DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70266#0069
MR. THOMAS CLIO RICKMAN.
53
publications, at that time deemed seditious, he ecaped in-
to France, where he remained two years; when he returned
he wrote and published several well-written productions.
In August, 1802, he again went to France, and took leave
of Thomas Paine, at Havre de Grace, on his return to
America. In 1804, he published a Letter of Paine’s; al-
though it was only distributed amongst his friends, he
was arrested, and his books and papers seized ; he how-
ever, obtained bail. The Attorney General filed a bill
ex-officio, but it was not carried on, upon his entering
into recognizance. By persevering in his philosophy, he
injured his circumstances very materially; his wife was
indefatigable in her labours to maintain herself and family
while he was absent at times, and having a family of seven
children, she deserves the highest praise. It could not be ex-
pected from a person of Mr. Rickman’s mind, but that some
mark of eccentricity would outwardly appear—ever since
the French Revolution he has appeared in the exact man-
ner our portrait is drawn, which was well executed by the
late Mr. Deighton. Even to this day he not only bears the
name of the Citizen of the World, but appears in the same
dress at all times, and all his sons are dressed after the same
manner, and they were named after all the great philosophers
of the day. So determined has he been to watch the progress
of time, and the expences of bringing up a family, that he
has preserved for a series of years a number of penny loaves
purchased in regular progress from plenty to scarcity, and
surely nothing can shew the alteration of time so clearly.
How’ever singular Mr. Rickman may be, he has at all times
endeavoured to be serviceable to his fellow-citizens : al-
though his new philosophy might not be supported, he did not
stick to that solely, for some years back he obtained a patent
for a signal- trumpet, for increasing the power of sound, the
report of which was extended by the firing of a pistol at the
mouth of a wide-mouthed trumpet.
53
publications, at that time deemed seditious, he ecaped in-
to France, where he remained two years; when he returned
he wrote and published several well-written productions.
In August, 1802, he again went to France, and took leave
of Thomas Paine, at Havre de Grace, on his return to
America. In 1804, he published a Letter of Paine’s; al-
though it was only distributed amongst his friends, he
was arrested, and his books and papers seized ; he how-
ever, obtained bail. The Attorney General filed a bill
ex-officio, but it was not carried on, upon his entering
into recognizance. By persevering in his philosophy, he
injured his circumstances very materially; his wife was
indefatigable in her labours to maintain herself and family
while he was absent at times, and having a family of seven
children, she deserves the highest praise. It could not be ex-
pected from a person of Mr. Rickman’s mind, but that some
mark of eccentricity would outwardly appear—ever since
the French Revolution he has appeared in the exact man-
ner our portrait is drawn, which was well executed by the
late Mr. Deighton. Even to this day he not only bears the
name of the Citizen of the World, but appears in the same
dress at all times, and all his sons are dressed after the same
manner, and they were named after all the great philosophers
of the day. So determined has he been to watch the progress
of time, and the expences of bringing up a family, that he
has preserved for a series of years a number of penny loaves
purchased in regular progress from plenty to scarcity, and
surely nothing can shew the alteration of time so clearly.
How’ever singular Mr. Rickman may be, he has at all times
endeavoured to be serviceable to his fellow-citizens : al-
though his new philosophy might not be supported, he did not
stick to that solely, for some years back he obtained a patent
for a signal- trumpet, for increasing the power of sound, the
report of which was extended by the firing of a pistol at the
mouth of a wide-mouthed trumpet.