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the Univerſity and my fancy already placed me as ſtruggling for academical diſtinction.——But a moſt unhappy reverſe took place.———⟨My⟩ father died inſolvent; and before my fourteenth birth-day, a letter from his couſin, and my benefactor. informed me that, in conſequence of a failure in his ſpeculations, his fortune was impaired and that he could not fulfil his promiſe of ſupporting me at the Univerſity: and deſired me to conſider what trade I ſhould like —— {sc|Trade}} my ſoul ſickened at the word —— Apprentice! horror was in the ſound. I repaired to the houſe of my relation, and informed him as reſpectfully as I could of my averſion to trade. He expoſtulated with me on the ſubjcet on ſuch terms, that at length. I yielded my conſent to his plan. which was to bind me apprentice to a grocer, and I was to repair to my future maſter on the next day. And now let me, Mr. Barnwell, conjure you to liſten to me. The thirſt for knowledge is occaſioned by an unquenchable ſpark, and muſt be gratified. or will eonſume.——Imagine not that I approve of ⟨the⟩ morbid senſibility, ſo often miſtaken by its poſſeſſors for heaven born genius but that active principle which neither eaſe nor pain can ſatisfy, which ſoars into the regions of ſublime inquiry; and that creative fancy, gazing with eagle-eye even on the ſource of light. Let him who feels the heavenly guſt obey its ſacred voice; for I who have contended with its power, know that genius is not to be ſubdued. He that ſubmits to ſmother it ſeeks his own miſery and deceives not only himſelf but his friends. Every neceſſary was provided for me at the expence of Mr. Darwell, my benefactor, and I bade him farewell, with a ſigh to my ſchool-companions. I was received by Mr Nutting, the grocer, and his wife, in a little room at the back of the ſhop. They appeared plain ſort offolks,
