'Poor MONTGOMERY, though praised by ery English Review, has been bitterly reviled by the Edinburgh. After all, the Bard of Sefeld is a man of considerable genius. His

nderer of Switzerland is worth a thousand Lyrical Ballads, and at least fifty Degraded Epics. James Montgomery (1771-1854), poet and rafical, journalist. His early poems were rewed by Jeffrey in January, 1807. The Wanderer of Switzerland was published in 1806. The allusion in line 419 is to the first stanza of The Lyre

"Where the roving rill meand'red

Down the green, retiring vale,
Poor, forlorn Alcaus wandered,

Pale with thoughts- serenely pale."
He is remembered chiefly as the writer of some
Arnirable hymns.]

Arthur's Seat; the hill which overhangs Edinburgh.

milk-white reams,

Flowed all the Canongate with inky streams;

have evaporated. This incident gave occasion to much waggery in the daily prints.

[The following disclaimer to the foregoing note appears in the MS. in Leigh Hunt's copy of the Fourth Edition, 1811. It was first printed in the Fifth Edition:

"I am informed that Mr Moore published at the time a disavowal of the statements in the newspapers, as far as regarded himself; and, in justice to him, I mention this circumstance. I never heard of it before, I cannot state the particulars, and was only made acquainted with the fact very lately. November 4, 1811."]

corum;

As

1 The Tweed here behaved with proper deit would have been highly reprehensible in the English half of the river to have shown the smallest symptom of apprehension.

2 This display of sympathy on the part of the Tolbooth (the principal prison in Edinburgh), which truly seems to have been most affected on this occasion, is much to be commended. It was to be apprehended, that the many unhappy criminals executed in the front might have rendered the Edifice more callous. She is said to be of the softer sex, because her delicacy of feeling on this day was truly feminine, though, like most feminine impulses, perhaps a little selfish.

From either pistol snatched the vengeful lead,

And straight restored it to her favourite's head;

That head, with greater than magnetic power,

Caught it, as Danäe caught the golden shower,

And, though the thickening dross will scarce refine,

Augments its ore, and is itself a mine.
"My son," she cried, "ne'er thirst for
gore again,

Resign the pistol and resume the pen;
O'er politics and poesy preside,
Boast of thy country, and Britannia's
guide!

500 For long as Albion's heedless sons submit,

Or Scottish taste decides on English wit, So long shall last thine unmolested reign, Nor any dare to take thy name in vain. Behold, a chosen band shall aid thy

plan,

Smug SYDNEY, too, thy bitter page shall seek,

And classic HALLAM, much renowned for Greek;

SCOTT may perchance his name and influence lend

3

And paltry PILLANS shall traduce his friend;

While gay Thalia's luckless votary, LAMB,1

Damned like the Devil - Devil-like will damn.

"Instead of money and rings, I wot, The hammer's bruises were her lot. Thus Odin's son his hammer got." (William Herbert (1778-1847), son of the first Earl of Carnarvon, was one of the earliest contributors to the Edinburgh Review.]

The Rev. SYDNEY SMITH, the reputed Author of Peter Plymley's Letters, and sundry

sms. [Sydney Smith (1771-1845), the aitty Canon of St Paul's," was one of the funders, and for a short time (1802) the editor, the Edinburgh Review.]

Mr HALLAM reviewed PAYNE KNIGHT'S "Taste," and was exceedingly severe on some Greek verses therein. It was not discovered

the lines were Pindar's till the press rendered impossible to cancel the critique, which still ads an everlasting monument of Hallam's genuity. The said Hallam is incensed be

he is falsely accused, seeing that he never eth at Holland House. If this be true, I am Sorry-not for having said so, but on his acat, as I understand his Lordship's feasts are arable to his compositions. If he did not

Lord HOLLAND'S performance, I am Tad because it must have been painful to read, ad irksome to praise it. If Mr HALLAM will me who did review it, the real name shall a place in the text; provided, nevertheless, the said name be of two orthodox musical bles, and will come into the verse: till then, HELAM must stand for want of a better. [Henry Hallam (1777-1859), author Europe during the Middle Ages, 1818, etc. rcle in question was written by Dr John Allen, Lord Holland's domestic physician, and Byron

of

The

misled by the similarity of sound in the two apes, or repeated what Hodgson had told him.] Pillans is a tutor at Eton. [James Pillans 8-1864), Rector of the High School, and Professor of Humanity in the University, Edinburgh. Byron probably assumed that the

es of Hodgson's Translation of Juvenal, in the Edinburgh Review, April, 1808, was by him.]

The Honourable G. Lambe reviewed "BERESFORD'S Miseries," and is moreover Author of a farce enacted with much applause at the Prry, Stanmore; and damned with great expetition at the late theatre, Covent Garden. It was entitled Whistle for It. [See note, ante, on e 56. His review of James Beresford's Miseries of Human Life; or the Last Groans of Timothy Testy and Samuel Sensitive, appeared in the Edinburgh Review for October, 1806.]

Known be thy name! unbounded be thy sway!

Thy HOLLAND's banquets shall each toil repay!

While grateful Britain yields the praise she owes

TO HOLLAND'S hirelings and to Learning's foes. 520

Yet mark one caution ere thy next Review

Spread its light wings of Saffron and of Blue,

Beware lest blundering BROUGHAM 1 destroy the sale,

Turn Beef to Bannocks, Cauliflowers to Kail."

Thus having said, the kilted Goddess kissed

Her son, and vanished in a Scottish mist.2

Then prosper, JEFFREY! pertest of the train

Whom Scotland pampers with her fiery grain!

1 Mr Brougham, in No. XXV. of the Edinburgh Review, throughout the article concerning Don Pedro de Cevallos, has displayed more politics than policy; many of the worthy burgesses of Edinburgh being so incensed at the infamous principles it evinces, as to have withdrawn their subscriptions. [Here followed, in the First Edition: "The name of this personage is pronounced Broom in the south, but the truly northern and musical pronunciation is BROUGH-AM, in two syllables;" but for this, Byron substituted in the Second Edition: "It seems that Mr Brougham is not a Pict, as I supposed, but a Borderer, and his name is pronounced Broom, from Trent to Tay:be it."

OS

[The title of the work was "Exposition of the Practices and Machinations which led to the usurpation of the Crown of Spain," etc., by Don Pedro Cevallos. The article, which appeared in October, 1808, was the joint composition of Jeffrey and Brougham, and proved a turningpoint in the political development of the Review.]

2 I ought to apologise to the worthy Deities for introducing a new Goddess with short petticoats to their notice: but, alas! what was to be done? I could not say Caledonia's Genius, it being well known there is no Genius to be found from Clackmannan to Caithness; yet without supernatural agency, how was Jeffrey to be saved? The national "Kelpies" are too unpoetical, and the "Brownies" and "gude neighbours" (spirits of a good disposition) refused to extricate him. A Goddess, therefore, has been called for the purpose; and great ought to be the gratitude of Jeffrey, seeing it is the only communication he ever held, or is likely to hold, with anything heavenly.

Illustrious HOLLAND! hard would be his lot,

His hirelings mentioned, and himself forgot! 2 540 HOLLAND, with HENRY PETTY at his back,

The whipper-in and huntsman of the pack.

Blest be the banquets spread at Holland House,

Where Scotchmen feed, and Critics may carouse!

Long, long beneath that hospitable roof

Shall Grub-street dine, while duns are kept aloof.

See honest HALLAM lay aside his fork,

Resume his pen, review his Lordship's work,

See the colour of the back binding of the Edinburgh Review.

"Bad enough, and on mistaken grounds too. "B., 1816. [The comment applies to the whole passage on Lord Holland.

[Henry Richard Vassall, third Lord Holland (1773-1840), to whom Byron dedicated the Bride of Abydos (1813).]

[Henry Petty (1780-1863) succeeded his brother as third Marquis of Lansdowne in 1809. He was a regular attendant at the social and political gatherings of his relative, Lord Holland; and as Holland House was regarded as one of the main rallying-points of the Whig party and of the Edinburgh Reviewers, the words, "whipper-in and huntsman," probably refer to their exertions in this respect.]

[See note 2, col. 1, p. 111.]

please,

While British critics suffer scenes like these;

Lord Holland has translated some specimens of Lope de Vega, inserted in his life of the author. Both are be praised by his disinterested guests.

Certain it is, her ladyship is suspected of having displayed her matchless wit in the Edinburgh Review. However that may be, we know from good authority, that the manuscripts are submitted to her perusal no doubt, for correction.

In the melo-drama of Tekeli, that heroic prince is clapt into a barrel on the stage a new asylum for distressed heroes. [Theodore Edward Hook (1788-1841) produced Tekeli in 1806.]

[Vide post. 1. 590, note 5.]

5 [William Henry West Betty (1791-1874) ("the Young Roscius") made his first appearance on the London stage as Selim, disguised as Achmet, in Barbarossa, December 1, 1804, and his last, as a boy actor, as Richard III., April 8, (or, ? Hamlet, April 9,) 1806, but acted in the provinces till 1808.]

A these are favourite expressions of Mr nolds, and prominent in his comedies, living djunct. [Frederic Reynolds (1764-1841) duced nearly one hundred plays, one of the 1st successful of which was The Caravan, or Driver and his Dog. The text alludes to his Beavour to introduce the language of ordinary on the stage.]

James Kenney (1780-1849). The World Frought out at Drury Lane, March 31, 1808, had a considerable run.]

Mr T. Sheridan, the new Manager of Drury a theatre, stripped the tragedy of Bonduca ach in the original MS.] of the dialogue, exhibited the scenes as the spectacle of checks. Was this worthy of his sire? or of self? [Thomas Sheridan (1775-1817), the of Richard Brinsiey Sheridan, and father of Dufferin, Mrs Norton, and the Duchess Somerset, was author of several plays. His ca was played at Covent Garden, May 3,

(Gerge Colman, the younger (1762-1836), Ne numerous dramas, several of which, e.g. se iron Chest (1796), The Heir-at-Law (1797),

Ball (1803), have been popular with more an one generation of playgoers. John Bull is tered to in Hints from Horace, line 166.]

Richard Cumberland (1732-1811), the Sinal of Sir Fretful Plagiary in The Critic, an of varied abilities, wrote poetry, plays, ws, classical translations, and works of ous controversy. He published his MePs in 1806-7.]

I

[Andrew Cherry (1762-1812) acted many parts in Ireland and in the provinces, and for a few years appeared at Drury Lane. He was popular in Dublin, where he was known as "Little Cherry." He wrote The Travellers (1806), Peter the Great (1807), and other plays.] 4 Mr [now Sir Lumley Skeffington is the illustrious author of The Sleeping Beauty, and some comedies, particularly Maids and Bachelors: Baccalaurii baculo magis quam lauro digni.

was

[Lumley St George (afterwards Sir Lumley) Skeffington (1771-1850), "Great Skeffington" a great dandy. According to Captain Gronow (Reminiscences, i. 63), "he used to paint his face so that he looked like a French toy." His play The Sleeping Beauty had a considerable vogue.]

5 [Thomas John Dibdin (1771-1841). His pantomime, Mother Goose, in which Grimaldi took a part, was played at Covent Garden in 1807, and is said to have brought the management £20,000.]