thor. The result of that interview was an offer of employment in the Foreign Department, which he accepted. "From this period, until the conclusion of the war, Mr. Johnson was constantly engaged in a course of most important, confidential missions, which, there is the strongest reason to believe, be uniformly executed to the entire satisfaction of the Government, but often with imminent personal risk to himself. He traversed the Continent, from one extremity to the other, and in different directions, during the most perilous times. He was frequently with the Allied armies in Germany, and with the Sicilian army: he was with Count Nugent in his campaigns in Italy; and he visited Paris, upon several occasions, during the war. After the peace of Paris, in 1814, he was appointed British Chargé d'Affaires at Brussels, and filled that situation until the union of the Netherlands with Holland. He was then appointed British Consul at Genoa, where he resided but a short time. His health and constitution had been so much impaired by the fatigues he had undergone during the three preceding years, that he found it necessary to remove to Florence, for the purpose of occasional visits to Pisa, the genial influence of whose climate, and the baths, it was hoped, might operate a favourable change. Whether a lengthened retirement in that delightful country might have completely re-established his health, is very doubtful; but, unfortunately, he did not long enjoy the repose, from cares of public business, which was so essential to its amelioration. "A singular occurrence of circumstances had led to an arrangement which afforded Great Britain an opportunity of establishing a powerful influence in the councils of the South of Europe. The advantages which would arise to this country from the permanence of such a system, have been long well understood; but, until the late war, it could never have been contemplated as at all practicable. Events, however, having occurred to lead the Austrian Court to become a principal agent in its formation, nothing seemed to be wanting to its consummation but the immediate and public guarantee of the British Government. This was, by the successful intrigues of parties anxious for the removal of Murat, too long retarded; and the rashly formed schemes of that person, originating in his inpatient distrust of the proceedings at Congress, once more involved Italy in a on the British Ministers, and too much impressed with the importance of maintaining the arrangement in question, to remain a listless observer of events. He entered into an extensive correspondence, for the purpose of acquiring and communicating correct information on the subject; and, when the affair was brought to a crisis, by the irruption of Murat's forces into the Roman States, and the marching of the Austrian army, apprehensive that the approaching conflict might lead to further measures, equally fatal in their consequences to British interests in Italy, he made se veral journeys to the Austrian beadquarters, with the view of ascertaining what were the ulterior projects of that army. The great mental and bodily fa tigue which he underwent at this pe riod was far beyond his strength; and, upon the conclusion of the short campaign of 1815, the state of his health had sensibly become much worse. He had long been afflicted with a severe pulmonary affection; and the remarkably unfavourable summer of that year contributed to increase the distressing effects of that fatal disease. The ener gies of his mind, however, would seem to have suffered but little; for, both his correspondence, and the reports of those who were then enjoying his society, tes tify that he continued in the possession of his accustomed spirits to within a very short period of his death. That event was rapidly accelerated by a fresh cold which he contracted; and the rup ture of a blood-vessel, after a few days' confinement to his bed, prematurely ter minated the life of this most amiable and accomplished man. "It is difficult to trace, in a few lines, a character which would convey to the mind of the reader a full comprehension of the exalted qualities and various ta lents of Mr. Johnson. Disappointed, early in life, of all the bright prospects which a sanguine imagination had, not without solid grounds, led him to anticipate, and left so entirely to his own guidance as not to have even the kindly aid of older counsel, he resigned him. self neither to despondent indolence, nor to thoughtless dissipation. As soon as he had ascertained what were his re sources, in respect to fortune, he set about the cultivation of the talents be possessed, with a view to his advancement in life; and having decided upon the course which he should pursue, he never deviated from the path, to adopt other schemes, or to waste his time in fruitless and varying experiments. Ta citus, speaking of a very eminent man, "Mr. Johnson was too well informed says, that he was creatus ab ipso; and, of the arts which were used to impose perhaps, in no instance, could the high state of war. and and honourable eulogy which that expression conveys be more justly or fitly applied than to the subject of this memorial. Bereaved of all the adventitious circumstances which usually attend a gentleman upon his entrance into life, without a profession,-with little fortune, with no family connexion to promote his pursuits,-and, it may be added, without a name to recommend him to attention,-be controlled and conquered his adverse fortune; aud, if his life had been prolonged to the ordinary term of our mortal existence, and his health restored, he would, certainly, have raised himself as high in public rank as he would ever have desired. ners. "Several circumstances of a personal nature contributed to his successful career. To the usual accomplishments of a well-educated gentleman, he united an agreeable person and attractive manIn his social hours, he could equally fix the attention of the grave and serious, the scholar and the statesman, with the fruits of a well-cultured and acute understanding; and of the gay and superficial, with the delightful exercise of genuine wit and humour. There was a poignancy in his wit, which, even when the bad state of his health had considerably damped the natural playful vivacity of his spirits, always charmed his hearers into admiration. Nor should it be neglected to observe that, although in the display of humour he could scarcely be excelled, having a singular command over the expression of his countenance, and the modulation and tone of his voice, from his earliest years not a single instance can be remembered in which he indulged in this seductive talent at the expense of an individual. He had an uncommon facility in acquiring languages and dialects; a quality for which his father is said, likewise, to have been remarkable. It was not merely a knowledge of the true idiom, and the fluent use, of foreign languages, which he was able to attain; but his pronunciation was such, that if by a nicely constructed ear it could not be deemed purely vernacular, it so nearly approximated to it, as to leave his auditors often doubtful whether he were a foreigner. It was a confident assurance of his powers in this respect, probably, which led him, in after-life, to risk his personal safety, in times, and under circumstances, which have never been paralleled; and, to which, indeed, in several instances, he could alone attribute his escape. In him, also, a mild and placable temper was united with great independence and firmness of mind, and a manner, which, while it uniformly commanded attention and respect, indicated an uncommon suppleness in accommodating itself to the passing occasion. "In later years, and in public life, be was distinguished for the vast extent and accuracy of his information on political subjects; for a perfect knowledge of the powers, resources, and policy of the several Continental States, in all their various details, and for profound views of their capabilities, and of the combinations which might be formed of them; for his powers in discriminating the characters of the men with whom he had to deal, in successfully combating deeply - rooted prejudices, and in leading them on to a seeming spontaneous adoption of the measures which he had to recommend. Untinctured with the arrogance of manner of which the English character is so generally accused abroad, he could nevertheless exhibit, when occasion required it, a decision of purpose, which left no ground to question its permanence, and often conduced to a conviction of the propriety of acceding to it. His reputation for probity was so well established, that his verbal assurance has actually been deemed a better guarantee than an official communication, on more than one occasion. And, it seldom happened, where the person was worthy of his esteem, that in rising from a conference with a stranger, a foundation had not been laid for future intimacy and friendship. Indeed, the general esteem which he had acquired was often the means of protecting him against the adventurous spirit with which he executed his missions; for, even from the Enemy's councils, he has received a friendly warning of approaching or impending danger. Such "The fate which a manly, honourable, and loyal heart would dread the most, would be to pine away the remainder of his days in the solitary recess of a dungeon, exposed, alternately, to offers of release and reward, and to tortures, to induce him to betray the interests of his Country, under a conviction that that Country and bis friends would be kept ignorant of his hard fortune; and which, probably, would at length be consummated by the murderous hands of a cowardly and malignant Enemy.-Those who were in the babit of moving in the political circles of the Continent during the latter years of Buonaparte's reign, know well the paralysing effect which the mysterious fates of Pichegru, Wright, Teussaint, the Duke D'Enghien, Palm, Hoffer, and others, had on the minds and conduct of Riany men of undoubted courage." of of his countrymen as chance threw in his way, during the perilous period adverted to, found in him a ready source of valuable advice, and a liberal hospitality, which his scanty appointments might have well excused. He was in close and friendly correspondence with the principal Ministers and Generals, and leading Public Characters, of almost all the States of Europe; and his premature death was alike lamented and considered by them as a great public and private loss. It has been repeated by several persons, who were then travelling on the Continent, that that melancholy event was a subject of general conversation at Vienna, Berlin, and other of the Courts of Germany where he hau long resided, as well as in Italy, where he was not less known and respected and it is partly from this strong expression of public sentiment abroad, and the consequent inquiries of travellers who have returned, that the present attempt to sketch a few features of his history has originated. "After the conclusion of the war, the circle of Mr. Johnson's acquaintance among his Countrymen was quickly enlarged. The numbers who flocked to the Continent eagerly sought for information on the passing occurrences; and no man was to be found, in the societies in which he moved, possessed of clearer views of the events which had conduced to the glorious result of the last struggles for European independence than himself. He had an inexhaustible fund of anecdote, which he was accustomed to communicate in a manner peculiarly his own; for, while the novelty of the subject amused the mind, it was insensibly instructed upon some of those nicer points in the characters of men, which often afford the best key to the circumstances of their conduct, and of public transactions. There were few persons of consequence among those who first became acquainted with him whilst he was at Brussels, who did not seek to maintain that acquaintance; and among those whom he afterwards met in the prosecution of their tours, at Vienna, or in Italy, there were several of the highest attainments and rank in this country, who soon cherished a sincere esteem and friendship for him. In the Literary circles of Italy, also, he was equally respected; and an early opportunity was there taken of testifying the general sense of his merits and virtues, in a mode the most congenial to his feelings. In the course of his diplomatic career, he had been invited to become a member of several Foreign Orders; and, among them, of the Imperial Order of Leopold. All of these, however, from motives which would be applauded, he had declined to accept; but (he observes in a letter to a friend in England) I cannot prevail upon my vanity to refuse its consent to the proposal to nominate me an honorary member of the Academia Ita liana, a Society which includes among its members many of the most eminent literary characters in Europe; at present, however, it does not comprise a single English name.' Upon this occasion, three British subjects were ad mitted into the Society, viz.: Lord Burghersh, the British Minister; Lord Glenbervie, then residing in Tuscany; and Mr. Johnson. "In his friendships, Mr. Johnson was sincere, affectionate, and constantly zealous. He always evinced an acute sense of attentions shewn to him in early life; and he ever gratefully acknowledged an obligation conferred upon him, and anxiously sought for opportunities of proffering reciprocal kindnesses. He was never married; and, there is reason to think that he had early determined, from principles of a generous and delicate nature, not to enter into that state. His friends will long deplore his premature death, and cherish the recollection of his many virtues, and high and fascinating endowments and his Country may truly regret the loss of an active, intelligent, zealous, faithful, and valuable servant, and should gratefully render to his memory the praise which, dying, he so justly claimed, that HE HAD DEVOTED HIS LIFE TO THE SERVICE OF HIS COUNTRY.' He died at Florence, on the 10th September 1815, and was interred on the following day in the burialground belonging to the British Factory, near Leghorn, York Buildings, May 1, 1817. I.W." Some extracts are next given from a small portion of Mr. Johnson's familiar correspondence, which "exhibit his character more fully in some of the points of view in which it has been placed in the preceding account, and afford some further par ticulars of his life." Of these, let one specimen suffice: "I cannot sufficiently express the pleasure I derive from the company of Lord and Lady G. You had, it is true, prepared me to expect much gratification from an acquaintance with them; but, so little accustomed have ! been to mere domestic society, that I was completely ignorant of the charms which it can possess, when so much worth, goodness, and talent, are united in the same persons, as in the present instance. instance. There being a misunder- people, in whose society I have passed The following Memorial was composed, currente calamo, on the morning of Mr. Johnson's decease, by the very learned Professor Ciampi, of Florence. The Epitaph also was from the same friendly pen, and is inscribed on a marble monument erected near his remains. "JOANNES MARIA (* 1) IOHNSON BRITANNVS HONESTISSIMO GENERE LONDINI (* 2) OR TVS GRÆCIS LATINISQUE LITTERIS ET OMNIBVS LIBERALIBVS DISCIPLINIS IN ACADEMIA CAN- "The Editor cannot flatter himself that he is qualified to delineate the characters of the distinguished persons referred to, nor will he attempt it. But he trusts that he shall be excused for repeating, in this place, affected, as he himself has reason to be, by the afflicting event of Lady Gl's. death, what a grateful sense of her kind attentions to him, while suffering under an access of his disease, led Mr. Johnson to express in his subsequent Correspondence; although those who were longer, or more intimately, acquainted with her Ladyship, will readily acknowledge it to be but a faint and imperfect sketch of her many transcendant qualities and virtues. "Lady G's knowledge of ancient and modern classical literature is such as I had conceived no lady of fashion could find time to acquire; and adorned, as it is by her, with an hereditary gracefulness of wit, a sweetness of temper, and an unaffected urbanity of manner, which no language can adequately pourtray, imparts to her society a most enviable and irresistible charm: - Those mental powers and acquirements can only be excelled by the numerous virtues of her warm and affectionate heart, and her genuine piety."" "Mr. Johnson had formed their acquaintance, early in the summer of 1814, when he was Chargé-d'Affaires at Brussels, during their stay at that place. The many civilities they then received from him, and the pleasure they took in his society, laid the foundation of the mutual esteem and regard which they so often mentioned to their friends and acquaintance; and which their daily intercourse, first at Pisa, and afterwards, to the very evening before his death, at Florence, ripened into intimate friendship and affection." son. *The passages distinguished by an asterisk denote mistakes which are contained in the original; for (1) the name should have been John Mordaunt John(2) Both his father's and mother's families had long been settled in Ireland, and he was a native of Dublin: he had resided some time at Trinity College, in that city, previously to his admission into Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was first known by the names of John Johnson; and the name Mordaunt was assumed some years afterwards, for the sake of distinction, the frequent occurrence of the former names having caused him much inconvenience." TIONEM PLENISSIME COMPROBARIT MULTIS IN ITALIA HISPANIA (3) GERMANIA FVNCTVS NEGOCIIS TANTA DEXTERITATE SOLERTIA FIDE VT EIVS MORS PVBLICA IACTVRA HABENDA SIT. LICVISSET PATRIÆ SVÆ SPERARE MAIORA NISI LETHALIS MORBI SEMEN EX RIGORE HYEMALIB TEMPESTATIS SVSCEPISSET DVM PVBLICE LEGATVS APVD EXERCITVS FOEDERATOS CONTRA GALLOS IN GERMANIA MANEBAT. QVARE OB ANIMI REMISSIONEM ET INFIRME VALETVDINIS CVRAM JANVÆ CONSEDIT REBVS MARITIMIS BRITANNIE MERCATORVM PRÆFECTVS. HINC OB AEREM INCLEMENTIOREM QVAM SVA FERRET VALETVDO PISAS MIGRAVIT INDE FLORENTIAM VBI ALIQVOT POST MENSES HÆMOPHTHISI MORBO ABSVMPTVS EST QUARTO IDVS SEPTEMBRIS HORA QVINTA POST MEDIAM NOCTEM ANNO R. S. OCTINGENTESIMO DECIMO QUINTO SVPRA MILLE CVM VIXISSET ANNOS XXXVII. P. M. (* 4) QVAMQVAM SVPREMVM DIEM OBIERIT APVD EXTERNOS EIVS FVNVS LACRIME SVNT INSECVTE NON AMICORVM SOLVMMODO SED ETIAM VNIVERSORVM QVI NOVERANT EX QVO MAXIME PATVIT VIKTVTEM DILIGI PER SE APVD OMNES. FVIT ENIM PIVS IN DEVM HVMANVS ERGA CETEROS HOMINES INGENIO LENIS-IMO SVAVISSIMIS MORIBVS AMICOS QVOS EXPERIMENTO SEMEL ADMISISSET NVNQVAM RELIQUIT. ITALICA LIN. GVA FACVNDE ELEGANTERQVE VTEBATVR ET HAC ETIAM DE CAVSA VTPOTE QUÆ POTISSIMA SIT ANIMORVM CONCILIATRIX COMMVNIO SERMONIS ITALOS HOMINES ARCTISSIME SIBI DEVINXERAT. LOQVEBATVR ITEM HISPANICE GALLICE GERMANICE ADEO SCITE VT DIFFICILE IVDICATV ESSET VTRA FVERIT ILLI LINGVA VERNACVLA. INGRVENTEM MORTEM FORTISSIME EXCEPIT ET EXITV PLACIDISSIMO OBIVIT. IN ARCA PLVMBEA COMPOSITVS PROPE PORTVM LABRONEM CONDITVS EST IN BRITANNORVM COEMETERIO EX TESTAMENTO OPERA AMICORVM MACHII (†) BRITANNI ET HADRIANI BRVCK FLORENTINI CVRATORVM HEREDITATIS. SEBAS TIANVS CIAMPI AD ÆTERNAM VIRI OPTIMI DEQVE SE BENE MERENTIS MEMORIAM ET IN 50LATIVM IACTVRÆ TAM CARI CAPITIS HÆC SCRIBEBAT DIE OBITVS ET PLVMBEA FISTULA PROPE CINERES AMICI INCLVDI CVRAVIT." "IOANNES. MARIA. IOHNSON. BRITANNYS HONESTO. NATVS. GENERE. DOMO. LONDINO MORIENS. IVSSIT. HOC VNVM. DE SE. INSCVLPI. SEPVLCRO IDQVE. IVSSIT NON. AD. LAVDEM. SED. IN. EXEMPLVM VIXIT. ANNOS. XXXVII • OBIIT. HEMOPHTHISI. MORBO. IV. IDVS. SEPTEMBRIS 74. A Supplement to the Reports in Chancery of Francis Vesey Senior, Esq. Barrister at Law, and late one of the Masters of the High Court of Chancery in Ireland, during the time of Lord Chancellor Hardwicke: comprising Corrections of Statement and Extracts of the Decrees and Orders from the Registrar's Books, References to the Cases cited, Subsequent Determinations on the several Points, some Manuscript Cases, New Marginal Notes, and a Copious Index. By Robert Belt, Esq. of the Inner Temple, Barrister at Law. 8vo. pp. 572. Butterworth; Clarke; &c. &c. MR.BELT has in this Volume, with much industry and accuracy, presented to his Professional Brethren what to them has long been a desideratum ; and it is no small honour to him, that the Work is sanctioned by the great Luminary of the Law by whom the first situation in that very honourable profession is most ably filled ; and to whom Mr. Belt thus pays his grateful acknowledgments: "Your Lordship having honoured this Production with so peculiar a sanction, will ever be to me a source of the greatest satisfaction. I have certainly endea voured with all industry to make it use ful; and it is that endeavour alone which can embolden me to hope that its defects may be treated with indulgence.-Your Lordship and the Profes sion are aware that the valuable Re ports to which my Work is a Supplement, have long required an attempt of the kind; and hence it has for many years been my employment to supply their deficiencies. In this pursuit ! Causes, through a long course of time, have frequently had to trace several to their ultimate result; and I have enriched my humble labours with the Lan "(8) He never exercised any official function in Spain." "(4) His age should have been stated at XXXIX." Dr. Mackie, of Southampton, who was with Mr. Johnson during his last illness." guage |