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Leader (1850-1860), 9th April 1859, Edition 1 of 2, Page 469, Mne Svts

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      ooera-boxcs , to make continental tours , and to pay for all these luxuries with money drawn from a notoriously venal and eccentric creation of ancient , unscrupulous patronage . If you are not required to eive a shadow of attention or attendance for the rich crop of salary or commission which you reap unfailingly every quarter , the anomaly of your position ? and the unprofitable character of your existence , are rendered thereby so much the more striking and painful . Those superficial , unthinking men who look with a frowning , one-sided view down the lorn ? list of pensions arid compensations

      that hang heavily at the rear , and clog the wheels of the chariot of reform wherever and whenever it moves , can know nothing of the jealousies , the professional discontent , the struggles to maintain a position in society , the family disorganisation , the loss of self-respect and of the esteem of friends and acquaintances , the constant fret of mind and body , that embitter the lives of my unfortunate class , who are objects of envy when they should be objects of pity .

      I am a shiecufist pensioner . From my earliest years I was taught to look upon work as a punishment only meant for slaves , because I was born into the world as a Patentee of Bankrupts . Wonderful as the title may sound in the ears of those who know nothing of the office , it is equally wonderful in my ears ; . for , although I received for some time an annual income of more than 7 , 000 ? ., I never had the . courage and the industry to learn

      the origin of my extraordinary sinecure . All I was ever taught was , that on the de ath of a certain gentleman—a reverend gentleman , by the way—I should become the possessor for life of this princely property , taken out of the funds of a commercial court of law , whose uniform practice it is to render half-a-crown to those who have lost a pound , and are looking for fi ve shillings . Without any ill- will towards my predecessor in office ( a distant relation ) , I waited impatientl y for liis decease , and hailed it , when-it came ,- with almost unbecoming satisfaction . After a few preliminary formalities , I was duly installed as Patentee of Bankrupts for the duration of my natural life . ¦

      Being of a nervous and imaginative temperament , my new honours and emoluments did not bring me that placid contentment of lnindj which many ignorant persons would suppose . I asked myself troublesome questions , wluch I was not able to answer . What did the world think of such a kingly income , drawn from the pockets of victimised creditors ? What Avas the chance of such a curious and lucrative office lasting even a year under the pertinacious attacks of determined reformers P When I read accounts of intended

      reforms in commercial law , I dreaded lest my particular sinecure should be singled out , and held up as a target for . parliamentary indignation to shoot at . True , I liad been bred up to have a firm faith in the stability of vested interests , but my early teaching failed to impress me with a proper belief in the permanent folly of mankind , and the consequent perpetual existence of flagrant jobs and compensations . I awoke sometimes in the dead of night , hot and feverish , unable to comprehend the solid reality of my position , and paced my room , asking myself whence came all the luxuries that surrounded me , and whither were

      they going ? What had I done that all these things should be lavished upon mo ? What could I do to enable me to claim them with honest pride as my own , and bid them stay ? In the day-timo I walked about listlessly , like most men with no occupation , and sometimes I fancied people glared at me in tho streets , pierced through my thin disguise of outward respectability , and scorned mo for the unprofitable character of my 1 Kb . My efforts to become enrolled a member of ono of the clubs—even tho meanest of Hie number—were in all cases utterly fruitless . I could not conceal tho objectionable sourco of my income , and n . shower of virtuous black-balls effectually closed tho doors against

      mo . At times I got low and melancholy , nnd as I wandered amongst tho ¦ unsympathising and hostile ^ crowd , I felt like tho common hangman Money , " it wns true , I . had in- abundance , but it neither bought , mo friends , nor peace of mind . As long as I could preserve- my secret all wont well , but the moment tho evil knowledge spread of who and what I was , tlioy Hod from mo as if 1 had boon plague-stricken—the hoartloss throng ! T—and dropped my gold jib if it had boon molten lead . I ventured , or rather slunk , into society , like a

      thief , in the hope of finding some fan- creature who would , listen tenderly to my pitiful story , and dare the scoffs and jeers of the world , b y uniting her fate to mine . I thought that * I had discovered this desired object in the person of a young lady , whom I will call Thalia , but how bitterly—oh , how bitterly—was I mistaken ! She was fair , but not romantic ; cool , sensible , and practical , with an overgushing flow of animal spirits , She had a

      considerable knowledge of the world , and long before I had got to the momentous question , she asked me , in a straightforward manner * . what I was . If I hesitated for a few moments before I entrusted her with the fatal secret , ray diffidence was fully justified , for a burst of laughter , that must have startled every house in the square where Thalia resided , greeted niy tardy and unwillinsr disclosure .

      "A what ? " she exclaimed , shrieking with merriment;— " a Patentee of what ? Oh , how funny Do , pray , say it again ! " I need scarcely state that the unfortunate Patentee of Bankrupts did not succeed in his matrimonial designs with Bliss Thalia , and that his ardour for domestic felicity was damped for some time by this very unpropitious . reception . The next lady that I ventured to address upon the subject was a very different character to Miss Thalia , and she referred . me at once to her father , a inan of substantial property , invested in the funds .

      " Sir , " said he , " this is a most remarkable mode of gaining a livelihood ; lean scarcely credit my ears when you tell me you derive upwards of seven thousand pounds a year from siich a -wonderful sinecure . " I assured him , as well as . I was able , from niy imperfect knowledge of the history of my patenteeship , of the real and solid nature of my income , and of the perfect security for its continuance during my life . He took three days to consider , at the end of which period , he sent me a short , and , as I considered it , a very . sevei-c note , declining my proposals for his daug hter ' s hand , and my acquaintance at the same time .

      After this second rebuff I left my native land for a few months to try and regain my mental composure under the invigorating influences of a German watering-place . There , at the roulette table , I met with the charming relict of the late Robert Howler , Esq ., M . I \ , for many years ^ one of the firmest and most consistent advocates of financial reform . Whether the political views of the late legislator were unpopular with all Governments , I cannot tell , but office of any kind never came near his fingers . Whether he had neglected his own affairs in looking after those of the nation , I cannot tell ; but I found his widow far from being well provided for .

      I hesitated for some time to offer my hand to the lonely lady , although I had good reason to believe that , sinecurist as I was , I should not be unacceptable to one who . had listened for twenty years to the voice of the stern economist . At last , one evening , while drinking the sour hock , and listening to tho fascinating strains of a Launer waltz , I overcame my scruples , and when I returned to England it was with a companion for life . . , 3 &Wc started an establishment fitted up with care and taste ; and I began onco more , with my wife ' s assistance , to try and overcome the prejudices of society . Wo gave dinners of tho most faultless

      kind , as far as tho viands and attendance wore concerned ; but wo sat there to 'do justice to our own hospitality in solitary , mclanchojy state , for' could get no one to respond to our warm and pressing invitations . " Our very servants , down to the lowost menial , took advantage of our position , and became extravagant in their demands , and impertinent in their demeanour . If we appeared in public places whore wo wore known , tho visitors foil off from us on either side , and wo hoard their loud and scornful whispers hissing in our oars . 44 Patentee of Bankrupts , indued ! why "not a Patentee of Swindlers nncl Paupers P "

      ' ' What an extraordinary odico I Did ho invent bankrupts P " 14 That , sir , is tho embodiment of ono of tho gvospout jobs that was over foisted upon a patient public . " These wore tho remarks we had to , endure ; tho enrping of onvious dowagers , the small sarcasms ov young wits , and tho fussy indignation of middle-aged patriots .

      My wife had still a few acquaintances left who did not quite desert her , although they would not tolerate me ; and she was not left altogether without advice as to-how she should conduct herself tinder the trying circumstances in which she was placed . She was , of course , questioned severely about the infatuation that had led her to marry a man in such an equivocal position ; but the fact that what was done could not be undone , was generally admitted , and she was advised to bear up with fortitude against the virtuous indignation < of the world .

      Finding society closed against me and my illgotten wealth , I made a strong effort to set up as a philanthropist and a benefactor of my species . I offered to build a church , to endow an Hospital , to organise schools , to improve everybody and everything , even withouttlie small return of having my name known in connexion with so . much active benevolence . Here I was met on tlie threshold with tlie same coldness and disdain that checked my well-meant endeavours to obtain the goodwill of my neighbours . My cheque for the churchbuilding scheme was firmly and respectfully declined ; the hospital governors had -reasons for rejecting my offer , and the guardians of infant and adult education bluntly told me they thought everv school in the kingdom would got on much

      better without me . Scorned , rejected , despised , and abused , —^ with every man ' s Spartan finger pointed at me , and every man's Spartan tongue loud in my condemnation , " I did what I imagine every sensible and honest citizen would have done in my position . I threw up my sinecure without a sigh , and retired upon a small . annuity . to a continental town that I will not name , where I have brought up my children in comfort , if not in affluence , and have religiously kept from them all knowledge of their father's earl y disgrace . A Suffering SinjecuBist .

      Untitled Article

      EXHIBITION OP THE SOCIKTV OF BRITISH ARTISTS . SUFFOLlC-STKIiET , I'ALL-MALL . Lefc us begin our notice of this collection with u merciful allusion to a much talkecl-of work , wliich we passed over in our anticipatory remarks , and which has caused some galled jades among- our contemporaries to wince somewhat . There is no sufficient reason why Mr . T . liobert ' s picture— " The Opinion of the Press " ( 173 ) , representing the desolation of a painter ' s hearth when a customer throws ArtCriti

      back upon his hands a work ' that the - c has rejectecWshoul . d have excited critical ire or have been viewed as ah expression of personal feeling . Ifc seems to us less like a censure on the writer of a criticism , which might have been deserved , than on the moan and shallow " art-patron , " so easily moved from his bargain . As the paintei- ;; in quost of a subject may have selected this one without malice prepense , let his work stand on its merits . It shows considerable power , though the unfortunate artist looks rather like a self-asserting genius given to

      small heroics . The boy who seizes the opportunity of the general pro-occupation , to make a mess with the colours , is a touch of comedy that goes fur to put even a critic in good humour ; and tho French have a useful saying , " Qulfait rire , desttrmor Can we be so near Mr . Pyne ' s version ot Genoa tho Proud" ( 107 ) without remarking on Its beauties and shortcomings ? Spotty , dreamy , -unreal , yet Gllbetive—doing what no one else could < lo so welJ , but what few master-minds would-bo content to stop at , Mr . 'Pync , in this huge panorama , gives as forms that look like shadows ; colours that huvo tho effect of tints ; art that seems like u dream of nature ; but withal , a poetry that will ever secure udimrors .

      Truly , might his denounces , Mr . Jtuskin , pnuso yini for " painting his impressions "— aye , and other folks , too . His pictures remind one of Diokona ' s description of Vcnico in his " Pictures of Italy , " fur visions of truth , though not truth itself , thoy uro l ' .. ° H memories of tho past . Turn now to tlio < lulifftfUl watery effect in " Lymo C ' oli , J )« r « c <« liiro ^ o f \ ( 325 ) , whoroin tho wot ifl axiiff « oruto < l , so . ae to sum . so tho whole canvas , and '" P /^ ld JmvS mind tho impression whioli tlio reality you ftvo given us . The literal truthfulness . ^ U ^ ould be a virtue in some , would bo a vice-In M £ / W j £ \ a m ,, iB . ni . iv mi ideal nnlnior , tho truth oi whoso bo

      tolinw lon ^ ls to sought Ibr >» «>< j J <^ %° "™ iniini of ilio Bnootator . in tlio brown tottmson , and hpi k « i £ ? whuo Ualiluh , hacked for contrast , Jv ni Inky \< Ethlop , wo have a touch of Mr Loighton ? < iinMy , whom wo lbrmorly alluded to as a witherfUna&al devotee to tlio old musters . Tho antique landscape , in which tho flguros aro sot . com-

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      Untitled Article

      No . 472 , Apkil 9 , 185 Q . V THE LEADER . 469

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), April 9, 1859, page 469, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2289/page/21/