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
This gentleman more than once appeared before the public as an author;
but such a style, at least when he wrote in English, was never
paralleled, except among the Houynhyms! There was much sound learning,
sense, judgment, and knowledge, at the bottom, but so thick a cloud
was suspended over the surface, that it was only here and there, at
intervals, through partial fissures of light, that what was valuable and
useful could be discerned. “It was like the gracious fooling when thou
spakest of the Pigrogromitus, and of the Vapians passing the equinoctial
of Quembus.”
Nobody was surely less qualified to be a biographical writer, for
reasons above stated; he was unable to discern the real character, or to
distinguish between the tinsel and embroidery of the courtier’s polish,
and the real and solid substance and qualities of the man.
There was one other person well known to the Sexagenarian, to whom the
above description will apply in so many particulars, that it is not
impossible but a false application might be made.
That other person was H⸺, a clergyman of Norfolk. He was alike versed
in the depths and intricacies of Aristotelian lore, and even knew the
opinion of Pythagoras about wild fowl; at the same time, he was equally
ignorant of the world, and unacquainted with the forms of polished
society. The style of writing in both, when they appeared as authors,
was alike uncouth, and regardless of the ornaments of composition. But
whilst the one, (that is, the individual first described) was perfectly
unoffending, and never violated, though he might not practise, the forms
and rules of good breeding, the latter was abrupt in his manner, rude and
disputatious in conversation, and exceedingly disgusting in his habits.
He would, without scruple or compunction, offend the delicacy of his
hostess by contaminating the hues of her carpets, the brightness of her
stoves, and the purity of her bed-curtains, by defiling each with the
distillations of tobacco. But he was, nevertheless, a truly good, and
amiable, and profoundly learned man. The few works he published continue,
and always will continue, in high estimation with the learned, for the
sagacity of his remarks, the acuteness of his discrimination, and the
depth of his erudition.
Quicunque fuerit narrandi locus
Dum capiat aurem, et servet propositum suum,
Recommendatur, non auctoris nomine.
CHAPTER XXVII.
In no part of these pages will be found a more eccentric, and, at the
same time, accomplished scholar and amiable man, than the individual,
memorandums concerning whom, at this place present themselves.
His father was a sound theologian, and popular preacher. His various
works on subjects of divinity still continue of high reputation. He was
the intimate friend of Bishop Hoadley, Archbishop Herring, Dr. Clarke,
and other illustrious members of our Church.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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