Gomes and Portuguese Poetry [pp. 655-665]

1883.] COMES AND PO~TUGUESE POETRY. 655
GOMES AND PORTUGUESE POETRY.
FRANCISCO DIAS GoMES was born at Lisbon in 1745. The
son of a petty tradesman, yet Francisco profited by the goodness of his humble parents, who took great care to secure him a
sound and moral education. The boy was originally designed
for the law, and passed through his preliminary studies in the
schools of the Congregation of the Oratory. The royal professor, Pedro Jos6 de Fonseca, taught him rhetoric and poetry,
and Francisco, even at that early age, exhibited uncommon
judgment in selecting the best masters to form his style and
mould his mind. Hardly, however, had he begun his legal
studies at Coimbra when his uncle changed his destination.
Francisco was named after this uncle, whose opinions, on account of his wealth and superior position, dominated over the
whole family of Gomes. He was, most likely, really desirous to
promote the welfare of his nephew, but was alarmed that Francisco should enter upon a profession which, though honorable,
often profited the fortune little and the moral character less.
The quiet gains of trade, he argued, afforded an easier and
safer occupation for Francisco. The father, Fructuoso Dias,
was as ignorant as his brother, except in the commonplace
wisdom of the world. He readily listened to the advice of the
elder Francisco, and so the poor boy was ordered to quit the
university at once. Combining their superfluous means, father
and uncle set Francisco up in business; and very soon the young
fellow found himself installed in a huckster's shop, destined to
pass his life and exercise his talents in the lowest branches of
barter and trade.
Thus was the genius of Francisco Dias Gomes hampered.
The thread of his studies was broken for ever. He did not, it is
true, lose ground, but he found it nearly impossible to advance.
Chained down to a totally unfitting pursuit, he could only struggle against his fetters. The tree under unwholesome shade may
exist, but cannot flourish; a healthy child, feeding on the scanty
food of poverty, will grow thin and pale. So with the understanding of this young man. He felt his situation, and endeavored to lead two lives, the higher and the lower, at once. He
read enormously~read everything; but poetry wa~s his favorite.
Pursuing his passion, he acquired taste and extensive knowledge.