Imágenes de página
PDF
ePub

"SIR W. CHAMBERS.

"In the course of his practice as an Architect, he was appointed Surveyor-General, which procured considerable emolu. ment, and in which situation he designed and erected Somerset House. This magnificent structure displays all the excellencies and defects of Sir W. Chambers as an architect. The general correctness of its proportion, the convenience of its internal arrangements, and the skill of its construction, deserve every praise; but the intricacy and elaborate division of its parts, and the domes and vases which deface its outline, shew that want of simplicity and correct taste which made him the patron of Chinese architecture. Sir W. Chambers died in London in 1796, in his 69th year, and was interred in Poets Corner, Westminster Abbey."

"WILLIAM HOGARTH

"Was an original genius, who struck out a new and untrodden path in the regions of art, and has left behind him a name which will survive, when most of his contemporary artists are enveloped in oblivion. His engravings have carried his name into every part of the world, and nothing less than a general extinction of art can destroy a reputation which will grow with time, extend with civilization, and be honoured and acknowleged by ages yet to come, and nations yet to rise. It is but recently that Hogarth's merits as a Colourist have become generally known. Before the exhibition of his works at the Royal Institution, he was only mentioned as a designer and engraver, and his great talents as a painter were entirely overlooked. The injustice his paintings excited from the critics of his own time, induced him to engrave much and paint little; but he has left behind him pictures enough to establish his claim to the honour of being the first great Colourist the English school has produced; and this high character is sanctioned by the opinion always entertained and expressed of his works by the venerable Benjamin West, esq. President of the Royal Academy."

"SAMUEL RICHARDSON.

"As an Author he possessed a thorough knowledge of the human heart, and an absolute power over the tender feelings. In pathetic descriptions he has never been surpassed; even his minute details and prolix narrations help the illusion of his scenes; and while reading any of his works we no more doubt the truth of the story and the reality of the personages than we do our own existence, but insensibly become intimate with all the characters, and appear to live among them as friends and companions, anxious for their welfare, and affected with the same strong emotion of sorrow for their misfortunes, and of joy for their success, as if they

[blocks in formation]
[graphic]

46. A Letter to Sir Humphrey Davy, Bart. &c. &c. on his being elected the President of the Royal Society; with some Observations on the Management of the British Museum. By a Fellow of the Royal Society. 8vo. pp. 24. Ridgway.

THIS nervous Letter contains much friendly advice to the distinguished Philosopher to whom it is addressed

some unnecessary reflections on a Rival Candidate-a well-merited eulogium on Sir Joseph Banks-and some severe animadversions (intermingled with caustic personal reflections) on the present management of the British Museum and Royal Academy.

47. Observations on the Report of the Earl of Sheffield, at the Meeting at Lewes Fair, July 26, 1820, so far as respects the Tux on Foreign Wool. By James Bischoff. 8vo. pp.. 15. J. Richardson.

SOME remarks of Mr. Bischoff on this important subject were given in our last Volume, p. 516. But the "Report" of Lord Sheffield having been disseminated with much industry, Mr. B. has felt it a duty incumbent on him thus to give his observations a more extended circulation.

Lordship's calculations and reasonings are "The erroneous ground on which his founded, will, I trust, be apparent to every one; and I still hope that Parliament and his Majesty's Government will see the necessity, as well as the wisdom and sound wool, before the evil consequences are policy, of withdrawing the duty on foreign past remedy."

The hints of one so well acquainted with the subject, deserve the mature consideration of Government.

48. Report of the Committee of the Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline, and for the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders. 8vo. pp. 171.

IN p. xxxv. we find, that

"In the chief prison at Munich, containing seven hundred and twenty prisoners, employment is carried on to an extent, which not only defrays all the ex

penses

246

REVIEW.-Frost on the Poor Rates. [March,

penses of maintaining the prisoners, but leaves a considerable balance in favour of the Government. Another gratifying circumstance, connected with the administration of that country, is, that in a po

pulation of 2,500,000, only two persons

have been sentenced to death within the last five years, and even these have not been executed."

Dronery is the thief's principle;

and that the Bavarian Plan is the right one, is evident, from the following result:

"The introduction of labour into prisons begins already to manifest itself in the diminution of refractory servants, and of vagrants. Both these classes have been deterred from the commission of offences, by the dread of compulsory and hard labour, with a restricted diet." P. xx.

Crime is rare in Sweden, through the religious education of youth; no persons being allowed to exercise the privileges of citizenship, or even to marry, unless, they are at least able

to read. P. xxxiv.

Upon these excellent grounds of labour, instruction, and classification of offenders, is this very laudable Society proceeding. In a luxurious over-populous nation like this, where the Government is not arbitrary, and provisions dearer, the Bavarian success cannot be absolutely insured; but infinite good may still be done; and Magistrates, who do not acquaint themselves with the contents of this important Report, are unworthy of their honourable office. It is only a pamphlet.

[ocr errors]

49. A Letter to Thomas Thompson, Esq. on the Propriety of equalizing the Poor Rates at Hull, by assessing the Shipping belonging to the Port, to the Relief of the Poor. By Cha. Frost, Attorney at Law. Second Edition, 8vo. pp. 61. Baldwin. NOTHING can be more plainly iniquitous, than assessment of the Poor Rates by parishes; because a man, who, from his local situation, pays 10s. in the pound, can sell his corn for no more than be who pays only sixpence. It appears, that out of 16,000l. paid at Hull, during the year 1819, upwards of 7000l. was paid towards the support of persons who immediately gained their settlement in that town from their servitude, as mariners, or in trades dependent on shipping. P. 5.

what important ameliorations may be effected by good management; and it is an inestimable document for all parish officers.

Mr. Frost treats the subject excellently, like a real man of business.

But there is one consideration which ought always to accompany every of the Poor Rates; viz. that the imabstract view of the heavy expense mense profits accruing from the use of machinery, and the gains (whatought to be deducted, as a set off, ever they may be) from Corn Bills, from such expenses. Let this be done, as in equity is but fair; and the ba lance may show, that the increased expense, compared with former times, is far less than supposed *: but compulsory relief must, though inevitable, be bad, because it prompts and emboldens abuse and imposition.

When the Poor rise from reduction of wages, it is because they have so much less for the purchase of tea, sugar, snuff, tobacco, and spirits, commodities which do not fall, like others, with the price of corn, and by the use of which, the Poor Rates are unnecessarily augmented, and payers find no relief when provisions are cheap.

[graphic]

50. Kenilworth, a Romance. By the Author of Waverley, Ivanhoe, &c. 3 vols. 12mo. Edinburgh, 1821.

IN introducing the productions of this popular Writer to the notice of our Readers, it would be superfluous to occupy much time in canvassing their respective merits. They are all infinitely superior to the Novels and Romances of the day. They excel in historical importance and general interest, in the same degree as the wonderful Tales of Mrs. Ratcliffe eclipsed all contemporary productions in fertility of invention, and the glowing powers of description. The Author of Waverley may be considered as the founder of a new school, who has been frequently imitated, but never equalled. His plan is to fix upon some interesting portion of history; and, by a few fictitious embellishments, produce a most delightful and entertaining denouement. other hand, it was the chief object of Mrs. Ratcliffe, and her crowd of servile followers, to soar on the pinions

[graphic]

In 1817, the sum raised was 31,2007. In 1819,. ..19,7601. *On this subject, see an excellent LetThis astonishing difference shows ter, in p. 195.

......

of

of Imagination, and delight her asto-
nished Readers by her glowing de-
scriptions, and brilliancy of language.
The present unknown. Author may be
considered in the light of an histori-
'cal painter, whose works will always
maintain their value; though the pro-
ductions of the Ratcliffe school must
ever present their beauties and al-
lurements. The writer of Kenilworth
converts the crudest materials to gold
with an art peculiar to himself; and
the manners of former ages, however
obsolete, are rendered inexhaustible
funds of amusement. But notwith-
standing the fertility of this writer's
genius, it is evident that he does not
possess the same powers of happy de-
lineation in describing the character-
istics of the inhabitants of Old England,
as when his talents have had full scope
in pourtraying the eccentricities of
his own native characters; such as
the Ferguses, the Oldbucks, &c. of
the North.

As Kenilworth Castle, which is one of the most picturesque and interesting ruins in the kingdom, is the grand -theatre of this Romance, we may gratify the curiosity of our Antiquarian readers, by introducing a few historical particulars; after which we will detail some of the principal incidents of the Work.

Kenilworth Castle, in the times of our warlike Barons, was renowned for superior strength; and in later days, when security rendered its use as a fortress unnecessary, after being enlarged and greatly ornamented by the Earl of Leicester, it became the scene of one of the most sumptuous entertainments that was ever offered by a subject to his Sovereign. The beauty and grandeur of the remaining ruins, correspond with the maguificent ideas one has been led to form of this Castle, and bear indisputable testimony of its ancient splendour. It was built about the year 1120, by Geoffry de Clinton, a Norman, who was Lord Chamberlain and Treasurer to King Henry the First, of whom he obtained a grant of land for this purpose.

In 1279, there was a great resort of noble persons to this castle, consisting of an hundred Knights and as many ladies, who formed a round table (a custom of great antiquity, to prevent disputes about precedence). Many noblemen from foreign countries came

here on the occasion, and spent a week with the Knights and Ladies in feasting, martial tournaments, dancing, and other amusements.

Kenilworth Castle frequently changed its possessors, and twice reverted to the Crown.

[graphic]

He

John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, greatly enlarged the Castle, by adding various buildings to it; particularly the tower, with three stories of arches, at the North end of the hall, which still bears his name; and he very much increased the strength of it, by adding turrets to the outer walls. He died in 1399, and leaving issue, Henry, surnamed Bolingbroke (from the place of his birth), who was afterwards Henry the Fourth, this castle came a third time into the hands of the crown, and continued so through several successive reigns. Henry the Seventh united it to the Dukedom of Cornwall ; and his son Henry the Eighth was at a considerable expence in repairing and ornamenting it. removed the Plaisance en Marais (apparently a building for little parties of pleasure) from the low marshy grounds where it stood, to where the remains of it now are, within the walls near the Swan Tower. After the death of Henry VIII. it descended to his son Edward the Sixth, Queen Mary, and her sister Elizabeth; who, in 1563, granted it, with all the Royalties belonging to it, to Robert Dudley, fifth son to the Duke of Northumberland, whom she soon afterwards created Earl of Leicester. This individual is the principal hero of the Romance. It was under this haughty favourite, that Kenilworth reached the summit of its grandeur. He, in 1571, erected the large pile of building on the South side of the inner court, which bears. his name, and the great gatehouse on the North; this he made the principal entrance, and changed the front of the castle, which before was towards the lake. He likewise built a tower at each end of the tilt-yard, from whence the ladies had an oppor tunity of seeing the noble diversion of tilting and barriers; and greatly enlarged the lake, the chase, and the parks, which now extended over near twenty miles of country. He is said to have expended sixty thousand pounds (an immense sum in those days) in these magnificent improve

[graphic]

ments.

[ocr errors]

Here,

248

REVIEW.-Kenilworth.

Here, in July 1575, having completed all things for her reception, Lord Leicester entertained Queen Elizabeth for the space of seventeen days, with excessive cost, and a variety of delightful shews, as may be seen at large in a special discourse then printed, and entitled "The Princely Pleasures of Kenilworth Castle." "At her first entrance, there was a floating island upon the pool, bright blazing with torches; upon which, clad in silks, were the Lady of the Lake, and two nymphs waiting on her; who made a speech to the Queen in metre, of the antiquity and owners of the castle; which was closed with cornets and loud music. Within the base-court there was a very goodly bridge set up, of twenty feet wide and seventy feet long, over which the Queen did pass. On each side thereof were posts erected, with presents upon them unto her, by the gods; viz. a cage of wild fowls, by Silvanus; sundry rare fruits, by Pomona; of corn, by Ceres; of wine, by Bacchus; of sea-fish, by Neptune; of all the babiliments of war by Mars; and of musical instruments, by Apollo. And for the several days of her stay, various rare sports and shews were there exercised; viz. in the chase, a savage man with satyrs; bear-baitings, fire-works, Italian-tumblers, a country bridal, with running at the quintin, and morris-dancing. And that there might be nothing wanting that these parts could afford, hither came the Coventry men, and acted the ancient play, long since used in that city, called Hock's Tuesday, setting forth the destruction of the Danes in King Etheldred's time; with which the Queen was so well pleased, that she gave them a brace of bucks, and five marks in money, to bear the charges of a feast.

"Besides all this, he had upon the pool a Triton, riding on a Mermaid eighteen feet long; as also an Arion on a Dolphin, with rare music. And to honour this entertainment the more, there were then knighted here, Sir Thomas Cecil, son and heir to the Lord Treasurer, Sir Henry Cobham, brother to Lord Cobham, Sir Francis Stanhope, and Sir Thomas Tresham."

After various changes in the possessors, the Castle came into the possion of Lord Hyde, Earl of Clarendon.

[March,

His Lordship died Dec. 15, 1786, leaving this Castle and his estates in Warwickshire to his eldest son, the present Earl of Clarendon.

Having briefly traced the history of Kenilworth Castle, from the founda. tion to the present time, we will direct the Reader's attention to the annexed engraving, (see Plate III.); for the use of which we are indebted to the proprietors of "The London Literary Gazette."

The entrance, from the North, is by the side of the great Gate-house (No. 13), built by Lord Leicester. The wall and ditch formerly joined it, and the Castle was entered under an archway, between four turrets; but it has since been walled up. The large pile of building, called Caesar's Tower (9), is the strongest and most ancient part of the castle, and served as a kind of fortress to it in times of danger; three sides of the wall are entire, the fourth side was pulled down by Oliver Cromwell's soldiers, in order to make use of the materials. The great staircase was in the South-west angle of the building. Some of the paintings on the walls are still visible.-The three kitchens lie beyond it, and reach nearly from Cæsar's Tower to Lancaster Buildings; they were very large : some traces of foundations on the greenswerd is all that now remains of them, and only serves to shew their situation.-Lancaster Buildings (7) come next, they were very strong. The three ranges of arches one above another are still to be seen.

Of the range of apartments that formed the South-side of the innercourt, consisting of the White-hall, the Presence-chamber, and the Privychamber, nothing remains but the fragments of walls and staircases, and a part of two large bow windows; the inner one is, like those of the hall, hung with ivy in a very picturesque way. Indeed the ivy that covers these ruins, forms one of the greatest ornaments.-Leicester Buildings (6), though the last erected, seem likely to be the first part that will totally fall to decay. Time has already made great havoc with this noble pile, and some part or other annually moulders away under his ruthless hand. light arch fronting, leads through what was formerly called Plaisance (10), to the garden, which is modernized into an orchard.

[graphic]

The

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][graphic][merged small][merged small][graphic][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
« AnteriorContinuar »