Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1827-02-24

prentices Of the neighborhood
The only book he had access to was
a treatise on Algebra, work, by him
considered of inestimable value, and
copy of Jennings introduction, belong
ing to the son Of his master, which he
found in his bed chamber The latter
was the very work that Clifford wanted,
and although the owner of it took much
pains to keep it from his observation, ne
managed to get It and so delighted was
he with its contents, that he frequently sat
up all night to peruse its pages, and before
the owner discovered that the book was
missing, Clifford had become master OF the
instruction It contained
The first thing that contributed to bring
him into notice and to gain him the friend
ship ofthe opulent, and those who are dis
posed to nurture and encourage genius, was
little incident, Insignificant in Itself, but
tending to things of no small consequence.
A painter had been engaged to paint sign
for an alehouse, and to decorate it with the
pol,rat of lior; but the unlucky wight in
stead of painting the animal desired by his
employer, daubed upon the board an ugly
looking mastff. The bIunder called into
vequislon the ridcule of all the wits OF the
town, who immortalized the painter in dog
grel verses and epigrams, and among 9TH
ers, Clifford amused hlmselt IT. a satir rcal
effuson, at the expense Of the poor paint
or. This satire happened to fall INTO the
hands Of Mr.. William Cookesley, who dis
covering in it much real merit sought the
author, and finding him, determined to a'-
sist him in acquiring that education, to
| which he thought his talents entitled HIM.
Through the kindness of this gentleman, a
subscription was raised to purchase the un-
expired term of Gifford's apprenticeship,
and to enable him to improve himself in
English grammar In the little space OF
two months, he was pronounced fitted for
the University, and after passing through
the usual studies was appointed Biblical
Lecturer. at Exeter College, Oxford. His
reputation had already began to become
familiar with the public, and an accident
threw him in the way of Lord Grosve-
nor, who through life continued his warm
and disiDterested patron. In the family Of
this nobleman he commenced the transla-
ton Of JuvenaI, and was engaged with 1t
about two years, when he was called away
to travel with his ordship's son, in the ca
pacity of private tutor; and whilst thus en-
ployed, spent several years on the CONT
nent. On his return to England he gave
lished his reputation as poet and scho-
lar Besides this, he was the translator "f
several other performances Of less conse-
ouence, and was the author of the Bavad
and Maeviad, and for the last five years Of
his life he was occasionally occupied in pre-
pairing for publication new edition of Ford
and Shirley.
From the commencement of the Quar-
terly Review, till 1925, he was its editor,
when he relinquished his situation, as age
and infrmities, rendered it necessary that
he should retire 10 less ardous employ
ments. As "a critic, he had no superlour,
though his critical productions were too Of
ten tnctured with undue and unnecessary
severity, Though he professed unlimited
independence, no man was more servlle 4;
anu he was always found with sycophant
demeanour, courting the good graces and
friendly interpositions of the aristocracy of
England; and ever ready to engage in any
thing that could meet their wishes. Itwas
often the case, that his critical condemna-
tions, were called forth by feelings of per-
sonal hostility towards an author and it is
told Of him, that he once applauded to the
very skies literary performance, which
he afterwards condemned, in private, in un-
qualified terms, when he discovered that the
writer, was man for whomhe entertained