ROLLIN.

Colonist, Issue 20, 29 December 1857, Page 4

ROLLIN.

Rollin was the son of a poor cutler, who died when his son was in his infancy, leaving his child perfectly destitute. The young Rollin was obliged to work at the forge to gain his livelihood. A good priest, who had observed the intelligence of the boy, and believing that he was intended for something better than a blacksmith, solicited a bursary for him, and was : fortunate enough to obtain it. The young Rollin was placed, at college when he was [l^years of age. His benefactor, the good had judged correctly of his talents, for Rollin made siich rapid progress, that in the course of three years he wrote anc[ spoke theLatin with.the same facility ag he did French! He becapie anxious to extinguish himself in many other branc^ieV, and in a short time carried away all/the prizes from numerous competitors. Amongst his most formidable rivals were the two sons of the President Le Pelletier, Victor and Adrian; and we cannot resist giving [the following trait of them, as it does infinite honour to the scions of this illustrious1 ■family. Although the two Le Pelletiers ;found themselves eclipsed by the young sßollin,; and that he always obtained the /place of.emperor, whether in poetry, Greek, or Latin, these youths were above the mean feeling of jealousy or envy, that the poor bursar was on almost intimate terms with them, and they were loud \in their praises of him to their father. This illustrious magistrate was so much pleased with the favourable account he heard of young Rollin, that he invited him to dine at his hotel with his sons every play-day. Victor and Adrian j with a difference very flattering to the talents of their schoolfellow, always gave him the place of honour in the carriage when he was emperor, and although the modest bursar resisted this, they obliged him to yield, and accept the place of honour, both in the carriage and at table. One day that Victor and Adrain came in "the carriage to take the young Rollin on an diring, his mother was greatly astonished to see her son take his place before the sons jbf the President, and this she instantly remonstrated against, 'Madame, 1 replied the eldest Le Pelletier, 'our father has arranged it so that we shall take our seats according to the places we hold in the class, 1 Thus it ought to be, that talents and virtue should be respected and honoured, in whatever rank of life they may be placed.