118 MEMOIK OF JOHN WILSON. 



of military origin," of which there are some traces in one of his MS. 

 books. 



This happy life at Elleray was soon to come to a close. In the 

 fourth year from the date of his marriage, there came a calamity so 

 heavy and unloosed for that the highest fortitude was required to 

 meet it, as it was met, bravely and cheerfully. 



The circumstances which occurred to make it absolutely neces- 

 sary to leave Elleray were of a most painful nature, inasmuch as 

 they not only deprived Wilson of his entire fortune, but in that 

 blow revealed the dishonesty of one closely allied to him by rela- 

 tionship, and in whom years of unshaken trust had been reposed. 

 An uncle had acted the part of "unjust steward," and, by his 

 treachery, overwhelmed his nephew in irretrievable loss. A sud- 

 den fall from affluence to poverty is not a trial easily borne, espe- 

 cially when it comes through the fault of others ; but Wilson's na- 

 ture was too strong and noble to bow beneath the blow. On the 

 contrary, with a virtue rarely exemplified, he silently submitted to 

 the calamity, and generously assisted in contributing to the support 

 of his relative, who, in the ruin of others, had also ruined himself. 

 Here was a practical illustration of moral philosophy, more elo- 

 quent, I think, than even the Professor's own lectures, when he 

 came to teach what he had practised. In such a noble spirit, and 

 with a conscience void of offence, he prepared to quit the beautiful 

 home where he had hoped to pass his days, and set his face firmly 

 to meet the new conditions of life which his lot imposed. The fol- 

 lowing letter to De Quincey describes his journey from Elleray 

 with his wife and infant family : — 



"Penrith, Crown Inn, 

 " Friday Evening, half-past Six, 1815. 



" My dear Friend : — I found that it was impossible to see you 

 again at your cottage before taking leave of Elleray. The tem- 

 pestuous weather prevented me from going to Kendal on the day I 

 had fixed, so I was forced to go on Thursday, a cold, rainy, and 

 stormy day. Had I returned in the afternoon, I certainly would 

 have cantered over to Grasmere for a parting grasp of cordiality 

 and kindness ; but I did not return to Elleray till near eleven 

 o'clock. We rose this morning at six, and got under weigh at 

 eight. We arrived here about five, and the children being fatigued, 

 we propose to he to during the night. The post-boy being about 



