“Your letter found me in conversation with one of the
most extraordinary beings that ever
occurred to my notice—a poor Welsh fisher-lad, as ragged as a colt, and as
uncouth as any being that has a semblance of humanity. But beneath such an
exterior is a mind cultivated not only beyond all reasonable expectation, but
beyond all probable conception. In his fishing boat on the coast of Wales, at
an age little more than twenty, he has acquired the Greek, the Hebrew, and the
Latin languages, has read the Iliad, Hesiod, Theocritus, &c. studied the refinements of
Greek pronunciation, and examined the connection of that language with the
Hebrew. He reads Latin with the utmost facility, and translates it either into
Welsh or English. I
| 284 | LIFE OF WILLIAM ROSCOE. |
“He is well disposed, modest, truly pious, and
intelligent, but in his exterior motions is certainly like no other creature on
earth. He has just entered the room with a wallet of books in all languages,
and on my speaking to him, he saluted me with a sort of curtsey, instead of a
bow. Yet, the expression of his features speaks his mind; and if shaved and
docked, he might not perhaps appear so frightful as at present. He has now left
his country, where he says he is persecuted, and thrown himself upon our
benevolence, of which he thinks he had some proof, on one of his visits here
with fish. What I shall do with him, I know not; but I have promised him help
and protection, which he shall have; and if I find I can assist in rendering
the very extraordinary talents with which God has been pleased to endow this
humble child of indigence useful to himself or others, I shall have no small
pleasure in doing it. If, on further experience, I find him as deserving as he
seems to be at present, I shall most probably take advantage of your
friendship, and intrude upon you for your advice respecting him. At present, I
assure you, I think it one of the most extraordinary circumstances that ever
fell in my way; but as first
| LIFE OF WILLIAM ROSCOE. | 285 |
