Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-06-23

cahhot pe eHher comfortable or aRreeaDie 10
man, whose life has been spent in the fash
ionable circles, and in selecting his place of
residence, he was undoubtedly actuated by
those feelings which induce men to seek for
notoriety, by making their death couch on
dunghill. This unnatural cccentricity cannot
fail to excite the ridcule Of every dignifed and
intelligent mind
Z" 1t was at one Of them that Mr.. Stewart
Introduced to me military looking gentleman,
of somewhat peculiar physiognomy, whom he
described as " Mr.. e. Z. Cotton, the author Of
singularly clever brochure, as yet npublsh-
3D." My old friend had no very remarkable
.espcct for the dignity Of Mr.. Colton's Office,
md consequently left the word Reverend en-
rely out Of the introduction. Mr.. Colton's
tont-ensembie was at once striking and pecu-
iiar There was an indefDable something in
me general character Of his features, which,
Fi'hout being remarkably preporsessing. fixed
the attention OF stranger in no ordinary de-
gree. His keen grey eye was occasionally
oyershadowed by scowl, or infection Of the
brow, indicative rather of an habitual Intensity
Of reflection, than Of any cynical severity OF
disposition. His nose was aquiline, or Ito
speak more correctly, if less elegantly hook
ed his cheek bones were high and protruding;
and his forehead by no means remarkable, Ell
ther for its expansveness or chronological
beauty Of development. There was singu-
lar variability Of expression about his mouth,
and his chin was precisely what Layater would
have called an intellectual chin. Perhaps the
shrowdncss of his glance, was indicative ra-
tler of extra ordinary cunning than of high
mental intelligence. His usual costume was u
Erna oil 1nI and
black velvet stock: in short, his general ap-
pearancc was quite military: so much so, that
he was often asked if he was not in the army.
am half inclined to believe that he courted
this kind Of mis-conception, as his reply was
invariably the same: "No, Sir, but | am an
officer of the church militant" Had not this
pun been destined for Immortality, he must in
eyitably have worn it cut many years ago; for
scarcely day passed that he did not put it IN
requisition.
The eloquence of Mr.. Colon's conversation
inspired me with strong desire to cultivate
his further acquaintance; and my curiosity was
considerably increased by the perusal of one of
the proof sheets of the sketch he was then pre-
pairing for publication, which he happened to
have at that time in his pocket, and which APP
poared to me to contain evidence Of very ex-
alted poetical talent This production, the
first edition Of which was published under the
title of" Napoleon" was subsequently enlarg
ed to nearly twice its original length, and re-
christcned, :" The Confugration of Moscow"
There are some circumstances connected with
its first appearance which are not a little re-
markablc, and which deserve a particular
mention in this place, as affording evidence
that the faculty Of poesy and prophecy are
sometimes united in the same person, even at
the present time. allude to the extraordinary
coincidence of events as connected with the
history of Napoleon, (and which occurred more
than two years after this poem was printed,)
with ono or two poetical predictions TO bs met
with in its pages. The poem opens with
splendid allusion to the conhagration Of Mos
COW.
Dir. Cotton seemed good deal hattcred by
the admiration expressed Of the specimen of
his poetical talents, with which he had been
pleased to favour me; and as our route home
lay in the same direction, it was proposed that
we should take our leave of Mr.. Stewart's par
ty together. Before VIC separated, Mr.. c.
gave me pressing invitation to breakfast with
him the ensuing morning; and to obvia;e the
possibility of any mistake as to his "wherea-
bouts,' put a card into my hand, on which the
name of the street, and number of the house,
were explicitly described.
At the appointed time l repaired to the
scene of action, with my appetite considerably
improved by good half hours exposure to
the cold air Of a spring morning. But what
was my surprise, when found that the house
referred to in Mr.. Colton's memorandum was
marine store shop, of the most filthy and pow
erty-stricken description. BY a marine store
shop, Ga cant phrase, believe, for deposIto-
ry for stolen goods) mean place ~hore
old iron, rags, glass bottles, and such like COM
modities, are bought, sold, and exchanged
To add TO my embarrassment, this miserable
hovel appeared TO contain no possible accom-
dation for lodgcrs as, with the exception of a
very small window over the shop, two or three
panes of which were stuffed with the staple
commodity of the landlords trade, could dis
cover no indication Of any apartment beyond
the immediate precincts of the place Of bus-
ness. Had set out on a voyage of discovery
to the characteristic hidi:r-pace Of blind
beggar, for the purpose of administering to his
necessities, might have had some expectation
Of meeting with the object of my search; but
nv eccentric acquaintance had informed me
that he was not only Fellow Of Kings Col
lcgc, Cambridge, (s300 per annum) but also
the possessor of several valuable livings Il for
get if the vcarship Of Kew and Pctersham
was at that time among the number0 and
felt that il was impossible that person moving
in such sphorc of life could harbour in SO u
bominable kennel After inquiring fruitless-
ly at almost every other house in the street, Il
forget its name, but it is directly opposite TO that
end Of Lower Crosvenor-placc which opens
into pimlico,) I concluded there must have
been some mistake on the part Of Mr.. Cotton
in transcribing the number; and accordingly
returned home, determined never more to un-
dcrtako any similar expedition, without having
first fortified my inward man by good break
fast.
Tho next time CHANGED to meet my new
friend. he rcproac chcd me with some asperlty,