The Town: Its Memorable Characters and EventsHunt, Leigh
History
The Town: Its Memorable Characters and Events
Hunt, Leigh
London (England) -- Description and travel; London (England) -- History
If it be dangerous in the present condition of society, to incur
pecuniary obligations, particularly for those who are more qualified
to think than to act, and who may ultimately startle to find
themselves in positions in which they can neither prove the benefit
done them, nor the good feelings which allowed them to receive it,
nobody can doubt the generosity of such a man as Brocklesby; who, so
far from being a mere patron, jealous of being obliged himself, was
equally as prepared to receive kindness as to show it. Proposing just
before he died to go down to Burke's house at Beaconsfield, and
somebody hinting to him the danger of being fatigued, and of lying out
of his own bed, he replied with his usual calmness, "My good friend,
I perfectly understand your hint, and am thankful to you for it; but
where's the difference, whether I die _at a friend's house_, at an
inn, or in a postchaise? I hope I am every way prepared for such an
event, and perhaps it is as well to elude the expectation of it." This
was said like a man, and a friend. Brocklesby was not one who would
cant about giving trouble at such a moment--the screen of those who
hate to be troubled; neither would he grudge a friend the melancholy
satisfaction of giving him a bed to die in. He better understood the
first principles which give light and life to the world, and left
jealousy and misgiving to the vulgar.
Dr. Brocklesby died at his house in the street above mentioned, and
was buried in the churchyard. Lee was buried, "at St. Clement Danes;"
probably, therefore, in the churchyard also. There are now in that
spot some trees, by far the best things about the church. The reader
may imagine them to shade the places where the poet and the physician
lie.
Arundel or Norfolk House, after the great fire, became the temporary
place of meeting for the Royal Society, previously to its return to
Gresham College. It was pulled down on their leaving it, the century
before last, and the streets before mentioned built in its room. They
appear to have been favourite places of residence with persons
connected with the drama. Congreve lived in Surrey Street, Mountford
the player in Norfolk Street, Mrs. Bracegirdle in Howard Street, and
Mrs. Barry somewhere near her.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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