forgiveness, liberality, and beneficence, as the badge and distinction of Christians, as the brightest image we can bear of God, as the best proof of piety.' He was never known to be angry or passionate, or extreme in any of his desires; never heard to repine or dispute with Providence; but, by a quiet gentle submission, and resignation of his will to the wisdom of his Creator, bore the burden of the day in patience.2 She is as virtuous as she is beautiful, as pure as she is kind, as firm as she is affectionate. She goes about doing good, and there is not a distressed creature within miles that does not know her, and bless her.3 poor I found an intelligent companion, and a tender friend, a prudent monitress, the most faithful of wives, and a mother as tender as ever children had the misfortune to lose. I met a woman who, by the tender management of my weaknesses, gradually corrected the most pernicious of them. She became prudent from affection; and, though of the most generous nature, she was taught economy and frugality by her love for me.4 The calmness and composure of her death were farther proofs and attestations of the goodness of her life; and she died, as she had lived, lamented and beloved most by those who knew her best." 1 Channing. 2 Walton (Life of Hooker). 3 Gleig (Ellen Wareham). 4 Mackintosh (of his first wife). 5 Bishop Newton (of Augusta, Princess of Wales, mother of George the Third). R Condemn him not from his own mouth, but trust To me, who have borne so much with him, and for him, That this is but the surface of his soul, And that the depth is rich in better things.' All chose to stand fair with him; for he was a creature that had sharp claws and scaly sides.2 Le ciel y avait répandu certain air d'incertitude, qui lui donnoit la physiognomie d'un mouton qui rêve.3 Des traits créés pour l'expression, mais auxquels il manquait l'âme qui la donne.4 Mild, idle, pensive, ever led by those Who could some specious novelty propose.5 Lord Holland is the most agreeable man I ever knew; in criticism, in poetry, he beats those whose study they have been. No man in England has a more thorough knowledge of English authors, and he expresses himself so well, that his language illustrates and adorns his thoughts, as light, streaming through coloured glass, heightens the brilliancy of the objects it falls upon." Of Lord Byron Scott spoke with admiration and regard, calling him always "poor Byron." He considered him, he said, the first poet we have had since Dryden, of transcendent talents, and possessing more amiable qualities than the world in general gave him credit for." "Ay! Lord Lothian is a good man," said Sir Walter; "he is a man from whom one may receive a favour; and that's saying a good deal of any man in these days."1 He, Scott, spoke with praise of Miss Ferrier as a novelist, and then, with still higher praise, of Miss Austen. "I find myself, every now and then, with one of her books in my hand. There's a finishing off in some of her scenes that is really quite above every body else. And there's that Irish lady, too; but I forget every body's name now.” "Miss Edgeworth?" I said. "Ay, Miss Edgeworth. She's very clever, and best in the little touches too. I'm sure, in that children's story" (he meant Simple Susan), "where the little girl parts with her lamb, and the little boy brings it back to her again, there's nothing for it but just to put down the book and cry." A little afterwards he said: "Do you know Moore? He's a charming fellow, a perfect gentleman in society; to use a sporting phrase, there's no kick in his gallop."2 That young lady (Miss Austen) had a talent for describing the involvements, and feelings, and characters of ordinary life, which is to me the most wonderful I ever met with.3 See, in the Life of Wilberforce, how beautifully the Solicitor General and Romilly contrasted the feelings of the Emperor of the French, in all his pride, with those of Wilberforce when he laid his 1 Walter Scott (vii. 37.6). 2 Scott (Life, Letter from Mrs. Davy, vii. 338.). head upon his pillow, and remembered that the Slave Trade was no more, after all his untiring and noble exertions. "To speak," wrote Sir James Mackintosh from the other Indies, "of fame and glory to Mr. Wilberforce, would be to use a language far beneath him; but he will surely consider the effect of his triumph on the fruitfulness of his example. Who knows whether the greater part of the benefit that he has conferred on the world (the greatest that any individual has had the means of conferring), may not be the encouraging example that the exertions of virtue may be crowned by such splendid success? We are apt petulantly to express our wonder that so much exertion should be necessary to suppress such flagrant injustice. The more just reflection will be, that a short period of the short life of one man is, well and wisely directed, sufficient to remedy the miseries of millions for ages.1 To her (Lady Mary Wortley Montagu's) true patriotic spirit, to her magnanimity, her generous perseverance in surmounting all obstacles raised by the outcry of ignorance, and the obstinacy of prejudice, we owe the introduction of inoculation; she ought to stand in marble, by the side of Howard the good.2 1 Wilb. Mem. iii. 296. 2 Loves of the Poets. See, in Lichfield Cathedral, the only memorial ever raised to her, and this, by Mrs. Inge, daughter of Sir J. Wrottesley, in 1789: "To perpetuate the memory of such benevolence, and to express her gratitude for the benefit she herself received from this alleviating art." It has been well said, that one should like to have known the woman who raised this monument. His urbanity' was universal. He never looked so charmed as when engaged in some good office; and his charities were as expansive as the bounty of those who possessed more than double his income. So sincere, indeed, was his benevolence, that it seemed as much a part of himself as his limbs; and could have been torn from him with little less difficulty.2 After you have read Salmonia, I recommend you to get the last Quarterly Review, and read the article on Salmonia, written by Sir Walter Scott. The review is beautiful. I consider Sir H. Davy the most remarkable man of his time: he has advanced nearer than any other man, since the days of Sir Isaac Newton, to the discovery of first causes. This is particularly the case in what relates to metals.3 She (Lady Hood) is generous, and feeling, and intelligent, and has contrived to keep her heart and social affections broad awake amidst the chilling and benumbing atmosphere of London fashion. I ought perhaps first to have told you that Lady H. was the Hon. Mary Mackenzie, daughter of Lord Seaforth, and is the wife of Sir Samuel Hood, one of our most distinguished naval heroes, who goes out to take the command in your seas.1 It is not only true that after the action he (Nelson) ordered all the crew who could be mus 1 Sir W. Weller Pepys. 2 See Life of Burney by his daughter. 3 Knighton's Mem. 4 Scott (Life by Lockhart). |