. 334 CHAP. XXXVII. 1827, Continued.-Commencement of a new series of grievous sorrows -My troubles increase-Timely appearance of a pleasant little floweret -Sad alternative to which I am once more reduced-Again call a meeting- Results of the abstract, &c.-My present deficiences, how accounted for-Con- solatory and friendly letter from an old friend, dated the last day of the year, 320 CHAP. XXXVIII. 1828.-No reason to doubt the sincerity of my friend's sentiments, nor his ability and inclination to serve me-Pleasing cogitations to which such considerations must have given rise-Another flower-or, rather the last of a new chaplet-Another perplexing consideration, CHAP. XXXIX. 1828, Continued -A refreshing Oases in the midst of the deser -Twenty-fifth anniversary of a most happy marriage-How I employed my pen on the occasion-A pleasant subject at last to dwell on-Pages sacred to CHAP. XL. 1828, Continued.-Again set out on the journey of life-Again ex- posed to the pelting of the storm-A new species of trial awaits me— death-Affecting tributes to his memory-My troubles not yet at an end, CHAP. XLI. 1829.-I seem now in a fair way to have the more successful part of my friend's prediction verified-Business still continues to prosper-My reasons for giving a preference in my dealings to old friends-Get once more into good spirits-Another rejoices in my joy-A pleasant afternoon's excursion, 349 CHAP XLII. 1830.-One subject of gratulation, on being able to resume my New Year's walk this year-Sundry reminiscences connected with it-Tribute to a dutiful son in humble life—A double flower springs up in my path—Tri- bute to the memory of Hervey-One of the inevitable consequences of old age, 355 CHAP. XLIII. 1831.-The winter of 1830-31, a stirring time with us-Indi- cations at last, of my friend's prediction being likely to be fulfilled-The first Sunday of 1831, to me, indeed a day of rest to the weary"-Under what circumstances I commenced my retrospections on the morning of the 14th of January, and was, at last, obliged to discontinue them, CHAP. XLIV. 1831, Continued-Arrival at the period, when, but one down- sitting was necessary, to enable me to lay aside my task without inconvenience -What happened in the interim-Remarkable dream, and how I treated it at the time-My vision described-It follows me in my waking moments-and in a short time is fully realized-Mournful reflections at my time of life, CHAP. XLV. 1832-Three first days in one- -Melancholy Sunday which ushered in an irksome and mournfully eventful week—Another meeting takes place-Plain speaking statements and accompanying address-Immediate acquiescence in the measure proposed-Deeds of accession come in from ab. CHAP. XLVI. 1832, Continued.-Many are the instances of kind treatment I received otherwise-Am overwhelmed with acts of kindness-Happy results -Different expedients I had recourse to in my extremity in order to raise myself above misfortune-Original circular, with prospectus for Latter Strug- gles-Kind offices of my old brethren in the book trade-Go to press with my CHAP. XLVII. OR, THE CONCLUDING CHAPTER-Some very pertinent questions, that may be put, in this stage of the business-No prospect for the present can be held out that I shall proceed with my more early re- miniscences-Grateful emotions to present benefactors, gratefully expressed- My parting valediction to them-My own desire to be resigned-Concluding prayer most appropriately suited to the aged pilgrim, when he arrives near the The APPENDIX, containing Testimonials, &c. follows the last, or page The DEDICATION will be found after the TITLE.-The PREFACE, fol- lowing the Dedication.-And these pages of CONTENTS, after the Preface. Erratum-Since the concluding chapter came from press, I have observed Cadras used in page 402, instead of Codrus. This I see, is no fault of the printer, LATTER STRUGGLES IN THE JOURNEY OF LIFE, &c. "MANY UPS AND DOWNS YOU HAVE HAD IN THIS WORLD BUT WE SHOULD REMEMBER THIS IS NOT OUR RESTING PLACE."--See Letter to the Author from an old acquaintance, and much valued and esteemed correspondent, of date 12th January, 1832. "AFTER A LIFE OF CONTINUED, UNWEARIED EXERTIONS, IN HONEST INDUSTRY, TO SUCH A MIND AS YOURS, IT IS A MOST SEVERE BLOW."-From another Letter to the Author, by the much-respected surviving partner of a House, with which, he had been long in the practice of doing business; and received soon after the announcement of his recent calamity. CHAPTER I. One half of the world knows not how the other lives.-Nothing very magnanimous in some persons bearing up under misfortune.-What constitutes true greatness of mind in such circumstances.Goldsmith's highly appro. priate story of the disabled soldier, quoted. Much truth and meaning in the doctrine of the silver spoon and wooden ladle;-as also, in that of "man being," in a certain sense," the creature of circumstances."—No circumstances, nor combination of circumstances, above, or beyond, the control of Providence.-Lines from Cowper.-Apt illustration of the wooden-ladle class, in the case of Goldsmith himself,of the silver-spoon class, in the instance of our late great modern poet, antiquarian, and novelist.-Old-fashioned truths strikingly exemplified in the contrary experiences of these two highly-gifted individuals.-The race is not to the swift, &c -Man, nevertheless, born to, and fitted for, a life of activity.-Calls, and inducements, and motives, to exertion.-Life's cares are comforts.- Favourite poets in my younger days. Test of reputation according to Cicero.-Criterion to judge by, according to the doctrine of the New Testament. - IT has been remarked. by Goldsmith, in the introduction to one of his amusing and instructive Essays; that which contains the highly interesting and pathetic story of "The Disabled Soldier"-that "no observation is more common, and at the same time more true, than that one half of the world are ignorant how the other lives;"-that "the misfortunes of the great C are held up to engage our attention-are enlarged upon in terms of declamation-and the world is called upon to gaze at the noble sufferers;"-and that "the great, under the pressure of calamity, are conscious of several others sympathising with their distress, and have at once the comfort of admiration and pity;”—justly observing, “there is nothing magnanimous in bearing misfortunes with fortitude, when the whole world is looking on. Men, in such circumstances, will act bravely, even from motives of vanity; but HE who, in the vale of obscurity, can brave adversity,—who, without friends to encourage, acquaintances to pity, or even without hope to alleviate his misfortunes, can behave with tranquility and indifference, -is truly great. Whether peasant or courtier, HE deserves admiration, and should be held up for our imitation in this respect. I have been led into these reflections," continues this pleasing and ingenious writer, "from accidentally meeting, some days ago, a poor fellow, whom I knew when a boy, dressed in a sailor's jacket, and begging at one of the outlets of the town, with a wooden leg. I knew him to have been honest and industrious when in the country, and was curious to learn what had reduced him to his present situation; wherefore, after giving him what I thought proper, I desired to know the history of his life and misfortunes, and the manner in which he was reduced to his present distress. The disabled soldier-for such he was, though dressed in a sailor's habit— scratched his head, and, leaning on his crutch, put himself into an attitude to comply with my request, and gave me his history.” My limits do not permit me to enter largely into the story of the poor battered and mutilated mendicant; nor is it of much consequence that I should do so, as the affecting narrative, I dare say, from the known popularity of the author, is already, or has been, in the hands of the greater part of my readers; but there is one passage at the commencement, and another towards the conclusion, that I cannot forbear quoting, as going far to prove, not only the magnanimity and heroism with which men, in the most humble conditions of society, can bear up under misfortunes of the most disastrous nature, but, the aptitude of persons of this description, and so circumstanced, to derive consolation from the consideration that matters might have been still worse with them; and to be thankful, in the midst of their privations, for the blessings they are still allowed to possess ;-another merciful ordination in the operations of that benign Providence, which tempers the weather to the shorn lamb-makes the little child well pleased in the exclusive enjoyment of his painted rattle-enables the youthful aspirant to bear up in the midst of repeated disappointments, from a consciousness of his partial successes, and the greater failures of others around him—and the aged, and wayworn pilgrim on life's journey, to take comfort, in the near prospect of another and a better world, for the toils and miseries he has experienced and endured in this. "As for my misfortunes, master," commenced the, by no means, unwilling narrator, "I can't pretend to have gone through any more than other folks; for, except the loss of my limb, and my being obliged to beg, I don't know any reason, thank Heaven, that I have to complain. There is Bill Tibbs, of our regiment, he has lost both his legs, and an eye to boot; but, thank Heaven, it is not so bad with me yet." And, towards the end of his tale, he goes on to observe, "I was once more in the power of the French; and, I believe it would have gone hard with me, had I been brought back to Brest; but, by good fortune, we were retaken by the Viper. I had almost forgot to tell you, that, in that engagement, I was wounded in two places, I lost four fingers of the left hand, and my leg shot off. If I had had, the good fortune to have lost my leg, and the use of my hand, on board a King's ship, and not on board a privateer, I should have been entitled to clothing and maintenance during the rest of my life; but that was not my chance:-ONE MAN IS BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN HIS MOUTH, AND ANOTHER WITH A WOODEN LADLE." Now, although I am neither a convert to that part of the doctrine, in the introduction to the story, which reckons it a species of magnanimity to be indifferent to the pressure of the evils of life,-nor to the propriety of that kind of reasoning, which induced the poor simple narrator to "hate the French," for no better a reason than "because they were all slaves, and wore wooden shoes," as he takes occasion to mention, in course of his narrative; yet, I must allow, there is much truth and meaning in that of "the silver spoon and wooden ladle," although here given in rather uncouth and vulgar terms;-as there is also, in the dogma of our modern utilitarians, that "man is the creature of circumstances,' although, that also, might have been expressed in a more becoming and happy manner,-seeing there are no circuin stances, nor combination of circumstances, above, or beyond, the control of that Providence, which, with the same ease that it confines the erratic comet to its orbit, and prevents (notwithstanding the vain fears and silly surmises of shallow reasoners) the possibility of its clashing with any of the others of the heavenly bodies in its movements, and binds the other inanimate and irresponsible subjects of the widely extended kingdom of nature "fast in fate,"-can leave free, to a certain degree, (although totally incomprehensible by us), the wonder, ful workings, of the mysteriously limited energies, of "the human will."* No truth, indeed, is more clear, as things are presently constituted, than, that let some men's talents, qualifications, and acquirements, be what they may, and let their industry and application in the use of them be ever so great, they cannot, with all their exertions, rise above a certain mediocrity in their circumstances, far less obtain any considerable share of the riches, honours, and what men are taught to call, the The following lines convey some idea of what the poet Cowper, who saw more clearly than some of his contemporaries into many matters, must haye thought and felt, on this mysterious subject — "Happy the man, who sees a God employed In all the good and ill that chequer life! And again "God gives to every man |