The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1827-01-11
TIE HYPOCHONDRIAC.
From an English Hort Untitled Deaths D

| ohi w uHuollltll was son OF JACOB
Nunderllch, an honest sugar-bakcr on
Fish-Stroet Hill, who, having acquired
an ample fortune in trade, was anxious
TO elevate his descendants above the
humble German stock from which he
sprung, by marrying into some patrican
family of his adopted country, to whom
his wealth and INTEREST," the city would
make him acceptable. lie fixed his
choice on the eldest daughter of Sir Ro-
ger Penny, baronet, of an ancient
family, with much pride, two sons, ell
even daughters, and twelve hundred a
year; but the match was not concluded
without the stipulation that he would yet
himself previously knighted--a matter
which, although at variance with his
sugar-baking ideas, yet, he was convinc-
ed was consistent with the object of
his marriage; and, having accomplish
ed it, he quickly transformed Miss PEN
ny into Lady Wunderlich. MY LADY
gained some long-anticipated points by
her marriage. She had acquired the same
title as her mother and although the
rank of his husband was inferior to that
of her father, yet his fortune turned the
scale greatly in her favor She had
much at her command, and by her pow
er of occasionally obligng the old lady
IN pecuniary matters, she obtained an
ascendancy over her mamma, which
consoled her for deficiency of rank.
Poor Wunderlich, on the country, found
that he had spread his bed with ncttles.
His sugar-baking concern he willingly
relinqnished, as his fortune was ample !;
but to quit Lloyd's; his old cronies and
city habits, to be forced to enter into
the bcau-monde i; to pay and receive
forenoon calls with my lady; attend
evening parties, give at-homes, balls,
and suppers and, to use his own ex-
pressions, TO have his house turned in
side out without daring to exclaim,
My Got, meme ladie this will not do
was too much for the worthy knight :;
whose chagrin, having brought on an
attack of confirmed jaundce, terminated
his disappointment and his life, a few
months after the birth of our hero. Pre-
vious to his death, however, Sir Jacob
had made awill, leaving very moder-
ate ointure only to Lady Wunderlich ;
and the reversion ofhis property to his
son falling whom, it was to devolVc
upon a nephew who had succeeded him
in the sugar-baklng concern. This
deed blasted the hopes of any second
alliance in the mind of Lady Wundcrlich,
and obliged her to devote her life to the
superintendent of the health and edu-
cation of her son, on whom all her ex-
pectations now rested. Il rccollect
Tom (says the writer of this narrative, }
at school fine, spirited boy little
wilful, perhaps, and too tmid i'll the play
ground, ifa shower threatened, or the
wind blew from the northeast. But
then, although all the boys qulzzcd him,
yet they pitied him for his mamma
sent every morning to inquire after his
health. Mr.. Bolus, the apothecary,
saw him regularly twice a week when
he was well, A twice aday iflaboringunder
the slightest symptoms of indisposition
and frequently, when tho boys, on a half
holiday, were at cricket on the common,
a servant would ride over from the Pa
vilon to see whether Tom,had coast his
Jacket or, if the air happened to be
chilly, whether his neck was comprised
with one of the numerous bandanas her
ladyship had sent for that purpose in his
trunk Tom was not devoid of ability
but Doctor Bumpem was ordered not to
overstrain his mind for being deli
cate boy, an only child, and the heir 10
large fortune, learning was quite Sc
condary concern health was every
thing, and to secure that all other con-
sidcratons were TO yield. Tom was,
nevertheless, a mild, good-natured,
friendly boy and although he was FREE
quenty laughed at, as much on account
of his mothers weakness as his own, yet
he was universally liked. But as he
did little in the way of classical literature,
he quilted Bumpem's with the character
ofbeing a good natured, idle, soft heal
ed boy, whom the doctor said it would
be useless to send to Eton orto Harrow;
and therefore, in order to fit him for Ok
ford, in which university his fortune,
in her ladyship'S opinion, rendered tine
cessary he should sojourn, he was placed
under care ola clergyman near Chelten-
ham. This arrangement was formed
by Lady Wunderlich, in order that
! Tom, whilst his head was stored with
classics by his tutor, should have the
health of his body confirmed by the
constant use of the waters 10 super
intend which, her ladyship took house
in that modern Sinope."
Toms travels are equally wclldescrib-
ed his Mas marriage in Italy to Dr.
Bolus, &c; his own return and recog-
milton in the park by an old schooliellow
(the NARRATOR who continues
1T was nine O'Clock in the evening
u,ban I ontercd Toms iodoinUs He