Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1827-02-24
SROVrDHNCH. Z.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
WILLIAM CLIFFORD, ESQ.


VITO during the larger part of his life, stood
as q critic in the fore front rank" and
was equally venerated, dispised and ad-
mired.
Mr.. Clifford was descended from poor
but respectable family, but who his father
was, was problem that he could not ex-
actly solve, Notwithstanding he possessed
great learning; though it has been said
that he was an Industrious tallow-monger,
but he died when his offspring was quite
too young to receive any benefits Of his
instruction even if he had been capable of
'imparting any The mother of Clifford died
a few months after the demise of her hus-
band, thus leaving the hapless child to the
mercy of a rude world, and to combat with
all the ills that life is heir to.
Previous to her demise, she became
sensible of the extraordinary talents of her
child, and concsiving the project of giving
him an education equivalent to the dawning
energies of his mind, she sent him to an
obscure school superintended by an aged
matron, who was as lily calculated to in
struct her pupils, or to enlarge their minds,
as she was for any other employment,
conformabe with the pursuits of civilized
life. At this school, contrary to the calcu-
.as:cn. Of fond mother, he made no pro-
fcisncy, aud was remarkable for nothing
but his roguery, and his mischievous and
Idle habits. He however after long pc
riod learned to read and write, but with no
great accuracy, and when he left school,
he could not boast much relative to his
literary attainments.
His mother was woman who had stored
up much of the literary knowledge which
country town affords--consisting principal
Nv of ancient ballads and horrible stories;
and she was cheered with golden hopes,
when she discovered that her child began
to read with avdity, whatever her limited
resources could procure him. After this, he
was sent to free school, where accord
ing to his own account, he made but mis-
cradle progress. Like too many Of the
children of genius, hard fate awaited upon
his younger days. His parents had scarce
descended to the grave, when the small
quantity ofthis worlds effects left by them
were seized by creditor. Clifford was
placed in the family of one of the citizens
of Ashburton, and his little brother, scarce
two years old was sent to the alms-house.
Thus when but twelve years of age, did he
find himself upon the world without a
friend to patronize or to watch over him
with the care of benevolent guardian and
benefactor.
After this we find him on board of a
coasting vessel employed in the Newcastle
Coiliery, performing the menial duties Of
sailor boy, and as he was exceedingly fond
of the seas, he probably would have con-
tinued in the profession, had he not been
transferred by his master to the bench of a
shoemaker, with view of securing him a
livelihood more certain than that which a
sailors life is likely to procure. To the
trade he was decidedly opposed, and enter
tanned the utmost aversion for a profession,
which woulG confne him to onerous duties
but little calculated to please mind, which
painted for liberty and for an opportunity to
crafty itselfin observing the manners and
pursuits Of men. Disguised with the shop,
he made no effort to acquire knowledge
of the profession Of cordwainer; and as
bis master looked upon him as worthless
member of his mandatory, he took him
from the bench, and compelled hum to per-
form the most degrading duties. This in
stead of Notifying Clifford rather pleased
him, as il gave him an opportunity to es-
cape from a kind Of bondage, to him the