“I am informed there will be a vacancy in July of a
clerkship in the Record Office, in that department of it over which Mr. Hardy, I believe, presides. There is a
family of the name of ——, residing in ——, who have formerly been in affluence,
but have fallen with the fall of the West Indies. The mother and daughter are
teaching music. The son is an excellent
lad, understanding and speaking French and German, and is a humble candidate
for this situation of Clerk of the Records, worth about eighty pounds per
annum. Mr. Hardy, a very old friend of the family, is very
desirous of getting the young man into his office. A better family does not
exist, or one fighting up more bravely against adversity. The mother has been
repeatedly to me, to beg I would state these things to you. I stated to her
that I had so little the honour of your acquaintance, that, though I had met
you, I should hardly presume to bow to you in the street. But the poor lady
said I had evidence to give, if I had not influence to use; and at last I
consented to do what I am doing. I beg therefore to observe, I am not asking
anything of you (no man has less right to do so); I am merely
| MEMOIR OF THE REV. SYDNEY SMITH. | 313 |
“I beg you will not give yourself the trouble to answer this letter. If my evidence induces you to make any inquiries about the young lad, that will be the best answer. If not, I shall attribute it to some of the innumerable obstacles which prevent a person in your situation from giving way to the impulses of compassion and good-nature.
