oppression, or call in law to the assistance
of justice, her will was eluded by the executors, and no part of the
money was ever paid. He was, however, not yet wholly abandoned. The Lady
Mason still continued her care, and directed him to be placed at a small
grammar school near St. Albans, where he was called by the name of his
nurse, without the least intimation that he had a claim to any other.
Here he was initiated in literature, and passed through several of the
classes, with what rapidity or with what applause cannot now be known.
As he always spoke with respect of his master, it is probable that the
mean rank in which he then appeared did not hinder his genius from being
distinguished, or his industry from being rewarded; and if in so low a
state he obtained distinctions and rewards, it is not likely that they
were gained but by genius and industry.

It is very reasonable to conjecture that his application was equal to
his abilities, because his improvement was more than proportioned to
the opportunities which he enjoyed; nor can it be doubted that if his
earliest productions had been preserved, like those of happier students,
we might in some have found vigorous sallies of that sprightly humour
which distinguishes "The Author to be Let," and in others strong touches
of that imagination which painted the solemn scenes of "The Wanderer."

While he was thus cultivating his genius, his father, the Earl Rivers,
was seized with a distemper, which in a short time put an end to his
life. He had frequently inquired after his son, and had always been
amused with fallacious and evasive answers; but being now in his own
opinion on his death-bed, he thought it his duty to provide for him
among his other natural children, and therefore demanded a positive
account of him, with an importunity not to be diverted or denied. His
mother, who could no longer refuse an answer, determined at least to
give such as should cut him off for ever from that happiness which
competence affords, and therefore declared that he was dead; which is
perhaps the first instance of a lie invented by a mother to deprive
her son of a provision which was designed him by another, and which she
could not expect herself, though he should lose it. This was therefore
an act of wickedness which could not be defeated, because it could not
be suspected; the earl did not imagine that there could exist in a human
form a mother that would ruin her son without enric