PREFACE.

SIXTY-seven years have elapsed since the death of Thomas Chatterton; and his memoirs, which have appeared from several pens, seemed to the author of this biography to have held up the shadowed side of his brief life to public observation, and to have studiously concealed those traits in his character, which should have rescued him from the ill nature of those who neglected him whilst living, and traduced him when dead. Much information respecting "the marvellous boy" having fallen into the author's hands, he has with pleasure performed a task which has not been altogether devoid of difficulties. These, however, have been considerably lessened by the kind offices of friends, and it is his pleasing duty to acknowledge the assistance he has received.

To John Matthew Gutch, Esq. the author is especially indebted for the use of his unrivalled collection of Chatterton papers; and this favour is the more appreciated, from the circumstance of its being unsolicited. To George Weare Braikenridge, Esq. for the portrait which accompanies this volume. To Dr. Southey, Poet Laureate, and to Joseph Cottle, Esq. for valuable assistance. To George Cumberland, Esq. for his appendix. To W. Tyson, Esq. for his most interesting communication respecting Chatterton's early poems; and to Dr. Dalton for the loan of works connected with the subject.

It only remains for the author to return his thanks to many anonymous correspondents for their assistance; and to apologize to the public for the unavoidable delay in the publication of the work.

Bristol, October, 1837.

CALIFORNIA

THE LIFE

OF

THOMAS CHATTERTON.

THOMAS CHATTERTON, the subject of this memoir, was the son of Thomas and Sarah Chatterton, and was born on the 20th of November, in the year 1752, in а house situated on Redcliff Hill, behind the shop now occupied by Mr. Hasell, grocer. Of his family comparatively little is known; indeed, until after his death, from their humble station, few or no inquiries were made respecting them, and after that occurrence, intense grief, or perhaps a feeling of indignation against those who neglected him whilst living, but who sought to spread his fame, from interested motives,1 when fame was no longer an object of pursuit to its young aspirant,

1 Vide the statement of Mr. Cottle, respecting Sir H. Croft,. in his "Early Recollections."

B

TO VIMU

AMROHLIAD

2

THE LIFE OF

may have deterred them from satisfying the numerous inquiries which poured upon them from various quarters; especially when in some instances the request assumed the character of a menace, and a threat that the name of their gifted relative should be transmitted to posterity with the brand of infamy upon it, unless they gave up all his papers and letters in their possession.

The father of Chatterton was, in the early part of his life, a writing master to a classical school; he afterwards became sub-chaunter of the Cathedral of Bristol,2 which office he held, together with that of master of the free school in Pyle Street, at the time of his death.

The edition of the works of Chatterton, published in 1803, contains an anecdote of the method the father took, when he was sexton of Redcliff Church, to obtain money from some ladies. This anecdote, it was said, was communicated by a gentleman of Bristol, who was present at the transaction. But it happens, unfortunately for the veracity of the gentleman in question, that Chatterton's father never was sexton of Redcliff Church; his uncle, John Chatterton, having been the last of the family who held that office: he was elected to it March, 1725, and continued in it till his death,

2" On Saturday last the worshipful the Dean and Chapter were pleased to appoint Mr. Richard Thomas, clerk of St. Ewens, to be one of the chaunters in the cathedral, in the room of Mr. Chatterton, deceased."-Felix Farley's Bristol Journal, Sat. Dec. 16 to 23, 1752.

which happened in the year 1748. A catch for three voices is also inserted in the work referred to, communicated by Edward Williams, the Welsh bard; the words and music of which are said to be Mr. Chatterton's, and where he is also perversely called the sexton of St. Mary Redcliff.

If the catch was really composed by him, it ill accords with the character which Mr. Gardner gives of him-"a complete master of the theory and practice of music." That he had made some proficiency in the science is certain, from the situation he held in the choir of the Cathedral.

That he was a man of some talent and shrewdness is evident, from the various testimonials of those who knew him well, but he was inclined to dissipated habits and was of a "brutal disposition."3 The house in which he lived had only two sitting rooms, and he often passed the whole night roaring out catches in one of them, with some of the lowest rabble of the parish. His wife he always treated with the greatest indifference, and once, on being asked why he married her, he coolly replied, "solely for a housekeeper." Mrs. Chatterton has been described as a plain, worthy woman, without any extraordinary qualities; and as having been most devotedly attached to her son.

Her

3 Mrs. Edkins. Vide Appendix, for which I am indebted

to G. Cumberland, Esq.