The next female who makes her appearance in our “Recollections,” is
delineated under the name of
ELFRIDA.
She was the daughter of a humble Suffolk farmer, and her education as
limited as possible. Nevertheless, she so strongly felt within herself
the consciousness of talents, and the desire of independence, that,
though young and lively, and though in seeming contradiction to all the
precepts of discretion, she rushed to the metropolis, without either
recommendation or protection. Her very first adventure on her arrival,
though in the highest degree romantic, and indeed almost incredible,
proved her security, and procured her a guardian and a husband.
Not knowing whither to go, she made some accidental enquiry of a
passenger, who, as apparently much older than herself, she presumed
would not deceive and mislead her. Thus the event happened. This same
person finding her, on enquiry, artless, ignorant of the town, distressed
and unhappy, compassionated her situation, found her a home, and soon
afterwards married her. As her person was remarkably good, and she
appeared to have a turn and talent that way, it was resolved that she
should try her fortune on the stage, where she accordingly made her
appearance. There was an invincible impediment to her success, in a
certain defect of enunciation, which all her endeavours were unavailing
to overcome.
She accordingly left the stage, retaining the esteem of all the most
considerable performers, and without the slightest imputation on the
accuracy of her conduct. Ere long she was left a widow, and commenced
author.
At this period she was introduced to our Sexagenarian, and a familiar
acquaintance subsisted for some years between them.
Previous to this acquaintance, Elfrida had been so far unfortunate, that
her principal and most intimate connections, were among those who opposed
the measures of government, were warm friends of the French Revolution,
and some of them tainted with the contagion of the most extravagant
democracy.
She had also another error. She was herself of the Roman Catholic
persuasion; and whether the idea had been communicated from others, or
she had imbibed it from her own observations and course of reading, she
fancied that all the Ecclesiastics of the established church, of whatever
rank or situation, were remarkable only for sensuality or selfishness.
Among the various ingenious things which she published, these two most
absurd prejudices will be found exceedingly to predominate—an extravagant
conception of liberty, and a foolish misapprehension with respect to the
Clerical profession of different tenets from her own.
As it is said of those who are notorious for circulating falsehoods,
that they at last themselves believe what they propagate, so is it with
respect to errors and prejudices early received, and allowed for a long
continuance to influence the conduct; they are seldom if ever totally
laid aside.
Whether the conversation and society of our friend had any tendency
to meliorate her sentiments on these subjects, is uncertain, for the
acquaintance was interrupted by the removal of each to situations distant
from one another. Our memorandums inform us, that some exertions were
made to convince the Lady, that all Bishops were not sensualists; that
they did not confer distinctions and rewards inadvertently, and without
due discrimination; that virtue, piety, and learning, were to be found
in members of the English, as well as of the Roman church. Her love of
liberty was less likely to be prejudicial to the community, and when this
subject was introduced, it was without seriousness.
The other error of detracting from the value of a venerable body of men,
inasmuch as it violated the interests and the dignity of truth, tended
very considerably to diminish her reputation.
Elfrida’s publications were very numerous, and of different descriptions.
She wrote a great deal for the stage: in some of these attempts she was
eminently successful, in others she failed altogether. Some of her works
of imagination were exceedingly and deservedly popular, whilst others
were of the humblest pretension, and betrayed the extremest ignorance of
the characters she undertook to describe.
She managed, however, on the whole, to realize a very considerable sum of
money, which would have enabled her to enjoy the residue of life in ease
and independence. Unluckily, in some evil hour, a foolish and chimerical
dread of poverty took possession of her fancy, and had such influence
upon her mind, that she abruptly gave up her acquaintance, retired into
an obscure lodging, deprived herself of the ordinary comforts she might
well have afforded, and spent her time in the most sordid manner.
She had a brother, who, from feelings congenial with her own, scorned
the humbler employment of a farmer, and would not that the “horn should
any longer call him up in the morn.” Accordingly, he joined himself to a
company of strolling players. Here, after a time, he married one of the
party, an amiable and accomplished woman, and of considerable theatrical
talents. She appeared with reputation at many of the provincial theatres,
particularly at Bath, Norwich, and York. Her husband was a good-natured,
but imprudent man, of no abilities, being retained in the different
companies which they joined, principally on account of his wife’s merit.
It is believed that having involved himself in pecuniary difficulties, he
found it expedient to retire to the continent. He went to Hamburgh, where
being one day engaged in a dispute at a billiard-table, a duel ensued, in
which he forfeited his life. What became of his unfortunate wife is not
known.
Vera incessu patuit dea.