1816.]

Incidents, &c. in London and Middlesex.

Morgan, the treasurer, and Mr. Gifford, the secretary, were proposed by the chairman, and the toast drunk with three times three. A series of appropriate toasts succeeded; and several new songs and poetical peices were sung and recited. Two of these will be found in our poetical department.

On the morning of the 1st of June, a fire broke out in the work-shops of Messrs. Irwin and Keep, coach-makers, in Mary-le-bone street, which, together with eight new carriages and eighteen which were building, were totally consumed, and some adjacent premises damaged: A man accidentally passing received so much injury from a timber falling upon him as to occasion his death.

The sale of the Opera-house took place on the 13th of June, at the Chancery sale-room, when the entire property of that splendid theatre was purchased by Mr. Waters, for 41,000l. Thus has ended all litigation respecting this extensive establishment.

The statue of the late Mr. Fox was on the 21st of June placed on its pedestal in Bloomsbury square. Westmacott is the artist, and it is in his best style. The work consists simply of a bronze statue of Mr. Fox, nine feet in height, upon a pedestal of granite; the whole is about 17 feet high. The artist has adopted a sitting position, and habited the statue in the consular robe, the ample folds of which passing over the body and falling from the seat, give breadth and effect to the whole the right arm is extended, the hand supporting Magna Charta; the left is in repose; the head is inclined rather forward, expressive of attention, firmness, and complacency. The inscription in letters of bronze, is "CHARLES JAMES Fox, erected MDCCCXVI."

The British and Foreign Bible Society celebrated their twelfth anniversary, at Free Masons' Hall, with a very numerous and respectable attendance. The report was read only in parts, the transactions of the Society throughout the world having become too numerous to be detailed at a public meeting. It appears that the copies of the Scriptures issued in the last year, are 138,168 bibles, and 110,068 testaments, making a grand total, since the formation of the Society, of one million, five hundred and fifty-seven thousand, nine hundred and seventy-three! The total receipts of the last year have been 92,860l. and the expenditure 103,680. The Chancellor of the Exchequer moved the printing of the report in an interesting speech, in which he particularly noticed the christian treaty between the emperors of Austria and Russia, and the king of Prussia, and said, that although legal and constitutional difficulties prevented the sovereign of this country from acceding in form to this treaty, yet this government was confidently acquainted with every stage of the proceeding, and fully concurred in its principles and spirit. He also stated, that it was not till the return of NEW MONTHLY MAG.-No. 30.

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the Emperor of Russia to St. Petersburgh, that it received the fullest elucidation. In giving the bible to every nation of his vast dominions, in its own language, he fixed the real and most appropriate ratification thereto. The Bishop of Gloucester argued, from the raid circulation of the prayer book since the establishment of the Society, that the increased attention of the poor to religion, by means of this institution, and of which he quoted Southwark and Westminster as examples, had also strengthened the established church, and more firmly seated it in the affections of the community.-Mr. Barclay, M. P. for Southwark, stated, among other facts, that out of 2,500l. raised in that borough, more than 2,100l. had arisen from Bible Associations and the subscribers of one penny a week. The effects of these associations he shewed to be highly beneficial, both as to the funds of the society, the moral effects among the poor, and that union and connexion among different ranks of society, which must produce affection and good-will towards another, and stimulate the lower classes to an orderly and regular conduct, by bringing them more directly under the view and attention of their more wealthy neighbours.-Lord Teignmouth eloquently pointed out the difficulty of finding neutral ground on which all denominations of christians might unite to maintain the great and common cause, but which had been fully accomplished by the fundamental principle of the Bible Society.-The Rev. J. Usko, late chaplain at Smyrna, proved, from his own observation, the great need for the scriptures in the east.-Dr. Thorpe drew a melancholy picture of Ireland and the difficulties in the way of circulating that volume, which was the best remedy for the disease, at the same time speaking in the highest terms of the zeal with which the bishops of Ireland had patronized the society, and endeavoured to give it effect.-The Rishop of Cloyne adverted to the newly-discovered colony at Pitcairn's Island, and pointed out the simple, patriarchal, and pious christian lives of the inhabitants: and which was to be attributed to a bible without note or comment, in the hands of a common sailor.-The Rev. J. Bunting remarked on the peculiarly religious character of our venerable Sovereign, as having greatly upheld the principles of the bible during his reign; and that King George the 3d was a christian not merely by education, but on principle and reflection. It was known that when he was Prince of Wales, he had purchased copies of Leland's View of Deistical Writers, to the amount of 100l., to be distributed among his personal friends. The meeting broke up with a renewed and increasing conviction of the excellence of the cause for which they had met, and with a general resolution to promote it to the best of their abilities and power; convinced that it was the common cause of all who profess Vor. V. 4 C

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Incidents, &c. in London and Middlesex.

christianity, and ought not to be impeded by party spirit or theological jealousy.

The anniversary meeting of the Church Missionary Society recently held, was very numerously attended. The report states the receipts of the society during the past year at 17,000l., resulting from the various auxiliary societies, congregational collections, and other sources for spreading the blessings of the Gospel among the heathen, in conformity with the principles and formularies of the established church. The efforts of the society meet with increasing success, and it is gratifying to find that they enjoy the active patronage of government in Western Africa, where a grant has been made of 1,100 acres of land for the formation of a Christian Institution, where it may be expected that, under the colonial government of Sierra Leone, the system of education may be carried to a much wider extent. In India, new prospects are opening in the Northern Provinces, in the Peninsula, and in Ceylon. Attempts are also making to introduce christianity among the natives of New Zealand, under the zealous and judicious conduct of the Rev. Samuel Marsden. Much seems to have been accomplished in the course of the last twelve months, and a spirit of patient perseverance in encountering all the difficulties so characteristic of Missionary exertions, is discernible in the proceedings of this society.

From the report of the National Society for the Education of the Poor, whose anniversary meeting was held on the 31st of May at the Central School, Baldwin's Gardens, it appears that during the last year, 2,000l. had been contributed towards the funds of the institution; that the central school is in the highest state of proficiency; that 85 masters and 72 mistresses have been trained in it during the year, for schools in the country, and that 217 schools have heen benefitted within the same period, either by the temporary or permanent assistance of these agents of the institution: that within the same period, 192 schools, containing upwards of 17,000 children, have been received into union; and that considerable grants of money have been made in aid of the erection of schools, by which seasonable encouragement, 50 school-rooms have been either built or enlarged; that the society's grand total of schools and children, under national instruction, now amounts, the former to 726, and the latter to 117,000; and that beyond our own coasts, in Ireland, British America, the Cape of Good Hope, and very recently in the presidency of Bombay establishments have been formed for the diffusion of the system.

The report of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, read at its last anniversary meeting, gave general satisfaction. So extensive have been its exertions, that not less than 1,200,000 books were distri

[July 1,

buted by it during the last year: of which 67,000 were prayer-books, and 64,000 bibles and testaments, exclusively of its i mily bible, of which 15,000 have been soki, Through these exertions, however, its disbursements have exceeded its receipts by 3,000l.

On the 13th of June, a very numerous meeting assembled at the Mansion House, on the invitation of the Lord Mayor, for the purpose of promoting the objects of the Seeiety for Superseding the Employment of Climbing Boys in sweeping chimnies. Mr. Tooke, the treasurer of the society, stated what had been already done to accomplish the purpose of the institution, and pointed out the advantage of a mechanical invention, recommended by the society for sweeping chimnies. Sir Francis Burdett announced his intention of proposing a bill to parlisment, for preventing the employment of boys. A master chimney sweep made an ingenious appeal to the meeting in vindication of his fellow tradesmen from the charge of inhumanity, imputing the miseries of the wretched children employed in his trade, to the very nature of the business in which they were engaged. Various resolutions were agreed to, relating to the details of the society; and an exhibition was made of the proposed machine, which seemed admirably calculated for the intended purpose.

The Vauxhall-bridge is expected to be passable for carriages about the beginning of July.

The Strand-bridge, it is said, halts in consequence of the enormous demands of the Duchy of Lancaster, for the ground between the Strand and the river. By the bill now before parliament respecting the latter bridge, it is proposed to denominate it in future the Waterloo Bridge. Canova, the sculptor, on viewing it, expressed the highest admiration of its beauty, saying it was the finest piece of architecture in this country, perhaps in the world, and paid many compliments to Mr. Rennie, the architect.

The report from the select committee of the House of Commons appointed to consider the means of accommodation for transacting the business of the Court of Chancery, recommends that two courts be erected for the Lord High Chancellor, and Vice Chanceller of England, in Lincoln's Inn Gardens, on the north side of the New-square. The building proposed will occupy 73 feet in length, and 73 in depth. Its front will not extend to more than one-third of the whole open space on the south side of the garden, and will not be of a greater height than 35 feet, nor will it be necessary to remove the trees. The expense is estimated at 23,000l. to be defrayed out of the suitors' fund in the Court of Chancery, which now yields, after paying the various expenses charged upon it, an annual surplus of 12,000l. and upwards.

Promotions, Preferments, &c.

Marriages and Deaths in London, &c.

1816.] Accounts of Earl Manvers, Mrs. Lewson, Mr. B. Thompson. 561

nently distinguished for his virtues both in public and private life. He was born in 1741; at an early period of life entered into the army, served in the glorious battle of Minden, in 1759, when only 18 years of age, and retired from the service in consequence of the ill health of his elder brother, Lord Hope, with whom he travelled on the continent in 1764. In 1781 he succeeded his father, and the following year was elected one of the 16 Peers of Scotland. In 1766 he married Elizabeth, daughter of the late Earl of Northesk, by whom he had several daughters, all dead, except Lady Anne, who married admiral Sir Wm. Johnstone Hope, by whom he is succeeded in his estates of Annandale, which devolved to his lordship in 1792 on the death of his uncle. He was created an English baron in 1809, and having died without male issue, is succeeded in his titles by his half brother, Lord Niddry.

In Portman-square, CHARLES PIERREPOINT, Earl MANVERS, Viscount Newark, and Baron Pierrepoint, LL. D. This nobleman, the second son of Philip Medows, esq. by Frances, sister to the last Duke of Kingston, was born in 1737, and educated at Oxford. He was originally intended for the naval service, which, however, he quitted in early life. In 1774 he was returned to parliament for Nottinghamshire, and re-elected for the same county in 1780, 1784, and 1790. On becoming heir to the estates of his uncle, the Duke of Kingston, he assumed, in 1788, the name of Pierrepoint, was elevated to the peerage as a viscount and baron in 1796, and promoted to the dignity of an earl in 1806. In 1774 he married Anne, youngest daughter of Wm. Mills, esq. of Richmond, Surrey, by whom he had issue-Evelyn Henry Frederic, born 1755, died 1801; Charles Herbert, Viscount Newark, who succeeds him in his titles and estates, and who married in 1804 Miss Eyre, eldest daughter of A. H. Eyre, esq. M.P. for Nottinghamshire; Henry Manvers, born 1780; Frances Augusta Eliza, born 1781, married in 1802 to Capt. Win. Bentinck, R. N.; and Philip Sidney, born 1786, married 1810 to Georgiana, only daughter of the late H. G. Brown, esq. of Imley Park, Northamptonshire, and relict of Pryce Edwards, esq. of Talgarth, Merionethshire. The late nobleman was much attached to agricultural pursuits. Extensive plantations upon his estates in Nottinghamshire, especially in and about Thoresby Park, were formed by him, and he warmly interested himself in promoting the breed of sheep by the introduction of merinos.

In Coldbath square, at the very advanced age of 116 years, Mrs. JANE LEWSON, commonly called Lady Lewson, from her very eccentric manner of dress. She was born in 1700, in Essex street, Strand, of most respectable parents of the name of Vaughan, and was married at an early age to a wealthy gentleman of the name of Lewson, then liv

ingin the house in which she died. For the last 30 years she had kept no servant, except an old female, who died ten years ago: she was succeeded by the old woman's granddaughter, who was married about three years since; and she was succeeded by an old man, who attended the different houses in the square to go of errands, clean shoes, &c. Mrs. Lewson took this man into her house, and he acted as her steward, butler, cook, and house-maid, and, with the exception of two old lap-dogs and a cat, he was her only companion. The house she occupied was large and elegantly furnished, but very ancient; the beds were kept constantly made, although they had not been slept in for about 50 years. Her apartment being only occasionally swept out, but never washed, the windows were so crusted with dirt, that they hardly admitted a ray of light. A large garden in the rear of the house was the only thing she paid attention to; this was always kept in good order: and here, when the wea ther permitted, she enjoyed the air, or sometimes sat and read, of which she was parti cularly foud, or else chatted on ties past with any of the few remaining friends whose visits she permitted. She was so partial to the fashions that prevailed in her youthful days, that she never changed the manner of her dress from that worn in the reign of George the First. Her manner of living was extremely methodical; she universally enjoyed an excellent state of health, assisted in regulating her house, and never had, until a little previous to her decease, an hour's illness. She entertained the greatest aversion to medicine; and what is remarkable, she cut two new teeth at the age of 87, and never lost one in her life, nor was she ever troubled with tooth-ach. Her sight latterly failed her. She was supposed to be the most faithful living historian of the age; the events of the year 1715 being fresh in her recollection.

In Nelson square, Blackfriars' road, Mr. BENJAMIN THOMPSON. He was the son of Benj. Blaydes Thompson, esq. a most respected merchant and magistrate, of Kingston-upon-Hull, who gave him an excellent education, with a view to his embracing the profession of the law, which Mr. Thompson declined, and was sent by his father on commercial business into Germany, where he entered into habits of friendship with the celebrated Kotzebue, and became a warm admirer of the German drama :hence our stage was indebted to him for the translation of The Stranger, which has been so eminently successful.-Mr. Thompson also rendered into English, and published with great success, many others of his friend's theatrical works in three volumes, and above twenty other German plays by different authors. The public is also indebted to him for numerous translations from the French, particularly a work on the subject of Merino