Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-05-29
From. n. Ausrfs's Lk1rsns.
LONDON. May 18th.

WuuSS OrOau DiSSn lOrWafu is Hast Tcttcdt.
| ing to badness, but whose ruddy, thought
fal, yet open countensnce discovers both
the temperature ofheaItb aid philosophy:
nnersremarkably mild, unassuming,
rather reserved; in conversation cautious,
| argumentatiye, frequently doubtful, yet
modestly counting reply, more from a de-
sire OF truth, than love of contending (
in his family. affeeiicnaie, cordial, accom-
nodating; TO his friends confidential, rea-
! dy TO make ony sacrifice; 20 his enemies
you would never know from MIR. God
win, that he had an enemy.
Mr.. Goodwin lives a, Sommerstown, "a
bout three miles from The city. His house
with US would be considered neat and sim
pie; here it is called cottage. His stu
dy is small, and looks into the country, his
library not extensive, yet sufficiently large
! for man who depends more on his own
resources, than on the labors of others.
! The portrait of Mary, taken by Northcote,
hangs over the fire place. This rendered
! ihestudy one of the most interesting places
ever visited. Though have frequently
been in the study,I have only vcntured to
look at the portrait. MIR. Goodwin is since
married to charming woman, who seems
devoted to domestic happiness. He is AT
present occupied with his Gco9Jy Chaucer,
a work OF great expectation.
A billet from MIR. Goodwin informed me
this morning that Mr.. Hclcroft end DIR.
Wolcott would dine there to day.
Mr.. Holcrolt, though nearly sixty, has
suffered nothing, either from years, labo-
rious mental exertion, or persecution. He
has all the activity and vivaci,y of youth.
Just returned from the continent, whittier
he had voluntarily banished himself in
complaisance to the wishes of the English
government, he has brought back with
him not the least resentment. Persecu.
tion instead Of imbittering his disposition,
has had that effect which il has on all good
men. A villain will always hate mankind
IN proportion to his knowledge Of the
4 world q good man on the contrary will
increase in philanthropy.
! Literature is not little honored, when
) one OF her yotaries leaving a mechanical
Z employment at period of life when ha-
(, bit Is usually become nature, has success
E fully holden the pen and realised band
. some support. Still more charming is it
y to see her votaries giving proofs OF the
e strongest friendship. HolcroIt and Cod
: win are firm friends. A striking likeness
!, of the former, by Northcote, is in the di-
}, ming room.
e Dr.. Wolcott, IN appearance, is genu-
e inc John Bdlland Until he opens his mouth,
e you would little suspect his relationship
: to the ffocf Of Ihebes. He is portIy man,
: rather unwieldy, and believe not in haste
q oleays his chair, when he is pleased with
t his seat. lIeis fastening 10 old age, and
$ seems disposed TO make the most of life
he can. There is little similarity of cha
c racicr between SVoicott & Goodwin. They
J are both constant in mental exertion but
J the one prefefsto sit on silver cloud and
: be waited through the four quarters ofthe
: world, looking dawn on all the varieties
/, of nature, and the follies of man. The o.
Their, possessed Of the incest moral feel.
! ings, loves TO envelope himself in dark
ness and ABSTRACTION, in order to contem-
: plate whatever is Just, FL or useful. The
one, laughing, dressed in The gaicty of
: spring, enters society with pruning hook
the other more serious, abours with the
ploughsharc. Hoicroft, who never began
10 think until his reasoning powers had
5 come 10 maturity, owing to neglect of
AtNSaAtD'f W UO IttfI. ICl-
! lows the dictates Of his own mind, and if
: he is sometimes erroneous, the error is
! all his own, il is never borrowed error.
} Hence, his conversation embellished by
the variety Of life which he has seen, is
. rendered rich, brilliant, original and i'm
pressiye.
1t is singular, but believe old age Is
more disposed to egotism, and more open
10 Gsttefy, than youth. can account for
il only from their fondness for the past,
and certain kind of jealousy natural to
old age. Bot man like Wolcott, and a
poet too, whose society has been courted
as much as his works have been read, will
naturally, in the company Of friends fre-
quenly End in himself subjecl for con-
versation; nor is this in the least displeas-
ing. Those are always the greatest egot-
lists WHO are most offended with the egot.
ism of others. Wolcott seemed delight
ed with the following anecdote respecting
certain OF his works lie said the minis.
Try had il in contemplation 10 prosecute