The task of giving that universal satisfaction which we have already mentioned in honour of Lord Hobart during his residence in the East, is not only dif ficult, but scarcely attainable; and hence, probably, may be attributed the short duration of his oriental government, which we have before remarked upon : yet it is certainly very flattering, that many testimonies of approbation, and from the best authorities, have followed his Lordship to Europe; nor is it a small addition to these honourable testimonies, that the East India Directors, resident in London, have conferred upon him a pension of 2000l. per annum. Indeed if the approbation of the Ministry can be a proof of the faithful discharge of his mission, the circumstance of his Lordship being called up to the British House of Peers, immediately after his return home, and during the life of his father, by his Majesty's writ, as Baron Hobart of Great Britain, clearly evinces that his Lordship's endeavours have been crowned with success.

His Lordship is said to have secured for himself, while chief Secretary to Lord Westmoreland, the reversion of the office of clerk of the pleas in the Irish exchequer, then held by the late Earl Clonmell, who died during Lord Hobart's residence in India.

The only subject which we have noticed his Lordship delivering his sentiments upon, since he has been

The creation of a Peer by writ is a prerogative of the Crown not often exercised, being a particular mark of royal favour; the wual mode being by letters patent.

called to the House of Peers, was that of the present great and unsettled question of a legislative Union between Great Britain and Ireland; and certainly his Lordship's long residence in, and knowledge of, the sister kingdom, from whence he had been absent only four of the last twenty-two years, afforded him an opportunity of delivering his sentiments upon that head with much local information. His Lordship supported the Ministers by voting for the adoption of this their avowedly most favourite object.

Lord Hobart is now about forty years of age, his person rather above the middle size, remarkably stout, and particularly neat. In private life he is extremely gay, convivial, and chearful, his manners are most engaging, polite and affable. As a public speaker, his arguments are urged with much decorum and plain firmness, nothing of shew or fancy in figurative rhetoric, but his manner ever prepossessing you with the idea of a perfect gentleman, while truth and honour seem to be the impulse which governs his diction.

His Lordship has lately led to the altar the beautiful and accomplished Miss Eden, daughter of Lord Auckland.

MR. BIDLAKE.

IN Mr. Bidlake we have a striking instance of that indefatigable spirit, the true characteristic of a superior mind, which pursues its object with unabating ardour,

ardour, amidst those embarrassments of situation which sink thousands into lethargic imbecility, or hopeless despondence. The progress of genius, like the river confined within a rocky channel, is accelerated by opposition. Thus the daily toil of tuition, and the frequent interruptions of a laborious clerical office, seem to have stimulated the literary exertions of the subject of this memoir. In the course of a few years, divinity, poetry, and education, have alternately exercised his talents in a variety of publications, of which the following, we believe, is an accurate list:

Two volumes of sermons, chiefly on practical subjects, several of which were first printed by request.

A quarto volume of poems on various subjects

The Country Parson: a poem written in the stanza of Spenser. The Precepts of Prudentius: a work "designed by the author to serve as a direction to young persons who are past their puerile days, and are advancing into life."

The Sea a poem in blank verse.

In addition to the above, several shorter poems have appeared in periodical publications, among which, "An Ode to the Snow-drop," the "Natural Child," an elegy, and an "Ode to the Evening Star," have been much admired.*

This

Mr. Bidlake has written a tragedy, entitled " Virginia," which has lately made its, appearance before the public. He has also added a poem of considerable length, entitled the Summer's Eve, of a moral and descriptive nature, and of which rural scenery forms the principal subject. The writer of this article, in as

serting

This gentleman is a native of Plymouth, and was educated at the grammar-school of that place. From thence he removed to Christ-Church, Oxford, where he was honoured with the friendship of the late celebrated Dr. Kennicott, and other characters of eminence. Soon after, taking deacon's orders, he was elected master of the school in which he had passed his pupilage, an office at that time vacant, and where he still continues to train the rising generation to the love of knowledge and virtue; not without the flattering approbation of those who consign their youthful offspring to his care.

The life of a person engaged in the regular routine of education, admits of little variety. This, indeed, may be applied to the votaries of literature in general yet with what eager solicitude are the memoirs of literary characters perused, even though barren of incident. We follow the author through every stage of his existence; the sports of his infancy, the vagrant sallies of youth, and the more deliberate pursuits of manhood are scrutinized with unceasing avidity. To this curiosity many are, no doubt, very naturally prompted by the pleasure they receive from an author's works, and many perhaps by that personal vanity which claims affinity to greatness, from some trifling coincidence of temper or

serting that the author has, in this instance, far surpassed his former poetic effusions, conceives he shall only anticipate the public opinion.

disposition;

disposition; but there are others who, in the contemplation of illustrious characters of genius, struggling with adversity, and rising superior to impending difficulties, feel that divine enthusiasm, which elevates, refines, and invigorates every faculty of the soul. Mr. Bidlake has for some years past scrved the curacy of Stonehouse-chapel, near Plymouth, and is much revered by a numerous and very respectable auditory; on whom his eloquence in illustrating and enforcing the sublime precepts of Christianity, has not been exerted in vain. As a pulpit orator his merit is certainly of the first order. His voice is powerful, yet clear; and his delivery uncommonly impressive. Earnest in his exhortations, and eminently possessing the powers of persuasion, he never fails to interest the feelings, and engross the attention, of his hearers. No man can entertain a stronger sense of those sacred obligations which peculiarly distinguish the clerical office; and more than once, in the exercise of his functions, has the conscious importance of his subject so affected him, as to have rendered him almost incapable of proceeding.

The recollection of talents exerted in promoting the happiness of society,, and the pleasing reflection of having faithfully discharged the duties of an important trust, are the only reward which qualities like these have procured their possessor; for Mr. Bidlake has hitherto had no preferment in the church. He has, however, been appointed chap