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(November, 1811.)

Memoirs of the Political and Private Life of James Caulfield, Earl of Charlemont, Knight of St. Patrick, &c. &c. By FRANCIS HARDY, Esq., Member of the House of Commons in the three last Parliaments of Ireland. 4to. pp. 426. London: 1810.*

THIS is the life of a Gentleman, written by ■ Gentleman, and, considering the tenor of many of our late biographies, this of itself is no slight recommendation. But it is, moreover, the life of one who stood foremost in the political history of Ireland for fifty years preceding her Union, that is, for the whole period during which Ireland had a history or politics of her own-written by one who was a witness and a sharer in the scene, a man of fair talents and liberal views,-and distinguished, beyond all writers on recent politics that we have yet met with, for the handsome and indulgent terms in which he speaks of his political opponents. The work is enlivened, too, with various anecdotes and fragments of the correspondence of persons eminent for talents, learning, and political services in both countries; and with a great number of characters, sketched with a very powerful, though somewhat too favourable hand, of almost all who distinguished themselves, during this momentous period, on the scene of Irish affairs. From what we have now said, the reader will conclude that we think very favourably of this book: And we do think it both entertaining and instructive. But (for there is always a but in a Reviewer's praises) it has also its faults and imperfections; and these, alas! so great and so many, that it requires all the good nature we can catch by sympathy from the author, not to treat him now and then with a terrible and exemplary severity. He seems, in the first place, to have begun and ended his book, without ever forming an idea of the distinction between private and public history; and sometimes tells us stories about Lord Charlemont, and about people who were merely among his accidental acquaintance, far too long to find a place even in a biographical memoir;-and sometimes enlarges upon matters of general history, with which Lord Charlemont has no other connection, than that they happened during his life, with a minuteness which would not be tolerated in a professed annalist. The biography again is broken, not only by large patches of historical matter, but by miscellaneous reflections, and anecdotes of all manner of persons; while, in the historical part, he successively makes the most unreasonable presumptions on the realer's knowledge, his ignorance, and his curiosity,-overlaying him, at one time,

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with anxious and uninteresting details, and, at another, omitting even such general and summary notices of the progress of events as are necessary to connect his occasional narratives and reflections.

The most conspicuous and extraordinary of his irregularities, however, is that of his style;-which touches upon all the extremes of composition, almost in every page, or every paragraph;-or rather, is entirely made up of those extremes, without ever resting for an instant in a medium, or affording any pause for softening the effects of its contrasts and transitions. Sometimes, and indeed most frequently, it is familiar, loose, and colloquial, beyond the common pitch of serious conver sation; at other times by far too figurative, rhetorical, and ambitious, for the sober tone of history. The whole work indeed bears more resemblance to the animated and versatile talk of a man of generous feelings and excitable imagination, than the mature production of an author who had diligently corrected his manuscript for the press, with the fear of the public before his eyes. There is a spirit about the work, however,-independent of the spirit of candour and indulgence of which we have already spoken,-which redeems many of its faults; and, looking upon it in the light of a memoir by an intelligent contemporary, rather than a regular history or profound dissertation, we think that its value will not be injured by a comparison with any work of this description that has been recently offered to the public.

The part of the work which relates to Lord Charlemont individually, though by no means the least interesting, at least in its adjuncts and digressions,—may be digested into a short summary. He was born in Ireland in 1728; and received a private education, under a succession of preceptors, of various merit and assiduity. In 1746 he went abroad, without having been either at a public school or an university; and yet appears to have been earlier distinguished, both for scholarship and polite manners, than most of the ingenuous youths that are turned out by these celebrated seminaries. He remained on the Continent no less than nine years; in the course of which, he extended his travels to Greece, Turkey, and Egypt; and formed an intimate and friendly acquaintance with the celebrated David Hume, whom he met both I reprint only those parts of this paper which at Turin and Paris-the President Montesrelate to the personal history of Lord Charlemont, quieu-the Marchese Maffei--Cardinal Albani and some of his contemporaries with the excep.-Lord Rockingham-the Duc de Nivernoistion of one brief reference to the revolution of 1782, which I retain chiefly to introduce a remarkable letter of Mr. Fox's on the formation and principles of the new government, of that

year.

and various other eminent persons. He had rather a dislike to the French national charac ter; though he admired their literature, and the general politeness of their manners.

In 1755 he returned to his native country, at the age of twenty-eight; an object of interest and respect to all parties, and to all individuals of consequence in the kingdom. His intimacy with Lord John Cavendish naturally disposed him to be on a good footing with his brother, who was then Lord Lieutenant; and "the outset of his politics," as he has himself observed, "gave reason to suppose that his life would be much more courtly than it proved to be." The first scene of profligacy and court intrigue, however, which he witnessed, determined him to act a more manly part"to be a Freeman," as Mr. Hardy says, in the purest sense of the word, opposing the court or the people indiscriminately, whenever he saw them adopting erroneous or mischievous opinions." To this resolution, his biographer adds, that he had the virtue and firmness to adhere; and the consequence was, that he was uniformly in opposition to the court for the long remainder of his life!

which his youth had been delighted, t
those patriotic duties to which he had devein
his middle age. The sittings of the Ins
Academy, over which he presided from is:
first foundation, were frequently held at Chr
lemont House; and he always extendeu de i
most munificent patronage to the professorse
art, and the kindest indulgence to youthie
talents of every description. His health h
declined gradually from about the year 17,
and he died in August 1799,-esteemed al
regretted by all who had had any opportun
of knowing him, in public or in private, asi
friend or as an opponent. Such is the sur
reward of honourable sentiments, and mi
and steady principles!

To this branch of the history belongs a siderable part of the anecdotes and charada with which the book is enlivened; and i particular manner, those which Mr. Har has given, in Lord Charlemont's own 102 from the private papers and memoirs wh have been put into his hands. His Lordy appears to have kept a sort of journal of ewi thing interesting that befel him through at and especially during his long residence I the Continent. From this document Mr. 5dy has made copious extracts, in the ear part of his narrative; and the general styled them is undoubtedly very creditable is t noble author, a little tedious, perhaps, and then,-and generally a little too studiosy and maturely composed, for the private moranda of a young man of talents-but always in the style and tone of a gentlema, and with a character of rationality, and calm indulgent benevolence, that is infinitely mor pleasing than sallies of sarcastic wit, or period of cold-blooded speculation.

Though very regular in his attendance on the Irish Parliament, he always had a house in London, where he passed a good part of the winter, till 1773; when feelings of patriotism and duty induced him to transfer his residence almost entirely to Ireland. The polish of his manners, however, and the kindness of his disposition,-his taste for literature and the arts, and the unsuspected purity and firmness of his political principles, had before this time secured him the friendship of almost all the distinguished men who adorned England at this period. With Mr. Fox, Mrs. Burke, and Mr. Beauclerk-Sir Joshua Reynolds, Dr. Johnson, Sir William Chalmers and many others of a similar character-he was always particularly intimate. During the Lieutenancy of the Earl of Northumberland, in 1772, One of the first characters that appears he was, without any solicitation, advanced to the scene, is our excellent countryman, the the dignity of an Earl; and was very much celebrated David Hume, whom Lord Chule distinguished and consulted during the short mont first met with at Turin, in the year 1750: period of the Rockingham administration;--and of whom he has given an account rather though neither at that time, nor at any other, more entertaining, we believe, than accurate invested with any official situation. In 1768, We have no doubt, however, that it reces he married; and in 1780, he was chosen Gene- with perfect fidelity the impression which be ral of the Irish Volunteers, and conducted him- then received from the appearance and self in that delicate and most important com-versation of that distinguished philosopher. mand, with a degree of temper and judgment, | But, with all our respect for Lord Charlero liberality and firmness, which we have no doubt contributed, more than any thing else, both to the efficacy and the safety of that most perilous but necessary experiment. The rest of his history is soon told. He was the early patron and the constant friend of Mr. Grattan; and was the means of introducing the Single-Speech Hamilton to the acquaintance of Mr. Burke. Though very early disposed to relieve the Catholics from a part of their disabilities, he certainly was doubtful of the pru-unlike his real character than David Hume. The "Nature, I believe, never formed any man mos dence, or propriety, of their more recent pretensions. He was from first to last a zealous, powers of physiognomy were baffled by his counte nance; nor could the most skilful in that science, active, and temperate advocate for parlia- pretend to discover the smallest trace of the facul mentary reform. He was averse to the Legis-ties of his mind, in the unmeaning features of his lative Union with Great Britain. He was uniformly steady to his principles, and faithful to his friends; and seems to have divided the latter part of his life pretty equally between those elegant studies of literature and art by

we cannot allow a young Irish Lord, on bis first visit at a foreign court, to have been pr cisely the person most capable of appreciating the value of such a man as David Humeand though there is a great fund of truth in the following observations, we think they lustrate the character and condition of the person who makes them, fully as much as that of him to whom they are applied.

visage. His face was broad and fat, his mouth wide, and without any other expression than that of imbecility. His eyes, vacant and spiritless; and fitted to communicate the idea of a turtle-eating althe corpulence of his whole person was far better derman, than of a refined philosopher. His speech,

English, was rendered ridiculous by the broadest | "ever showed a mind more truly beneficer. than cotch accent; and his French was, if possible, Hume's whole conduct with regard to Rousseau. ill more laughable; so that wisdom, most certain-That story is too well known to be repeated; and never disguised herself before in so uncouth a exhibits a striking picture of Hume's heart, whilst irb. Though now near fifty years old he was it displays the strange and unaccountable vanity and ealthy and strong; but his health and strength, madness of the French, or rather Swiss moralist. r from being advantageous to his figure, instead When first they arrived together from France, hapmanly comeliness, had only the appearance of pening to meet with Hume in the Park, I wished isticity. His wearing an uniform added greatly him joy of his pleasing connection; and particularly > his natural awkwardness; for he wore it like a hinted, that I was convinced he must be perfectly rocer of the trained bands. Sinclair was a lieuten-happy in his new friend, as their religious opinions nt-general, and was sent to the courts of Vienna were, I believed, nearly similar. Why no, man,' nd Turin as a military envoy, to see that their said he, in that you are mistaken. Rousseau is ota of troops was furnished by the Austrians and not what you think him. He has a hankering after 'iedmontese. It was therefore thought necessary the Bible; and, indeed, is little better than a Chrishat his secretary should appear to be an officer; tian, in a way of his own!'"-p. 120. nd Hume was accordingly disguised in scarlet.

Having thus given an account of his exterior, it but fair that I should state my good opinion of his haracter. Of all the philosophers of his sect, none, believe, ever joined more real benevolence to its nischievous principles than my friend Hume. His ove to mankind was universal, and vehement; and here was no service he would not cheerfully have lone to his fellow-creatures, excepting only that of uffering them to save their own souls in their own way. He was tender-hearted, friendly, and chartable in the extreme."-pp. 8, 9.

His Lordship then tells a story in illustration of the philosopher's benevolence, which we have no other reason for leaving out-but that we know it not to be true; and concludes a litle dissertation on the pernicious effects of his loctrines, with the following little anecdote; of the authenticity of which also, we should entertain some doubts, did it not seem to have fallen within his own personal knowledge.

"He once professed himself the admirer of a young, most beautiful, and accomplished lady, at Turin, who only laughed at his passion. One day he addressed her in the usual common-place strain, that he was abimé, anéanti-Oh! pour anéanti,' replied the lady, ce n'est en effet qu'une opération très-naturelle de votre systême.'"-p. 10.

The following passages are from a later part of the journal: but indicate the same turn of mind in the observer:

"Hume's fashion at Paris, when he was there as Secretary to Lord Hertford, was truly ridiculous; and nothing ever marked in a more striking manner, the whimsical genius of the French. No man, from his manners, was surely less formed for their society, or less likely to meet with their approbation; but that flimsy philosophy which pervades and deadens even their most licentious novels, was then the folly of the day. Freethinking and Eng. lish frocks were the fashion, and the Anglomanie was the ton du pais. From what has been already said of him, it is apparent that his conversation to strangers, and particularly to Frenchmen, could be little delightful; and still more particularly, one would suppose to Frenchwomen. And yet, no lady's toilette was complete without Hume's at tendance! At the opera, his broad, unmeaning face was usually seen entre deux jolis minois. The ladies in France give the ton, and the ton, at this time, was deism; a species of philosophy ill suited to the softer sex, in whose delicate frame weakness is interesting, and timidity a charm. But the women in France were deists, as with us they were charioteers. How my friend Hume was able to endure the encounter of those French female Titans, I know not. In England, either his philosophic pride, or his conviction that infidelity was ill suited to women, made him always averse from the initiation of ladies into the mysteries of his doctrine." pp. 121, 122.

Nothing,"
,” adds his Lordship, in anotner place,

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"In London, where he often did me the honour to communicate the manuscripts of his additional Essays, before their publication, I have sometimes, in the course of our intimacy, asked him, whether he thought that, if his opinions were universally to take place, mankind would not be rendered more unhappy than they now were; and whether he did not suppose, that the curb of religion was necessary to human nature? The objections,' answered he, are not without weight; but error never can produce good; and truth ought to take place of all considerations. He never failed, indeed, in the midst

of any controversy, to give its due praise to every thing tolerable that was either said or written against him. His sceptical turn made him doubt, and consequently dispute, every thing; yet was he a fair and pleasant disputant. He heard with patience, and answered without acrimony. Neither his more scrupulous companions. His good sense, was his conversation at any time offensive, even to and good nature, prevented his saying any thing that was likely to shock; and it was not till he was provoked to argument, that, in mixed companies, he entered into his favourite topics."-p. 123.

Another of the eminent persons of whom Lord Charlemont has recorded his impressions in his own hand, was the celebrated Montesquieu; of whose acquaintance he says, and with some reason, he was more vain, than of having seen the pyramids of Egypt. He and another English gentleman paid their first visit to him at his seat near Bourdeaux; and the following is the account of their introduction:

"The first appointment with a favourite mistress could not have rendered our night more restless than this flattering invitation; and the next morning we set out so early, that we arrived at his villa before he was risen. The servant showed us into his library; where the first object of curiosity that presented itself was a table, at which he had apparently been reading the night before, a book lying upon it open, turned down, and a lamp extinguished. Eager to know the nocturnal studies of this great philosopher, we immediately flew to the book. It was a volume of Ovid's Works, containing his Elegies; and open at one of the most gallant poems of that master of love! Before we could overcome our surprise, it was greatly increased by the entrance of the president, whose appearance and manner was totally opposite to the idea which we had formed to ourselves of him. Instead of a grave, austere philosopher, whose presence might strike with awe such boys as we were, the person who now addressed us, was a gay, polite, sprightly Frenchman; who, after a thousand genteel compli ments, and a thousand thanks for the honour we had done him, desired to know whether we would not breakfast; and, upon our declining the offer, having already eaten at an inn not far from the house, Come, then,' says he, let us walk; the day is fine, and I long to show you my villa, as I have endeavoured to form it according to the English taste, and to cultivate and dress it in the English

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manner. Following him into the farm, we soon arrived at the skirts of a beautiful wood, cut into walks, and paled round, the entrance to which was barricadoed with a moveable bar, about three feet high, fastened with a padlock. Come,' said he, searching in his pocket, it is not worth our while to wait for the key; you. I am sure, can leap as well as I can, and this bar shall not stop me.' So saying, he ran at the bar, and fairly jumped over it, while we followed him with amazement, though not without delight, to see the philosopher likely to become our play-fellow."-pp. 32, 33.

In Paris, I have frequently met him in company with ladies, and have been as often astonished at the politeness, the gallantry, and sprightliness of nis behaviour. In a word, the most accomplished, the most refined petit-maître of Paris, could not have been more amusing, from the liveliness of his chat, nor could have been more inexhaustible in that sort of discourse which is best suited to women, than this venerable philosopher of seventy years old. But at this we shall not be surprised, when we reflect, that the profound author of L'Esprit des Loix was also author of the Persian Letters, and of the truly gallant Temple de Gnide.”—p. 36.

The following opinion, from such a quarter, 'night have been expected to have produced nore effect than it seems to have done, on so warm an admirer as Lord Charlemont :

"In the course of our conversations, Ireland, and ts interests, have often been the topic; and, upon hese occasions, I have always found him an advo:ate for an incorporating Union between that counry and England. Were I an Irishman,' said he, I should certainly wish for it; and, as a general lover of liberty, I sincerely desire it; and for this plain reason, that an inferior country, connected with one much her superior in force, can never be certain of the permanent enjoyment of constitutional freedom, unless she has, by her representatives, a proportional share in the legislature of the superior kingdom.'"-Ibid.

Of Lord Charlemont's English friends and associates, none is represented, perhaps, in more lively and pleasing colours than Topham Beauclerk; to the graces of whose conversation even the fastidious Dr. Johnson has borne such powerful testimony. Lord Charlemont, and, indeed, all who have occasion to speak of him, represent him as more accomplished and agreeable in society, than any man of his age of exquisite taste, perfect good-breeding, and unblemished integrity and honour. Undisturbed, too, by ambition, or political animosities, and at his ease with regard to fortune, he might appear to be placed at the very summit of human felicity, and to exemplify that fortunate lot to which common destinies afford such various exceptions.

But there is no such lot. This happy man, so universally acceptable, and with such resources in himself, was devoured by ennui! and probably envied, with good reason, the condition of one half of those laborious and discontented beings who looked up to him with envy and admiration. He was querulous, Lord Charlemont assures us-indifferent, and internally contemptuous to the greater part of the world; and, like so many other accomplished persons, upon whom the want of employment has imposed the heavy task of selfOccupation, he passed his life in a languid and unsatisfactory manner; absorbed sometimes in play, and sometimes in study; and

seeking, in vain, the wholesome exercise of: strong mind, in desultory reading or on temptible dissipation. His Letters, boner, are delightful; and we are extremely ob to Mr. Hardy, for having favoured us with many of them. It is so seldom that the pan animated, and unrestrained language of pola conversation, can be found in a printed bod that we cannot resist the temptation of tre scribing a considerable part of the specime before us; which, while they exemplify the happiest manner, the perfect style da gentleman, serve to illustrate, for more s flecting readers, the various sacrifices that an generally required for the formation of the envied character to which that style bekas A very interesting essay might be writter e the unhappiness of those from whom mor and fortune seem to have removed all t that no better assortment of proofs and de causes of unhappiness:-and we are s trations could be annexed to such an esat than some of the following passages.

"I have been but once at the club since you le England; where we were entertained, as usuz! Dr. Goldsmith's absurdity. Mr. V. can give s an account of it. Sir Joshua intends painting var picture over again; so you may set your beat rest for some time: it is true, it will last so mai the longer; but then you may wait these ten y for it. Elmsly gave me a commission from y about Mr. Walpole's frames for prints, wha perfectly unintelligible: I wish you would expan it, and it shall be punctually executed. The Duke of Northumberland has promised me a pair new pheasants for you; but you must wait till al the crowned heads in Europe have been served first, I have been at the review at Portsmouth. If had seen it, you would have owned, that it is 1 pleasant thing to be a King. It is true, pad who furnished the firs job of the claret to tables with vinegar, under that denominata. Charles Fox said, that Lord S-wich should hav been impeached! What an abominable world de we live in that there should not be above half 1 dozen honest men in the world, and that one of be shocked at the small portion of honesty the those should live in Ireland. You will, perhaps, allot to your country: but a sixth part is as much as comes to its share; and, for any thing I know in the contrary, the other five may be in Ireland tac; for I am sure I do not know where else to find them

a

"I am rejoiced to find by your letter than Lady C. is as you wish. I have yet remaining so mad benevolence towards mankind, as to wish that there may be a son of your's, educated by you, as i spro men of what mankind ought to be. Goldsmith, the other day, put a paragraph into the newspapers, in praise of Lord Mayor Townshend. The same right Drury Lane. I mentioned the circumstance of we happened to sit next to Lord Shelburne, the paragraph to him. He said to Goldsmith, that he hoped that he had mentioned nothing abert Malagrida in it. Do you know,' answered Gold smith, that I never could conceive the reason why they call you Malagrida; for Malagrida was a very good sort of man. You see plainly what he meant liar to himself. Mr. Walpole says, that this stery to say; but that happy turn of expression is per is a picture of Goldsmith's whole life. Johns has been confined for some weeks in the Isle of Skye. We hear that he was obliged to swim ever to the main land, taking hold of a cow's tail. Et that as it may, Lady Di. has promised to make 1 decay; unless you come and relieve it, it will cer drawing of it. Our poor club is in a miserable tainly expire. Would you imagine, that Sir Joskus

Reynolds is extremely anxious to be a member of |
Almack's? You see what noble ambition will
make a man attempt. That den is not yet opened,
consequently I have not been there; so, for the
present, I am clear upon that score. I suppose
our confounded Irish politics take up your whole
attention at present; but we cannot do without
you. If you do not come here, I will bring all the
club over to Ireland, to live with you, and that will
drive you here in your own defence. Johnson shall
E poil your books, Goldsmith pull your flowers, and
Boswell talk to you. Stay then if you can. Adieu,
my dear Lord."-pp. 176, 177, 178.

Rockingham, upon the warm recommendation of many friends, had appointed Burke his secretary, the Duke of Newcastle informed him, that he had unwarily taken into his service a man of dangerous principles, and one who was by birth and education a papist and a jacobite; a calumny founded upon Burke's Irish connections, which were most of them of that persuasion, and upon some juvenile follies arising from those connections. The Marquis, whose genuine Whiggism was easily alarmed, immediately sent for Burke, and told him what he had heard. It was easy for Burke, who had been educated at the university at Dublin, to bring testi"I saw a letter from Foote, the other day, with monies to his protestantism; and with regard to the an account of an Irish tragedy. The subject is second accusation, which was wholly founded on Manlius; and the last speech which he makes, the former, it was soon done away; and Lord when he is pushed off from the Tarpeian Rock, is, Rockingham, readily and willingly disabused, deSweet Jesus, where am I going?" Pray send me clared that he was perfectly satisfied of the falseFord if this is true. We have a new comedy here, hood of the information he had received, and that which is good for nothing. Bad as it is, however, he no longer harboured the smallest doubt of the it succeeds very well, and has almost killed Gold-integrity of his principles; when Burke, with an smith with envy. I have no news, either literary honest and disinterested boldness, told his Lordship or political, to send you. Every body, except my- that it was now no longer possible for him to be his self, and about a million of vulgars, are in the secretary; that the reports he had heard would country. I am closely confined, as Lady Di. expects probably, even unknown to himself, create in his to be so every hour."-p. 178. mind such suspicions, as might prevent his thoroughly confiding in him; and that no earthly con. sideration should induce him to stand in that relation with a man who did not place entire confidence in him. The Marquis, struck with this manliness of sentiment, which so exactly corresponded with the feelings of his own heart, frankly and positively assured him, that what had passed, far from leaving any bad impression on his mind, had only served to fortify his good opinion; and that, if from no other reason, he might rest assured, that from his conduct upon that occasion alone, he should ever na-esteem, and place in him the most unreserved con. fidential trust-a promise which he farthfully per. formed. It must, however, be confessed, that his early habits and connections, though they could never make him swerve from his duty, had given his mind an almost constitutional bent towards the popish party. Prudence is, indeed, the only virtue he does not possess; from a total want of which, and from the amiable weaknesses of an excellent heart, his estimation in England, though still great, is certainly diminished."—pp. 343, 344.

66

Why should you be vexed to find that mankind are fools and knaves? I have known it so long, that every fresh instance of it amuses me, provided it does not immediately affect my friends or myself. Politicians do not seem to me to be much greater rogues than other people; and as their actions affect, in general, private persons less than other kinds of villany do, I cannot find that I am so angry with them. It is true, that the leading men in both countries at present, are, I believe, the most corrupt, abandoned people in the nation. But now that I am upon this worthy subject of human ture, I will inform you of a few particulars relating to the discovery of Otaheite."-p. 180.

"There is another curiosity here,-Mr. Bruce. His drawings are the most beautiful things you ever saw, and his adventures more wonderful than those of Sinbad the sailor-and, perhaps, nearly as true. I am much more afflicted with the account you send me of your health, than I am at the corruption of your ministers. I always hated politics; and I now hate them ten times worse; as I have reason to think that they contribute towards your ill health. You do me great justice in thinking, that whatever concerns you, must interest me; but as I wish you most sincerely to be perfectly happy, I cannot bear to think that the villanous proceedings of others should make you miserable: for, in that case, undoubtedly you will never be happy. Charles Fox is a member at the Turk's Head; but not till he was a patriot; and you know, if one repents, &c. There is nothing new, but Goldsmith's Retaliation, which you certainly have seen. Pray tell Lady though slight, may be here added. Burke's dis"Thus far Lord Charlemont. Something, Charlemont, from me, that I desire she may keep union, and final rupture with Mr. Fox, were atyou from politics, as they do children from sweet-tended with circumstances so distressing, so far meats, that make them sick."-pp. 181, 182.

We have hitherto kept Mr. Hardy himself so much in the back ground, that we think it is but fair to lay before the reader the sequel which he has furnished to the preceding notice of Lord Charlemont. The passage is perfectly characteristic of the ordinary colloquial style of the book, and of the temper of the author.

surpassing the ordinary limits of political hostility, We look upon these extracts as very inter- that the mind really aches at the recollection of esting and valuable; but they have turned them. But let us view him, for an instant, in better out to be so long, that we must cut short this able, of pleasing access, and most agreeably com scenes, and better hours. He was social, hospit. branch of the history. We must add, how-municative. One of the most satisfactory days, ever, a part of Lord Charlemont's account of Mr. Burke, with whom he lived in habits of the closest intimacy, and continual correspondence, till his extraordinary breach with his former political associates in 1792. Mr. Hardy does not exactly know at what period the following paper, which was found in Lord Charlemont's handwriting, was written.

perhaps, that I ever passed in my life, was going with him, tête-à-tête, from London to Beconsfield. He stopped at Uxbridge, whilst his horses were of I know not what militia, who appeared to be feeding; and, happening to meet some gentlemen, perfect strangers to him, he entered into discourse with them at the gateway of the inn. His conversation, at that moment, completely exemplified what Johnson said of him-That you could not meet Burke for half an hour under a shed, without "This most amiable and ingenious man was saying that he was an extraordinary man.' He private secretary to Lord Rockingham. It may not was, on that day, altogether, uncommonly instruc De superfluous to relate the following anecdote, the tive and agreeable. Every object of the slightest auth of which I can assert, and which does honour notoriety, as we passed along, whether of natural to him and his truly noble patron. Soon after Lord | or local history, furnished him with abundant ma

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