been more steady, or more active in
discharging the obligations of official duty.
At the same time, these very qualities, added to his former exertions to
counteract the fermentation excited by the turbulent and the evil-minded,
created to him a numerous and formidable host of adversaries, who, by
a thousand means, endeavoured to disturb his repose and interrupt his
measures. At length a political pamphlet which he wrote, the admirable
distinction of which, was in the first place its loyalty, and in the
next, its “plain good sense,” attracted the notice of an eminent member
of the Opposition. To this person’s favourite hypothesis concerning
liberty and our constitution, the above publication appeared to contain
principles of the most dangerous and pernicious hostility. Nor did he
rest till, by his persevering activity, his eloquence, and his influence,
he procured a prosecution to be instituted against the author.
The result was, however, finally to his honour, and he was acquitted of
the enormous offences with which he had been charged.
One incident occurred on the occasion of this memorable trial, which is
related in our notes, and which, if the subject of this article should
survive to peruse these Recollections, he will probably not forget.
Our Sexagenarian called upon him one morning previous to the trial, when
he had before him a list of the persons who were summoned on the jury.
He accordingly asked our friend if he knew any thing of the private
characters, or political opinions, of any of these individuals. On
examining the names, the writer of these notes, fixed on one, to which
for reasons that he stated at length, he recommended him to desire his
counsel to object.
This, however, he either forgot, or was perhaps too indifferent as to
the event, or did not think the cause of objection on the part of the
Sexagenarian, valid. The result was, that this person was allowed to
sit on the jury, but it afterwards appeared that the only obstacle to
an immediate dismissal of the charge, arose from the persevering and
determined obstinacy of this individual against whose prejudices he had
been timely, but vainly forewarned.
How much he disregarded and indeed despised this attempt to lessen his
value in the estimation of the public, was sufficiently evident, indeed
somewhat ludicrously manifested. He never encountered his great opponent,
with whom he had some previous acquaintance, without forcing himself upon
his notice by exclaiming, how do you do Mr. ⸺? A salutation which the
other would gladly have avoided and excused.
The person of whom too slight a description is here given, was educated
at Eton, and afterwards at Oxford. He was called to the bar, and filled
for some time a dignified station in one of our foreign dependencies. He
has, at different times, published various works, all of which are in the
highest degree honourable to his literary reputation. He is, or was, a
good scholar, a very respectable lawyer, and had obtained considerable
proficiency in the Oriental languages. He was, moreover, remarkably well
versed in the modern Greek.
As to worldly matters, he certainly played his cards well with respect
to himself, and has proved to others also no contemptible patron. All
have their infirmities. It is imputed to him, that through fear of being
held up to public animadversion, by one great political hippopotamos,
he occasionally acquiesced in opinions, which he reprobated, and paid
obsequious attention to one, whom in his heart he detested. It has also
been said, that with a little exertion he might have rendered effectual
service to some who fought with him with equal resolution, and who were
exposed to equal danger, under the same honourable standard, but that his
benevolence ended where it began—namely, at home.
He was, however, in every particular, well qualified to be a member of
the society, the component individuals of which are here imperfectly
delineated.
Davus sum, non Œdipus.
Deum qui non summum putet
Cui in manu sit quem esse dementem velit
Quem sapere—quem sanari—quem in morbum injici.