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
After her death, when the kind friend above alluded to, undertook the
office of executor, and the superintendence of her funeral, barely
sufficient was got together, to have the last offices performed with due
decency.
She carried the preposterous enthusiasm of her misguided partialities
to the very last. All the valuable trinkets, rings, and jewels, which
she had inherited, had long since been given away, or otherwise disposed
of, one diamond ring excepted, which had for time immemorial remained
in her family. In drawing up her will, she had bequeathed this jewel to
a popular theatrical performer. Her executor having timely knowledge of
this, insisted upon its erasure, and positively declined having any thing
to do with her affairs, unless she bequeathed this ring to her sister.
She was prevailed upon, though reluctantly, to do so.
She died very prematurely, but she had been as negligent of her health,
as of her worldly affairs, and indulged in habits, than which nothing
could be more pernicious in themselves, or more injurious to her
constitution. Being occasionally subject to great depression of spirits,
and habitually a very bad sleeper, she indulged in the use of æther and
laudanum, to an excess that can hardly be credited; by which, and by
various other acts of similar imprudence, she doubtless much accelerated
her end.
Among her intimate friends were many of the most elevated rank, and she
was personally acquainted with all the females of her time, who were in
the least celebrated for their intellectual accomplishments. She was
the correspondent of Anna Seward, much acquainted with Mrs. Piozzi,
Helen Maria Williams, and others who have already been mentioned in this
narrative.
Be it permitted us to lament, yes, deeply to lament, that no friendly
pilot among those upon whom she had the claims of kindred and of blood,
stepped forward, in the progress of her little life, to steer her frail
vessel through the storms and perils of a treacherous world. She was
left, at a very early age, an orphan adventurer, to find her way, as best
she could, o’er unknown seas and regions, and many a pelting did she get
from divers pitiless storms.
Poor Ella! one tear at least is paid to thy memory, by an individual
who knew thy worth, admired thy talents, and loved thee with the truest
warmth of friendship.
Being so poetical herself, and so addicted to the society of those who
had the same disposition, volumes might perhaps be made of the poems
addressed to her. The following is selected, as particularly descriptive
of her character.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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