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 persons of the description to which the above remarks allude, were
the bishops of E. and L. the first of whom owed his elevation to the
noble family of R. and the latter to that of A.
About twenty years since, it was a sort of fashionable amusement among
scholars, to translate the popular Elegy of Gray in a Country Church
yard, into Greek. There were some critics who doubted whether this
admirable composition was calculated to make its appearance in a Grecian
dress; nevertheless, the former of these Prelates was one of the more
successful adventurers, and he dedicated his translation to the Duke of
R. who was at that time become a member of the University of Cambridge.
Of the latter Prelate, the Sexagenarian appears to have had very little
knowledge.
We have now to cross the water, where we shall find some illustrious
members of the Episcopal Bench, who cannot reasonably be offended at
being classed among the favourites of fortune. But it is time to end this
chapter.
Ut enim in corporibus magnæ dissimilitudines sunt, alios enim
videmus velocitate ad cursum, alios viribus ad luctandum
valere, itemque in formis, aliis dignitatem inesse, aliis
venustatem, sic in animis exsistunt etiam majores varietates.
CHAPTER XXX.
Our first attention must necessarily be directed to the Bishop of ⸺.
The ancestors and family connections of this learned and accomplished
prelate, were of the Roman Catholic persuasion, and rigidly attached to
those tenets. His Lordship was himself educated in them, and if we are
not misinformed, actually studied in the college at St. Omer’s, with the
intention of becoming a priest.
It happened, at least so our Brief instructs us, that whilst in this
situation, his vivacity and parts attracted the notice of a near
connection of the late Duke of ⸺, and that on his expostulation,
and promises of protection and assistance, young ⸺ was without much
difficulty prevailed upon to read his recantation, and become a member
and a clergyman of our Protestant communion.
He came over to this country, and accompanied his patron to Ireland, but
during his Grace’s administration, it does not appear that any preferment
became vacant, becoming the patron to bestow, or the client to accept. He
nevertheless availed himself of this interval to ingratiate himself more
effectually with his patron, to whom he was enabled to render various
services by the skilfulness and dexterity of his pen. He returned to
England with the Duke, through whose good offices he was, after no great
lapse of time, appointed to valuable preferment in some of the northern
provinces. This however not exactly suiting him, he, through the same
channel of interest, obtained an exchange for a valuable benefice in
Ireland, upon which he fixed his residence.
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