The sexagenarian; or, the recollections of a literary life (Volume 1 of 2)

Proceed we next to one whose house Porson for a long series of years frequented with more familiarity and regular intimacy, than that of almost any body else. The expression of regular intimacy is deliberately used; for, in this respect, the Professor was particularly wayward. After visiting at a friend’s house, for perhaps four or five days in succession, he would abruptly, and without any assignable reason, absent himself for as many weeks. The individual of whom we are about to speak, did not in this respect fare better than his neighbours. This individual was

—.

It appears from the scattered memoranda, from which what follows has been compiled and arranged, that our Sexagenarian’s acquaintance with him commenced in childhood, but different places of education, and a different period of residence at the university, occasioned a separation for many years; the connection was renewed, on again meeting in the metropolis.

His history in few words is this:

His father was a clergyman, and master of an endowed free-school in Yorkshire. He received a small number of private boarders into his house, which, with the addition of curacies, enabled him to live with respectability and comfort. The fortunes of men often turn upon slight hinges, and he who has the sagacity to avail himself of the favourable opportunities which present themselves, without any imputation on his integrity, is justly entitled to esteem and praise.

The elder Mr. — was a very good scholar, remarkably quick and intelligent, and, very differently from the general herd of masters of seed-shops and seminaries, by courtesy ycleped boarding schools, his plan of educating his pupils was admirable. He knew the right way, and pursued it: he was not satisfied with his boys having a sort of smattering of this book and the other—what they knew, they knew effectually; for their knowledge was grounded on the most familiar intimacy with grammar. He was also of a sociable and convivial temper, and exceedingly acceptable to the gentlemen of the neighbourhood.

Fortunately for him, and, indeed, for his family, he served the curacy of a village (the name is now forgotten by the writer), where Lord —, who married the gay, alas! too gay, daughter of Lord — resided. Lord — was at that time a great favourite with the Queen; and, at the intercession of his daughter, his Lordship applied to her Majesty for a presentation to a great and popular seminary, for the subject of this article. The request was granted; and thus the foundation of his future good fortune was permanently laid. But this was not all the good derived to the family from this splendid connection.—In process of time, the old gentleman, who well deserved it, obtained from the kindness of the same noble family, very valuable preferment. Another son also was enabled from the same source to appear with great distinction in life, was confidentially and honourably employed in their affairs, and did at one time at least, if not now, represent in parliament one of the boroughs in this interest.

But, to return to our immediate subject. He passed through the ordinary routine of a public school with credit, whence he removed to Cambridge, acquitted himself with great respectability, became a fellow of the society, and, at the usual period, entered into orders. He was for a time curate of the parish in which some of the relatives of that unfortunate India Captain who perished at sea in the Holwell, resided, and he preached on that occasion a funeral sermon which he was afterwards induced to publish. As far as recollection is of avail, the discourse was in every respect highly creditable to his sensibility and judgment. A vacancy happening at the public school where he was educated, among the under masters, he removed thither, and most probably was invited to do so. After various gradations, he rose to the chief situation, which he retained till his death. He obtained at different times, different pieces of preferment, and having always his house full of pupils, in all probability died opulent.

His connection with Porson commenced at the university, and was only interrupted by that which breaks all human bonds asunder—a summons to the grave. Different as they were in the powers of intellect, and attainments of learning, properly so called, though it is by no means intended to insinuate, that this gentleman’s talents and learning were not very highly reputable, yet there was a certain congeniality of mind and sentiment between him and Porson, which tended to confirm and cement their intimacy. They took the same decided line in politics; both were strenuous advocates, at first, at least, of the French Revolution, both associated intimately with its warmest defenders, and both were alike sceptical on certain points of ecclesiastical controversy. Of the subject of this article, it was facetiously remarked by a Barrister, who was one of his auditors, that having engaged to preach at Lincoln’s Inn, on Trinity Sunday, he preached against the Trinity. But perhaps by this remark no more was intended, than that the preacher did not enter very profoundly into the question, but rather permitted it to escape in a vapour of generality.

Both these worthies were deluded enough to think Fox the true lover, and Pitt the decided enemy of his country. But what will not the spirit of party do? Now, in our opinion, and in more instances than one, Fox was the enemy of his country. But we are well aware that these may be called prejudices on the other side; and it is not intended to throw down the glove for political hostility in this narrative. To show, however, our candour, the following ingenious nonsense is inserted, which some have given to Porson, others to —. It is more probable to have been the production of the former, who had a great talent for splendid trifles; for trifles they certainly are, even when such a genius sports with them.

ORACULA ECHUS
DE BELLO ET STATU NATIONIS.

Whoever was the author of the above facetiousness, was indebted for the idea to a book of no common occurrence, of which the title is “Lusus Imaginis Jocosæ sive Echus, a variis Poetis, variis linguis et numeris exculti. Ex Bibliotheca Theodori Dousæ, I. F. Accessit M. Schoockii Dissertatio de natura Soni et Echus. Ultrajecti. Ex officina Ægidii Roman. Acad. Typog. 1638.”

The volume consists of poems, in the style and manner of that above printed, in Greek, Latin, French, Italian, Dutch, German, and English; as for example:

This Caspar, or Gaspar Barlæus was a very learned physician of Antwerp, of whom Vossius says, “Dubium Poeta melior an Philosophus.” Many of his works are extant, and highly esteemed. But, to return to our subject.

Let not such of —’s surviving friends as may peruse this article take offence, when it is asserted that he was not the most profound of scholars, nor was his taste the finest and most accurate in the world; but he was certainly an excellent teacher, and many very eminent scholars have been produced under his guidance. He was far from deficient in judgment, was possessed of excellent common sense, and was wise enough to turn his familiar and intimate connection with Porson to excellent use. Many a lecture on the Greek dramas has smacked sensibly of the Professor. It is not known that he ever wrote any thing by which (the sermon above-mentioned excepted) his intellectual powers, or acquired attainments, can be brought to the test. The oration which follows in the Appendix was undoubtedly of his composition. As one of Porson’s has been exhibited, composed by him in very early youth, it should be noticed that the oration subjoined was produced not a great while before — changed this state for a better.

They who are so disposed may there, if they please, enter into a critical examination and comparison of the Latinity of these two distinguished personages. We have something else to do. It is not pretended to say that the author of this last oration was defective in good taste with respect to literary composition, but it is rather extraordinary that so protracted a course of scholastic discipline did not create more. One thing is alike remarkable and certain, and was notorious to the pupils in almost every division of their classes, that their master had no great talent for versification. They who have seen the Masters of Westminster, of Eton, or Harrow, correct verse exercises, must be well aware of the extreme readiness, facility, and precision, with which a false quantity is detected, an unpoetical word erased, a better substituted, and every part of the rhythm accurately determined. Whereas the learned man of whom we are speaking, made few or no remarks when correcting verse exercises, and was generally satisfied—with putting a mark under the mistakes of his boobies. This is not intended to depreciate his value as a schoolmaster. By no means; as a master, he had the more useful and valuable qualities, though he could not be said to have had much of poetry in his composition.

It is an old and generally received adage, “a man is known by the company he keeps.” We will not altogether apply this to — in the present case, because it is most willingly conceded that he had a great share of mildness and benevolence in his temper; and perhaps it might be illiberal to infer, that his kindness to certain individuals was the result of an entire congeniality and community of feeling. We trust that it was not, and more particularly with respect to one person, hereafter to be mentioned.

Of the subject of this article, little more remains to be said, than that he died prematurely, and much lamented by an extensive circle of friends and acquaintance. It does not appear that he left behind him any thing with the view of publication, though among his manuscripts, particularly when his long intimacy with Porson is remembered, there must probably have been many things well deserving of public notice.