Far, very far different, in fate and fortune, from the two individuals above described, was a cotemporary of a different society, who (if any man ever had) had most abundant cause to bow before the shrine of the divinity, who with such seeming capriciousness, _sævo læta negotio_, distributes her smiles and favours. His father was a respectable clergyman in moderate circumstances; his education rather confined, but certainly in some private seminary. He went to the university with no particular pretensions of talent, learning, or application; but he had a fine person, and conciliating manners, and it should almost seem that he trusted to these with greater confidence than to any of his acquired endowments. It was for a time doubtful which of the learned professions he should assume, but he finally determined on the law. At this period, he was mild, unassuming, and generally acceptable to his numerous acquaintance. He lived on the fair give and take system of equality, with those whose pretensions were not higher than his own, and partook of his bread and cheese supper with men of his own standing, with a good humoured cordiality. All at once he ceased to be seen among his quondam friends. On enquiry, it was found that his person and address had recommended him to the partial notice of a lady of very large fortune, acquired by industrious relations in commercial pursuits. The change had an extraordinary effect upon his memory. He forgot his former and humbler acquaintance. He acted the great man, at least in one part of the character, and in fact he really became one as to rank and station. All have their infirmities; prosperity is hard to bear, and minds, even stronger than that which distinguished the object of these animadversions, might be in some danger from so beautiful and splendid a prospect opening all at once upon them; from being suddenly elevated to the dignity of a senator, to large landed property, and a splendid establishment, in exchange for a situation, relatively at least, humble and insignificant. Tarpeium limen adora Pronus et auratam Junoni cæde juvencam, Si tibi contigerit capitis matrona pudici. CHAPTER XIX.