Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

desty to decline. To sum up his character in a few words, as a naturalist and a man of general knowledge, he was well informed and communicative; as a moralist, he was exemplary and correct; and as a christian, he.cannot be better designated than in the words of our inimitable poet, for

"He look'd through nature up to na ture's God."

In Horsham gaol, aged eightytwo, Simon Southward, formerly of Boxgrove, near Chichester. This singular character was a miller, which occupation he followed with industry and attention till about the year 1766, when, by a strange species of insanity, he fancied himself Earl of Derby, King in Man, assumed those titles, neglected his business, and became very troublesome, to many of his neighbours. In February 1767, he was arrested for a small debt, at the suit of the late Duke of Richmond, and was conveyed to the old gaol at Horsham, from which he was removed (the first prisoner after its completion) to the present gaol, and from which he was released, after a captivity of forty-three years, four months, and eight days, by the hand of death! Simon Southward was in stature about six feet, was exceedingly well made, and had a commanding countenance; his manners were generally affable, and his deportment polite: he was, how ever, when offended, exceedingly wrathful, and with difficulty pacified, particularly when his ire had been occasioned by doubts about his assumed dignity. He supposed himself a state prisoner, and would accept of no money or clothes which were not presented to him as coming from the king, his cousin.

His dress was generally a drab coat of a very ancient cut, and a cocked hat with a black cockade. Simon was addressed, as well by the governors of the gaol, as by his fellow prisoners and visitors, "My Lord!" and to no other denomination would he ever reply. He had been supported for a number of years by a weekly stipend from the parish of Boxgrove.

At Formosa Place, Sir George Young, Admiral of the White, one of the oldest and bravest officers in the service. He was of Boscawen's school, and during an honourably spent life, performed some brilliant things in general as well as in single actions, both at home and abroad, which his intimate friends, the immortal Nelson and Captain Edward Thompson, who were an honour to our nature as well our navy, have often witnessed. But having been either confined by gout, or bedridden for many years past, his king and country have consequently been deprived of his services.

At Shaftesbury, Mr. John Hayter, cooper, well-known by the name of the Old 'Squire. Although often prosecuted and persecuted by gentlemen tenacious of their game, he kept a pack of harriers upwards of sixty years, and was earth-stopper to various gentlemen who claimed the Duntley and Allin's fox hunt for nearly the same period. When quite a boy he kept a few beagles, and would often entice a neighbouring gentleman's hounds from their kennel to assist his little pack, for which he was as often chastised by his own father and Mr. Hardiman (the gentleman alluded to); but such was his propensity for the chase, that he would sit up whole winter nights to get his work

forward

forward, in order to hunt on foot the next morning. Latterly he was obliged to part with his hounds; but even to the latter end of the last hunting season, he would meet the fox hounds on foot; and almost to the hour of his death was foud of rehearsing the sports of the field.

At Colyton, Captain Henry Wilson, late of the East India Company's ship Warley, whose name is in the recollection of the public, as connected with that most interesting narrative, published from his journal, of the shipwreck and providential preservation of the crew of the Antelope packet, on the Pelew Islands, 1783. On this occasion his intrepidity, discretion, and talents, as a commander, shone forth in a manner which has rarely been excelled. The most remarkable in stance of his abilities appears, when, unarmed by authority or power, he was able to persuade his people to destroy all the spirituous liquors remaining on the wreck; scarcely any governor ever produced a greater act of self-denial for the public good. His comprehensive understanding and persevering industry raised him, through every gradation of a seaman's life, to the highest post in his own line; and he had the honour to be second in command to Commodore Sir N. Dance, when Admiral Linois, in an eightygun ship, with several frigates, was baffled and discomfited by a fleet of East Indiamen. In private life he was a firm and benevolent friend, a kind parent, and died a pious christian. Captain Wilson had not long enjoyed his retirement at Colyton; and, but for the distance, bis remains would have been in terred near those of his friend, Prince Lee Boo.

At Aberdeen, in the sixty-ninth year of his age, Mr. James Chalmers, printer to the city and university, and printer and proprietor of the Aberdeen Journal, which he conducted with unconunon ability, and steady and loyal consistency of principle, for the long space of forty-six years. Few men have departed life in the city of Aberdeen with more unfeigned regret, by a most numerous and highly respectable circle of friends, to whom he was endeared by the best virtues that adorn social life-inflexible integrity, steady friendship, a disposition elevated, humane and chari table, a temper unusually cheerful, and a memory rich in anecdote and information, chiefly of the literary kind. His father, who cultivated his profession for some years in London, in the printing-office of Mr. Watts (where he had the ele brated Dr. Franklin for his fellowjourneyman) was afterwards ranked among the literary printers of his time, and at his death was recorded as a gentleman "well skilled in the learned languages." His father was the Rev. James Chalmers, Professor of Divinity in the Marishal College, who died in 1744. About the year 1740, his son returned from London, and in 1746 esta blished the Aberdeen Journal, at the close of the memorable rebellion, during which he was a considerable sufferer, from his attachment to the House of Hanover. His son, the subject of this article, was born in March 1742, and, after a classical and academical education at Marishal College, re moved to London, and improved himself in the typographical art, both there and at Cambridge, until September 1764, when the death

of

turned from India with fortunes.
His five daughters are all most hap-
pily married; and, in addition to
all this, it is supposed that he has
left freehold estates to the amount
of half a million. This gentleman
was born in 1736.
His father was
a merchant in the Virginia trade,
which he began with a very incon-
siderable capital; but his rigid ho-
nesty and dexterity in business,
baving recommended him to some
great mercantile houses, they adopt-

of his father put him in possession of the establishment in his native city. Although now engaged in a business which afforded but little relaxation, and with the cares of a numerous family, he found leisure to indulge his love of literature, by that extensive course of reading which rendered him a valuable member of the literary societies of the place. With many of the professors of both colleges, and particularly with the late Drs. Campbell, Gerard, and Beattie, he formed his interests, and by liberal loans ed an intimacy which death only dissolved.

SEPTEMBER.

In Basinghall Street, Thomas Loggen, Esq. an eminent solicitor. By his incorruptible integrity in public, and bis amiable manuers in private life, he was universally esteemed, beloved, and respected; and in his profession his character stood deservedly high.

Sir Francis Baring, Bart. in his seventy-fourth year, at Leigh, in Kent. He was physically exhausted, but his mind remained unsubdued by age or infirmity to the last breath. His bed was surrounded by nine out of ten, the number of his sons and daughters, all of whom be lived to see established in splendid independence. He was for merly member for Chipping Wycombe, Bucks, and was succeeded in the representation of that borough by his son, Thomas Baring, Esq. the present member. Three of his sons carry on the great commercial-house, and which, by his superior talents and integrity, he carried to so great a height of respect. His other two sons are re

enabled him to extend the circle of his commerce: from this assistance the house of Baring soon rose to consideration, in a city where wealth and talents for business are estimated at their proper value. With parental fonduess Mr. Baring watched over the education of his son, in order to render him a complete man of business, till he was sent to a reputable school under a Mr. Coleman, the author of several mathematical treatises. It was here he acquired the talent for which he was most distinguished; for in calculations made on the spot, admitting of no previous study, he was certainly considered as unequalled. Upon the death of his father he was esteemed a most worthy successor; and the richest houses, and the most wealthy heiresses, at the eastend of the town, considered him as a desirable partner. He at length married the daughter of Mr. Boston, an opulent merchant. Mr. Baring, from a proprietor, having become a director of the East India Company in the year 1784, canvassed the Cornish borough of Grampound, and took his seat in the House of Commons. The nation was then just beginning to recover from the effects of the Ame

rican revolution, and Mr. Baring had the honour of being consulted by the premier with respect to the means to be adopted on this occasion. His wealth, talents, and activity, augmented his favour and importance with Mr. Pitt's administration. He was considered as one of the strongest links of the monied· aristrocracy and was created a baronet in 1793. It is well known that the systein of this country, with regard to all its foreign possessions, has ever been that of exclusive monopoly; accordingly, when the whole body of English merchants demanded some participation in the East India traffic, Sir Francis came forward as the advocate of the company. He insisted that their heavy expence and their actual public services composed a debt, to the discharge of which an eternal monopoly of the East India trade would scarcely be sufficient! It is needless to add, that the charter was again renewed; and the relief of the body of English merchants, from what their petition called " oppressive monopoly," was left, like other evils, to the gradual effect of time, or the shock of some revolution. In 1796, upon Sir John Jervis being rewarded with a peerage, and vacating his seat for Chipping Wycombe, Sir Francis Bariog was elected for that borough; and at the general election in 1802, he was again returned for the same place. Sir Francis was esteemed not less amiable in domestic than in public life. Although of a grave cast of mind, he was not without a relish for social enjoyments, and was, till within a few years past, seldom absent from the parties and entertainments of his friends. The routes of his lady were reckoned

among some of the most brilliant in town; but he preferred the more tranquil enjoyments of a domestic circle, to those gay, but promiscuous, assemblies. His table was such as became his wealth, and his solid hospitality was perfectly suitable to the opulent character of an English merchant. His talents were of a very superior cast, and highly improved by reading. Few men understood the real interests of trade better; and it may surely be added, few men ever arrived to the highest rank and honour of commercial life with more unsullied integrity. At his death, he was unquestionably the first merchant in Europe; first in knowledge and talents, and first in character and opulence. His name was known and respected in every commercial quarter of the globe; and by the East India Company, and other public trading bodies, he was consulted as a man of consummate knowledge and inflexible honour.

At Seaham, near Stockton-uponTees, aged twenty-three, of a decline, Joseph Blackett, the extraor dinary young man, whose taleuts and misfortunes recommended him to the notice, and afterwards to the protection, of many very distinguished characters, under the introduction and auspices of Mr. Pratt. About a year and a half since, Mr. P. assisted him in putting forth a volume of poems, under the title of "Specimens of the Poetry, &c." the whole edition of which was circulated by private patronage, very greatly to the advantage of the author.

At Treepland, in Cumberiand Mrs. Mary Jackson, aged eighty-two years, forty of which she had been a widow, and was greatly respected

through

through life. She was the person who first discovered the method of rearing what are now called the potatoe-oats, so generally cultivated and with such success in various parts of the kingdom. The circumstance which led to it was the deceased's observing a single stem of oats growing on a potatoe rig, the seed of which had been conveyed thither by the wind. Observing that the straw was uncommonly strong, when the grain was matured, she preserved it, and used it for seed the ensuing season, which succeeding in a very extraordinary degree, the method was soon after adopted by numbers of farmers.

At Nice Blundell, near Liverpool, Henry Blundell, Esq. in the twentyseventh year of his age. As a patron of the fine arts, and an encourager of deserving merit in whatever shape it presented itself he stood unrivalled. Of his benevolent and extensive charities, our public institutions bear ample testimony, and in private life, he possessed in a most eminent degree, every social tie and endearing quality that human nature is capable of. The remains of this much esteemed gentleman, were interred in the family vault in Sephton church, attended to the grave by a numerous assemblage of the neighbouring gentry, tenantry, and servants, amidst a concourse of spectators, who were gathered together to witness this tribute of respect to the memory of departed worth. The procession extended nearly half a mile. There were forty-six carriages, only three of which were empty.

At Venice, the French General Menou; celebrated in the campaign at Egypt. He appears to have been a favourite of Bonaparte; for he

VOL. LI.

protected him on his return to France against all his officers, who attributed the necessity of evacuating that country to his mismanage ment. Like his friend, Bonaparte, he changed his religion, married an Egyptian woman, wore the turban, and took the name of Abdallah Menou. Bonaparte made him a count, and governor of Venice, but never entrusted him with any military command, where active operations were going on.

During the defence of Fort Matagorda, Cadiz, Major Lefevre, royal engineer, by a cannon ball. By his death the army has lost a most intelligent officer. Upon every occasion in which his services were demanded, he evinced the utmost bravery and zeal; but it was chiefly at the battle of Maida that he displayed those qualities. The talents he manifested in a distinct command which was entrusted to him in that ever-memorable battle, entitled him to the honour of a medal, which was intended to be conferred only on officers of superior rank; but his claims were undeniable, and the reward which was due to bis gallant exertions, was in justice granted, as a fair distinction which he had earned on that glorious day. The reputation he had acquired attracted the notice of his majesty's government; and he was, with great propriety, selected as an officer in every respect qualified to give the Spaniards the aid of his talents, and to obtain such intelligence respecting the state of things in Spain, as could be relied upon for the extent and the accuracy of its details. In the performance of both these services, he gave the utmost satisfaction. Major, Lefevre may be truly said to have existed only for Dd

the

HODES

HOUSE

OXFORD

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »