The sexagenarian; or, the recollections of a literary life (Volume 2 of 2) — John Shaqi
The sexagenarian; or, the recollections of a literary life (Volume 2 of 2)Beloe, William
General
The sexagenarian; or, the recollections of a literary life (Volume 2 of 2)
Beloe, William
Authors, English; Beloe, William, 1756-1817; English literature -- Anecdotes
The story is on record of the new married Lady Burlington, who when she
saw Swift for the first time, fancied from his dress and appearance,
that he was, to use the Dean’s own words, “some hedge alehouse parson,”
and accordingly resented his familiarity of address, as presumptuous and
insolent. He had asked her to sing, but instead of complying, she left
the room in disgust, and in tears. When, however, she next saw him, she
approached him with a graceful air and curtsey, and said “I will sing to
you Mr. Dean whenever you please.” Something not remarkably dissimilar,
happened between the great man above alluded to, and our Sexagenarian.
He had an appointment with a much greater man than either of them, and
was shewn into the private apartment of the person who had sent for
him, and here, by accident, he saw the anxious expectant for the mitre,
waiting also for an interview. The personal appearance of our friend
was not remarkably prepossessing, and he did not much sacrifice to the
graces in his dress; so that his attempts to enter into conversation were
resisted, and great talents for silence were exhibited on both sides, for
the space of half an hour.
At length the great man entered, who, as luck would have it, first
accosted the Sexagenarian, and with particular cordiality. The
consequence was electrical. The Doctor’s austerity of countenance in a
moment relaxed into the most complacent good humour. He was really much
concerned, not to have known who the gentleman was, with whom he had been
sitting. He should be proud to rank him among his acquaintance, was not
ignorant of his reputation, &c. &c.
That conjecture may not be directed to the wrong object, let it be
understood, that this person, though subsequently elevated to the
Episcopal dignity, was not Bishop A. or B. or C. or D. &c.
About Bishop H. there are a few scattered memoranda in the manuscript,
but though the Sexagenarian had occasionally met him, no acquaintance
subsisted between them, and though he most highly, on all occasions,
venerated his learning and talents, and gave public testimony that he
did so, he appears to have been by no means pleased with his personal
manners.
Μονῃ θυτεον τῃ Αληθεια.
CHAPTER XVII.
In a far, far different spirit are written, in several portions of the
manuscript, certain notices of a very Reverend Dean, concerning whom
there appears to have been the intention of composing something more in
detail. How much and how greatly he was revered by the writer, appears
from the following quotation, with which the Recollections on this
subject are introduced.
Locum virtus habet inter astra,
Vere dum flores venient tepenti
Et comam sylvis hyemes recident,
Vel comam sylvis revocabit æstas,
Pomaque autumno fugiente cadent,
Nulla terris rapiet vetustas
Tu comes Phœbo, comes ibis astris.
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