Page:Ainsworth's Magazine - Volume 2.pdf/15

We hear no more of this passion; but of another which suceeeded it, we mayjustly say, tha twhile it lasts it burns with such ardour as to consume or draw to itself every other youthful feeling. This is the rage for private theatricals. The nature on which this had now taken hold was not one to surrender itself by halves, with reluctance, or with misgivings. The whole heart of the schoolboy, for as yet he was no more, was freely given to the new passion. He constructed a theatre in the cellar, (the majesty of buried Denmark speaking from the "cellarage!") put together the machinery, fixed the great essential, the curtain, painted the scenes, made the dresses, acted the characters─having first written the plays! It is to this circumstance, perhaps, that our libraries are indebted for many admirable romances; as it is to such seemingly trivial accidents we may often trace the first workings ofa genius which, in its full developed beauty, delights the world with animated pictures, drawn from the past or imagined of the future─dazzling the eye with glittering fictions, and filling the soul with sweet perfumes.

His literary career, ere he had yet left school, may now be said to have commenced; since he contributed largely to a weekly literary journal then existing in Manchester, called "The Iris;" and so profusely were his youthful feelings and opinions poured forth, that it may be doubted whether he ever wrote more even at the busiest season of his subsequent career. His reputation as a writer was thus so far advanced, that a printer was induced to bring out a small theatrical paper, written solely by him; and subsequently a journal (on the plan and in the form of the "Indicator") entitled the "Bœotian." Of this work (the motto of which was Bœotum crasso jurares aëre natum , in merry allusion to the town where it was produced) six numbers were published. Its young editor about the same time contributed regularly to the European Magazine.

It had been his father's wish, when the period of the youth's law-studies commenced, that he should devote himself chiefly to that branch of the profession which it was intended he should practise─conveyancing; but no great progress was made in this study. Byron, Scott, and Shelley, had charms that title-deeds could never boast; writing verses was far more attractive than making abstracts, and drawing drafts bore no comparison to sketching for Magazines. It was the old story─he was literally

The nameless editor of a Magazine was, in his enchanted view, greater by far than the greatest of the whole tribe of lawyers; and the occupation of the editorial chair appeared in his fanciful dream an object worthier of a loſty ambition than a seat on the woolsack. What his present feeling may be─now that he has accomplished his young desire to the full─we pause not to ask. It is enough to know, that coming events often cast before them shadows far gaudier than themselves. The glory fades in possession─"the beautiful has vanished, and returns not." And yet, for there is no end to contradictions, the early vision has been more than realized.

But if law failed to attract, other studies were not at this time neglected. His father's lavish care had provided masters of various kinds, and he continued to read the classics, on two days of the week, with Dr. Smith, the headmaster of the school he had quitted. Literature only consuined the time