are not less accurately than beautifully describ ed by the poet. Man in society is like a flower Blown in its native bed; 'tis there alone His faculties, expanded in full bloom, Shine out; there only reach their proper use. 1 It was doubtless chiefly owing to his early and continued indulgence of this disposition, that he avoided those awkward, and frequently unaccommodating, peculiarities so observable in men of retired habits. Of himself he remarks, "I have always endeavoured to guard against those indecorous absences, and alienating singularities, too incident to studious To this freedom from every thing like repulsive manners must, in a great measure, be attributed that eagerness with which his society was sought after by many persons of tastes and habits of life very different both position universally accommodating both in public and domestic life: a consideration which forms, in my mind, an almost insuperable objection to private education, except in very peculiar circumstances of miscellaneous society at home, or a delicate constitution, which requires perpetual inspection, and incapacitates for encountering the rudeness and turbulence of schoolfellows." The "Task." m MSS. Papers. VOL. II. X from himself and from each other; a proof of something singularly amiable and engaging in his conversation and deportment." Few had an opportunity of coming once into his company without desiring a greater intimacy. Some especially from whom in his latter years he received peculiar marks of friendship, were in this manner introduced to his acquaintance. In the important character of a Tutor, the rationality of his method of instruction may be inferred from his eminent success, while his conduct towards the youths committed to his charge secured at once their respect and affection. n The following passage so well applies to the character: of Mr. Wakefield, that we make no scruple of quoting it. Though habituated to deep thinking and laborious reading, he was generally cheerful even to playfulness. There was no pedantry in his manners or conversation, nor was he ever seen to display his learning with ostentation, or to treat with slight or superciliousness those less informed than himself. He ra ther sought to make them partakers of what he knew, than to mortify them by a parade of his own superiority. Nor had he any of that miserable fastidiousness about him which too often disgraces men of learning, and prevents their being amused or interested, at least their choosing to appear so, by common performances and common events."-" Memoirs of the late James Harris, Esq. by his Son, the Earl of Malmsbury," Svo. edit. p. xxxi. Learning grew, Beneath his care, a thriving vig'rous plant; The mind was well inform'd, the passions held The anxious assiduity with which he fulfilled the duties of this arduous employment, can be estimated by those alone whose pride it is to have owed their education to such a tutor. His high notions of the importance of the office may be collected from his admirable remarks, the suggestions of long experience, scattered through various parts of the first volume of these Memoirs ". TheTask." The following letter also affords a just view of his sen. timents on this head, and especially of his liberal behaviour towards his pupils. It was sent to one of the present writers, who had applied to him to undertake the education of the son of a friend. Mr. Wakefield having previously almost resolved to relinquish the office of tutor, was not without much solicitation prevailed upon to listen to the proposal. Two or three days after the interview, he writes as follows: Hackney, April 17, 1798. Upon revolving this matter, my dear sir! in my own mind ever since I saw you, it does not appear quite in the same light as then, but even much more momentous, from the extreme interest, which I take in the welfare of those so connected with me, and which rises to an anxiety, that almost terrifies me with the prospect. As to his method of instruction, no one was ever better skilled in the art of giving As every species of magisterial severity and distance is, and ever was, absolutely foreign to my thoughts, and inconsistent with my dispositions, an entire equality of association has ever taken place with all my pupils and my family, so that no more embarrassment as to any domestic enjoyment should attend them than if they were at home, and no affections prevail in me towards them but such as extend to my own children. On this account the whole family becomes moulded anew, and the same alteration takes place merely by the admission of one gentleman, as of half a dozen: nay, in some respects more; as the want of associates renders a much greater portion of friendly intercourse necessary to render their lives happy; without which no literary improvement can ever be expected to take place. Out of the intervals of study, therefore, I should neither expect nor wish a young gentlemau to be insulated in his own room, but to have a free communication with us all, as he finds agreeable, without any hesitation or formality. An additional trouble, and that in no small degree, accompanies the instruction of those, who are so far advanced in life, from their greater aptitude and eagerness to receive knowledge; and one requires more regard in proportion than more, because there is no improvement from mutual communication and united effort. On these accounts, though I know every thing mercenary and exorbitant to be foreign to my nature, I do not feel myself disposed to this engagement for less than I was to have had with that young gentleman who died prematurely. If by Mr.'s influence, or by any other means, I should procure two more, I should have no difficulty in lowering the terms. novelty and interest to the subjects of his lectures, well knowing that where curiosity is not strongly excited, information is seldom retained. He had a most engaging manner of introducing a variety of incidental remarks, supplied by his retentive memory, that rich mine of intellectual wealth. Thus he could diffuse a charm over topics the most barren and unpromising. The kindness also of his manner, especially when he found his pupils docile and attentive, excited in their minds a strong impression of the interest which he took in their improvement. But while he thus conscientiously discharged his duty to the pupil, he was not less exact in fulfilling his obligations to those who committed to him so important a trust. He made it a rule, to which, in every instance, he rigidly adhered, to communicate to parents a faithful account of their sons' general behaviour and proficiency. In this he persevered, sometimes to his own great detriment. other occasions, however, this ingenuous conduct produced its proper effect. On I thought it right to be thus explicit, and must conclude myself, as the post is going, without reading the letter over again, Yours, most affectionately, GILBERT WAKEFIELD, |