53 THE BEE, OR " Jan. iz, 



that had been already delivered *, and wherever he found 

 ^ny one at a lofs, he explained it anew, in a clear, fa- 

 miliar manner, fuited to the capacity of the ftudent^ 

 On thefe, and on other occafions, he frequently defired 

 that whenever any one was at a lofs as to any particu- 

 lar, they would apply to him freely for a folution of 

 their doubts and difficulties. In this propofal he was 

 ferious ; and it was underftood by me in the moft ftridt 

 literal fenfe of the M'ord. And being very anxious 

 to lofe nothing, I had no hefitation in complying with 

 his requeft, with as much franknefs on my part, as it 

 was made with fmcerity on his part. It thus happened, 

 tliat for a longtime, at the beginning, there was fcarce 

 a day that I did not run after him on the difmiffion of 

 his clafs, to ailc an explanation of one particular or an- 

 other that I did not underlland ; nor was I to be fatif- 

 fied in any cafe till it was made quite plain. Thus 

 was he incelTantly teazed with the little prattle of a 

 child, but without ever difcovering the fmallell degree 

 "of peevifhnefs or impatience. Often have I fmce that 

 time wondered at the mild condefcenfion of that great 

 man, who, prefl'ed as he was for time, in the prolccu- 

 tion of fuch extenfive bufmefs, was not only not offend- 

 ed at thefe frequent interruptions, but fecmingly was 

 rather well pleafed with the turn of mind that occafion- 

 ed them ; kindly entering into difcuffions that were 

 fuited to my years, and liilening with patience to the 

 arguments that were dictated by youth and inexperi- 

 ence, and patiently removing thofe difficulties that per- 

 plexed me. 



Thus commenced a literary acquaintance, which to 

 me was highly interefting, and infinitely beneficial. 

 Being afked frequently, with others, to his houfe, he 

 came gradually, as ufual, to be acquainted not only 

 with my literary difliculties, but with thofe of a more 

 private concern He became to me, in fhort, as a fa- 

 ther and as a friend. To him I had recourfe with per- 

 fect freedom for his advice and friendly aiTiftance on ail 



