CHAPTER IV.



William DID go to one of those seats of learning, and would have
starved there, but for the affectionate remittances of Henry, who
shortly became so great a proficient in the art of music, as to have
it in his power not only to live in a very reputable manner himself,
but to send such supplies to his brother, as enabled him to pursue
his studies.

With some, the progress of fortune is rapid. Such is the case when,
either on merit or demerit, great patronage is bestowed. Henry's
violin had often charmed, to a welcome forgetfulness of his
insignificance, an effeminate lord; or warmed with ideas of honour
the head of a duke, whose heart could never be taught to feel its
manly glow. Princes had flown to the arms of their favourite fair
ones with more rapturous delight, softened by the masterly touches
of his art: and these elevated personages, ever grateful to those
from whom they receive benefits, were competitors in the desire of
heaping favours upon him. But he, in all his advantages, never once
lost for a moment the hope of some advantage for his brother
William: and when at any time he was pressed by a patron to demand
a "token of his regard," he would constantly reply--"I have a
brother, a very learned man, if your lordship (your grace, or your
royal highness) would confer some small favour on him!"