The sexagenarian; or, the recollections of a literary life (Volume 1 of 2)Beloe, William
General
The sexagenarian; or, the recollections of a literary life (Volume 1 of 2)
Beloe, William
Authors, English; Beloe, William, 1756-1817; English literature -- Anecdotes
With respect to the other branches of Porson’s family, some errors have
found their way into the public prints. His younger brother’s name was
Thomas. He is mentioned first, because he received the same benefit,
with respect to education, under Mr. Hewitt and Mr. Summers, as his
elder brother, the Professor. His talents were thought by no means to be
inferior; he was certainly an excellent scholar, or possessed the faculty
of becoming such. No efforts were, however, made in his favour to obtain
for him similar advantages. He became assistant to the Rev. Mr. Hepworth,
a very respectable clergyman, and amiable man, who kept a school first
at Wymondham, in Norfolk, and afterwards was master of the free grammar
school at Northwalsham. Thomas Porson, on leaving Mr. Hepworth, opened
a school at Fakenham, which is likewise in Norfolk. Here he married, and
died young. The second brother, Henry Porson, was not a scholar, but an
admirable accountant. Mrs. Hawes has already been mentioned.—She has
five children. The eldest son was for a time a member of Benet College,
Cambridge; but he also had his scruples on the subject of subscription
to the articles of the Church of England, and declined entering into
orders. Though not disinclined to literary pursuits, he thought, and
thought justly, that literature as a profession, was but an indifferent
speculation; he resolved, therefore, to enter into more active life.—He
is now at Buenos Ayres.
Now, then, alas! the moment is come, when we are to take a final leave
of our illustrious friend.—Whatever were his errors, his failings, and
his infirmities, he was, as far as talent, learning, and intellectual
distinction is concerned, a GREAT MAN. His loss will ever be deplored by
those who intimately knew him; and the tenderest regret will, as long as
life shall endure, be everlastingly excited, when memory brings to the
view of him who writes this narrative, the instructive, interesting, and
pleasing hours spent in his society.
Hunc unum Plurimi consentiunt
Doctorum doctissimum fuisse
RICARDUM PORSONUM.
ΕΑΝ ΔΕ ΤΙ ΦΑΙΝΗΤΑΙ ΥΜΕΝ
ΠΡΟΣΘΕΙΝΑΙ Η ΑΦΕΛΑΙ
ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΩΜΕΣ
ΕΡΡΩΣΤΕ.
Non hic Centauros, non Gorgonas, Harpyiasque
Invenies: hominem pagina nostra sapit.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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