20

LIFE OF COLONEL MACERONI.

supposed resemblance of my countenance, to the portrait ofthat celebrated man, on medals and in books familiar to myschool-fellows. Dr. Poynter gave me free access to thelibrary of the establishment, and allowed me to select andtake to my own room such books as I felt most inclinationto read. I well remember that the first book I chose wasan epitome of Natural Philosophy , from which I imbibedwith avidity my first ideas on Pneumatics , Electricity,Astronomy, Hydraulics , and Chemistry. Rollin’s ancientHistory next fixed my attention ; and upon my returningeach volume into the hands of the benevolent and mostexcellent lender, he took great delight in testing the use Ihad made of it, by putting to me a series of questions, onthe subject of my reading, to ascertain the degree of benefitI had derived from the loan. Never shall I forget thebenign beaming glow of satisfaction and approbation whichon those occasions lightened up the meek, calm, dignifiedcountenance of Dr. Poynter. No gratification that I haveever since received has ever equalled that. In this collegewere twelve or fourteen priests, Jesuits and Dominicanfriars, congregated together. All “ Popish ” priests andmonks ; yet what were the feelings of the surrounding Pro-testant population towards them ? To describe the conductof the priests will answer the question. Charity and bene-volence the most comprehensive, without regard to sect orstation, was their main spring of action. Within the rangeof many miles, poverty, sickness, and worldly troubles,were the “ game” these priests did hunt after. Ample aswere the revenues of their lands, added to the pensions paidby more than one hundred scholars at £50 a-year, the utmostfrugality and economy were observed by the principals,through which they were enabled to expend large sumsa year in acts of benevolence. No sick or tribulatedperson within the reach of a ride, or a walk of half a day,