Page:Remarkable history of the miser of Berkshire- John Elwes, Esq..pdf/3

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the father of the late Colonel Timms; and from thence came the intail of some part of his estate.

Mr. Elwes, at an early period of life, was sent to Westminster School, where he remained ten or twelve years. He certainly during that time, had not misapplied his talents; for he was a good classical scholar to the last; and it is a circumstance very remarkable, yet well authenticated, that he never read afterwards. Never, at any period of his future life, was he seen with a book; nor had he, in all his different houses, left behind him two pounds worth of literary furniture. His knowledge in accounts was little; and, in some measure, may account for his total ignorance as to his own concerns. The contemporaries of Mr. Elwes, at Westminster, were Mr. Worsley, late Master of the Board of Works, and the late Lord Mansfield; who, at that time, borrowed all that young Elwes would lend. His Lordship, however, afterwards changed his disposition.

Mr Elwes from Westminster School removed to Geneva, where he shortly after entered uwpon pursuits more congenial to his temper than study. The riding master of the academy had then three of the best horsemen in Europe for his pupils; viz. Mr. Worsley Mr Elwes, and Sir Sidney Meadows. Elwes of the three was accounted the most desperate: the young horses were put into his hands always; and he was, in fact the rough-rider of the other two. He was introduced, during this period, to Voltaire, whom, in point of appearance, he somewhat