254 ROBERT POCOCK. 



points to a man of an independent spirit, of a mien and 

 deportment above the accessories by which he was there 

 surrounded. Already conspicuous and solitary, in 

 the rapidly shifting fashions of the day, by the per- 

 sistent retention of his pig-tail, he was there baited and 

 brought to bay by fortune, and languished under ever- 

 receding hopes. His efforts to float his " History of 

 Dartford " failed for want of subscribers, though the 

 scanty list was extended by the pathetic introduction 

 of the names of all his children an extension of its 

 length of little advantage to its strength. The poor 

 old man having thus battled with adversity with a per- 

 severance beyond praise, and having pushed his last 

 literary load up to the summit of attainment all in 

 vain a sense of pity seems to cry out for some release 

 from the unequal struggle. The lines of Thomson 

 come to our thoughts involuntarily : 



Come, ye who still the cumbrous load of life 



Push hard uphill ; but as the farthest steep 

 You trust to sain, and put an end to strife, 



Down thunders back the stone with mighty sweep, 

 And hurls your labours to the valleys deep, 



For ever vain ! come, and, withouten fee, 

 I, in oblivion will your sorrow steep, 



Your cares, your toils, will steep you in a sea 

 Of full delight ; oh, come, ye weary wights, to me ! 



His son George, of whom he had made a practical 

 printer, and who was ready and willing to assist, pos- 

 sessed no funds by which this goodwill could be realized. 

 His filial duty had already provided his homeless parent 

 the covering of a roof ; and possibly still further 

 troubles would have supervened, had not death, in 

 kindly pity, noiselessly and quietly eased the harsh 



