322 THE HIDDEN LIFE. 



radiant paths and redundant vigour of friends and con- 

 temporaries, members of his own family inclusive, if he 

 did not say, " I do well to be angry," he could not help 

 feeling many times gloomy ; nor does it appear that there 

 came at the critical moment any helping hand, any 

 counsellor so appreciating and sympathising, as to indicate 

 the alternatives of honourable occupation, and cheer into 

 hope and self-reliance his sensitive spirit. But whilst his 

 contemplative and poetical propensities entailed the re- 

 proach of day-dreaming, and whilst others were too busy 

 with their own pursuits to look after the interests of the 

 romantic invalid ; betwixt native diffidence and bodily 

 languor, he had not sufficient energy for self-assertion, 

 and was often ready to succumb to the dreariest of all 

 anticipations, a life of inglorious inutility. 



Since his death a fragment has been found among his 

 papers, the only contribution towards an autobiography 

 now in existence, or which it is likely that he ever wrote. 

 It seems to have been commenced as an effort at self- 

 examination, and begins with some allusion to his early 

 trials and disappointments. But with characteristic 

 tenderness and humility, he soon passes from his afflic- 

 tions to his own faults and infirmities, and the retrospect 

 is alike indicative of the clearer light and habitual lowli- 

 ness of his later years. 



