No order of precedence or regard to dates is observed in the Memoranda
which succeed. Many of the individuals here brought before the reader,
have before been introduced. They are now collected in the class of those
personally known to the Sexagenarian, the termination of whose career
seems to have been far more auspicious and fortunate than their origin,
connections, and first introduction into life, promised.
The first is a worthy Baronet. He has himself an honest and manly pride
in acknowledging, that his present distinction in life, his great
opulence, and extensive influence, is imputable alone to his determined
perseverance in industrious pursuits.
He was educated in the medical line, and in that capacity proceeded to
India, either there professionally to establish himself, or he might
perhaps have been a surgeon in a King’s ship, or in an East Indiaman.
This is not material. He by some means or other, most probably by some
commercial speculation, obtained possession of a very large quantity
of opium. He disposed of this, and as is believed, in China, to such
extraordinary advantage, that it produced a capital, on which he built
his future fortunes, and those of his house.
This house is of no ordinary dimensions. There are at least twenty
immediate descendants from him, all of whom have been successively
introduced into the path which leads to fortune, not only with liberality
but splendour.
He himself is a Baronet. His commercial engagements and concerns extend
to every quarter of the globe. His two eldest sons are in Parliament, and
fill the highest stations at the Bank and the East India-house. The rest
of his family are in situations of the greatest respectability. Although
this gentleman may very properly be ranked in the very first class of
successful adventurers in life, yet he bears his faculties meekly, and
does not, as in similar instances is too frequently the case, manifest
the insolence of wealth.
The next personage who claims a high place among those who have drawn
a capital prize in the lottery of life, has his portrait delineated in
a former part of the work. His entrance into life was, as the son of a
clergymen, respectable, but of no considerable eminence, and his claims
did not rise beyond what the exertion of moderate talents might promise
by persevering diligence at the bar. At the termination of life, he
found himself, in consequence of a most fortunate marriage, a Member of
Parliament, a considerable landholder, of extensive influence, and a
companion of the great and powerful. This is the individual who, in his
progress from mediocrity to affluence, had the misfortune to lose his
memory.
A third distinguished character, from a very humble origin, and
circumscribed education, after various experiments and vicissitudes, all
at once found himself, if not to his own surprize, certainly to that of
many, a Member of Parliament, and in a situation of great emolument, and
of high responsibility. His original connections were indeed humble, if
a certain lively lady may be credited, whose unembarrassed assurance,
night after night, considerably baffled and perplexed the wisest and
the gravest Members of Parliament. But so far his subsequent elevation
does him the greater honour. Without any pretensions to learning, he
possessed respectable talents and extensive accomplishments. He was a
fluent speaker, and enjoyed that characteristic self-confidence, which
neither could be disconcerted by the opposition, nor dismayed by the
numbers of his adversaries in debate. He certainly was an elegant poet,
and produced a poem in commemoration of a splendid victory, which was
exceedingly popular.
In one respect, he was, by universal consent, remarkably successful.
He was a member of various Symposiums, the principal object of whose
assembling was to have good talk. He never failed to have it all to
himself.
Fortune, who makes a lottery of life, has seldom exhibited greater
waywardness than in the personage whose portrait next appears. He was
an Irishman, of little or no hereditary property, but well educated,
handsome in his person, and agreeable in his manners. He was, it is
believed, called to the bar, but whether he ever practised is uncertain,
and of no consequence. The place of his practice, when known to the
Sexagenarian, was certainly not at the bar. He came over to this country,
it may be said, without any intended reflection, to seek his fortune.
In his progress, he caught the contagion of play, but at that period,
in all probability, his stake could not be high, nor the risk which he
encountered great. It was the pernicious principle and habit which was
to be reprobated. Most fortunately, for so the result might eventually
have proved, he met a young lady at a fashionable watering-place, who
attracted his immediate and serious attention. And well she might, for
the sun of Britain has hardly ever shone upon a lovelier object. Most
agreeable in her person, most captivating in her manners, of an intellect
very far superior to the generality of her sex, with a high principle of
honour, warm-hearted, generous, every thing indeed for which man could
wish. Add to all this, a circumstance probably neither undesireable, nor
entirely overlooked by our gentleman, she had a very large fortune, and
was entirely at her own disposal.
He succeeded in his addresses. The lady treated him with a generous
candour; and although not unacquainted with his characteristic foible,
believed in his solemn protestations of laying aside for ever the
dangerous propensities he had encouraged; and not improbably also
trusted, as well she might, in her powers of enabling him to find the
“Bathmendi[3],” of which he was in search, at home, in the reciprocation
of connubial confidence and love.
Things went on very smoothly for a considerable time. The lady’s good
sense, discretion, and engaging behaviour, appeared to have obtained
a memorable triumph. Old acquaintances were revived, and cordially
welcomed—new ones formed—the sweet ties of children promised to cement
and perpetuate the harmony of the establishment;—when suddenly a sort of
restlessness appeared on the part of the gentleman, and his absence from
home, and particularly in the evening, became more and more frequent. It
is in no circumstances whatever, an easy matter, to elude the vigilant
and anxious eyes of a mother and a wife; and the lady of whom we are
speaking, was remarkably acute, discerning, and sagacious. She evidently
perceived that he had betaken himself to his old haunts, and former
companions. Remonstrance she knew to be ineffectual, and she formed her
plan accordingly; which, though it could not be unattended with severe
mortification, she persisted in with firmness.
She shut herself up with her children, bestowing the whole of her time
and attention on the care of their health, the formation of their
manners, and the cultivation of their minds. She received not, as
heretofore, even the most intimate and the oldest of her friends, wisely
observing, that if the master of the house were not present to bid
welcome, the feast would resemble that, in which Banquo’s chair was empty.
The space of the theatre in which the hero of the drama, subsequently
exercised his talents, became very considerably enlarged. He was seen by
the side of Princes, and Dukes, and Peers were his companions. He was a
Member of the British Parliament, and inhabited a palace. He launched
into all the luxuries of a depraved metropolis, and seldom saw his almost
widowed wife except at the transient half hour of a two o’clock breakfast.
Nil erit ulterius quod nostris moribus addet
Posteritas.
The reader will not be unmindful that our Memoranda are still employed in
brief communications concerning certain individuals personally known to
the Sexagenarian, who, from the humblest beginnings, have risen from the
contingencies of life to situations of affluence and honour. We come now
to a Right Honourable—Aye!—a Right, Right Honourable!
His first origin could not possibly be very lofty, though it is not
pretended to assert what it was, but his first appearance on the public
stage was in the navy, and in its civil department; probably as captain’s
clerk. That he should ascend to the highest degree of the department,
and in due time become a purser, is in the natural order of things, and
necessarily implies steadiness and good conduct. But the individual under
review, had higher and greater qualities; and the next record concerning
him, is the fact of his having entered into the line of politics,
bustling among the great and powerful, and rendering himself serviceable
to one of the greatest ministers this country ever beheld, by his strong
sense, sagacity, powers of computation, and great expertness in all
arithmetical calculations.
He became a Member of Parliament—forward, prompt, and useful, wherever
and whenever the Minister required his assistance, which was principally
in matters relating to the business of the Exchequer.
The value of his services was felt, acknowledged, and rewarded—rewarded
indeed to no common extent. The advantages conferred at the time, and
the sinecures still retained, now that the giver is no more, constitute
no inconsiderable catalogue, and render the possessor one of the richest
and most powerful of our English commoners. These benefits also result
to the various branches of his family, who are all of them more or less
distinguished by situations of honour and emolument.
All intention of depreciating the sterling value of the individual, whose
portrait is here slightly delineated, is pointedly disavowed, nor indeed
are the cursory remarks which are subjoined at all likely to lessen his
currency.
But our friend adds drily, that if a treatise were to be elaborately
written on “Memory,” and the vicissitudes it undergoes, its degrees
of strength or weakness, as things turn out prosperous or adverse, he
thinks it will appear, that it is apt to grow progressively weaker and
more uncertain in those, whose elevation in life has exceeded their
early prospects and expectations, than in those who have passed quietly
and soberly along the middle path, neither drawn aside by ambition, nor
thrust down by misfortune.
Whether there is any physical reason which will account for this
phœnomenon, it is not pretended to conjecture; perhaps rapidity of ascent
may have some effect in confusing the intellect; perhaps glittering
scenes, constantly succeeded by still more gaudy and fascinating
spectacles, may dazzle the imagination. Be this as it may, the gentleman
before us, certainly laboured under the suspicion of being liable to this
infirmity.
Indeed, with respect to him, there was some aggravation in the
circumstances, for it has been said, that when he was most positive, and
vehement, and determined in his assertions, then it was that his accuracy
was most doubted.
One example occurred to our Sexagenarian of this great man’s being
occasionally at least, subject to this infirmity, and he has recorded it.
He made our friend, it seems, a promise positive and unequivocal,
clogged by no qualifications, and subject to no incidental occurrences.
Alas! a walk of about two miles dispelled every trace of the fabric in
his mind, nor did any image of it ever again appear to present itself
to his recollection. Honest pride prevented his being reminded of it
by the individual concerned, and so the matter passed away; indeed so
effectually, that the great man, at a subsequent period of no great
distance, had no remembrance even of the person of him, whose hopes had
been so agreeably, but so unfortunately raised, only to be disappointed.
The next personage who became of very great consequence from the
meanest origin, and whose fall was not less extraordinary than his
rise, was neither Right Honourable nor Honourable, but he did arrive at
the distinction of knighthood, and probably had yet higher titles in
contemplation.
His first appearance was as a common shop-boy to a retail grocer. He
remained in this situation for some years. Whilst in this employment,
he scraped an acquaintance with the niece of a decent man, who kept a
respectable inn in a provincial town. Allured by the encouragement of his
dulcinea, and probably with the prospect of ultimately bettering himself,
he became a waiter at this inn. He finally married the niece, became
master of the inn, and inherited from his wife considerable property.
He was a man of weak and confused intellect, and indeed could but just
read and write, yet he had a great deal of low cunning and sagacity,
and first suggested to his uncle by marriage, the idea of establishing
a Bank. This was accordingly accomplished, and on the death of the first
proprietor, was successfully, and for a very extended period, carried on
by the person whose portrait is here delineated.
Among his other qualities, he had all the pliancy and obsequiousness
to his superiors, which might be expected from a tavern-waiter, and by
some means got an introduction to G. Earl of O. to whom he made himself
so useful, and so acceptable, that through his influence he was made
Receiver-General of the County. The emoluments and reputation of this
office, were remarkably salutary in propping up, which it did for years,
the reputation of his Bank; and, as it is generally believed, enabled
him to administer to the necessities of his noble friend, who, in the
interval of his expecting remittances from Russia, in return for one of
the most valuable collection of pictures ever formed in this country, was
reduced to great pecuniary difficulties.
At length the Bank stopped payment, and his debts, including the claims
of government upon his house, amounted to 600,000_l._ It is very
extraordinary, that at this particular time, he had only 25,000_l._
of notes in circulation. It is no less singular, that this failure
did not occasion the bankruptcy, or cause stoppage of payment, in any
other house. Among his principal creditors were gentlemen who had made
considerable deposits, but who, by taking the concerns into their own
hands, at a most propitious period, when landed estates sold at the very
highest price, contrived to make a dividend of fourteen shillings in the
pound.
Luckily for the creditors, his son was made a partner during the life of
his father, or every shilling of the landed property would have gone to
him.
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.
His first publication, if we mistake not, was some ingenious and learned
discourses, preached at his own parish church, containing the arguments
for and against the reception of Christianity by the ancient Jews and
Greeks.
He also preached a very powerful sermon, which he subsequently published,
on the Claims of the Establishment, in reply to the loud expostulations
every where circulated, on what were denominated the Claims of the Roman
Catholics.
But this personage’s great work was a volume of Dissertations or
Lectures, the subject of which was a comparison between Paganism and
Christianity. They were obviously intended for the benefit of a great
public seminary, to which among other things it had been objected, that
more was taught the pupils, of Heathen, than of Christian theology. The
avowed object of the work was to illustrate the Christian Religion, and
explain the errors and follies of Heathen superstition, and it is really
a powerful production.
The other successful candidate for clerical honours arrived at equal
dignities, but with claims very dissimilar. He was a servitor at one of
our universities, and though of remarkable steadiness and unimpeachable
conduct, discovered no talents which justified his expectation of college
distinctions.
He accordingly took orders, and went to a village remote from the
metropolis, to discharge the honourable and useful office of a curate.
Here fortune befriended him also. A noble family had a mansion in the
vicinity, the head of which laboured under a sort of imbecility, which
disqualified him for active business.
The curate, if respectable, always receives more or less notice from the
heads of a parish, and in this instance Mr. G. was found so attentive,
obliging, and assiduous, that great intimacy and confidence followed.
There was also a General election, in the event of which the family
greatly interested themselves, and the curate, by his zeal, activity, and
ardour, was very instrumental in procuring the matter to terminate, as
his patrons desired.
The first bonus received in testimony of their attachment, was the living
of the place where he had officiated as curate, which was worth little
less than twelve hundred pounds a-year. But this was far from all. The
intimacy was increased on one side, as the usefulness was experienced
on the other; and as the political influence of the family was very
considerable, one of the best Prebendal stalls in the kingdom was added
to the Rectory, and at no very great distance of time, a Deanery. But
here an act of justice remains to be done.
This ecclesiastical friend of the Sexagenarian, though not a man
remarkable for his learning, his talents, or his accomplishments, was
eminently so, for his mild and amiable manners. His memory does not
deserve to be followed with scorn or disdain, because he owed his
elevation to a concurrence of fortuitous and fortunate circumstances.
Rather let it receive the tribute of respect which it merits, from
his being, which he really was, friendly, benevolent, charitable, and
zealously anxious to promote the comforts and improve the interests of
his poor and dependent neighbours.
A third clerical personage may not improperly be introduced among those,
whose progressive success in life far surpassed their earlier claims and
expectations. His history is succinctly this.
He was the son of a country tradesman, who was sufficiently opulent to
give his two sons a University education. The elder became a Bishop,
and well merited, as he has honourably exercised, that exalted office.
The younger son had always infirm health, with the reputation, however,
of considerable talents. Of these, indeed, no specimen has been placed
before the public for their animadversion, but he has pursued through
life, the noiseless easy tenor of his way, enjoying the good things of
this world in no very limited proportion.
Ecclesiastical preferment was poured thickly upon him. The brother
truly acted a brother’s part. He might have been Fellow of his College,
and in due course, after a long series of years, might have succeeded
to a College living. More fortunately for him, high and lucrative
situations were ready for his acceptance, almost as soon as he was able
to sustain them. But this ought not to excite either envy or regret in
contemporaries, who have not met with so favourable a tide in their
affairs. He bears his faculties meekly, and his life is irreproachable.
This catalogue is continued much further, but the above examples may
perhaps be thought sufficient, and it really appears to be expedient to
think of shutting our tablets.
We will, however, venture to subjoin a brief account of another clerical
person, who arrived at equal dignities from a very humble beginning.
On leaving college, he accepted of the situation of assistant teacher in
a great public seminary. Here he continued steady and attentive to his
employment for a considerable number of years, rather remarkable for his
engaging and agreeable person and manners, than for splendour of talents,
or depth of erudition. Indeed he has never appeared before the public as
an author, except by the printing of a very few sermons, of which local
circumstances required the publication.
His first successful advance towards affluence was by an auspicious
marriage with a person who inherited considerable property, but he had
long been quietly yet effectually obtaining reputation as a preacher at
one of our popular charities.
He received his first reward for his excellence in this branch of his
profession, from a private individual. A lady of rank and fortune
bestowed a benefice of some value upon him, unsolicited and unexpected
on his part, solely from the favourable impression which his talents as a
preacher had made upon her.
His next piece of good fortune was alike unexpected, but still more
highly to his honour. One of the most lucrative, and one of the most
honourable, pieces of preferment in the metropolis, in the gift of the
Diocesan, became vacant, and which had always been held by individuals of
high character and pretensions.
Great interest was of course made to obtain this appointment; and
it was reported and believed, that Royalty itself interposed, under
circumstances which, in some degree, might be supposed to justify
such interposition. It proved, however, ineffectual; and the Bishop,
influenced by no other motive than the desire of having a zealous,
active, conscientious Pastor in a very large and populous parish, wrote
to the individual, the subject of this notice, and with no personal
knowledge of him, and without any other recommendation than that of his
professional character, offered the living to his acceptance. It was of
course accepted, and the good and pious intentions of the Bishop were
adequately fulfilled.
His good fortune, however, did not stop here. The character he had
established was confirmed, the reputation of his professional excellence
was extended, and finally, he rendered himself so acceptable to those
who have it in their influence to obtain, or in their power to confer,
ecclesiastical dignities, that a valuable Deanery was given; and it has
indeed further been reported, that if it had been agreeable to his views
and wishes, he might have obtained still higher honours.
And now a bubble bursts, and now a world.