"Two gentlemen, noted for agility, trying to outjump each other in James's presence, he said to the individual who jumped farthest, And is this your best? Why, man, when I was a young man, I would have outleaped this myself.' An old practised courtier, who stood by, thought this a good opportunity of ingratiating himself with his master, and struck in with, That you would, sir; I have seen your majesty leap much further myself.' 'O' my soul!' quoth the king, as his usual phrase was, thou lyest; I would, indeed, have leapt much farther; but I never could leap so far by two or three feet." " We now dismiss these amusing volumes, and recommend them as full of animated and curious pictures of the time. dangerous symptoms returned. In the mean came to the king's feet, and seemed to cover "Sir, I am very sorry this occasion should time, it is to be supposed, the old lady died." the multitude of sins her sisters had committed; have been offered me by the king your master, The Earl of Gowry." The fame of his ac-in some sort she made obeisance and brought which makes me troublesome to you for the precomplishments, his handsome person, and of gifts, but said she would return home again, as sent. It is reported to me by men of honour, the Elizabeth's kindness to him, preceded his ar- there was no gift which heaven had not already great wrong the King of Danes hath done me, rival, and being associated in the minds of the given his majesty. She then returned to Hope when I was not by to answer for myself; for, multitude with a recollection that his father and Faith, who were both sick and spewing in if I had been present, I would have letten him was a sort of martyr in the cause of Presby- the lower hall. Next came Victory, in bright know how much I scorn to receive that wrong terianism and popular government, every armour, and presented a rich sword to the at his hands. I need not urge the particular of where excited a lively interest in his favour. king, who did not accept it, but put it by with it, for the king himself knows it best. I proLike every other ambitious man, even while his hand; and by a strange medley of versifica- test to you, sir, I did think as honourably of he listened with gratification to the applauses tion, did endeavour to make suit to the king. the king your master, as I did of my own of the crowd, he secretly despised the flat- But Victory did not triumph long: for, after prince; but I now persuade myself there is as terers: he remarked, as he made his way much lamentable utterance, she was led away much baseness in him as can be in any man: through the mob which received him at like a silly captive, and laid to sleep in the for, although he be a prince by birth, it seems Edinburgh- Pshaw! there were as many, I outer steps of the antichamber. Now did Peace not to me that he harbours any princely thought believe, to see my father's execution at Stir-make entry, and strive to get foremost to the in his breast; for, either in prince or subject, ling.' Still these marks of popular favour king; but I grieve to tell how great wrath she it is the basest that can be to wrong any woman must have tended to foment that very am- did discover unto those of her attendants; and, of honour. I deserve as little that name he bition which enabled him to despise them." much contrary to her semblance, rudely made gave me, as either the mother of himself or of We now quote a letter written during the war with her branch, and laid on the pates of his children; and if ever I come to know what King of Denmark's visit ; and a pretty sample those who did oppose her coming. I have man hath informed your master so wrongfully it is of manners :much marvelled at those strange pageantries, of me, I shall do my best for putting him from "My good friend,-In compliance with your and they do bring to my remembrance what doing the like again to any other: but if it asking, now shall you accept my poor account passed of this sort in our queen's days; of hath come by the tongue of any woman, I dare of rich doings. I came here a day or two be. which I was sometime an humble presenter say she would be glad to have companions. So, fore the Danish king came; and from the day and assistant: but I never did see such lack of leaving to trouble you any further, I rest, your he did come, till this hour, I have been well good order, discretion, and sobriety, as I have friend,-M. NOTTINGHAM.' nigh overwhelmed with carousal and sports of now done. I have passed much time in seeing all kinds. The sports began each day in such the royal sports of hunting and hawking, where manner and such sort, as well nigh persuaded the manners were such as made me devise the me of Mahomet's paradise. We had women, beasts were pursuing the sober creation, and and indeed wine too, of such plenty as would not man in quest of exercise and food. I will have astonished each beholder. Our feasts were now in good sooth declare to you, who will not magnificent; and the two royal guests did most blab, that the gunpowder fright is got out of lovingly embrace each other at table. I think all our heads; and we are going on hereabouts the Dane hath strangely wrought on our good as if the devil was contriving every man to English nobles; for those whom I could never blow up himself, by wild riot, excess, and deget to taste good liquor now follow the fashion, vastation of time and temperance. The great and wallow in beastly delights. The ladies ladies do go well masked; and indeed it be the abandon their sobriety, and are seen to rolle only shew of their modesty to conceal their about in intoxication. In good sooth, the par- countenance. But alack! they meet with such liament did kindly to provide his majesty so countenance to uphold their strange doings, seasonably with money: for there have been that I marvel not at ought that happens. The no lacke of good living; shews, sights, and lord of the mansion is overwhelmed in preparabanquetings from morn to eve. One day, a tions at Theobald's, and doth marvellously The Templars; an Historical Novel. 3 vols. great feast was held, and, after dinner, the please both kings, with good meat, good drink, London, 1830. Whittaker and Co. representation of Solomon, his temple, and the and good speeches. I do often say (but not THERE is a considerable share of talent in coming of the Queen of Sheba, was made, or aloud), that the Danes have again conquered these volumes; some of the scenes are very (as I may better say) was meant to have been the Britons; for I see no man, or woman either, animatedly written, and Dermot Wharton's made, before their majesties, by device of the who can command herself.” character is drawn with much originality. The Earl of Salisbury and others. But, alas! as all This royal Dane was quite an enthusiast in conduct of the story is, however, but badly earthly things do fail to poor mortals in enjoy-drinking: he once pledged, at his own court, managed; the whys and wherefores are conment, so did prove our presentment thereof. the healths of the English ambassadors in fused, with much of a young writer's carelessThe lady who did play the queen's part, did thirty-five cups of good Rhenish ness: we think he or she has the power to do carry most precious gifts to both their majes- "On one of the evenings of the royal enter-better. The Templars, an historical novel, is a ties; but, forgetting the steps arising to the tainment at Theobald's, this young bacchanal misnomer: it belongs to the present day; and canopy, overset her caskets into his Danish had nearly fallen into mortal quarrel with the the templars are two young lawyer's clerks. majestie's lap, and fell at his feet, though I Earl of Nottingham, the famed conqueror of We quote as a sample a scene in a battle, where rather think it was in his face. Much was the the soi-disant invincible armada. It had pleased a regiment in a state of inaction is exposed to hurry and confusion; cloths and napkins were this ancient nobleman to marry, for his third the enemy's fire. at hand, to make all clean. His majesty then wife, the youthful and blooming Lady Mar- "Plaguy awkward this, Ayrton!' exgot up, and would dance with the queen of garet Stuart, daughter of that Earl of Murray claimed our hero's brother officer, a regular Sheba; but he fell down, and humbled himself so famed in Scotland for his good looks and his iron-hearted veteran, as he tapped his snuffbefore her, and was carried to an inner cham- unfortunate end, and who was, of course, cousin box, and amused himself with an ample pinch ber, and laid on a bed of state, which was not to the king. The addled brains of the King of with much sang-froid, as a couple of his men a little defiled with the presents of the queen, Denmark were tickled at the idea of an old man were borne wounded to the rear- C plaguy which had been bestowed upon his garments married to so young a wife; and, encouraged cruel for a green fellow like you.' 'Rather such as wine, cream, jelly, beverage, cakes, perhaps by the character of the earl- for his chilling, I confess,' returned Dudley, with spices, and other good matters. The enter- lordship was an arrant coxcomb- he could not something intended for a smile- should have tainment and show went forward, and most of help, in the course of their carousals, making no particular objections to put one's blood into the presenters went backward, or fell down-certain allusions, which at once touched the better circulation.' Time enough, man— wine did so occupy their upper chambers. Now honour of the wife, and offended the vanity of 't will give one a better appetite when we do did appear in rich dress, Hope, Faith, and Cha- the husband. The wrath of the latter was ap-start-though, by St. George, we are d—d rity. Hope did assay to speak, but wine ren- peased at the time, probably by the mediation dered her endeavours so feeble, that she withdrew, and hoped the king would excuse her brevity. Faith was then alone, for I am certain she was not joined to good works, and left the court in a staggering condition. Charity of the king; but not so the indignation of the cruelly posted here, to be knocked down like so many ninepins without ever a blow.' 'Somewhat of a sobering sensation, at least to me.' Sober enough, when the next may be your turn or mine; but, d-n it, never mind, my hero; we can but die once, you know: though, egad, Ayrton, there is something rather of the in vain, and that he will soon have the pleasure | some, and often disgusting, only lead, as they interesting, as well as the picturesque, in the of witnessing the full accomplishment of his frequently do, to most harassing and hopeless idea, that one's limbs, which this moment are benevolent views. Of the numbers and condi- discussions, who can be surprised at that apathy bracing their sinewy grasps across our saddles, tion of the insane poor in England, we had which so generally prevails even amongst the may, the next, be as useless as a dead cat's, little real knowledge till the documents pub-most humane? But now that this negligence and ourselves- d- queer look out that, lished by Sir Andrew Halliday, in the course has given rise to such a magnitude of evil, and Ayrton, eh ?' A serious look out, I fancy, of last year, put us in possession of the startling that we can no longer shut our eyes to the Lyon.' Dare say, old Sobersides, and I'll fact, that more than one in every thousand of consequences, it is to be hoped that a different e'en take your word for it, for, 'pon my soul, our population was actually mad. But this conduct will be pursued, and that the magisit's quite out of my line.' The inquiry or the was not the whole of the valuable information trates who have hitherto held back, from an contingency, Lyon?' The what, man? given us by the indefatigable philanthropist. erroneous impression with respect to trouble contingency?-no d-n it, that's quite in my He clearly proved, by the same authentic re- and expense, will unanimously come forward line-though I never bother myself about it cords, that the disease had rapidly increased, and provide each for his own county the necesnever could persuade myself to aught so use- and was still increasing; and that unless mea- sary accommodation for its insane population. less.' 'It is, perhaps, well that you can ar- sures were quickly taken, the evil would be- The reverend doctor very forcibly observes on range matters so comfortably.' Perhaps, come of such magnitude as to defy the most the subject of expenseAyrton? It is well, man-what can be the use strenuous efforts of the legislature to put a stop "That the expenditure now looked to is but of boring one's brains about things which may to it. The statements of the worthy knight trifling, and that it is relieved of much of its not happen?- d- bad plan, take my word were doubted by some of our contemporaries, burden by the consideration of the legislature; for it.' 6 Very likely, Lyon; but I have still and his fears were laughed at by many; but I am sure therefore that it will be cheerfully my poor friend Peters before my eyes, and his they have been amply confirmed by the returns met for those whose pitiable situations are wretched fate.' 'Ah, poor devil! confoundedly to Parliament, which are now printed and be- generally irremediable, except by the aid of unlucky, sure enough.' Worse than unlucky, fore the public. By these returns it appears, those who, unlike them, are blessed with reaLyon; it was miserable every way.' Our that the insane population in England and son, and the means of affording relief to their hero repressed any more serious allusions, from Wales amounts to nearly fourteen thousand suffering and helpless fellow-creatures, and a conviction of their unseasonableness, adding, souls!—all of them of the poorer classes, and thus become the instruments, under Divine with a deep sigh,' It has sadly unnerved me.' most of them supported from the parish rates; Providence, of removing from thousands the That will never do, Ayrton-good nerves and it is no difficult matter to account for this cloud of intellectual darkness, and of restoring nine-tenths the battle-for my part, mine never great aggregate of numbers, when the manner the light of reason, and with it unfeigned flinch always stanch as-confound its impu- in which they have hitherto been treated is thankfulness for the recovery of the greatest of dence!' This sudden exclamation of the com- patiently investigated. In most countries, but all human blessings. From what I have here fortable veteran was occasioned by a shell strik-particularly in this, it has been the custom, the stated it will be seen, that in the first place ing into the ground almost at their horses' moment a poor wretch became deranged, to there will be no difficulty in raising the comfeet, and bespattering them pretty plentifully have him shut up in a dungeon, severed from paratively small sum required for the erection with mud. The captain instantly dismounted, all intercourse with his fellows, and treated, of the building; that the establishment will and seizing hold of the shell, threw it with all not as one suffering from disease, but as a not afterwards be attended with any expense his might beyond the troop. Crack, you leper whom the judgment of God had con- to the county; that parishes now paying largely ugly devil,' he puffed out, as, ere it rested on demned to misery. Even private madhouses, for the care of their lunatic paupers, will derive the ground, the murderous missile burst out its which, till of late, were the only safe receptacles all the advantages of the profits of the esta hellish bowels in impotent rage. Our hero's for lunatics, were conducted in a manner rather blishment, which will be applied in reduction pulse certainly beat a little quicker at so ex- calculated to confirm the malady than to re- of the weekly sum; that an asylum, affording citing a moment. His matter-of-fact comrade, move it. We do not speak of such places as as it will a ready retreat for the sufferers, will however, quietly wiped off a part of the mud were disgraceful to humanity, and conducted as enable parish officers to apply the earliest attenfrom his dress, then remounted his charger mere objects of gain, but of the best and wisest tion to the cases, which, as I have shewn, will with perfect nonchalance, drew out his snuff- regulated. No one thought of cure. It was tend more than any thing else to the cure of box, and, as it were, resettling himself in his not considered necessary to attempt to remedy the patients, and the consequent diminution of seat with a good hearty pinch, observed to the mental aberrations, or soothe the over- the malady throughout the county. All these him—D—n it, man, nothing like nerve- excited feelings. Recourse was only had to facts, therefore, prove that the outlay will be a sees a man through many a scrape-will you medicine when bodily ailments supervened; and measure of sound economy. I need not here snuff, Ayrton?' At the same time placing his the mind, thus left to prey upon itself, or fur- allude to the higher and more important mobox almost at the point of his sword, and ex-ther irritated by the insane babble of the nu- tives which should actuate us in the course of tending the blade towards Dudley, with a firm, merous inmates of the asylum, or brutal conduct this inquiry; nor need I enter into any further steady hand, in attestation of his perfect com- of keepers, very soon sunk into hopeless idiocy. remarks on the present inefficient and deplorposure. 'You are a lucky fellow !' exclaimed Hence, every temporary attack became a per- able management of the lunatic poor, or comDudley, as he held out his fingers to take the manent disease, and the number of the suf- pare it with the wholesome restorative treatproffered refreshment, an enviable fellow, ferers was hourly augmented. The wise mea- ment practised in a public asylum. These Lyon! At the instant that Dudley's fingers sure of the legislature, which authorised the points are too obvious to require any comment touched the box, it fell suddenly to the ground; establishment of county hospitals, has hither-from me." the firm sinewy arm that held it dropped to been tardily acted upon, and but for the What is here meant to apply to the county nerveless down; and as his inquiring eyes persevering and benevolent exertions of such of Devon, may, with equal truth, be addressed looked up for an explanation, Dudley saw the men as the author of the pamphlet before us, to every county in England. Our only object last convulsive quivering of the in-turned balls, would very soon have been lost sight of alto- in these few remarks is to keep the attention as they closed for ever, and the hardy veteran gether. Where the sufferers are unable to of our numerous readers directed to the subtumbled lifeless to the ground." make their own voice heard, few are dis-ject, being well assured that it is one deserving posed to give their condition any great degree of their most serious consideration; and when An Inquiry as to the Expediency of a County of serious consideration; and where inquiries they have perused the melancholy case which Asylum for Pauper Lunatics. By William such as those connected with a subject so loath-the worthy divine has related in his pamphlet, Palmer, D.D. 2d edition. 8vo. pp. 36. we are satisfied that we have done enough to Exeter, 1830, Trewman and Co.: London, Abstract of the number of insane persons in England engage their best feelings and exertions to preRivingtons; Underwoods. vent the necessity of ever again having to mention such a scene of horror. and Wales, from the Parliamentary Returns: Lunatics. Idiots. Total. THIS is a sensible and well-written pamphlet, Total number of Lunatics and Idiots 9919 ing to accomplish what every Christian heart To which should be added the numbers ascertained must anxiously desire, a suitable asylum in his to be in public or private asylums, taken from the annative county for the proper care and treat-nual reports of these establishments, amounting to ment of a most helpless class of our afflicted 3466, which are not noticed in the returns to the House of Commons, and insane persons in the army and navy fellow.creatures. We trust he has not laboured (not in any return), 280, making a total of 13,665. Mackintosh's History of England. (Second Notice.) THERE is so much of profound observation, of acute analysis, of new and excellent observa An inquest held at Exeter on the body of Sarah Priddis, a lunatic pauper, and so dreadful in its details, that it is hardly credible such circumstances should have occurred in a civilised land.-Ed. L. G. tion, scattered through Sir J. Mackintosh's | Augustus, who disapproved a greater extension ment gives dignity to commerce: it promotes work, that it is only justice both to him- of an empire, which was already possessed of navigation, one of the occupations of the lower self and to our readers to make a cento of natural frontiers, and had begun to acquire a and middle classes, and it is disposed to enthose scattered remarks which illustrate the species of moral unity; for the Macedonian courage the only species of military force which writer's mind as well as the history. Any one conquests had established the arts and language cannot be made the instrument of its overmay narrate a fact, but it is the inference of Greece in Western Asia, and the Roman throw. It is not unreasonable to add, that drawn from its results, the view taken of its victories themselves had carried the same re- the settlement of so many pirates in England, moral and practical bearings, that display the finements throughout the European provinces. the natives of every country from the Elbe, historian's talents; and in these pages it is the Beyond the frontiers, were either utter bar- perhaps from the Rhine, to the North Cape, philosopher enlightening the patriot, equally barism or the civilisation of another world. between the sixth and tenth centuries, may aware of the value of old associations, and the The foundation of the imperial power was laid have contributed to cultivate those nautical evil of old prejudices, and tracing in the most in military usurpation, and the example was propensities which form a part of the English enlightened spirit the progress made by our too recent not to affect the spirit of the ad- character." ancestors in civil and religious liberty. We ministration. Domitian was jealous of Agrihardly select; for it would be difficult to point cola, as a reproach to his own baseness. Wise mous tradition is so nearly sufficient evidence as out a page without some mark of the thought- and good emperors, desirous of securing a civil on the eminence of one man over others of the Alfred. "There is no subject on which unaniful and superior mind; and first light on a and legal government, reasonably avoided con- same condition. The bright image may long be view of the savage state, that deserves quo- quests, which might once more tempt victorious held up before the national mind. This tratation. "That the most secret mysteries of the prizes of ambition had become more splendid at appear, is in the case of Alfred rather supcommanders to overthrow their work. The dition, however paradoxical the assertion may Druidical priesthood were in Cæsar's time home than abroad; and the Roman dominions ported than weakened by the fictions which most taught in Britain, may be explained by were too vast to be embraced as a native coun- have sprung from it. Although it be an inthe natural proneness of such superstitions try with affection and pride by the most capa- firmity of every nation to ascribe their instituto take refuge among the blindest of their cious soul. votaries, to fly from the neighbourhood of rival energy, like Trajan, the ancient spirit might to the slow action of time and circumstances, Under a prince of ability and tions to the contrivance of a man rather than superstitions, and still more from the scrutiny be rekindled at Rome; but, generally speaking, yet the selection of Alfred by the English peoof civilised and inquiring men. inquire into the forms of government prevalent from inevitable collisions between the com- is surely the strongest proof of the deep imIt is vain to the foreign wars of the empire took their rise ple as the founder of all that was dear to them, among a people in so low a state of culture. manders on the frontier and the unconquered pression left on the minds of all of his transThe application of the terms which denote barbarians. Agricola considered the complete cendent wisdom and virtue ;-juries, the divicivilised institutions to the confused jumble of reduction of Caledonia, and even the conquest sion of the island into counties and hundreds, usages and traditions which gradually acquire of Ireland, as the best means of securing the the device of frankpledge, the formation of the some ascendant over savages, is a practice full southern province; but the ordinary policy of common or customary law itself, could have of fallacy. The Britons had a government Rome was to confine the barbarians within been mistakenly attributed to him by nothing rather occasional than constant, in which va- their mountains. rious political principles prevailed by turns. and rapacity of the mountaineers, however, must have been the administration of which The fickleness, rashness, less than general reverence. How singular The power of eloquence, of valour, of expe- seldom failed to supply a Roman general, am- the remembrance so long procured for him the rience, sometimes of beauty, over a multitude, bitious of distinguishing himself, with specious character of a lawgiver, to which his few and for a time threw them into the appearance of a pretexts for hostilities against them, which general enactments so little entitled him! democracy. When their humour led them to might drag the empire into war. follow the council of their elders, the com- tions from Rome could be so pacific as to should have undoubtedly discovered in him munity seemed to be aristocratic. The ne- exclude a recourse to arms in self-defence; and some of those characteristic peculiarities which, No instruc- Had a stronger light been shed on his time, we cessities of war, and the popularity of a for- the attacks of the barbarians were perhaps though always defects, and generally faults tunate commander, vested in him in times of generally within the letter of such an ex- when they are not vices, yet belong to every peril a sort of monarchical power, limited rather ception, though probably often at variance with human being, and distinguish him from his by his own prudence and the patience of his its spirit. It was easy to hide and disfigure fellow-men. The disadvantage of being known followers than by laws or even customs. nishment sprung from revenge: it was some- and unlettered enemy. Pu- facts in the relation of contests with a remote to posterity by general commendation, instead times inflicted to avenge the wrongs of others. Britain, therefore, depended on the character Alfred with Marcus Aurelius. The character The administration of of discriminating description, is common to It is an abuse of terms to bestow the name of a of the commander; and there seems no reason of both these ornaments of their station and free government on such a state of society: to wonder that the progress of conquests, at- their species seems about to melt into abstracmen, in such circumstances, lived without tended by no gain and little glory, should be tion, and to be not so much portraits of man restraint; but they lived without security. slow and fluctuating." Human nature in that state is capable of occasional flashes of the highest virtues. Men naturally destined to be the seat of maritime for administration in peace or for vigour in Naval Power. The British islands are useful example that study does not disqualify as models of ideal perfection. Both furnish an not only scorn danger and disregard privation, power. Their coasts are much more extensive, war, and that scrupulous virtue may be combut even shew rough sketches of ardent kind- compared with their inland territory, than bined with vigorous policy. The lot of Alfred ness, of faithful gratitude, of the most generous those of any other great and civilised nation. forbad him to rival the accomplishments of the self-devotion. But the movements of their Their position on the globe, reaching almost to imperial sage. But he was pious without sufeelings are too irregular to be foreseen. Fe- the northern verge of that portion where the perstition-his humbler knowledge was imrocious anger may, in a moment, destroy the whole sea is open to navigation throughout the parted with more simplicity-his virtue was most tender affection. Savages have no vir-year, is better fitted than any other to render more natural: he had the glory to be the detues on which it is possible to rely." Change of Roman Policy." The slow pro- skilful. Had it been more southerly, these and he escaped the unhappiness of suffering their numerous mariners hardy, daring, and liverer as well as the father of his country; gress of the Romans in the reduction of Britain qualities would have been incompletely exer- his authority to be employed in religious peris a fact which has not been sufficiently con- cised; had it been farther north, some part of secution." sidered by historians. It forms a remarkable the year, which now serves to train their deviation from the ancient policy, and indeed a seafaring inhabitants, would have been lost to cruelty :striking contrast The next is a just remark on cowardly to the conquest of Gaul, that purpose. Their soil and climate neither though that country was the last great acqui- withdrew their pursuit from the resources of unite cowardice with cruelty; but experience sition in the West, and defended by a people the sea, nor refused the produce which might seems to prove, that though the valiant are "It is difficult to trace the secret links that as brave as the Britons, more improved, and be exchanged by navigation for the produce of often not merciful, the pusillanimous, if forced far more numerous. It is an instance of the other countries. Their advanced position, as into war, are more apt to become ferocious: sudden change produced in their foreign policy it was in front of Europe, favoured that dis- whether it be that they find a compensation by a revolution in their internal government. position towards adventurous voyages and co- for being humbled by the brave in the inflicThe patriciate steadily advanced to universal lonial establishments, in which, after a fortu- tion of pain on the weak-or that those who dominion by adherence to the traditional policy nate exclusion from the neighbouring conti- feel most suffering from conflict naturally pracof their body. The measures of each emperor nent, the genius and ambition of the people tise the most terrible retaliation or that the fluctuated with his temper and his personal were vented with lasting, grand, and happy consciousness of the disgraceful vice of cowardcircumstances. The general policy was that of consequences to mankind. Popular govern-ice renders men less sensible to the honour which generous minds and civilised times reserve for the union of clemency with prowess." And this an admirable exposition of both Whig and Tory fallacy : At this what it will prove in action. There may be clination to continue his journey. governments so bad that it is justifiable to de- period he wrote a few odes; and although they stroy them, and to trust to the probability that have not a high degree of poetical merit, they a better government will grow in their stead. evince a taste for literature, and a sensibility "The antiquaries of the seventeenth cen- But as the rise of a worse is also possible, so to the beauties of nature. It argues much in tury investigated the state of our ancient con- terrible a peril is never to be incurred except his favour, that in a short time he had ingrastitution industriously, and often learnedly, in the case of a tyranny which it is impossible tiated himself with the best society of Tenbury. but aided by little critical estimate of autho- to reform. It may be necessary to burn a The vicar of Tenbury was the Rev. W. Read, rities, and guided by no philosophical spirit. forest containing much useful timber, but giv- of Brocket Hall, who was likewise rector of The greater number of these praiseworthy col-ing shelter to beasts of prey, who are for- Rochford, and first portioner of the rectory of lectors, who began their labours at the period midable to an infant colony in its neighbour- Burford. Mr. Read had married the daughter of the contest carried on in that century be- hood, and of too vast an extent to be gra- of Andrew Hill, Esq., of Court-de-Hill, by tween the house of Stuart and the people of dually and safely thinned by their inadequate Anne, the daughter of Sir Thomas Powys, of England, adapted their representation of our labour. It is fit, however, that they should Henley Court, who had married a daughter of ancient laws to the part which they took in be apprised, before they take an irreparable Sir Adam Littleton, of Stoke Milburgh, Shropthe momentous controversy of their own age. step, how little it is possible to foresee whether shire. In the social intercourse with the family The contest was decided by the Revolution of the earth, stripped of its vegetation, shall be- of the Rev. Mr. Read, Mr. Lawrence was 1688; but the mistaken opinions of the con- come an unprofitable desert or a pestilential thrown much into the company of his younger tending parties survived the determination. marsh. If these be truths applicable to all daughter, Lucy, who resided alternately at her In two fundamental errors only did the Whig men, they are more obviously evident in the father's vicarage and at Court-de-Hill, now the and the Tory antiquaries concur. They both case of barbarians, where it would be pecu- seat of her uncle, Andrew Hill, Esq. In her held that the Saxon government was a well-liarly absurd to expect a lawgiver of foresight frequent walks between these two places of ordered system, and that the right of the enough to provide for all emergencies, or a residence, Miss Lucy Read was always accompeople to liberty depended on the enjoyment people so reasonable as to forego all their most panied by Mr. Lawrence. The confidence reof it by their forefathers. Both treated the inveterate habits of thinking, of feeling, and of posed in this young gentleman by the lady's terms which denote political and legal institu- acting, for the sake of making a fair experi- parents and uncle may prove very fully their tions as retaining an unalterable signification ment on a new system of laws and govern-appreciation of his moral character and decorous through all the changes of 600 years; and ment." habits; but it is no great proof of the discretion hence both were led to believe that the same Another notice must, we feel, be granted to of a parent to have thrown into perpetual conlaws and government which they saw around the merits of this excellent historical compend. tact two such young, sensitive, and congenial them during the period of their controversy, minds. Mr. Lawrence was now in his twentyfrom the birth of Bacon to the death of Newfifth, and she in her eighteenth year. After ton, could have existed in the time of the first Juvenile Library, No. I. Lives of Remarkable incessant conflicts between reason and attach Youth of both Sexes. In 2 volumes. Vol. I. [Second Notice.] he obtained that distinguished rank in his pro- Such was Saxon freebooters. The Tories represented ment, the feelings of youth and the influence the Saxon kings not the less as absolute moof early precepts, the anticipations of parental narchs because they acted by the advice of men displeasure and the disregard of those calculaof sense and weight chosen by themselves; and WE proceed to quote the extracts from the life tions that would most affect their future life, these writers treated all the privileges of the of Sir Thomas Lawrence which we promised in and, what was of more consequence, that of people as either usurpations or concessions, our last Number. The life itself occupies nearly their offspring-the young persons came to the chiefly obtained from weak princes. The eighty pages of the volume. Of course, there- usual compromise of marrying without consent, Whigs, with no less deviation from truth, en- fore, our extracts must be comparatively brief; in preference to marrying against it, or to deavoured to prove that the modern constitu- and, in selecting them, we shall generally, having their affections blighted. tion of king, lords, and commons, subsisted though not exclusively, prefer passages which the sympathy for the lovers, that a neighin the earliest times, and was then more pure relate to this great artist's youthful days, before bouring clergyman, the Rev. Mr. Baldwin, of and flourishing than in any succeeding age. Corley, consented to unite them, regardless of No one at that time was taught, by a wide the influence of the wealthy 'squire at Courtsurvey of society, that governments are not de-Hill, or of that of the stern and rigid rector framed after a model-but that all their parts "The distinguished subject of this memoir of Tenbury. The young couple returned to and powers grow out of occasional acts, affords one of the finest examples of the im- their respective homes, and, for three weeks, prompted by some urgent expediency, or some measurable superiority of genius and integrity associated as before, without the least suspicion private interest, which in the course of time over the accidental circumstances of birth and being entertained that they had formed a union coalesce and harden into usage; and that this fortune. Sir Thomas Lawrence was born at so sacred. But the continuance of such a state bundle of usages is the object of respect and Bristol, on the 13th of April, 1769. His father was totally incompatible with the ingenuousthe guide of conduct, long before it is embodied, at that period kept the White Lion Inn and ness of youth, or with feminine delicacy and defined, and enforced in written laws. Go-the American Coffee-house, and rented a small integrity. The young lady could not look, and vernment may be, in some degree, reduced to farm contiguous to the city. The ancestry of act, and speak deception to her relations; and system but it cannot flow from it. It is not Sir Thomas is little connected with any thing there was a treachery in receiving the caresses like a machine, or a building, which may be that can render him of consequence to the pub of her father as his maiden daughter, when she constructed entirely, and according to a pre-lic; but the immediate parentage of every man was secretly the wife of his guest. A mutual vious plan, by the art and labour of man. It is of importance, as it is the source whence are friend was induced to acquaint Mr. Read with is better illustrated by comparison with vege- derived his tone of sentiments, his habits, his the marriage; and to point out how much it tables, or even animals, which may be, in a deportment, and, to a great extent, his morals. was the result of circunstances of his own creavery high degree, improved by skill and care, The paternal grandfather of Sir tion. The father was violent and inexorable. which may be grievously injured by neglect or Thomas is reported to have been in the church; The young fondling of his heart was driven destroyed by violence, but which cannot be but our authentic memoirs commence with his ignominiously upon the world. Her uncle at produced by human contrivance. A govern- son, who was apprenticed to a Mr. Ginger, an Court-de-Hill expelled her from his hall; and ment can, indeed, be no more than a mere attorney at Hemel Hempstead. When his ap. her father prohibited, under the consequences draught or scheme of rule, when it is not prenticeship had expired, his master offered him of his strong resentment, any relation from composed of habits of obedience on the part of a share of his business; but Mr. Lawrence had holding the slightest direct or indirect commuthe people, and of an habitual exercise of cer- just received a small patrimony from his father's nication with either of them. But neither the tain portions of authority by the individuals or executors, and he had formed the scheme of wealth nor the religious influence of this clerbodies who constitute the sovereign power. enjoying a tour through England with a fellow-gyman could enforce an order so abhorrent to These habits, like all others, can only be apprentice, a Mr. Price, who afterwards en- nature; and his son, the Rev. William Read, formed by repeated acts; they cannot be sud- tered the church, and became the head master rector of Munslow and Ashton, always received denly infused by the lawgiver, nor can they of King Edward's school, at Birmingham. Our his sister as the more endeared to him by her immediately follow the most perfect conviction travellers first directed their steps to Tenbury, sufferings from poverty, and from her struggles of their propriety. Many causes having more in Worcestershire, where Mr. Price had several through life. Mr. Lawrence was ever a welpower over the human mind than written law, relations. Struck by the attractions of the come guest at his table. The father and his it is extremely difficult, from the mere perusal neighbourhood, and, probably, finding the soci-child never met again! In his dying moments of a written scheme of government, to foretell ety agreeable, Mr. Lawrence felt very little in. he was tormented with a wish to embrace his 告 daughter; and a messenger was despatched verses at Bristol had drawn upon him the sati- curvature of the nose. The child took the with the utmost rapidity to Bristol, where sherical castigation of the unhappy Chatterton, who profile. Twenty-five years after, an old friend then resided. Mrs. Lawrence immediately set was about sixteen when Mr. Lawrence was at of Lady Kenyon saw this portrait, and could off for Tenbury, and arrived in time to see the his zenith as keeper of the White Lion. His distinctly trace a likeness to what her ladyship corpse of her father he had expired-ungrati- large, fine person was decorated with a well- had been at the period when it was taken. fied by a reconciliation. She was kindly re-powdered wig, and more elaborate and bushy The drawing was about five inches broad, deceived by her mother, with whom she remained than even the fashion of that day warranted. On licately shaded, but with the feebleness and a few weeks; and she left one of her children the top of this was a diminutive three-cornered indecision of a child, except in the lines formwith her when she returned to Bristol. At cocked hat. The flaps of his waistcoat and ing the contour of the countenance. At four this time, however, pecuniary difficulties were skirts of his black coat, with his immense ruf- years old, we have authentic memoranda of accumulating upon her husband; and she had fles and long laced cravat, carried the re- the child reciting the poem of Joseph and his the mortification of hearing that her uncle at markable costume of the period to an almost Brethren; and at five, Addison's Nymphs of Court-de-Hill had altered his bequest to her ludicrous extravagance. Such was his dress Solyma. At seven he gave an almost miracufrom 5000l. to one shilling. Expelled from her and appearance at Devizes. He had rather a lous proof of memory, by rapidly learning and father's roof, and abjured by her former friends large face, which combined the expression of repeating Milton's Lycidas. Such as we have and relations, Mrs. Lawrence left Tenbury, drollery, of animal enjoyment, and of intel-described was the father of our great artist, and repaired with her husband to the other lectual shrewdness. His gait by no means and such were the effects and objects of his extremity of the kingdom. They resided for corresponded with his corporeal dignity: it was instructions to this extraordinary child. some time at Thaxsted in Essex, until Mrs. rather expressive of the unequal and rapid In no record of the wonders of intellect is there Gataker (formerly Miss Hill), the aunt of Mrs. transitions of his mind; and its fluttering, any instance of an earlier display of its powers Lawrence, procured her husband the situation strutting effect formed a contrast to the im- than in the biography of Sir Thomas Lawof an excise-officer at the Port of Bristol. At portance of his figure and the impression of his rence's childhood. Art presents no parallel Thaxsted they had had three children: the manner. When any guests arrived at the case of an equal degree of excellence attained eldest died in infancy; the second, Andrew Law- Black Bear, instead of finding a bill of fare so rapidly, and so exclusively without instrucrence, was brought up to the church, and was which might tempt the satiated, or gratify the tion, or opportunity of study. Sir vicar of Long Parish, in Hampshire, and a famished traveller, they were surprised by the Thomas Lawrence in every respect may be chaplain in the navy. He died at Haslar Hos-figure of Mr. Lawrence, who, entering the termed a self-taught man. At six he was sent pital in 1821. The third child, William Read room with a folio Shakspeare or Milton under to a respectable school, kept by a Mr. Jones, Lawrence, became major of the 72d regiment, his arm, would expatiate with energy upon the at a place called the Fort, near Bristol: but and died at the house of his brother Andrew in talents of his son Tommy, and request the he was removed from it before the age of 1818. At Bristol, Mr. Lawrence became a guests to let the child recite to them a passage eight. This was all the education he ever remost vigilant revenue-officer. He was a very of poetry. Lord and Lady Kenyon (about ceived, except a few lessons, in Latin and tall, athletic man; active and of great muscu- fifteen years before the former attained the French, from a dissenting clergyman named lar power. His mind was always imbued with peerage) arrived one evening at Devizes, where Jervis, whose son, likewise in the church, was a spirit of enterprise, and an ardour approach- they were resolved to stay for the night. The chaplain or librarian to the celebrated Earl of ing to enthusiasm. His conflicts with the severe barrister's nature required from an inn- Shelburn, afterwards Marquess of Lansdowne, daring bands of smugglers at Bristol, which keeper the homage due to a satrap; and he at his seat at Bow Wood, in Wiltshire. was then the second port in the kingdom, and wanted a good supper, a good bed, and a bill But the mind that is worth educating will eduthe centre of illicit trade, could be understood either so small as to gratify his penurious ha- cate itself; and long ere our artist had attracted only by a reference to the scale and system bits, or so large as to enable him to dispute the the public attention, he had acquired a more upon which those bands of desperate outlaws amount. The lady was in an angry mood at than ordinary fund of knowledge. Of Greek then carried on their trade, and of which, at being stopped at Devizes on her short career he was totally ignorant, and his knowledge of present, people, in this country at least, have no of fashion to Bath. At an unfortunate junc- Latin was not extensive or profound; but yet idea. Very shortly after removing ture of altercation, in which the barrister most he was well acquainted with the ancient to Bristol, we find Mr. Lawrence (in 1769), by probably was out-argued and out-talked by the classics, as far as that acquaintance can be means which it is impossible to trace, trans-lady, Mr. Lawrence entered, his eye in a fine acquired by the medium of translations. Sir ferred from the humble revenue-officer into the frenzy rolling,' and his arms compressing, the Thomas was not a linguist: his ardent mind landlord of two adjoining inns (the White Lion one a folio Shakspeare, and the other a Milton. was always engaged in efforts to obtain ideas and the American Coffee-house), and into a He began to expatiate upon the genius of his and new combinations of ideas; and he had tenant of a neighbouring farm. Whilst in pos- beautiful boy, who, although only in his neither time.nor inclination to study in mansession of this triple cross-road to fortune or to fifth year, could rehearse them poetry or hood what is generally acquired in youth-a ruin, Mr. Lawrence had five children living. speeches, or take their likenesses.' Lady Ken- knowledge of words. Thomas and his two sisters were put out to yon's vexation and anger at so untimely an nurse, and the two sons born at Thaxsted were interruption, and at the pertinacity of the fasent to a boarding-school. Of the sixteen chil-ther, were at their height, when the door dren of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence, Sir Thomas opened, and there capered into the room, stradwas the youngest. Only five were living at dling upon a stick, the most lovely and spirited the death of the parents in 1797; namely, the child they had ever beheld. His beautiful face two sons we have already mentioned, the sub- was flushed with exercise, and neither she nor ject of this memoir, and two daughters; the her husband felt inclined to stop his gambols. younger married to the Rev. Dr. Bloxam of As soon as the boy could be got to stand still, Rugby School, and the other to a Mr. Mere- Mrs. Kenyon took him in her arms, and asked dith, an attorney of Birmingham. The habits him if he could take the likeness of that genof Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence in early life totally tleman, pointing to the future lord chief jusdisqualified them for keepers of an inn, and tice. The child, looking with an impatient their speculations were profitless. Notwith-earnestness at Mr. Kenyon, exclaimed Yes, standing this, the two sitting members for Bris- that I can-and very like too.' Whilst matetol advanced him funds for a similar specula-rials were sent for, the child had resumed his tion; and in 1772 he became the landlord of play; but when all was prepared, throwing the Black Bear inn at Devizes. At this period his little legs from over his stick, he was lifted every person of eminence annually visited Bath; on the table and seated in an arm-chair, from the journey was not then performed in a day; which height he took Mr. Kenyon's likeness and the Black Bear at Devizes was the nightly with a rapidity, a spirit, and a correctness, resting-place of the wits, actors, peers, and truly astonishing. The child was impatient to eminent characters of every description. The be gone; but Mr. Kenyon, coaxing him, asked house was, therefore, remarkably suited to the if he could take the likeness of the lady. The disposition of Mr. Lawrence; but in the same boy exclaimed— Yes, that I can, if she will degree it was little likely to be a source of pro- only turn her side to me for her face is not fit. Mr. Lawrence's ruling passion was polite straight.' This produced a burst of laughter literature. His recitations and his original for Lady Kenyon, by an accident, had a slight * 6 In the writings of our own countrymen he was suffi ciently versed. He was extensively read in poetry and the belles lettres. His memory was extraordinary, and he had a charming faculty of reading and reciting poems. His tone of voice was soft; it was clear, distinct, deep-toned, and admitted of every variety of expression. With respect to that which high birth, or early association with high society, can alone impart, George IV., than whom there never was a more competent judge, pronounced that Sir Thomas Lawrence was one of the most elegant and best-bred gentlemen in his dominions. He possessed, with much refinement and elegance, the conciliatory self-possession which men of humble origin seldom attain, even by a long and familiar intercourse with the world of fashion. The manners of people casually elevated, generally assume a tone of servility, of restless punctilio, or of selfish enjoyment. The fine person and features of Sir Thomas, as well as his air and conversation, gave him the appearance of one to whom dignity came by birth-right. He derived his fine cast of features, with his manly form and graceful action, from nature; but the charm of his conversation and manners arose from that which can alone impress the stamp of true gentility-intellect |