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 was accordingly placed upon the carriage; but some of the banker’s
half-learned friends pretended to dispute its accuracy; upon which, out
of humour, he remonstrated with his clerical adviser for imposing an
incorrect motto upon him.—“Friend Roger,” replied the old gentleman,
“do you support your carriage, and I’ll support the motto.” The motto is
indeed remarkable for the seeming spirit of prophecy with which it was
communicated. The motto survives—the coach is no more.
The next two individuals, concerning whom notices present themselves,
were of the ecclesiastical profession, and both may surely be denominated
fortunate.
The one was in the humblest possible situation, compatible with the
character of a student, in one of the colleges of Oxford, but he carried
with him the best qualifications of steadiness of principle, thirst for
knowledge, and the seeds of an honourable ambition.
On his first leaving the University, no better occupation presented
itself than that of a humble curacy in a country village. But here
fortune befriended him. Among his auditors was a venerable nobleman,
who had himself risen to his wealth and dignities from no very splendid
beginnings, by the active use of considerable talents, and who
consequently had the sagacity to distinguish merit, and, as it appeared
from the consequences, had, also the liberality to assist and reward it.
This nobleman having received the young curate into his familiar
acquaintance, soon discovered that he had talents of the higher order,
and which merited a more spacious held for their display and exercise. A
very long period did not elapse, before a living of considerable value,
with no small degree of responsibility attached to it, was procured by
the nobleman for his friend.
In the discharge of this greater duty, he so well acquitted himself,
that ere long, a Prebendal stall was added to it, and at no very great
interval of time, he became a Dean, Bishop, perhaps hereafter ⸺
Let it not be supposed that this advancement to high ecclesiastical
dignities, was the mere result of noble and powerful influence. In
addition to private virtues and personal recommendations, claims to
preferment were enforced by various and profound erudition exercised on
professional subjects.
His first publication, if we mistake not, was some ingenious and learned
discourses, preached at his own parish church, containing the arguments
for and against the reception of Christianity by the ancient Jews and
Greeks.
He also preached a very powerful sermon, which he subsequently published,
on the Claims of the Establishment, in reply to the loud expostulations
every where circulated, on what were denominated the Claims of the Roman
Catholics.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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