176 GARDINER, a yard of my window. I bored a hole through their tent to see the fun, staid in the cold a great part of the night, and arose in the morning with an inflamed eye, which has never since recovered i t s strength, and has been the cause o f a l l my subsequent endeavours t o get a living i n other lines. By the kindness o f the amiable Dr. Farmer, I was admitted of Emanuel College, where I remained two years; but, finding that a n Irish man could not there get a fellowship, I removed t o Bene’t, where H got a degree o f 5th Senior Optime. When i t i s considered that for the first two years I had n o view o f a fellowship, and that for the third year I was obliged t o work principally for the ‘day that was flying over my head, I cannot but think I did a s much comparatively a s any man o f my year; but fortune was always a jade t o me: and Mr. D'Oyley, chaplain a t pre sent t o the Archbishop o f Canterbury, most deservedly succeeded t o the next vacant fellowship—yet they kept me five years dangling after a fel lowship, and might have provided for me without injuring him. —At the dissolution o f the partnership between S . and E . Harding, I remained with the latter, and principally employed myself i n taking Silvester's place, that o f copying portraits from o i l t o water colours. I n this the testimony o f the best artists i n England are my witnesses that I beat hollow every one else. I t was a line which suited me, which I liked, but which my cursed stars would not patronize.—After this, all prospects i n the Church vanishing, and my eyes beginning t o fail very fast, I turned bookseller, and for the last thirteen years, have struggled i n vain t o establish myself. The same i l l fortune which has followed me through life, has not here for saken me. I have seen men o n every side o f me, greatly my inferiors i n every respect, towering above me; while the most contemptible amongst them, without education, without a knowledge o f their profession, and with out a n idea, have been received into Palaces, and into the bosom o f the great, while I have been forsaken and neglected, and my business reduced t o nothing. I t i s , therefore, high time for me t o b e gone. “ WILLIAM GARDINER.” The above was accompanied with the following letter addressed t o a friend:— “Sir, “I cannot descend t o the grave without expressing a due sense o f the marked kindness with which you have favoured me for some years. My sun has set for ever—a nearly total decline o f business, the failure o f my catalogue, a body covered with disease, though unfortunately o f such a nature a s t o make life uncomfortable, without the consoling prospect o f its termination, has determined me t o seek that asylum ‘where the weary are a t rest.’ My life has been a continual struggle, not indeed against adversity, but against something more galling; and poverty, having now added herself t o the list, has made life a burthen. Adieu, Sir, and be lieve me, “Your sincere and respectful humble servant, “ WILLIAM GARDINER.” l
