Page:Memoirs of a Trait in the Character of George III.djvu/298

NO. 9. favoured by Providence, when be thought himself irretrievably ruined, found an unexpected resource in the abilities of our artist, whose filial piety wanted no stimulant, and he immediately commenced business in London, as a miniature painter—and this most exemplary son and brother, whom his connexions once apprehended would prove a burden to them, supported his parent and the junior part of the family, consisting of two sons and two daughters, in a creditable manner, as long as his assistance was essential to their welfare. Both his sisters were respectably married to Officers of the Navy. His brothers chose the sea, and the younger of them, Lieutenant John Sherrif, rose to the command of L'Espugle sloop of war, in which he lost his life while gallantly repulsing the crew of a French privateer which had boarded her in the West Indies.

To enhance the merit of this virtuous conduct in the young man, it should be observed, that the example of his elder brother was wholly wanting; who, although he had been a material cause of their father's failure, with whom he was in partnership at the time, not only contributed nothing to the common support, but had even the assurance to expect his brother would assist him.—The pressure of these dependants was a serious obstacle to Mr. Sheriff's acquiring a fortune by his talents; and although he was of a domestic turn, and partial to the sex, his situation precluded him from marrying. Yet he never complained of such hardships (as they