THE AUTHOR. X1U 



excited in my mind a spirit of emulation, and, I 

 believe, gave me the first taste for correct and 

 elegant composition. I acquired, however, all 

 this time, but very little learning; and when my 

 uncle (on my father's death) took me under his 

 protection, his agent in Bristol considered me as 

 neglected by Mr. Foot, and immediately re- 

 moved me to a French boarding school in the 

 same city, where I soon obtained the French 

 language, and having access to a circulating li- 

 brary, I acquired a passion for books, which has 

 since become the solace of my life. 



In 1759, a younger and the only brother of 

 my great and good uncle, came to England, and 

 settling in London, took me to reside with him, 

 in a high and elegant stvle of life. He was a re- 



O O J 



presentative in Parliament for Abingdon, and af- 

 terwards for his native town. Further, I cannot 

 speak of him so favourably as I could wish ; for 

 I remember, that at the period I allude to, his 

 conduct towards me, was such, as not to inspire 

 me with much respect: he perceived it; and 

 soon after, in the latter end of the same year, 

 sent me to Jamaica. This proved a happy and 

 fortunate change in my life, for I found my eldest 

 uncle the reverse, in every possible circum- 



