From such princes of the people, let us once more descend to notice
an individual, whose fortunes indeed were very different, but whose
abilities, although exerted in contrary pursuits, were not at all
inferior, and whose peculiarities were of the most singular and striking
kind. His father followed the occupation of a sadler, in a town of
considerable eminence in a remote province. The family consisted of this
son and two daughters, who, on their father’s decease, found themselves
left with a very scanty provision. The young man had a taste and turn for
learning, to gratify which the more easily, he went for some years to the
continent, where, among other attainments, he so acquired the manners,
singularity, and even grimace of the people, among whom he sojourned,
that on his return the Agnomen of Abbé was spontaneously and universally
given him.
He subsequently became a member of the university, where he was
invariably respected for his talents, his diligence, and his learning,
and as constantly laughed at for his eccentricities and whimsicalities
of manners. He took orders with very little prospect of any preferment,
but by a rigid economy, added to some trifling literary employment,
he managed to make a respectable appearance. At a very early period,
he distinguished himself for his profound and accurate knowledge as a
Cambist, in matters of commerce, exchanges, and specie, and became an
avowed opponent of Dr. Price, and others of that class. A nephew of the
celebrated Dr. Price, who was a dissenting minister, and of considerable
abilities, resided in the neighbourhood of our Abbé, and similar pursuits
and propensities had introduced a familiar acquaintance between them.
At this period, Dr. Price’s nephew was well known to be a writer in the
Monthly Review, and in a country town, this was a circumstance which
conferred a sort of local dignity and importance.
The subject of this article had printed some Tract or other on his
favourite topic, in which Price and his friends were not mentioned in
the terms of respect, to which this relative of one of them thought they
were entitled; and the consequence was, that in a subsequent Review,
the publication above alluded to was handled with no common severity.
There was no difficulty in imagining the author, or if there had, this
was removed by the person attacked, who found an opportunity of seeing
the manuscript of the offensive article. This he thought was a grievous
and unpardonable violation of the laws of confidence and honour, and
the consequences which ensued, though somewhat serious, border on the
ludicrous.
The aggrieved person called as usual upon his quondam friend, and
requested his company to take a walk. This was complied with without
hesitation. When they had proceeded to some distance, and came to a
retired spot, the critic was not a little astonished, at seeing his
companion strip to his shirt, and with many and bitter reproaches, insist
upon satisfaction for the baseness and treachery with which he had been
treated.
Remonstrance and expostulation was in vain, and there was no alternative
between submitting to a hearty drubbing, or standing upon the defensive.
The result was, what not unfrequently happens in similar cases, the
offending person, who was the more athletic of the two, proved the
conqueror, and the mortified and discomfited author retired from the
content with one of his ribs broken. Another adventure in which he was
engaged, and from which he did not escape with much brighter laurels,
seems worthy of being recorded.
A family of rank and opulence had their villa at a short distance from
the Abbé’s residence. They had a taste for learning, and were remarkable
for the distinction which they paid to literary characters. They were
seldom without some more or less eminent individuals in their house, and
among others, they always treated the Abbé with particular kindness.
The lady, however, of the mansion had rather a propensity to what she
considered as innocent mischief, and would often amuse herself at the
expence of her guests.
One evening the party was kept up till a very late hour, by the recital
of ghost-stories, to which our hero had listened with extraordinary
attention. On returning to his apartment, and ruminating upon what he
had recently heard, he thought he perceived something like motion in
the countenance of an old family picture. He was a little startled, but
on looking more attentively, he evidently saw the eyes of the picture
open and shut, and at last a loud groan was uttered. He could bear it
no longer, but rang his bell, and running out of his room, made the old
staircase reverberate with the cries of thieves and murder. The family,
who were prepared for the event, all assembled, with well feigned
astonishment and sympathy, to hear the cause of his alarm, and to search
his apartment.
When an eclaircissement took place, it appeared that the head had been
taken out of an old picture, and a groom, properly instructed to act his
part, was placed behind the tapestry.
One of these jests was however carried rather too far, and threatened
a much more serious termination. A young lady, of somewhat masculine
appearance, and less polished manners, which induced the belief that she
had more courage than the event demonstrated, was upon a visit at the
house. On going one night to bed, she perceived the bolster and pillow
rise gradually, and elevate her to a considerable height. She gave a
loud scream, and fell into a fit, from which she was with difficulty
recovered. But to return to our Abbé.
After a tedious apprenticeship as a curate, he obtained at length a small
living, on which he proceeded to reside. What often happens in similar
circumstances, happened also in this. His establishment consisted of
one maid-servant, plain, ignorant, and of the very meanest extraction;
her, however, he thought proper to marry. The consequence was a numerous
family, and the most deplorable poverty. This latter evil, he attempted
in some degree to palliate, by the exercise of his pen in the particular
branch of science for which he had long been justly eminent. Nor was it
wholly without success. Fortunately for him, he had some connection
with the conductor of a literary journal of extensive circulation,
who knew his merits, and availed himself of his talents and industry.
The particular proofs in this way, and through this channel, which
were exhibited of his knowledge as a Cambist, attracted the notice of
a very distinguished individual, who had the disposition as well as
the opportunity, of encouraging and rewarding literary merit. He was
accordingly introduced to this personage, and at no great distance of
time, presented to a piece of preferment so considerable, that it held
out to him the hope of passing the remainder of his life in ease and
tranquillity. He died, however, if not prematurely, at least before he
effectually enjoyed the benefits of his new situation. For his wife
and family, there could be but a very scanty provision. The active
benevolence of a friend, promoted a subscription for them, but this could
not be of any great magnitude or importance.
Non tu scis Bacchæ Bacchanti si velis adversarier
Ex insana insaniorem facies, feriet sæpius,
Si obsequere, una resolvas plaga.[2]