Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. V, No. XXV, June, 1852Various
General
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. V, No. XXV, June, 1852
Various
American literature -- Periodicals; Civilization -- Periodicals; Culture -- Periodicals
coachman to stop. The man pulled up, and he beckoned to me eagerly, as
if he had something of the utmost importance to communicate. I went up
at once to the window, when to my surprise and disappointment, I must
acknowledge, he inquired, "Have you seen the Bonassus?"--"No!"--"See
him--see him! He is right in your way by Exeter Change. A very curious
fellow, a very curious fellow indeed!"
Some years afterward, it so happened, his papers were placed in my
hands for examination. In the top of each of the multitudinous tin
cases which contained them, was written an injunction in his own hand,
to take no copies of any of the documents within. I do not, however,
think it any violation of his injunction, to show how far back this
passion for any thing that is curious or extraordinary could be traced.
Among other papers was the memorandum-book of his expenses, when
studying at Oxford, and two of the items were curious. One was, "Paid
one shilling to see Mr. ---- conjure" (I forget the man's name). Then
followed the observation, "Very marvelous indeed!" Some way down on the
succeeding page was written, "Paid one guinea to Mr. ---- for teaching
me to conjure."
He conjured, indeed, to some purpose; for he left a very large fortune;
and that brings to my mind an anecdote regarding his brother John,
which may have been told over and over again, for aught I know; but I
myself had it from a near relation of both brothers. While John Scott,
Lord Eldon, was Chancellor, his brother, Lord Stowell, proposed to
purchase an estate with some one or two hundred thousand pounds which
he had saved. Some delay occurred in perfecting the title, and Lord
Stowell, uneasy at having so large a sum in the house, was hurrying to
deposit it with a banker of good reputation, when he was met in the
street by his brother, who asked him to come into his chambers and
breakfast with him. The great civilian declined, telling his errand,
and alleging the importance of disencumbering his person of the large
amount he carried about him. The Chancellor persisted, and almost
dragged his brother into his chambers by main force. He then argued
with the other most vehemently upon the imprudence of trusting his
whole fortune to any private banking-house, urging him to lodge the sum
in the Bank of England. Lord Stowell was obstinate, and the dispute
lasted till ten o'clock, when some papers were brought in for the
Chancellor's signature. He took a pen and wrote his name, and then, for
the first time, informed his brother that the house with whom he had
been about to trust his money was bankrupt. He had that moment signed
the fiat.
I must not quit the subject of the memorandum-book, however, without
mentioning that it contained many a proof of kindness of heart and
generosity of character, which showed that Lord Stowell possessed
other, and perhaps higher qualities than those which recommended him to
high station, or led him to wealth.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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