He was the son of a Dutch merchant, who retired from Holland with a considerable fortune, to spend the remainder of his days in this country, and with this view, purchased property in one of our largest provincial towns. This traveller was his eldest son, and every thing he undertook or did, his studies, pursuits, habits, and acquaintance, were chosen with the most extraordinary waywardness. His characteristic principle was “_fari quid sentiat_,” without any very nice regard to time, circumstance, or persons. This was particularly obvious in all he published, and in a neighbouring island, involved him in no trifling perplexity or disgrace. By some thoughtless expression, he offended the females of the place which he visited, and they, to mark their contempt and indignation, thought proper to call a dishonourable utensil after his name, and had a striking caricature of his person visible at bottom. He published, however, one standard work, upon chess, which will always be quoted with respect by all who are engaged in this particular pursuit, the varieties, chances, and labyrinths of which he well describes, and which any indifferent reader may peruse with satisfaction and amusement. What his ultimate situation in life was, or whether he yet survived, when these notes were written, was apparently unknown to the Sexagenarian. All that appears on this head is in the form of a query, thus:—Did he not afterwards engage unsuccessfully in business of a speculative kind, and lose the wreck of his fortune? The traveller had a brother of some waywardness also, but who was very amiable, and, unlike the former, of the most unoffending manners. When young, he had not a mere liking, but an absolute passion for theatrical amusements. He in a manner attached himself to the provincial company of the place where he resided, accompanied them to whatever place they went, never absented himself from any of their performances, assisted them with his countenance on all occasions, his advice, and his purse. This passion remained for a considerable number of years without the smallest abatement, till he finally formed a connection by marriage with a family, the heads of whom were distinguished by the very highest degrees of theatrical excellence, and not more deservedly popular for their eminence of this kind, than for their general accomplishments. This gentleman also was an author, but of a peculiar kind. His knowledge was indeed principally confined to his own language, in the literature of which, and more particularly in that which related to the Drama, he was remarkably well skilled. The performance which he produced had relation to the greatest ornament of our country, and which, if it was not entitled to the praise of genius, might reasonably claim that of care and diligence, of accuracy and usefulness. Nam doli non doli sunt, nisi astu colas Sed malum maxumum si id palam provenit. CHAPTER X.