File:A painter of dreams, and other biographical studies (1916) (14763371971).jpg

Identifier: painterofdreamso00stirrich (find matches)
Title: A painter of dreams, and other biographical studies
Year: 1916 (1910s)
Authors: Stirling, Anna Maria Diana Wilhelmina Pickering
Subjects: Great Britain -- Biography England -- Social life and customs
Publisher: London, John Lane New York, John Lane company
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

View Book Page: Book Viewer
About This Book: Catalog Entry
View All Images: All Images From Book
Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.

Text Appearing Before Image:
ANEDCOTE OF MR. THOMPSON

Mr Thompson, a Scots Gentleman; univer
sally known by his fine Poems on The Seasons,
on Liberty, etc., when he first came to London
was in very narrow Circumstances, and before
he was distinguished by his Writings, was many
Times put to Shifts even for a Dinner. The
Debts he then contracted lay very heavy on
him for a long Time afterwards ; and upon the
Publication of his Seasons, one of his Creditors
arrested him, thinking that a proper Oppor-
tunity to get his Money.
The Report of this Misfortune happened to
reach the Ears of Mr Ouin, the Actor, who had
read the Seasons, but had never seen their
Author, and he promptly repaired to the Bailiff's
Spunging House in Holborn where Mr Thompson
was confined.
" Sir," announced Quin, on entering Mr
Thompson's Chamber, " you don't know me,
I believe, but my Name is Quin and I have
come to sup with you. I have already ordered
the Cook to supply the Supper, which I trust
you will excuse."
Thompson received him civilly and during
the Meal which followed they discoursed on
Subjects of Literature, till Mr Quin observed
— " It is now Time to enter upon Business,
and Mr Thompson thinking that the great Actor
had come about some Affair connected with
Text Appearing After Image:

MR. QUIN
From an engraving by John Faber after Thomas Hudson

AN ELEGANT PLEASANTRY 27

the Drama, assured him that he would serve
him to the best of his Capacity.
" Sir," responded Mr Ouin, you mistake
my Meaning. I am in your Debt, I owe you
a Hundred Pounds.
Mr Thompson at once concluding that Mr
Quin was mocking him, protested with a dis-
consolate Air that never to his knowledge had
he offended the illustrious Actor, so that the
latter should come thus to make a Jest of his
Misfortune.
" Sir," cried Quin, raising his Voice, "I'd be
d——d before I would do that ! I say I owe
you a Hundred Pounds, and here it is " —lay-
ing a Bank-Note of that value on the Table.
" I will tell you. Soon after I read your Seasons
I took it into my Head that as I had Something
to leave behind me when I died, I would make
my Will, and as you had afforded me much
Pleasure, among the Rest of my Legatees I set
down the Author of The Seasons a Hundred
Pounds. This Day hearing that you was in
this House, I thought that I might have the
Convenience of paying the Money myself instead
of the Expence of getting my Executors to pay
it when perhaps you might be in less Need of
it ; and this, Mr Thompson, is the Business I
came about."

Note About Images