"And many a year elaps'd, return to view I still had hopes, for pride attends us still," GOLDSMITH. Accordingly in July last, 1791, we set out from Merton, which I now make my chief residence, taking Bath, Bristol, &c., in our way to my native place Wellington. In Bristol, Exbridge, Bridgewater, Taunton, Wellington, and other places, I amused myself with calling on some of my masters, with whom I had about twenty years before worked as a journeyman shoemaker. I addressed each with, "Pray, sir, have you got any occasion?" which is the term made use of by journeymen in that useful occupation, when seeking employment. Most of those honest men had quite forgot my person, as many of them had not seen me since I worked for them: so that it is not easy for you to conceive with what surprise and astonishment they gazed on me. For you must know that I had the vanity (I call it humour) to do this in my chariot, attended by my servants; and on telling them who I was, all appeared to be very happy to see me. Upsprings, at every step, to claim a tear, Some little friendship form'd and cherish'd here." And I assure you, my friend, it afforded much real pleasure to see so many of my old acquaintances alive and well, and tolerably happy. The following lines often occurred to my mind: “Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife, They keep the noiseless tenor of their way." At Taunton and Wellington it seemed the unanimous determination of all the poorest sort, that I should by no means be deficient in old acquaintance. Faithful mem'ry wakes each past delight, Each youthful transport bursting on the sight, GREEN'S Apollonius Rhodius. Some poor souls declared that they had known me for fifty years (that is, years before I was born;) others had danced me in their arms a thousand times; nay, better still, some knew my grandmother; but, best of all, one old man claimed acquaintance with me, for having seen me many times on the top of a sixand-twenty round ladder, balanced on the chin of a merry Andrew! The old man was however egregiously mistaken, as I never was so precariously exalted, my ambition, as you well know, taking a very different turn. But that was of no consequence: all the old fellow wanted was a shilling-and I gave it him. No matter (as Sterne says) from what motive. I never examine into these things. This I observed, that none of them were common beggars, but poor useful labouring people; (giving to common strollers is but encouraging idleness and every other vice ;) and as small matters made many happy, I was supremely so to be the means of contributing to their comfort. And indeed who would hesitate at being the means of diffusing happiness on such easy terms, and with so little trouble? "His faithful kin, though forty times remov'd, The bells rang merrily all the day of my arrival. I was also honoured with the attention of many of the most respectable people in and near Wellington and other parts: some of whom were pleased to inform me, that the reason of their paying a particular attention to me was their having heard, and now having themselves an opportunity of observing, that I did not so far forget myself, as many proud upstarts had done; that the notice I took of my poor relations and old acquaintance merited the respect and approbation of every real gentleman. "By dear experience every day we find, That riches commonly degrade the mind, That he who, train'd through want's instructive school, Had prov'd a man of sense, becomes a fool. As dirt on all beneath himself looks down, Nor feels for any sorrow but his own.' ROBERTSON's Miscellanies. They were also pleased to express a wish, that as soon as I could dispose of my business, I would come down and spend the remainder of my days among them. Those ideas were pleasing to me, and perhaps may be realized; I wish it may be soon. "There could I trifle carelessly away, The milder evening of life's clouded day. From business, and the world's intrusion free, With books, with love, with friendship and with thee, Could e'er disturb my unambitious breast." This reception was the more pleasing, as I have sometimes observed a contrary conduct practised by some who have been pleased to stile themselves gentlemen, and on that score think they have a right to treat men of business (however respectable they may be) as by much their inferiors; and it too often happens that one of those petty gentry who possess but a hundred or two per annum, will behave in a haughty manner to a man of business who spends as many thousands; but such should be told, that a real gentleman in any company will never either by word or action attempt to make the meanest person feel his inferiority, but on the contrary. They should be informed also how highly impolitic and unjust it is to attempt to fix a stigma on trade and commerce, the very things that have caused England to rise so high in the political scale of Europe. Mighty commerce hail! By thee the sons of Attic's sterile land, A scanty number, laws imposed on Greece, While scanty peasants plough the flow'ry plains, GRAINGER's Sugar-cane. "Tis true that even in England you may see great numbers of very opulent tradesmen who have not had an idea but what they have acquired behind the counter; but you may also find many thousands of the same class of life who are possessed of very liberal ideas, and who would not commit an action that would disgrace a title. "In England (says Thicknesse) one may trust the honour of a respectable tradesman; in France and Flanders I never experienced a single instance of it.” (He adds) "And an English merchant, who has resided many years at Marseilles, assured me that there was not a merchant in that great city, who would not only over-reach him if he could, but would boast also all over the town of having so done." And I think that we may easily account for this very great difference in the national characters of merchants and tradesmen. On the continent, merchants and tradesmen are looked upon in a degrading point of view, merely for being of that class; nor would the most honourable or respectable behaviour ever raise them in the ideas or estimation of the nobles or gentry, who are taught to treat them with neglect, and even contempt. Thus being deprived of that great motive to noble or liberal actions, the love of honour, rank, the notice of the great, &c. &c., their minds become depressed and degraded; whilst in England the merchants and respectable tradesmen being held in higher estimation, and often admitted to the company, conversation, and honours of higher classes, the sordid mind by degrees imbibes more liberal sentiments, and the rough manners receive a degree of polish. For my part, I will endeavour to adhere to the advice given by Persius, as it is translated: Study thyself what rank, or what degree Perform; and with thy prudence guide thy fate." William Jones, esq., of Foxdowne, near Wellington, informed me of a remarkable prognostication in my favour; he told me that when I was a boy, about twelve years of age, Mr Paul, then a very considerable wholesale linendraper, in Friday street, London, (I believe still living) passing by my father's house one day, stopped at the door and asked various questions about some guinea-pigs which I had in a box. My answers, it seems, pleased and surprised him, and turning towards Mr Jones, said, " Depend upon it, sir, that boy will one day rise far above the situation that his present mean circumstances seem to promise." So who knows what a great man I may yet be?-perhaps "A double pica in the book of fame !" Give me leave to introduce another prediction, though not altogether so pleasing as that just related. An Italian gentleman, and if we may judge by appearance, a person of rank, was some years since |