But surely it is time that we should get our old friend from college,
and accompany him to the active scenes which we have been describing.
The awful period of examination for degree approached, and perhaps it
may be truly observed, that the youthful and ingenuous mind, ambitious
of distinction, but with the greatest industry and application,
conscious of various deficiencies, never subsequently experiences so
much perturbation. The personage immediately in question, had previously
distinguished himself in public disputations, and had established a
character for superior knowledge. This knowledge he really possessed, and
it was the opinion and belief of those who knew his attainments, that he
was very much superior in fact to many, who obtained precedence above
him. But his health was impaired; his spirits failed him; he shrunk from
vigorous competition; and although highly distinguished, and honourably
placed, his precise situation was neither equal to his own hopes, nor
to the expectation of his friends. His elasticity of mind soon however
returned, and he renewed his studious pursuits with increased ardour, and
at all events resolved on a retired and literary life.
A few months had passed without any temptation to deviate from those
paths, which familiarity and habit began to render delightful, when a
proposition was made which required very serious deliberation indeed.
The object was no less than to exchange a life of literary ease
and indolence, for one of certain labour and precarious emolument,
independence for subserviency, and subserviency to one individual in
particular, from whose severity and waywardness, much mortification and
uneasiness had formerly been experienced.
By the way of balance on the other side, the employment proposed was
literary; a path might be opened eventually to useful, perhaps to
splendid connection, and frequent communication was indispensably
necessary with one, to whom the greatest scholars of the day bowed their
heads, whose learning was alike various and profound, whose intellectual
powers of every kind were bounded by no ordinary limits, whose
conversation could not fail of being instructive, and whose friendship
was by many considered as synonymous with patronage. Pride co-operated
with certain other feelings, and the offer was accepted.
What follows in this and the succeeding chapter, is a literal transcript
from the Sexagenarian’s Common-Place-Book.
And what were these other feelings? How often and how unavailingly has
the question been discussed, whether individuals addicted to learned
pursuits should marry. Petrarch, and many other sage and celebrated
personages, have adduced some notable arguments on this subtle question,
which one single smile from Laura, one kind glance from youthful beauty,
one endearing emotion of avowed affection, would in a moment disperse
into the thinnest air.
Such was the case in the present instance—
If lusty Love should go in quest of Beauty.
Where could he have more effectually found it, than in the object,
the hope of possessing whom, outweighed every other consideration. Oh
what a field is here opened! If fond recollection were to go back to
these early hours, to retrace the difficulties which were presented to
the accomplishment of mutual wishes, the ardour with which they were
overcome, the triumphant exultation with which, the Rose of Sharon
was conducted to the tent of Kedar, large volumes might easily be
written. A hard restraint must be exercised, for what has love to do
with literature? Yet if occasionally a few anecdotes should insinuate
themselves into the narrative, originating in this source, and tinging
with a brighter or a darker hue, many scenes in a protracted life, the
reader may pass them over, or peruse them as he shall think proper.
The situation, as before observed, was accepted, and its duties, however
irksome, were steadily performed. That which happens in the ordinary
course and contingencies of every human life, happened here also. Of
the inconveniences which were foreseen, some were greater and some less
in their pressure than was expected; so was it also with respect to the
advantages: on the whole, an equilibrium was preserved, with no important
variation, during the whole of the period which was thus occupied, in
the discharge of what was by no means an unimportant office. The place
of residence was remote from the more attractive scenes of learning,
taste, and refinement; but still “full many a gem of purest ray serene”
has beamed from its recesses; full many a blushing flower of delicious
sweetness has been transplanted from its bowers; many of the most
illustrious names of ancient and of modern times, derived their origin
from this our Bœotia.
Here let a tribute of the tenderest affection and regret be paid to the
memory of one of these bright gems, whose lustre was too soon, alas! how
soon obscured, in the dark unfathomed cave of death. He who employs the
pen now used in delineating the character before us, knew him in boyish
days, witnessed the earliest dawning of his genius, viewed his progress
with delight and astonishment, occasionally aided his literary labours,
remarked also with no common anguish the approach of that incurable
malady, which finally and abruptly hurried him to his grave.
Nestoris annosi vixisses sæcula, si me
Dispensata tibi stamina neta forent.
Nunc ego quod possum. Tellus levis ossa teneto
Pendula librato pondus et ipsa tuum,
Semper serta tibi dabimus, tibi semper odores
Non unquam sitiens florida semper eris.