dated; otherwise the Secretary will have the profound regret to feel that the invitation has been definitively declined.

"2d. The Secretary having represented that the perfection of several of the preparations is so exquisitely evanescent, that the delay of one minute after their arrival at the meridian of concoction, will render them no longer worthy of men of taste,

"Therefore, to ensure the punctual attendance of those illustrious gastrophilists, who on grand occasions are invited to join this high tribunal of taste for their own pleasure and the benefit of their country, it is irrevocably resolved, That the janitor be ordered not to admit any visitor, of whatever eminence of appetite, after the hour which the Secretary shall have announced that the specimens are ready. By order of the Committee, WILLIAM KITCHINER, Sec."

Latterly, Dr. Kitchiner was in the habit of having a small and select party to dine with him previously to his Tuesday evening's converzatione. The last of these delightful meetings was on the 20th of February, 1827. The dinner was, as usual, announced at five minutes after five. As the first three that had been invited entered his drawing-room, he received them seated at his grand piano-forte, and struck up, "See the Conquering Hero comes !" accompanying the air with a peal on the kettle-drums beneath the instrument. This to be sure was droll; but, at all events, it was harmless.

For the regulation of the Tuesday evenings' converzatione alluded to, Dr. Kitchiner used to fix a placard over his chimney-piece, inscribed "At seven come,-at eleven go." It is said, that upon one of these occasions, the facetious George Colman, on observing this admonition, availed himself of an opportunity to add the word " it," making the last line run" at eleven go it!" At these little social meetings, a signal for supper was invariably given at half-past nine. All who were not desirous of further refreshment would then retire; and those who remained descended to the parlour to partake of the friendly fare, according to the season of the

year. A cold joint, a lobster-salad, and some little entremêts, usually formed the summer repast, and in winter a few nicelycooked little hot made-dishes were spread upon the board, with wines, liqueurs, a variety of excellent ales, and other choice stores from his well-stocked cellar. As these parties were composed of the professors and amateurs of all the liberal arts, it will readily be imagined that the mind as well as the body was abundantly regaled that "the feast of reason and the flow of soul" were never wanting. So well were the orderly habits of the Doctor understood, that, at the appointed time, some considerate guest would observe ""Tis on the strike of eleven." Hats and cloaks, coats and umbrellas, were then brought in; the Doctor attended his visitors to the streetdoor, looked up at the stars if there were any visible gave each of his friends a cordial shake of the hand, wished him a hearty good-night, and so the evening was closed.

Dr. Kitchiner ordered his studies with more fastidious precision than is customary with men of genius; who, as it is well known, are in general averse to rules. He kept a slate in his hall, on which his hours for receiving visitors were indicated. Many who knocked at his door thought these humours strange, but no one who knew the Doctor felt offended, even though not admitted. Some favoured few were, however, on what he termed his "free list." To such he was always accessible.

We must now speak of Dr. Kitchiner's books. Optics, music, cookery, and travelling, were his four principal subjects. His first publication, entitled "Practical Observations on Telescopes," 8vo. appeared anonymously in 1815. The third edition was published in 1819. In the mean while he had communicated to the Philosophical Magazine an "Essay on the Size best adapted for Achromatic Glasses; with Hints to Opticians and Amateurs of Astronomical Studies on the Construction and Use of Telescopes in general." (Phil. Mag. vol. xlvi. p. 122.) These established his fame as an amateur optician; and the "Apicius Redivivus; or Cook's Oracle," 12mo. 1817, signalized him as an amateur gastronomist. In

1822 he published "The Art of Invigorating and Prolonging Life by Food, Clothes, Air, Exercise, Wine, Sleep, &c.; and Peptic Precepts. To which is added the Pleasure of making a Will," 12mo. In 1822 he issued a small octavo volume of "Observations on Vocal Music;" and in the same year a handsome folio of "The Loyal and National Songs of England, selected from Original Manuscripts and early printed Copies" in his own library. Next followed "The Housekeeper's Ledger;" and in 1825 he revised his former work on optics, and published it under the title of "The Economy of the Eyes," in two parts; the first on the subject in general, and on spectacles, opera-glasses, &c.; and " Part II. Of Telescopes." At his death he left ready for the press a work which has since been published under the title of "The Traveller's Oracle." It contains a great deal of curious and whimsical matter; but if it possessed no other merit than that of having elicited the admirable review which appeared in Blackwood's Magazine of October last, it would not have been published in vain.

Dr. Kitchiner was married many years ago, but a separation soon ensued. His wife, by whom he had no family, is still living. A natural son, who has been educated at Cambridge, inherits the bulk of his property. The Doctor's will, made about sixteen years since, is as remarkable for its eccentricity as any of the productions of the testator; and it is said that another, making some serious alterations in the disposal of his property, was intended for signature on the Wednesday following the night on which he died.

On the 26th of February, 1827, Dr. Kitchiner dined at his friend Braham's, in Baker Street; and was in better spirits than usual, as, for some time past, in consequence of a spasmodic affection and palpitation of the heart, he had been occasionally observed in a desponding state. He had ordered his carriage at half-past eight, but the pleasure he experienced in the company induced him to stay till eleven. On his way home to Warren Street, Fitzroy Square, he was seized with one of those violent fits of palpitation which he had of late

frequently experienced; and on reaching his house ascended the stairs with a hurried step, and threw himself on a sofa. Every assistance was immediately afforded, but in less than an hour he expired, without consciousness and without a pang.

His remains were interred in the family-vault at the church of St. Clement Danes; but it has been announced that a monument will be erected to his memory in the new church of St. Pancras, in which parish he had long resided.

This amiable and useful man possessed the estimable virtue of never speaking ill of any one: on the contrary, he was a great lover of conciliation, and to many he proved a valuable adviser, and firm friend. In manners he was quiet, and apparently timid. Whenever, however, he entered upon any of his grand hobbies, he was full, cheerful, and even eloquent.

The Literary Gazette, the Monthly Magazine, and the Gentleman's Magazine have contributed to furnish this little Memoir.

No. X.

THE MOST NOBLE

FRANCIS RAWDON HASTINGS,

MARQUIS OF HASTINGS, EARL OF RAWDON, VISCOUNT LOUBARON HASTINGS, BOTREUX, MOLINES, HUNGER

DOUN,

FORD

*

AND RAWDON, AND A BARONET IN ENGLAND; EARL OF MOIRA, AND BARON RAWDON OF MOIRA, CO. DOWN, IN IRELAND; GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF MALTA AND ITS DEPENDENCIES; CONSTABLE AND CHIEF GOVERNOR OF THE TOWER OF LONDON, AND LORD LIEUTENANT AND CUSTOS ROTULORUM OF THE TOWER DIVISION; A PRIVYCOUNSELLOR, and one OF THE COUNCIL OF THE KING IN SCOTLAND AND CORNWALL; COLONEL OF THE 27TH REGIMENT OF FOOT; A GOVERNOR OF THE CHARTER-HOUSE; K. G. G. C. B. G. C. H. F. R. S. F. S. A. AND M. R. I. A.

THE family of Rawdon from which this distinguished nobleman was paternally descended, is of high antiquity at Rawdon near Leeds. The head of the pedigree, Paulyn de Rawdon, is stated to have commanded a band of archers in the service of the Conqueror; and this tradition is alluded to in the family arms, a fess between three pheons (or arrow heads), and their motto "Nos quoque tela sparsimus." The estate of Rawdon, of which the Marquis died possessed, is said to have been the reward of this faithful archer; although the following poetical deed of gift, recorded by Weaver, in his "Funeral Monuments," is probably fictitious :

"I William Kyng, the thurd yere of my reign,

Give to the Paulyn Roydon, Hope and Hopetowne,
With all the bounds both up and downe;

* The ancient baronies of Newmarch, Peverel of Nottingham, Moel of Cadbury, and De Homet, have been added to the above titles; but are not attributed to the Marquis in Nicolas's Synopsis of the Peerage.