of support, and with no source of comfort but her child. How appropriate, in her position, would have been the lines which Campbell puts into the mouth of "the mournful mother," while affection. ately watching by the couch of her slumbering infant! "Sleep, image of thy father, sleep, my boy! And chase the world's ungenerous scorn away!" Thus unhappily situated, Mrs. Canning, with the advice of her friends, betook herself to the stage. She made her first appearance at Drury Lane, in November, 1773, under the auspices of Garrick, and with the patronage of the Court. But, owing to inexperience, and perhaps inaptitude for the calling, she was not so successful in her histrionic efforts as had been anticipated; and, notwithstanding her youth and beauty, she was obliged to repair to the less fastidious audiences in the provinces. A marriage, into which she was soon unfortunately drawn, placed her son under the care of, and in perpetual contact with, a man of intemperate habits and disreputable character, rendering it extremely improbable that he should ever arrive at high distinction, or even ordinary respectability. The world is indebted to Moody the actor, a man of blunt and rough manners, but of a kind and honest heart, for one of its brightest children not having fallen a victim to unpropitious circumstances. He was struck with the boy's talents, and became strongly interested in his welfare. Resolved to do what he could to promote it, he applied to his uncle, Mr. Stratford Canning, a London merchant, drew an alarming picture of his perilous position, declared that he was on the high-road to the gallows, dilated on the wonderful promise he displayed, and confidently predicted that, if properly brought forward in the world, he would one day become a great man. The step was bold, as all communication with the family had long since ceased; but it succeeded; for, though the uncle, with a selfishness excusable enough under the circumstances, was at first excessively unwilling to interfere, the benevolent player's perseverance ove came all obstacles, and the wealthy trader consented, on certain conditions, to take charge of his hopeful nephew. The duty, thus hesitatingly undertaken, was well and faithfully fulfilled; and a small estate in Ireland, which, at the earnest solicitation of his grandmother, had been set aside for the purpose, defrayed the expense of the future "great man's" education. He was instructed in the rudiments of learning at Hyde Abbey School, near Winchester. The master was one of those rigid disciplinarians who, in the fashion of the day, spared not the rod; but it has been supposed that Canning's studious and regular habits saved him from the inconvenience of such a system. At all events, unlike some of the other pupils, he entertained throughout life a grateful sense of the advantages derived at the establishment; and, when at the height of his power, showed his appreciation of them by presenting his old preceptor with a prebend in Winchester Cathedral. Even at this early season of youth he possessed great skill in versification; and when sent to Eton, at the age of twelve, was at once placed as an Oppidan. He immediately acquired distinction, from the ease and elegance of his Latin and English compositions, and by the manliness of his habits. He never played at games like other boys, but at once assumed the sober dignity of manhood. Indeed he prosecuted his studies as if prescient of the career before him; and endowed, as he must have felt himself to be, he was so far from placing his trust entirely in the inspirations of genius, that he was remarkable for the assiduity and industry with which he applied himself to mental improvement. His reputation grew rapidly, and the more choice spirits began to gather round him. At that time a society existed at Eton for purposes of discussion, and used to meet periodically in one of the halls. The pro |