ES S AY S AND C RITICIS M S

THOM AS GRIFFITHS WAINEWRIGHT

N 0 W FI R S T C OL L EC TE D

W IT H S O M E A C C O U N T O F TH E A U T H O R

W . C A RE W H A ZLI TT

LO N D O N

R EEVE S TU R N E R 196 S TR AN D
 P R E FA C E .

I H AVE b e e n ask e d by the publi s h e rs to coll e ct

all th at is r e as on ably pos s ibl e r e sp e cting th e
p e rs on al and l it e rary c are e r of Tho mas Griffith s
W aine wright an acqu aintanc e of C h arl e s Lamb
, ,

of my gr andfath e r and of m any oth e r ind ividu als

,

of not e b elonging to th at s e t and th at p e riod

,
’
the o ri g in al of Bulwe r Ly tton s VARN EY and th e
,
’
hu s b and of th at author s LUC RETIA C LA VER IN G .

W ainew right I find is not m uch m e ntion e d

, ,

by his cont empor arie s and by thos e who c am e

im me di at ely afte r him Far l e s s are his n am e
.
,

his ch aract e r an d his m elodram at ic h is tory re

,

c oll e ct e d to d ay
-
.

I h av e e x amin e d a l arge as s e mbl ag e of d iarie s ,

a utob iographie s an d corr e spond e nc e of the t im e

, ,

in th e hop e of obt aining inform at ion or clu e s ,

but I h av e not b e e n qui t e so s ucc e s sful as I

ant icip ate d looking at th e s ocial pos it ion whi ch
,

W ain ewright occup ie d during s e v e ral y e ars and ,

his fri e ndly int e rcours e w ith s o m any m en of

l ett e rs
.
vi PREFAC E .

The r e sult of my r es e arche s how ev e r is giv e n , ,

in the following p age s and on the whol e I h av e, , ,

add e d a good d e al to th e knowl e dg e of W ain e

w right s youth p ar e nt ag e an d p e r s on al C onn e xi ons

’

, , .

0 11 one or two po ints r e l e v ant to his b iography

I h av e b e e n oblig e d by privat e con sid e rations to
b e a l ittl e l e s s cop ious th an I can to borrow th e ,

A m e ric an phr as e But no e ss e ntials h av e b e e n

.

s acrific e d .

The att e m pt to m ak e s o m eth ing of the c as e ap

e ar e d to b e w arr ant e d by th e un iqu e n e s s of the
p
c i rcum st anc e s The s tory p 1 e s e nts its elf to my
.

m ind as a curio s ity of l it e rature f ar m ore s trik ing ,

an d f ar m or e is ol at e d in its ch aract e rist ic s th an ,

anyth ing to b e found in th e p ag e s of D is r ae l i the

e ld e r .

Wh e n w e look at the m an s origin his ant e ’

c e d ent s his as s ociation w ith l ett e rs and lit e rary

,

m e n his antiqu arian t as t e s an d art is tic accom pli s h

,

m e nt s an d w ith all th e s e th ing s contras t the

,

p ainful and viciou s p ass age s of his m atur e r life ,

it bring s b e for e us a h istory almo s t unp aralle l e d in

its s ingul arity and s adn e s s .

“
The l at e M r W alt e r Thor nbury in his
. O ld ,

S torie s R e told 1 8 7 0 has form e d out of Wain e

”
-
, ,

wr ight s contribut ion s to th e Lond on M ag azine

’

as s is t e d by the ord in ary s ourc es of int ellig e nc e a ,

s m artly writt en but fl im sy abridgm e nt of th is

,

c as e The re publ ic at ion at l arge of the p ap e rs

.

in the M agaz in e acco m p an ie d by as accurat e and

,

co m pl e t e a v e rs ion of the whol e affair as I could

coll e ct fro m e xt ant or acc e ss ibl e mat e rial s app e ar e d ,
 P RE FACE . v ii

to b e a m or e auth e ntic an d s atis factory way of

s e tting about th e e r e ction of a WEAT H ER COC K m o
n ume nt : w h e r e o ne had to do with a bu s in e s s ,

too in wh ich truth w as to th e ful l as strange as

,

ro manc e .

But an e v e n wid e r d e p arture fro m the facts

is m an ife s t in a nove l e tt e by D ick e ns c all e d ,
“
Hunt e d D own ( origin ally contribut e d to the
,
”

N ew Y ork L edger) O f cours e the s tory as a

.
, , .

s tory is amu sing e nough an d r e duc e s to t att e r s in

,
’
,
’
(
D ick e ns s u s u al w ay) the h e ro s idi osyncrasy of
w e aring a middl e p arting ; but W ainewright s r e al ’

c ar e e r would h av e b ee n f ar m or e so D ick e n s
p e rh aps thought diffe r e ntly— thought at l e ast
.
,

, , ,

t hat the e nt e rpris ing A m e ric an firm wh ich is s aid

to h ave give n £ 1 000 for the littl e work of fiction ,

would not h av e c ar e d to g iv e such a s um for

a poor array of b iograp hi c al d e t ails .

What e v e r W aine w right s s ins m ight b e a w ant

’

of knowl e dg e and cultivation w as h ardly to b e

r e ckon e d am ong th em H is conv e rs anc e w ith
.

l it e ratur e w as f ar in e x c e s s of any pos s e ss e d e ith e r

by M r J u s tic e Talfourd or by M r Walt e r
. .

T hornbury .

Th e r e can I th ink b e no r eason abl e doubt th at

, ,

th e as cription of th e e s s ay s in the L ond on M ag azin e ,

purporting to h av e b ee n writt e n by C O RNELI US

VAN VI NK B OO M S an d B GOM ET BO N MOT to the p en of ,

W ainewright is qu it e corr e ct ; and from e ditorial

hi nt s in the M ag az in e und e r d at e s of F e bru ary
, ,

1 8 2 2 an d J anu ary 1 8 2 3 one m ight fe e l dis po s e d

, , ,

to susp e ct th at th e s am e h and w as conce rn e d in

 P RE FACE .

the fabric ation of sundry p seudo E lia na ; but I -

b eli e v e th at the cha ra cter of the la te E lia print e d ,

b elow is the only production of th is sort for

, ,

wh ich W ainewright is r e ally answ e rabl e .

It m ay b e fairly and hon e stly affirme d th at

no prob abl e ch ann e l of inform ation has b e e n ov e r
l o oke d in this b iograph ical e s s ay ; and the s mall
it e ms o ut of wh ich I h av e trie d to construct
a conn e ct e d n arr at iv e h av e b e e n coll e ct e d tog e th e r

with unu s u al d ifficulty and oft e n from s ource s

,

f ar ap art . I h ave d e alt occ as ion ally I own in , ,

infe r e nc e s and pre s u mption s an d p e rh aps it may

b e j udg e d aft e r all th at I h av e mad e too loud a s tir
, ,

about a c as e wh ich b e longs no doubt to the fam ily

, ,

of nng cc litera ria ’

.

W . C . H .

K E NS I N GT O N , J a nnary, 1 8 8 0 .
 I N TR O D U C TI O N .

S O M E A C C O UN T OF
T H O M AS G R I FFIT H S WA I N E WR I G H T .

R alph Griffith s E s q LL D w as born in S hrop

, ,
. .
,

s h ir e in 1 7 2 0 of his b e g inni ngs w e kno w noth ing ,

t ill w e find him the as s is t ant of M r Jacob .

R ob inson books e lle r in L u dg at e S tre e t R ob inson

, , .
,

fro m b e ing a d e al e r in s pe ct acl e s b e c am e a book

0 ,

s e ll e r an d a crit ic ; and it i s r eas on ably s uppos e d

th at young Griffiths im b ib e d hi s l it e rary t aste s

fro m his e arly e mploye r Tho m as D avie s the.
,

b ooks e ll e r of who m J ohn s on s aid th at he w as not

a book s e lle r but a g e ntl e m an who d e alt in books ,
’
us e d to fre qu e nt R ob inson s s hop and although he ,

found him int ell ig e nt h e pre fe rr e d the s ocie ty and

,

conv e r s at ion of Griffiths who w as n e ar e r his ow n

,

a ge. This w as about 1 7 4 2 wh e n Griffith s w as ,

two and twe nty

- -
.

A s I am not writ ing an account e ith er of

Griffiths or of R ob inson I sh all h as t e n to st at e
,

t h at in 1 7 4 9 wh e n Griffiths w as in th e n e ighbour
,
X I NTR OD UC TIO N .

hood of th irty he form e d the adve nturous d e s ign

,

of instituting on his o w n account a ne w critic al

, ,

org an D avie s informs us th at for s ixt e e n or s e ve n

.

t ee n ye ar s he and Griffith s and s e ve ral m or e w e re

, ,

p artn e r s in anoth e r lit e rary sp e cul ation an

v
e e n ing p ap e r— and u s e d to di n e tog e th e r e ight o r

t e n t im e s a y e ar .

Griffith s christe n e d his o wn sp e c ial und e rt aking

“
th e M onthly R e vie w It w as publ ish e d firs t at
.

’
his shop in S t P aul s C hur chyard th e n in P at e r
.
,

no s t e r R o w and t h irdly in the S trand Griffith s

, .

e x e rt e d h im s e lf to s e cur e abl e contributor s his

frie nd D r R o s e of C h iswick w as o ne of th e e arl ie s t
.
, ,

writ e rs in it ; in d e e d it is s aid th at Ro s e s p e n
,
’

produc e d th e v e ry firs t p ap e r in the firs t num b e r

for M ay 1 74 9 E ve rybody has h e ard th at Gold
, .

s m ith w as s p e c ially e ng ag e d to g iv e h is t im e and

l abour to it at a s o me wh at l at e r d at e The d iffi .

cul tie s to b e ov e rco me w e r e so m e tim e s so gr e at ,

th at the proj e ctor m ore th an onc e thought o f

ab andon ing th e d e s ign ; but h e p e r s e v e r e d t ill th e ,

prop e rty w as e s tim ate d to b e worth a y e ar ,

rath e r a N abob is h s um in tho s e d ays and e ve n ,

tually s ucc e e d e d in e s t abl ish ing the p ap e r on a

”
sound and durabl e b as is The M onthly R evie w .
“

“
an d t he C rit ic al R e vie w w e re for a long p e riod , ,

th e only p e riod ic al s of the kind ; and j udg ing fro m ,

Wh at J ohn s on onc e told the K ing in his int e rvie w

with him th e forme r w as not con s id e r e d frie ndly
,
”
to the C hurch The C ritical R e vie w conducte d
.
,

by S m oll e tt d e nounc e d its rival as a p ap e r con

,

ducte d by a p arc el of obs cure h ir el ings und e r the

 IN R T ODUCTI O N . xi

r e straint of a books e ll e r and hi s w ife who pr e su m e ,

to r e vis e alt e r and am e nd the art icl e s occas ion ally

, , .

It w ould b e e qu ally troubl e so me and sup e rfluous

to asc e rt ain w h e n Griffiths first s e ttl e d at Turnh am
Gre e n in the v icinity of his friends D r R o se and
,
.

M r B e ntl e y the gre at W e dgwood s p artn e r A t

’
.
.
,

wh at pr e c is e d at e the acqu aint an c e b e t w e e n

Griffiths and W e dg w ood commenc e d w e s e em t o ,

h ave noth ing to gu id e us but the indi c ation

furn is h e d by W e dgwood s b iograph e r ’
It is .

e v id e nt th at a cons id e r abl e t ime prior to B e ntl e y s

’

,
“ ”
introduct ion to th e e d itor of the M onthly ,

W e dg w ood hi m s elf had for m e d th at g e ntl e man s ’

acqu aint anc e th e r e s ult of w h ich w as to pl ac e

,

Griffith s v e ry high in W e dg w ood s r eg ard Und er ’

.

d at e of F e bru ary 1 6 1 7 6 5 We dg w ood writing to

, , ,

B e ntl e y s ay s
,
M r Griffiths I n ee d not m e nt ion
“
.
,

y o u k n ow h e h a th on e of the w a rm es t
p la ces in my
hea r t .
”
I t w as about the s ame tim e or a l it tl e sub ,
“ ”
s e qu e ntly th at W e dgwood an d
,
his S ally during ,

a v is it to L ondon w e r e h o s p it ably e nt e rt ain e d by

‘

our frie nd the libra ire editeur and Griffith s re -

,

turn e d the co m pl im ent by go ing down to Bur sl e m ,

fro m w hich w e l e arn th at h e hurrie d b ack in a

ch ais e w ithout w aiting for the Live rpool co ach to
, ,
“
his b e lov e d Turnh am Gre e n
”
.

M is s M e t e y ard and oth e r s n am e G riffiths s r e s i ’

d e nc e th e r e : it w as Lind e n Hou s e M is s M e t e y ard .

intim at e s a doubt as to the e x act loc ali ty p e rh ap s ,

b e c aus e th e r e is a s e cond l arge re sid e nc e similarly ,

d e no m in at e d on the M all at C hi sw ick But with

, .

th e l att e r w e h av e noth ing to do .

xii IN RT ODUCTI O N .

I h ave b ee n p e rs on ally acqu aint e d w ith Lind e n

Hous e Turnh am Gre e n for m any y e ars and 1 took
, , ,

occ as ion to go ov e r the hou s e s hortly b e fore its

d e m ol iti on w hich occurr e d about a t w e lv e m onth
,

ag o . It stood b e tw e e n C am d e n Hou se and Bolton

Hous e on the l e ft h and s id e of th e ro ad as you go
-
,

toward s Bre ntford and it c e rtainly w ell me rit e d

,

the app e ll at ion b e sto w e d on it by F aulkn e r who ,

c alls it a c ap it al man s ion

“
A s I p as s e d along .
”

t he bro ad p as s ag e l e ad ing fro m th e s p ac iou s door

w ay to the h all as c e nd ing on the w ay two or thr e e
,

s hort fl ights of st e ps it aw ake n e d an int e re s t ing

,

r e fl e ction ho w ofte n th at v e ry ground had b e e n

,

trodd e n b e fore m e by We dgwood and his p artn e r

B e ntl e y by Gold sm ith and p e rh aps by J ohn s on
, , .

It w ill conv e y s o m e id e a of the import anc e and

e x t e nt of the pl ac e wh e n I m e nt ion th at b e for e
,

t he s al e of th e s it e for bu ild ing purpo se s the r e nt ,

a sk e d for th e pr e m ise s w as 4 001 a nd t he purch as e .

m on e y 1 2 000l The grounds cov e r e d four acre s

,
.

a n d w e r e w e ll t imb e r e d A m e mb e r O f the fam ily .

r e coll e ct s his pl e as ant m onth s vis it as a lad to ’

, ,

Lind e n Hou s e an d his r aptur e as a London e r at

, , ,

its glorious g ard e n and w id e rang e of pl ant ation s .

It is no wond e r th at old D r Griffith s w as gl ad .

to h ast e n b ack to s uch a d el ightful s pot from

Bur sl e m H e re th en it w as th at h e l ive d for
.
, ,

m any ye ars with his l it erary w ife w ho h elp e d him ,

w ith the R evie w a n d who m S ir R ich ard P h ill ips

, ,

r e c all ing the h ab itu al congr e g at ion at C his w ick

C hurch as he k n e w it about 1 7 5 0 d es crib e s as ,

“ ”
d re ss e d in her n e at an d e l e v at e d w ire wing e d cap -
.
 IN R T ODUCTI O N . xiii

In 1 7 6 4 howe v e r b e fore his introduct ion to

, ,

B entl e y Griffiths lost his v alu abl e h elp m at e S he

,
.

d ie d in h er fifty s e cond y e ar and w as burie d at -

C h is w ick M arch 2 5 ,
H e r husb and allo w e d three .

ye ars to e l ap s e b e fore he contr act e d a s e cond

alli anc e of t he s am e ch ar act e r ; but in 1 7 6 7 h e ,

m arr ie d E l iz a o ne of the d aught e r s O f D r C l ark

,
.

of S t Al b ans a D is s e nting min is t e r The s e cond

.
, .

M rs Griffith s had tw o s is t e r s of who m o ne had

.
,

b e co m e the wife of D r R o s e The th ird m arrie d . .

the R e v J ab e z H irons
.
“
H e ( D r G ) h ad m arrie d . . .

a s e cond t ime
“
M is s M e t e yard t ell s us
,
as w e ,

h ave alre ady s e e n in 1 7 6 7 and n ow a family o f young , ,

ch ildr e n w e re around him The lady trus t s th at .

th is m ight t e nd to s ofte n the as p e rity of th e libraire

ed i ten r s t e mp e r ; but poss ibly th e r e are m or e w ays
’

th an o ne of look ing at th at qu e s tion .

This young fam ily sh adow e d out by W e dgwood s

’

b iogr aph e r cons is t e d e x clu s iv ely I b e lie v e of

, , ,

d aughte r s All th at I k now e v e n of th e s e is th at

.

o n e A nn Griffiths
, born in 1 7 7 3 b e c am e in 1 7 9 3 , ,

the w ife of Tho m as W aine wright E s q of C h is w ick , , ,

an d th at M rs W ain ew ri ht w as t he l as t survivor of
g .

the s e cond fam ily wh e n she d ie d pr em atur e ly in ,

the O ctob e r of in g iving b irth to a son w ho

1
In ch ildb e d at the early age of 2 1 M rs Wain ew right
, ,
.
,
w ife o f T W E s q o f C h is w ick
. . S he was th e on ly s ur
,
‘
.

vi v ing d aught e r o f D r Griffith s o f T urnh am Gr e e n an d is .

,

gr eatly re gre tt e d 0 11 account of h er amiab le disposition and

num e rou s accomplishm ents S he is s uppos e d to h av e .

und e rs tood t he w ritin g s o f M r L ock e as w ell as p e rh ap s

—Gen tleman s M ag
.
,
any p e rs o n o f e ith e r s ex n o w living
” ’
, ,
.
,
x iv IN R T ODUCTI O N .

w as christ e n e d a ft e r his grandfath e r Thoma s

Grifi ths Wa inewright .

It m ay b e conv e n ie nt to m e ntion h e re th at the

s is t e r of the s e cond M rs Griffiths w ho w as aft e r .
,

w ard s M rs R o se h ad a d aught e r who m arrie d

.
,

C h arl e s Burn e y s e cond son of the h istorian o f ,

mu s ic Y oung Burn e y w as for s o m e t im e an

.

u sh e r in R o s e s ac ad e my and s ub s e qu e ntly e st a
’

blishe d a s chool of his own at H amm e rs m ith .

The s ubj e ct of the pr e se nt rath e r d is curs ive

n ot ic e fir s t s aw th e l ight th e n in the m onth of , ,

O ctob e r 1 7 9 4 at C h is wick and n e v e r kn e w his

, , ,

m oth e r 1
I th ink th at it m ay b e t ak en for c e rt ain
.

th at M r W aine wright d id not long s urviv e his

.

young w ife and at any rate the e duc at ion of the

2
,

O ct . 1 7 9 4, P 9 6 5 ‘ . Waine w right t e lls us in on e o f his e ss ays

D

th at by hi s m oth e r s s id e he inh e rite d a p int or two O f

’
.

C am br ian lyn1 h wh ich m ad e his t e m pe r r ath e r irrit able

, .

1
T ho m as ain e wrigh t of C h isw i ck w as one o f the D , ,

t w elv e ch ildre n o f M r Wain ew 1 ight of Gray s I nn and .

,
’

H atton G ard e n s olic itor M r Waine wright s pr iv at e re si

, . .
’

d e nc e w as in H atton G ard e n at a t im e w h e n p e ople o f ,

good po s it ion liv e d th e re and it u se d to b e s aid th at e v e ry ,

bo d y k e pt his c arriage e x c e pt M r W ain e wright w ho s e .

,

larg e family pr e v e nte d him M r Wain e w rig ht h im s elf w as . .

a Un itar ian but thre e of his s on s j o in e d the C hurch of

,

E n gland an d took ord e rs S ev e ral o f th e oth e rs inc lud ing

,
.
,

R ob e rt an d J ohn w e r e in the law T he latt e r w as th e

,
.

f ound e r o f the fir m o f W ain e w right S m ith an d G iraud o f , ,

N O 7 Furn ival s I nn w h ich is s till r e pr e e nt e d by my

’
s
, ,
.

inf orm ant M r G iraud ,

. .

H e d ie d at all eve nt s b e for e J un e 1 8 03 in wh ich

, , , ,

m onth and y ear he is m ent ion e d in a docu me nt pre sently ,

0

t o b e quot e d as d e c ease d,
.
 IN RT ODUCTI O N . XV

ch ild d e volv e d 0 11 his grandfath e r But in the .

autu m n of 1 8 03 D r Griffiths h im s elf br e ath e d his

, .

l ast at Lind e n Hou s e ag e d e ighty thre e h aving ,

-
,

re t ir e d fro m the tradi ng p art of his bus in e s s s o m e

th irty years 1
H e l e ft b e h ind him his s e cond w ife
.

an d hi s s on by th e fir s t m arriag e The l att e r s uc .

c e e d e d him in th e proprie torsh ip an d m an ag e m e nt

of the R e vie w and in the r e s pons ibil ity o f bring

,
’
ing up an d s chooling his h alf s is t e r s orph an -
.

By his w ill d at e d Jun e 7 1 8 03 D r Griffith s

, , , .
,

aft e r r e c it ing th e s e ttl e m e nt of a c e rtain s um

of m on e y on his d aught e r A nn at h er m arriag e to
th e l at e M r W ain e w right in 1 7 9 3 and of a furth e r
.
,

s um to b e p aid ov e r to he r tru s t e e s at his d e ath ,

d e cl ar e d th at his gr and s on Tho m as Griffith s ,

W aine w right w as not e nt itl e d to any oth e r

,

port ion O f his e s t at e or e ffe ct s w hich w e re to b e ,

d ivid e d in the st atutory proportions b e tw ee n the

t e s tator s w ido w and his only s on G e org e E d w ard
’

Griffiths The w ill in fact contains 11 0 oth e r

.
, ,

provis ion and the d e c eas ed e x pr e s sly s t at e s th at

, ,

he should die inte st at e s av e and e x c e pt th is ,

d e cl arat ion r e sp e ct ing his gr andch ild Th is so me .

wh at p e cul iar limitation had its sourc e m ost

2 8 th [S e pt em b e r A t T urnh am Gr e e n , in hi s
1
,

8 3 rd y e ar, R alph Gr iffith s , E sq , LL D , the orig in al in s t i . .

tutor O f the M onthly R evi ew , w h ich , w ith unr em itting

”

p e rs ev e r anc e, h e conduct e d for 5 4 y ear s, ass is te d only by

his s on in t he latt e r p e riod o f his life D r Griffith s w as a . .

s t eady ad v oc at e o f lit e rat m e , a firm frie nd , a cord ial lo ve r

‘

o f the e nj oym e nt s o f do m es t ic h app in e s s , an d s ucc ess ful

prom ot e r of the ch arm s of s oc ial inte rcourse —A nnna l .

R eg is ter, 1 8 03 , p 5 2 0 Gentleman s M agaz ine, 1 8 03 , p 8 9 1

’
. . .
x vi IN RT OD UCT I O N .

prob ably in so me c ircum st anc e s conn e cte d with

M rs W aine wright s match and he r fath e r s vie ws
’ ’
.

about the alli anc e .

H ad s o m e s in is t e r e x pre ss ion or r e pugn ant trait

manife s t e d it s e lf in the fath e r the l at e M r Wain e , .

wright O f C his wick ? O r w as the littl e boy of

s e v e n th e h e ir to th e trust m on e y not a f av ourite
,
-
,

w ith grand pap a ?

A portrait of R alph Griffith s app e ars in the
E urop ea n M ag az ine for 1 8 04 wh e nc e w e t ak e ,

l e ave to e xtract a short p as s ag e

“
O f e ith e r the l it e rary l ife or do me s tic h ab its
of D r Griffi ths littl e is at pre s e nt kno w n ; wh ich
.

c ircum s t anc e w e s hould l am ent as a m is fortun e ,

w e re w e not infor m e d th at it is the int e nt ion of

,

his s on w ho at pr e s ent conduc t s the M onthly

,
“

R e v ie w to publ is h his M e mo irs Wh e n w e

,
.

ob s e rve th at but for th is int e nt ion w e s ho uld

, ,

l am ent our w ant of m at erials as a misfortun e ,

it aris e s from our r e fl e ction th at in t he v arie ty of

,

s itu at ion s wh e r e th is v e n e r abl e crit ic an d v alu abl e

m e mb e r of socie ty h as r e s id e d from th e D unc iad ,

in S t P aul s C hurchy ard 1 7 4 7 to the D unc iad

’
.
, , ,

n e ar C ath e rin e S tr ee t 1 7 7 2 wh e r e w e p e rfe ctly

, ,

r e m e mb e r his shop to b e a favourit e loung e of

the l at e D r Gold smith h e m u s t h av e b e co m e
, .
,

a cqu aint e d w ith m or e ch ar act e r s an e cdot e s and , ,

c ircu ms t anc e s m any of w h ich w e ho pe he has

,

pr e s e rve d th an p e rh ap s any oth e r crit ic fro m

,

D ionys ius of H al icarn assus

But the e xp e ct at ion w as illu s ory ; e ith e r the
young e r Griffiths d is cove re d no M e mo ir s or did ,
x viii IN R T ODUCT I O N .

W aine wright had b e e n l e ft at a v e ry t e nde r ag e

w ithout fath e r or m oth e r t he l att e r h av ing d ie d in
,

h e r confin e me nt and his e duc at ion and nurtur e

,

d e volving on his uncl e w ho s ucce e de d to Lind e n

,

Hou s e and the prop e rty conn e ct e d with it in

1 8 03 wh e n W aine w right w as a boy of s e v e n
, .

W e m ay fe el sure th at much of the orph an s .

’

s chool d ay s w as d ivid e d b et we e n C h arl es B urne y s

-
’

A c a d e m y at H amme r s mith or Gre e n w ich an d the

hou s e and g ard e n at Turnh am Gree n Th e re is .

no viol e nce in the conj e ctur e that th e youth s ,

’

l it erary and antiqu arian t as t e s w e re acqu ir e d and

fo s t e r e d during his acqu aint anc e w ith C h arl e s
Burn e y and ind e e d in s p eaking of his school
, ,

ing un d e r th at d is t inguis h e d m an W aine w right ,

e x pr e ss ly allud e s to h is acco mpl ish m e nts as a '

ph ilo s oph e r an d an arch ae ologist From the d is t ant .

rel ation s h ip th er e w as b e tw e e n th e m ( M is s Burn e y

w as the n ie c e as I h av e s ho w n of the s e cond
, ,

M rs Griffith s ) th e m as t e r w as not unl ik e ly to

.
,

t ak e a mor e th an u s u al int e re st in his pup il .

Th at pup il e vinc e d am ong oth e r po int s a re mark

, ,

abl e profic ie ncy as a draught s m an The draw ing .

book which he u s e d at s chool is st ill e xt ant and

, , ,

d ispl ays gre at t al e nt and n atural fe el ing .

W ain e w right furth e r appris es us in a docu m e nt ,

w h ich h e h ad occ as ion to dr aw up lat e r on in l ife ,

th at he w as brought up in e as y and com fort abl e

c ircu ms tanc e s and th at a m od e s t co mp e te nc e
,
“ ”

e n abl e d him to pur s u e his t ast e s for l it e r atur e and

oth e r e qu ally agr e e abl e e l e gant and conge n ial

, ,

Thi s m od e st com p e t e nc e d e sc e nd e d to
“ ”
s tudie s .

h im from his own p are nts .

 IN R T ODUCTI O N . xix

E me rg ing in d ue cours e into m anhood h e foun d ,

hims elf by d e gre e s surround e d by a c ircl e not only

of l it e rary but of artis tic frie nd s and p atrons
, , .

W e h av e it on hi s ow n authority th at his p e n and ,

brush introduc e d him to the notic e and frie nd shi p

of me n whos e fame is E urop e an A m ong th e s e
”

, .
,

I und e rst and w e re Fu s el i ( w ho m h e te rm s som e

,

wh e re the god o f his idol atry ) S toth ard We s t all S ir , , ,

T ho m as L awr e nc e and Fl ax m an ; and b e s id e s he

, , ,

g ain e d in time a footing am ong the litera ti and the

publis h e rs .

But at a c e rt ain po int of t ime s ubs e qu e ntly to ,

s chool d ays y e t not to b e fi xe d w ith pre cis ion our

-
, ,

author took a s ingul ar fancy into his he ad All .

hi s as s oc iat ion s had b e e n li t e r ary an d art ist ic as ,

w e ar e aw ar e but fro m a l ad s wh im l ittl e hom e

’

troubl e s or fro m so m e unknown m otiv e Wain e

, ,

wright still qu it e a youth w e nt into the arm y

, , .

“
It w as whisp ere d s ays Talfo urd th at he had“
, ,

b e e n an offic e r in the D ragoon s Whisp ered ! .

”

Why the m an hims elf s ays so much in so m any

,

word s H e d e scrib e s him s elf in print und e r the

.
,

y e a1 1 8 2 3 as h aving b e e n an ord e rly O ffic e r in a

'
,

r e g im e nt of the G ua1 d s— p e rh ap s the D ragoons

o ,

a n d ch aract e I iz e s his c arriag e in o n e pl ac e as so m e ,

“
thi ng b e tw e e n th e s u avity of the acco m pli sh e d
”
d il e tt ant e and th e m art ial grac e of the dragoon .

But w e w ill h av e his s tory as he g ive s it

” “
A s a boy h e s ays in Janu ary 1 8 2 3 I was
pl ac e d fre qu e ntly in lit e rary socie ty—a giddy
, , ,
“

flighty di spos it ion pre v e nt e d m e from r e c e ivin g

th e nc e any advant ag e The littl e atte ntion I gav e .

6 2
XX T ODUCT I O N
IN R .

to anyth ing w as d ire cte d to p ainting or rath e 1 to an ,

ad mirat ion of it ; b ut e v e 1 to b e le d aw ay by n e w
,

an d fl as hy g aud s I po s tpon e d th e p e nc il to t h e
,

s word ; and th e no is y aud acity of m il it ary con

v e rs at ion un it e d to the fre qu e nt fum e s of whis ky

,

punch ( te n tumbl e r s e v e ry e v e n ing w ithout acid) ,

ob s cur e d my r e coll e ction s of M ich ae l A nge lo as in

a dim fog A fte r a wh il e s e ve ral app are ntly
.
,

trifling ch anc e s d e t e rm in e d me against this m od e

of k illing t im e I w as idl e 0 11 th e town —my bl e s se d
,

A rt touch e d h e r re n eg ad e ; by h e r pur e and h igh

influ e nc e s the no is o m e m is ts w e re purg e d : my
fe el ing s p arch e d hot and t arn ish e d w e r e r e novat e d
, , ,

with cool fre s h bloom

, .

The D rag oon p e ep s out ag ain in a kind of by ,

the wag m ann e r wh e r e he re fe r s in the cours e of

-
,

a fin e art crit ic is m to th e w ant of pr e c is ion ob

-

s e rv e d by th at arm of th e S e rvic e in k e e p ing the

foot in the stirrup ; and W aine wright m ak e s e l se

w h e re a furth e r di sclo s ure r e l at ive to th is portion
of hishis tory and his l ife wh e re he m e ntion s ,

p ar e nth e tic ally in an e ss ay th at he w as at one

t im e a co m e t in a y e om am y r egi m e nt The .

corn e tcy w as prob ably the l ate r occup ation but of ,

th at I cannot b e s ure .

H e go e s on to t e ll us how the writings of Word s

worth contribut e d to m ak e a ne w m an of him
I w e pt ov e r th e m s ays he
“ ”
t e ars of h app in e s s
, ,

and g rat itud e an d th e y m ov e d him to w ag e w ar

,

on all the m ore s ordid in s tinct s of hum an ity But .

s e v e r e illn e ss a ccomp an ie d by hypochondria n o w

, ,

sup e rv e n e d ; he w as brought s afe ly through it by

 IN R T ODUCT I O N . xx i

a skilful phys ic ian and a youn g affe ction ate nurs e ,

but it l e ft him w e ak and inc ap abl e of act ive e x er

t ion H e w as r e comme nd e d v arie d amu s e m e nt
.
“ ”

a s a r e storat iv e ; an d it w as j u s t at th is junctur e

th at the L ond on M ag az ine h avin g b e gu n M r S cott

, ,
.

the e d itor know ing Vt aine w right s lov e of art

’ ’

, ,

e x hort e d him to co mm it so m e of his thought s to

p ap e r H is fir s t contribut ion he frankly own s
.
, ,

d e m and e d a good d eal of e ditorial r e v is ion ; but

t he e x Gu ard s m an had r e ason on th e whol e to b e
-
, ,

s at is fi e d w ith his s ucc e s s in an e nt ir e ly nov e l fi e ld .

W aine w right found S cott v e ry frie ndly and s traight

forw ard ; w h e n h e thought th at a subj e ct w as
e x h aust e d h e le t h im kno w his op in ion It al s o .

a pp e ars th at both L am b an d H az l itt h ad s pok e n

f avourably of him .

W aine wright ris e s firs t to our view d ist inctly

an d ind iv idu ally as a contributor (according to
his o w n account) t o a s m all e ph e m e ral pub
,

li cation by M e s sr s O ll ie r c all e d
,
. The Lit e rary ,
“

P ock e t Book in th e y e ar 1 8 1 9 w h e n h e w as fiv e
, ,

or s ix a d twe nty
n 1
M r Bu x ton Form an h as v e ry
. .

kindly e xam in e d a s e t of th e w ork for m e how ,

e v e r w ithout d e t e ct ing any v e st ig e of W ain e w right s

’

h and fro m b eg inn ing to e n d B la ckwood s M agaz ine .

’

1
Of Wain e wright s po e t ical
’

gi fts w e pp e ar to h av e no
a
e vi d e nc e b e yond t he v e rs e s at p 7 inf ra ; y e t in o n e
,
.
,

p ass ag e o f his E ss ays h e s hadow s forth t he ad v e nt o f a

po e t himself to wi t w orthy of t he “ g e ntle girl w ith the
, ,

a m aran thin e ié h air w ho s hou ld s ing h o w of o ld a

,
” “

Gre c ian m aid di e d f o r th e lo v e o f A pollo afte r s e e ing his ,

s t atu e by Ph id ias 1 T h is pro m i sory e ffu sion no chro ui

”
s

c le d eye has b e h e ld .

P oe t ice .
xxii IN R T ODUCT I O N .

h ad nt e r e d on its c ar e e r in 1 8 1 8 and Wainewright

e ,

appris e s us in the autob iogr aph ic al p ie c e wh ich I

,

h av e alre ady cit e d th at h e had a h and th e r e as

, ,

w e ll as in the Foreig n Q ua rter ly R eview wh e n it

st arte d in 1 8 2 8 I h ave not trac e d him in e ithe r
.

pl ace But the l it e rary m e dium with which his

.
,

n ame is m ore p articul arly id e ntifi e d w as the ,

L ond on M ag az ine O f wh ich the first nu m b e r

,

app e ar e d in J anu ary 1 8 2 0 H e has noth ing th e re

,
.

und e r his ow n n am e or und e r e ith e r of thos e wh ich

,

h e s ubs e qu e ntly as s u me d I re cogniz e ho w e v e r his

.
, ,

p e cul iar touch e s and hu mour in t he M od e st O ffe r

of S e rv ic e fro m Egom e t Bon m ot E s qu ir e wh ich , ,
”

is in s e rt e d in the J anu ary is s u e and h av e v e nt ur e d ,

on appropriat ing th at as w ell as a s e cond Bonm ot ,

p ap e r in the J un e nu mb e r to him ,
.

I h av e tra c e d to \Vaine w right s poss e ss ion m or e

’

th an e ve n two c ap s of invis ib il ity for h e w as

now M r Bon m ot ; anon he w as M r W e ath e rcock ;
. .

and 10 ! ag ain h e w as H e rr Vink b oo m s ! A nd to

imp art a c e rtain r acin e s s to the j e st an d to aug m e nt ,

the m y s tification Bonm ot invok e s his d e ar frie nd

,

J anu s and Janus inqu ir e s of the E ditor who th at

,

M r S tinking B rooms is Y e t all the t im e th e v e il

.
, ,

w as as transp ar e nt as g au z e It w as a sort of un ity .

in trinity— an ab s olut e c as e of a l it e rary C e r

b e ru s The e d itor of the m agaz in e h ims elf in
.
,

a not e to o n e of the W e ath e rcock p ap e rs throw s out ,

a s ign ific ant innu e ndo as to our author s triplicity

’
,

and it is prob ably a s ingul ar inst anc e O f a writ e r

contribut ing to the s am e org an und e r thre e distinct

soubriqu e ts In the Fe bru ary issu e w e co m e across
.
 IN R T ODUCT I O N .

S e ntim e nt alit ie s on the F in e A rts by J anus W e a ,

the rco ck E s q N o 1 , ( To be con tinued when he is

. . .

in the humour )
”
Wea thercock in a w ord , w a s ,

W aine wright .

W aine w right a lias W e ath e rcock is d e scrib e d by

o n e of his cont e m porarie s as at this t im e a young

m an on the bright s id e of th irty with a sort of un ,

d r e s s m ili t ary air and the conv e rs ation of a s m art

, ,

live ly cl e v e r h e artl e ss voluptuou s co x com b H e

, ,
”
, .

is m an ife stly favouring us w ith a c at alogu e of his

own fashi on abl e acc e ssorie s as he app e ar e d abo ut ,

1 8 2 0 wh e n in o ne of the L ondon M ag az in e s , h e
, ,

e nu m e rat e s th e d iam ond rings on our fi ng e r s th e

“ -
,

ant iqu e c am e os in our bre ast -p in s our c ambric

pock e t —
,

h andk e rch ie f br e ath ing forth attargui our ,

p al e l em on coloure d k id glov e s
-
”
But from oth e r .

sourc e s e qu ally r e liable I colle ct th at he was of a

t all figur e wh ich acqu ir e d ins e ns ibly a sl ight h ab it
,

of s toop ing ; his co m pl e xion an d h air w e re d ark ,

the l att e r r ath e r lo n g ov e r the e ars and g e n e r ally

dr e s s e d and curl e d acro s s the t empl e s with stud ie d
c ar e and p art e d down the m iddl e 1
he wor e mous ~
t ach e s ; his e ye s d e e ply se t in th eir s ock e ts w e r e
’
p e n e trating or pl ayful at the own e r s pl e asur e j u s t ,

a s his vo ic e d e scrib e d in o ne pl a c e as an e l e g ant

,

l isp w as c ap able und e r provoc ation or in critic al

,

e m e rg e nc ie s of asc e nd ing to a loftie r an d mor e

,

1
He p eak s o f himself in f act in 1 8 2 2 as a m an
s , , ,

a b out th irty t he h air b lack and p art e d on th e f or e h e ad

, ,

w as long thick and curle d

, , and h e add s a g limp se o f

on e larg e w h it e h and d e corat e d w ith rega l ring s ( his

“

f ondn e s s f o r j e w elry is not ic e d by

xx iv IN R T ODUCTI O N .

s onorous k e y W ho can doubt it ? D id Wain e

.

wright alw ay s l isp or H az litt alw ays s louch ?

,

W aine wright s h e ad w as l arg e and altog e th e r c as t

’

in a m as s iv e m ould w ithout a ny t e nd e ncy to t ap e r

,

to w ard s the ch i n I h ave h e ard his e x pre ss ion

.

d e p ict e d as at onc e r e fl e ct ive and fas c in ating and ,

h is e ye s as st e althy in th e ir gl anc e s but I h av e

al s o m e t w ith accounts w h ich app e are d to m e to

d e m on s trat e the m an s thorough po w e r and not

’

unfre qu e nt custo m of look ing p e opl e in the fac e .

N ay I e v e n b e l ie ve th at m uch non s e n s e has b e e n

,

w ritte n about furt iv e looks and b as ili s k e y e s .

W Vaine w right w as c e rt ainly an e x traordinary m an ,

w ithout b e ing a m an of firs t rat e ge n iu s or of v e rv

-

h igh pow e rs Th at his ab il itie s w e re v e ry con

.

s id e rab ly abov e th e av e rag e I conc e iv e to b e pr e tty

conclu s iv ely shown by his r e t e nt ion of his pl ac e

as an occ as ion al writ e r on the L o nd on who s e pro ,

rie t ors w e re a n x ious to s e cure at t h e b e s t pric e

p
all the av ail abl e t al e n t of t he d ay By the s id e o f .

L amb D e Q u inc e y P roct e r H az li tt and C arlyl e

, , , , ,

J anu s We ath e rcock E s qui re k e pt his ground and ,

ind e e d the l it e rary critic is m s of Waine w right are

unqu e stion ably the offs pring of an acut e and culti
v at e d m ind . H is v ie ws r e sp e ct ing S toth ard are
j u s t and p e rm an e nt But he occ as ion ally o ffe nd s
.
.

us by his D ib dinian w ay of puffin g curre nt w ar e ,

a nd r e co mm e nd ing his r e ad e r to s e nd to s o m e s hop

to s e cur e a copy of s o m e th ing or oth e r Th is pro .

p e ns ity is c arrie d to an odd p itch w h e re in o ne of ,

t he Vin k b oom s Pap e rs h e s p e ak s of h av ing o ne of

’

,
’
M ich ael A ng elo s cl ay ske tch e s th at for his A uror a ,
 IN RT ODUCTI O N .

I t ak e it to b e cl e ar e nough th at it is to about
,

t hi s d at e th at w e h av e to r e fe r tho s e e l aborat e
,

pr e p arations on the p art of W ain e w right for tw o

d is t inct work s illu s trativ e of the v ariou s schools of
p ainting wh ich w e r e to form wh e n publishe d fiv e
, , ,

f ol io volu me s and l ike w is e the co m po s it ion of

,

wh at h e c alls A n A rt Nov e l in thre e v olum e s

,
”
,

A t the s ame time no d oubt he w as e ng ag e d in

, ,

d raw ing up or as s is t ing to draw up the C at alogu e

, ,

of the E xh ib ition at S o m e rs e t Hous e wh ich w e ,

find figuring in his o w n l ist of his l it e rary l abours .

T h is as s oc iat ion w ith Art n e c e s s arily brought him

into m or e or l e ss int imate cont act w ith the s tudio s
a n d the g all e rie s ; but dur ing th e w int e r month s

h e t e ll s us th at he w as in the h ab it of fre qu e nting

the th e atr e s an d oth e r e nt e rtain m e nt s (w e h e ar the
C id e r C e ll ar an d the C o al Hol e n am e d p ar ex emp le ,

no doubt for the j ok e of the th ing onc e in a w ay ) ;,

a nd t he book s hops also s aw him m uch an d t he

-
,

rintselle rs in tho s e s hort d ays wh e n th e country

p ,

i s not so alluring as in the prim e of the l e af .

L e t m e ann e x from one of his own p ap e rs a

ch arm ingly ch aract eris t ic b it wh e r e he is b idding
,

a die u t o a l it e rary acqu aint anc e Good m orn ing ,

I a m al m ost too l at e ; e ngag e d to m e e t som e p rime

cor es of th e F ancy at tw e lv e ; th e n to th e F iv e s C ourt ;

m us t b e at the R oyal In s titut ion by h alf p as t two ;

t ak e my tw e ntie th p e e p at H aydon s Pictur e in ’

m y w ay b ack : l e tt e rs to B el z o ni t ill five ; d inn e r

c hez m oi w ith the l ittl e ph ilo s oph e r and the d octor

at s ix
'
don our az ure ho s e for the Lady C e rul e a
L az ul i s C onv e rs az ion e at h alf p ast n in e-
Op e ra ,
 IN RT ODUCTI O N . xxvii

—appl aud M ilanie sup with the C orinth ians

,
an d

in S t J am e s s S qu ar e at two S und ay morn ing

’

good b ye —hop e to s e e you at church to m orro w

.

-
,

if up in t im e — Or m e e t y e at S ir J os e ph s at n ight
’

—good b y e .
”

O n the whol e he m ust h av e had his h ands ,

pr e tty full during th e s e y e ar s without counting

t he so m e wh at fitful e s s ay s in the L ond on In .

fact he d id noth ing th e re so f ar as w e can s ee

, , ,

b e tw e e n S e pt emb e r 1 8 2 0 and S e pte mb e r 1 8 2 1

, , , .

H e w as le t us t ak e it for gr ant e d b e tt e r e ng ag e d ;
, ,

wh at w ith his lov e O f A rt his fondn e ss for hor s e s ,

his “
m od e st co mp e t e nc e and a rich uncl e at ,

Lind e n Hou s e Turnh am Gr e e n to v is it wh e n h e

, ,

c hos e . B e s id e s he had forme d around him th anks

, ,

to his l it e rary and artistic pr e dile ction s and his

app are ntly e as y pos it ion a pl e as ant littl e c ircl e of ,

frie nds not only authors and p aint e rs but priv at e

, ,

acqu aint anc e s such as the A b e rcro mbys

,
.

It w as a s m all fam ily at M ortl ak e in r ath e r

hum bl e c ircu ms t anc e s Th e re w as a w idow w ith .

o n e d aught e r and a s o n by h e r first husb and M r , .

W ard and tw o d aught e r s H e l e n Franc e s P h oeb e

, ,

and M ad e l e in e by he r s e co n d Lie ut e n ant A b e r

, ,

c ro m by O f th e O rdn an c e
1
,
Who and wh at M r . .

W ard w as I h ave fail e d to asc e rt ain Lie ute n ant .

A b e rcro mby d ie d in 1 8 1 2 ; and as he di d not l e av e

a sh illing b e h ind him an appl ic at ion w a s m ad e to ,

t he Bo ard of O rdn anc e an d grant e d for a s mall

a llow anc e to his two childr e n—1 01 a y e ar a p ie c e
, ,

. .

1
H e le n born 1 2 th M arch 1 8 09 and Mad eleine
w as , ,

d uring her pa r e nt s r e sid e nc e in I re land in 1 8 1 0

’ -
,
.
 IN R T ODUC TI O N .

A fte r he r s e cond spous e s d e c e as e M rs A b e r

’
.

cro m by took in lodg e rs (p e rch anc e amongs t

th e m M r W aine wright) an d th is with a s mall
.
,

prop e rty at M ortl ake w orth about 1 00l a y e ar .

d e riv e d fro m h er firs t husb and I conclud e , forme d ,

h e r e nt ire inco me .No wond e r, th e n , if the poor

O ld l ady ran in d e bt w ith h e r ag e nt, M r J am e s .

S t e w art, an auction e e r in the n e ighbourhood .

M is s Franc e s Ward a young lady of the m ost

,

pre po s s e ss ing app e ar anc e took t he h e art of Wain e

'

w r ight co m pl e t e ly c aptiv e ; th e y w e re m arrie d .

The re g is t e rs of M ortl ak e wh e re t he A b e rcro mbys

,

live d , and w h e re th e y are still r e m e mb e re d cont ain ,

no e ntry o f th e e ve nt ; but I s uppo s e th at the

un ion took pl ac e s o me wh e r e b e t w e e n 1 82 0 and
1 8 24 A t the l att e r d at e W aine w right wo ul d h av e
.

b e e n e x actly th irty Talfo urd int imat e s th at a s um

.

Of w as s e t tl e d on W ain e w right and his wife

at th e ir m arriag e ; but th at v e ry l e arn e d judg e
m u s t re fe r to W aine w right s o w n m od e s t co mp e
“ ’

” ”
t e nc e to borro w his own e x pre s sion
,
d e r iv e d, ,

( I s t ill quot e W a i
'
n e w righ t s w ord s )
“
fro ’
m h i s ,

p are nt s A s th e l ady s fam ily is s aid to h av e

’
.

b e e n v e ry poor and he r hu s b and w as l e ft an orph an

,

a t an e arly a e it is s c arc e ly to b e b e l ie v e d th at
g ,

t he an d O d d Four p er C e n t s tock w as s e ttl e d .

at th e t im e O f m arriag e in the m ann e r s ugg e st e d .

It is e vid e nt to m e on th e contrary, th at the

,

m on e y or prop e rty w as s im ply the e s t at e h e ld in

tru s t for W aine w right s b e n efit by o ne of his
’

p at e rn al uncl e s , R ob e rt W aine w right the sol icitor,

and thr ee oth e r p e rson s .
H EL E N FR A N C ES P H CI BE AB E R C RO M BY .

FR O M A N O R I GI N A L D R AW N G I
BY T G
. . WA I N EW FI IG HT .
y e ar s .
HE L E N I R A N C ES
'

PH OE B E AB ER C RO M BY .

FR O M AN O R G NA L I I D R AW IN G
BY T . G W A I N EW R IG HT
. .
XXX IN R T ODUCTI O N .

h ap s h ave b ee n improve d by a littl e m ore sh adi n

H e also took M ad e l e in e —only a h e ad in c rayon
it m u s t h av e b e e n a r ath e r l at e r p ie c e of work an d , ,

I am informe d by tho s e who s hould know b e s t ,

th at it is a l e ss truthful r e s e mbl anc e But he als o .

d e vote d a good d e al of tim e and att e nt ion to the

tre at me nt of s ubj e cts int e nd e d for his o w n privat e
portfol io — e x quis it e d el in e ation s of the fe mal e
form and d es ign s which r egard e d fro m an unpro
, ,

f e s s ional po int of v ie w m ight h av e b e e n ch arac

,

t e riz e d as d e c id e dly e rot ic The only sp e c im e n o f

.

th is cl as s wh ich has falle n in my w ay is a s tudy

fro m the w ell known leg co mp aring e p isod e r el at e d
- -

in G ram m o nt s M e m o irs in w h ich o n e of the C ourt

’

b e autie s M is s P ric e is m ade to figur e

, , .

C h arl e s L amb s t e s tim ony sure ly favour s the

’

assu m pt ion th at W aine w right h ad li ttl e or nothing

to do with the L ondon M ag az ine aft e r 1 8 2 3 In . .

a l e tt e r to B e rn ard B arton of th at y e ar he s ay s ,
“
The L ondon I fe ar fall s off
,
’
I ling e r am ong
, .

th e cr eaking r aft e r s lik e the l ast rat ; it w ill toppl e

down if th e y don t get s ome buttr e ss e s Th e y
,
.

h av e pulle d down thr e e H az li tt P roct e r and , ,

th e ir b e s t st ay kin d l ight h e art e d W aine wright

, ,
-
,

th eir Janus an d ag ain to the s ame , ,

corr e spond e nt he re marks about the s am e time

I mis s J anu s and 0 how it [the M ag az in e] mis s e s
, ,
”
H az litt I
O nc e m ore the v e il e d author of The M e m o ir
,
“

”
O f a Hypochondria c in the L ond on for O ctob e r
, ,

1 8 2 2 t ak e s occ asion to apolog is e for his intrus ion

,

on W ainew right s familiar province ’

A nd s o
 IN R T ODUCT I O N .

far e w ell to p ainting If I h ave tr e sp ass e d on the

pre s e rve of M r W eath e rcock — (by the b ye why
.

.
,

do e s not M r We ath e rcock go o nw ith hi s pl e as ant

.

l e ctur e s 0 11 print s and p aint e rs W hy do e s he ,

li k e a coy and b e aut iful virg in shun the e ye o f his ,

lov e rs the ad miring publ ic I s th e re not m uch

still to sp eak of— fields th at r e main to b e won ?
,

L e t him write ag ain —and ag ain ) — if I ha ve tre s

’
p ass e d on M r We ath e rcock s pre s e rv e I trust th at
.
,
”

g ay an d g e ntl e critic w ill e x cus e it .

But the W e ath e rcock w as d e cl are d to b e st e ad

”
fast for l ack of o il and the fin al p ap e r of Janu s
,

in the num b e r for J anu ary 1 8 2 3 produc e d this , ,

e d itorial not e s igni fic ant of his r e t ir e m e nt from

p e riodic al writ ing The w int e r must b e very

ha r d— as it w as e x p e ct e d to b e— for hon e st M ast er
Janus W e ath e rcock h as in the pre s e nt nu m b e r , ,

co m pos e d his d e c e nt h ead an d bre ath e d his l ast .

’

But w e are acqu aint e d with his trick s an d w e ll ,

know h ow subj e ct he is to w ilful tranc e s and

viol e nt w akings The n ewsp ap e rs told u s the oth e r
.

d ay O f a p e rson w ho could count e rfe it d e ath to

s uch a n icety as to d e c e iv e e v e n an und e rt ak e r ;
,

n ow o ur r e ad e r s m u s t not b e surpris e d to find

J anu s ge t up aft e r his l aying out and go abou t
, ,

h is ordin ary conc e rns D e p e nd upon it r e ad e rs

.
, ,

he r e s e mbl e s th e S p e ct ator s sl ee p e r at the C ock

’

and I s no m or e d ead th an w e are !

”
a n d Bottl e
’

Nor do e s the scrap in the n umb eI for F e bru ary ,

1 8 2 6 und e r th e familiar s ign atur e qu it e prov e the

, ,

contr ary s inc e th e r e is a look about it as if it had

r e ach e d th e M ag az in e at s e cond h and— so m e w aif
, ,
xx xii IN R T ODUCTI O N .

l e ft in the e ditor s b ask e t or trans mitt e d through

’
a

A ll the r e gul ar contributors to the L ond on w e r e

profe s s ion al m en of l e tt e rs not all of th e m p re ,

C is e ly d e p e nd e nt on th e ir e x e rt ion s in th is w ay for
th e ir s ub s ist e nc e but m e n who m ight b e s et down
,

as authors W ainewright alon e s eem s to h av e

.

stood out s id e th is c at e gory T ru e he wr ot e much

—a g re at d e al m ore alm o s t b e yond qu e stion , th an
.
,

w e sh all e ve r r e cov e r ; but it w as as an a ma te ur .

The d ist inct ion m ay app e ar trivial e v e n unj u s t ; ,

but h e is re alis e d t o m e as an ind ividual w ho ,

h aving had no r e gul ar l it e rary train ing t ak e s up ,

his p e n for a t ime as h e m ight his b ill iard cue

, ,

d ash e s O ff an art icl e or so , wh e n or w hil e he is in

t he hu m our, or a f e w r ers cle s ocie te and th e n
’ ’

throw s up the hobby of the hour to choos e a n ew

o ne .

I b el ieve th e n I s h all b e s ub s t antially corr e ct in

, ,

a sse rt ing th at W aine wright s e c e d e d fro m l it e r ary

,

e ng ag e m e nts though by no m e ans y e t fro m l it e rary

,

c ircl e s in 1 8 2 3 If w e try to form an e s tim ate

,
.

of the o s t e n sibl e r e s ourc e s of M r and M rs W ain e . .

wright about th is p e riod w e s h all find ours e lve s

, ,

I fe ar b e g inn ing and e nd ing w ith M r W ain e

,
.

w r ight s b e fore quot e d m od e st co mp e t e nc e

’
-

s ome in t he N e w Four p e r C e nt s Time s .

w e r e d e are r th an w h e n D r J ohn s on s fr ie nd Lang

.
’

ton k ept s t at e in the country and p aid his w ay on , ,

£ 200 a y e ar ; but th e W aine w right s had no family

y e t ; an d w ith ord i n ary thr ift th e y m ight m an ag e
w ell e nough t ill the sh ip c am e ho me Unluck ily
, .
,
 T ODUCTI O N
IN R . xxx iii

h is t ast e s w e r e t erribly e x p e n siv e and she on her , ,

p art w as a fine d ashing cr eat ur e

, .

O n e c atch e s a glim ps e of th e ir g ay and brilliant

d o ing s prior to th e ir re m ov al to Turnh am Gr e e n
, ,

in a d e s cript ion whi ch is giv e n of a p art icul arly e le

g ant p eti t d iner ( our ho s t d e light e d in gallicis m s)
a t wh ich M r and M rs Tho m as Griffi ths Wain e
. .

w right r e qu e st e d to h av e the pl e as ur e of th e com

p any of S ir W e ntworth D ilk e B art D r M aginn , ,
.
,

M r J ohn Forst e r M r S e rj e ant Talf o urd M r John

.
,
.
,
.

C lare (th e po e t) M r M acre ady and oth e rs at

, .
, ,

th e ir r e sid e nc e in Gre at M arlborough S tr e e t It .

w as a s u it e of lu x uriou s ly furni sh e d ap art me nts ;

which the W aine w rights had e ngag e d S ur ely .

,

unl e ss Janu s had l ight e d on so m e n e w sourc e of

re v e nu e m or e lucrat iv e th an t he M ag az in e s th is
, ,

s tyl e of l iv ing w as so m e wh at im provid e nt .

a y e ar would not b e ar th is str ain long .

Howe v e r v e ry fortun at e ly for th e m ( as it

,

app e ar e d) s ee ing p e rh ap s th at his r e s id e nc e w as

,

co mmodious e v e n b e yond the m o s t amb itious

r e qu ire me nts of a b ach e lor U ncl e Griffiths pro ,

po s e d at this conjunctur e to g ive his n e ph e w and

n ie c e a hom e at Lind e n Hou s e Th is must h av e .

b e e n about 1 8 2 8 S inc e 1 8 2 3 Waine wright had don e

.

v e ry l ittl e in the lite rary w ay Ind e e d his e arn .

,

i ng s from th is kind of s ourc e w e r e undoubt e dly ,

from first to l ast v e ry insignific ant ; nor can th e y

,

b e s aid to h av e e x te nd e d ov e r m ore th an thre e or

f our ye ar s if w e includ e the at pr e s e nt un id e ntifi e d
,

p ie c e s in th e Literary P ocket B ook for 1 8 1 9 and

1 82 0 H e th ere for e pl ac e d no d ep e nd e nc e on the
.

c
xxxiv IN R T ODUCT I O N .

publish e rs and m e rely hit off a p ap er in his o wn

,

m ann e r now an d ag ain w h e n he h app e n e d to b e ,

in the v e in .

The ann e x e d lis t of his p e rform anc e s is form e d ,

to a con sid e rabl e e xt e nt fro m his o w n publis h e d ,

m e m orand a Th e first s e cond and th ird ite m s

.
, ,

howe ve r are not known to s urviv e in any sh ap e

, .

It is s aid of C ol e ridge th at he accumulat e d a ,

s ingul ar c at alogu e of titl e s of work s whi ch he t o o ,

s angu in e ly propo s e d to c arry out ; it is within the

limit s of po s s ibility th at the s am e thing h app e n e d

to his d is tingui sh e d cont emporary and th at the ,

fol io w ork s wh ich I h ave e num e rat e d on his

,

authority w e re m e r ely p aullo p os t f uturo adu m

,
- -

b ratio ns lik e the Thoug hts of M r E gom e t Bonm ot

,
.

an d are d e s t in e d to r e main to all succ ee di ng

ag e s m ore t ant aliz ing th an th e e x tracts O f A rch

b is hop P hot iu s The fourth so far as I h av e b e e n

.
,

fortun ate e nough to id e nt ify th e m con s titu t e the ,

body of the pr es e nt volu m e The l ast art icl e .

con s ist e d I conj e cture of m e re co mp ilation s

, ,
.

1
. A P h ilosoph ic al Th e ory of D e s ign as con
-
,

Ce rn e d w ith the Loftie r E motions show ing its d ee p ,

a ct ion on S oc ie ty dr aw n fro m the Phi d e an Gr ee k

, , ,

an d e arly Flor e nt in e S chools ( the r e sult of s e v e n

t e e n y e ar s study) ’
Illu s trat e d with num e rou s
.

pl at e s e x e cut e d with conscie nt iou s accuracy I n

, .

o ne volu m e atl as fol io

2 —
.
,

. An f Es the tic and Ps ychologic al Tr e atis e on

the B e aut iful ; or the A n alogie s of I m agin at ion
,

and F ancy as e x e rt e d in P o e s y
, w h e th e r V e rs e , ,

P ainting S culpture Mus ic or A rch ite cture ; t o

, , ,
 I NTR O D UC TKHL XXXV

form four volum e s fol io w ith a profus ion of e n ,

graving s by the b e s t artist s of P aris M un ich , ,

B e rlin D re sd en and Wie n

3 — A n A rt Nov el in thre e volum e s
, , .

4 — F ant as ie s C rit ical S ke tch e s & c fro m Bl ack

,
, .

. .
, , ,
’
wood s M agaz in e t he For e ign ( Q uart e rly) R e vie w
, ,

and th e L ondon M ag az in e .

5 C ontribut ions to the Lit e rary P ock e t Book

.
-
,

1819
6 — C at alogu e s of the S o me rs e t Hous e E x hi b i~
.

t ion s .

“
H az litt in his p ap e r calle d T he D andy S chool,
,

print e d in the E xa miner 1 82 8 allude s to the . ,

change whi ch had th e n tak e n plac e in the ton e and

aim of l it e r ature
“ ”
Now he s ays all th at w e
.
, ,

l earn fro m it is the s ervili ty e gotism and upstart , ,

pre te ns ion s of the write rs In s t e ad O f transporting .

you to fairyland or into the m iddl e age s you t ake a

, ,

turn down Bond S tr e e t or go through the m az e s of ,

the d anc e at Almack s Y ou dip into an

’
.

e s say or a nov e l an d m ay fancy yours e lf r e ading a

,

colle ction of qu ack or fashion abl e adve rtis e me nts .

M ac ass ar O il E au de C ologn e H ook and S eltz e r

, ,

Wat e r A ttar of R os e s P o m ad e D ivin e gl anc e

, , ,

through the p ag e in in e xtric abl e confus ion and ,

m ak e your h e ad g iddy In th e s e el e gant volum e s

.

( i
’
D sr ae li s
‘
Viv ian a fin e g e ntl e m an s e e s

1
A notic e o f this publication will b e f ound in M r I re .

land s m ono graph on the w rit ing s o f H azlitt and H unt

’
,
1 8 6 8 pp 1 2 7 8 and in the L ond on M agaz ine f or J anu ary
, .
-
, ,
1 82 1 .
 xxx vi IN R T ODUCTI O N .

t he cut of his co at the tie of his cravat and the

, ,
”
polish of his boots as in his look ing gl as s ,
-
.

The art icl e fro m w h ich I h av e b e e n quot ing w as

nro re imm e diat e ly int e nd e d as a s kit on
“
Vivian
Grey but the crit ic ism applie s almost e qu ally to
,
”

th e oth e r writ e rs of the D andy and S ilve r Fork

S chool s—Waine wright includ e d It is curiou s how .

fashions in writing s e t in and die out A mong the .

d is c ipl e s of th e s e tw o s e cts we find Plum e r Ward , ,

L ord Normanb y D is rae l i the younge r and Wain e

, ,

wright but Bulw e r too w as an o ffs hoot fro m th em

, , ,

an d his e arl ie r w ork is pow e rfully t aint e d w ith t he

vic e s of his t e ach e r s H e alon e had the s tre ngth to

.

s h ak e o ff the m e r e tric iou s influ e nc e ye t he r e tain e d ,

a c e rt ain trac e of th e old florid e uph e mis m so

(
cle ve rly p arodie d by Th ack e ray) to t he last .

Y e t s o l at e as 1 8 3 1 wh e n M o x on of D ove r
, , ,

s tre e t ,
st arte d the E ng lishma n s M agaz in e Lamb ’

is found t e nd e ring him coun se l as to wh at s ort of

thing he ought to m ake of it and wh at s ort of m en ,
“ ”
it was hi s int e r e st to s e cure C an you not he.
,

d emands get hold of P roct e r ? H is ch amb e rs

,
’
are in Lincoln s Inn at M ont agu s
’
or of Janu s
We ath e rcoc k t—both of th e ir p rose is c apital
,

’
D on t e ncourag e po e try A nd as I h av e alre ady ,

point e d out H az litt himse lf possibly won like the

, ,

author of
“
E lia by the ch ar m of dis similitude or
,
”

contrast look e d with an indulg e nt eye on the

,

We athe rcock p ap e rs in th e L ondon .

But W ainewright let me r e me mb e r no long e r

, ,

ch aract e r —
the m an of l e tt e rs has to b e introduc e d in anothe r
,

the man of bus in e ss and of the world .

xxx viii T O UCT I O N
IN R D .

th at in or about 1 8 28 U ncl e Griffiths r e c e iv e d his

young r el ative s into his hou s e at Turnh am Gre e n ;
an d of cours e the ch ang e fro m lodg ing s e v e n in
, ,

Gre at M arlborough S tre e t or s uch a r e s id e nc e ,

as W aine w ri ght s limit e d inco m e would allo w

’
,

w as h ighly agr e e abl e Wh at app e are d a cru e l

.

blow to the young p e opl e s h app in e s s occurre d about

’

a t w e lv e month aft e r t h e ir in s t al m e nt in th e s e h and

s o me qu art e r s G e org e E d w ard Griffith s E s qu ire

.
, ,

of Lind e n Hous e d ie d in 1 8 29 afte r a s hort illn e ss

, , ,

l e aving his n e ph e w and n ie c e th at ve ry el ig ible

m an sion and oth e r prop e rty and e ffe cts M r . .

Griffith s w as an old m an ; but the fat al occurre nc e

w as wholly un e x p e ct e d .

Th e r e w as o ne con s id e ration wh ich m it ig at e d

the s orrow of t he Waine w rights ; it w as the
pro s p e ct afte r m any y ears of union th at d ear
, ,

Franc e s would at l ast h av e it in he r pow e r to o ffe r

he r hu sb and a sub s t antial pl e dg e of he r affe ct ion .

O f course a pl ac e l ik e Lind e n Hous e com fortably ,

furn ish e d with its lov e ly g ard e n and lu x urious

,

appurt e n anc e s to s ay nothing of the good old

,

g e ntl eman s m on e y h elp e d to cre at e a dive rs ion

’

fro m mel ancholy thoughts ; but the arrival of a

boy christ n e d G ri ffiths aft e r his l ame nt e d gr e at
,
e

uncl e w as a crown ing j oy and co mp e n s at ion

,
.

I know wh at Lin d e n Hous e w as and I am ,

r ath e r unce rt ain to wh at e xt e nt the d e ath of Uncle

Griffith s b e ne fit e d the W ainew rights p e cun iarily ;
but from the t e nor of his gr andfath e r s will it is ’

op e n to sp e c ul ation wh e th e r the m o ie ty l e ft to
the s e cond wife r em ain e d in the family or ,
 IN R T ODUCTI O N . xxxix

p ass e d to h er own frie nd s at h er d eath in 1 8 1 2 ;

an d again it is not to b e suppos e d th at th e inco m e
,

of the own e r of Linde n Hous e w as wh at it had

b e e n in the p alrny d ays of the M onthly R eview .

S till the m e r e hou s e w ith its cont e nts and its

,

ground s w as not a de s pic abl e pos s e s sion and th e re

, ,

m ust h av e b e e n a tol e rably h and s om e w indfall

b e sid e s O n the oth e r h and it is b e yond d isput e
.
,

th at wh e re v e r he had contracte d such h ab its and

,

not ion s W aine w right s th e ory of e x p e nd itur e w as

,
’

in p e rfe ct k e e p ing with the b e aut iful pl ac e he had

l at e ly inh e rit e d ; Lind e n Hous e at the time of ,

whi ch I am writin g ( 1 8 29 in th e h and s Of

a prud e nt and thrift y m an st and ing on his own ,

fr ee hold as k e d c e rt ainly £ 1 000 a y e ar to k e e p it

,

up at all appropriat e ly ; and M r We ath e rcock s o .

,

far fro m b e ing prud e nt or thrifty lov e d c arriag e s , ,

m aj olic a rar e prints win e s of un usu al vint ag e s

, , ,

s e rv ant s in liv e ry and oth e r s w e e t im pov e rish

,

m e nts . Wh at e v e r m on e y M r W e ath e rcock had .

w as ap t th e re for e to go unconsc ion ably fast and ,

th e wor s t w as th at th e r e w as n ow an e nd to all
e x p e ct at ion s fro m r e l at iv e s .

Nor was th is all The Ab e rcro mby s at M ort

.

l ak e s inc e M is s Ward s m arriag e h ad b e e n g e tting

,
’

poore r and poor e r M rs A b e rcro mby did not find

. .

h er s ch e m e for r ais ing an income out of lodg e rs

an s w e r p e rh aps
, . The two girl s w e re growing into
wo m e n H e l e n would b e of age in 1 8 3 0 and her
.
,

s ist e r M ad el e in e w as only a y e ar he r j uni or .

It w as cl e arly unfortun at e ; but the Wain e

wr ights notwithst anding the sort O f wh it e el eph ant
,
x1 T ODUCT I O N
IN R .

Lind e n Hous e thre at e ne d to prov e to th e m and the ,

m agn itude of th e ir pre s e nt e x p e n s e s felt oblige d ,

to arr ang e with mamm a and s is t e r s th at the poo r ,

l ittl e pl ac e at M ortl ak e s hould b e give n up and ,

M rs A b e rcromby an d the g irl s s hould all co me t o

.

j o in the h appy c ircl e at Tur nh am Gre e n .

But he r con s id e rat e frie nd s did not long e nj oy

the s at is fact ion of M rs A b e rcro m by s s oc ie ty ; for
’
.

the old l ady d ie d ( A ugust 1 8 3 0) a fe w month s

only afte r he r r em oval to th at s pl e nd id ne w ho m e
—die d sudde nly afte r a good deal of vo miting in ,

a fit of convuls ion s The W aine w right s w e re

.

thus l e ft s o me wh e re in 1 83 0 w ith the b aby and

the t w o young A b e rcro m by g irl s Th e s e m ad e up
.

the family at Lind e n Hous e b e tw e e n forty- n in e

and fifty y e ar s s inc e .

W aine w right like P rosp e ro had pluck e d his

,
“
,

m ag ic g ar me nt fro m him A s Lamb s aid of his

”
.

t he hu m our of th e t h ing had gon e

“
E ss ays ,
or ,

r ath e r J anu s We ath e rcock was in a s ad t aking ,

in t he hu mour
”
an d w as no long e r L ind e n
“

—
Hous e the ve ry n am e its elf—w as fro m a c e ntury s
.

as s oc iat ion s,
a tow e r of str e ngth The trad e s .

p e opl e of Turnh am Gre e n would as s oon h ave

e x p e ct e d to h e ar of the m ans ion in the Grov e
coll ap s ing as of the m ansion in Threadnee dle
,

S tre e t pl aying such a trick H ad not the fam ily

.

of Griffith s and G riffiths W aine wright h eld th e ir

-

own th e re fro m t ime imm em orial ? The fath e rs of

the butch e rs, b ake rs and groc e r s of 1 8 3 0 might
,
.

h av e s e e n the c arriage s of the Q u al ity drive up to

the door, wh e n the old D octor, who h ad known
 IN R T ODUCTI O N . x li

We dgwood and Go lds mith J ohnson and Fanny ,

Burn e y l ive d und e r th at roof It w as o nl y in

, .

1 8 1 2 th at his s e cond l ady w as c arrie d th e nc e t o

C h is w ick churchyard .

But the n e w occup ie rs of Lind e n Hous e and thos e

old p e opl e b e long e d to rath e r di ffe re nt s chools .

The W aine w rightsdi d not s e e m di s po s e d to r e m ain

:

s atis fi e d w ith the e xe rc is e of ordin ary frie ndshi p

an d hosp it ality All th e ir arr ang e m e nts to s ay
.
,

th e truth and all th e ir t as t e s w e re to s ay the t ruth

, , ,

al armin gly profu s e The furn itur e the d e corat ions

.
, ,

th e orn am e nt al obj e cts th e hors e s an d carriage s

, ,

the toil e t s an d th e t abl e w e r e on a s c al e w h ic h

, , ,

would h av e gr e atly aston is h e d both th e old D octor

an d his s on U nl e ss a gold min e h ad b e e n sprung
.
-

s o me wh e r e th e fam ily at L ind e n Hou s e app ear e d

,

to b e of the popul ar p e r s u as ion th at the b e s t k in d ,

of l ife w as a short lif e an d a m e rry one .

Thos e w h o w e r e b e hi nd th e sc e n e s w e r e t o o
w e ll aw are th at the m on e y w as running low and ,

that affairs w e r e on the drift H el e n and her s is t ers .

w e re ignorant of the pro xi mity of any d ange r e v e n ,

with a s e rvant of the S h e riff of M iddl e s e x on the

pr emis e s Wh at s houl d girls know about b ills or
.
,

w arr ants O f attorn e y or s h e riff s offic e rs e sp e cially

’

, ,

wh e n the h e ad of the family w as s o cle v e r and s o

good ? M e anwhil e thing s w e nt on much as usu al :
,

an d th e worthy r e t aile r s in th e n e ighbourhood did

not in th e l e ast Obj e ct to giv e cr e dit so long as it ,

w as un d e rs tood th at the diffic ul ty w as noth ing

m ore th an a t e mporary h itch in t he C ity or o n e ,

of tho s e l ittl e co m pli c ation s w h ich are s o h ard ,

x l ii IN R T ODUCTI O N .

t o m ak e cle ar to s trang e rs, an d so un int er e s ting

w h e n th e y are e x pl ain e d .

E v e n with the m o s t p atie nt and c bl e trade s am i a

p e ople in the world how e v e r C hrist m as has long , ,

b e e n a fe stiv al abov e all oth e rs as s ociat e d in

, ,

s hopk e e p e r s m ind s with t he di s ch arg e of ov e rdu e

’

book de b ts and it w as an o m e n of the d ark e s t

-

c o m pl e x ion w h e n on an e arly d ay in D e c e mb e r
, ,

1 8 3 0 a r e port w as c ircul at e d in Turnh am Gre e n

, ,

th at the g e ntl e folk s from Lind e n Hous e had

qu itte d it no one could tell w hy or whith e r
, .

The fact w as th at the crisis w as appro ach ing

s o r ap idly—the c as h ( to us e a comm on phras e )
,

w as e bb ing at such a r at e th at M r an d M rs , . .

W aine wright con s ulting s e riou sly toge th e r con

, ,

c lud e d th at the b e st cours e und e r th e d is tre ss ing ,

c ircu m stanc e s w as to quit the pl ac e and mov e up

, ,

provision ally into to wn t il l so m e th ing could b e ,

arrang e d Th e r e w as not m uch bre athing t im e

. .

The g irl s had of cour s e to b e told th at th e re w as

a trifl ing p e cun iary dil e mma but th e y w e r e not
inform e d that eve ryth ing th e y had l e ft b e h ind th e m
in th e ir fine hous e in the s uburb s w as und e r a b ill
of s al e which had b e e n re n e w e d from tim e to time
,

s inc e A ugu s t and co ul d not b e put o ff m uch

,

long e r Wh at w as the us e of m aki ng the d e ar

.

cr e ature s mis e rabl e and wh at d id th e y kno w about

,

b ills of s al e ? S O M r and M rs W aine wright M is s . .

,

H el e n and Mi s s M ad e l ein e Ab e rcro mby t wo female ,

s e rv ant s an d b aby Griffith s Wainewright w e nt , ,

o n th e 1 2th of D e c e mb e r 1 8 3 0 into lodging s at , ,

No 1 2 C onduit S tree t Re ge nt S tre e t ove r the shop

.
, , ,

o f M r N icoll the t ailor

.
, .
 IN R T ODUCT I O N . x liii

Th ey w e r e so m e wh at d ear qu arte rs to h av e
,

cho s e n the p auc ity of fund s cons ide re d ; but M r

, .

W ainewright like d to se e thos e about him co mf ort ~

abl e — an d to b e co m fort abl e h im s e lf B e s id e s wh e n .
,

im port ant bus in e ss has to b e trans act e d th e re is ,

al w ay s an imm e n s e adv ant ag e in b e ing c e ntral .

Fro m C onduit S tr e e t by pro m pt and sk ilful ,

m an ag e m e nt Lind e n Hou s e might s till b e s av e d

,
.

S o at l e as t M r and M rs W aine wright c alcul at e d

, , . .

But no t im e w as to b e lost ; for the hold e rs of

s e curity thre at en e d unl e ss the cl aim ag ainst the
,

e s t at e w e re s e ttl e d to r e aliz e b e for e C hristm as

, .

B e s id e s loc al cre ditors th e y ow e d £ 6 1 0 un d e r a ,

w arrant of attorn e y to M r S harp us of C ock s pur

, .
,

S tre e t crock e ry d e al e r and ( und e r the ro s e to oblig e

, ,

a frie nd) m on e y l e nd e r ,
an d about £ 2 00 to an
-
,

a uct ion e e r in Picc ad illy a p e rson al frie nd Th e r e

,
.

w as al s o a b ill of s al e on th e furn iture gr ant e d on ,

the 8 th of J uly 1 8 3 0 to th e s aid M r S harp us

, ,
.
,

an d a m an as I h av e st at e d) w as in poss e ss ion
( .

Th e w arr ant and b ill w e r e h e ld ove r by cons e nt

to the 2 1 s t D e c emb e r in st ant .

To the two d e ar g irls although the t e m por ary ,

e m b arras s m e nt w as not altog e th e r c ap abl e of di s

gu is e the unlook e d for ch ang e in th e ir circu m

,
-

s t anc e s w as m ad e to w e ar as f ar as m ight b e , ,

the app e aranc e of a j aunty d istract ion w h ich ,

would aff ord a c ap it al opportun ity for vis iting

the v arious pl ac e s of am u s e m e nt in the m e tro
pol is A s to Turnh am Gr e e n it w as qu it e in the
.
,

country and the j ourn e y to and fro a ft e r dusk was

,

n ot only fat iguing but pos it iv e ly d ang e rous

,
.
xl iv IN R T ODUCTI O N .

The ch arm of the

th e atre s alon e w as suffic ie nt
to r e d ee m th e n e w arrange me nt from m uch of its
strange n e s s and incid e nt al inconv e nie nc e s Th e y .

w e nt to the pl ay on the 1 3 th D e c emb e r the day ,

aft e r th e ir arr iv al in to wn Th e y p aid anoth e r

.

vis it on t he follo wing e ve n ing C ondu it S tre e t .

w as s o c e ntral th at it s e e m e d a p ity to e ng ag e a
co ach for so s hort a d ist anc e though the w e ath er ,
’
w as v e ry s e v e r e and w e t H e l e n s boot s w e re to o
.

th in an d he r fe e t we re w e t w h e n she r e ach e d the

, ,

th e atre and she w as so imprud e nt as to s it out the

,

p e rformanc e Th e y w alke d ho m e ho w e ve r and had

.
,

supp er To go to b e d aft e r an e ve n ing s amu s e

.

m e nt w ithout s om e r e fr es h m e nt is s o ch e e rl e s s .

Th e re w e r e oys t e rs and ale ; on the pre c e d ing

e v e n ing it h ad b e e n lob s t e rs and bottl e d port e r
r ath e r unwhol es o m e die t at s o l at e an hour .

H e l e n d e cl in e d at firs t on the pl ea th at she fe lt

,

a ch ill and w ould r ath e r r e t ir e at onc e but she

, ,

w as ov e r p e rs u ad e d
-
.

I n t he n ight the poor g irl w as v e ry poorly

,
It .

w as thought s he h ad t ak e n cold M r W aine w right . .

s e nt to a C h emis t s for a bl ack draught w h ich she

’

took ; but 0 11 Thurs d ay th e 1 6 th as s he did n ot ,

improv e th e y c all e d in D r Loc o ck of H anove r .

,

S qu are an old acqu aint anc e of the family w ho

, ,

found h e r s itting in her b e droo m and s uffe ring ,

from a gre at h ead ach e a w e ight ov e r the e y e s

“
, ,

and p artial bl indn e s s ; s he h ad a full l abouring ,

He
”
pul s e and s hooting p ain s about the h e ad
,
.

ord e r e d her c amo m il e and s e nna as an ap e r ie nt ,

and pro mis e d to look in ag ain .

xlvi IN R T ODUCT IO N .

and vid e ntly n e e de d gre at c ar e S he had b e e n

e .

up stairs j ust a w e e k and M r and M rs Wain e ,

. .

wright h eld a l ittle consultation tog e the r and ,

thought th at H e l e n would b e b e tt e r for a

powd e r of which the naus e ous fl avour could b e
,

disguis e d as usu al by g iving it in j elly ; and

, ,

M r and M rs W aine w right h aving s atis fi e d

. .
,

th e m se lve s th at th e ir p atie nt had pl ay e d th e m no

trick but h ad re ally t ak e n wh at w as good for he r
, ,

w e nt out for a stroll l e aving H el e n und e r the ,

ch arge of an old and trusty s e rvant who had b e e n ,

at Lind e n Hou se in the old D octor s t im e and who

’

had known M r W aine wright s inc e he w as a

.

littl e boy M r and M rs W aine w right prom ise d

. . .

to re turn as s oon as pos s ibl e and nurs e w as to ,

t ak e e ve ry imaginable c ar e of the inv alid .

A bout t w o in the aft e rnoon not v e ry long afte r ,

the d e p arture of he r m ast e r and mis tr e s s t he ,

wo man w as al arm e d b eyond m eas ur e by sympto ms

of viol e nt convuls ion s and by M is s A b e rcro mby ,

grasp ing her h and l ik e a vic e D r Lo cock w as . .

inst antly summon e d and d is cove r e d on e x amin a

, ,

t ion abnorm al pr e s s ur e on the br ain ; the poor

,

young l ady crie d O h doctor I am dying ! I fe e l

, ,

I am I am sur e s o
,
H e trie d to r e as s ure he r
.
”

but she w e nt on : M y m oth e r d ie d in the s ame

“

w ay y es m y poor m oth e r ! O h my poor m oth e r !

”
, , ,

L ocock wrot e a n e w pre s cription wh ich she took at

onc e and which app e ar e d to relieve her ; and wh e n
,

h e l e ft pronounc e d the cris is av e rt e d she w as f ar

,

e as ie r an d m or e co mpos e d and in fact s aid to ,

him : O h doctor I w as gon e to h e av e n but y ou

, , ,

h av e brought m e b ack to e arth ! ”

 IN RT ODUCT I ON .

B e fore D r L oco ck ho w e ve r co ul d h av e r e ach e d

.
, ,

his own hous e the p ains r e turne d with aggravat e d

,

viol e nc e A loc al practition e r w as c all e d in and

.

di d his ut m ost to all e viat e the s uffe ring ; but H el e n

gradually s ank and br e ath e d he r l ast at four
,

o clock on the aft e rnoon of th at s am e day w ithout

’

h aving t he con s ol at ion of b e holding once m or e

the fe atur e s of M r and M rs W ainew right . .
o
.

D r L ocock c all e d at four and f ound th at she

had just e xpire d A s he w e nt out h e m e t M r
.
,

. .

W ain e wright at th e door and told him wh at h ad ,

h app e n e d H e app e ar e d m uch s hock e d an d

.

asto ni s h e d as h e h ad l e ft he r m uch b e tt e r th an
,

s he w as the n ight b e fo re H e inqu ir e d wh at w as .

“
the c aus e of d eath M ischi e f in the br ain D r
.
, .

Locock s aid .

M r and M rs W ainewright r e turn e d to a hous e

. .

of d e sol ation an d l avishly upbraid e d th em s e lve s

,

w ith th eir w ant of thought in prolonging th e ir

w alk . If th e y had b e e n on the spot H el e n s ,
’

pre cious life mi ght h av e b e e n s p ar e d to th e m all .

D r L ocock w as as k e d to co m e round an d the

.
,

W aine w rights w e re cl am orous for an imm e di ate

inqu e st th at th e r e might b e no po s s ibl e roo nr for
,

susp e cting fo ul pl ay .

The m e dic al e vid e nc e ( D r Lo cock ag ain ) and .

the coron e r s j ury ascrib e d no bl am e to anyon e

’
.

Th e r e w as a r em ark abl e accu mul ation of w at e r at

the b as e of the brain which account e d for the ,

agony of the d e c eas e d and for the fat al r e s ult ; and

th e r e w e r e also c e rt ain curious sp e ck s on the co at

of the stomach ; b ut the phys ician and the jury
x lviii T O UCTI O N
IN R D .

1
f ound no proof of oth e r th n n tur l c us e s A a a a a .

ood d e al of s tre s s w as l aid on t he sh e ll fish and -

g
t he bottl e d b e e r .

It w as found th at the l at e Mis s Ab e rcro mby

had l e ft a w ill by w h ich all h e r prop e rty and
,

i nt e re s t c am e to he r s is te r M r W ain e wright b eing ,

.

n ame d e x e cutor Th is docume nt had it s e em e d

.
, ,

b ee n co mpl e t e d in gre at h as t e on the 1 3 th of th e

”

month wh e n H el e n p e rh aps found her h e alth not

,

s o s trong as it h ad b e e n and w as an x ious to s e cure ,

wh at she could to M ad e l e in e .

But w h at prop e rty could it b e Hou s e s l and s , ,

and h e r e dit am e nt s Why the poor ch ild I h ave , ,

not long ago narrate d w as an orph an w ith an ,

annu ity fro m the Bo ard of O rdn anc e of 1 01 orig i ,

n ally grant e d in 1 8 1 2 aft e r h e r fath e r s d e ath an d

’

c ont inu e d aft e r th at o f h e r m oth e r s in 1 8 3 0 to the

’

two s ist e rs on the pl e a th at th e y w e re tot ally nu

,

p rov i d e d for .

S om e th ing th e r e fore h ad n e c e s s arily alt e r e d

, , ,

i n a m at e rial m ann e r M is s A b e rcromby s p e cu ni ary

’

p os it ion w ith in th e l ast f e w m onth s It w as th is: .

b y the fore s ight of h er good broth e r in law an d his - -

wife H el e n s l ife had b e e n in s ure d in the autum n

,
’

in v ariou s o ffic e s for the s um of an e x ce p

t ionab ly l arg e tot al but not too m uch s o to provid e

,

su it ably for M ad e l e in e The first y e ar s premi u m s .

’

am ount ing to 2 2 01 wh ich h ad b ee n p aid up by

,

1
S e e Ap
nd ixe
p .

2
i n t he Pallad iu m in the E agle, in t he
H op e an d Provid e nt f or 2 0001
,

,
. e ach , in th e I m p eri al for
3,
and I n th e Pelican f or 5
 IN R T ODUCTI O N . x lix

th e d e c e as e d w ith b ank not e s g ive n to her for

-

the purpos e by he r broth e r in law w e r e a s ev e re - -

,

strain on the family fin anc e s ju st at pre s e nt But .

the obj e ct w as s o im port ant and now th at th is had ,

h app e n e d th e y had at all e v e nt s one thing to b e

th ankful for —M adele ine s futur e w as s e cur e
,
’
~
, .

But the offi c e s on b eing appris e d in d ue cours e

,

o f the m e l ancholy an d w holly un f o re s e e n occurr e nc e ,

shook the ir h e ads priv at ely and e nt e rtain e d doubts

wh ich w e r e ab s olut e ly d e gr adi ng—to th em s elv e s
,

O n b eing pre s s e d by M r W ain ew right in his c ap acity

.

a s e x e cutor the bo ards e x pr e ss e d a co mm on op in ion

, ,

that th e re w e re circu m st anc e s conn e ct e d w ith the “

bu sin e s s which m ad e it imp e rativ e th at tim e s hould

b e allow e d by the young l ady s frie nds for the
’

in s t itut ion of formal inqu irie s m or e e s p e cially as ,

d e ath had e n s u e d at so e arly at d at e aft e r the com

l i h i i i A m
’

p e t on of t e pol c e s M ss
. b e rcro by s e x e
c ut or thre at e n e d proc e e d ings an d the offic e s th e r e
,

upon un an im ou sly re fus e d to p ay .

T h e re w as unqu e s t ion ably solid ground for this

unfortun ate an d disappo in ting re s ult for e v e n if ,

the family wh ich w as so far a m att e r of cour s e

, ,

w e nt into l itig ation the law w as pr egn ant with all

sorts of risk s an d d el ay s and m onth s —a y e ar
,

might el ap se b e for e M ad e l e in e A b e rcro mby s

’

mon e y w as forthcomin g The o ffi c e s in re s istin g

.
,

t he C l aim as s e rt e d t h at th e y had b ee n d e c e ive d

, .

The insuranc e s h ad b e e n e ffe ct e d at succ e s sive

p e riod s b etwe e n M arch and O ctob e r 1 8 3 0 on the , ,

r e t e nc e th at the young l ady aim e d th e r e by at

p
s e curi ng c e rt ain prop e rty w h ich w as e x p e ct e d to
J C ,

ac cru e under a d e cr e e in C h anc e ry within two

cl
1 IN R T ODUCTI O N .

y e ars and if her o wn d eath occurre d m eanwhile

, ,

would p as s away fro m the family At one or two .

of the e stablis h me nts the s e cre t ary struck by

, ,

H e l e n s un s ophistic ate d air an d manife st ignoranc e

’

of bus in e s s coupl e d w ith h er s trang ely agitat e d

,

m ann e r int e rrogat e d her as to the m otive ; but she

,

alw ays me t t h e s e k indly int e nd e d r e m onstranc e s

-
,

or s il e nc e d obj e ctions by s aying th at sh e act e d

,
.

und e r the ad vic e of frie nd s w ho kn ew m ore abou t ,

s uch m att e r s th an s h e d id and could not po s s ibly ,

h ave any im prop e r vie ws Tw o o ffic e s actu ally .

d e clin e d a propo sal to e ffe ct furth e r poli cie s w hich ,

would h ave rais e d the am ount r e cove r abl e t o

up w ard of
The con te nt ion was th at the c ircum st anc e s
,

had b e e n mi s re pre s e nt e d fro m b egin n to e nd

th at the life w as acc ept e d for two and three y e ar s
r e sp e ct iv ely s ol ely on the faith of a d e cl ar ation
, ,

th at the obj e ct w as s p e cial and in accord anc e

with s t at e m e nt s m ad e by the young l ady and
h e r frie nd s and th at Mis s A b e rcro mb y had b e e n
,

induc e d to utt e r fals ehoods for th e s ake of pro

m oting w h at app e are d by the l ight of r e c e nt e v e nt s
, ,

a m e r e sp e cul at ion 0 11 the p art of the W aine wri ght s .

The offic e s l e ft th e c aus e of M iss A b e rcro mby s

’

d e ath out s id e the imm e diat e qu e stion and justifi e d ,

th eir action 0 11 the s impl e pl e a of w ilful m is

s t at e m e nt The fals e hood of the t al e about
.

H e l e n s int er e st in c e rtain C h anc e ry proc ee di ngs

’

involv e d of cours e a co mpl e t e ab s e nc e of c ons i

, ,

d e rat ion and the fat ality which turn e d an inv e s t

,

m e nt of £ 220 for a f e w m onths into

w as too e x traordin ary to e sc ap e susp ic ion more ,
 IN RT ODUCTI O N . 11

p articularly as a c as e w as s ai d by the s e cr et ary

of the Allianc e to h ave occur re d qu it e l at ely in ,

wh ich a young l ady had had her life insur e d

by he r frie nds and had soon aft e rw ards com e to
h e r d e ath by u nfair m e ans —j u s t s uch anoth e r
,

youn g l ady the s e cre tary informe d H el e n as she

, ,

w as . M ore ove r the actu ary of the P rovid e nt pro

,

a r e m ark ably h e althy

“
n oun ce d H e l e n ch e e rful , ,

b e autif ul young wo m an whos e li fe w as one of a ,

thous and and e ls ew h e r e th e official s had a littl e

,

pl e as antry about H e l e n still go ing y e ar afte r y e ar

to p ay her pre mi u m long aft e r th e y w e r e in th eir
grave s .

Mr an d M rs W ainew right in two y e ar s had

. .
, ,

thus s uffe re d thr e e s e v e r e b e re av e m e nt s Mr . .

Griffith s di e d quit e s udd e nly in 1 8 2 9 M r . s .

A b e rcro mby d ie d quit e s udde nly in 1 8 3 0 and now , ,

in D e c e mb e r of t he v e ry s am e y ear it w as poor
H e l e n s turn I—the s add e s t blow of all ! S he die d
,
’

by a s ingular co incid e nc e on the v e ry d ay to whi ch

,

good M r S harp us of C ockspur S tre e t had agr ee d

.
, ,

to le t the b ill of s al e st and ov e r .

The r e pud iation of the cl aim by the insur anc e

offi c e s was a cru el addition to th eir troubl e M r . .

W aine wright had aske d H e l en a li ttl e aft e r th e ir ,

s e ttl e m e nt in C ondu it S tr e e t in ord e r to fac ili t at e

,

s o m e arrang e me nts h e w as m aking to cle ar up

a m o m e nt ary dif fic ul ty to as s ign to him the poli cy
,

e ff e ct e d in the P all adi um and a s e cond ,

for a ,

nomin al con sid e ration in e ach c as e of £ 1 9 1 9 s ,

an d t hi s co m m onplac e op e rat ion w as acco m plis h e d

with the profe s s ion al assist anc e of a M r K irk . .

This with the e ffe ct s at Turnh am Gr ee n forme d a

, ,

01 2
111 T ODUCTI O N
IN R .

t angibl e s e curity and Mr W aine wright arrange d

,
.
,

on the 2 7 th of Janu ary 1 8 3 1 about a nronth afte r

, ,

H el e n s d e ce as e w ith his frie nd M r A tkin s on of

’

,
.
,

B as inghall S tr ee t to adv anc e on a w arrant of attor

, ,

n ey for the p e n al s um of £ 2 000 a m o ie ty of th at

, ,

am ount or the b al anc e b e tw e e n his actu al d ebt to

,

A tk in s on and £ 1 to e n abl e him to p ay off

M r S harpus to s av e the furn iture at Lind e n
.
,

Hou s e and to t ak e s t e p s to c arry his cas e against

,

the offic e s into court A cr e ditor for rath e r l e s s

.

th an £ 2 00 ( the auction ee r alre ady allud e d to )

acc e pt e d a s imilar instrum e nt on the 2 0th of A pril
follo wing In both th e s e p ap e rs M r Wain e
.

wright w as d e scrib e d as of Lind e n Hous e Turnh am ,

M r W aine w right s s ign ature s to ’

Gr ee n E s qu ire
, . .

the A pril docum e nt indic at e so m e r e turn of the

old ch ee rfuln e ss th e y are fr e e and v igorou s as a ,

fac s imil e of one of th em w ill s ho w .

I h ave sl ightly d isturb e d the s e qu e nce of e ve nts .

B e twe e n J anu ary and A pril the pre par ations for ,

the s u it at law b e ing inco mpl e t e and M r Wain e , .

wright h aving a d e s ire to trave l for a short t ime in

liv IN R T ODUCTI O N .

th an ordin arily sprightly—qu it e hims elf again

qu it e the old Janu s H e took a guit ar and w e nt
.

into th e squ ar e wh e r e h e s e r e n ad e d the young

,

l ady W hile he w as s o pl e as antly e ngage d anoth e r

.
,

g e ntle m an s tood s pon s or for him to a min ion of the

sh eriff w ho tappe d the wrong should e r in adv e rt e ntly
, ,

but on l e arn ing his m istak e lay in w ait again and , ,

brought the tru ant g ame to e arth at l ast oppo sit e ,

the hou s e of V an Hol s t a pup il of M r Wain e , .

wright s idol Fu seli

’

,
.

M r W aine wright had accu s to me d hims elf to

.

th e s e l ittl e contretemp s ; th e y w e re in b al ancing ,

t he adv ant ag e s and draw b ack s of p e cun iary e m

b arrass me nts one of the draw b ack s
,
But th e y .

could always b e arrange d Whe n Paul gr e w p er .

e m ptory te nd e r h e art e d Pe t e r inv ariably c am e to

,
-

the r e scu e .

It h app e n e d m o s t conve n ie ntly for M r Wain e .

wright th at w h e n he w as cont em pl ating the l ittl e

,

tour abro ad his form e r acqu aint anc e s in C arolin e

,

P l ac e the Norfolk g e ntl e m an with the d aught e r

whom W aine wrigh t —the gall ant Janus —had
,

s e r e n ad e d w ith his gu it ar conc e iv e d a fancy for ,

s e ttling w ith M iss at Boulogn e H is affairs .

had b e e n g e tting m ore and m or e e nt angl e d and ,

m on e y had b e e n w axing sc arc e r S o with hi s .

d aught e r th is g entl em an cro s s e d ov e r to the Gosh e n

of the imp e cunious and not long afte r him his ,

frie nd the mu sician artis t and e s s ay write r the, ,

l att e r not s orry m ayb e to pl ace tw e nty mil e s of

, ,

s ea b e tw e e n h ims e lf and incon s id e r at e e ncro ach e rs

on his privacy It w as only t ill matt e rs w e r e
arr ang e d —
.

A ch e son w as qu it e cl e ar about it .
 IN R T ODUCT I O N . lv

M e anwh il e M r W ain ewright cord ially acc e pt e d

, .

a n inv it ation to m ak e his E nglish frie nd s qu art e rs

’

his ho m e an d n oth ing w as so n atural as an occ a

,

s iou al t e nd e ncy in the ch at to turn upon fin anc e ,

sp e cially cons id e re d in its b earing on g e ntle m e n

in t e mporary s traits M r W aine wright s mil it ary
’
. .

as s ociat e w as n e c e s sarily l e ss conv e rs ant th an he

c h anc e d to b e w ith the p e culiar fac ili t ie s wh ich in

s uch c as e s are afford e d by insur anc e soc ie t ie s .

It w as the s im pl e st th ing conc e ivabl e “

Y ou .

w ant a little m on e y for an e m e rg e ncy h e s ays to,

the Norfolk g e ntl e m an : you w rite to an offic e

you propos e to effe ct a lo an and to in s ure your
l ife— th at is alw ays p art of the tr eaty with th e s e
,

—
p e rsons inqu ir ie s are m ad e r e fe re nc e s are gi v e n ;
a m e d ic al ag e nt to the co mp any e x amin e s you an d ,

r e ports you an av e rage life ; a poli cy and a d ee d

are pr e p ar e d ; and you r e c e iv e the lo an l e s s th e ,

firs t y ear s pr emium and int e re st Wh at could b e

’
.

e as ie r or in fact m or e agr e e abl e ?

The Norfolk g e ntl eman in difficultie s conclud e d
t h at the sugg e st ion wh ich aro s e in a p e rfe ctly
,

c asu al w ay out of so me conv e rs ation w as worth ,

n ot ic e ; for th e r e s ist anc e of th e offic e s to his good

frie nd s fair l eg al cl aim s w as a m er e p altry quibble
’

of wh ich A ch e son would v e ry qui ckly d is po s e .

It w as only a qu e st ion of tim e .

W aine wright thought the Pe lic an as good an

O ffic e as any and in ord e r to borrow anything lik e
,

a s um it w as n e c e s s ary to t ak e out a r ath e r h e avy

policy The n e gotiation was s et on foot without

.

m ore ado . O f cours e it w as not e xp e d ie nt s e ein g ,

lvi IN R T ODUCTI O N .

th at he was s o v e ry d eli c at e ly s ituat e d that Wain e ,

w right s n am e should app e ar

’
.

The propo s al w as mad e by the Norfolk g e ntl e

m an .The P e l ic an in s truct e d its ag e nts All .

qu e st ion s w e re s atisfactorily ans w e r e d The Norfolk .

g e ntl em an s l ife w as r e porte d to b e an e x c elle nt

’

l ife The policy for

. w as co mpl e t e d and ,

t he lo an p aid ov e r But the v alu abl e coun s e l

w h ich he had t e nd e re d to his host—to the m an
.

w ho for th e s ak e of O ld t im e s had t ak e n hi m und e r

, ,

his roof had not r e al is e d the e x p e ct e d r e sult in

,

all e viat ing an x ie ty v e ry long w h e n the poor young

,

l ady w as b e r e ft of h e r r e maining p ar e nt by one of

tho se s udde n fat al itie s w hich s ee m e d to h aunt M r .

W ai ne wri ght like an e vil g e niu s H e had b e e n .

in his u s u al h e alth and spirits as th e y s ay wh e n , ,

h e w as s e iz e d w ith th e m o s t t e rribl e p ains in the

h e ad acco m p an ie d by diz z in e s s and vo mi ting and
, ,

di e d und e r the e y es of his frie nd an d his d aught e r

in a st at e of coma aft e r a v e ry s h ort illn e ss .

Thos e about him could think of noth ing wh ich

could h ave produc e d this e xtraordin ary e ffe ct on a
s ound con s t itut ion w ithout any pr e vious w arn ing .

Th e y trie d to re coll e ct wh at he had don e wh at he ,

could h ave e at e n wh at he could h av e drunk But

, .

it w as inco m pr e h e ns ibl e P oor p ap a had t ak e n his

.

coffee one e v e n ing as u su al with M r W ainewright

th e y oft e n took it téte a tete aft e r dinn e r—and w e nt
.

' ‘
- -

to b e d without com pl aining H e w as t ak e n in .

the n ight Wh at could b e m ore s trang e and m ore

.

p ainful ? M r: W ain ewright fe lt b e side s the ex , ,

tre me awkwardn e ss of his own position lef t alon e ,

w ith a young unm arrie d l ady .

 IN R T ODUCTI O N . lvii

H is pr e s e nc e w as apt to b e m is constru e d and he ,

took the firs t d e c e nt opportun ity of bidd ing the

orph an an affe ction ate and s ymp ath e tic adie u I f .

th e r e w as one s ingl e m it e of com fort it w as to r e fl e ct ,

th at he had b ee n ind ire ctly in strum e nt al in ge tting

3 000l out of the P e lic an
, . .

A ft e r the bustlin g sort of l ife at Bo ulogn e it ,

o ccurre d to him th at he w ould b e m ost lik e ly t o

rally fro m the shock to his n e rvous sys t e m by ,

go ing cl e an acro s s the country to Britt any and he ,

fin ally fi xe d on S t O m e r as a pl e asant r e tre at

. .

H e w as r e m arkably fortun at e h e re ; for h e m e t

with a ge ntl em an who had a d e lightful country
hous e n e ar the to w n its e lf and w as s o s truck by ,

t he sup e riority O f his att ain m e nt s an d his g e ntl e

m anly pre s e nc e th at he in vit e d him to m ake
,

a st ay w ith him .

W aine w right b e gg e d to b e p e rmi tt e d to forward

the n e w addre ss to his corre s pond e nts in E ngl and ,

as he had s o m e bus in e s s of the m o s t im port ant

ch aract e r in progr e s s just at pr e s e nt M r Young . .
,

cle rk to M r A ch e son the r e for e c am e ove r with

.
, ,

n e w s about th e proc e e di ngs w hich w e re b eing

t ak e n and w ith c ertain docum e nt s wh ich r e qui re d
, ,

M r W aine wright s sign ature Y oung told him ’

. .

th at M ad e l e in e A b e rcrom by w as m arrie d t o
1
h i
t e auct on e e r in Picc adi lly ; an d h e al s o told

his frie nd s wh e n h e r e turn e d th at th e hous e wh e re

, , ,

1
J ames s C hurch Picc ad illy M ay 1 9 1 8 3 2 H er
At S t .
’
, , ,
.

husb and firs t s aw h er I b elie v e at T urnh am Gr ee n w h e n

, , ,

h e w e nt th e r e in the way o f bu sin e ss to v alu e t he library

, ,

left b e hin d in the hou s e .

1 viii IN R T ODUCT I O N .

th e ir cl ie nt w as s t ayin g w as dre adfully lon ely , ,

th at th eir clie nt s eem e d to b e quit e at home with

the O ld g e ntl em an but th at s o me how he did not
,

l ik e the look of thin gs .

In the m e anw hile the law was holding its ve ry

,

l eisurely cours e at home In th e s e c as e s of litiga

.

t ion d el ay is h ardly to b e avo ide d and fif ty y e ars

, ,

a g o I t w as f ar m or e s e riou s But ap art fro m th e

.
,

tim e occup ie d b y the co mpl e tion of the n e c e s s ary

e vid e nc e and p ap e rs the proc e e d ing s cont e m pl at e d
,

by the frie nd s of the l at e M iss A b e rcro mby against

t he o ffic e s w e re r e t ard e d by on e or two e x c e pt ion al
c au s e s. The qu e s tion of e x p e n s e in th e e v e nt of ,

an adv e rs e d e c is ion w as of its e lf s e riou s e nough

, ,

wh e re m on e y w as s o pre cious and the e st at e w as in ,

d ebt ; but the abs e nc e of W aine wright th e e x e cuto r ,

a n d as s ign e e who e vinc e d a gr e at r eluct anc e to

,

r e turn an d the e rror committ e d in e nt e ring the

,

s u it at the C ourt of C h anc e ry contribut e d to ,

procras tin at e an is su e In short it w as n ot t ill

.
,

T rin ity T e rm 1 8 3 5 th at the trial in w h ich Wain e

, , ,

wright w as the no mi n al pl aintiff and the D ir e ctors ,

o f t he I mp e rial Life O ffic e th e d e fe nd ant s c am e ,

on for h e aring A verba tim r e port will b e giv e n

.

1
e ls e wh e re,
an d a r ep e t it ion of the d e t ail s c annot
b e att e m pt e d . E min e nt coun s e l w e r e s e cur e d on
both s id e s and the e vid e nc e w as both e laborat e
,

a n d r e m ark abl e D r Lo co ck r e it e rat e d his op in ion

. .
,

th at the r e w as nothi ng in th e app e aranc e of th e

r em ain s to sugge st foul pl ay and th at l e arn e d ,

p r act it ion e r a s s e nt e d to t h e poss ib ili ty th at t he

1
S e e A pp end ix No 2 ,
. .
 IN RT ODUCT I O N . lix

c onvuls ions might h av e b e e n sup e rinduc e d by the

viol e nc e of the vomiting The pre s e nc e of v ege
.

t abl e p o ison w as e xtr eme ly diffic ult of d et e ction

a ft e r d e ath .

The whol e h is tory of the e v e ntful y e ar 1 8 3 0

w as n e c e ss arily re op e n e d and v ariou s w itn e ss e s
-
,

s w or e to v arious d e t ail s wh ich I h av e furn ish e d

,

in due ord e r as to th e c ircum st anc e s att e nding the

,

illn e ss and d e ath of the in s ur e d The c as e w as .

trie d b e fore Lord A b ing e r and a s p e cial jury in

th e C ourt of E x ch e qu e r on the 29 th J un e 1 8 3 5 , .

N e ith e r M rs W ainewright nor M ad e l e in e w as

.

c alle d . It w as a pur e ly civil action and the j udge ,

impre s s e d on the j ury at th e clos e of the e vid e nc e

,
’
a n d addr e s s e s th at the c au s e of th e young l ady s
,

d e ath w as irre l ev ant to the im m e d iat e inqui ry .

W hat th e y had to cons id e r w as w h e th e r th e re w as

sufficie nt proof of mi srep re se irtation and actu al
,

d e c e it in answ e ring the qu e s tions put by the offic e s

prior to the co m ple tion of the pol icie s and al s o ,

wh e th e r th e insuranc e w as not to b e vie we d strictly

a s a s p e cul at ion on th e p art of t h e pl aint if f The .

j ury ho w e ve r was un abl e to agre e an d a j uro r w as

, , ,

w ithdraw n .

The offic e s conclud e d th at the m att e r w as at an

e nd ; but th e l e g al advis e r s of th e fam ily obt ain e d

l e av e for a ne w trial w h ich w as h eard in the

,

follo wing M ichaehn as t e rm Th is to a l arg e e xt e nt

.

r e trav e r s e d the old ground ; th e re w ere the s ame

w itn e ss e s th e s am e pl e as ; the s am e d ir e ct ion to
,

the j ury e m an at e d fro m L ord A b ing e r who wh il e ,

he ch aracte ris e d the c as e as “

pre gn ant w ith sus
lx IN R T ODUCTI O N .

p icio n ,
rul e d th at th e po int b e for e th e C ourt w as

s imply wh e th e r or not t he offic e s h ad b ee n m is l e d

by t he ins ur e d and he r frie nd s It w as st at e d b y
.

the j udg e th at the p e rson , who s e n am e s tood in

,

the r e cord as th e pl aintiff, w as not in the country,

and w as n e v e r lik e ly, he b e lie v e d , to r e vis it it Th e .

v e rdict w as for the d e fe nd ants , on the ground of

‘

m is re pre s e nt ation.

The l aw s u it its e lf t e rm in at e d h e re ; no furth e r

ove rt or form al att e mpt w as mad e to obt ain the
mon ey ; but it has b e e n s ign ifie d to m e th at the ,

offic es w e re e ve ntu ally p e rs uad e d, as a co mpro mis e ,

to p ay to the l egal r epre se ntative s of H e l e n A b e r
cro mby e ith e r a p art or the w hol e of the e xp en s es
incurr e d in the litig at ion .

D uring th e s e trans act ion s W ain e wright had

,

stood aloof, and w as still a p ilgrim in a foreign ,

but frie ndly, l and For so me e x c elle nt re as on of

.

h is ow n, no doubt, but unluckily as it turn e d out , ,

h e h ad b ee n trav e lling of l at e un d e r the prot e ction

of a nom ole g uerre It w as no long e r Bonm ot, or
.

W e ath e rcock, or Vink b o om s b ut M r ,

The
.

b ad luck lay in t he fact th at the C orre ction al

,

P olic e , e ve r m ore inqu is itorial th an the d e ar old

E nglish C harlie O f tho s e d ay s int e rvie w e d hi m,
,

an d find ing c e rt ain d iscre p anc ie s b e tw e e n his ac

count of h im s elf and the o s t e n sible fact s c aus e d ,

h is inc arc e ration at Paris for s ix c al e nd ar m onth s .

a s a su s p e ct e d p e rs on . The pris on authoritie s in ,

subj e cting him to th e custo m ary reg ime, found th at ’

.

the E ngl ish m an c arrie d about him so m e of the

powde r of the nux vomica, oth e rw is e known as
 x ii T ODUCT I O N
IN R .

fro m l ite rature A t th at d ate w as p e rp e trat e d by

.

him doubtl e s s und e r the pre ssur e of p e cuniary

,

e x ig e ncie s cr e at e d by his own thoughtl e s s prodi

g a lit y an act,
wh ich w as th e n c ap it al
,
H ith e rto .
,

s inc e his arrival of ag e Ire h ad b ee n cont e nt t o ,

li v e on the int e re s t of about inv e st e d by

h is tru s t e e s four in nu mb e r in the N e w Four p e r
, ,

C e nt s an d p ayabl e through the B ank of E ngl and

,

but in 1 8 2 4 according to his own admiss ion and

, ,

on the pu e ril e pl e a th at he w as m e rely d e aling

with his o wn prop e rty he forge d a docu me nt , ,

sign e d by th e s e g e ntl e m e n authoriz ing the B ank ,

to trans fe r and as s ign to him the princip al Th is .

fraud r e main e d und et e ct e d for twe lve ye ars or s o ,

it h aving b e e n t ak e n for grant e d prob ably by the

trus t e es th at the int e re s t w as b eing r e mitt e d as
,

u s u al W aine wright l ive d v e ry com fort ably on

.

this l ittl e h aul so long as it l as t e d bought print s 1 ,

m aj oli c a cho ic e vint ag e s R og e r P ayn e s m ore

, , ,

hungrily than e ve r; took apartm e nts in e xp e n s ive

n e ighbourhoods and invit e d dis tingu ish e d ch ar
,

acte rs to lu x uriou s dinn e rs and h ad a m e rry t im e ,

of it But I appr e h e nd th at the gold m in e w as

.

n e arly if not quit e work e d out wh e n Uncl e

, , ,

Griffith s took him by the h and and gav e him a ,

hom e at Turnh am Gre e n .

A warrant for W ainew right s appr eh e ns ion w as

’

t ak e n out as s oon as the B ank authoritie s w e r e

,

s at is fi e d th at the s purious pow e r of attorn e y w as

in W aine wright s h and and Forre st e r th e d e t e ct iv e

’

, , ,

h ad b e e n on his track but h e w as un abl e to s e cur e

his p e rson t ill he chos e to pl ac e h im s elf w ith in
 IN R T ODUCTI O N . lx iii

juris di ction It has b e e n h int e d th at he w as

”

inv e igl e d into the country by fe male influ e nc e .

D id the l ady j ust ind ic at e d l e nd h e rs e lf as a .

d e coy ? I wond e r wh e th e r it w as the poor Nor

f olk g e ntl e man s orph an !
’

The forg e ry w as h e ld to b e subst ant iat e d and ,

h e w as co mmitt e d for trial ; nor w as he k e pt lon g

in susp e n s e A d e cis ion at the Midsumme r s e s s ion
.
,

at the O ld B aile y ( July 5 m ay b e s aid to ,

h av e hurrie d to a virtu al clos e thi s varie d and

striking c are e r .

The following re port from the Times n e wsp ap e r

is rath e r m ore full th an th at wh ich occurs in t he
S e s s ions R e port
B e for e M r J u s tic e Vaugh an and Mr B aron
. .

A ld e rson Thom as Griffith s W aine w right ag e d 42

.
, ,

a m an of g e ntl e manly app earanc e w e aring m ust a ,

chio s w as indi ct e d for forging and utte ring a c e rt ain

,

pow e r of attorn e y for with int e nt to d e fraud

t he Gov e rnor and C o mp any of the B ank of E ngl and .

[ I n th e S e ss ions v e rs ion h e is d e scrib e d as ]

’

“
feloniou sly knowingly and fraudul e ntly d e mand
, ,

ing and e nd eavouring to h av e transfe rre d as s ign e d

, , ,

s old and conv e y e d t he sum of

,
p art of the
,

sh are of N ew Four p er C e nt annu itie s th e .

,

prop e rty of R ob e rt W ain ew right E dward S mith

1 2
, ,

[ H e nry] Fo s s and E dw ard Fo s s

”
3 4
, .

1
A s oli c itor but not th e p artn er in the hous e at Furni v al s
,
’

I nn
2
T he s am e r e m ark appli e s .

3
T he ub li sh e r, an d p artne r in the firm o f Payn e an d Foss .

4
B rot re r o f H e nry Fo s s, and a s olicitor .
l xiv IN R T ODUCT I O N .

Th e re w e r e fiv e ind ictm e nt s ag ain s t the pris on e r,

t o all of w h ich he pl e ade d Not Gu ilty, w h e n he
w as arraign e d b e for e Mr S e rj e ant A rab ia in the
.

cours e of the m orning O n b e ing brought b e for e

.

t h e j udg e s, ho w e v e r, h e b e gg e d to b e allow e d to
withdraw the for m e r pl e a and th e n ple ad e d Gu ilty
,

t o tw o of the ind ict me nts w h ich w e r e not of a ,

1
c ap it al n ature .

“
The couns e l for th e B ank h aving e x pl ain e d th at
th e re we re thr e e oth e r ind ictm e nt s but th at the ,

B ank did not d e s ire to sh e d blood , the pl e a of

2

Guilty on the two m inor ch arge s w as r e cord e d and ,

t h e prison e r at the clo s e of the s e s s ion , s e nte nc e d

,

by the Re cord e r to transport at ion for l ife .

W aine wright on r e c eiving s e nte nc e w as con

, ,

duct e d b ack to N e wg at e pr e p aratory to his r e m oval

,

to a p e n al colony The g aol w as at th at tim e

.

und e r the old r egulation s wh ich huddle d up in o ne

,

wr e tch e d c ell crimin als of all grad e s W aine w right s .

’

co m p an ion s w e re a brickl ay e r an d a swe e p H e r e .

h e w as vis ite d by s ome of his frie nd s am ong oth e r s

1
T he pr is on e r aft e rward s alle g e d th at he w as tr e p ann e d
into th is s rrb s titrrtio n of plea by t he Go v e rnor of N e wgat e,
a ct ing on in s truct ion s f ro m th e Bank Parlour, and was
l e d to b e lie v e th at by thro wing h im s elf thus on th e m e rcy
o f the C o urt, the p en alty award e d w ould b e o f a no min al
charact e r C redat J udecus A t anoth e r t im e h e insin rrate d
.

that the s te p w as t ak e n at the inst anc e of the o ffic es fo r the

purpo se o f g e tting h im out of the country C reda t id em .

2
I t w as j u s t about th is t im e th at a s trong antagon is m to
c ap it al un ish m e nt s e t in, an d th at s o m e p ap e rs ad v oc at ing
p
its aboli t ion app eare d in the M orning H era ld A s ele ction
.

f rom th em w as publis h e d in 1 8 3 6 , 2 v ols, 1 2 mo .

 IN RT ODUCTI O N . lx v

who s aw him w e r e M r H ab lot Brown e M r .

, .

M acre ady an d M r D ick en s

, . .

“
M r Forst e r in his Life of D ick ens g iv e s th is
.
, ,

a ccount . A t th e t im e they s aw W ai ne wright ,

ho w e v e r h e mrrst h av e b ee n trie d and convict e d

, ,

and w as aw ait ing th e R e cord e r s s e nt e nc e : We ’

m ad e tog e th e r a circuit of n e arly all the L ondon

prison s ; and in co ming to the prison e rs unde r
r e mand wh il e go ing ov e r Ne wgat e acco mp ani e d
, ,

by M acre ady an d M r H ab lot Bro w n e w e r e st artl e d

.
,

by a s udd e n tragic cry of M y God ! th e re s ‘ ’

W ain e wright I In the s h abby g e nt e e l cre atur e ,

w ith s andy d is ord e r e d h air an d d irt y m oust ach e ,

w ho had turn e d qu ickly round with a d e fi ant st ar e

at our e ntr anc e looki ng at onc e m ean an d fi e rc e
, ,

an d qu it e c ap abl e of th e cow ardly m urd e rs he h ad

co mmitt e d M acre ady h ad b e e n horrifi e d to r e cog

,

n is e a m an familiarly known to him in form e r

”
ye ars and at w hos e t abl e he had d in e d
, .

H is in s atiabl e an d m orb id s e lf e st e e m had not -

d e s e rt e d him To o ne o f his acqu aintanc e s he

.

r e m ark e d Th e y p ay m e re sp e ct h e r e I assur e you

, ,

th e y th ink I am h e r e for I
”

But th ere w e r e oth e rs b e sid e s the m en whom

I h av e n am e d sum m on e d to th e ir old l it e rary
,

co mrad e s s id e at th is m om e nt or induc e d to b e nd
’

th e ir st e ps th ith e r by v ariou s cons id e rat ions an d ,

m any are still liv ing who re m e mb e r th e s e ns ation

of horror cr e at e d in th eir youthful m inds by th e
t al e wh ich th eir eld e rs c arrie d b ack with th em
fro m the c ell in N e wgat e—b y the felon s unblush ’

in g avow al of atrocit ie s in co mp arison w ith which

,

e
1x vi IN RT ODUCT I O N .

th e fraud 0 11 B ank w as a trifl e

the Ind e e d .
,

W aine wright tre at e d the forg e ry its elf s o l ightly

th at h e account e d it a p ity th at o ne should b e
b anis h e d for l ife igno rn inio usly for s o v e n ial a fault .

W as it not his o w n m one y wh ich h e had t ak e n

into his po s s e s s ion ? H is own prop e rty d e riv e d
fro m his p are nts—fro m his m oth e r ? Th e r e w as
no e qu ivoc ation about it ; and th e n it w as
th irt e e n y e ars s inc e it w as don e I— anoth e r circon
, ,

s ta nce a ttenua nte

( his own phras e) Th is w as .

o ne of th e ground s w h ich h e s e l e ct e d to e s t abl is h

his innoc e nc e anoth e r wh ich s trik e s m e as b e ing

,

tot ally and cru e lly fal s e and wh ich mu st s trik e

,

a nybody as b e ing altog e th e r inco m p atibl e w ith th e

firs t was th at the act w as not his at all H e sought
, .

to inculp at e a s e cond p e rson whom he did n o t ,

n am e b e c au s e
,
s uch w e re th e ir r e l at iv e po s it ion s ,

th at to h av e d isclo s e d it would h ave m ad e him

,

infam ous wh e r e any hu man fe eli ng is m an ife s t

”
.
,

M ost gloriou s of e gotists ! M o s t sh am el e s s of

hypocrit e s Why did h e not throw on th is anony
mous in di vidu al s o m e how the odium of his l at e r
e x p e rim e nt s in the v irtu e s of n un vomica
It is stat e d in Fors t e r s Life of D icke ns
“ ’
:

th at D r L ocock s susp icions as re gard e d the

.
’

A b e rcro mby c as e w e re firs t d istinctly aw ake n e d

,

by the t e stim ony suppli e d by the O ld nurs e at

the trial in 1 8 3 5 The op e ration of s trychn in e w as
.

at th at p e riod v e ry obscure ly und e r s tood and y e t ,

o n e c an h ardly avo id the conclus ion th at L o c ock

mu s t h ave b e e n a v e ry dull man B ut Forst e r .

proc ee ds to s ay th at the nurs e g ave it out th at not ,

 T O UCT I O N
I N R D . l xvii

o nly M rs A b e rcro mby but the young e r Griffith s

.
, ,

w as known to h av e d ie d with e xactly s im il ar

s y m pto m s If the l att e r p art of the account b e
.

c orr e ct it corroborat e s m y ow n vi e w and r e pre s e nt s

, , ,

no doubt the actu al fact ; but the n e ws p ap e r

,

re port s m ak e the nurs e to h ave confin e d her

r e mark to M rs A b e rcro mby and e v e n th e re to
.
,

h av e r e p e ate d wh at H el e n h e rs elf told he r in the

a gony of d e ath The truth may v e ry w e ll b e th at
.

t he old s e rv ant who had b e e n at Lind e n Hou s e

,

wh e n G e org e E dward Gri ffith s e xpir e d imp art e d ,

to th e phy s ician ve rb ally this addition al p ie c e of

i nt e ll ig e nc e .

W aine wright w as not only the p rimum mobi1e of

'

the r ath e r trum p e ry nov e l e tt e by D ick e n s c all e d ,

“ ”
Hunt e d D own in wh ich the incid e nts h e r e r el at e d
,

w ith as n e ar an appro ach as poss ibl e to h is toric al

truth are r e m or s e l e s sly trav e stie d v e ry m uch in
, ,

the m ann e r of th e Fa mily H era ld or R eynold s s

’

M is cella ny but of Lytton Bulw e r s fict ion publi sh e d

’

unde r th e n am e of LU C RETIA thirty thr e e y e ars s inc e ,

-
.

In his pr e fac e to the fir s t e dition of th at h ighly

wrought work 1 8 46 the author s ays : Incr e dible
, ,

a s it m ay s e e m the crim e s h e r e in r e l at e d took

,

pl ac e w ithin the las t s ev e nt ee n y e ars Th e re has .

b ee n no e x agge ration as to th e ir e x t e nt no gre at ,

d e p artur e from th e ir d e t ails the m eans e mploy e d , ,

e v e n th at wh ich s e em s m ost f ar fe tch e d ( th e in stru -

m e nt of the poison e d ring ) h ave th e ir found at ion

in l it e ral facts Nor h av e I m uch alt e re d th e
.

social position of the crim in als nor in the l east ,

”
o v e rr at e d th eir att ainm e nts and int e ll ig e nc e .

e 2
1x viii IN R T ODUCT I O N .

M rs W aine wright in fact as I h av e already

.
, ,

st at e d s at to the nov e lis t for the portrait o f

,

L ucr etia C laver ing an d W aine w right is Va r n ey

, .

In the nov el th e m an urg e s on the wo m an wh e n

,

she falte r s w h e th e r Bulw e r had authority for

th is turn of the s tory I c annot s ay ; and again the , ,

book m ake s Lucre tia h er confe d e rat e s st e p m oth e r ’

not his w ife In m any r e s p e ct s Bul w e r unque s

.

t ionab ly follo w e d pr e tty clo s ely the r e al ity but it

is to b e s u s p e ct e d th at in the p art icul ars wh ich he
furn ish e s of W ainew right s convict c are e r he has ’

us e d w ith gr e at fre e dom the rom ancis t s priv ile ge ’

.

”
It is now w e ll known M r Thornbury t e ll us , .
,

th at he wor e a r ing in wh ich h e alw ay s c arrie d

strychn in e cry s t al s of th e Ind ian n uz vo mica a
, ,

po is on al m ost t as t el e ss diffi cult of discov e ry and , ,

c ap abl e of al m o s t infinit e dihrtion .

Wh e n Lord A b ing e r ch arg e d the jury at the

E x ch e qu e r in th e c ivil action ag ainst th e insuranc e
,

co mp any in 1 8 3 5 this c ircum s tanc e was not w ell

,

kno w n ; it tran s p ir e d wh e n th e Fr e nch poli c e

took W aine wright und e r th e ir prot e ct ion a t w e lve
month or s o l at e r and M r Forre st e r of B ow S tre e t
, .

would b e am ong the e arl ie s t to h e ar of it fro m

his Paris ian conf r er es Y e t the b e nch d is t inctly
.

po int e d to th e w hol e affair as on e pregn ant w ith

”
su s p ic ion and o ne of the h e ads und e r wh ich D r
, .

L oco ck was cro s s qu e st ion e d w as as to the pr e se nc e

-
,

of tr ac e s of v e g e t abl e po is on in M is s A b e rcrom by s ’

r e mai ns .

Th e r e v e l at ion s of the conv ict to his frie nd s or

v is itor s in N e wgat e m or e th an j u s tifi e d L ord
lx x IN RT ODUCTI O N .

But a diffe re nt s ort of vis itor pre s e nt e d his

r e sp e cts in th e sh ap e of an ag en t fro m the life
,

o ffic e s which on l e arn ing how the c as e had gon e

, ,

lo s t no t im e in e nd e avouring to e l icit at a pric e , ,

wh at e ve r s e rvic e abl e inform ation the convic t

m ight b e dispo s e d to comm un ic at e The offic ial .

le t W ain e w right b e aw ar e th at it was u s el e s s t o

d e ny the ch arg e of po iso ning as his e m ploy e rs had
,

t ak e n the pre c aution to s e cure all the p ap ers which

h e l e ft b e h ind him (w ith an unp aid s core ) at his
inn in Franc e includ ing a D I AR Y wh e re he had
, ,

pl ac e d on r e cord w ith p e rfe ct s atis fact ion and

,

e v e n z e st th e m e thod e m ploy e d in his v ariou s op e

,

r at ions .

Th e d e t ail s app ear e d to h av e b e e n p e nn e d w ith

th e s am e co m pl ac e ncy and s elf pos s e s s ion as -
,

though the writ e r had b ee n e ngag e d in committing

“ ”
to p ap e r his e s say on The A nrate ur s Boudo ir or ’

so me d ainty morcea u for O ll ie r s L iterary P ocket ’

B ooh . W as it not all on e 7

A t any rat e the in s uranc e ag e nt who wait e d on
,

our h e ro in pris on contriv e d to inform him%lf on

,

m any r el e vant po ints and p e rh ap s h e might h ave

,

tak e n his l e av e without d elive ring the l ittl e l e cture

at the clo s e wh ich is attribut e d to him .

It would b e qu ite us e l e s s M r W ain ewright, .

,

he obs e rv e d “
to sp eak to you of hum an ity or of
, ,

t e nd e rn e s s or l aw s hu man or divin e ; but do e s it

,

not occur to you aft e r all th at m e re ly r eg ard e d as

,

a s p e cul at ion crim e is a b ad o ne ?

, S e e wh e r e it
e nds I I t alk to y ou in a s h am e ful pris on and I ,

t alk to a d e grad e d convict The r e tort wh ich his

.
 s
IN R T ODUCTI O N . lxxi

list e n e r m ad e afte r a twirl of his m oust ach e w as

, ,

at onc e ch ar act e ristic of wh at B ulw e r c alls in

”
V arn e y his con s t itution al audacity
“
and so f ar ,

as t he ag e nt w as conc e rn e d richly d e s e rv e d though

, ,

it would b e mor e appl ic abl e in our own d ay .

”
S ir s aid h e
, you cit y me n e nt e r on your sp e cu
,

lations and t ak e the ch anc e s of th e m S o me of .

your s p e cul ations succ e e d ; som e fail Min e h app e n .

to h av e fail e d ; y ours h app e n to h av e succ e e de d ;

th at is the d iffe re nc e s ir b e twe e n m y vis itor and
, ,

me . But I will t e ll you one thing in wh ich I h ave

succ e e d e d to th e l as t I h av e b e e n d e t e rm in e d
.

through life to hold th e pos ition of a ge ntl e man .

I ha ve a lwa ys d one s o I D O S O ST ILL It is the

. .

cu s to m of this pl ac e th at e ach of the inm at e s of a

c ell s h all t ak e his m orn ing s turn of s w e e p in g it ’

out I occupy a c ell w ith a brickl ay e r and a sweep

. .

But by God th e y n e v e r offe r m e the broo m I

, ,

If e v e r mortal w as h aunt e d by an id iosyncrasy ,

it w as W ain e wright The ruling illu s ion w as as

.

pot e nt as e v e r .

A s imil ar trait pr e s e nts its e lf to our notic e ,

prior to his conviction wh il e he lay in g aol aw ait

,

ing his trial .In a l e tt e r to a frie nd at th at t ime ,

h e r e pre s e nt s the cr ue l inj ust ic e of his pos ition ,

procl aims his innoc e nc e and ass e rt s th at he is ,

t he poss e s sor of a soul w hos e nutrim e nt is lov e ,

and its offs pring art m u s ic d ivin e song an d s till

, , ,

hol ie r ph ilosophy I! W as e v e r vil e r nons e ns e

mouth e d in the n am e of the Nin e M us e s ?
I h av e c it e d the D iary abov e as if it w e re an ,

ord in ary h istoric al p ap e r In do ing so I r ely on .

,
 IN RT ODUCT I O N .

the com mon tradition and b el ie f of the t im e I .

h av e not s e e n it nor can I trac e it Two of the .

offic e s princ ip ally affe ct e d by the frauds h av e e ve n

ask e d m e for inform at ion Not m e rely th e n is its
.
, ,

e x is te nc e op e n to l egi t im at e qu e s t ion ; but its e x ist

e nc e e st abl is h e d it s v alu e as t e s t imony in a c ase

, ,

of th is p e cul iar k ind m ight b e fairly ch all e ng e d

, .

R e cords of put at ive fact s h av e b e e n co mp il e d b e fore

an d s inc e by p e r s ons unlre althily gr ee dy of notorie ty .

i
But putt ng t e h D ia ry as id e o ne incontrov e rtibl e
1
,

fact app ears to r emain bring ing us s ub s t antially

,

ho me to the s ame po int n am e ly the cond e mn e d , ,

’
m an s v e rb al d is clo s ur e s to privat e friends and
his confe s s ion of the d e s truct ion of c ert ain inno
c e nt l ive s by po is on acco m p an ie d by e lucid at ions
,

of the proce ss by wh ich th e s e e norrn itie s w er e

succ e ss ive ly co mmitt e d .

Fro m Ne wg at e W aine wright w as r e move d to the

lrulk s at P orts m outh and th e nc e on th e e x p ir a
, ,

tion of a few d ays e mb ark e d o ne of thre e hundre d

, ,
”
convi ct s in the S u s an for V an D iern en s Land
,
’
.

It w as a m o ral s e pulchre to use his own e x ,

press ion fro m which he was n e ve r to e m e rg e ;

,

y e t ,
fro m t h e v e ry hold of the sh ip wh ich w a s

conv eying hrm to a hop el e s s and igno min iou s

b an ish me nt he wrot e to s om e one r e pre s e nting
, ,

th e h ard s h ip of b e ing pl ac e d in iron s Th e y th ink ,

me a d e sp e rado M e ! the co mp an ion of po e ts

.
,

1
I nquiry has b ee n m ad e at the I m p e r ial and Pelic an
O ffic es f o r t he M S , but , although the s e cre t arie s o f tho s e
.

in s titut ions o ffe r e d e v e ry as sis tanc e in th e ir po w e r, without

su ccess .
 IN R T ODUCT I O N . l xxi ii

ph ilo s oph e r s art is ts and m u sician s a d e s p e rado !

, , ,

Y ou w ill s mil e at this — no I th ink you w ill fee l ,

for the m an e duc at e d and r e ar e d as a g e ntl em an

, ,

n o w t h e m at e of v ul g ar ruffian s and country

bu m pkin s .
”

Wh at a cons ist e nt t onch I H ow tru e M r .

E g ome t Bon m ot prov e d to ln m s e lf I W as not th is

J anu s We ath e rcock a d v iv um
The c ar e e r of W aine w right had n ow pract ic ally
clo s e d H e w as a ru in e d and lo s t m an H is
. .

only b iograph e r h ith e rt o the l at e M r Ju s tic e , .

Talf ourd whos e s t at e m e nts are not inv ariably

,

r e liabl e le t the curtain fall h e re and poss ibly it

, ,

mi ght h av e b e e n w ise to follow his e x am pl e

C e rt ainly it is n e c e ss ary an d prop e r to s t at e th at
, ,

t he s ol e s ourc e of int e ll ig e nc e w h ich w e app e ar

to po s s e s s in trac ing the l at e r p eriod of this
,

w re tch e d m an s l ife thos e y e ars w h ich follow e d

’

his irre trie vabl e di sgrac e i s a co mm un ic at ion ,

i
O

r int d in N o tes a nd Quer ies for O ctob e r

p e ,

fro m a corre s pond e nt w ho addres s e s fro m M el ,

bourn e in A u s tr alia and w ho w e nt for his m at e rial

,

t o the M elbourne A rg us for 1 841 and a V ictoria ,

p ap e r of lat e r d at e T his g e ntl e m an app e nd s to

.

his n arrat iv e w hich is bot h brie f an d sc anty a

, ,

r em ark abl e m e m orial pr e s e nt e d by the convict in

1 8 44 to th e gov e rnor of the s e ttl e m e nt .

In 1 8 4 2 W ain e wright ( fro m failing h e alth it is ,

t o b e pre su me d) w as admitt e d an in p atie nt of the -

G e n e r al Hosp it al at Hob art Town w h e r e he re ,

m ain e d s o m e t ime O n his d isch arg e fro m this

.

in s t itut ion it is e v id e nt th at the s e ve rity of

,
l x x iv IN R T ODUCT I O N .

his confin e me nt w as s o m e wh at r el ax e d ; for he

r e turn e d to his old artistic purs u it s took s k e tch e s ,

and p aint e d l ik e n e s s e s But the vic e s which had

.

m ark e d his ch aracte r at ho m e s t ill cl ang to him ;

two c as e s are on r e cord in w h ich he e nd e avoure d
,

to r e m ove p e rs on s w ho had e x cit e d his an im o s ity

, ,

by po is on ; and w h at Talfo urd d e s crib e s as a

voluptuou s n e ss wh ich tr e mbl e s 0 11 the bord e rs of the
ind e l ic at e s igrraliz e d his conv e rs ation to his fe m al e
”
,

s itt e rs .H e is portray e d by one who kn e w him w e ll ,

as b e ing at th is t im e a m an w ith a m as s iv e h e ad
, ,

in wh ich the an im al prop e n s it ie s w e re l arg e ly

d e ve lop e d and hold ing an unu s u ally l arg e volu me
,

of brain 1
.H is e y e s w e re d e e ply s e t in his h e ad ;
h e had a s qu are solid j aw ; he w e re his h air long ,

stoop e d so m e w h at and had a s n ak e l ik e e x pr e s s ion

,
-
,

w h ich w as at onc e r epul s iv e and fas cin ating He .

r ar ely look e d you in the fac e H is conv e r sat ion .

an d m ann e r w e r e w inn ing in t h e e x tre me ; he w as

n ev e r int e mp e rat e but n e ve rth e l e s s of gro s sly

,

s e n s u al h ab it and an Op iu m e at e r
,
2
A s to m oral
-
.

ch aract e r he w as a m an of the v e ry low e s t s tam p

,
.

H e s e e m e d to b e poss e s s e d by an ingrain e d m al ig

1
A m ass iv e h e ad , ho w ev e r , do e s not n e c e ss arily hold an
e x c e pt ion al v o lu m e o f br ain I t h as b ee n r e m ark e d , th at
.

t he h e ad s of m urd e r e r s or o f p e rs on s o f m urd e rou s t e nd e n

c ies are oft e n of unus ual d im e n sion s , articu larly at the
s id e s , w h e r e t h e im puls es are s aid to b e c oat e d .

2
T ho mas D e Q u inc e y had acq ui re d at O xford a lik in g
f or op ium , and w e all kno w th at he cont ribut e d to t he
L ond on JII ag az ine a s e rie s o f p ap e r s c alle d th e C onfe ss ion s o f
“

an E nglis h O p ium E at e r D id W ain e wright contract f ro m

”
-
.

an acqu aint anc e w ith a f e llo w - contr ibutor his lo v e o f t he

 IN R T ODUCTI O N . lxx v

n ity of dispos ition wh ich k e pt him const antly o n

the ve ry confin e s of m urd e r and he took a p e rv e rse ,

pl e as ure i n traducing p e rso n s who had b e frie nd e d

H e w as a m ark e d m an in Hob art
T own— dre ad e d dis l ik e d and s hunn e d by e v e ry
, ,

body . H is s ol e l iving co mp an ion w as a c at ,

1
for which h e e vinc e d an e x traordin ary affe ction .

S uch w as Tho mas Griffith s W aine w right

’
.

Wh il e W ain e wright w as an in m at e of the hos

p ital h e appl ie d to the Lie ut e n ant Gove rnor of the -

s e ttl e m e nt S ir J ohn E ardl e y W ilm ot for a t ick e t

, ,

O f l e av e on the ground of his rea l i nnocence of the

-
,

cha rg e of the reg ula ri ty of his p r evious lif e an d of

, ,

his li t e rary s e rvic e s Th e r e qu e s t w as d e cl ar e d t o

.

b e contrary to law an d w as p e r e m ptorily r e fus e d

,
.

Th is w as in 1 8 4 4 .

The p e t ition e r sp eaks of h im s e lf in th is e d ifyin g

docu m e nt as without frie nd s g ood na me (the ,

br e ath of l ife) or A r t (the fu e l to it with m e) ;

,

torm e nt e d at onc e by m e m ory and id e as strugglin g

for outw ard form and r e al iz at ion b arre d up fro m
in cre as e o f knowl e dg e and d e priv e d of th e e x e rcis e
,

of profitabl e or e v e n of d e corou s sp e e ch
“ ”
P e rh ap s he proc e e ds
,
this cl inging to the l e e s
,

of a v ap id lif e m ay s e e m b as e un m anly arguin g , ,

f as cin at ing dr ug ? I f s o, h e m ight h av e r e paid th e obligat ion

by supplying w ith a f ew h ints or ev e n with a m ode l the
a uthor o f t h e ing e n io us p ap e r 0 1 1 M urd e r con sid e re d as
“

o n e o f t h e F i ne Ar t s
”
.

1
I n ea rli e r an d h appie r d ays , C o rn eliu s Vink b oom s
e nu m e rat es a s lee k cr e atur e o f th is ki nd as anrong t he
cont ent s of T he A mat e ur s B oudo ir
’ ”
.
l xx vi T OD UCTI O N
IN R .

rath er a pl eb eian th an a lib eral and g e ntl e d e s c e nt '

But your E x c ell e ncy the wre tch e d e x il e has a

, ,

c h ild I— an d V an ity ( s prung fro m t h e prais e of

F lax man C h arl e s Lamb S toth ard Rich ard We s t all
, , , ,

D el aroch e C orn e liu s Lawre nc e and th e god of his

.
, ,

worsh ip F USELI) whisp e r s th at the f ollower of the

,

id eal m igh t e ve n y e t ach ie v e anoth e r re put at ion

th an th at of a f aussa ire .

In conclu s ion I can m e re ly re p e at wh at the cor

,

r e spond e nt of N otes a nd Q uer ies s ays as to Wain e

’
wright s e nd th at he die d of apopl e x y in Hob art
,

T own Hosp it al about the y e ar ,

A m ong t he ch ar act e rs wh ich h is tory and l it e ra

t ur e pre s e nt to our study th e re is no l ack of irrdi ,

v id uals who h av e att ain e d a m ore or l e s s un e nv i

,

a bl e pro min e nc e by d int of e cc e ntric ity or pro fl ig acy

o f l ife ; but it m ay w e ll b e qu e s t ion e d w h e th e r

W aine wright his ant e c e d e nt s as s oc iation s and
, ,

t ast e s cons id e r e d do e s not s upply 11 s with a p s ycho

,

log ic al ph e no m e non O f unsurp ass e d m agnit ud e and

c urios ity .

It w as one of the m o s t s ingul ar and d e plorabl e

c as e s of int e ll e ctu al obl iqu ity and d e for mity th at
I can c all to m ind It is sup erfluou s to ins ist on th e
.

fact th at W aine wright w as no o rd in ary m an ; but

w h il e it m ay b e tru e as Talf ourd s ugg e s ts th at
, ,

L amb took pl easure in find ing s ym p athy with dis

s im ili tud e I cannot th ink it po s s ible th at a p e rson
,

1
T he e x act d at e m ight, p e rh ap s , b e as c e rt ain e d by an
inv e s tigation o f the o ffic ial p ap e rs on th e spot I t was, in .

a ll prob ab ility, b e t wee n 1 84 7 and 1 8 5 2 .

l xxv iii IN R T ODUCT I O N .

p e culiarly pl ac e d H is n e c e s s it ie s m or e th an k e pt
.

p ac e with his crim e s and his crime s w e re the ,

O ffs pring of his n e c e ss it ie s A s e rie s of horribl e

.

d e linqu e nc ie s a shock ing s acrific e of hu man life

h ad aris e n—how —fro m the irr e s ist ibl e forc e of
, ,

c ircu ms t anc e s Op e rating on a r e ckle ss s p e ndthrift ,

w ho s e princ ipl e s w e re as w e ak as his n ature w as

v ain and oste nt at ious H is two s al ie nt characte ris
.

t ic s w e r e an unconsciou s n e ss actu al or fe ign e d , ,

of his tru e ch aract e r and an incongruou s as sump

,

t ion of r e ve re nc e f o r the subl im e and b e aut iful .

Wh at D igby Grand is on the st ag e W aine wright ,

w as in r e al l ife an d s o me th ing m ore ; for t ak e

him for all in all my h e ro I maint ain w as an A
, , ,

p e r s e a C richton among the profe s s ors O f the

,

s c ie nc e of r em oving obst acl e s : n am e ly in his

s e p tago nal c ap ac ity as litera tcur po e t art ist , , ,

c ritic ant iqu ary

,
as s as s in
,
an d f a ussa ir e
, Th is .

w as he who w ith s mil ing fac e and j e we ll e d

,

finge rs could infus e the d e adly v e no m fro m his

,

ring by st e alth and without a qu al m into his

frie nd s co ffe e—into the cup of the man who had
, ,
’

O ffe r e d him an as ylu m ! Th is w as he who with

h is w ife at his e lbo w — sh e not a wh it l e s s gu ilty
,

th an h ims e lf—could w atch d e mon l ike the con ,

-
,

v uls iv e tortur e s and dying struggl e s of the fair

an d trust ing girl who l e an e d on his love and

, ,

idol iz e d h is e v e ry a ction and word th e g e ntl e

g irl who had b e nt ov e r his sh allow p ag e to use
, ,

the rich curl s of h er

“
hi s own v e ry word s ,
”
am aranth in e h air ! Th is w as h e who d e stroy e d
the li fe of the uncl e who had bro ught him up
 IN RT ODUCT I O N . lxx ix

fro m ch ildhood had e duc ate d him and fin ally h ad

, ,

l e ft him a fortun e an d a spl e nd id hom e .

Th e re w as a v as t d e pth of truth an d ph ilosophy

in L amb s r e m ark to B e rn ard B arton th at it
’

is imposs ibl e for any one to s ay O f wh at h e

may prov e h ims e lf c ap abl e in the dir e ct io n of
crimin ality und e r strong t e m pt at ion The s ee d s .

w h ich rip e n e d in the c as e of W ain e wright so

fat ally are l at e nt in all of us only as king pr e s s ur e
, ,

to d e v e lop th e m ; and this vie w I urg e not fro m ,

a ny fool is h pron e n e ss for e x t e nu at ion but b e c aus e ,

I th ink th at the J anu s W e ath e rcock of 1 8 2 0

t he p e rfu m e d and j e w e ll e d e x qu is it e in his r ichly ,

flo w e re d dre s s ing go w n w ith his chibouqu e his

-
, ,

choic e l iqu e urs and win e s fro m fair It alia his r are
“
,
”

print s his R aph ae l m aj olic a his p e t cat his g ilt

, , ,

Fre nch l amp and his R og e r P ayn e b indin g s t he

,
-

l it e rary d andy and p etit ma fltre who w as quiz z e d - '

by s om e admir e d by m any and p e tt e d on all s id e s

— the cynosure of his family and the s poil e d ch ild
, ,

of hi s cliqu e—may b e p erh aps acquitt e d O f h aving

b e e n the m ost fin is h e d of hypocrit e s as w e ll as the
mo s t p itil e s s of m urd e r e rs .

It w as as I h ave s hown about 1 8 24 wh e n his

, , ,

vis it s to his old lit e rary h aunt s gr e w m ore inte r

m itt e nt s oon to c e as e wholly and Lam b un sus
, ,
’

p e c t in l
gy d e plor e d t h e loss to t h e L on d on of J anus s
”
c ap ital pro s e th at the horiz on b e g an to d ark e n
, ,

an d W ain e w right s b as e r n atur e slowly but s ure ly

’

, ,

a ss e rt e d its e lf ere long to b e co m e d e struct iv e ly

,

p aram ount It would b e s at isfactory I own and

.
, ,

e v e n int e re sting to mys elf to d iscov e r pr e c is ely at

,
 IN R T ODUCTI O N .

wh at st ag e in his frightful and d e s p e r at e c are e r

the m an contrive d to g ain ov e r his ne ve r t o o
scrupulou s w ife ; for the pre s e nc e of an acco m plic e
an d au x il iary m ust h av e e x e rt e d an import ant

influ e nc e .

F irs t c am e Forge ry Th e n follo w e d S trychn in e

. .

S t ill wh e n all has b e e n s aid do e s not the m an

, , ,

l ike all s uch m e n r e m ain a s ort of e nig ma and

,

b ewild e ring contrad ict ion ? H e w as not a fool ,

an d y e t the gre at e s t of fool s H e w as o ne m ay

.
,

s ay a co ward an d y e t the s ucc e s s ful ach ie v e m e n t

, ,

of his flagitious sch em e s ask e d and b e spok e no

hu mble sh ar e of d aring an d n e rv e H e w as in .
,

so m e s e ns e s a vulg ar scoundrel and y e t to the

last he w as as full of his fin e —
, ,

,
art rant and aes th et ic
vapours as in the gold e n d ays of Lind e n Hou s e and
t he L ond on w h e n the blith e and gu il el e s s J anu s
, ,

fop and e mp ir ic as a f e w m ight privat ely j u dg e

him w as al most the l ast p e rs on in the world
, ,

who m his int im at e s would h av e s u sp e ct e d of

h arbouring d e s ign s uns urp as s e d in th eir w ick e d
‘

ness !
Talfourd in fact su ms up w ith the O bs e rvat ion ;
, ,

S ur ely no contras t pre s e nt e d in t h e w ild e s t

ro manc e b e tw e e n a gay c av al ie r fas cin at ing Napl e s,
.

or P al e rmo and the s am e h e ro d e t e ct e d as the

,

b andit or d e m on of the for e s t e qu al s th at wh ich ,

t im e has unve il e d b e t w ee n wh at M r W ainewright .

s e e m e d and wh at he w as .
”

M ad el e in e s husb and who had don e his utmo s t

’

,
 IN R T ODUCT I O N .

to hold things toge th e r w as unfort un at e ly thrown ,

from a ch ais e in Lincolnshir e in S ept e m b e r 1 8 3 7 , ,

an d k ill e d ; and his w ife H e l e n A b e rcro mby s ,

’

s is t e r fe ll a v ict im to an e p id e mi c Of sc arl e t fe v e r
, ,

J un e 1 1 1 8 3 9 l e av ing thr e e ch ildre n

, ,
I h e ar on .
,

e x c e ll e nt authority th at the poor l ady w as to the

, ,

l ast r e luct ant to b e lie ve in W ain e w right s guilt in

,
’

’
h e r s ist e r s c ase I h ardly know w h e th e r it is worth
.

no t ing th at in M ad e l e ine s y e t e x is ting album is an

,
’

app ar e ntly unpublis h e d copy of v e rs e s by C h arl e s

Lam b w h o m u s t h av e s e e n he r r ep e at e dly in h e r
,

unm arrie d d ay s at the W ain e wrights 1

.

M rs W aine w right B ulw e r s L ucretia surviv e d

’
.
, ,

for m any y e ars Af t e r th e d e ath of h er s ist e r

.
,

an d th e g e n e ral c at astroph e s he liv e d with M ad e ,

l e in e at Pimli co t ill the m arriage of the l att e r in

“
1 832 . In 1 8 5 1 on h er s on Griffiths (th e e xile s
,
’

child coming of age and acqu iring pos s e ssion of ,

the trust e st at e ( wh ich the B ank w as obli g e d to

-
,

m ak e good) s he w e nt t o r e s id e with him H e had .

e nt e r e d th e n avy v e ry young and promi s e d to do ,

w ell : but it s e e m s th at w h e n he b e c am e his ,

own m ast e r he gr e w anxi ous to e sc ap e from the

,

d ishonour c ast on his n am e an d m igr at e d to ,

A m e ric a I h av e e v e n b e e n told th at h e m arrie d

.

a wo m an of so m e m e an s H e would b e at the .
,

pre s e nt m om e nt b ar e ly fifty , .

1 Th e vers es occupy the fir s t p age of t his 4 to v o lum e ,

an d are c alle d Wh at is an A lbum ? T h e y b ear d at e

“ ”

S e pt e m b e r T h e y w e r e w ritt e n too lat e f or ins e rtion

in the little v o lum e O f s uch t rifies pub lis h e d by M o x on In
th e s um m e r o f th at y e ar .
 ES S AY S AND C RITIC IS M S .

MOD E S T O FF E R O F S E R V I C E F R O M M R B O N M O T .

T O T HE

E D IT O R O F T H E “
L O N D O N M A GA Z IN E “ .

S IR —H e aring it whisp e re d th at a lumin ary in

, ,

the form of a n ew m ag az in e is about to s h e w its elf

,

abov e our l it e r ary horiz on I h e re by t e nd e r my

,

pow e rs of el e vation to bring it with trump and ,

tim br e l cl ang and g e n e r al shout to the z en ith O f

-
,

tri u mph ant popul arity I im agin e not for an

.
,

inst ant th at you w ill mi scon s tru e th is ove rt ure

—
,

into a sol ic it at ion f o r e m ploym e nt no, it is a

gr acious o ff e r of ass ist anc e Y e s g ra cious is the
.
,

e p ith e t, of whi ch you will the b e tt e r j udg e wh e n ,

I sh all h av e r e nd e r e d you an account of my gr e at

qu alifications Without fe ar of controv e rs y, th e n
.
,

I affirm m ys e lf to b e S ir Oracle I am the im

[ L
1 “ ondon M ag az in e J
,
anu ary
”
,
1 82 0
. As cribe d to
Wai nw right conj e cturally ] .

B
2 ESSAYS A ND CRI TI C I SMS .

mort al P ass ad o the invincible A h ha ! fit for

,

e v e ry th in g pr e p ar e d for all accid e nts : r eady to

,

p ass from gr av e to g ay from liv ely to s e ve r e ; to ,

s igh in conc e rt with the wood s th at w av e o er ’

D e lphi s s t e e p ; or laugh wi th M o mu s and his

’

train —in a word S ir I h e r eby pronounc e mys elf

, ,

to b e not one but all m ankind s e pitom e

, ,
’
.

From m e re e x p e rim e nt th e r e fore of my pote n , ,

c ie s your work m u s t d e rive an infinit e advant ag e ;

,

for S ir in addition to w h at I h av e s aid I would

, , ,

h ave you know th at it is to m e ,

no m ore difficile ,

T h an for a blackbird tis to w h is tle

’
,

to dis cours e in t e rms com pr eh e n sibl e Only to the ,

initiat e f e w about th e w its of E liz ab e th s r eign ;

’

nay to d e s cr ib e s e lf e vi d e nt b e aut ie s in C h auc e r

,
-
,

S p e ns e r Milton an d all th e po e t s th at h av e e v e r
l iv e d —d e ad th ing s with inbre ath e d s e ns e I am
, ,

abl e to p ie rc e an d by windy s u s p irat ion of oracul ar

, ,
’
bre ath pour into any re ad e r s mind the g e nu in e
,

ch ar act e ris tics of the gr e at and go od of e v e ry

kindr e d and n ation und e r h e av e n I k now how .

to apply s e nt e nt ious op inion s in the m ode of

m od e rn infalli b il ity A s for inst anc e in not icing
th e po e t of the Infe rno I s hould s ay—th e re s
.
, ,
’
,

D ant e mingling the b itt e rn e s s of s at ire with the

gloo m y grand e ur O f hi s sublim e ge nius : if I wo ul d
b e ringing ch ang e s upon oth e r gr e at on e s of the
olde n tim e who bl az e d th e co me ts O f th e ir s eas on
, , ,

I should t alk of the e l egant lice ntiou s ne ss of

B o ccacio ; the d e lightful v arie tie s of A riosto ; the
4 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS .

s p e ar e Ohe j am s a tis
.
,
m e th ink s you e x cl aim
h e re It is e v e n s o ; and I could d e tail ten
.

thou sand oth e r qu ali tie s of fitn e s s but I cont e nt

m ys elf w ith a word or two as to m y s tyle on ,

which th e v e ry ecce s ignum t e s tim ony of th is

l e tt e r l e av e s l ittl e occ as ion to d il at e ; ye t I m u s t
not o mit to m e ntion m y v e ry p e cul iar adro itn e ss
in all th e me ch an is m of authors hip To me the .

m ys t e rie s of e mph atic innu e ndo are Op e n : the

appl icat ion of ap t and e loqu e nt p are nth e s e s is as

th e air I bre ath e ; I know wh e r e to sh ak e m y

h ead in ita lics ; utt e r a ME GA THAUM A in c ap itals
an d by t h e m e r e forc e of appropriat e colloc at ion
, ,

m ak e a word nay som e tim e s e v e n a s yllabl e

, ,

e x pr e s s a st art or a shrug or a c as t in g up of e y e s
, , ,

s ymp ath iz ing with a wond e r ; wh il e for a fro w n ,

d ark as t e n furie s t e rribl e as h ell I am your only

, ,

p e n m an .

With all th is conc e ntr ation of facultie s in

mys elf I am not l e ss e nviabl e in my frie nd s All
,
.

are j e w e ls of th e first w at e r an d th e ir aid is at my

,

comm and for furth ering any sch em e in which I

profe s s to b e int e r e st e d C e rtain co mical cous in s
.

als o form p arts of m y t al e nt e d ph al an x ; an d th e r e

is not a hue in all the v arie d brightn e s s of the

N in e but finds a corr e s pond e nt ray am ong thos e
,

O f who m I h av e mo s t m e ritoriously b e e n dubb e d

th e M u s ag e t e s .

Your p e n e tration mu s t from all this in s tantly

, ,

d is cove r the absolut e th e in e ffabl e advant ag e O f

,

t ak ing m e into your PAY : but the r e solut ion mu s t

b e made w ith h ast e post h ast e sp e e d for I am
,
-
,
 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI C IS MS . 5

’
nois e d abro ad and e er anoth e r hour s h all h ave
,

m ingl e d it s elf with th e p as t e t e rn ity I m ay b e ,

flyin g on the swift wings of my ne w re putation to ,

the north the e as t the s outh or w e s t ; for fr o m

, , , ,

all qu art e rs am I r e c e iving m o m e nt arily e m b as s ie s

, ,

court ing the count e n anc e of m y tr an s c e nd e nt

t al e nt s s o m e im ploring a prop for w ork s alre ady
born ; oth e rs for tho s e who s e b irth is d e l ay e d only
until the d e cis ive y et d e licat e pow e rs of my
lit e rary O b s te tricis m m ay b e at h and to produc e
th e m to the admiring world in the full p e rfe ction
of g rand and b eautiful proportion ! But S ir m y , ,

unwillin gn e s s not to s ay ab s olut e in ability to

, ,

d e s e rt the city of m y adoption induc e s m e to giv e ,

you the pr e fe re nc e you m ay th e r e for e di r e ct for

m e at onc e —
,

not M is ter but Egom et Bonm ot

, ,

E squir e L ond on w ill find m e

, ,
.

I h ave writt e n you at so me l e ngth but I wil l ,

not b id adi e u without w arn ing you ag ain s t

im agining th at a word has b e e n w ritt e n w ithout
purpo s e ; for not the e loqu e nt sh ak e of L ord
B urle igh s h e ad w as h alf so pr e gn ant with m e an ing
’

as thi s e p is tol ary s p e c im e n of auto adulation -

.

Ind e e d as th e Lak ie s t of b ards might s ay b e n e ath

, ,

the pl ain and s impl e s inc e rity of the for e gon e

obs e rv ation s th e r e lie s a m or al far too d e e p for
,

the fatho m lin e s of un inform e d m inds ; and it is

-

th is s ingl e circu m st anc e whi ch b id s m e r e co mm e nd

its ins e rtion in the p ag e s of a m ag az in e w hich w ill ,

e nrol non e am ong it s r e ad e rs by who m s uch

m att e r s of occult s ignific ance how e ve r dis gui s e d ,

in op e n s im plicity are not e as ily appre ciat e d

,
.
6 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

I wish your work good sp ee d and for m e towis

s ucc e ss is to confe r it Your fri e nd .
,

E BO N MOT . .

PS
. .
— To dis tingu is h contributions by the gn a si

ture of my n am e will h e nce forth b e u s e l e ss e x c e pt

, ,

on p articul ar occ asions S u ffic e it th at in your

.
,

rich e st num b e rs wh at e ve r is wis e st v irtuous est

, , ,

d is cre e t e st b e s t m ay s afe ly b e attribut e d to the

, ,

p e n of Bon m ot .

[ W e b e l ie v e w e o w e to M r Bon m ot s goodn e ss .
’

th e following p retty p oem w ith its e x c e ll e nt intro,

duction ] .

ANC E S TR A L E N O R M ITI E S .

( Tak en, with liber ties , f rom the French ) .

T HE Fr e nch p e opl e it h as b e e n l at ely s aid by on e

,

of th e ir own writ e rs h av e m uch l e s s affe ction for

,

l ib e rty th an for e qu ali ty The r es tl e s s v an ity of

.

indi v idu al s running through all cl as s e s has re n

, ,

d e r e d v arie tie s of r ank qu it e unpopul ar in Franc e .

E ach p e rs on fe e l s hi s n e ighbour s dis tinction to

’

b e an ind ign ity to h im s elf S uch a s e nt im e nt .

,

d ire ct e d again s t the d e gr e e s of s ociety is by no ,

m e an s a m agn anim ou s on e The loftie s t s e n s e of

.

ind e p e nd e nc e induc e s a m an to re cogn is e im pl icitly

the form s of social d is t inct ion s as matt e r s of cours e ,

im port ant in a publ ic v ie w an d ind iffe r e nt in a ,

p e r s on al one E v e ry high m ind m u s t b e mad e

.

aw ar e by its own consciousn e s s th at no essentia l

, ,
 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS . 7

differ e nc e in worth or r e sp e ctab ility is d e not e d by

the various styl e s in whi ch in di vidu als are ad
dr e s s e d ; but a ce rtain w e ak imp atie nc e is Oft e n
found pu s hin g p e opl e to a chil di s h r e s ist anc e
ag ain st th e s e form s ; and this r e s is t anc e d e not e s ,

m or e th an anythi ng e ls e a fe v e rish s e n s ib ili ty to ,

th eir import Th e y w ho are m ost an xious to s t at e

.

wh at littl e stor e th e y set by duk e s an d lords are ,

pr e cis e ly such as woul d s e t the m o s t stor e by th eir

t itl e s h ad the accid e nt of b irth b e s to w e d th e m
, .

S uch p e rsons if clos e ly w atch e d will b e g e n e rally

, ,

found at o ne tim e or oth e r to m ak e awk ward

, ,

allu s ions to th e ir fami l iarity w ith kn ights b aro ,

n e ts and b arons and to plu me th e m s elve s on

, ,

titl e d frie nd shi ps A t th e s am e tim e in such a

.
,

country as Franc e wh e r e the Bourg e ois cl as s e s , ,

until O f l at e y e ars w e re r e ally fe lt to b e d egrade d

, ,

att e mpts to Show tha t wor th a lon e m a k es the m a n ,

we r e to b e cons id e re d both u s e ful and sp irite d .

N or do w e kn ow th at it c an in any country b e , ,

r eg arde d as unf ai r to bring to the r e coll e ction of

,

the privil e g e d ord e r s th at int elle ct has nothing ne

ce s s arily to do w ith p at e nt s of nob il ity— although
,

th e re are many brilli ant e x ampl e s living on e s and ,

oth e r s proving th at such p at e nt s and the hi gh e st

, ,

int elle ctu al honours m ay b e u ni t e d The followi g ,

n .

v e rs e s how e v e r are to b e cons id e r e d as b e aring in

, , ,

in e v e ry w ay a for eign ch aract e r rath e r th an a

, ,

British one .

T hree thous an d y e ars if I coun t right , ,

H av e h eard th e critic s H om e r cit e ,

( His po e m s good tis tr u e

’ ’
 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI CI SMS .

B ut wh at can h id e the Po e t s s h am e ,
’

N o on e can t ell fro m wh e nc e he c ame

Th e s on of L ord -kno ws -who

Virgil, wh o s an of w ar an d farmin g,
His c as e is n e ar y as alarming ,

T hou h C es ar s pok e him w e ll

g
M uch d l d th e thoughtless M u se mis tak e
Who ch os e the is s ue o f a b ak e r
S uch w ond rou s tale s to t ell
’
.

Alas w h o into his t ry pu sh es

’

Will fi nd p e rp e tual caus e for blus h es

T h e r e s A th e n s —s hocking plac e
’

D e m o s th e n es d eclai m d with p ith,

’

B ut h e w as gott e n by a sm ith ,
T o A ttica s d is grac e
’
.

I m r e ally uz zle d to proc e e d

’

T o w rit e w at tis n t fi t to r ead

’ ’

All d e c e nt p e n s r efus e
T h e re s S ocr at e s , so wis e and pur e ,
’

Was born o f an O ld a ecoucheu/r,

I s hould say accoucheuse .

S o w ith the ncie nts le t s

h av e don e
’
a ,
Who ev ery m an an d m oth e r s s on
,
’
,

We re but of ye s t e rd ay
O n e m or e — that E s op—was th e r e e v e r
A s lave w r it e fab les —I S h all n ev e r
Tis now high tim e to s tay
’

B ut with the m od em s s h all w e ain ?

g
F aith , that s a c as e th at s not qui te plain
’ ’

Pir on s p ap a s old drugs

’

A m e re upho ls t e r e r g ot M olie re ,
An d R ollin w as a cutle r s h e ir,
’

An d Wh at s -his n am e m ad e j ugs
’
-
.

R ousse au —( not Jqu es b ut J ea n B aptist e )

ac ,
Who se od es to re ad are qui te a feast
H is anc es tor mad e sho es
 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI CI SMS .

An d is not J aques h ims elf as b ad,

Wh o took a w atch m ak e r f or dad,
O ur p ati e nc e to abus e I
‘

A t hom e , if curious to kno w

T h e p ar e nt -s tock s o f S O and -s o, -

We ll find the b ad t urn d w orse

’ ’

M ilton , f or all his e p ic fir e ,

C laims but a s criv n e r f or his s ir e
’

An d he to wr it e b lank ve rs e

S o m e folk s affirm th e proo f is f ull,

T h at S hak s p eare s eni or d e alt in w ool
L e t s ho e it is the cas e
’

For thoug o n e s corns in fl ee c e to d e al

,

We re he a butcher all m us t fe el
T w o uld hi s poor s on d isgrac e
’
.

Im
’
glad to fi nd th e r e is a doubt
From w h at trunk C h auc e r w as a sprout
A nob le on e s om e s a
B ut w his p e rs go th at haucer s fath e r ’

A v intn e r w as —o r coble r rath e r

,

H e nc e hi s Fr e nch n ame — C ha ucier .

In hort the m an of g en erous m ind

s ,

Who v ie w s the w orld m us t loath e his kind ,

S uch facts his f e e lings hurting

Th e eld er P op e who s e boy w rot e s atir es
, ,
K e pt a ch eap w ar e hou se n e x t a h att e r s ’
,
Wh e r e he s old I rish s hir ting
ought th en r em ain s but hop e—whi ch s till,

L urk s as of old b e hind each ill

, , ,
C lo s e to th e bo x s bottom
’

An d aft e r all t he h az ard runs

, , ,
T h at though th e y r e all th e ir m oth e rs s on s
’ ’
, ,
Their f a the rs ma yn t have got em
’ ’

Som e give it f o r t h e w o ol-me rchant , O t hers f o r t he b utch e r .

10 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI C I SMS .

S E N TI ME N TA L ITI E S O N THE FI NE A RT S .
1

B Y J AN U S W E ATH ER CO C K, E S Q .

( To be cont inue d whe n he is in the H umour ) .

NO I . .

’
G OET H E S FAUSTUS .

TH E G e rm an s h av e long b e e n giving proofs th at ,

th e y pos s e ss one gre at re quisit e for succ ee di ng

both in po e try and its s is t e r arts : w e me an a v e ry
origin al and po w e rful fancy : but th is s ame fancy
of t he irs like a fi e ry young s t e e d ( w e b eli e v e this
,

is the approv e d Simil e in s uch a c as e ) r e quir e s a ,

gre at d e al O f ch as tising and b e tte r train ing b e for e ,

it c an av ail its m as te r m uch in th e tug of w ar .

In p ainting th e y h ave forc e d a m on s trou s and un

,

n atural alli anc e b e tw e e n the subli me non s e n s e O f

,

G oltz ius S prang e r J ohn Ab A ch C V an Mand e r

, , , .
,

& c & c and the dry Gothi c ludi crou s mat te r

.
, .
, , , ,

O f fact work of O ld D ure r

-
Th e y h av e don e s o m e
.

thing v e ry lik e t his in th eir po e try and ro manc e s

— the lov e ly an d loving U ndin e al w ay s e x c e pt e d .

The author of this pro s e po e m has w ith an e arn e s t ,

fe rvour which s pr e ads its e lf to the r e ad e r r e nde re d ,

the e xist e nc e of s uch a b eing as his h e ro in e not ,

m e re ly s ufficie ntly prob abl e for the purpos e s of

po e try but app ar e ntly c e rt ain in po int of fact
H e r l ast words— I a m here a nd n ow you mus t
.
,
“

d ie — wh e n e v e r w e th ink O f th e m s e e m to breath e
,

1 “
[ London M agaz in e , Fe b .
12 E SSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

are not e nt ir ely in uni son with the styl e O f the

author th e y profe s s to illustrat e Th e y are co m .

pos e d n e arly throughout with e qu al j udg m e nt

, , ,

fire and t as t e wh e r e as the w ild and in th e t e e th

, , ,

of all its incongru itie s p ath e tic tr ag e dy of Go e th e

,

flutt e rs doubtingly b e twe e n the top mo s t h eight of

s ublimity and t he bottomle s s p it of s e lf— s atis fie d

ab s urdi ty .

The a cco mp anying d e scriptions to th is volu me

of e ngr aving s b eing in G e rman it m ay b e as w e ll , ,

in giving a l ist O f the pl at e s to conn e ct th e m ,

tog eth e r by a sl ight n arr ative su fficie nt to Show ,

the re l at ion th e y b ear to o ne anoth e r .

S om e of our r e ade rs m ay no t b e aw ar e th at the ,

G e rm an s h ave not y e t re s ign e d th at fr e e dom of

mann e r whi ch m ay b e cons id e r e d as a proof of
innoc e nc e or O f im pud e nc e according as it is trac e d ,

to s impli city of h e art or cont em pt for th ing s wh ich

,

m o s t p e opl e cons id e r s acr e d In s hort th e y t ak e .

,

l ib e rtie s wi th attribut e s n am e s and ch ar act e rs in

, , ,

which it w ould not b e p ardonabl e in us to follo w ‘

the m b e caus e w e h av e in our country got far he

,

yond the p atriarch al s tag e Th e y do not h e sit ate .

st ill to introd uce the p e rs on of the D e ity in co m

pos itions O f a mixe d n atur e : and N O 1 O f thi s .

are , in point Of e x e c ution

k e tch es ) g e ntle w o m e n
,
b ut s

( witn e ss the lo v e ly f e m ales d e sign s for the 4 to T e le

in his
machus ) tranqu il O ld m e n portrai t s o f his o w n m ind and
, , ,

all th e s o ft e r e mot ion s o f privat e life H is drawing s f or .

S tockd ale s R ob in s on C ru s o e 2 v ols 8 vo 1 7 9 0 e ngr av e d

’
, , , ,

by M e dland w ould do honour to Rafiaele both f or com '

position and s ubtle p e n etration into t he s e cre t springs o f

t he mind as th e y act on the out ward m an .
 ESSAYS AND CRI T I C I SMS . 13

se rie s r epr e s e nt s a gr and l e ve e of the po we rs of

H e av e n h eld b e for e the thr on e of the Alm ighty at
, ,

whi ch th e r e b e llious S p irit of M is chi e f pre s e nts

h ims e lf according to the pre c e d ent furn is h e d by
,

th e op e n ing of t he po e m O f J ob The d e vil is .

inte rrog at e d a s to the c au s e of his app e aranc e ;

and it m ay b e su ffic ie nt to s t at e th at a d ialogu e ,

t ak e s pl ac e in w h ich the Sh in ing virtu e s of F aus

,

tus are cit e d by hi s M ak e r as proof ag ain s t the ,

s e duct ion s O f the t e m pt e r who r e pli e s w ith proud

, ,

scorn th at th is s uppos e d infalli bl e b eing has n e ve r

,

y e t b e e n prop e rly tri e d L e t th e prot e cting car e

.

of P rovid e nc e b e withdr awn fro m him and if he , ,

b e l e ft e ntir e ly to m e I fl att e r m ys e lf w e Sh all

,

soon s e e a ch ange I It is ord ain e d th at the e x

p erim e nt s h all b e m ad e accord ingly ; but S at an
do e s not g e t O ff without a s arc asm fro m G abrie l
on the failur e of a form e r att empt of this n at ur e
on the m an of U z .

NO 2
. F au s tus an d his frie nd Wagn e r are
.

w alki ng in the fi e lds A n odd lo oki ng d og com.

mences running r oun d them app r op inqua ting mor e ,

a n d m ore w ith ever ircle he des cri bes

y c .

W agner I s m ell an O dd s m e ll h e r e ab outs

’

Y e s—it come s fro m th at

. .

Fa us t ( c ar e l e ssly)
. .

rough tyk e yond e r wh at a train of sulphur h e

l eav e s in his w ak e
W agn e r s e e s n e ith e r the dog nor the train of
s ulphur an d conclud e s th at h is frie nd is m ad
'

, .

F austus not li kin g stray pho sphori c curs w alks

, ,

ho m e to hi s study .

NO 3 F aus tus is e ngag e d am ong s t his books

. .
,
14 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

his mind int e nt on ad ding to the alre ady v as t

store s of his l e arn ing H e h e ars a no is e b ehind
hi s book—
.

c as e ; ch all e nge s the caus e of the d isturb

anc e an d our brim s ton e dog s t alks fort h , with his
,

s tr ang e phy siogno m y and uncouth figur e H e .

b e gin s to puff and sw ell t ill he b e co m e s as b ig as

an e l e ph ant Wh at s all this mumm e ry S ays
.
’

the und aunt e d F au s tu s go about your b us in e s s 1”

The h e ll cur r e plie s th at t he holy re lic s ov e r the

-
,

door h ind e r him fro m go ing out th at w ay ; and it

is ag ain s t his ord e r s to r e turn the w ay he c am e .

S oft m us ic lull s the D octor to sl e e p Wh e n he .

aw ak e s th e dog is go ne ; but a C av alie r, with a

,

s tr ang e e x pr e s s ion of fac e , is by his S id e — and t he ,

int e rv ie w t e rm in at e s with the unh appy con s e nt of

Fau s tu s to s ign in his o w n blood a co mp act with
the e n em y, —
, ,

induc e d, by the prid e O f knowl e dg e ,

to r e ly on his own inn at e pow e r ul tim at ely to
b affie an d out w it the fi e nd .

No 5 C avalie r F au s tu s (D octor n ow no long e r)

. .

is introduc e d by the knight of the clov e n foot into

a soc ie ty of j olly top e r s Th is is one O f the m o s t
.

fe licitou s pl ate s of the coll e ction The attitude of .

the d e vil who is e nt e rt aini ng the co mp any by

,

s o m e juggling tri cks is as th e Fr e nch s ay s up e rb

, , , .

The O b s tr e p e rous mi rth of the p arty ho w e v e r , ,

though aid e d by th e ch arm of nove lty, produc e s

only di sgu s t in th e hi gh -mi nd e d F au s tus .

N O 6 P r e s e nts us with an int e rior vie w of a

. .

w itch s domi cile C rown s an d j e w e ls are in v ain

’
.

p arad e d b e fore the rigid philosoph e r Th e re is now .

e vid e ntly but on e r e s ourc e l e ft In a magic m irror, .

16 ESSAYS AND C RI T I C I SMS .

th e ir brillianc e S he d et e rmin e s to conc eal th em

,

from her m oth e r and only to cons ul t her n e ighbour

,

M arth a (a v e ry conv e n ie nt O ld l ady as it turns ,

out) whom w e find in

,

No 1 2 Fast e n ing the brac el e t s on M argar e t s

. .
’

d elic at e wrist and p aying her co mpli me nts on he r

,

own and the ir e x c e s s iv e b e auty D uring th is .

time the d e vil e nt ers and is s ee n in

,

N O 1 3 In s id iously wh e e dli ng M arth a for the

. .
,

purpos e of bringing about through h er me ans , ,

th at wh ich actu ally t ak e s pl ac e .

NO 1 4
. . Th e unrivall e d fl irt ation of one coupl e ,

an d th e d e lic ious t e nd e rn e s s of th e oth e r sp e ak ,

for th em s elve s .

The s am e m ay b e s aid o f— No 1 5 . .

NO 1 6
. . The unh appy g irl m ourns the cons e
quen ce of he r e asy co m pl ianc e with swoll e n e ye s .

Tear s gush ing at e v e ry fre sh r e m e mbranc e S he ,

l e ans li fe l e s sly ove r her w h e el m urmuring a low , ,

me lancholy s ong .

NO 1 7
. . The wr e tch e d cr e atur e d e s e rt e d as , ,

sh e thi nk s by h er ador e d F austus fli ngs h e rs e lf

, ,

b e for e the im ag e of her p atron s aint in an agony ,

of p e n it e nc e ; but in vain : h er though t s w ill not

ris e fro m e arth and h er lov e r .

NO 1 8
. . S he e nt e rs a church during mas s and , ,

kn e e l ing am id the cro w d onc e m or e e nd e avours to

,

bow down her h e art b e fore her God ; but an Evil

O ne is s ee n crouching clos e b e hi nd he r H e brand s
on the mind of this young and l at e ly innoc e nt , ,

cr e atur e th e burning im age of h er guilt and of ,

e t e rn al d am n at ion R e ad e r ! c ast thi n e e ye s on

.
 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS . 17

the right of the print ! look at the poor fain ting ,

d e sp airing girl ! with cold clay e y tight cl as p e d , ,

-

h and s bl ank e y e s h alf cove r e d w ith th e ir d e wy

, ,

lids lost to outw ard Obj e cts turn e d inw ards on her
, ,

s oul an d con s c iou s but to th e horr ibl e ch aos th e r e

,

C ont e m pl at e this e x qui s it e but falle n cr e ature and ,

th e n admir e wh at art can do wh e n it only s e ek s ,

to conv e y th e pow e r of n atur e .

NO 1 9 . Th e run aw ay announc e s his re turn to

.

his m istr e s s by a s e r e n ade w hi ch he p e rforms in

, ,

co m p any with hi s m yst e riou s frie nd A young .

s trang e r in a m ili t ary h ab it appro ach e s an d fi e rc e ly

, , ,

d em and s wh at is th e ir bus in e s s und e r th at l ady s ’

c as e m e nt H igh word s blow hot p ass ion s into a

fl am e an d thr e e s w ord s are qu ickly gl ancing in
,

th e cold m oonlight
”
P ush confid e ntly
. s ays ,
“
M e phistophile s to F an s tus I will ward !,
Ward
“ ’ ”
tha t ! thund e rs th eir ant agon ist ; tis don e is
”
,

th e r e ply as the soldie r s w e apon slid e s off the

’

bl ad e of the D e mon c av alie r P arry this th e n !.

,
”

( fli ng ing a fur ious thru s t at t h e fac e of hi s

tr e ach e rou s O ppon e nt) Why not 2 s ay s the ”

d ev il — at the s am e in s t ant the rap ie r of F austus

app e ars und e r the s hould e r bl ad e of th e ir v ictim -
,

an d h e falls strick e n w ith d e ath wh il e s m oki ng

blood pours from the doubl e woun d — The grating

,

of the s w ords h as aw ak e n e d th e n eighbour s The .

“
murd e r e rs e s c ap e : Lig hts ! lights ! Bolts rattl e
fro m with in e v e ry door O ld an d young burst out ;
M arg a ret am ong the r e st S h e h e ar s gro ans ;
p ie rc e s the bu z z ing circl e —an d s e e s—p antin g forth
.

C
18 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI C I SMS .

his l ast un e qu al thick acce nt s b e fore hi s own

, , ,

love d hom e her brother

,

N O S 2 1 , and 2 2
. M e p hist ophile s in ord e r to
.

drown the e x c e s s iv e grie f O f F au s tu s at his s e p ara

t ion from his lov e as w ell as to Shi eld him fro m
,

the h and s of just ic e t ak e s him to a w itch e s gal a

’
, ,

h e ld on the bl ack s ummit of the Block -b e rg In .

2 1 w e s e e the D octor s t aff in h and s traini ng up

, ,

the b are rock s e ncour ag e d by

,
D an S athanus ,

and l ighte d by an inimit abl e

’
Will 0 the wisp .

In the b ackground the comp any are d iscov e re d

,

h ast e n ing aw ay w ith all pos sibl e e x p e dition ac ,

cording to th e ir r e s p e ctiv e m e an s to the fete , .

W e mu s t Ob s e rv e h e re th at our h e ro s e em s the
wors t acco mm od at e d of the w hol e p arty in r e sp e ct
of a conv e yanc e In 2 2 the w hol e s c e n e of ini
.
,

quit ous j oviali ty burst s on our as ton is h e d e ye s .

A gr eat d e al of amu s e m e nt s e e ms go ing on ,

“
pl e as ant but wrong ”
Waltz ing co mm e nc e s and
.
,
” ’
the
“
knight of the hor s e s le g in vain urg e s
Fau s tus to s el e ct a p artn er —Whil e e nd e avouring
,

to ov e rcome his O bj e ctions to a l ady dropping a

littl e fire an d a f ew to ads from h er ro s y lip s ,

the Sh ap e of M arg ar e t app e ar s p al e fad e d and

with di sh e ve ll e d h air — H e r alt e r e d look s strik e
, , ,

the g uilty F au s tu s with horror ; his lov e burns

m or e furiou s ly th an e v e r an d h e co mp els the un
,

willi ng d e vil to d is clos e all th at had p as s e d at the

city during his ab s e nc e .

Bow e d to the v e ry dust by the loss of he r

affe ct ion at e an d g all ant s on an d the d is gr ac e of,

her fondly ch e rish e d d aught e r ( for M arg ar e t is dis

20 ESSAYS AN D C RI T I CI SMS .

m e nt al agony t k
a e s pl a c e — ho w e ve r she r e fu s e s ,

to e sc ap e with hi m and d e t e rmin e s to abid e the

,

d e ath
A ho ars e w e ll known vo ic e c all s without
-
O ff !
—
,

off the m orning br e ak s Furious with disap

po int m e nt F austu s att e m pt s to forc e he r aw ay
—
, .

S udd e nly he r for m s t iff e n s he r e y e b all s turn up -

ward — the ar m s of he r lov e r fall nu mb e d fro m he r

w ais t To he r and to he r only the dunge on ap
.
, ,

p e ars to Op e n : th e h e av e n of h eave ns rolls abov e

h e r d iz z y Sight : a loud but thrilling s ol e m n ,

choral hym n s ails aw ay on the air— th e gold e n

tru mp e t rings out its bl as t — An aw ful voic e is
h e ard S HE I S T RI ED A dreadful s il e nc e
follo w s —A s w e e t vo ic e th e n iss u e s forth : S HE
The choral hy m n ag ain s w e lls
”
Is P A R DO NED !
l ike triu m ph ant thund e r : A wild to ss ing s e a of -

cloud s lik e an imm e n se curtain str e tch ing fro m

, ,

e arth to h e av e n int e rv e n e s an d conc e al s the w hol e

, ,

fro m s ight — The s av e d cre atur e st and s s till bound ,

in th at b e atific tranc e .

Thou foolis h w o m an F au s t us b e gins ,C om e ,

co me our hors es s ta mp br e aks fro m the im p atie nt

, ,
”

d e vil in a dre adful ton e ! and putting in an iron ,

arm ,
he w re nch e s aw ay the mis e rabl e F au s tu s .

The curt ain drop s .

If aft e r the abov e (in our e y e s at l e ast) s e nti

m e nt al and p ath e tic de scription th e r e b e found any ,

am at e urs in L ondon so blind to th e ir own good

, ,

as not to put 1 2s 6d in th e ir purs e s an d m arch

. .
,
 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS . 21

right to the shop of M r Bohte For eign Book s elle r .

, ,

Y ork S tr e e t C ov e nt G ard e n for the purpo s e of

,
-
,

e nrichin g th e m s e lv e s w ith a copy of R e tch s S O ut

’

lin e s to F au s tu s w e s h all look on th em as P e rd it i

, ,

ab andon e d to a p e rn ic iou s p as s ion for pock e t ing

-

p altry p e lf blin d to the lustre of b e auty and d e af

, ,

to the ch arm of e loqu e nc e .

[M E . B O N MO T S VI S I T T O
’
TH E ED I TOR OF
“
TH E L O N D O N M A GA Z I N E .
” 1

IT strik e s us th at Sim ply d e taili ng the circu m

’
st anc e s O f our frie nd s vis it will ans w e r all the
purpo s e th is m onth of Notice s to C orre spond e nts
— W e w e re m u s ing v e ry s e riou sly the oth e r e v e n
.
, ,

in g on t he dutie s of our offic e an d it s v ari ou s

trials B e fore us lay a p il e of p ap e rs to w h ich
.
,

our r e gard s w e r e fas cin ate d it h aving a po w e r ove r ,

us s im il ar to th at O f the rattl es n ak e ov e r its pr e y .

C ontribut ion s R em on s tranc e s an d C o m plim e nt s

form e d the mighty m as s z—contribut ion s too poor
, ,

for ins e rtion an d too good for rej e ction ; r e m on

,

s tran ce s m e e t ing th e co m plim e nt s full in t he t e e th ,

on the s am e po int and thu s d ashing th e m s e lv e s to

,

p ie c e s and w oundi ng us with the splin t e rs of both

, .

O ne w rit e r accus e s us O f a w ant of Sp irit ; and

an oth e r say s w e h av e the Sp irit of a fie nd — as ,

w itn e ss our l as t articl e on K e an W e h av e b e e n .

l “
L ondon M a azin e M arch g
, ,
1 8 20 .
22 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI CI SMS .

s ev e re ly h andl e d for pr e s um in g to think th at p er

son al figure e nt e rs for s om e th ing among the qu ali
fication s O f an actor —and abov e a hundre d
S p r igs of S he la lah as th e y all Sign th e m s e lv e s
”

, ,

writ e us unp aid l e tt e r s to d e m and s atis faction for

p e rson al in s ult s O ffe re d to e ach in h inting th at
,

M is s O N e ill O w e d but l ittl e of the e x c elle nc e of

’

he r a cting to h e r b e auty O rthodo x y is my

do x y and h e t e rodo x y is your do x y s aid S w ift ;
, ,

and v e ry po s s ib ly not e v e n Editors m ay b e e x e m pt

fro m the g e n e ral d e lus ion The Books e ll e rs are

.

our only co m fort abl e corr es pond e nt s : th e y se nd

us or d ers w ithout troubling us w ith argu m e nts ;
and ,
until th e y n e gl e ct us w e Sh all continu e to
,

think our s e lve s right in the m ain .

S uch w as th e s train of our E d itorial cog it at ion s ,

wh e n h ark ! a rap c am e to the door ( not a ge ntl e ,

o ne ) and
,
our w orthy frie nd Bonm ot e nt e r e d .

H e c am e to t e ll us h e s aid th at am ong his nu

, , ,

m e rous acqu aint anc e s s o m e l ik e d our S e cond

,

nu mb e r b e tt e r th an our firs t and s eve ral our ,

fir s t numb e r b e tte r th an our s e cond The s e cond .

,

so m e s aid w as m or e l ik e wh at a M ag az in e w as
,

e x p e ct e d to b e ; and the first it w as O b s e rv e d by ,

s e v e r al c am e n e ar e s t to w h at a M ag az in e ought to
,

be . H e e arn e s tly hop e d th at w e Should kno w hO W

to profit by the advic e and as s is tan c e of frie nd s :
to w h ich w e in s t antly r e pl ie d w ith ch aract e ristic ,

m od e s ty th at W E H O PED W E S HOULD ]
,
24 ESSAYS AND C RITI CI SMS .

ticular, as pl e as e d You m ade so me di fficulty

he .

about it ; but on his s ay ing th at he woul d an s w e r

,

for his own di s cr etion and Offe ring to produc e an

,

e x tr act fro m the R e g ist e r of his p arish to prov e

th at he had arriv e d at the y e ars of th at qu ality you ,

cons e nt e d or r ath e r conc e d e d w ith a s h ak e of your

, ,

h e ad wh ich s e em e d int e nde d to e x on e rat e you

,

from the cons e qu e nc e s of the m e as ur e P hoebus .

,

prob ably did th e s am e thing wh e n Ph ae ton took

,

the r e ins out of his h and s If your publish e rs .

find J anus doing mis ch ie f th e y must act the ,

p art O f Jup it e r l aunch a thund e rbolt at his h e ad

,

by the two p enny po s t (you kno w hi s addre ss )

-
, ,

and tu mbl e him fro m his c ar ! In the m e an tirn e ,

it is his int e nt ion to g allop on in his own wild , ,

but h e flatte rs h imself s m art c avalie r lik e fash ion

, ,
-
.

I (J anu s) had m ad e a tol er abl e di nn e r the oth e r

d ay at G e org e s and with my mind full of my
’

, ,
’
l ast articl e w as hol ding up a p etit verre d eau d e vie
,

d e D a n tz ie to the w ax e n c andl e ; w atch ing with

scie nt e y e the num b e r of aur e at e p art icle s— s om e
swimming s o m e s inking qui ve ringly through the
, ,

o ily and lu s cious l iquor as if inform e d w ith li fe

,

an d gl e am ing l ik e gold e n fish in the Wh ang ho

,
-
,

or Ye llow riv e r ( w h ich by th e w ay is only y e llow

-
, ,

from it s m ud) — s o w as I e mploye d wh e n s ud ,

d enly I h e ard the d ay of the m onth ( the 1 5 th ) ,

ej acul at e d in th e n e x t bo x This at onc e brought

.

me b ack fro m my d e l iciou s r e v e rie to a s e n s e of

C ontribution s mu s t b e forw ard e d by th e
“
duty .

”
1 8 th a t the very la tes t w e r e th e E ditor s l ast w ords
’
,

to J anu s and he is inc ap abl e of forg e tting th em

, .
 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI CI SMS . 25

I felt m y vigorous p e rson al id e nt ity in s t antly an

nihilat e d and r e s olv e d by so m e mystic proc e s s
,

into a p art of th at un im agin abl e plurality in un ity ,

wh e r e with al E ditors R eview e rs an d at pr e s e nt

, , ,

pr e tty co mm only A uthor s cloth e th e m s e lv e s , ,

wh e n s eat e d on th e topm o s t tip of th e ir top g all ant

,
-

mast s th e y pour forth th e ir oracul ar dict a on th e

,

g ro an ing oc e a n of L ondon Spr e a d out hug e at th eir

fe e t Forthw ith W E ( Janus) sn e ak e d ho me alon e
— pok e d in the top of our hollo w fire wh ich
.

spout e d out a m yriad O f fl am e s ro aring pl e as antly , ,

as ch asin g o n e anoth e r th e y r ap idly e s c ap e d up

, ,

the ch im n e y e x ch ang e d our sm art t ight w aist e d

, ,
-
,

stiff coll ar e d co at for an e asy chin tz go w n w ith

-

p ink ribb ond s—light e d our n e w e l e g antly—

, ,

gilt
Fre nch l am p h aving a ground gl as s glob e p aint e d
,
- -

wi th gay flow e r s and g audy butt e rfli e s h aul e d ,

forth P or tf olio N o 9 and e s tablis h e d our s e lv e s

, .
,

cosily on a Gre cian couch ! Th e n w e ( Janu s)

strok e d our favourit e torto is e sh ell cat into a full
an d s onorou s p urr ; and aft e r th at our m u s e or
m aid —
, ,

s e rv ant a goodn atur e d V e n e t ian sh ap e d g irl

,
-
,

(h aving first pl ac e d on the t abl e a g e nu in e fl as k o f

as rich M ont e pulciano as e v e r voy ag e d fro m fair
1

[
1
F lor e ntin e wi n e I b elie v e of r ath e r s w ee t fl av our
A , ,
.

I t 1 s s o m e t im es kno w n as th e Vino d E s t e from the ancie nt

’

an d nob le f amily o f th at n am e B ut accord ing to th e s tory

.
,

o f th e old D utchm an w ho onc e t aste d it but aft e r ward s

, , ,

forg e tting the e x act n am e w e nt in s earch of it t e s ting e v e ry

, ,

win e h e m e t w ith an d e x c laiming N on es t t ill h e c am e

, ,

to his form e r fav ourit e w h e n he crie d out in huge gle e

, ,
E s t E s t ! thi s liquor p atron iz e d by M r We ath e rcock ac
, ,
.
,

quir e d its oth e r app ellation in a m ore ro mantic m ann e r .

26 ESSAYS A ND C RI T I CI SMS .

It ali a) had g ently but firm ly clos e d the door c are

, , ,

fully re nd e re d air tight by a gilt l e ath e r binding -

,

1 s qu it e right to b e p art icul ar) w e indulg e d our

( it
s e lv e s in a co m pl ac e nt con s id e r at ion of th e r ath e r

e l e g ant figure w e m ad e as s e e n in a l arg e gl ass ,

pl ac e d oppo s it e our chimn e y mirror w ithout , ,

howe ve r m oving any limb e x ce pt the l e ft arm

, , ,

whi ch in stinctiv e ly fill e d out a full cut gl as s of

the liquor b e for e us w h il e t he right r e st e d in ac
,

t iv e ly on t he h e ad of puss
It w as a s ight th at turn e d all our g all into
blood ! Fancy co mfort able r e ad e r ! I mprimi s
, ,

A v e ry good s iz e d roo m
-
It e m A gay Brus s e l s. .
’

c arp e t cov e r e d with g arl ands of flow e rs It em

, . .

A fin e orig ina l c ast of the Ve nu s d e M e di cis .

It e m S o m e cho ic e volum e s in s till m ore choic e

.

old Fre nch ma roquin w ith w at e r t abby s ilk ,

- -

lin ings ! It e m S o me m ore vol s co at e d by the

. .

P
ski ll of R oge r yn e and ou C h arl e s Le wis
a r
1 “

It e m A piano by Tom k is s on It em A D a
.
, . .

m as cus s abre Ite m O ne c at

. It e m A l arg e
. . .

N e w foundl and dog frie ndly to the cat It e m A

f e w hot —
.
, .

hou s e pl ant s on a Wh it e marbl e sl ab -

.

It e m A d e lic iou s m e lting lov e — p ainting by

Fu s eli —and las t not l e as t in our d e ar lov e we
.
, ,

, , ,

M ont e pulciano is notic e d in R e d i s Prais e of Win e s ’

para
phras e d by L e igh H unt, in his B a cchus in Tus cany a :

L achr ymae C hris ti c learly d ivin e , ,

A nd M ont e pul cian o K ing o f all w in e ,

[ M r Th ornb ur y with his cu s to m ary ignor anc e converts

1
.
, ,
th is into R og e rs Payne an d C harles L ewis
“
, ,
.
28 ESSAYS AN D C RI T I C I SMS .

Unto the s we e t b ird s thr o at ’

,
C o m e hi th e r com e hi th e r com e h ith e r
, ,

H e re S h all he s e e
no e n em ie s but airy s w e e t vo ic e d wo m e n ; qui ck -

to wound and qu ick to h e al —

,

ge ntly crushing out ,

the odour s of th e hy acinths and v iol e t s as th e y ,

bound ove r th e e l as tic gr ass to the v arie d d ivisions ,

of the gui tar and m andolin Nor are th e r e w ant

ing b as k e t s O f ru s h bound fl ask s of Tu s c any s p ark
-
,

l ing lik e rub ie s with an am e thys t bloom ! S uch is

”
the invit ation to thi s gay gr e e n clo ss e t of l e av e s
, ,

and so m e h alf do z e n s ilken c av al ie r s h av e ob e y e d

the su mm on s The incr e as ing h e at of the d ay

.
,

Shown by w arm w h it e h e ap s of fl e e cy cloud s has ,

thrown into t he l adi e s fac e s a c aptivating l an guor

’

m or e d ang e rou s to th e ir serv a n ts an d th e re fore

“ ”

to th e m s e lv es th an the cool ch ee k e d cl e ar qu ick

,
-
, ,

e y e d bris kn e s s of t h e fr e s h m orn ing .

A bout the m id dl e of the p icture se at e d und e r a ,

m o s s y root e d e lm a g iov ann i of a truly It ali an

-
, ,

c as t of fe ature s is with an O p e n e y e d e arn e s tn e s s

, ,
-
,

pre s sing a n other ice cool e d bu m p e r of Vin o s chelto

-

upon the ny mph b e sid e him w ho s e full und e rlip , ,

Slightly dropp e d s e e m s to s ay irr e s olut e ly O h “

no ! not a nother— I am qu it e afraid — I am ind e e d

, ,

A n d w e ll m ay S he b e s o for th e r e is th at in the
, ,

d e lic at e ly cut no stril and t he acute ly s e n sitiv e

- -

proj e ction of h er Slightly turn e d up no s e wh ich -

,
“
t e ll us th at in he r the P aph ian Boy has no
,

n ee d of ass ist anc e fro m grap e abound ing B acchus

“ - -
.
”

am orou s of m is ch ie f
”
-
A d ark h aire d g irl
-
,
curl e d ,

on the d ais y powd e re d gras s l e an s on the round

-
,

kn e e of he r pu z z l e d frie nd — he r Parm e giano h and ,

 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS . 29

Shin ing w h it e in th e sun whil e with chi n turn e d , ,

up and away fro m the sp e ctators S h e archly

, ,

w atch e s the s truggle The n e x t thing w orthy of .

,

r e cord is a rust ic m arbl e t abl e cove re d w ith a

, ,

cl ean cloth Fr e nch bre ad b ask e t s fill e d w ith h eavy

, ,

glob e s of gr ap e s ch in a di sh e s of s w e e trne ats fl ag on s

, ,

o f th e afor e s aid Tusc any an d long — s t e mm e d full ,

bo die d gl as se s to drink it out of B e hi nd thi s t abl e .

We h av e anoth e r co nfli ct A G all ant .

With lock es crull ,

as th e y w e r e laid e in pre ss e .

C a n ter bury Ta les .

And sm allis h in the gird leste d e ,

R oma n t of the R ose .

’
a pp e ars at the first Sight to b e putting H aml e t s
, ,

qu e s tion to a s l e nd e r j o int e d bright Skinn ed littl e -

,
-

coqu e tt e B e tw e e n and in the cold s h ad e of two

.
,

e lm s is s u s p e nd e d a s w ing cont ain ing a p e arly girl

, , ,

wh irl e d into full c ar e e r by the s tre nuou s e x e rt ions

o f tw o lov e r s o n e of who m b e ars in hi s free atti
, ,

tude an d dr e ss the ch ara ct e ristic s of a s oldi e r A

,
.

w ick e d gipsy b e n e ath he r lolls on a b ank of gr e e n

s pringing gr as s h alf hi dd e n by a l arg e ros e bu s h
,
-
.

Th e r e are oth e r groups s c att e r e d about all e nj oy ,

in g th e m s e lv e s in w ays b e comin g the pl ac e an d

p arty qu it e as m uch as thos e w e h av e p articularly
,

d e s crib e d But th e s e w e do not choo s e to intrud e

upon —
.

w e Sh all th e r e fore s ay a v e ry f e w word s

o n th e l and s c ap e and th e n O ff e ring a f e w critic al
, ,

r e m ark s on the whol e conclud e thi s our s e cond ,

S e n tim e nt ality .

The h appy s et h av e chos e n th e ir s pot un com

m only w e ll Th e y are com pl e t e ly e m bow e re d in a
.
30 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI C I SMS .

n atural s aloon co mpo s e d of s turdy thick le av e d

,
o

e lm s ,
and sl e nd e r a c a c ias w av ing th e ir fe ath e ry

tran s par e nt top s in a ge ntly gli din g air ju s t s uf -

,

ficie ntly s trong to b e nd th e ir young y e llow gr e e n ,

-

shoo t s In one corn e r run s a cl e ar cold s tre am

.
, ,

p av e d with grav e l and s ilv e r s and and f ull of ,

'

s hi n ing p e bbl e s fli nging a hundr e d hu e s ag ainst

,

t he d ancing s unb e am s ; w h il e v iol e t s trail th e ir

l eafy n e t s ov e r the thick s oft d ark gr e e n gras s on
,
-

the e dg e s .

(Th e re are a hundre d s uch d el ightful nook s

e H ill w ith in a qu art e r of an hour s
’
about B or -
,

walk fro m th e littl e inn at its foot p e rfe ct

te rrce i n cog ni toe to the cockn e y vis itors w ho w ould ,

think th e ms e lv e s utt e rly lo s t if th e y att e m pt e d to

p e n e tr at e any of th e s e app ar e ntly in e xtric ably t an -

gl e d bosquets ) .

The e ntranc e to this lu x urious r e c e ss is through

a s hort n arrow arc ad e of m ulb e rry tr ee s m ee t ing
, , ,

at th e top ; t ermi n at e d by th e two e lm s co m po s ing

the p ill ar s of th e s w in g — L ook ing through the

op e n ing w e lo s e th e littl e p ath b e hi nd the angle
,

of a h e dge ro w aft e r it has mad e a f e w z ig z ags ;

-
,
-

an d the pro s p e ct 1 s clo s e d by s o m e clu m p s of tr e e s ,

with a r ang e of l ight blu e hill s p e e pi ng ov e r th e ir

-

top s W e are ab s olut e ly into xic at e d w ith the b are

.

id e a of th is w arm n e t an d fe e l how truly s ooth

ing it is e v e n in im ag in ation to e sc ap e fro m our
, ,

gray and w at ery sky without doors to any s uch

sunny Spot of greenery as th e pre s e nt .

A land of tr e es , whi ch r e aching round about ,

I n s h ady b lessin g s tr e tch e d th e ir old arms out
32 ESSAYS A ND C RIT I C I SMS .

P S NO 1
. . W e quit e forgot a fop in the corn e r
. .
,

with a s atin clo ak dragging on the ground ; hi s

b ack turn e d upon tw o fair M ischi e fs and th inking ,

of noth ing in th e world but tun ing hi s guit ar ; to

support which w hil e h e tight e n s a s tring with one
,

h and and trie s it w ith the oth e r he has pl ant e d ,

his co x com bic al foot in a truly al arming w ay on , ,

th e e dg e of the full w in e b aske t wh ich actu ally ,

tilt s up unde r the w e ight How can p e opl e be -

s o in att e nt iv e ! ! O n e of the n e gl e ct e d D a mosels

s e e ms to e nt e rt ain for him and his work s a s pirit e d
an d prop e r cont em pt .

N B W e b e s e e ch our re ad e r s not to run m ad

. .

H e is in
’
aft e r M L an cre t s w ork s at l arg e
. .
,

g e n e ral but a fe e bl e im it ator of the ch arm ing

,

W atte au s m a nner w ith as littl e of his subs tance

’

—
,

m i d The R e p as It ali e n is
”
as ca n be w e ll i ag n e ,

a mi r aculous e x c e ption .

P S No 2 R ub e ns has p aint e d s e v e ral p ictur e s

. . . .

of th e s e s ort of subj e cts O ne of th e m is the fam ous .

”
G ard e n of lov e known by the Sple ndid and
,

so m e w h at s c arc e print by B olsw ert

It is wond e rfully rich in s tiff ro s e —
.

coloure d
s atin s m arbl e portico e s w ith iv y an d the gaddi ng ,
”
vin e o e rgrow n braz e n fount ains Sp arkli ng j e w e ls
, , ,

whi rring foul e s s mall l ac e s lit t le dogs v e lv e t

“
,
”
, ,

h at s flow e r s and fe ath e rs But it w ant s g out

, ,
. .

Th e Fl e m ish fair h av e an utt e r inc ap ac ity of fe e ling

th at t ingl ing s e n s e of d e l icat e pl e asur e so racily ,

e x t e nd e d by the Fr e nch man ove r his th in s k inn e d -

It alian Brun e tt e s .

”
O ur favourit e S toth ard et tu B r ute ! has ,

tr e at e d us wi th two or thre e crudely colour e d -

 ESSAYS AND C RITI CI SMS . 33

thing s which he m ean s to b e gay and to th at

, ,

e nd h e has done his utm ost w ith hi s raw p at e nt

ye llo w s A ntw e rp blu e s cold purple s viol e nt ro se
, , ,

p ink s and v erdigr e as e gr e e ns But it won t do

, .
’
.

M r M ars h all of Ald e rm ary C hurchyard b e ats

.
, ,

him hollow with re sp e ct to fin e colours aft e r all , .

Th e re is n o t a grain of v ivacity in o ne of his

figur e s at l e ast of It alian viv acity Th e y are
,
.

only good littl e E nglis h boys and girls in m as

q u e rad e Ind e e.d l att e rly S toth
,
ard n e v e r cond e
sc e nds to m ak e out a s e t of fe ature s at all Th e .

only Spirit his figure s h av e lie s e ntire ly in th e ir ,

attitud e s wh ich h av e r e ally a good d e al of n ature

— ( w e are only sp e aking of his imit ation s of
, ,

W att e au in m or e hom e ly s ubj e cts he is unriv alle d)

— th at is th e y are e l e gant portraiture s of flax en
,

h e ad e d boys and girl s un initiat e d in the myst e rie s

,

of fashi on abl e bo arding s chool s A nd truly the -

.
, ,

s ight of th eir innoc e nt r e cre at ion s is v e ry touching

to an ami abl e mind and would b e so to us w e re , ,

th e y so int e nd e d ; but unf ortun at ely M r S toth ard

, , .

fancie s th at in th eir s impl e ch e e k s Sinc e r e he

,
“
, ,

has e m bod ie d th e s oul s of the nobl e and am orous “

d am e s in B occacio or th e Q u e e n of Nav arre s

,
’

l ice ntious H e pt am e ron ! Tak e n in th at po int

of vi e w th e y pr e s e nt nothi ng but the l ame nt able
,

Sp e ct acl e of m awki sh do m e good in sip idi ty - -

.

The fact is th at S toth ard h as not th e slight e st

,

kn owl e dg e of the mann e rs of wh at are c all e d the

high e r cl as s e s or any pow e r of s eiz ing tho s e grand
,

ch aract e ristic n ation al traits by whi ch the inhab i ,

t ants of th e south are so vit ally distingui sh e d fro m

thos e of the north .
 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI CI SMS .

S E N T I ME N TA L IT I E S O N THE FINE ARTS ; 1

BY JA N U S WE A T H E R OO OK ,
ES Q .

! To be continued when he is in the H umo ur ) .

No II I. .

A n d no w a thou s and s orts of p ain te d bir d s b e g an to

[rr in the tree s and in th eir d iffe re nt d e li htfull tone s i
ch p , , g ,
t
s e e m e d th e y b ad good m orro w , an d s alut e d the fr es h A urora,
th at n ow d is coue red the b e auty of her face , thoro w the gates
an d b ay -wind o w es o f the e as t, s h aking fro m h e r lock e s an
infinit e num b e r of liqui d p e arle s , b athi ng th e ir he arb es in
h e r s w e e t li quor, th at it s e e me d th e y als o 8 rout e d , and
r aine d whi t e and sm all p earles ; the will ow es di dis till th e ir
sauoury ma nna , th e f o untaines laugh e d , th e brook es m ur
m ur e d , th e w oods w e r e ch e e r e d , and the fi e ld s w e r e e n
—
rich e d with he r com in g S he lton s D on Q wia ote, P art the
’

S econ d, p 8 5
. 4 to L ondon 1 6 2 0
. . . .

A n d with th e s e w ords h e inse rt e d a thou sand oth e r

i mp ertinences, all af t e r the ve ry sam e m ann e r I bid P a r t .
— .

the Firs t, p .

W HAT is it to b e about this m onth ! s aid I to ”

mys e lf m e ndi ng my p e n for the tw e nt ie th t ime

, ,

and th e n t w is t ing it p e ttishly round and round in

t he t angl ing cotton of m y ink I h ave b e e n look .

ing ov e r or ov e rlooking tw e nty or th irty folio s

, , ,

m ore or l e ss for the l ast t e n minut e s and I m ight

, ,

a s w e ll h av e b ee n r e adi ng e l e ct ion Sp e e ch e s all

the whi l e : not a s ingle pl e as ant subj e ct pre s e nts

”
it s elf !
M y irrit abl e Skin b e g an to t ingle dre adfully at
1 “
[ L ondon Magaz in e ,
”
April,
36 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

of an anc ie nt dre ary Goth ic gall e ry—while the

, ,

fragil e lil ac s b eg an s oftly to s pre ad forth th eir

limb e r shoots The Short t e nd e r grass
.
, ,

glowing ,

J us t as f rom a ge ntle m o win g ,

As k in g a f ai r f oot to pr es s
O n its springy m ossin ess ,

w as cove r e d with marguerites such th at men ,

”
c all e n d aisies in our to w n thick as the st ars on a ,

s u mm e r s night ; and as I slowly advanc e d a

’ ‘

, ,

thou s and d e w drop s alm ost imp e rc e ptibl e on clos e

,

insp e ct ion thre w up th e ir d az z l ing long ray s

,

ag ainst my e ye s ch ang ing th e ir colours and

, ,

twinkli ng in and out lik e fi e ry diam ond sp arks ,

-

s e t round an e as t e rn e m e r ald B obby had now .

fini sh e d his innoc e nt m e al an d s trongly and ,

cle arly s ung forth hi s gratitud e fro m the in sid e of

a l arg e is ol at e d thorn ( a gr e at favour it e of hi s )
whi ch w as ju s t comm e ncin g to throw off its garb
of brown The h arsh caw of the bu s y rook s c am e
.

pl e as antly m e llow e d fro m a hi gh du sky grove of ,

e lms at s o m e di st anc e o ff ; an d at int e rv als w as

, , ,

h e ard the voic e of a boy sc aring aw ay the b irds

from th e n e wly s own s ee d s -
The blu e d e pths .

w e re the colour of th e d ark e s t ultramarin e ; not a

cloud s tre ak e d the calm aeth e r ; o nl y round the ,

horiz on s e dge s tre ame d a light w arm film of mi sty

’

, , ,

v apour again st wh ich th e n e ar village with its

, ,

ancie nt s ton e church s h e w e d sh arply out wi th

,
’
bli nding whit e n e s s I thought of Wordsworth s
.

”
Lines wr i tten in M a rch.
 ESSAYS AND C RI T I CI SMS . 37

Th e cock Is crowi ng ,
T he s tream is flo wi n g,
Th e s m all b ird s t witt e r,
Th e lak e doth glitte r,
The gr ee n fi eld sle ep s in the sun
Th e o ld es t an d younges t
Are at w ork with th e s tron ge s t
Th e c attle are gr az in ,
g
Th e ir h e ads n ev e r rais ing,
There ar e f or ty f eeding like one !

L ik e rmy d efeate d
an a
T he s no w h ath r e tr eate d ,
A n d n o w doth far e ill
O n th e top O f the b are hill ;
T h e plough boy 1 s w hoop ing—anon—anon
-

T h e re s j o y i n th e m ountains ;
’

T h e r e s lif e In the f oun tains ;

’

S m all cloud s are sailing ,

B lu e sk y pr evaili ng
T he r ain is o v e r and gon e !
”

It w as ind ee d a glorious day — All th ing s s ee m e d

to fee l r ej o icingly the firs t appro ach of S pring ;
T h e r e w as a b lessing 1 n the air ,
Which se em e d a se ns e of j oy to yield
T o t he b ar e tr ees and m ount ai n s b ar e ,
An d gr as s in th e gr ee n fi eld .

M y dog roll e d with aw kw ard j oy upon the Sw ee t

, ,

s m e lling turf the birds dotte d uns e e n w ith light ,

rustl e about the thi ck clum p s of e v e rgr e e ns ; or

, ,

with qui ck angular m otion visibly d art e d from ,

bough to bough of th e y et b are frui t tree s M y .

Spirit d anc e d w ith the d ancing bre ez e ,

ry comm on sight to
eve m e di d see m
A pp ar elle d I n c ele s tial li ght .
38 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

Fro m high ground on which I s tood I co ul d

the ,

s e e the sh ee p lying about th e fi e ld s lik e the hug e

white ston e s fall e n from a moulderm g rui n b ask ,

ing with c alm d eli ght in fi e ry Titan s p e rs ant ’

b eame s I felt a s h arp longing to b e with t he m

.
”
.

W e c annot writ e to d ay s aid I for though ,

”

O n B ook és for to re d e I m e d elite

l“ l
‘ ’
!
4

S o hertily, th at th e re is gam e non e ,

T h at f ro m y b ook és mak e th m e to gon e ,

i i i

Y e t c e rtain wh e n I h ear the f oulés sing,

A nd th at the fl oures gin n e n f or to S prin g
Fare w el my bok e

( W e will not conclud e with the old hard and my ,

d evocion for at s uch tim e s ours pours upon us

, , ,

with a gush as strong as a m ount ain

“
So ,

whistli ng the dog w e turn e d quickly towards the

,

hous e r e s olving to t ake hat glove s and c an e and

, , , ,

to f etch a m agn anim ou s w alk .

A s I appro ach e d the s ton e st e p s I was aware ,

( as th e old romance s h av e it) of com ing fe e t o ve r

the sli pp e ry o il cloth ; an d issu ing fro m the gl as s
-
,

door w as s ee n the long d e sire d fac e of my re sp e cte d

,
-

frie nd H ypp olito 1

A bout h alf a do z e n h e arty
.

h and sh akings e x citing concu s sions all ov e r our

,

r e s p e ctiv e bodie s sufficie nt to h av e rupture d the

st ays of a do z e n d an di es b eing p e rforme d we re , ,

1
S ee D ibdin s B ibliogra b ical D e c ame ron, though
’
al
really one ought to b e g p ar on for quoting so priggis h a .

p erform ance .
40 ESSAYS AN D C RI T I CI SMS .

Wh e n n eith e r hung e r m ore nor th irs t remain e d ,

Unsatis fi e d ,

H yp p olit o l e tting fall his w e apon s with iron cl as h

, ,

and pu s h ing aw ay fro m him in d is d ain his e m pty , ,

glas s turn e d round w ith cordial s mil e to th e d e

,

se rt e d fire ; wh e n h aving co mfortably arrange d

,

o n e le g ov e r th e oth e r an d w ith e lbow s l e an ing

, ,

on the arm s of th e ch air c are fully brought the ,

’
finge r s e nds of his right h and into e x act ju x t a
po sition w ith the corre s pond ing on e s O f his l e ft ,

thu s he Spoke Wh at illustriou s ob s cure sh all

.

no w b e illu min at e d by the p ie rcing b e am s of thy

d iscrimin ation ? Wh at gem of pric e s h all now b e
drawn up fro m the s tifling d e pths of the d ull l ake
of n egl e ct and brandis h e d by thy t ant aliz ing h and
,

b e fore th e longing e ye s of the ple as e d y e t b e ,

wild e r e d r e ad e rs of B aldwin s M agaz in e — S ay

,
’

“
c an s t thou t e ll ? Inde e d I c an t ! s aid I w ith ’

a d e s ponding shrug M y frie nd r el inqui s h e d hi s

.

gravity and his attitud e at the s am e t im e

,
H ave .

”
you lo s t your s e n se s ? crie d he with e ag e r ,

a ston is h e d mie n or h av e you s u s t ain e d a m or e

irre p arabl e m is fortun e the lo s s of your ( I dre ad to
n ame it) your— B ONAS O NI
,

A t th at mag ic w ord I bound e d fro m my un ,

sym p athising ch air which fe ll h e lpl e ssly b ack

,

w ard s with d e ad lu m p kicking up its awk w ard ,

s pr aw ling l e g s l ike an ov e rturn e d turtl e ; w rung

H yppolito s h ands with so e x t at ic a grip e th at b e

’

fairly b e llo w e d ; whil e c at aracts of incoh e re nt

sounds int e nd e d for m an ife st ation s of gr atitude
, ,

tumbl e d fro m my m outh with r uinous h aste .

 ESSAYS AN D CR I TI C I S M S . 41

’
Y ou ll d in e h e re to day ? you ll sleep h e r e to
’

night ? N ay ! you s ha ll— you m ust I ll b it o ff

’

my articl e now — Thi s ins tant —R ed H ot — Take

a book ! and you sh all corr e ct it in th e e v e n ing

am u s e y o ur s e lf m y d e ar S ir —m y d e ar f r iend !
,

Good l ack a— daisy ! th at I Sho ul d forg e t my d ar ling

-

B on as oni
T h is w a s absolut e fa ct z— th e unfortun at e It alian
lay hidd e n an d s m oth e r e d, und e r a m ount ain of
,
”
foli os and portfolio s, lik e P e li on on O s s a p ile d .

To r e l e as e the h and of my now w ick e dly s mil

ing frie nd— with a s up e rn atural , or conno iss e ur
str e ngth to e x tract the long-lost one fro m hi s d ark
,

abod e ; to flourish him aloft w ith triu m ph ant s w ing

to Spr e ad him out bro adly in bl and s e r e nity on , ,

h
t e gr e y clot h e d t
-
a bl e ,
— w as but th e w ork of a
m om e nt ; anoth e r s e cond saw m e , with h e adlong
h as t e s pl as h ing aw ay the ink in a h id e ous scrawl
,

ov e r the s atiny surf ac e of m y B ath P o s t .

A s m any of our am iabl e r e ad e rs m ay not e v e n

b e aw are of the e xist e nc e of such a m an as Julio
’
1
B onasoni, b e it known qu il étoit p e intr e d es ,

1
In th ese tim es wh e n h e who can cut th e cle ares t s trok e
,
on a copp e r plat e or dot out th e s o f te s t s h adow and not he
-
, ,
w ho m ak es t h e pur e s t outlin e is th e b es t e n r av e r
,
w h en
those w ho write e ss ay s on p rints rrefe r the r e nch s chool
to th e I talian and fi nd f ault with are A ntoni o it m ay b e
, ,

d ee m e d haz ardous to point out to pub li c notic e e ngrav ings , ,

m o s t of w hich h av e n eith e r th e m e rit o f c lear s trok es fine ,

e ffe ct or fin is hi ng to r e co mm e nd th e m
,
m an y of w h ich are
,

ill dr aw n ; w h e r e the land s cap es are alm o s t always b ad and ,

w h e re all are in o n e po int or oth e r d e fe ctiv e

,
B ut s inc e
,
.

w h at is h e r e writt e n is onl y inte nd e d f or rea l artis ts or tho s e ,

42 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI CI SMS .

sin ate ur, grav e ur d e Bologn e I l apprit le s

et .

princip e s de l art ch e z L aurent S a bba tini e t chois it

’

M ar c A n toine pour m od el e d ans la gravure On .

n e s ait ni le d at e d e s a n aiss anc e n i c ell e d e s a ,

mort Plu sie urs d e s e s e s t amp e s s ont m arquee s

.

d un e anné e dont la plu s ancie nn e est c ell e d e 1 5 8 1

’
,

e t la plus r e c e nt e c e ll e d e 1 5 7 4 ; on p e ut donc
-

conclur e que B onas oni e s t né v e rs l an 1 5 1 0 e t qu il ’

,
’

e st m ort v e rs 1 58 0 B a r tsch Le P eintre Gr a veur

-
.
,

1 03 v ol 1 5
p. . . . .

To th is e xtre me ly gratifying p ie c e of int ell ige nc e

may b e add e d , th at he pos s e s s e d a cl as sic al , e l eg ant ,

and po e t ic al imag in at ion his s tyl e is co mpo s e d

fro m the A nt iqu e and P arm egianino, w ith (pr e tty
g e n e rally) a jud icious and dis crim in at ive e ye to the
p e cul iaritie s of individu al m od e l s .

The grac e purity, and s e ns ibility of his wo m e n

, ,

are as m uch to b e court e d , as the f at e ffe m in acy of

hi s m e n is to b e avo id e d Nothing e ve r w as m or e
.

ch aract e ristic ally touch e d th an his fl e s h ; noth ing

e v e r m or e sli ghtly huddl e d ov e r th an his s cr amb
ling b ack ground s, h ars h Skie s, and s car e cro w tree s , -

introduc e d o nly to h e lp th e h arm oni ou s d is po s i

tion s of lines ; in w h ich grand an d w e ighty br anch
of the art he has n e ve r b e e n surp as s e d by any
e ngrav e r of , any ag e or country . S om e pl ate s ,

who tudy and und e rs tand the art th e re is less to b e appre

s ,
h e nd e d f rom c ens ur e as I am sure of their thank s wh o v alu e
,

compositions only in proport ion as th e y contai n fi/ne i deas ,

or are e x e cute d with p e rfe ct kno wle dg e of composition .

C umber la nd s A necdotes of J ulio B ona soni p 2 6 8 vo

’
. . . .

L ondon 1 7 9 3 . .
44 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

The pl ain is co mpos e d of a fi eld of cl e ar str eam -

ing wat e rs ripplin g with b ushing murmur round

, , ,

a n e s t of light long dr o oping gr ass and flowe rs

,
-
,

whi ch flo ats the floods among and has s e rv e d

“
,
”

all th e hu mid n ight as a couch for two

“
faire
cre atur e s w ho h av e co m e th er e w e know not
,
”

how lying lik e b ir ds of c alm on the ch arm e d

,

w ave Th e r e is s om e thing fine so me thing pos i

.
,

tiv e ly sup e rn atural in t he tranqu illi ty of th e s e

,

Glorious ph antoms o f d elight “

,

Ris ing up in s ho w e r o f m orning light .

Th e y are ab s olut e fl e sh an d blood, and draw

living bre ath ye t th e y look unre al fro m th eir
,

s ingul ar loc ation ; brought by no bo at ov e r the

m ois t s e a to a plac e w h e r e th e re is no trac e of
,

m an s abod e
’
W e fee l as if th e y pre s e ntly woul d
.

t ak e flight and Spring away , arm e d t w in e d in arm,

,

with s m il ing e ye s, lift e d on a buoyant curr e nt of

air . But w e will b e st e ady — O n the l e ft hand the
’
S UN, H e av e n s far d art e r ! fre s h w as h e d in
’
lofty O c e an s w av e s blanching with his bro ad ,

Spre ading b e am s the iron -colour e d s k y, driv es mag

nifice ntly on hi s d az z ling ch ariot,

S te e ring twixt S hi ni ng w orld s his rushin g course

’
,

att e nde d by wing e d Tim e on crutch e s The p e rs on .

of the god e x h ale s un sp e ak abl e s pl e ndours : h e is

hidd e n through e x c e ss of light — H is e as y attit ude
b e tok e ns po w e r ; he s its sup e rior and the ch ariot ,

fli e s as his high br e ast e d hors e s m an e d all wit h

,
-
,

curl d fl am e s
’ ”

p aw upw ards a
,
g ainst th e occ id e nt ,
 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS . 45

with Sp ac e de vouring strides — B y th em eight whi te

-

soft Slidin g hour s th eir am aranthi n e h air wr e ath e d

-
,

i n pl aits rid e w ith surgy v e locity on a trail of

,

voll e ying clouds which r e s em bl e in sh ap e and

, ,

colour the s m ok e glob e s blown fro m the m outh of

,

a c annon .

R e turn w e now to the ree dy b anks of our isl e t .

The l e v e l rays h av e w ak e n e d the m yst e rious lov e rs

from th eir b e d of l ili e s The m an cloudily r ais ing
.
,

hims elf on his h e avy sl e e p numb e d arm s r e gard s -

,

t h e un w e lco m e li ght with a r e pro achful air w hil e ,

the fair cre atur e at his Sid e wi th g e ntly p art e d lip s

,
-
,

b e nds down h e r dove lik e e ye s ~

T he w hile s h er lo v ely fac e

Th e fl ashi ng blood with blushin g did infl am e

B arry C ornw all h ath w ell d e scrib e d he r

Mil d Is m y lov e as um m e r air

th e s
A nd h er ch ee k (h er e ye s h alf closirig)
,

N o w r e s t s on h er f ull blo w n bo s om f air ,

L ik e L anguor on L ove r eposing .

B ehi nd thi s g e ntl e p air st ands a ch ild drawing ,

aw ay th e s h adow ing v e il fro m th e E lfin nymph s

’

fragr ant h e ad hi s wh it e s ilky h air h angs in bunchy

clust e r s ,

An d tw o s harp win g e d sh ear es

D e ck e d wi t h d iv e rs plum es li k e p ain t e d j aye s
, ,
We re fix e d at his b ack to cut his ay e w ay e s
}
S p ensei; Fai ry Q ueen
.

A f ew Shrub s spr e ad th eir p alm y fans round the

b ack of thi s ouz y l air ; and th e r e the brittl e flag
46 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI CI SMS .

iris s prings proudly to form a c anopy with its ,

nodd ing s talk for the long tre s s e d h ead s o f the

,

n e wly marrie d on e s : nor do e s it r e qu ire but a

-

S mall stre tch of fancy to im agin e th at o ne fe els

the w hol e s o m e wind blowing fre sh through the
w at e ry grass y ello w with d affodil s —W e look upon
,

it as qu it e im po s s ibl e to conve y any ad e qu at e id ea

of th e p e rfe ct h alo of fe m inin e m od e s ty an d lov eli
’
n e ss which e nrich e s B on asoni s t ast ef ul p e rs onifica
t ion of w ak ing s h am e fac e dne ss Non e but a m an.

of the m o s t e x qu is it e s e n s ibility could with such

h av e produc e d such a figure — O nly
,

a f e w l in e s ,

th e upp e r p art of her body is aw ak e an d e v e n ,

th at droop s w ith a s lumb e ry w e akn e s s H er .

t e nd e r fe e t and fair ancl e s are ye t e xt e nd e d in a

, ,

b e autiful h e lpl e ss n e s s on a whit e s w e e p of lawn

,

drap e ry W e may b e p e rh ap s a littl e f a ntas tique

.
“
,
”

but the m ann e r in w hich Phoebu s and his train

pour along in bl and Sil e nce in the mids t of a f er
,

me nt of intol e rabl e lu s tr e s s e em s to us p e rfe ctly

,

miraculou s .

H o w fas t th e y w h eel aw ay
Y e t v anis h not —th e w ind is in the tre e
B ut th e y are s ile nt —
,
s till th e y roll along

I mm eas ureab ly dis tan t —an d the v ault

B uilt ro un d by tho se whi t e cloud s —e norm ous cloud s
,

, ,
S till d ee p e ns its unfatho m able d e pth .

Wordsworth s P oems v ol I p 3 02
’
,
. . . .

The Sp irit of m orn ing fr e shn e s s has Sh ak e n , from

his winno w ing v an s , a Sho w e r of Sp icy rain s all
ov e r the t e rre strial p art of thi s print : and n e ith e r
th e colours of C l aud e, nor Turn e r, could giv e us a
48 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI CI SMS .

O n lit a la droite d e n b as I V LI O B O N A S O N I I NVE N

’

TO R E E t le m on o grarnm e d u gr av e ur, ( which our Print e r

” ”
.

say s h e c an t contriv e ) N ote p ar ticular ly, O n a d es

’
.

é r e uv es re touch ée s e t f ort m auv ais e s , qui port e nt c e tte

p
a dr esse -
S i s ta/mp a no da Gio J acomo R ossi i n R oma a lla .

B a r tsch, v ol 1 5 p 1 3 9
”
P a ce
. . . . .

H aving got s o far without e v e r drawing bit I ,

l aid d o w n m y p e n ; and aft e r variou s att empt s , ,

succ e e d e d in d e tra cting th e att e ntion of m y frie nd

fro m a d ingy l ittl e book w e ll g arn ish e d with
, ,

thum b m ark s e ntitule d ,

A n E xcellen t N a rr a tion .

of the d electa ble M arriag e of C up id an d P syches

’

by S M Gent L ond on ; p rin ted by W R a i /ces a nd

. . . .
,

a r e to be s old a t the s ig n of the C a tte a nd B a

gge
“ ”
i es on L ond on B ridg e W e ll s aid I
p p , , , ,

aft e r s ubj e ct ing him to the op e rat ion of h e ar ing

m y M S r e ad .
“
We ll w h at do you th ink of it ?
.
,
”
Will it do ? O h ! e x c e ll e ntly w e ll ! v e ry g ood
—v e ry f a ir—very fair indeed only —but— a— a
”
But w h at ? int e rrupt e d I fright e n e d to de ath ,

at his obj e ct ion for e bod ing but-

Why it
s trik e s m e— though I my se lf am fully s e ns ibl e to

th e l avis h b e auty an d n ature of your rur al d e s crip

t ion s (h e r e I m ad e a ve ry low and grat e ful b ow )
n ay— you k n ow th at I d elight in th e m e l s e why ,

Sho ul d I h ave privat e ly print e d an E dition of

F e n elon s D ena D ialogues sur la P einture la
’
,

tota lite d e la quelle n es t que d e C E N T E XEM PLAIRES

’ ’

as forc e d to br e ak in upon H yp p o
( H e r e I w
lito s fe rvid e loqu e nc e for fe ar th at h e wo ul d
’
,

plung d e ep e r and d e e p e r into an e nthu s iastic e nu

me ration of all such r e ading as w as n e v e r r ead ) .

[
1
N o such book o f cours e
, , t ]
e xis s
 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS . 49

Well s aid he r e cov e ring him s elf wh e re w as

, , ,
“

I O h ! ah ! It strik e s m e as I s ai d b e for e th at , ,

your hi ghly co mm e ndabl e but extreme fondn e s s , ,

for the gre e n w ood sh ad e m ay subj e ct you to s e v e

-

ral uns avoury j e sts from fl ashy witli ngs an d it ,

may b e th e y will b e stow upon th e e in th e ir at ,

t em pts at quiz z ing the nick n ame of P eter P as to -

ra l l— U pon the e my frie nd !

, ,

Th e e the e v e ry -

pl ac e w ith—
, ,

-
gusto e nj oying Janus ! but th at p er
-

”
h aps thou he e d es t not Not a rush s aid I ;
.
,

but tha t w as a bounc e ! I put m y h ands abj e ctly

into my pock e t s and w alk e d h e avily to the window .

The l aughing sun w as v anish e d

Th e cloud s w e r e black e ni ng,

Th e s torm s w e r e thr eate ning,
An d ev er the f or es t m ad e a m o an
B illo ws w e r e br e aking ,
P oor J anus h eart achin g, & c , &c
’
. .

An d so ind e e d it did The w ind sudd enly ris ing

.
, ,

ran through th e dry cl att e ring branch e s of the

,

tr ee s with s uch a

As though th e st orm should b re steri ev e ry bough .

A d arkn e ss came ove r e v e ry thing li k e a sw ee p ,

from th e w eighty win g of s o me unkno wn pow e r .

H ypp olito and I stood for s o me t im e s il e ntly

w atchin g the gloomy sc e n e It I S r e ally aw ful .
,

s aid h e I n eve r felt so comp letely as now th e

,
’
’
be auty of Virgil s
T e rr a tremi t f ugére , fe rae e t m ortali a cord a
Per gent es humilis stravit pavor
E
 ESSAYS AND CRI TI CI SMS .

This n ight at noon d ay rem ind s me of R em

br a nd t s C r ucifixion
’ “
Y ou fi are fate d t o do me
good ” 1
,
re pli e d I I kno w
. of nothing th at w ill
conclude m y art icl e b e tte r an d act as a gr e at e r
,

contras t to w h at I h av e alr e ady s cribbl e d e x c e pt ,

it b e th at s ublim e vi s ion of a d is solving w orld ,

P ou ssin s D elug e ! and th at I b elie v e is tol e rably

’

w ell kno w n by m e an s of Laure nt s cl e v e r print

’
.

No ! R e mbrandt is the M AN the m an for me ,

“
.

Th e d iaboli c al d am p in g s crupl e w h ich you j u s t

thre w in and yon h e avy s k y h ave tog e th e r fille d
, ,

m e w ith s uch bl ack thought s th at I am qu it e in

,

1
By G I lo v e you , M r C ook , ( sai d S ir God fr e y
.

K n elle r to C ock th e A uct ion e e r ) , an d I will do you good ;

but you m us t do s o m e thin g for m e too, M r C o ok on e h and
c an w as h t he fac e , but t w o h and s was h on e anoth e r —
.

Pop e , .

ap ud S pen ce s A necdotes , e d it e d by S W S inge r, E s q p 1 8 1

’
. . . . .

A book f ull of am useme nt, ( and to a reflecting ma n) of in

s truction, in w h ich is conc e ale d , und e r a flo w e ry v e il o f

airy ossipp in g, le nty o f s oli d food f or tho s e w ho lo v e to

s pe c at e on t h e eart s o f m en —I n th ese po lis h e d t im es , a
m an s re al ch aracte r is s e ldom to b e got at fro m th e ge n e ral
’

te nour o f his conduct The laws of the land , and the law s
.

of s ocie ty, h av e , toge th e r, th e e ffe ct of rubbing down sm ooth ,

n early all tho se promin e nt oin ts o f the di spo sition, tho se
land m arks o f th e m ind , wh io s ep ar at e o ne ind ivi du al from
anoth e r . A S light w ord , a look , an e x clam ation , will ofte n
le t the s ee m ingly c are less aud itor, d eeply into the se cre t .

This an e cdot e , and th e one abo v e it in th e w ork , wh ich w e

h av e not room to quote , v e us a b e tte r id ea of the K night s
'
’

d is po sition th an could e g ath e r e d from a hun dre d dull

qu arto s T h ere is a b eautif ul s tory of the D uk e of M on
.

tague s k indn ess an d c ar e of r em ark ab ly ugly or w orn out

’

d o m e s tic animals, hors es, co w s, d ogs, &c becaus e no one l

.

e ls e would love them .

 52 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

u su al proc e ss incide nt to the mi nd of m an It .

w as n e v e r the work of study but a sudd e n Shini ng ,

light an op en ing an intu ition p as s ing the dark

, , ,

cond ition of bli nd hum anity ! Th e long e r we

”

look at it the d e e p e r its t e rrors grow Th e r e is

, .

nothing in it o f R embr andt s usu al conc e ntr at e d ’

fl as h : but w ate ry lights stre am down lik e the

, ,

wan ing m oon s e e n dim ly b e hind cloud s wh e n

ch ill ing r ains fall strait through the air A n -

oth e r at mo sph e r e cl amm y and putre fying has

, , ,

b ee n cre at e d for th e actors in this bloody trage dy ,

through wh ich th e y m ove lik e ph antom s do ing “

,
”
un e arthly d e e ds ! A noth e r fragm e nt h angs low
ov e r th e ir s acril e gious h e ads —gr o s s —p alp abl e
,

murky—lik e a fi x e d c eil ing .

H ell s dunn e s t gloom, or night unlustrous , d ark ,

’

Of eve ry plan e t r eft, and all d In cloud s , ’

D id n ev e r spread b efore t e si ght a ve il

I n thi ckn es s like th at fog D ante .

The h ard e n e d m ann e r in which H is e n e mie s

throng in hid e ous dumbn e ss to work th eir e vil ,

w ill is co m pl e t e ly conve ye d to the Sp e ct ator of

,

this fe arful e xh al ation (w e c annot c all it p r int)

of R embrandt s brain ; of which with aw e and
’

r ev e re nc e w e sh all attem pt a d e scription

,
.

The thr e e C ross e s are r ang e d di r e ctly in front ,

at the e nd of a long v ist a in a v e ry nov e l an d

subl im e m ann e r— (The first tim e w e saw this
, ,

sk e tch it s e em e d to us as though a curtain had

,

b e e n sudd e nly drawn up and discov ere d the ,

gh astly tortur e stre tch e d body of C hrist e l evat e d

,
-
 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS . 53

on a hi gh st age) O n the l e ft ris e kn olls and

.

b anks compos e d of the dre adful so il of Golgoth a

,

f or s tones Slipp e ry s kulls ! for dus t whit e m oul

, ,

d e re d bon e s ! re e king with the no isom e st e am of

unb urie d p utref actions f lower less shrubless treeless
—O ver th e s e trampl e the iron hooffe d hors e s of the
, , .

-
,

Rom an g u ard The right of the p as s is clo s e d 1 n

.
-

with a hug e d e ad w all unde r whos e sh adow are , ,

couch e d in grand obscurity the f eeb l icele s s

moth e r ; the faithful s ee d of Z eb e d e us j fipwhom g
, ,

J e s us love d ; and all H is follow e rs fro m the Shore s

of G alil ee — D arkn e ss — sooty port e ntous darkne ss
—s hrouds the whol e s ce n e ; o nly above the ao
.

curs e d wood as if through a horrid rif t in the

murky c eilin
,

g a r ainy d eluge s l e e ty flaw dis -

coloure d w at e r — Stre am s down amain Spr eadin g

, , ,

a grie sl y Sp e ctral light e v e n m ore horribl e th an ,

th at p alp able night Al re ady the E arth p ants

.

thick and fast ! The d arke n e d C ro s s tr em bl e s !

The winds are dropt—The air is s t agn ant—A
m utt e rin g rum bl e growls unde rn e ath th eir fe e t ,

and so m e of th at m is e r abl e cro w d b e gin to fly

down the hi ll The hors e s snuff the comi ng

.

t e rrors and b e co me unm an ag eabl e through fear

,
.

The m o me nt rap idly appro ach e s wh e n n e arly , ,

torn as und e r by H is own w eight fai nting w it h ,

lo s s of blood which now runs in n arrow e r r ivul e ts

,

fro m his slit v e ins his t e m pl e s an d bre as t dro w n e d

,

in s w e at an d his bl ack tongu e p arch e d with th e

—
,
“ ”
fi e ry d e ath fe v e r J e s us crie d I T H IR ST
-
,
The .

d eadly vin eg ar is e l evat e d to him .

54 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

T his s a c rcely tas te d p ale li ps onc e m ore

, his
He 0 ens , and n o w loud e r th an b efor e

C rie “
Al l his finish e d
T o th ee , O H eav e nly F ath e r I comm e nd
M y parting s oul ”
.

S and ye s C hr is t s P as sion
’ ’
.

H is h e ad s ink s and the S acr e d C orp s e swings

s e n s e l e s s of the C ross —A Sh e e t of v e rmilli on
,

fl am e Shoots Sh e e r through the air and v an ish e s ,

the rocks of C arm e l an d Le b anon cl e av e asund e r ;

,

the s e a rolls on h igh fro m the s and s its bl ack

w e lt e ring w av e s E arth y awns and the gr av e s
.
,

give up th eir dwell ers The d e ad and the living are

.

mingl e d tog e th e r in unn atural conjunction and ,

hurry t hrough the Holy C ity N e w P rodigie s

aw ait th e m th e r e— The V e il of the Te m pl e—the
.

unpie rc e abl e Veil ! is rent as und er f rom top to

bottom ; an d th at dr e ad e d r e c e ss cont ainin g the
H e br ew m yst e rie s — the fat al A rk — with the
,

t abl e s and s ev e n branch e d C and elabrum— is dis

,
-

clo s e d by the light of un e arthly flame s to the

, ,

God de se rte d m ultitude

-

R e m brandt n e v e r p a in ted thi s ske tch ; and h e

w as quit e right It mi ght h av e d e light e d the
.

c o ld conno is s e ur and h av e brought

,
guin e as
at C hris t ie s ; but to the acco m plish e d Art is t and
’

P o e t ( s uch a m an as Fu s eli for in s t anc e ) it wo ul d ,

h a ve lo st n e arly all its ch arm s in lo sing th at p e r ,

l e x in v e il of ind is tinctn e ss wh ich afford s s uch

p g
am pl e r ang e wh e r e in the doubting im agin ation
may s p e culat e —A t pr e s e nt it is lik e a thing fro m
anoth e r w orld .A d ark gulf is b e t w ix t us — I t is .

not t angible by the body W e can only appro ach .

it in the Sp irit .
56 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

es tim at ion of e ve ry p oetica l mi nd support e d as it ,

is by s tud ie d dr ap e ry e xtr e mit ie s drawn w ith the

, ,

utm ost pre cis ion vigour of e x e cution fine colour

, , ,

an d (in the P rint) the m o s t d e lic at e an d s cie nt ific

, ,

tooling ?
The firs t gl anc e at it will e n abl e us to an s w e r
s entimen t th e o ne th ing w ant ing in C ar acoi s
’
-
.

It is tim e now to giv e so m e account of the com

position .

The body of J e s u s e xt e nde d on the ground is

, ,

p artly supporte d on t he kn e e s of his fainting

moth e r w ho w ith coll ap s e d limb s alm o s t as lif e
, , ,

l e s s as the cold corp s e ( w hos e dying fe ature s h av e

s e ttl e d into an e x pre s sion bre athing forth p e ac e to
,

all m ank ind) r e clin e s in the utt e r e x h au s t ion of

, ,

grie f on the b o s o m of a fe m al e who app e ars to

, ,

l ack p ity for h e rs e lf in b e w ailing the lo s s of the

d e s ol at e m oth e r S unk on the ground b e fore the
.

God of her adoration li e s t he wre tch e d Magd ale n ;

,

w ith disord e re d h air cl asp e d h and s qu iv e ring

, ,

m outh and e ye s bl inde d w ith t e ars

, .

A noth e r fe m al e hi dd e n in gre at p art ; on e s oli

,

t ary m an de s ce nding fro m the cros s ; rock s and

tr ee s wh ich e ntirely clo s e the b ack ground and
,
-
,

are b ut dimly s e e n through a w arm t w ilight com ,

pos e the s impl e but de e p mat e rials of this lu x u

, ,

riously po e tic al e ngr aving .

But fe w impre s sion s of this ch arming work of

R os aspina h av e r e ach e d this country The o ne .

from which th is v e ry in ade qu at e d e s cription is

t ake n h angs n e gl e ct e d in a dark corn e r of C ol
,

n aghi s littl e inn e r roo m

’
.
 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS . 57

JAN US S J U M B L E
’ 1

E NTE R L A C E D W ITH HY S I O UR N EY TO T O WN ;

Whereunto is a nnexed a de tecta ble d is course f hys visite

o to the E xhibition,
a nd to C ovent- Ga r d en thea tre

With s un drie o th e r m ost a b so lute crrti c is ms ; v e ry fit f or yo ung C o urtie rs

t o p e ruse , and C oy D am es to re m e m be r .

E at, Frie nd an d br e ak your f as t wi th this froth till

tim e —D on Q uix ote
, ,
.

T he s we e t s eas on th at bud an d bloom forth brings

, ,
With e e n h ath clad the hi ll and e k e the v ale ,
Th e ightingale wi th f ea th e rs n ew S h e s ings
The T urt le to h er m at e hath to ld her t ale .

S umm e r is com e f or e v ery s pray n o w S prings

,
The H art h ath hung his o ld h ead on th e p ale
Th e B uck in brak e his wint e r co at h e fl ings
Th e fis h es fl e e t with n e w r e p ai r e d s c ale
-

Th e add e r all h er slough away sh e fli ngs

The s wif t s w allOw purs ue th t he fli es s male
Th e bus y b ee h er hon e y n o w sh e mi ngs
Winte r is w orn th at was the fio w er s b ale ’
.

An d thus I s ee am ong th e s e p leasant thin gs

E ach car e d e c ays —but yet my toi l begins .

L ord S urrey .

C HAP . I .

On my J our ney to Town —ou the M onth of M ay —on

my B reakf as t —a nd on P ublic Tas te in the Fine A rts .

T H E R E is s om e th ing rott e n in the s t at e of D e n

m ar y e ll e d w e , w ith the vo ic e of a C hi ck as aw
Indian, as, whirling op e n t he gl ass door, with a
1“
[ L ondon M agazin e J un e , ,
58 ESSAYS AND C RITI CI SMS .

Spin th at thre at e n e d the s afe ty of e ve ry p an e in it ,

an d co mmitt ing its clo s ure to the wi nd s of h e av e n ,

w e plung e d r e ckl e s sly ami dst th at asse mbl ag e of

am at e ur C h im n e y S w ee p e r s an d cogno s c e nt i B ak e r s
’

Boys which u s u ally block ad e s the windows of

,

M e s s rs th e fam ous printselle rs

. The crow d .

s aw th at w e w e r e m ad and g av e w ay , .

E arly in the m orn ing w e had driv e n ove r fro m ,

our t e m porary t e n e m e nt (s o m e thi rt e e n m il e s and

a h alf fro m L ondon ) for the e x pr e s s purpo s e of as
,

c e rt aining t he actu al adv anc e m e nt m ad e in Tas t e .

Thi s w e propo se d ch ie fly to do by inqu iring ,

wh e th e r s o m e of tho s e thick m as sive p ile s or

b ale s cont aini ng the nobl e s t inv e ntion s of the O ld
,

m ast e r s w hi ch h av e slu mb e re d so d e e ply with in

,

the d ark arch e s of Me ss rs

’
s c ell ar s an d w ar e .

hous e s e v e r S inc e th eir fir s t arriv al from It aly or

Franc e —
, ,

lying in s tat e hung w ith rott e n cobw e b

, ,

v alanc e s and fringe s richly po w d e r e d w ith dust

and s mok e bl acks —
, ,

wh e th e r th e y h ad not burs t
-
,
”
the ir b and s of Sl e e p as und e r at the rattli ng “
,

p e al of the gong s truck by our mas t e r h and in

,

th at D om D an ie l of the B ell e s Le ttre s and Fin e

-

Ar ts B aldw in s M ag az in e ? W e are not v ain

’

not at all — but w e hop e d m uch fro m the e ff e cts of

thi s our w arn ing to all A m at e ur s how e v e r w id e ly ,
’ ”
scatt e re d the world o e r to conc e ntr at e the ir ,

forc e s and unfurling the b ann e rs of Mich ae l A n

, ,

ge lo R affaell o and Titian to oppo s e e v e n un to

, , , ,

the d e ath th e on w ard m arch of th at b arb arous

,

horde of V and al s and Pictorial R ad ica ls who now ,

swe e p bro adly along lik e a rising spring tid e b ear

,
-
,
60 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

B ut, now, m e thought, w e s tole along

Through h all s o f m ore v oluptuo us glory,
T han ev e r liv e d in T e ian s ong,
O r w an ton e d in M ilesian s tory
An d ls w e re th e r e, w ho s e v e ry e yes
S ee m d alm o s t to e xh ale in s ighs
Whose e v e ry little ringle t thrill d , ’

As if with s oul and p assion fill d ?

’

Tom M oore.

Thegold e n age w as to r e turn r ed eun t sa turnia

r eg na an d th at honoure d G
- h e e of high R om a nce ,

which blas t e d by the s c athi ng frown of C romwell

,

an d the P urit ans is only now slowly b e ginn ing to

,

r e cove r w as once ag ain to Sh ake its gr e e n h ead

,

in the wind an d s ho w e r pl e nt e ou s ly its r e fre s h ing

,

d ewy blos s o ms ov e r all the thirs t y fi e lds of A lbion

—
,
1
the Wh ite I s l e
And all thi s wondrou s ch ang e w as to b e achie ve d ,

sol ely an d w holly by the lacem ea; tene bris ex tra hens
h and of J anu s We ath e rcock in the county of M id
dle s e x E s q —Y e s mil e — I s e e you —y e profan e
,

, , ,

on e s all the wh il e y e are the fool s not I

-
for I ,

h av e on my s id e th e as se rtion of an anc ie n t
whi ch is always a s ettler for the m od e rns— an
as s e rtion too w hich w e n e ve r re coll e ct to h av e
h e ard e v e n qu e s tion e d —th at
, ,

1
We fin d noth ing conc e rning th is hug e T r e e , though
can
w e h av e carefully e x amin e d R og e r B acon , B e d e , G e o ff ry of
M onm outh, G ild as , Frois sar t, C am d en , & c , & c The only
. .

thing th at com e s at all n ear it, is the As h of Y gdrosil,

in th e E dd a of S ee mun dus — N ote by J am es J ackass, E s q,
. .
 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI CI SMS . 61

I nge nuasdidi ciss c fid eliter art es 1

Em ollet m ores ne c sini t es se f e ro s .

Butit w as not m e re ly the vision of future re

fine m e nt in the public mind th at c aus e d our hey
d ay blood to cours e up and down our v e in s with
such lu s ty wantonn e s s : No—it w as M ay ! it w as
” “
th e s avourous t im e ,
“
M ay ! The s w e e t s e ason
”
,

-
the m onth o f lov e an d j olli ty wh e n e v e ry thin g ,

grows gay ,

Wh e n the ni ghtin g ale S ings in th e d am p cool leaves

, ,

A b lis sf ul s ong to all young h earts

the m ali cious cuckoo mocks m arrie d m en “

and
wi th his two o mi nous no te s
Wh e n little w r e ns b ut n e wly fl e dge ,
Firs t from the ir n es ts ho up and do wn the h e dge ,
An d th e n f rom bough to ough clim b up a tre e
"

-
x is -
x ~
x s
«
a
s -
x

S o, flu shin g from one S pray unto anoth e r,

G e t to th e top , and th e n em bold e n e d fly .

What a h ard h e art e d m uck worm m ust he b e

- -

who do e s not fe e l this d e licious p art of the ye ar

tingl e along his n e rv e s lik e Sp arkli ng ch amp agn e .

Y e t al as ! s uch th e r e are in L ondon th at gre at ,

B abylon who w allow and glory in th e filth of

,

th eir own sty e s .

S aid Guyon see the min d of b eas tly m an

,
T h at h ath s o s oo n f orgot th e e x c elle nc e
Of his creati on w h e n b e lif e b egan
,
.

1
I ng enuas ar tes, we transla te ,
The s cien ce o f P rin t C ol
let tin g .
62 ESSAYS AND CRI TI CI SMS .

Th e s e blind m outh s know not wh at it is to

“

offe r up a fe rv e nt pray e r in the cl e ar fac e of

,

h e ave n to hi m w ho s e b e autiful work s s urround

,

us ; whi l e t he d e w s of the m orning d e s c e nd

bl andly as if th e y w e r e a vis ibl e an s w e r ass uring
, ,

th at th e br e ath ing s of a s inc e r e and S im ple h e art

are n e v e r r ej e ct e d by th e Gr e at F ath e r of all — O n .

giving it a s e cond thought w e are s ure th at m ore

,

th an h alf of o ur s pl e ndid day dre am to the season -

di d b e long for wh at m an or wo man e ith e r of the

, ,

l e ast s e n sibili ty would not feel r e invigorat e d nay

, ,

cre at e d again an e w as it w e r e by t he w e s t e rn
br e e z e —the odorife rous bre ath of Spring blowing
, ,

briskly in his or her fac e cl e aring the e ye s and , ,

c aus ing to gulp down whol e draughts of fre shn es s ,

br acing and s timul ating as s od a w at er ! The

m otl e y blo s s o m s of th e orch ard tre e s fl e w ove r us -
,

as w e w hi sk e d r ap idly along gr e e n l an e s b e t we e n ,

hi gh h e dg e s of the s w e e t h awt horn and the e l e g ant

w ild briar —whil e the Sight of th e ir b anks s oft
, ,

with th ick young gras s and cow shp s w an th at ,

h ang the p e ns i v e h ead invit e d us with dum b

, , ,

but m o s t pot e nt e loqu e nc e to al ight and tak e a

—
,
”
roll “
To t ak e a r oll ! Thi s is th e b e s t id e a ,

aft e r all th at w e c an g iv e of th e ov e rwh elmi ng

,

b eauty of the l and s c ap e y e t only think proprie ty ,

and d e coru m loving r e ad e r of Janu s th at aust e r e

-
, , ,

sour s olid critic and philo s oph e r— the sh e e t anchor -

of the L O NDO N—rolling un de r a h e dge like a little

,

boy or a cow ! S uppo s e w e had b e e n c aught in

th e fact by the E ditor or any of th e proprie tors !
The actua l thi ng—res ip sissima—( wh at a p ity it is
64 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

C ler e w as the w at e r, an d as cold

A s any well is, s ooth to say .

Lord Buckhurs t , in his induction to th e

l e ge nd
’
of the D uke of Buckingh am , give s , as one of hi s
ch aracte ristics of mis ery, th at,
He dran k th e runnin g s tr eam ,
his cup the b ar e
O f his p alm clo se d

This is gr e at authority—notwiths tanding and in

op e n d e fi anc e of which w e took (aft e r the mann e r
,

of the burl e y cl e rk of C opm anhurs t) fiv e copious

draughts out of the above m e ntion e d e x te mpore
,
-

cup from a li ttl e brook cl e ar as a diamond

,
-
, ,

whi ch ran gurgling and whi stling ove r a h ard b e d

of shi ni ng p e eble s —th e n h as tily drawing on our
glov e s and arranging our wh it e r eins j udgem ati
,

cally w e ro s e with vigorou s Spring into our s eat

lik e fe ath e re d M e rcury —cut thr e e e x ce ntric
, , , ,

circl e s— (in th e air— for n e ith e r C ontributor nor ,

his mast e r will st and whi p — both b ein g ap t to

kick) —with our l ight thong m ad e all for s how
,

and s et o ff at a r at e which in l e s s th an an hour , ,

l and e d us s afe ly at G e org e s ju s t as the clock w as ’

on the stroke of nin e The hum an e will b e ple as e d

.

to h e ar that w e m e t with no accid e nts Or obst acl e s

'

on the ro ad s av e o ne dun g c art in a n arrow l an e

,
-
,

an d thr ee turnp ik e s .

O ur e arly arrival s e eme d to put the whol e hous e

in confus ion —the word w as w ith s ome littl e ado
p as s e d to the h ead w ait e r—a v e ry st e ady r e sp e ct
, ,

abl e activ e obliging m an who knows our w ays

, , ,
 ESSAYS AND C RI T I C I SMS . 65

an d who qu ickly mad e his app e ar anc e w ith m any ,

smiling gre e tings s o m ewh at b e tw e e n j oy and sur ,

pris e W e h av e trav ell e d fourt e e n m il e s s aid

.
“
,
’

“ ”
we ,
with out any brea kf as t .

ej ac ul at e d he wh at shall w e
”
I nd eed S ir
“
, , ,

g e t r ea dy ?
Why nothing p art icular ,
answ e r e d we , ,

stroking our chi n s lo w ly with a dubious m e dit ating

any thing w ill d o—ju s t a l ittl e chocol at e
, ,

air , ,

m — will e ? a cup of good gunpowd e r

( ak e it th i ck y )
—not too strong for our n e rve s are R AT H ER w eak
or so— a li ttl e s cr ap e d b ee f an d a f e w r adish e s
, ,

an d — an d— a— any cold m e at th at you m ay h av e

,

in the hou s e—ham or b e e f or a d e vill e d k idn e y

or so— s o m e e ggs of cour s e and— th at w ill do !
, , ,

Y e t st ay — he m ! bring m e a lee tle glas s of c ogniac

,

with the br e akfast for the eas t wind (the bre e z e ,

w as w es te ly as w e s aid b e for e ) has got into our

r ,
1

1
M r Weath e rcock
. lic e ntious ly sin gular I n his plur als ,
IS

v arying th e m s in gularly, or with th e S ingula r as h e le as e s .

,
S o m e tim es h e is we, an d s om e tim es I , giving t ereb y
r eas on to s us p e ct th at he int e nds to thro w ridicul e on us ;
w hi ch ( if w e w e re onc e s ur e o f it) w e w ould r es e nt, by
r e nd e ring him imp e rs onal for the r e st of his life Th e .

priv ile ge s of an E ditor in hi s own M ag az in e, lik e tho se of

a king in his o w n t e rritory , are not to b e slight e d wi th
impunity B ut w e j us t now r e colle ct th at M inis t ers h av e
.

b e e n comm itt ing, as a blund e r, an irr ev e r enc e S imilar to

th at whi ch Mr We ath e rcock ) erp e tr ates as a f r e ak Th e
d
. .

K in g s las t s p e e ch is calculat e to aff ord to th e ill -d is po s e d

’

round f or qu es t ioning wh e th e r his Maj es ty b e s ingle or

g o ub le T he cockn ey wh o calle d f or “
cofiee f or tea , and
'

two f or one, — mi ght adduc e th es e I prop e r irr egularities o f

le , as affording him counte nan c e in hi s s tr ang e confus ion
m
o te ims —Edi tor
'
. .
66 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI C I SMS .

s tom ach S fi
an d — an d— (mutte rrngly) o ur n e rv e s
are r ath e r w e ak ,
or s o.

”
Y e s sir , .

A n d WAI TE R ! (ca lling a t the top of our mellow

,

voi ce ) A bottl e of S od a w at e r, ju s t to amus e our

.
-

”
s elv e s w ith till all is r e ady
No s oon e r s aid th an don e , —
.
,

and in a v e ry Short

t im e w e had m ad e a pr e tty good cl earanc e Th e n .

fe eling our s elv e s con sid e r ably r e fre sh e d w e t arrie d ,

not but s e t out ins ta nter on our critic al j ourn e y ;

,

firs t of all g iving c autiou s notic e to M r C urt , th at .

w e shoul d prob ably t ak e an e arly dinn e r at fiv e

’
o clock Briskly w alk e d w e do wn th e H ay
.

m ark e t s w ing ing our c an e with a kind of in s ol e nt

,

c o nfid e n ce — and wh is tling h um m ing , an d S ing ing ,

(alt e rn a”t ely) our old favourit e air N on P iw ,

a ndra i w e w h e e l e d on our c e ntre to the l e ft,

,

obl iqu e d to the right an d th e n w e re gr e e t e d by ,

’
th e t in k l e of M e s s rs S door b e ll , an d the .
-

’
sh arp b ark of the print colle ctor s t e rrie r 1 who on , ,

our n e ar appro ach g av e us a graciou s wriggl e of ,

r e cogn ition The room w as as usu al cro w d e d

.
2
, ,

w ith b eauty and fas h ion E nglis h m archi on e s s e s,

for e ig n prince s —kn ight s d am e s s qui r e s of h igh
.

, ,

d egr e e ( at C am bridge ) an d d am o z els Fe eling th at, .

Thi s faithf ul anim al hold s m uch th e s am e kind of plac e

1

with am at e urs of Ra ffae lle M orgh e n s, as M r Payn e s crook e d

’
.

taile d cat do es wi th Bibliom aniacs .

2
J anus here b e tr ays him s elf W e had bef ore susp e ct e d .

th at th e story o f his ear ly arri val in tow n w as all a fudge

—
.

M ess rs .
’
s f ull le v e e is about thr e e o clock
’
.

I I F S A
. . . . .
 68 ESSAYS AND C RITI C I SMS .

a n ic e lad an offic e r in the gu ard s

,
P ray s ir o
.
“
, ,

h av e n t you b ot s om e p ictur e s o f s tag e co ach e s

’
cr

s aid a j olly re d fac e d s qu i r e w ith n e at s ilv e r s purs

—
,

s mil e d
“
and top boot s -
M r . .Is this pos .

s ibl e w h is p e re d w e to him as he p as s e d clo se to ,

us in ord e r to g e t at F ull e r s S port ing M is e rie s

’

to r e gal e the bo il e d goo se b e rry e y e s of Nimrod

-

By the he ard of A pollo ! s aid I — (h e has one

.

in Pas s s front is p ie c e to C hap m an s hy mn s ) my

’ ’

mi nd m is giv e s m e conc e rn ing M arc A nton io an d

B onasoni .A t the m e ntion of th e s e d e ar n ame s ,

Mr . droop e d his h e ad and pre s e rve d a ,

m o s t s p e aking s ile nc e The horrid truth brok e on

.

our m ind at onc e Not an old Italian print had

s e e n th e d ay for t wo m onths ; and my A rt icl e —m y
.

l as t d e liciou s S entimen ta lity had b e e n w as te d on ,

“ ”
b e asts w ho w ant e d dis cour s e of re ason ! My
h e ad—I m e an our h e ad—turn e d —w e cl apt on
our hat furiou sly the b inde r p art b e fore bor e d ruth
l e s sly through the crow d — tram pl ing on lap dogs
, ,

-
,

an d c arrying aw ay c an e s p ara sols and u mbr e lla s , , ,

whil e our spurs clank d dre adful — s w e pt do w n ’

”
D od w ell s b e aut iful Vie ws in Gre e c e and ru sh e d
’

into the s tre e t utt e ring or rath e r ho w ling t he s e n

t e nc e pl ac e d at the h e ad of t his C h apt e r — How
, ,

long th is fit this awful vis it ation las t e d w e are

, , ,

not prep ar e d to s ay ; the first th ing w e r e coll e ct

w as h e ari ng M r Boht e s oftly an d s ooth ingly
.

bre athing into our e ar W e h av e sold 1 5 0 cop ie s

,

of Retch s Faust with in thi s l ast two m onths and

’

w e h ave s e nt to G e r many for 1 5 0 m or e ! Th is

i nst antly brought me to my n a
 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS . 69

r
ae r
ae r
ae as

H as FU SELI any p ictur e s th e r e th e n ?

,
s aid
H e has S ir, quoth Mr
”
we , . Bohte
r
ae r
ae

r
ae r
ae

r
ae r
ae

-
x

1
C H AP II .

O N T HE EX H I BI T I O N AT SOME R SET HO USE .

Wh il e ling e ring at the botto m of th at h e art

br e aking s t aircas e m us t e ring up r e s olution to
,

clim b so m e on e el b ow e d us r ath e r rud ely (this is

,

the u s u al w ay in nov e ls) w e turn e d fi e rc ely round

—and who should it b e but J on as W agt ail E s q ,
.

”
our M r Fin e A rts. .

Good m orrow to you M r W e ath e rcock how do .

,

you do this ,
r
ae r
ae r
ae r
ae r
ae

r
ae s
a s
a s
a r
ae

s
a s
a r
ae s
a ar
e

r r
an d
e
a ae
re t urn e d s ick h e arte d -
,

w eary hot dusty with

, , , a confound e d h e ad ach e to
C ov e ntry s tr e e t .

1
Th es e incoh e r e nc es an d ch asms affli ct us ( the E d itor )
s or ely . Th e e xtrao author has e ith e r not wri tt e n ,

e contin uat ion o f his con v e rsa

70 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

C HA P III. .

THE T H EAT RES .

H e re re sting from our l abours w e gave our

, ,
”
and kn e e s an d all to th e
“
s elve s up e lbo w s

bl ack b il e —curs ing the art is t s an d th e art s an d

, , , ,

, ,

p atron s and the Britis h In s titut ion and th e im

, ,

pr act ic abl e public ! Fro m thi s m ood of m e nt al

atroc ity w e w e r e aw ak e n e d to a prop e r s e n s e of

our hu man ity by th e kind e nqu irie s of the w ait e r

conc e rning our dinn e r — at th e s am e tim e th at he ,

pr e s e nt e d us w ith the old Tim e s as b e tt e r th an th e ,

New Wh at is it to n ight s aid I gl ancing up

.
-
,
”

an d do w n the s e cond p ag e for th e Th e atr ic al ad v e r

t is e me nt s w ith s cr e w e d up —
,
s e arch ing ey e
“
A nyth ing you pl e as e S ir r e plic at e d th e w a i tére , , ,

-
who h e aring us s p e ak and not b e ing w ell abl e
, ,

to mak e out w h at w e s aid im agin e d ( not un w is e ly) ,

'
,
“
th at it had s o m e r e fe r e nc e to the viand s Oh ! .

H e nri Q u atr e — m u m bl e d w e “
The C art e ? Y e s
,
”

, ,

S ir quod the O fficious m an (he h as p ick e d up a

”
,

l ittl e Fr e nch s inc e the p e ac e ) c atch ing a fragme nt ,

of a s ound and h anding uS the int e r min abl e b ill of

,

far e A sudd e n thought s truck us

. S e nd do w n .

tion with M r B oht e and alm o s t the whole o f his ch apt e r

.
,

on the e xhi bition We can only th e r e f or e m ake out,that

.

t h e conv e r sation in qu es tion s ugge s t e d t h e v isit to S om e rs e t

H ou se and th at the vis it to S o m e rs e t H ous e s ugg es t e d
notic es o f the pictur e s —whi ch if w e can get hold of in
,

an d e ce nt t im e sh all b e cramm e d in w h e rev e r w e m ay b e

ab e to find roo m —
,
e ith e r und e r the h ead F in e A rt s or the

m or e appropriat e on e of C ommercia l R ep or t —E ditor

,

.
72 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS .

down anoth e r ( to me at l e as t) s e lf e vide nt pro

,
-

position v iz th at th is is the age of vulgarity ! W e

, .

h av e no such th ing n ow a d ays as wh at was - -

,

t e rm e d a fine g e ntl e m an w e c an t e v e n man age it ’

on the st ag e M r K e mbl e in Le on w as the l ast

. .
, , .

M r E lli ston always s e em s to us in such p art s

.

( D orincourt to wit) to h av e a co x comb ical con

s cio us n e s s in hi s e as e w h ich c au s e s it to am ount t o
stiffn e s s M r Young both on and off the s t ag e is
. .

a p erf ect g e ntl e m an but still he e ve n he is not

, , ,

e x actly the fin e o ne M r J on e s in L ord Trink e t

. .
, ,

is a tol e r abl e f op of the old school ; but th at won t

’

do N e v e rth e l e s s his d iam ond buckl e s his e le

.
,

antly cut co at s his ruffl e s O f po int l ac e hi s wh it e

g , ,

s atin bre e ch e s and cut st eel w atch ch ain are w on

,
- -
,

d erf ully r e fr e sh ing Upon th e whol e M r C h arl e s

. .

K e mbl e co m e s the n ear e st to th e beau idea l of a

g e ntl e man of any actor w e at pre s e nt po s s e s s ; his
,

co mm andin g figure and e asy e l e gant attitud e s go

a gr e at w ay of th e ms e lv e s Nothing can e x c e e d .

the b e aut iful action of his h ands w h e n e ng ag e d ,

in l ev e l d ialogu e Th e n he is the l as t of the

.

K e mble s— Ultim us R om a norum— h e is the bro

th e r of C oriol anu s and Q u e e n K ath arin e — but
w e are runn ing riot and awry W e s ay th at .

in for m e r t im e s it w as the custom for e ve ry

”
youth not of churl s blood to fashion his b e h a
,
’

v iour in s o me m e asure ( w ithout o s t e nt at ion ) aft e r

th at of one of the g all ant p reuss cheva liers of the
he r oic rom anc e s ( as th e y w e r e c all e d) whi ch ,

constitut e d the princip al fash ion abl e r e ading of the

d ay All the knight s wh e th e r P e rs ians M e de s
.
, , ,
 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI C I SMS . 73

or M ac e don ians in the C a ssandra are ab s olut e fine

, ,

ge ntl eme n Wh at a nu mb e r of acco mplish m e nts

.

an d tr ad e s w e nt of O ld to th e form at ion of a m an

of fash ion—now al as ! how fe w The t ailor and .

stay m ak e r are all suffi cie nt s aving t h at h e r e and

- -
, ,

th e r e s o m e f a n cif ul j uve nal c alls in th e aid of

,
”

M e s s r s C art e r Holt and J o s hu a Hudson !

.
,
G al
,

lantry to th e l adi e s too is now an unknown thi ng ; , ,

but th at is chie fly th eir own fault : how can o ne

bow down on e s st at e ly m asculin e h e ad b e for e
’

uns ta tely hu m p b ack e d giglots s crim ply arr ay e d in

,
-
,

t w o gu in e as worth of tr um p e ry British m uslin or

’

a scr ap of S p italfie ld s s ilk at s e v e n and four p e nc e

p e r y ard W e g abbl e about t h e im prov e m e nt in

the s tyl e of fe m al e attir e but wh at in the n am e , ,

of Q u e e n B riolania h av e w e to com p e t e w ith the ,

blaz ing spl e ndour of the d am e s in th e Lu x embourg ,

or (b arring the l e ngth of the w ais t) w ith the Fre nch

whol e l engths of th e ch arming M ont e sp an or the
lov e ly young M adem ois elle FO nt ang e s But ,
”
m ast e r J anus how is all th is to the purpo s e ?
,

Brie fly thus It app e ars to us th at the t im e re

.

quire th not the h and of g e n ius to g iv e it a gu s to

for th e t ast e s and fe el ing s of wh at are c all e d the
low e r ord e r s — rath e r the r e v e rs e ! W e w ant mor e
,

m ac aron i and ch am p agn e ; l e ss bo xing and bull

b e ef N o
. w Mr D r am,
a
1
of the L O NDO N s eem s
.

d e t e rmin e d to Show hi s r e ad e rs th at his s tom ach

is h e arty— th at he can r e lis h br e ad an d ch e e s e an d ,

port e r w hi ch c e rt ain ly are v e ry fine thing s in the

—
,

country a n d ,
wh n e c n g et nothin g e l
e w a s e — an d

[ H azlitt ]
1
74 ESSAYS AND C RI T I C I SMS .

so far ,
all thi s is
ve ry w e ll But sur ely in th e cen .
,

tre o f fas h ion w e might b e n ow and th e n indulge d

w ith mor e e l e g ant far e —
,

s o m e thing th at w ould s ui t ,

b e tt e r wi th th e di am ond rings on our finge rs the ,

ant iqu e c am e o s in our br e as t p ins our c ambric -

,

pock e t h andk e rch ie f br e ath ing forth A tt argul our

-
,

p al e l em on coloure d kid glove s ! so m e chick e n

-

fric as ee d w h it e for in s t anc e ; a bottl e of Hock or -

M o ll
se e an d a gl s s of M aras ch no
a ,
i 1
W e might .

h e ar m ore about the op e ra and the op e ra d anc e rs ;

an d s om ething of the un affe ct e d l ady lik e air of -

M is s Brunton ( b e w itchi ng cre atur e By w h at

1
O ur
fri e nd an d C orr e spond e nt J anus is h e re e nt e ring
on ground wh e r e ange ls mi ght fe ar to tr e ad : —and h e ,
not with s tand ing his occ as ional d e v outn e ss is not as y et ,

quite an ang e l M ay he b e long pr ese r ve d fro m b e co ming

.

o n e — for t h e b e n e fit of the D om d aniel of the B elles

L ettre s I t cann ot b e sai d of him th at he is too good
.
” “

f or e arth s o w e wis h to k e e p h im am ongs t us B ut to -

r e turn —Janus an irre gular w rit e r h e re e nte rs into con

.
,

t e ntion wi th o n e of our re gular write rs —this is as b ad as

, ,

if a s kir m is h e r w e re to t urn about an d fir e on his o wn b at

talion W e c e rtainl y do not thi nk this pro e r but as w e
p
.

h av e r eas on to b e liev e th at our M r D ra ma do es not r ead .

our M agazin e w e allo w the obj e cti on able as sages to

”
,

s t and .For ours e lv e s w e n e v e r go e ith e r to t e lar e or

, g
t h e sm all th eatr es nor e v e r drink e ith e r Port e r or H ock ;
,

nor ev e r eat eith e r ch ees e or chi ck e ns fricas ee d whit e w e

are th e re for e p e rfe ct ly im p artial M r D ram a w o ul d .

p rob ab l
y say i ncap a ble) in t hi s b us in es s : an d our op ini on
1 s j ud gm g fro m h ears ay th at th e a e m a
, g y t ak e les s ons o f
g e nt ility from the C obourg an d the M is s D e nn e ts —par
,

t icularly w h e n th e y introduc e quotat ion s f ro m S p e n s e r

uit e as e ffe ctually as f ro m the O era and the O era
an c ers C o ve nt gard e n and
,
ev en -
acre ad y b inrse
,
E di tor L M . .
76 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI CI SMS .

D i ou de d ans e
” 1
to introduce th e s e l adie s into
,

s uch b ad co m p any All th e s e thin g s, an d m ore ,

.

he d oth, b e caus e in the w antonn e s s and e x ub e ranc e

of his g e n iu s ( wh ich is undoubt e d) he d are s do
m uch .H e h ath al s o Sins of o mi ss ion , w hi ch
sh all brie fly not ic e unde r s ix ty three -

ri mis— in the fir s t pl ac e — h utt rly n gl cts th

p e e e , e e
w ig s of the actors an d the ringl e ts of the actr e sse s :
he corr e ct e th not M r Abbot s e rron e ous s ash —
’
. tying
in C apt ain H M ac intyr e : and he allow s d e ar Mis s
.

S t e ph e n s to w e ar for th e whole e v e ning w ithout ,

ever d rying it the s am e g au z e Fr e nch bonn e t w e t

, ,

with the salt s ea s pray, in w h ich sh e had w e ath e r e d

the driv ing storm on Fairport C ragg s ! S e cond :
he —but it s trik e s se v e n, by Jup it e r ! Allow m e,
d e ar E ditor to fl att e r myself th at I h av e in the
, ,

m ost d e lica te m ann e r, ins inu at e d my w e ighty re a

sons for b e co m ing s uppl e m e nt ary, and without
m or e ad o to ru s h into the th e atre
S e at e d —fid dle rs al s o — M r War e t ap s th e m aho
.

g any thr e e tim e s with his tr e nch ant fiddle s tick ;

aw ay thund e r the gongs and k e ttl e dru m s ; bro ad

bl are s th e s pre ading not e of the tru m p e t The .

E olu s ch e e k e d tro mbon e pl aye r, w ith hurrie d

-

e n e rgy, Shoot s forw ard his Sl id ing tub e h alf acro s s

the s t ag e cracking the b e nch e s with its t e aring
,

bl as t . The m is e rabl e Viol a tortur e d by a ,

ruthl e s s fellow with s taring h air, el e vat e d bushy

e y e bro w s s h arply pl ait e d for e h e ad s e t t e e th , an d
, ,

cl e nch e d s tringy h ands , grunt s and whiz z es, and

1 Gas con Fre nch—s o give n by Grimm in imitat ion of
 ESSAYS AN D C RI T I CI SMS . 77

gro ans till its agony go e s to the b ackbon e of e v e ry

,

fe e ling p e rs on ; and the viol in s shrie k and th e ,

littl e dru m s cr ash as wh e n in the fore sts of

M orv e n the lightn ing s r e nd a thou s and o ak s — I n
, ,

the m o m e nt ary br e ach e s of th e s torm th e w ail of ,

th e horn an d t he t inkli ng tw ang of th e h arp aris e

mi st ily Th e n again the cloud of h arm ony grows
.

th ick e r ; the gong r e doubl e s its thunde rs dre ad ,

t h e e y e li ds of m ort als drop at th e w e ight of the

strok e
F ain w ould J anus
h av e k ept th e m fas t ,
B ut O p e n th e y s tart at th e cr ack of th e blas t
,
.

S omewhe re in S outhey .

Th e cut gl as s ch and e lie r twinkl e s and qu ive r s e ach

p artic ul ar p e nd ant ; whil e d is tinctly in the m id s t ,

of th is furious t e mp e s t is h e ard the bow of the ,

l e ad e r rid ing triu mph antly ov e r the ro aring w ild

,

oc e an of s ounds .

Th is is a v e ry a ccurat e and not in th e l east ,

’
hyp e rbolic al d e script ion of M r B is hop s ove rtur e
, .

to H enri Qua tre an d w e do not bl am e him at all ,

con s id ering the wr e tch e d tas te of the aud ie nc e s

for w ho m h e w rit e s — audie nc e s who encor e s uch

n au se ou s tras h as “
L ov e am ong the R o s e s ,

A b e rcro m by Sec w ith man iac

”
the V ictory and
”
.
, ,

d eli ght w h il e th e y draw b ack into s tupid ins e ns i

,

b ili ty w h e n D urus e t Sings so s imply fe e lingly and

, , ,

at th e s am e t im e s cie nt ific ally B urn s s e x qu is it e

’

w ords
m lov e 18 li k e the re d re d ros e
y
That s n e wl s p rung in J un e
,

y
O m y lov e 13 li k e the m elody ,

That s s w e e tly play e d in tun e

,
’
.
78 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS .

But M r Bis hop can do b e tt e r things The la rgo

. .

m ov e m e nt at the op e n ing of his ov e rtur e to C ymon

, ,

is o n e of th e m o s t e x pre ss iv e g b e autif ul th ing s w e

e v e r m e t with : it is lik e M oschus e l e gy on the
’

de ath of B ion ,

M o an wi th m e m o an y e w ood s , ,
a
s a
t a
s as

Wee p on the wa te rs , y e S tryrnonian sw ans .

The p as tora le bre ath e s of S ic ili an c om field s ; an d -

th e w hol e tog e th e r is w ell w orthy of A r ue s m u s ic

’

to the songs Neith e r is th is th e sol e buttr e s s to

.

B ishop s fam e : w e could in s t anc e oth e rs but tim e

’

and M r J o cris s e forb id

. O ur l e arn e d broth e r g av e
.

no account of th e plot o f th is p ie c e l as t m onth,

b e cau s e he hop e s all his r e ad e rs w ill go to se e it .

W e Sh all imit at e his h ighly to b e - l aud e d e n - -

s ample , b e c au s e , by th e t im e w e are out, all our

re ad e rs will doubtl e ss h av e follo w e d his re com
me n datio n— notw ith s t andi ng wh ich w e h av e a
good d e al to s ay on oth e r p art s of th e p ie c e The .

pl ay w as a pr e tty pl ay— a very pre tty play ; an d

the pl ay e r s pl ay e d th e ir p art s w e ll , as our r e ad e r s
kno w The s c e n e ry, w ith the e x ce ption (if w e
.

r e coll e ct right) of a pris on, was all n e w , and v e ry

w e ll p ain t e d : the m u s ic w as indiff e r e ntly good :
1

the w or s t th ing s M r B is hop do e s are b e tt e r, and

.

h ave m or e s punk about th e m, th an the b e st of the

h ash e s of our oth e r st ag e co mp os er s —as th e y are

1
Allo w us h e r e to e x press a wish , th at M r H av ell .

w ou ld publis h a colour e d aqu atint of the firs t S c e n e

in A ct I I p aint e ( ood
. g
by Griev e, r epr e se ntin g “ a Te rrac e in
a Gard en at M e udon .
80 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI C I SMS .

gu ard e d his S h ins w ith a p ai r of bu ff m orocco s ilve r

‘

t as s e l e d h e s s ian s which s m e lt strongly of th e 1 8 th

,

Hu s s ars ! O ur chere p etite Brunton and th at in

te re s ting p e r s on ific at ion of the anc ie nt E nglis h
m a uva is e honte Mis s S t e ph e ns looke d e x actly lik e
, ,

th e l as t colour e d fas hion s in the B e ll e A ss e mblée :

— and h e r e w e c annot le t s lip th e opportun ity of

s e riou sly advi s ing Mis s B to ge t rid of her pre

.

s e nt f riseur : he is ( and w e h ave had an e ye to

him for s om e t im e p as t) a mi s e r abl e unimprov abl e ,

bete . M is s Tr e e ( Louis on) would p e rh ap s h ave , ,

p ass e d mu s te r in o ne of thos e troops of S avoyards ,

wh ich no w infe s t the s tr e e t s about to w n— but th e n

sh e h as s uch b e aut iful ancl e s W e wish that he r
stockings had b e e n white in ste ad of blue W e fe e l .

as if cold w at e r w e re pour e d down our b ack at the ,

s ight of th at colour in l ad ie s ho s e The fe m ale s

’
'

.
,

ho w e v e r s e e m to h av e the r ight of custom for in

,

variably dr e ss ing out of ch aract e r : M rs Bunn .

a lone the h e ro in e of the st at e ly n e ck an d long

w inding lock s — aff e cts s om e s ort of corre ctn e s s :
”

w h e th e r th is is due to h e rs e lf or the m an ag e r w e ,

n e ith e r know nor c are The n am e only of Mr

. .

Em e ry is e nough to convinc e e ve ry o n e acqu aint e d

with his ch ast e ( though C ockneys think it outre ) ’

p e r s onific ation of E ngl ish ru sticity th at his M ou s

,

t ach e w as lik e any thing in th e w orld but a fi e ry

Fre nch v et e ran ; and in s aying thi s w e m ean no
, ,

thing disre s p e ctful tow ard s his strong abilitie s

M r D ram a—in the lu s ciou s pl e n itud e of hi s good
.

hu m our—s ays th at Faw c e tt w as at ho m e in

.

G e n e ral D Aum ont ; now w e rath e r e x istimate d

’

, ,
 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI CI SMS . 81

th at he
fe lt h ims elf at home in C G ard e n Th e atr e
—he dis charge d his functions in such a doubtful
.

pro miscuous sort of a m ann e r ; w ith his tongu e

on the s tag e an d his mi nd I n the prop e rty ro onr ;
,

o n e e y e in th e bo x e s counting t he indiv idu als

who had not fr e e adm is sions and ord e r s ; and the
“ ”
oth e r tw iste d tow ard s the flys mis doubting much ,

the d ue al acrity of th e sc e n e sh ift e rs H is rob e of .

authority too w as r ath e r c ivil b urg omas teris h

th an b e llicos e m ili t ary M r Liston —
, , , ,

y e t wh at
can w e s ay of him b ut —tha t he m us t d o even tha t
. .
, ,

which liketh him m os t If M r C h arl e s K em bl e . .

will doff his cap w h ich is a v e ry pre tty o ne and

, ,

as sum e a bro ad br imm e d h at s h ado w e d th ick w ith

-
,

tumbling wh it e fe ath e r s and g e t a n e w p air of

boots —(hi s frie nd M acr e ady who w ell und e r s t ands
,

all th is sort of th ing w ill show him t h e m od e l )

—
,

an d ju s t att e nd a lee tle m or e corr e ctly to his

ruff he m ay m ak e up hi s mind th at he is actu ally

— —
,

n d b n d f d E u en e d e B i r on th at im p of f m
—I t go e s to our h e arts how ev e r to alte r any
a o a e g a e .

, ,

a rticl e about M r K s p e r s on for his nobl e c av al ie r

’
. .
,

lik e d e portm e nt r e nd e rs grac e ful all th at he w e ars

— O f M r A bbot w e h av e only to s ay th at he
.

.
,

look e d v e ry unlik e a Fre nch o ffic e r of the tim e of

an d v e ry lik e a co m e ly E ngli s h
“ ”
th e Leag ue ,

squ ir e w ith hi s l arg e w e ll curl e d h and s om e l ady

, ,
-
, ,

lov e d British whi sk e rs and no mu s t achio s Th e re

, ,
-
.

is gre at n e e d of a r ad ic al r e form about th is g e ntl e

m an s n e ck cloths Th e s e e norm ou s wh al e bon e
’
-
.
,

stiff e n e d crav at s are lik e the H ab e as C orpus

S u s p e ns ion A ct ; th e y com pl e t ely d e priv e th eir
G
82 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

victims of fr e e dom of sp e e ch W e h ave now done .

w ith v itup e rat ive crit ic ism s ; at w h ich h appy con

s u mm at ion w e are right j oyful for w e lov e C ov e nt ,

G ard e n and its actor s with a p e rfe ct lov e To .

m any p e opl e our re m ark s m ay app e ar trifl ing ;

an d th e y w ill e x cl aim
“
Wh at do e s it s ignify if
, ,
”
the dr e s s e s are not qu it e right ? Y e t th e s e are
th e y w h o m ak e a gr e at m e rit of S ir Walt e r S cott s ’

prop e r atte nt ion to the minutiae of dr e s s and fur

n iture an d w ho w ould h av e l augh e d
,
long and
loudly h ad R egi n ald Front d e Boeuf c arrie d a s m e ll
,

ing bottl e in his w ais tco at pocke t— or Bo is Gu il

- 1

b e rt pull e d out a fragrant cam bric h andke rch ie f

to w ip e aw ay the d e ath s w e at from his bro w in his ,

l as t dr e adful colloquy with R e b e cc a at th e s t ak e .

Wh ate v e r is w orth do ing at a ll is w orth do ing ,

w e ll
. If d e viation s from the g e nu in e m od e ls are
occasi on a lly to b e allo w e d h ow d ifficult it w ill b e ,

t o dr aw t he li n e of d e fe nc e ag ain s t th e inro ad s of
l az in e s s an d anachronis m atic lic e ntiou s n e s s As .

for M r C anning s jok e of the s im ult an e ou s con

.
’

’
gr e s s of H e ctor of Troy and old F re d eric s Pru ss ian
Gr e n ad ie rs — of M C
,
D e ntatu s and th e Kn ights
. .

Te m pl ar— it w ould b e com e quit e a d e ad l e tt e r .

Th e n r e coll e ct D e ar M an ag e r s th at your t ailors

, ,

an d t ailor e s s e s wi ll cha rg e no m or e for m ov ing the

sh e ar s to the d e x t e r h and in st e ad of the sinis t e r :

—
,

b e sid e s if all th e s e argu m e nt s fail to affe ct y e

, ,

w e h av e y e t anoth e r and an ov e rwh e l ming on e

,

Y our a bsur d i ties hur t our eyes and tho s e of a good ,

1
As Miss Porte r s S ir Willi am Wallac e do es
’
.
.
84 ESSAYS AND C RI T I C I SMS .

quarianr e s earch and gr aphic pow e rs of M r U

,
.

who has s o oft e n l e nt him his kind as s ist anc e .

E xp licit J a nus s J umble

’
.

JA N U S W E AT HE RC O C K S ’
D IA L O GU E O N TH E
E XH I B I T I O N A T S OME RS E T-HO U S E .
2

[This is t he D ialogu e whi ch ought to h av e b e e n in s e rt e d

in M r W e ath e rcock s J u m ble I n con se qu e nc e of o fferin
’

d
. .

a h and s o m e r e w ard for its r e co v e ry, it h as b e e n tran s m itt e

to us by the w ait e r at G e orge s — ’
an d w e m ak e h as t e to giv e
it plac e , on t he pri nc iple o f “
b e tt e r late th an n ev e r ”

Ed L M
. . .

J a n A truc e to co mplim e nt s good M r W agt ail ;

.
, .

a n d t e ll m e w h at g aud th at is fa c ing us in the , ,

b e s t pl ac e in the roo m A t this d ist anc e it looks

.

lik e o n e of H ilton s orn am e nt al d e s ign s ?

’

J on You are quit e right, S ir ! an d a v e ry cl e v e r

.

thing it is e s t e e me d by t he b e st judg e s , ye t, to m y
poor th inking th e r e is s o m e th ing wrong about the
,

g e n e ral colour, and the l e g s of Ve nu s h ave a w e ak

app e ar anc e , a s if H ilton had not kno w n e x actly
wh at he w as about .

r E V Utt e rs on ] h l t e rar or d nd e bt e d
1
[ M . . . T e i.
y w l is i
to the sam e ge ntlem an for the re publication of s om e curious
pi e c e s of e arly E nglis h c e try —and if r e ort spe ak s truth ,
the y m u st th ank his ady f or a clev e r ragm e nt in th at p
i nt e r es t ing litt le v o lum e T ales o f the D ead ”
.

2
L ondon Magazin e, Jun e, 1 8 2 0 .
 ESSAYS AN D C RI T I C I SMS . 85

J an Th e s h adow s of the fl e sh are rich and tru e

.

but the lights are utt e rly raw an d fal s e H id e .

so m e of th e m w ith your h and, an d th e p ictur e

inst antly b e co m e s h arm o ni ous h e had b e tt e r look,
’
not a littl e , at the M arquis of S t afford s D ian a and
A cte o n by Titian ; he s e e m s fall ing into s uch an
o di ou s mann e ris m both in drawing and colour A
,
.

work of th is k ind w h ich has not th e l e as t pre

,

t e n s ion to po e t ic al fe eli ng ( for he h as co m pl e t e ly

mis s e d S p e n s e r s id e a,
’

S oon as sh e Ve nu s saw behinde her backe,

S h e w as as h am e d to b e s o loo se s urpris e d

ought to b e finish e d with the m o s t s crupulous

att e nt ion to th e m e ch ani c al branch e s of th e art ;
surfac e truth of Loc al tint s and d iv e rs ity of
, ,

t e x tur e — to g iv e it a cl aim e ve n to the v acuum

,

ove r on e s h all ch im n e y ! Th at s an e x c e ll e nt like

’
-
’

n e s s of S ir William Grant ! Lawr e nc e has c aught “

the ch aract e r v e ry w e ll .

J on Y e s S ir ; but h e re is anoth e r by P h illips

.
,

wh ich I pre fe r th e r e s m or e n ature in it ’

.

J a n In th e colouring I grant you but not in

.
,

the e x pr e s s ion M r P is a gr e at m as t e r of colour

. . .
,

con s id e r e d as a ch ast e r e fl e ction of n atur e in a

cool cl e ar d ay l ight his h andlin g too is fre e
,
-
,

without o st e nt ation or m ann e r (look at th at h e ad

of Brough am ! it is not c anv ass but fl e s h — y et ,

h e is f ar b e h ind S ir Tho m as in th at s ubtl e

me thod of r e l ie ving his s itt e r s fro m all con s c ious
n e s s of ob s e rvat ion so th at th e y giv e th e ms e lv e s
,

up to him in th e ir w e akn e ss with th e ir m ost ,

86 ESSAYS AND C RI T I C I SMS .

ch e rish e d fam il iar study—

,
fire s id e attitu d e s : an d
,
-

this do e s not ( I th ink ) aris e from any inc ap acity

in th e form e r art is t b ut rath e r fro m a d is s imil arity
,

of t e m p e ram e nt Both h av e p e n e trat ion and

.

a cut e n e ss both are w ell conv e rsant w ith the

,

hi gh e s t c ircl e s both po s s e s s a l arg e s h ar e of v e ry

,

g e n e r al inform ation Both of th e m love th eir art .

( though p e rh ap s Ph ill ip s has the gr e at e s t ao

t iv ity an d t he m ann e rs of e a ch are e qu ally tho s e

of poli s h e d g e ntl e m e n —ye t und e r th e m o s t suave ,

’
surfac e th e P re s id e nt s rival conc e al s uncon
,

s c ious ly a nobl e s tre am of proud E nglis h s inc e rity ,

wh ich w ill not s uffe r him e v e n for the s ak e of hi s ,

art to s toop to th e l ittl e v an itie s an d w e akn e ss e s

, ,

wh ich s o m e t ime s fre ckl e the grav e s t m ind s Wh at .

e v e r r e put at ion as an art is t he m ay lo s e w ith the

, ,

publ ic fro m this c ircu m stance w ill b e r e nd e r e d b ack ,

to him s e v enfold in the ge nu in e r e sp e ct of thos e

f e w w h o h av e the hon our of his frie nd sh ip We .

s ay hon our ; for fro m th e botto m of our h e art w e

, ,

j o in w ith P op e an hon e s t m an s the nobl e s t work ’

of God —H a ! th e r e s Lady S e lin a M e ad e ! v e ry

,
’

t as ty ind e e d ! w ithout the l e ast truth of colour ,

The thro at s of S ir Tho m as s wo m e n

’
though
al w ay s look as if th e y w e r e rubb e d ov e r w ith

p e arl p aint Y e t still nobody el s e could do th e m

-
.
, ,

so w e ll ; but w h ere is th is fam ous R ea ding the

Will of Wilkie s th at is s o m uch t alk e d about
,
’

, ,

M r Wagt ail ?
.

J on H e r e M r W e ath e rcock ; h e re it h angs

.
, .
,

fully d e s e rving of all th at I h av e writt en about it

in n in e folio p ag e s .
88 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

of the folk s h e aring the Will but of the br as s ’ ,

'

cl asp s of the s trong bo x w h e re in w as dep os ite d r

the Will —Wh at ! h as Ho w ard t ak e n it into his

.

h e ad t o p aint H is tory ? S ad ! S ad ! t e rribly t am e

”
ind e e d ! Why d os n t he cl e av e to Ple iad e s ,

Who tumble in th e f ountain s spray,

’

A n d in the lun ar r ainbow s play

and U nd in e sd anc ing o n the m argin of the curv e d

’
sea . Wh at s n e x t ?
J on O h M r W e ath e rcock you are a s tr a ng e
.
, .
,

m an ! But look h e r e S ir ; h e re s a rich l ittl e b it ;

’

by Jack s on and ad mirabl e l ik e n e s s e s ; it 1 s a

,

C o mm itt e e of Tas t e
”
.

J a n Hold e n at the Th atch e d Hou se — a s ingl e

.

gl anc e sho w s it !
J on N 0 M r W e ath
.
,
.

J a n I und e rst and you m y d e ar S ir ; but l e t s

’
.
,

g e t on for I b e g in to b e confound e dly t ir e d

That s a fine h e ad of C anov a but— O h e x c e ll e nt
.
,
f

, , ,

e x c e ll e nt S up e rb e ! O h th is is Lis ton himself

I must l augh a littl e as Le on s ay s —an d now
,

, ,
’
I v e don e who is it by
J on Jack s on aga in—H e is g e tt ing on fast ;
,

hi s colouring is v e ry ju icy and glo w ing y e t I ,

t hink h e is t o o clo se an imit ator of S ir J o s hu a I

s till pr e fe r P h ill ip s or O w e n ,
.

’
J an Q u it e right M r Wagt ail ! Y ou v e a fine
.
, .

eye , S ir— a fine pure t ast e — M a is s acris tie

, ,

Wh at a d e lic iou s cre atur e ! Wh at an e ye ! fl as h

ing a thous and th ing s in a voll e y w ith its long , ,
 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS . 9

dark d ewy l ash e s — wh at a grac e ful fle x ure of

,

the arm s wh at glow ing l ip s an d p e arly t e e th !

, ,

How e x qu isit e ly she has dr e s se d h er h air ! Th at

voluptuou s b e nd of the body is m add e n ing My
s e n s e s are lo s t in the full fold s of th at rich bl ack ,

s atin go w n ; an d m y h e art faint s at the id e a of

tho s e lov ely P arisian sli pp er s ! This is s ure ly by
Horac e V e rn e t or C h alo n s t No E nglish m an e v e r
,
’

dr e s s e d a wo m an w ith such gu s to H er frock .

b e co m e s h e r fac e an d he r fac e b e com e s he r frock ,

an d both are — wh at are th e y M r W agt ail ?

,

J on Why— (in a w ou ld if I coulel fin d a f a ult

,
.

- - - - - -
.

sor t o ton e wi th his m outh twis ted a ll a sk ew )

f
J a n Why— M r W agt ail !
.
,

. Why you are not

.
,

go ing to bl asph em e ! If the colouring is r ath e r

crud e if the touch is h e avy an d the artis t um
, ,

s kill e d in th e pr a ct ic e of o il p aint ing— if th e r e is

b ad s urfac e m uddl e d l ights op aqu e s h ado w s an d

, , ,

a d e ficie ncy in all th e cur s e d tru mp e ry in wh ich

you conno is s e urs d e light— look in S u s ann a s fac e ’

and you ll forg e t th e m all! —

,
’
But co m e a way M r ,
~
.

Wagt ail you are a m an of s traw of s ton e of

a ny thin — H a ! C ornin e c es t d r ole ! good ! good !
, , ,
’ ‘

g
PQP m y s oul ! ( D runk e n B arn aby 1 9 6 ) I d id not
’

th1 nk E tty had h alf s o m uch fun in him — Wh at a

s ing ul ar lo w k ey he has k e pt it in but s till it is
w e ll ton e d an d p aint e d w ith a s trong firm s p irit e d
-
, , ,

h an d — H o ! ho this is M r Turn e r s R o m e is it ? .
’

We ll now wh at do you th ink of it ? It app e ars

,

to m e th at the for e ground is not h alf fin is h e d : it

wi ll t ak e thre e bl add e r s of ivory blaclc and a gall i
pot of asp ha lturn b e fore it w ill adv anc e fro m its
,
90 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI CI SMS .

mod e st re tirem e nt in th e b ack ground — but I -

think I s e e s omething roguish in the turn of your

e y e ; I b e li e v e you h av e w ritt e n nine p ag es on
t hat too ! e h ?
J on Why ( s mi ling) I h ave don e ind e e d som e
.

littl e
J a n E nough ! my good S ir le t us p ass on to
.
,

Fu s e li s A riadn e — But wh at in the n am e of Ru

’

b e n s ! H as S toth ard take n to imit at e the colour s

an d flouris h of B rumm ag em tea boa r ds -

J on It w ould s e e m s o ind e e d : b e s id e s th is is
.
,

nothing but a copy s lightly alt e r e d from a form e r

,

d e s ign e ngrave d by your favourit e Bro ml e y

, .

J a n S t ill it is v e ry lov e ly
. I mu s t po s itive ly
.

le t him j ap an a bo ard for m y s is t e r .

J on L ook Mr We ath e rcock h e re is the Pro

.
,
.
,

f e s sor s grand id e a of the C r e t an C av e ! Wh at

’

’
youthful fire glo w s in thi s O ctog e n arian s soul .

Y e t m e th ink s th e re is s o me thing e x trav ag ant in

, ,

the act ion of A riadn e !

J a n A h M r W agtail ! I s aid b e fore th at you
.
, .

w e re a m an of s ton e ! Th at som e of Fus e li s

’

po s t ure s ap pe ar s tr ain e d I am ve ry fre e to con

,

fe s s ; y e t w e s hould b e c ar e ful how w e cond e m n ;

th e fault m ay b e in us w ho h av e not th e s am e
,

powe r of d eli v e ring our mind s at w ill fro m the , ,

r e straints w hich the rul e s of polish e d s ocie ty and

tight bre e ch e s h ave plac e d on the e x p res s ion of
the p ass ion s .A nd it is to b e ob s e rv e d th at th is
gre at g e n ius g e n e rally s el e ct s his s ubj e cts fro m
t he trad itions of e arly b arb arous t im e s wh e n m e n ,

fr e e ly ob e y e d the fi e rc e im pul s e s of th e ir n ature ,

92 E SSAYS A ND C RITI C I SMS .

th e hour is co m e and th e m an ; and as s e cur e of

, ,

vic t ory he r am p s forw ard s with pond e rous hoofs on

,

his s uppo s e d v ict im the j agg e d iron club of The ,

s e u s falls w ith h id e ou s s w ing on his brutis h vis ag e ,

s mas h ing th e bon e

1
O ut fr om his no s trils s pout
.

fire an d s m ok e and s p att e ring blood an d brains

, , .

The H e ro s throttl ing h and is in his thro at hi s kn e e

’

is at his ch e s t But one s trok e m o re and the

.
,

m onstrou s c arc as e plung e s do w n sounding on the ,

s and convul siv e ly s purning th e air with b e stial

-

l egs as he w allo w s in s abl e bloo d —This is all

,

th e r e s ure ly M r W agt ail ?

, ,
.

J on It is ind e e d ! b e s id e s th e re is a good d e al
.
,

of m e ch an ic al m e rit about it (though th at pink

m antl e is dirtily p aint e d) Th e ch iaro s curo h as .

gr e at p atho s and t he figur e of Th e s e u s is grandly

,

Th at l ight w h ich s tr e am s on A riadn e s

’
d r aw n .

wh it e rob e is ab s olut e d ay and the whol e tog e th e r ,

is bro ad an d h arm oniou s .

J a n V e ry good M r W agt ail !

. I b e gin to b e , .

r e concil e d t o you ag ain : but (ya wns) are th e re

any m or e p ictur e s w orth look ing at ? f or r e ally th e
h e at and gabbl e of this mob are giving m e a vil e ,

h ead ach e .

J on W e ll S ir w e h av e nt m uch m or e to ( 10
’ °

.
, ,

w e ll s oon fin ish this roo m an d run round the

’

school of p aintin g — Ju s t gl anc e your e ye into the

A nt e R oo m ! Th e r e s a M e l e ag e r an d A t al ant a
’
-

by o ne of the Bon e s which s o m e ho w re mind s o ne ,

of Titian e sp e c ially in the l and s c ap e

, .

1
I n f act, he knocke d his fac e o ff —J J . .
 ESSAYS A ND CRI T I C I SMS . 93

J an It do e s s o—but le t us adm ir e E tty s C oral

.
’

Find e r It is adm ir ably p ainte d How boldly th e

. .

cloud s are d as h e d in ! —The d ark s apph ir e s hore ,

cr o wn e d w ith m yrtle wood s an d te mpl e s is qu ite ,

V e n e tian ! T o b e s ur e th e p e rs on of V e nu s is only
’

a portrait of M rs O th e ac ad e m y m od e l ; but
.

th e n th e re is no afl e ctation of i dea l g ra ce about it

’

as in tho s e n a m by p a m hy w e nch e s by H ilton

’
-
It s .

hon e s t an d downright .

J on Y e s ! and th e fl e s h is in a v e ry b e autiful
ton e of colour — an d w h at a pulpy m arro w y touch
.

, ,

he h as —but h e re are s e v e ral m or e th at you m u s t

e
s e — H e re s a m o s t c ap it al l and s c ap e by C on
’

s t abl e wh ich d e s e rv e s v e ry gr e at att e ntion an d

, ,

t h is is F use li s Inc ant at ion in wh ich you w ill

’

fin d
’
J a n P l e nty of food for an e ntir e d ay s r e cre a
.

t ion w hich I int e nd to d e vot e to it and to the

, ,

C ath e dral s c e n e yonde r .

J on Ah ! I am afr aid you w ill find m uch to

—
.

b l am e the r e I t is too much in kin g C amb y s es s

“ ’

”
v e1n .

J a n Y ou h av e n e v e r r e ad th e N ib e lung s ong
.

I ha ve and , though I agr e e w ith you as to t he

d e m e rit s of this co m p are d w ith th e art ist s f or mer

’

work s , y e t I ass ur e y ou it s d e fe ct s lie quit e in an

o ppo s it e di r e ct ion z— i t s rott e n p art is th e ap athy

in w hi ch Fu se h h as cloth e d Gunt e r, an d th e old

S igm und But of this m or e anon — Who is this
. .

M is sey with th e brick du s t ch e e k s , and s t aring -

d e ad e ye s , lik e bl ack b e ad s ?
‘

J on Th at is your d e ar Mis s S t e ph e n s , by S h e e !
.
94 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI C I SMS .

J an You r e m is tak e n M r Wagt ail ! look at

.
’

,
.

your c atalogu e again S ir ! It is not she by , ,

J on H a ! h a ! ha ! v e ry w e ll ! you re a w ag M r
’
. .
,

W e ath e rcock But p as s by th at ill arr ange d ill

.
-
,

colour e d unfe el ing m is r e pr e s e nt ation of a H ors e

, ,

an d t he D uk e of W e ll ingt on by H ayt e r and , ,

’
indulg e your s e lf in a th e re s Lord Gr e y by ,

Ph ill ip s I— L augh at the bl as ph e m ou s r ag e of the

Boy in S h arp s S und ay M orning — The Girl ru bbing
’

the U rch in s Nos e all ag ain s t th e grain is th e

’

fin e s t ab s traction of s mil ing d el ib e rat e cru e lty or , ,

r ath e r of s tony in s e n sib il it y th at I e v e r s aw ; but ,

it is m o s t unpl e as antly colour e d and the w e nch s

’

crim s on go w n is v e ry b ad Th e re are m ore of .

S to thard s ch arm ing m ann e r e d crud itie s fro m Boc

’

c ac io ; but th e y are only e nlarge d r e p e tition s of

tho s e d e ar littl e orn am e nt s for M r R og e rs s c ab i .
’

n e t w h ich he e x h ib it e d l as t y e ar N e v e rth e l e ss
I w ish th e y w e r e min e —
.
, ,

but I s e e you are v e ry

im p at ie n t— I w on t d e t ain you any long e r h e re !
’

Y ou ve prob ably s e e n th at brilli an t no se g ay the

’

grou p of the Miss e s Lyell by P hill ips — Tho s e ,

s m ooth b at t l e p ie c e s are by C oop e r your av e rs ion ! ,

Th at s M ulre ady s Wolf and L am b — yond e r s A b e r

’ ’ ’

ne thy by t he P re s id e nt .

The infant A rchduch e ss w ill m ak e a c o n s pic u

o us figur e in my art icl e —and now S ir l e nd m e , ,

your att e ntion o ne m o m e nt in the P ainting s chool .

1
Wh at thi nk you of the H ang e rs w ho pl ac e d s uch
an abo mi n at ion as H ayte r s D uk e of We ll in gton
’

in the princ ip al and such a solid b it of n ature as

,

1
F arrington ,
S mirk e , an d Hilton .
96 ESSAYS AND C R I TI CI SMS .

M U C H AD O A BO U T N O T H I N G .
1

Th is lik ely to b e a s ort of ramb ling art icle ,

18 uit e chitty
ch atty and o ff -h and —th e b est s ort of lea ing article ,
p e rh aps , af te r all, n ow th er e are s o m any M agazines at
w ork all o v e r the island .

B lackw M ea . .

0 , im itat ore s, s e rv um p e cue ut mihi see p e

Bile m , s as pe j ocum , v es tr1 m o v e re tum ultus .

Q uo s ( to wit ,
t he a foresaid I mi tatatores M agazin es , ,
an d C o, )
E GO Id . ap ud Vi g r .

The T R U M PET E R taking the e ars of the co mpany

, with a
s tout o ath e nt e re d upon his s to ry as f o llo ws
,
.

P UFFIN G is our d e cid e d ave rs ion— chi e fly fro m

c e rtain notion s w e e nt e rt ain of s e lf r e sp e ct— and -

not a little fro m the antip athy w h ich s tir s within

us to t he cuffs w e m itght b e c all e d upon to e ndur e
in confli ct w ith th at S had ow of th e m ighty d e ad ,

w h ich is of t time s s e e n by n ight h aunt ing the , ,

s c e n e s about Tilbury Fort Y e t truth w e are told

is a fin e th ing an d will pr e v ail — to g1 v e 1 t all
.
, ,

”
bre ath the r e for e is no puff in the e vil se ns e and
w e m ay ass e rt —
, ,

without fe ar of s mile s or dre ad

of contradict ion — th at th e re are s o m e good
, ,

h and s am ong our contributors — which if any

[As crib e d on con

1
to Wain e wright L ondon
'

e ctur e .

M agazin e , J un e, 1 8 2 0 .
 ESSAYS A ND CRI TI C I SMS . 97

o ne of our r e ad e rs doubt afte r a d ue p e ru s al of

our nu mb e rs why th e n —as our p e e r po e t has it
,

-
, , , ,

we are s orry for him an d our s e lv e s too For our .

own p arts a m ost p e rfe ct agre em e nt in thi s re

,

s p e ct w ith so m e f e w thous ands of our country

m e n has put us in such good hu m our th at w e ,

Should b e for is s uing h e re by a di r e ct E dict of ,

e d itorial e ulogy but for tho s e confound e d init ial s

, ,

of bl ack e s t mi dn ight born who se v e ry b irth and ,

”

e s s e nc e are m y s t e ry To o n e who h as not s hroud e d

.

h im s e lf in th e film y v e il of a mi sl e ading l e tt e r ,

w e m ean th e g e ntl e m an w ho introduc e d us in our ,

e arly d ay to the s ylv an m u s e of J O H N C LA RE w e

, ,

are as s ur e d th at m any a g e ntl e r e ad e r j o in s us in

s e nt im e nt s of th ank s In l e tt e r s w hich mak e up .

a n ame l ik e his th e r e is s o m e thing t angibl e ;

,

s om e ground w ork as it w e r e for e ulogy which

, , ,

o ne v ainly s e e k s in th e m e agr e n e s s of A B or Q . . .

or X Y Z .
1
A n d in good tru t h th e re is y e t anoth e r
-
, ,

( to s ay noth ing j ust at pr es e nt of our doubl e fac e d -

d e al e r in w ho h as vouchs afe d
to us both his p atrony m ic and s pon s orial app e ll a
“

tion s : —w e m e an BO NMOT — th at qu e e r fellow Bon ,

m ot who by fi xing his n am e w ithout disgu is e to

,

on e of his t hi ng s in our Fir s t h as e n abl e d us to ,

s tr e tch out th e right h and of fe llo w sh ip in full as

-

s uranc e of id e nt ity and to s ay — w e d e s ire m ore o f

, ,

your acqu aint anc e good m as te r E g om et S inc e his

,

bouncing introduction of HI MSELF we h ave grown ,

1
D e Q uinc e w rot e in the L ondon M agazin e und e r
[
ini tials X Y Z .
the
98 ESSAYS AN D C RIT I CI SMS .

f am iliar ish -
tog e th e r — and truth to s ay he is the , ,

strange s t m e dle y the m add es t w ag it w as e v e r our

,

fat e to cop e w ith al ! It is not kno w n in w h at a

varie ty of s h ap e s h e h as b e e n figuring aw ay
through our p ag e s E v e ry thing b y fit s an d
noth ing long he ch ang e s about— not with the
.
,

ph as e s of the m oon but th e minut e s on th e clock ;

,

and o n e r e volv in hour s h all find him crit ic

g
-
,

fidle r po e t an d buffoon
, ,
H e can no t las t long W e
. .

are so m e th ing lik e ad e pts in d iagno s t ic s an d r e p e at ,

th at he c annot l as t long The ma ter iel m us t w e ar .

out with th e friction of s uch viol e nt ch ang e s .

Who can b e w is e froli c s om e t emp e rat e furious

, , , ,

tragic al com ic al h e lt e r s k elt e r— o ne thing do w n

, ,
-

an d anoth e r co m e on — in a m o m e nt without
, ,

d am ag e ? N 0 m an ! A n d y e t s uch is Bonm ot ;
— though he c e rt ainly do e s afford one s p e ci
m e n o f imm ut ability in th at p e rfe ctly s e mp e r
id e nt ic al dis pl ay of id io s yncratic eg otism whi ch
runs through and l e av e n s all hi s v arie tie s C aena t .
,

rop ina t p os ci t n og a t a nnui t unus es t BO N MOT

p , , , , ,

s i n on s it BO N MOT m utus cr i t an d w e are m uch

, .

mist ak e n if th is s ys t e m of s elf c e nt e ring do e s not -

o

sp e e dily throw e ve ry riv al of the s am e s tock into

th e s h ad e N ay w e should not b e at all s urprise d
.
,

to find the v e ry folly it s e lf st arting at the hyp e r

b olical r e fl e ction o f its o w n im ag e an d r e t iring ,

ab as h e d w ith all its tru m p e ry into th at lim bo of

, ,

v an ity fro m wh e nc e it first c am e to vis it us not

,
“
,

a bl e s s in g but a curs e .
1 00 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS .

st art e d it s elf — P H ILOSO P H Y M O RALS METAP HYS I CS

, , , ,

B OTANY COO K E RY w e re all d is p atch e d in no time

, ,

now h e w as up now he w as do w n : n ow S aturn

,

had th e asc e ndant now M e rcury — but as it is, ,

mor e d ifficult to say wh at he di d not att ack th an ,

wh at he did let it s uffic e th at v e ry f e w of the ANAS

,

or O LO GI E S e sc ap e d ; no not e v e n th e ology nor

‘

, ,

( m a ugr e all the wis e h ead s of A uld R e e k ie ) B oxi

a n a it s e lf . In the l att e r s cie nc e inde e d h e s atis , ,

fie d our dou b t as to th e pr e c is e m e an ing of p utting

a hea d i nto C ha ncery by a pr act ic al l e s s on w h ich ,

m o s t s e n sibly ass ure d us th at he had it at his fin

g e rs e nds H e h ad no s oon e r don e w ith gym nas
’
.

t ic s th an as if w ill ing to allo w us wh at h e d e n ie d

,

h im s elf —a m ome nt s br e ath ing tim e— he b e gan

’

shouting at the top of a vo ic e w hich s e e m e d the ,

v e ry s oul o f social mirth and good fe llo w s h ip the -

,

first of P lump y B a cchus th e n his count e n anc e ,

s udd e nly s ub s id ing into s adn e ss h e flung h im s e lf ,

into a trag e dy attitud e an d fe ll to re c iting s o m e ,

v e r s es wh ich h e as s ur e d us he had dream t th e n ight

“ ”
b e for e : th e y w e r e O N DEAT H and sure n e ve r , , ,

w e r e lin e s m ore grav e lik e and dolorous ! Th e re -

w as of cours e th e r av e n fl app ing his o minou s

, ,

wing ag ain s t the w indow of the d e ath ch amb e r ; -

th e r e w e re h atch m e nts th at r attl e d and bl ack ,

b ann e rs th at w ave d in the s ull e n bl ast of a wintry

ev e. But d e ath its e lf could not t am e him for in , ,

an in s t ant d iving into his pock e t as if noth in g

, ,

w as too trifl in g for the curious gras p of hi s mi nd ,

he fi s h e d up a musica l s nufi boec and se tt ing it -

, ,

to the livelie st of all liv e ly Fre nch airs he ,

 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS . 1 01

b e g an to acco mp any the s train on a J ew s harp ’

an in s tru m e nt he had ju s t bought an d of wh ich , ,

he s aid h e had mad e hi m s e lf a proficie nt by a

,

l e s son t ak e n as he c am e along The tun e how .

,

e v e r prov e d too long for th e qu ip s an d cr ank s of

,

o ur frie nd s d is pos it ion ; for b e fore it had gon e

’

through h alf its m e asure of p igm y sw e e tn e s s ,

he thru st th e bo x into his pocke t ; and th e n

his fancy s e e m e d mightily tickl e d at th e t iny ,

s m oth e r e d s ounds of th e im prison e d mu s i

it s truggl e d out through the
’
cian s vo ic e as ,

mufflings of b and an as and bro ad cloth A t thi s -

.
,

the al e m b ic of his m ind soon dropp e d forth

Tass o an d Ferrara — an d th e n with a grad at ion ,

rath e r l e ss Z e n ith th an N ad ir th an usu al he ,

“
b e g an to s pout E terna l sp iri t of the chai nless
,

m ind brightes t in d ung eons Liber ty a r t thou He

”
, , , .

w as about s ix l in e s on wh e n he s topp e d sho 1t

“
ha ! tru e th at re minds m e of M Y NEW B OO K ;
,

h e re it is ! Ju s t go ing to publis h S o unrollin g .

,

a s m all m anu s cript w h ich h e h e ld in his h and , h e

r e ad in a ton e of e lation and dis pl ay,

A C EN T URY o r GOOD T HI N G S ;

Thoughts o f
E GO M E T B O N M O T, ES Q .

S triking , But com e I ll r e ad you a b it

eh , ,
’

and fir s t
,
of all ( lis t list oh list to a l is t of titl e
, , , ,

p ag e s ; for as I di s p atch e ach on e of my hun dre d

,
1 02 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS .

good things in two p age s and a h alf or s o—di stinct ,

t itl e p ag e s (w ith vign e tte s you know) will h el p

-
, ,

to give m y b ook a b ulk as r e sp e ct abl e as its con

t e nt s are import ant Now g ath e r and s urmis e
. .
”

TH oUG H Ts — O N S O NNET -W RI T I N G w ith a cho ic e

.

colle ction of Sk e l e tons for young b e ginn e r s ;

b e ing an im prov em e nt upon the principl e of the
Fre nch B ou ts — r ime s by E gom e t Bon m ot
'
.

TH OU G H TS — NU GE A NTED ILUVIA NZE

~
with th e
Op hic an d S imia eereop itheean controv e r s y —or
.
,

S n ak e v e rs u s A p e an d M onk e y v e rsu s both ;

,

the whol e ill ustrat e d with s p e cime ns of the

w e apons u s e d in the confli ct coll e ct e d on the ,

Spot ; by E gom et Bonm ot .

TH oUG HTs .O N W I T AN D H UM oUR : the distino

-

t iv e diff e r e nc e s of e ach sho w n by e x ample s

dr awn from the works of Eg ome t Bon m ot .

TH OU G H T S — O N THE PR O P H EC IES or T HE C UMAEAN

S IB YL ; proving by irr e frag abl e argum ent th at ,

th e e ntire m e ani ng of th e s ix roll s origin ally ,

burnt for w ant of a pur ch as e r has b e e n dis ,

cov e r e d by Egom e t Bonm ot .

fi buugb s t — a the fi ntbontp of the a8 1m, wh e r e in

’

our n ation al d e s c e nt is s atis factorily trace d fro m

t he gr e at gr and s on of IEn e as ; an d th e nc e con
-
, ,

e lu s ion s dr aw n in favour of C atholic E m ancip a

t ion by E gom et Bonm ot .

N ow I am on e of th at stock s aid he r e s t ing a

, , ,

mome nt ; m y fam ily n am e l e ft untouch e d by the

-
,

S ax on s b e c am e BO N MOT at the Norm an conqu e st

,
.
1 04 E SSAYS A ND C R I TI CI SMS .

TH OU G H T S — O u PR OLE G OME N OUS VARI ET I ES with

a coll e ct ion of pr e fac e s prologu e s et cetera , , ,

r eady adapt e d for any po e m tr ag e dy come dy , , ,

op e ra or farc e th at h as b e e n is n ow b e ing or
, , , ,

s h all h e r e aft e r b e writt e n in see eula sce culor um ,

by E gom e t Bonm ot .

H ow long he m ight h av e gon e on at th is r at e ,

an d wh e th e r h e w ould h av e g iv e n ov e r t ill the e n d

”
of the c e ntury h e av e n only know s but at th is
,

m o m e nt the d evil ( w h at a r e l ie f ! ) rapp e d at th e

,

do o r w ith a proof and thu s g av e a ne w turn to our

,

A propo s roo m for M E

’
thoughtf ul frie nd s fancy .
,

Th e n out he lugg e d fro m

”
of cours e in your n e x t .
,

an in s id e pock e t a hug e p ack e t

,
fill e d as w e ,

agin e d fro m his pr e s e n t m ood w ith all th at w as ,

pl e as ant and s prightly fit for the g o dd es s frank ,

-

an d fre e S h e ycl e p e d E uphro s yn e

,
S prightly ! .

e cho e d Bon m ot : E uphro s yn e ! bl e s s your l augh

t e r loving s oul ( our l aught e r lov ing s oul ! no s uch
-
,
-

th ing ; grave m y d e ar s ir— v e ry grav e (m ak ing

,

tw o d is t inct s yll abl es of th e word v é ry ) — s e n sibl e -

an d s e d at e : fun is v e ry w e ll in it s w ay but to , ,

r e v e rs e the old s aying A pollo s b ow m u s t not b e ,

’

al w ay s unb e nt : you m u s t th e r e for e absolut ely

pr int th e s e — let m e s e e how m any s h e e t s —one , ,

t wo thre e um — um — el e v e n — only e l e v e n s h e e ts
, ,

of R EMARK S— m ad e by a d e ar an d b o s o m frie nd of
m in e upon a dr am a t ak e n by anoth e r d e ar and
bo s o m frie nd of min e but w ith m an ifold m o s t ,

judic iou s alt e ration s fro m a v e ry curiou s D utch

,

w ork , w ritt e n by M ynhe r H at teraik

”

(n e arly ,
 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI CI SMS . 1 05

r el at e d w e b eli e ve to D irk of th at n am e ) but

, ,

not y e t known in this country Th e r e th e re it is ; .

,

an d th e r e al s o (l aying his own volu m e upon our

'

writing d e s k) th e re s my coll e ction of cho ic e

’

thought s ; you m ay offe r it to your frie nd BALD WI N

— t w ill finish his fortun e Good m orn ing I am
’
.
,

al m o s t too l at e : e ng ag e d to m e e t s o m e p r ime coves

of th e fancy at tw e lv e ; th e n to the Fiv e s C ourt ;

mus t b e at the R oyal In s t itut ion by h alf p ast tw o -

t ak e my t w e ntie th p ee p at H aydon s Pictur e in ’

m y w ay b ack ; l e tt e rs to B e l z on i t ill fiv e ; d inn e r

chez m oi w ith th e littl e ph il o s oph e r an d the doctor

at S lX don our az ur e hos e for the Lady C e rul ea

‘

Laz uli s C o nvers az ion e at h alf p as t n in e ; op e ra -

— appl aud M ilan ie and s up w ith the C orin thians

, ,

in S t J ame s s s qu ar e at two S und ay m orn ing

’
-
.

good b y e —hop e to S e e you at church to m orrow -

if up in tim e —
, ,

o r m e e t y e at S ir J os e ph s at n ight ;
’

good b y e — w on t forg e t m y hundre d good

,
’

P ray print my frie nd s r e m ark s — and

’
things
e x it Bon m ot !
W as th e re ev e r s uch a cre ature ! But now for
his frie nd an d h is frie nd s frie nd le t us S e e w h at
’

, ,

h e av e n has s e nt us “
R em a rks on J a n H a ttera ile s
’
.

O bs trep er o u
s trag ed i ca lled D O NNE R A ND BLI TZE N
, ,

wi th ci ta tions f ro m a m anus crip t E ng lish d ra ma

f ou nd ed ther eon but w i th sun d r
y a lter a tions a n d

m a nif es t imp rovements —N osci tur d sociis !

,
”
. Th is ,

is cer ta in ly a frie nd of Bon m ot s ; so w e ll try

’ ’

wh at can b e don e by som e abridg m ent s in the

thr e at e n e d num b e r of grav e s e ns ibl e and s e d at e
“
,
”
sh ee ts .
1 06 ESSAYS A ND C RITI C I SMS .

But h e r e w e find ours e lve s in a d il e mm a —our

h atch ing on
( di i )
’

p e n as b e e n s cr E tor s l k e at s uch -

a r at e th at w e h av e not roo m e nough l e ft for t he

,

s aid Sh e e ts nor e v e n for th e ir abridgm e nt W e

,
.

m ust ab s olut e ly g iv e up the ins e rt ion th is m onth

for n eve r b e it s aid th at w e of The L ond on w e r e
the fir s t to s e t the p e rn ic iou s e x am pl e to our
bre thr e n of g iving up the s p ac e occupie d by a s ingl e
p aragr aph of our o wn for the m o s t sp arkl ing pro
duction of anoth e r No no th at would ind e e d b e
.
, ,

h e r e s y A noth e r m onth w e ll s e e wh at can b e

.
’

don e .

It j ust n ow h app e n s to strik e us th at A dd ison

s ays s o m e wh e r e ( at l e as t w e think tis A dd is on ;
, ,
’

but our ch itty ch atty m ood t ak e s aw ay the

-
”

inclin at ion to g e t up and look th e re for e A ddis on

s ay s s o m e w h e re ) th at a l ady s e ldo m w rit e s he r
r e al s e ntim e nts t ill s he co m e s to h e r P os ts crip t .

Now it m ay b e th e s am e for aught w e kno w in , ,

the c as e b e fore us ; S o w ith a hop skip an d a ,

j u mp (like M ilton s d e vil w h e n h igh o e rle ap ing

’

,
’

all b ound he s corn e d to touch with his fe e t the

,

love ly fre shn e s s of the v e rdurous b anks of p ar ad ise )

w e find ours e lv e s p ass ing ov e r a thou sand b e aut ie s ,

an d at onc e p itch ing in upon a po s t s cript a

p ,

p e nd e d to the r e marks in qu e s t ion Tis a not e .

’

fro m Bon m ot in w hich he give s us to und e rs t and

,

th at b es id es critiqu e s on m ost subj e ct s und e r the

,

sun he has in his po s s e s s ion a v e ry volum inou s

,

colle ction of m att e r fit for furn is h ing up articl e s

,
1 08 ESSAYS A ND C RI T I C I SMS .

as a for h ath not my l e tt e r in Janu

w ond e r ;
ary s m ag az in e w h ich al s o g av e th e e pl e as ur e
’

, ,

alr e ady int im at e d th at b e th e s ubj e ct w h at it m ay

, ,

of w h at e ve r ch ar act e r wh e th e r tragic al or farcic al

, ,

e d itorial or contrib utorial lik e Pl autu s or S e n e c a

— Tr os Tyrius ve —or as Lis ton s ays with his own
,

, ,

w h im s ic al an d un imit at e d look of con s c iou s ah

s hort cut or long — to ME t is all t he
“ ” ’
s urd it y , ,

s am e

Furth e rm or e and fin ally I h e r e by r e cord m y ,

s inc e r e conv ict ion th at had t he pr e c e d ing p ag e s

,

b e e n no l e s s po e t ic al th an th e y are pure ly ficti

t iou s th e S t agyrite h im s e lf w ould h av e h ail e d m e
,

as his fe llo w Th e re is to b e s e e n in th e m the

.

r e qu is it e beginning middle an d en d y e a w h at is
, , ,

e v e n m ore A r is totl e th an A r is totl e th e s e thre e ,

im port ant d ivis ion s are , one and all congruou sly ,

am alg am at e d w it h th e v e ry p e rfe ct ion of uni ty :

m y s ol e obj e ct fro m firs t to l as t , h av ing b e e n to

,

lay op e n th e m ost approv e d m e thod of tre at ing

th at N O BLE SC I E N CE, d es crib e d by th e tw o s yll abl e s,
w h ich s t and at th e v e ry thre s h hold of th is articl e -

( pr a y look b a ck ; you w ill find th e m th e r e ) m ak ,

ing up the s ame w ord wh ich h as b e e n e cho ing

throughout, and w ith w h ich I s h all no w v e ry con
s is te ntly conclud e , n am e ly— P U FF I N G

N B D isp atch e d , by t he highflye r, fro m m y

. .

lodging in the hot e l d Ubique, No 1 , Ru e ll e Q uiz ,

’
.

Tarb e , G as cony w h e re I am ju s t n ow for the

,

b e n e fit of the a ir, this day of

 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI C I SMS . 1 09

M R . W E A T HE R C O C K S ’
P R I VA T E
1
C OR R E S P O ND N
E C E,

I N TE N D E D FO R T H E P UB L I C EY E.

Georg e s C oj H ouse Tues day 8 th A ugus t 1 8 2 0

’ ’ '

ee , , , .

D ear r e s p e ct e d and r e s p e ct abl e E ditor

, ,

I am qu it e ash ame d of m ys e lf—almost afraid to

look you in the fac e e ve n through a s h e e t of p ap e r ,
.

How e v e r though I h ave not l at e ly giv e n you any

,

of the valu abl e e x h al ations fro m m y own s e ns e

bo x ye t m y e x e rt ions to procur e crack contrib u
,
-

tors h av e b e e n n e arly as z e alou sly un re mitting as

“
your o w n Wh at do you think of th e M e rry
conc eit e d Brickl ay e r by the by —H e is a c ap it al
.

”
,

b ell e s l e ttr e s s chol ar although a m emb e r of the ,

R o xburgh e C lub M ak e him tip you an articl e on

-
.

the old It alian ro m anc e r s an d po e ts or the l ays ,

of the P rove n cal Troub adour s and D iseurs or if ,

“
you d e sid e r at e an e l e g ant v e rs ion of L a P ucelle
a bevra le P ola in — or an e rudit e di squ is it ion
”

g u i ,

on th e formation of th e L a ngue R om anse vu l

g a ir e ,
—”
h e is your m an Talking of art icl e s m y .
,

l e arn e d frie nd D r Tob ias Rud dicomb e M D is at .

,
.
,

my e arn e st e ntr e aty c as t ing a tr e m e ndous p ie c e of,

ordn anc e — a n eighty eight p ound er whi ch he

,
-

ro os e th to fire o ff in your n e x t It is an account

p p .

of an ancie nt n e wly dis cov e r e d illumin at e d m anu

, ,

script which has to n ame g ems aIem the QEmana:

,

[ L ondon M agaz in e S e pt
1
.
,
110 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI C I SMS .

tion of the G iant fl lhion 1 1 1 I t cont ain s a good

,

d e al an e nt on e L os w ho, 1 t app ears, is now, and

h ath b e e n fro m th e cre at ion , th e sole an d fourfold
do min ator of the c e l e br at e d city of Golgonooza ’
The doctor ass ur e s m e th at th e r e d e m pt ion of
m ankind h ang s on the un iv e r s al d iffu sion of the
doctrin e s bro ach e d in th is M S — But howe v e r, th at
.
,

is nt the s ubj e ct of this s crinium, s croll or s crawl,

’

or w h at e v e r you m ay c all it Y ou s e e I d at e from

.

G e org e s ; but I c an t p ay m y r e sp e ct s to you

’ ’

,
* * a“
ad r one m i o b e c aus e we th at is N e d L
p
and I — I m s t ay ing w ith N e d— w e toddl e d up to
,

(
’

to w n this m orn ing fro m H am pton C ourt in his -

y ell o w conc e rn w ith the thre e ro an s and the py e

b ald) , are go ing b ack ag ain to n ight We ll ! I v e .
’

had a look ov e r the fine art s of th is country ,

m e an ing the n e w e m b e llis h e d public at ion s — an d

h ave s e nt you the titl e s of thr e e or four which
m e rit att e ntion .

1 C ha ntry s P ea le S cenery 4 to P ar ts I a n d I I
’
. . . .
,

The pl at e s are l ightly and rath e r pre ttily e tch e d

(eng raved th e y c all it) by th e C ook s (w ith the e x
ce p tion of o ne poor V ie w of H addon H all by Gr e ig ,

an d th e cro s s in B ak e w e ll C hurch
y ard by I le .

K e ux ) but th e y h av e no r e pos e or br e adth — all is

wiry and fritt e re d C h antry, as m ight b e e xp e ct e d
.

fro m one who s e br anch of art s ol ely r e gard s form ,

h as not the sl ight e s t not ion of m as s ing his l ight s ,

an d s upporting th e m a s in n atur e w ith bro ad

s h adow s : all the pr aise w e can g iv e th e m th e r e

fore is th at th e y are v e ry w e ll for a s c ulptor— on e

,

of the b e st is a rustic bridg e in M ons al dale by

G e org e C ook
112 ESSAYS AN D C RI T I C I SMS .

inv e ntion full of m a nn er in the e x e cution :

, and
a dd e d to w h ich he h as co mpl e t e ly fail e d in g iving
,

a t ang ibl e s h ap e to th e m e nt al p icture s of t h e po e t .

Madge Wild fir e dr agging along J e annie D e an s is

, ,

a port e ntou s m isconc e p t ion Th e m an w ho e r e .

,

while for t as t e ful co m po s it ion un affe ct e d g rac e

, , ,

and po w e r of t e ll ing a s tory r ank e d s e cond to non e

'

but R affae ll e is now w o e the wh ile ! s unk into a

, ,

b e s ott e d imitation of R ub e n s 1
an d Watte au .

R ou s e thys e lf S toth ard thou good old m an ! and

,

as s e rt thy form e r fam e ! Th e r e are s o m e cop ies

adv e rt ise d fro m t h e fam ous outl in e s to Go e t he s
’

Faus t by R e t s ch ( of w h ich if y o u w ant any now ,

is your t im e Bohte h as a 1 00 ju s t co me fro m the

.

C u s to m Hou s e 6 0 of w h ich are b e s po k e )

,
H o w is .

it th at M r M o s e s the e tch e r t ake s it into his

.

h e ad in e ngraving fro m antiqu e p ictur e s and vaz e s

, ,

to fancy th at h e improve s the origin al s by s ub s ti

tuting for th e ir wond e rfully h arm on iou s though ,

app ar e ntly c ar e l es s l in e s his o w n s t iff dr aw ing ?

,

Le t him look at M ille nge n s faithful valu abl e book

’

( Vas es C recs b e hu m bl e an d am e nd
,
A s to .

th e s e copie s th e y aff e ct e dly alt e r th e p e cul iar

,

fash ion of Fau s t s unm ention a bles and at the ’

s am e t im e in th e witch fe ast on the H arz

,
-

m ount ain s bring m any th ing s

”
,
nic e but v ic iou s , ,

into l ight wh ich w e re prop e rly l e ft in m y s t ic dim

,

n e s s by the G e rman artist D o you know .

Turn e r s I iber S tud iorum oblong folio e ng rav e d

’ ”
, ,

1
On w ho se
r e al colour h e is no m ore ca able of laying
hold tha n on the grand e ur of Michael A ngego
,
.
 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI C I SMS . 113

by th at e x c e ll e nt me z z otinto scrap e r Re ynold s I f

you do why h av e you not m ad e it popul ar by a
If you don t— los e
,

notic e fro m your o w n h and ’

no time but on m y authority (you c an t h ave a

, ,
’

b e tt e r) s et to your l ips the s ounding alch em y and ,

procl aim its w orth to the four w inds of h e av e n .

You m ay give a flourish al s o for Will iam D an ie ll s ’

ch as te and b e aut iful aqu atint s in his C oa s ting

Tour—the th ird volu m e cont ain ing vie w s in the
I s les po s s e s s e s e xtr e m e int e re s t and me rit co m
,

bine d . Th e y t e ll m e th at S t oth ard h as m ad e so m e

fre s h d e s igns fro m th at e v e r ch arming book -

R obinson C r usoe I h av e nothing m or e in the w ay

.

of n e w s e x c e pt th at I h av e p ick e d up a fine C opy

,

of B occhius s E mblems ( you k e n the ch arm ing

’

th ings by B onas o ni) — firs t e d ition Bologn a 1 5 5 5

—c apit al condition in blu e Fr e nch m orocco by
, ,

D e R o me — for w ho m I s till r e t ain s o m e s m all

,

inkling of affe ct ion in s p it e of the an ath e mas of

—
(
1
th e R e v T F D ib din
. . . al s o a n e w hors e B arb ary
s ir e an d A r ab ian d am) with w hos e e duc ation 1
,

occupy n e arly all m y m orn ing s ; though I h av e

cons id e r abl e doubt s wh e th e r I sh all pu s h it b e
yond the mili ta ry m an ege How e ve r I wish you .
,

w o uld r e turn my D uk e of N e w cas tle 2

.

D utifully your s d e ar E di tor , ,

B evil S e ym our
’
P sh aw ! I m ean ,

JANUS WEAT H E R COCK .

1 Mr W
e ath e rcock s C O N TR I B U T O R ]
’
.

2
T he w ell kno w n tr e atis e on H orse m an sh ip by the
-

D uk e ]
1 14 ESSAYS A ND C RI T I C I SMS .

P S
. .
— Th e r e b e n e fit for H arm e r at the
w as a

F ive s C ourt th is m orn ing bu t I could nt att e nd ,

’
.

I v e just th is m o m e nt r e c e iv e d an e x pre s s from a

’

frie nd w h ich s ays

‘

,
I w e nt to the Fiv e s C ourt in
th e e x p e ct at ion of a p r im e tr ea t but it w as m o s t
wre tch e dly att e nd e d by la ds of the f an cy know ing ,

swells & c an d t he p ug ilis tic n o bs w e r e fe w e r in

,
.

numb e r th an I e v e r r e m e m b e r to h av e s ee n b e fore .

To m ak e th e m att e r w or s e th e y h ad a row i n ter ,

s e ; an d To m B e lch e r w as th e only m an am ong s t

th e m w ho w ould set to H is bout w ith H arme r -

.

w as the b e s t out of s e v e n The oth e rs w e re a .

m e r e d is pl ay of the r oughes t ruj fia nism A ltog e th e r .

”
it w as a comp lete d o .

A ddi tion — Th e E d itor of the l at e e d ition of

1

C h ap m an s Hym n s of Ho m e r has o mitt e d in his

’

pre face o ne circu m st anc e in th e ir favour— v iz

, .
,

th at th e y are in ge n e r al prod ig iou sly clo se v e r

s ion s The op e n ing of the hy mn to Pan is n e arly
.

w ord for w ord w ith the orig in al The co m pound .

a morous o
”

f noise as appl ie d to the h airy God ,

,

E nglis h e s qbi xéx p o m v v e ry po e t ic ally : l ik e w is e the

’
d e s cription of Ne ptun e s pr e p arat ion for b attl e in ,

the 1 3 Il iad b e g inn ing A br l/ca 8 e l f bp e o s x a r eBiy

’ ’

o a r o w a i n a h be v ro s & 0 do w n t o Xa X/c e o s d a w
’
. .

is both e x act and s pl e nd id but th e fine ide a of ,

IEgae s h aking w ith his d rea d entrie is C h ap m an s

’
,

o w n e nt ir e ly : P op e is full of s ound and fury an d ,

m e ans noth ing .

[
1
M r S W S inger ]
. . . .
1 16 ESSAYS AN D C RIT I C I SMS .

Wilson and Turn e r ; but th at k ind of l and s c ap e

,

wh ich is e ntir ely occup ie d by the t am e d e lin e ation

of a g ive n s pot : an e nu m e r ation of h ill and d al e ,

clump s of tre e s s hrub s w at e r m e ado w s cott ag e s

, , , , ,

and hou s e s ; w h at is co mm o nly c alle d a View ,

littl e m or e th an topogr aphy a kind of p ictorial ,

m ap w ork ; in which r ainbo w s sho w e rs m is t s

-
, , ,

h alo s l arge b e ams s hooting through rifte d clouds

, ,

stor ms s tarl ight all the m ost valu e d m at e rial s of

, ,

the re al p aint e r are not Fulha m C hur ch f rom

, .

the Wes t ! w ith a s uppl e m e n t ary

“ ” ”
A M ill ! ,
“
c are ful an d n e e dful notic e th at it is
,
F R OM ,

A study f r om N a tur e
” ”
NATU RE ( a pig stye ! )
m e rcy on us ! Who t aught th e e colour—
.
,

abu s e r !
O ,

to bl asph e m e th e mighty go ddes s by attributing ,

to he r the s ord id contri vanc e s of m an ? Oh I “

,

wo ul d h av e s uch fe llows whipp e d ! Pray you

avo id it ! —H a m let
,

Ame n !
’ ’ ’
But go on
.
‘

G am e d e ad and alive: A nim als of all s ort s B irds

,
.

’
of all fe ath e rs B e ast s of all bristl e
. No ah s .

A rk d is e m bogu e d ! P idcock at l arg e ! The dry

bon e s of th e pr e s e rve s in the Lev e rian coll e ction
aliv e ag ain ! A d am an d E v e s C ourtie rs ! Bu ff on
’

A ude b e rt and Le V aillant frame d and gl az e d ,

w ithout th e d e s cript ions S e riou sly th is cl as s is

.

too full W e can e at p artridg e ofte n ; ma is touj ours

.

p er d r ix ' “
Th e prov e rb is so m e wh at m u s ty
Th e re is a gl ut of pupp ie s and rat s sh e e p and ,
“ ’
dung hills
-
N ay loo k at E dw in L ands ee r s
.
,

S eiz ure of a B oar it is full of l ife an d

act ion Wh at a n e rv e t earing scre e ch he s e ts up
-
,

as th e dog s whi t e t e e th br e ak through th e gris tl e

’
 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS . 117

of his I think (though I confe s s th at I am no

e ar !
judg e ) th at it e qu als S nyd e rs — Y ou are m ist ak e n .

It do e s not and c annot e ve n in e x e cut ion ; the

colouring is w e ak— ton e an d h arm ony wanting
, ,

an d in cho ic e of s ubj e ct holds th e s am e d is t anc e

fro m S nyd e r s as B rauw e r do e s fro m R ub e n s

,

Th e n w h e r e li e s the pl e as ur e of s e eing an inno

,

c e nt anim al tortur e d ? The wild Bo ar of th e

Fl e ming is an awful brut e fe rociou s blood d e light , ,
-

ing O ne m ak e s up on e s m ind th at he is an
’

aggr e ss or —an d th e n e rvy kn e e d dogs are m inis t e rs

.

’
-

o f just ic e H e is a s avag e y ag e r S ylva nus a w ild

.
, ,

wood m an un s ym p ath e tic w ith m an an affe ct e r of ,

n arl e d for e s ts ; but th is mi s e r abl e s w in e is cock

g
n e y t am e suburb an— the prop e rty of P oor Widow
, ,

H ill who k eep s the little gr e e n s hop at the corn e r

, ,

and would b e g e t gre at e r p ity for hi s t att e r e d

a uricul ar if his filth an d s t e nch did not produc e

,

d isgust A s it is I long to hor s ew hip the young

.
,

r asc als (th ey ll co m e to th e g allo w s ) w ho h av e

’

t arr e d on t he tw a cur s I don t e nvy the h e art

.
” ’

o f h im w ho can d w e ll on th e n e e dl e s s s u ffe rings

an d d e ath agon ie s of h e lpl e s s an im al s w ithout any ,

a pp ar e nt purpo s e but th at of g ain or draw ing

, ,

worthle s s prais e of his m anu al d e xt e rity Pro .

b ably M r Lands e e r w ill favo ur us with the pic

.

tur e of a d og tearing out the bowels of a s trong ea t ,

the aff e ction at e p e t of s o m e v e n e r abl e adult who ,

w ould not kill a s p id e r I know s uch a o ne who

.
,

without any conve nticl e c ant r e v e r e nc e s h e r God ,

too m uch to m altre at or d e spis e the app ar e ntly

m e an e s t of his all prais e e x c ee ding work s -
I w as
-
.
1 18 ESSAYS AN D C RI T I C I SMS .

told the oth e r day of a living artis t who wh e n a ,

ch ild w as run ov e r by a c art b e for e its ow n love d

home and the b ankrupt m oth e r stood r igid as
,

ston e s taring with man iac agony on h er cru sh e d

,

d arl ing c al mly and d el ib e rat e ly gaz e d on he r to

,
‘

’
study the e x pre ss ion as he c alle d it l I c are not
,

to kno w his n am e My friend as sur e d m e on his

.
,

honour th at he did not b elong to the A c ad e m y

,

( I n e v e r im ag in e d th at h e d id ; but le t m e t ak e th is
)
opport un ity to as s ure him th at as a man I hold , ,

him in th e m o s t sov e re ign cont e mpt not to s ay ,

d e te st at ion ! Now to som e th ing pl e asant give

m e an ounc e of civ e t good apoth e c ary ! H e r e is
,
“
a pr e tty fragr ant L and s c ap e by M is s L an d s e e r A ,

p aint e d O de to E ve n ing wh ich h as in the ,

ch iaroscuro s o m e thing of m y favourit e S toth ard

,

about it I s hould l ik e to h ang it up in m y l ittl e

.

study v e ry m uch ; wh e r e in fancy I w ould lie , ,

p as s iv ely len tus in umbrd und e r th at cool c anopy

, ,

of le ave s and s ee the kin e p as s slo w ly hom e w ard

,

through the t w ilight and s m ell th e ir s w e e t bre ath

. ,

an d h e ar the d is t ant cl ank of the sh ee p b e ll ; an d

m ark ch as t e E v e
,

T hy d ew y fing e rs draw
T he gradu al du sky v eil .
1

2
T h is
b eautiful hym n of C ollin s m akes in m y O pinion , ,

the n ear es t ap ro ach po ssib le to th e c ad e nc e and m eas ur e

o f H orac e s o e Ad Font em Blandusium I w ish M r
’ ‘
.
’
.

E lton w ould e ssay it and le t us h av e it in the n e x t num b e r

,
.

O nc e already he has tran slat e d it in an e qu al nu m b e r o f

lin e s with gr e at s ucc es s ( S e e his ele gant w ork S p e ci
.

m en s ,
T h ese v olum e s are s uf fi ciently ob s cur e ( M r .
1 20 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

the a tt itud e of p atron is Simpl e and yet e le

th e ,

g ant and his w hole app e aranc e is not u nlik e to

C h arl e s K e m bl e in C ount D A nglad e though the
’
1
,

dr e ss of the form e r is re d and the l atte r bl ack if I ,

r e m e mb e r rightly but it is fiv e ye ars ago I h ave .

s e e n Farl e y put on e x actly the e age r an xie ty of

th e b ig w igg e d po e t
-
N ow w e h av e so m e p ic
.

tur e s by W ilk ie noth ing particul ar saving the

, ,

ch aract e r of import ance and s elf ap pi eciation in -

the H ighl and Pip e r blo w ing the m or t , and the

prodigious pl e as e d aston ishm e nt of th e ch ild in

arm s b e h ind him .

H e b e S ir W B ee ch e y A p icture wh ich
. . .

m u s t grie ve his judic iou s frie nd s wh il e it gratifie s ,

his unju s t m al ign e rs

W Linto n — The Land ing of th e Troj ans
.

in D e lo s .Th is is a s w e e t cl as s ic al co m po s it ion of
th at fas t improving L and s c ap e Paint e r
-
It is -
.

e v id e ntly an imit at ion fro m t he s tyl e of C l aud e ,

as r e fl e ct e d by Turn e r and w ould h av e b e e n

,

b e tt e r had M r L tru s t e d to his o w n e y e s inst e ad

. .
,

of tho s e of the l as t m e ntion e d gr e at g e n iu s S econd .

h and is b ad Wh at mu s t th ird h and be ? Nature

fir s t C l aud e s e cond Turn e r th ird Add e d to
, ,
.

which Turn e r has gre at d ash ing faults which

, , ,

would s ink an ord in ary artist Lik e Fu s e li th e r e .

,

fore he is a m o s t unfit m od e l The for e ground of

,
.

th is s ce n e is w ell and g e n ially d es ign ed b ut m ost ,

w e akly and unge n ially coloured Gl az e it richly .

up w ith ivory b l ack an d a littl e l ak e and you ,

1
I n the M elo D ram a of th e Portfolio
-
.
 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI CI SMS . 1 21

’
w ill h av e s o m e th ing far n ear e r G e l e e I c an t do .
’

j ustic e to M r S tephanoff s inv e ntion s which I b e

.
’

lie ve h av e a good d e al of m e rit ; for his touch

alw ay s co m e s a cros s m e li k e th e r e li s h of m agn e

s ia . It is so m eagr e and ch alk y he wants fatn e ss

an d m arro w . The p a inf ul B ite Mr T . .

W ard add s to the good op inion I e nt e rt ain e d of

’
th is artis t s t al e nt s The e x pr e s s ion of the curly
.

puppy li cking his bl e e ding foot d ivid e d b e twix t ,

p ain and a liquoris h itch ag ain to adv e nture the

ra t
( I be li eve it is
) in t h e c ag e is w e ll c aught , .

V inc e nt s D utch Fa ir on Y a r mouth B ea ch

“
(3 6)
’ ”

d e s e rv e s a good s ubst antial notic e I am s orry I .

h ave not t ime to do it H e mu s t acc e pt my e x .

cu s es an d s inc e r e wish e s for his s ucc e ss The .

purch as e r of th is gay y e t ch as t e p ainting wo ul d

not re p e nt his b argain — I thought of tre ating M rs
, ,

G e o A ne s ly ( 3 9 an I ta lia n Flower
.
,
as an

am at e ur ; but s h e is too s trong to r e qu ir e it ;

th e re for e le t m e h int th at s he is g e tting a l ittl e

,

m ann e r e d in the colouring of h e r fe m al e h e ads .

Varie ty in he r l iving m od e l s is th e b e s t c au s tic to

e at aw ay th e rott e n p art M r I C ro me has an . . .

H ea th S cen e nea r N or wich in wh ich the

”
e n v iabl e ,

s tud e nt m a
y s e e ho w m uch a s ubtl e ob se rvat ion of
t h e e l e m e nt s in th e ir wild mood s do e s for a m o s t
, ,

un int e re s ting flat This view is not at all l ik e a

.

m e r e topograph ical d e l in e at ion It as s um e s .

m uch h igh e r s t ation G andy has a fine cl assic al

.

comp osition A L a nd ing P la ce to the Temp le

“

o
f Victory ,
in a s ingul ar t ast e of colour He .

shoul d study th is h andm aid to d e s ign a littl e m or e .

1 22 ESSAYS A ND C RITI CI SMS .

A Fa rm Y a r d by I Ward R A (4 7) is of
,
.
, .

c o urs e admirably h an dle d No m an has gr e at e r .

po w e r of p e n cil ; w hich would s h e w o ut m ore

shin ingly if fre e d from the gy v es w ith w h ich a
, ,

d e sir e of imit ating Rub e n s fe tt e rs it If I m igh t .

v e nture to advise s uch a m as t e r of colours I would ,

h int th at th e s k y is rath e r out of h arm ony w ith

th e g e n e ral w arm ton e of t he p art t e rr e strial the
r am ific ation s of the bough s in the b ack ground , ,

are m arvellous ly crooked th e y are qu it e c aric a

tur e s I mu s t hurry on oth e rw is e I w ould co m pli
.
,

m e nt m ore at l arg e ( 5 2 ) “
the H ors e C ur a nd , ,

S hep herd s D og ( vid e G ay s Fa bles ) M r T Ward

’ ’
. . .
,

The d iff e r e nt e x pre ss ion s are v e ry v ivid and the ,

s tory co m pl e t e ly told The gu ard ian of t he flocks

.

is a p e rfe ct ph ilo s o ph e r a S ocrat es M rs Te rry

,
. .

has a pre tty R ecollection of E d in burgh H er ow n .

s w e et ( an old e pith e t for a uld r eekie) n at iv e to w n

—and Mr S am u el an agre e abl e unpre t e nd ing
.
, ,

vie w fro m an agre e abl e s pot K ing s Wes ton “ ’

, ,

p la ce ( I know it w e ll ) a t the J un ction of the A von

,

Thr e e s id e s of the firs t roo m

”
wi th the S ever n .

a re don e — W e ll if th e arch it e ct h ad s topp e d h e r e ;

,

but unfortun at e ly for m e h e fanc ie d a fourth ;

, ,

and cru e l ar tis t s h av e cov e re d it w ith th e ir brain

and h and l abours

- -
.

C orrag io th e n ! G e e up old dobb in ! Lo ! he ,

pricks up his e ar s at the s ight of tho s e vigorou s

dogs in the turn ip fi e ld ( 6 7 Poin ters to ho
. .
,

E d Land s e e r ) Th e y are ind e e d w e ll drawn full

. .
,

of v it ality an d acute n e s s : but th e y d e m and

s tr e ngth of chiaro s curo ton e appropriat e ly colour e d ,
1 24 ESSAYS A ND C RI T I CI SMS .

m ost int e r e st ing cl e ve r views on th e R hin e

an d

and M e u s e ( publi s h e d I thi nk by M e s s rs ,

R od , .

w ell and M artin or Hur s t and R ob in s on) and I

,

l dl y t ak e th is opportun ity of r e co mm e n di ng
g a

s tr e nuou sly th e w ork o f an industriou s im proving , ,

s t e rling ar t is t I h ad thought to h ave giv e n it a

.

mor e d e t aile d notic e b e for e this ; but I will not

n egle ct it long I am at pr e s e nt dre adfully in
.

arr ear w ith r e g ard to e mb e llis h e d publ ic at ion s

1
,

an d I fe e l m y s e lf bound to m ak e an apology for

such n e gl e ct to th e ir r e s p e ctiv e proprie tors ; for in ,

my op inion he who has any pow e r how e v e r s mall

, , ,

o f co m m e nd ing ob s cur e m e rit to d ue honour an d ,

do e s it not com mits an act of inj u s tic e H is e x e r

,
.

“
t ions it is tru e may not contrib ut e to the cr e a
, ,

ture co mfort s of the obj e ct of his c are ; but is

-
”

g e n uin e unbought s ymp athy and a kno w l e dge

, ,

th at its po w e rs are appre c iat e d noth ing to the ,

s e ns itive m ind D o e s not j ud ic iou s un int e re s t e d

prais e flow s oftly l ik e hon e y d e w on the l ac e rat e d
,
-
,

h e art of the po e t and artis t dro w n ing p ast slights ,

an d difficult ie s in L e th e s dull l ake ? S ay no ’

long e r th e n m e ntal Sluggard th at thou c an s t profit

, , ,
’

noth ing Patie nt spur ne d g e n iu s if thy wr e stlings

.
, ,

o n its b eh alf w ith worldli ng s do not ach ie v e e v e ry

thing s till th e y m ay d o m uch Th e y m ay p re

, .

s e rve it fro m the fat e of Kirke Wh it e and th at

s h in ing m e t e or J ohn K e ats ,
.

1
I n t he m e an w hile , le t m e coun s e l the ad mi r er of
b eautif ul s c e n e ry to purch as e W W estall s ch eap and fai th
’
.

f ul Views of the L akes T hr ee num b e rs, f o lio

. .
 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI C I SMS . 1 25

T h e y may k eep its bright fl ame burning cle ar to th e las t .

M r Barr e tt s Wood S cene w ith C a ttle ( 9 1 ) is

’
.

po etic al r e po s ing and v e ry obno xious to th e fol

, ,

lowing n e gl e ct e d p ictur e squ e lin e s by M r Le igh .

Hunt .

O sh ady s pot s of ground

Wh at calm n ess y e s trik e round ,

H us h in g the s oul as if with h and on li p s

A nd are y e se e n th e n but o f ani m al e y e s ,
Pron e or s id e look ing w ith a b lank s urmi s e
,
-

X
'
K
"

O y e , w ho m anc ie nt wis dom, in its gr ac e s ,

M ad e guardi an s o f th es e plac es
a
s a
s a
s

Y ou fi n e r le o f th e rth
ipn
c ea ,

Iym phs o am e s , an d w oodland G enius es

I
a‘
,
see you h e re
,
and i
tl e re , am ong t he tr e e s ,

9t -
x a
s

Th is h um in air, w hi ch t he s t ill e ar e rce iv es,

I s your unquarr e lli ng v oic e am ong t e leav es .

An d n o w I find , w ho se are the laugh s an d s tirr ing s

T hat m ak e the d e lic ate b irds d art s o in W hi s ks and whi r

T h e r e are th e f air -lim b e d D ry ads, w h o love nook s

I n th e dry d e pth o f o aks ,
O r fee l th e air in grov es, or pull gre e n dr e sses
For th eir glad h eads i n rooty wild e rn ess es,
O r on th e gold e n turf, o e r th e d ark li n e s,
’

Whi ch the s un m ak es w h e n he d e cli n es,

Be nd th eir whi t e d anc e s in an d out the pin es .
1 26 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI C I SMS .

T o o far fo r m e to s e e , th e L im n iad t ak e s
H e r pleasur e 1 n th e lak es .

S he , th at w ith hills about h e r, lo v e s to b e

A t onc e at ho m e an d at h er lib e rty .

Far o ff I fancy, t w ix t th e ir bo w e ry isle s ,

’

H e r an d h er s is t e rs p laying th e ir s w e e t W iles
A bout a bo at, w h ich o n e o f th e m s its in
A n d w ill not le t th e m win
T ill com e s a s udd e n gu s t , and p art s th e m w ith n e w sm ile s
‘

N or can I se e ghts om e foote d m aid s

th e ]li ,

T h e O re ad s th at fr e u e nt the lift e d m ount ain s ;

,
q
T hough by th e M us e 8 h e lp I s till m ight s h e w ,
H o w s o m e go le aping by t he laughing f o un taih s
D o w n th e touch e d crag s ; an d s o m e o e r d e e p r av in es
’

S it lis t en ing to th e talk ing s tr eam s b e lo w ;

A n d s o m e in s lo ing glad es
p
O f p in e s lie n1 11 s1 ng 1

I br e ak the t e nth co mm and m e nt w h e n I lu x u

riat e on the s ight of th is rich l and s c ap e s o I w ill ,

t e ar m y s e lf aw ay .

The I n ter ior of a C ottag e S W R e ynolds . .

,

is qu ite a m in ik in R e m brandt Th is g e ntl e m an

.

h as se v e r al oth e r v e ry cl e v e r b it s .

Th is art is t s
’
C up id a nd P syche E tty .

s tudy and pr act ic e h av e b e e n int e ns e and out of ,

all proportion to th e r e s ult s P o w e r of p e ncil

.
,

agr e e abl e s urfac e fir m n e s s of touch pulp and a

, , ,

s y s t e m at ic pl an of colour m ay b e acquir e d and ,

th e s e he has : b ut th at tran s crib ing th e co mm on

l im b s of the A c ad e m y m od e l w ill not in s til into
t he m ind imag e s of b e auty d ign ity and h igh ,

p atho s nor s ervil e cop ie s fro m the antiqu e cr e at e

,

inv e nt ion he is an in s truct iv e l iving proof

,
The .

1
Foliage, 1 8 1 8 , p . vi —x iii .
1 28 ESSAYS A ND C RITI CI SMS .

pr e s crib e d lim it s (I am not th e E d itor—J w ish I

w as) and I m u s t intre at tho se g e ntl e m e n w ho m ay
, ,

im ag in e th e y are sl ight e d to con s id e r th e b r e vity ,

of m y not ic e s as occ as ion e d not by th e ir w ant of ,

m e rit b ut m y w ant of s p ac e
,
A nd firs t if I w as .
,

sufficie ntly grat e ful for th e pl e as ur e I r e c e iv e d

fro m M r Wille s s d el ic ious L a ndscap e—
.
’
comp osi tion

r o m t h e E l e ctr a o op hocles
f f S I s hould fill

three p age s A s it is all I can s ay is th at its

.
, ,

sw e e t r e m e mbranc e w ill I t ru s t b e ar m e not in , ,

fr e qu e nt fro m the y ello w bricks of S t J ame s s to .

’

the w ild s hor e s of inho s p it abl e Taur is l ash e d by ,

”
th e s av o urie brin e G andy s L a nds cap e comp o ’
.

s i tiou f r om C ollins s Third E clog ue ( 1 42) is full o f

’

fancy b e auty and s ingul arity I like his draw

, ,
.

ing s f ar b e tt e r th an his o il p icture s I grie v e th at .

I c an only n ame H ofland s R iver Us k ( 1 6 3 ) and ’

’
young Land s e e r s c apit al p ictur e of the R iva l C a n
d id a tes ( tw o dog s cont e nd ing for a s t ick thro w n
into the w at e r by s o m e s h e ph e rd boys ) M rs . .

C arp e nt e r s I ta lia n P eas a n t C ir l m an ife s t s a v e ry

’

g e ntl e t ast e and s we e t fe eli ng for b e auty— a gr e at

sc arcity in this e xh ibition I can s afe ly s ay the .

s ame for m y favourit e D e W int s A mblesi de M ill ’

Th e r e s e e ms now a l ittl e op e n ing to

M art in s Pictur e an d I am e x p e ct e d to s ay so m e
’

thing about th at wh ich has cre at e d s o gr e at an

int e re st If I h av e tim e I w ill r e turn to H ilton s
.
,
’

P ene lop e a nd Ulyss es though it is as w e ll for him

,

th at I s hould not for at pr e s e nt I mu s t s ay th at

his pow e rs are in a st at e of st agn at ion O E bony .

”
0 Gold ! as Th e ocritus s ays on a d iffe r e nt occ a
 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI C I SMS . 1 29

s ion h e r e is the B la ck Fra me and its gull g ath e ring

,
-

cont e nts 1 m ust re qu e s t the co m pos itor for a

-

n e w p ar agraph
S O L—We ll h ow ! S h all I Sp e ak out or not ?
.

, ,

A y e ! it is sold you s e e and to a broth e r art ist

—
, , ,

C oll i ns R A
,
! . Bravo ! Th at s fine ! it w arm s ’

the h e art an d giv e s the lie nobly to tho se fe llows

, ,
’
r e put ation s blow flie s w ho buz z about w it h -
,

fe s t ering wh is p e rs of the e nvy of rival s “

But .

wh at of the p icture Fr ankly th e n it do e s not ,

pl e ase m e if con sid e r e d as an e mbodying of the

p as sag e in D aniel — M art in s ucc ee d s b es t wh e n
,

e ve ry t h ing is l e ft to his o w n im ag in at ion ; w h ich

circum s t anc e alon e is no m e an proof of his t al e nt s
— H is A d a m a nd E ve thru s t through the rocky
.

wall of E d e n (a land s c ap e co mpo s ition) w as h e art -

qu ell ing and s ubl im e ; but the bl ast e d h e ath

“
,
”

in his M a cbeth w as com pl e t e ly m is s e d It had

non e of th at v ast illim it abl e bl ack —
, .

l e v el b arr e n
,
-

n e s s wh ich s t am p s on th e m in d s uch a ch illin g

im ag e of bl e akn e s s and d e s ol ation m ingl e d w ith ,

curdl ing aw e ; but on th e contrary w as cut up , ,

into a thou s and littl e n e s s e s w h ich p e r e m ptorily ,

arr e s t e d th e s w e e p of th e e y e S o m e of the hol .

lo w s look e d lik e gr ave l p it s — th e r e w e r e b ar e

p atch e s w h e nc e turf had b e e n cut for M r A ny .

Body s G ard e n ; and hating th e m ount ain s and

’

l ak e w hi ch s e e m e d v e ry much ash am e d of th e m
s e lv e s it put m e in m ind of H ampst e ad H e ath in
,

th e w int e r N eith e r did th e sk y m ak e any

am e nd s — it w as fidg e tte d t att e r e d fant ast ic an d
.

, , ,

p e tty : wh e n it s hould h av e b ee n m as s y s im pl e in ,

K
1 30 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS .

its form s sulphuro us thunde r ch arge d louring

, ,
-
, ,

an d o m inou s The ton e was fe e bl e and w ithout

.

g u s to
,
t he colour ing w e ak ch alky in appropriat e , , ,

an d th e figur e s bo t h in conc e pt ion and e x e cut ion

—ludicrous only th at o ne grie v e d to se e a cle v e r
,

m an s o m is t aking hi s po w e rs Notw ith st anding .

the s e obj e ction s o ne littl e alte rat ion would h av e

,

r e nd ere d it an e xtraordin ary production v iz , .

s imply e racing t he figur e s fro m th e c anv as and ,

the mi s no me r of M a cbeth a nd the Weir d S is ters , ,

fro m the c at alogu e : l e aving the sp e ct ator to as s ign

to it wh at s e nt ime nt s e e m e d m o s t ju s t H is .

( e xh ib it e d som e y e ars ag o) w as a true

”
S a dak
offs pring of l e gitim at e t e rror ; but e x cite d l ittl e or
no att e n tion J oshua h ad v e ry gre at m e rit I
. .

n e v e r saw his S ack of B a bylon ; b ut I w as s atis

fie d of it s g e n e ral d e m e rit s b y a p an e gyric on it ,

writt e n I w as told by a Flo w e r Paint e r w ho

, , ,

t e ach e s at an E s t abli s h m e nt for Young Ladie s !

I s it not dre adful to think th at an art ist s bread
’

m ay h ang on t he fiat of s uch n e c e s s arily unsk ill e d ,

inco mp e t e nt and g e n e rally un e duc at e d folk s w ith

, ,

th eir littl e confin e d notion s of art I h av e alw ays

b e e n a w arm and I tru s t judiciou s advocat e o f
, , ,

M artin s fair fam e an d n ev e r t ill th is pre s e nt

’

h ave I e it he r writt e n or spoke n one word d e tract

ing th e r e from ; but the m is ch ie vou s hyp e rbol ic ,

trum p e tings of his frie nd s ( not o ne of th e m I ,

v e rily b e lieve v alu e s him h alf s o truly as m ys e lf)

,

h ave forc e d fro m m e the fore go ing ob s e rvations ,

a nd if the e nsu ing s h all prov e e qu ally di s t as t e ful

C

to him he mu s t lay the s in to th eir account not

, ,
1 32 ESSAYS AN D C RI T I C I SMS .

off pl e as antly th an the sc e n e of a soul chill ing

,
-

prodigy In st ead of dimn e s s a bloodl e ss p allor a

.
, ,

m e nt al blight v is ibl e as it w e re to the corpore al

, ,

s e ns e s ( oft e n s e e n in the m agic vision s of Van

Ryn and E i s e li) orn am e nt s of gold cro w n s and
, , ,

circl e t s los ing th e ir richn e ss em e rald s and rub ie s

, ,

th e ir colour and glow and diam ond s the ir s p arkl e

—
,

in s t e ad of th is I say wh ich would h av e shown

, ,

th e g e nu in e po e t th e pos s e ssor of
“
, th at pow e r
which draw s all th ings to o ne wh ich m ak e s
things anima te a n d inanima te take one colour and
s e rv e to one e ff e ct : —in st ead of this O ph ir has
, ,
”

pour e d forth her gold and the farth e rm o s t s t e e p

,

of India its j e w el s to bl az e out w ith th e ir m ost

”
,

d az z l ing e ffulge nc e in the v e ry fac e of the fi e ry

w arn ing ; m ating th e ms e lve s w ith th e s unb e am s ,

m ocking the w at e ry m oon M r M art in m ay e ve n . .

now m e nd all thi s m uch by em bro w n ing the fore ,

ground with a s ol emn du sky gl az e through w ho s e , ,

m ys t e riou s v e il his l abour e d a rg en try may gl e am

w ithout Sh in ing B e tt e r st ill wo ul d it b e for him
.
,

if he could m ak e up hi s mi nd to p aint out all his

li ttl e abort ions and re nounc e the am b it ion of b e
,

coming an h istoric al p aint e r ; for w hich his pro

f e s s ional e duc at ion h as in n o w ay s qu ali fi e d him ,

as his fut il e att e m pt s on th e hu m an figur e l am e nt

ably sho w Th e re is s o m e thi ng m ore : the proph e t

.

s ay s In the s am e hour c ame forth the fing e r s of

,
“

a m an s h an d an d th e k ing s aw the p art of th e

’
,

h and th at w rot e D id not M r M art in s e e th at .

the o mis s ion of th is circu m s t anc e w as fat al to his

pow e r of conve ying the s tory C an he fancy th at
 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS . 1 33

his ill umi n at e d r ang e of windows (m eant for the

dre adful MENE ME NE TE KEL U P H A RS IN) r e nde rs it
, ,

e v id e nt ? A foolish sugg e s tion I am told is , ,

h az ard e d in the Lite rary G az e t t e v iz th at none ,

.

s a w the ha n d but th e king ; b ut granting th is wh at , .

,

has it t o do with the Sp e ct ator of the p ictur e ?

The po e t can let you know th at th e re w as an in ,

vis ible h and ; but the p aint e r who work s w ith ,

v e ry diffe re nt m at e rial s m u s t Show it or let the

, ,

story alon e The B ible s ays th at the S atrap s w e re

.
,

astonie d at th e ki ng Thi s ch ain of t e rror is e x

.

actly s im il ar to the id e a in P ous s in s l and s c ap e

’

w ith the m an who c atch e s fe ar from the c oun te

n anc e of t he w o m an at th e s pring without b e ,

hol di ng the obj e ct of he r horror This m ode of .

’
t r e ating B e ls haz ar s vis ion would h av e a grand
an d impr e ss iv e e ffe ct : not ind e e d nov e l b e ing ,

a dopt e d by S hak s p e are into his B anqu e t s c e n e

with th e gho s t in M a cbeth .

The m agic ian s and sooths aye rs m ay b e supp o s e d

t o s e e the aw ful l e tt e rs through the pow e rs alw ays
p o e t ic ally admi tt e d to th e m .

’
C hald ea s see s r w e re good
a
s a
s as a
t

And B ab el s m e n o f
’
e
Ar e wis e and d e e p in ore .

I h av e now don e with fin ding fault ; an odious

t ask at all t im e s : it cur s e th doubly the find e r and
If th e s e hon e stly—
,

th e findee . m e ant s tricture s

m e e t the e y e of M r M artin le t him cons id e r m e
.
,

n ot as a discour ag e r but as on e who e arn e stly

,
1 34 ESSAYS A ND CRI T I C I SMS .

w ish e s to guid e his ge ni u s into a s afe r track to the

t e m pl e of honour I wish e d to h av e indulg e d
.

m ys e lf in d e s c anting on the accur acy of his p er

s p e ctiv e po w e r s and th e Sh adowy b e auty of his
d is t anc e ; but g e ntl e r e ad e r my p en is at the
, ,

botto m of the p ag e as B e ppo s ay s and I d ar e b e

, ,

s w orn thou art glad of it B e it s o ; the crit ic

.

m u s t b e criticis e d ; but b e thy judgm e nt pro

n ounc e d in th e s am e s pirit in w h ich m in e h as ;
for b e as s ure d of it pl e asure h as w ait e d on m y
,

prais e an d s orrow mingl e d with my c e n s ur e

, .

Jud e x d am n atur cum n oc e n s ab s olvitur ”

as t h e
,

blu e and brims ton e cov e r on the b ack of the

E dinburgh R e vie w has it ; but s till though as a ,

judg e I m u s t p ass s e nt e nc e my h e art oft e n w ee p s

,

wh ile I pronounc e it : th e h ill of fam e is s t e e p and

rugg e d and foul b e fall the wr e tch w ho would un
,

n e c e s s arily e ncu mb e r the child o f g e n ius as he ,

to ils up it s acclivity
1 36 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI CI SMS .

ing up the
fatt e st w ith the e ye of your oes oph agus
for a w hole m onth tog e th e r ? Go to ! thou art a
n aughty invisibl e an unpunctu al myste ry !
,
”

“
N ay ! graciou s Fractioso I am al w ays tru e as a
Y e a but it m ay
”
tol e do to the appo inte d day .
“
,

b e th at with the worthy M r R am s d e n thou do s t

, .
,

s o m e t im e s e rr a l ittl e in t he m onth
“
Good you .

bur n as th e ch ildr e n s ay at H oodm a n blin d

,
Now .
,

to proc e e d : I d e t e st t wo p art s out of the thre e ,

into w h ich e v e ry d iscours e n aturally d ivid es it s e lf

v iz. th e b e ginn ing and the e nd— and again of , ,

th e s e tw o abo min ation s th e l att e r is with m e in the

,

worst odour To b eg in is a gr e at e x e rt ion

. I h av e .

m ad e m any att e mpt s to jum p ov e r th is s e e d or root ,

as it w e r e of an articl e and h av e es s aye d to com

, ,

me nc e in the m iddle as the Irish s ay ; but w ith,

no s ucc e ss ; an d I find nothing so prop e r as a n ice , ,

Short p arado x ic al s e nt e nc e afte r the th e ory of m y

, ,

old S cotch u s h e r and the practic e of our M r Table .

1
Talk . Th is s e nt e nc e induc e s anoth e r of gr e at e r
l e ngth w h e r e in the plot thi ck e ns ; a third com
’

pl et e s the cl imax of ob s curity and forms co mm only ,

at onc e a p aragraph and a pro e m By th is time .

,

h and and p en are w arm e d id e as and ink flow ,

“
fre e ly and hurry s kurry on w e go
,
ov e r p ark , ,

ov e r p al e through bu sh through briar s truggl e

, , ,

toughly up th e h ills s w oop triumph antly down ,

the d ale s and d ash through the h iss ing torr e nt

, ,

with the h eart of A chill e s or W illiam of D e lorain e , ,

and w ith the e agl e conqu e ring sp ee d of B ii rge r s

’
-

ghostly h e avy dr agoon ! But now as w e appro ach ,

t he go al (the n inth fol io of fool s c ap ) d ark fe ars ,

[ H az litt ]
1
 ESSAYS AN D C RIT I CI SMS . 137

c o m e acros s m e how to arr e st m y fl aming co urs e

,
.

N ow I do e nvy Lie ut H atchw ay s anchor age in

’
.

th e clov e r fi e ld n ay e v e n the son of K e h am a

, , ,

for whos e l anding M r S outh e y has provid e d as .

e ffe ctu ally if not quit e so pl e as antly :

,

Ou — on th e y roll —rapt h eadlong th e y roll

,
o u,

r a
t -
x -~
x r

On — o n th e y ro ll, an d n ow , with shi v e ring s hock

Ar e d as h e d ag ain s t th e rock th at gir d s th e pole ,
D o w n fro m his shatter d m ai l the unh appy s oul
’

I s drop t —t e n thous and thous and fatho m s do w n ,

Till in an ice rif t m id th e e t e rn al s now ,
’
-

Foul Arvalan is s topt .

Th e r e w as a s top m y countrym e n ! ,

But the E di tor s tru mp e t soun ds H alt m y p en

’

is bon d fid e pull e d up into l in e ; th is man oe uvr e ,

ho w e ve r b e ing p e rform e d on the fore l e gs in
, ,

st e ad of the h aunch e s the m as t e r is in d ang e r of ,

t as t ing the gr as s , thre e fe e t b e yond the nos e of his

st e e d .

I tr ust e d by th is tim e to h av e got upon my sub

‘

, ,

j e ct as th e co m po s e rs s ay but m y will b acks as

, ,

obstin at ely as a cat and th is ar is e s fro m m y in

1
,

c ap ability of fashion abl e fe eli ngs For .

Wh e n th e flo w e rs are ap carin g
I n th e b lyth e m onth o f ay

an d th e s m ooth sh av e n e l as tic l aw ns are s m oth e re d

-

w ith l il ac s and lab urnam s wh e n

1
I ass ur e th e ig norant in do m es tic n atur al h istory that ,

this m ile is
Si as e mi n e ntly prop e r f or its truth as any thi n
g ,
in th e C h ian , an d to the b e s t o f m
, y b elief e qu ally novel ,
.
 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI CI SMS .

b e es th e
H um a bout glob e s of clov e r an d s w ee t p e as
and rly b ird s s h ak e aw ay the m o is tur e from
the ea

s how e r : th e n m us t
’’
the young t w ig s in a ro arie ,

I aw ay fro m the s uffoc ating stre e t s and the dusty

tre e s in th e Park to the odorou s ph e asant h aunt e d -

1
w ith it s b irch cove r e d s t e e p s
‘
grov e s of -

an d b as hful str e am an d le t th e m on st e r London

“

l augh at me as C o w l e y s ays it s h all find it a

,
”
,

h ard t as k to draw m e voluntarily b ack again At .

this s e as on I ch ange my n atur e and fe e l m ost

, ,

intim at e ly t he conn e xion b e tw ee n th e an im al and

v eg e t abl e w orld—nay m or e th an h alf of m e to the ,

l att e r doth b elong w at e r is as n e c e s s ary as air

— a s o akin g show e r re invigor at e s m e and w ash e s ,

aw ay t he bl ack v apour s of t he br ain— m y w int e r

liking s and town e njoym e nt s slid e out of pl ac e
and s e e m to m e gr e at v anity an d dro ss —
,

e v e n my

s e l e ct ion of book s m u s t h arm on iz e w ith th e t ime

of y e ar Ho me r lo s e s cons id e rably w ith m e and
.
,

is po s tpon e d to th e G e orgic s I c an r e ad a l ittl e -

of Words worth s E vcursion m o s t of his White

’

D oe and m any of his M iscellan eous P oems

,
.

Bro w n e s p astor als find fav our and the s ong of

’

the Nib e lung e n is l aid as id e I h av e an utt e r .

di st ast e for P op e and a m o s t m arv e llou s cl ing

,
’
ing to C h auc e r s fragrant lusty d e s criptions of
1
M ay s c e n e ry I w e ar out the bo ard s of an I s aac
.

Walton w ith his p ious cha ns ons e v e ry su mme r

, , ,

1
S e e his Flower a nd L eaf , C omp la in t f
o the B la ck K night,
&c . &c .
 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI C I SMS .

full s iz e d fro m antiqu e bu st s and vas e s st atu e s

-
, ,

round m e and the p e rfum e of gr ee nhou s e plants

fro m the an t e roo m ;— w h e n p ictur e s r e gal e my
,

e y e s ; an d t he full s ound of t he h arp an d p iano ,

w ith s we e t vo ic e s fro m the inn e r roo m m y e ars ; ,

wh e n m y t able s gro an w ith the w eight of volum e s

of R affae lle M ich ae l A ng e lo Rub e n s Pouss in
, , , ,

P arm e gian o G iul io & c & c and the m as sive

, ,
. .

portfoli o c as e s op e n w id e th e ir doors d is clo s ing ,

t fr s h tre as ur e s w ith in ; th e n do I r iot in im

y e e

m e as urab l e d e l igh t —I am gre at as S ard anap alus

—I h o ld S ir Epicur e M ammon in cont e mpt— I
am a conc e ntr at ion of all t he S ult an s in the A rab

ian N ight s E v e rythi ng and e v e ry body s ee m

.

coleur d e r os e t he co ff e e is e x quis it e ly fragr ant ;

t he s alv e r and s poon s b e co m e gilt t he Worc e s t e r ,

ch in a the rare s t orie nt al M y int e re s ting young

, .

f 1
is M e n e l au s H el e n — and th e
’
frie nd ‘

M ar as ch ino fl aming an d d ancing in its cry s t al

,

bound s b e co m e s N e p e nthe s But great pl e as ure

,
.

is as troubl e s o me as p ain ; and un abl e to fi x c al mly ,

I w and e r r e stl e s sly fro m the D e lph ic S yb il of

M A ng elo to the Pie tro M artir e of Tiz iano — fro m
.

t he Io of C ore gg io to the ad m ir abl e E cc e Ho m o

,

o f R e m brandt from the w e ighty s t an z as of the

,

Vat ic an to th e fi e ry g all e ry of the Lu x e mbourg

,

a nd fro m the voluptuous r e ve rie s an d t errific

dre am s of Fu se li to the ch as te m on as t ic s c e n e s of
L a S oeur or t he S im pl e innoc e nc e of B o n as oni not
, ,

h av ing ad mirat ion e nough w h e r e withal to adm ir e .

A ll this fli e s b e fore t he sw allo w I b abbl e of .

gr ee n fi elds and run to th e m whil e town g aie ty is

, ,
 ESSAYS A ND C RITI C I SMS . 1 41

at its h e ight I los e all re lish for art ificial e x ist

.

e nc e : crit icis m s lo ath ing abjur ing th e atr e s Fre nch

, ,

di s h e s Fr e nch win e s an d Fr e nch fashions : rej e ct

, ,

ing orn am e nt : s corn ing all g e ms

S av e w h at the d e wy m orn
C ong eals upon each little sp ir e of grass ,
Whi ch car eless s h e ph e rd s b eat dow n as th e y as s .

Wotton or a leigh

A nd w h e n quie tly bo s o m e d in my cott ag e with the

l ady of my h e art I vie w the bright rim of the
,

m oon rising abov e th e d ark bo s ky scre e n s on th e

st e e ps h igh above m e I wo ul d not e x ch ang e the
,

dis t ant b ark of t he dog for the full ton e s of C h arl es

Y oung or M acr e ady ; the fre s h odours w aft e d
through m y c as em e nt ( gu iltl e s s of s t ain e d gl ass) ,

for the P e rs ian p e rfum e s of Lady 1‘

nor
the faint ro ar of the un s ee n w at e r m ill for the -
,

dulc e t vo ic e s of s w e e t K at e our S alm on nor e v e n

, ,

C am p ore s e ; an d m uch l e s s for th at of M ad am

M arinon e or S ignor d e B e gni R o s s in i I c ar e not .

m uch for ; B e e thov e n m ov e s me not ; P ae r h ath

but littl e pow e r an d e v e n M o z art— but no ! am id
,

this sc e n e ry hi s magic f lute br e ath e s m ore wildly

“ ”
,
”
“
and A h p er d ona p ie rce s the h e art w ith a s till
d ee p e r p ang of h arm oni ous love I h av e b e e n .

w atching the froh cs of the l ambs all d ay and at ,

night r e gr e t not th e s l e nd e r e l e g anc e of M ilanie ,

the voluptuou s ag ili ty of N ob le t nor the as ton is h ,

ing e as e an d pr e c is ion of F anny B ias ! Pictur e s

an d print s affe ct m e but l ittl e e x c e pt ing tho se of ,

C l aud e R ub e n s P ou s sin Ruysd ael Wil s on Turn e r

, , , , , ,
1 42 ESSAYS AND C RITI CI SMS .

C ollins the draw ing s of W D an ie l and D e Wint

,
.
,

o r th e e tch ing s of W t rloo

a e V i a
1
v re s Kolb e G and
, , , .

W C ook e not forge tt ing th e faithful aqu atintas of

.
,

W We s t all N e s t e d s e re n e in t h is cool greenery,

. .

I am conte nt e d to sit unkno w n to fame and it s

c onco m it ant d e tr act ion cov e ting nothing s o little
as th e t as k of w rit ing an art icl e on th e E xh ib i

t ion w ith its un s avoury associat ion s of h e at an d

,

s m oth e r .

Ne v e rth e l e s s h e re I am in L ondon ; h av e b e e n
,

t w ic e to S o m e rs e t Hou s e an d n ow I m ust flourish

m y goo s e fe ath e r W h at a m is e rabl e wr e tch is he
.

w ho h ath th e practic e of p aint ing ; an d how

d oubly m is e rabl e to b e obl ig e d to Sho w it in orit i
c is m s ! Inste ad of placidly ad miring like the ,

h appy ignor ant in th e se m atte r s the p ic ture s w hich ,

pl e as e him he w orrie s hims e lf and oth e r s to de ath

,

about s o m e e rror in p e r s p e ct iv e s o m e w e akn e s s in ,

draw ing a slight d e ficie ncy in k e e p ing or s o me

, ,

unh app in e ss in the touch or s urfac e w hich no on e ,

e l se in th e world c an S e e but hi m s e lf I mys elf .

am as b igot e d to all th is d e lightful tru m p e ry as

anybody e v e r w as ; ye t I lo ath e w rit ing on it still

it m u s t b e don e I mus t show my s cie nc e or th e
.
,

scava ns w ill d e e m m e inc ap abl e an d m r e put at i on

y ,

as a judg e is bl ast e d O the rs again w ill c all it

.
, ,

1
An d mi rable Ge rman art is t w ho s e s tyle o f touchi ng
a ,

g n arle do aks ag e m o sse d an d fore ground s in g e n e ral sur

- -
, ,
p as ses the E nglis h eve n in a gre ate r d e gr e e than th e y in
the ir turn e x ce l the Fr e nch I f the r ead e r doubt this le t
.
,

him w alk to C olnaghi s or M olte no s an d co m par e K o lb e s

’ ’ ’
,

e tch ings w ith th e L ithography o f M r H o flan d . .

1 44 ESSAYS AN D C RITI CI SMS .

lative m e rits of C l aud e and Turn e r and am ,

truly m y s tifi e d by S toth ard and Fu s e li The tre .

mend ous Vis ion of the L az ar H ouse by the l att e r , ,

is a p e rfe ct s t agge re r w h e th e r w e r e g ard the

,

vigorou s conc e ption the sc ie ntific co m po s ition

, ,

the d aring locking tog e th e r of t he princip al group ,

th e h arm on iou s colour th e g rand e ur of th e draw

,

ing the proprie ty of the ton e th e bre adth of

, ,

ch iaroscuro or th e s ucc e s s ful im p e tuo sity of hi s

,

raging p e ncil .

If the r e ad er anticip at e s a d e t ail e d account of

the p ictur e s in g e n e r al or e v e n of tho se w h ich he
,

m ay d e e m the m o s t pro min e nt he w ill b e d is ,

appo int e d E v e n if he s hould find m e rath e r

.

’
d is cu s s ing the ch ar act e rist ic fe ature s of the art is t s
mind th an the imm e d iat e e m an at ion of it b e for e us
, ,

he mu s t look to m y m otto and b e cont e nt ; if not , ,

le t him turn to the Lit e rary G az e tt e or th e ,

M orn ing H e rald or any th ing e l s e he l ik e s b e tt e r

,
.

Th e gre at re as on for b e ing g e n e ral in s t e ad of

p articul ar is th at my m e m ory is not r e t e ntive
, ,

e nough to c arry aw ay t he p icture s fro m S o m e rse t

Hou s e ho m e ; th e r e are too m any of th em : o ne
,

drive s out the oth er— all b al anc e is lo s t It is a .

scrambl e wh e re b ig B e n an d tufty Tamb urlane

,

are s ur e to h av e the b e s t of it A L ord M ayor or .

A ld e rm an in his go w n w ill knock m e down s ix

c abin e t S tothards A b ay hor se w ith a p e a
.
,

gr ee n b ack groun d sl ays the guilty E riphil e ove r

,

ag ain . William D an ie l is s u ffoc at e d with the

s m e ll of a m on s trous c abb age f rom n a ture an d a ,

whol e l e ngth Knight of the B ath or mil it ary h e ro

-
 ESSAYS AND CRI T I C I SMS . 1 45

in v e rm ill ion sh all tr am pl e into obl ivion tw e nty

.

h e ad s by Ph ill ip s and O we n the nobl e p air of ,

frie ndly riv al s A ll th is b attling for popul arity

.

m uddl e s m y br ain s and I s it down to my w ork

,

w ithout any pr e c ise id e as of wh at I am go ing to

s ay . I can hold forth for an hour on Titian or
Parm e gian o , or Prim at icc io ; an d w ill draw o ut o ff
h and v e ry corre ctly the C r ea tion of Ad a m by
, ,

M A ng e lo, the A bra ha m a nd I sa a c o f V e ce lli the

.
,

S t Gir ola mo of M az z uolo or R affaello s J udgm en t

’
.
,

n ay, for M r W e ath e rcock s favourit e

’
of P a ri s .

R e mbr andt I could d as h it out in ch iaro s curo

,

blindfold b e c au s e I am glo ating on the e ngraving s

,

fro m th e s e m as t e r s all day long I th ink I can .

do n e arly as m uch for se v e ral p icture s in the l as t

y e ar s e xhi bit ion ; but th e pre s e nt is about as an
’

agr e e abl e con f us ion to m e as A rio s to on th e fir s t

p e rus al But t o b e g in in good e arn e st Lo ! h e r e

. .

is th at u s e ful m e mb e r of the A c ad e m y, S am u e l
S trong e r w ith his gra c iou s nod —
,
th e r e d ark und e r ,

th e s tre am of li ght re s t s A lc id e s ( of w ho m s o m e
,

N e w ton in an ato m y found out the oth e r d ay th at

t h e m u s cl e s w e r e m or e ch arg e d an d e x agg e r at e d
th an his o wn p itiful m od e ls ) and b e fore m e winds
the s t air, with l ad ie s as c e nding an d d es c e nd ing,
lik e the A ng e l s in J acob s dre am “
With your ’
.

l e av e , good S ir M ad am or M is s I will h alt on

, , ,

th e fir s t floor and e nt e r the Library

”
, .

Le t us look at 1 08 0, by G andy It is an im i .

’
t ation of Pirane si s C ap r iccios, con s ist ing of v ariou s
frie z e s and p ie ce s of pl at e an d is v e ry fanciful ,

but w ants k e ep ing solidity and br e adth , in the

,
1 46 E SSAYS A ND CRI T I C I SMS .

ch iaro s curo : for th is cl as s of s ubj e ct s d e m and s th e

gre at e s t atte nt ion to m e ch an ic al s I w ould j u s t .

as soon h av e th is artis t s M oun t of J udgm en t

’

wh ich h e e x hibit e d s e v e ral y e ars agon e as M art in s ,

’

B elshaz ar an d th e re w as an inv e ntion s till

farth e r b ack (b y the s am e h an d I b el ie v e) w hich , ,

struck m e v e ry m uch— the I n terior ( f the Temp le

a t E lis as d e s crib e d by P au san ias
o
f J u p i t er
, .

I ll follo w you in to the A ntiqu e A c ad e my if you

’

pl e as e w h e re w e h av e a gr e at curio s ity the firs t

, ,

p ap e r s k e tch e v e r publicly e x hib it e d by Fus eli

The D elivera nce of P rometheus a grand c om ,

po s ition ; as w h ich of the profe s s or s is not ? I ’

n e v e r s aw anyth ing fin e r th an the s tartl e d e agl e ,

“ ”
the w ing e d hound of J ov e h e aving his ruffl e d
,

plum e s ov e r the e nduring Tit an A n aby s s yaw ns .

b e tw e e n him and the d e liv e re r who rise s on the ,

oppo sit e p e ak b e aring his d e e p ro aring how The -

.

round m oon s h in e s out bro adly w ithout a cloud

on the gh as tly s c e n e ry who s e bl ank d e s ol ation is
,

unbroke n by a shrub a s tum p a w e e d or e v e n a

, , ,

p ebbl e Th e r e is not an unn e c e s s ary or e x tra

.

n e o us p art icl e about this conc e pt ion ; as it s p art s

are s impl e s o it s whol e is tr e m e ndou s
,
Th is is .

the w ay to im it at e and riv al M A ng e lo ; by in .

v e s tig ating his princ ipl e s an d d aringly act ing on

,

th e m ; not pursu ing the cours e of P e ll e grino

1
Tib aldi by copying the p e c uli arit ie s of his d e s ign
, ,

“
1
I h av e not orgotte n
f th at w ond e r o f f or e shorte ning,
o f conglob at ion an d e cc e ntric ity, t h e E l p e'nor on the A r ch/i
”

trave ( O b v a d It 5 5 2
. E M rfiuwp 6 6 7 1 5 c o ws ve wr a r o s , & c
. .
’
nor ’
.
1 48 ESSAYS A ND C RIT I CI SMS .

t he wind ro aring round the towe r I w ould gi ve .

’
a trifl e for a fee l ing transcript of the prie s te s s

h ead — No 5 5 9 N or th C oun try M a ils a t the P ea

.
,

cock I s ling ton is a s ingul ar e x ampl e of wh at m ay

, ,

b e don e w ithout th e co m mon e s t not ion of li ght

an d s h ad e No 5 8 3 is a fram e cont ain ing four
. .

vie ws by M r D an ie l for his C oa s ting Voyag e

.

a b e aut ifully a ccur at e an d ch ast e w ork The .

e n am e l s of Bon e R A and M u s s are too w e ll ap , .

re ciat e d to r e qu ir e not ic e h e r e ; but I c annot p as s

p
by the ch arming fe m al e portrait s ( 8 1 2 and
by the king of m in iatur e p aint e rs A F C h alon ,
. .
,

R A with o ut e x pr e s s ing my adm irat ion of th e ir

. .

fr e shn e s s b e auty e as e an imation h ar mony and

, , , , ,

m ast e rly e x e cut ion Th is g e ntl e m an is not m e r e ly

.

th e first in his profe ss ion but nobody co m e s n e ar ,

him by full s ix d e gre e s of m e rit N e v e rth e l e s s .

,

th e h e ad s of R ob e rt s on H aughton N ew ton an d , , ,

H ayt e r are v ery cl e v e r and th e re is a young l ady

, ,

M is s L S h arp wh o prom ise s to b e co m e s hortly (if

.
,

s h e b e not alre ady) a m o s t form id abl e riv al to th e s e

g e ntl e m e n B e s o good my k ind re ad e r to look at
.
, ,

h e r h alf l e ngth of d e ar M iss M Tree (w ho has b ee n

v e ry ill poor s oul ! ) in Viola
,
Mis s Eliz a
R e ynold s too s e e m s g e tting on r ap idly in e v e ry
, , ,

s e n s e of th e w ord — and th e r e are tw o pretty oil

p ictur e s by H C orb ould an d A
. Pe rigal .

M y bu s in e s s is not with the obviou s an d p alp abl e ,

but with th e n e gl e ct e d or mi s und e rs tood ; for

wh ich re as on I Sh all say littl e or nothing on
portrait c attl e familiar l andsc ap e or wh at w e
, , ,
 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS . 1 49

t e rm co mm on lif e whi ch subj e ct s I find e ve ry

-

body co m pr e h e nd s b e tt e r th an my s e lf Th e re
should b e t w o of us—o ne for Ercle s v ein and
.

t he oth e r for th e g us to of Holl and I n e v e r r e ad .

a bov e e ight e e n p ag e s of M r C rabb e s po e m s

’
. an d

h av ing no touch of hum our or s im pl e n ature about

m e c annot r eli s h abov e four or fiv e of M r
, .

W ilkie s p ictur e s of w hi ch I h av e the pr ints

’

, .

e R ent D a y I e s t e e m ch ie fly
( T h , ) I look at t h e m .

coldly ; and in st e ad of s e tting m y s elf as e v e ry ,

critic Should d o to di s cov e r int e ll e ctu al b e autie s

, ,

I boggle at his colour This is m y fault not his

.
,

an d I lov e to h e ar him pr ais e d by a co m p e t e nt

art ily— e s i faith h e art ily
j
’
udg h M ulre ady s
’
e e y , , .

C a r eles s M ess eng er ( 1 3 4 whi ch I h av e h e ard

abu se d hi ts m y fancy strong e r th an e it h e r 1 3 1 or
,

3 7 by hi s g re at riv al I r e ally f eel this p ictur e

.
,

whi ch s ho w s as m uch subtl e ty 1 n e x pr e ssi on and ,

is m or e p aint e rli ke th an the far fam e d blind

,

fid d ler The m o ie ty of the kn e e lin g boy s e y e is

’

w orth a w hol e J e w s e y e—s o is the culprit s right

’ ’

h and I co uld s ay a m on strou s d e al about t he

.

t all g aw ky lad l e ani ng priml y again s t th e w all ;

a n d Sho w e v e ry th ing th e p aint e r int e nd e d n o t to

Sho w in hi s fac e ; b ut th e r e are m any oth e r pic

tur e s I m u s t att e nd to .

W e are now in th e g re at room re ad e r w h e re if , , ,

y o u h a v e no obj e ct ion w e w ill s it do

,
w n b e hi nd
th is gay p arty w ho s e e m to b e d e al ing ab out th e ir
,

r e m ark s as fre e ly as you and I do W hos e is .

“

that Fuse li ’
La ! Wh at a frightful
thi ng I h at e hi s fancie s of fairie s and Spirits and
1 50 ESSAYS AN D C RI T I C I SMS .

non s en s e O ne c an t und e r stand th em

.
’

( S p e ak .

for yours e lf mis s 1) “

It s fooli s h to p aint things ’

which nobody e v e r s aw for ho w is one to kno w ,

’ ’
wh e th e r th e y r e right ? I s n t it M r D , .

H a ha V e ry good ind e e d— pon m y life you re

’ ’

, ,

v e ry s e v e re ! — Wh at a p ity th at F us eli should

”

not h ave known all th is e arlie r in l ife th at he ,

m ight h av e abj ur e d O b e ron an d p aint e d portraits ,

of l adie s and— j o int stools M A nge lo R affaello . .

, ,

Giul io 85 0 w e re e qu ally ignorant or th e y n e ve r

,
.
,

would h av e d e lug e d us w ith s uch ab s urdities as

ang e l s ch e rub im god s nym ph s s atyrs an d triton s
, , , , , ,

cre at ion s ju s t as id eal as the s ylph s and s at an s of

Fus e l i ; only a fe w hundr e d y e ars h av e r e concil e d
.

us to th e m Th is is S ick e n ing s t uff y e t it is as

.
,

co mm on as air S toth ard w ho s e tas t e of d e s ign is

.
,

the antipod e s of th e fi e ry K e e p e r m e e t s w ith j us t ,

as much m is appr e h e n s ion and cont e m pt For o ne .

p e rs on who talks of the juicy H ilton w e h av e t e n ,

who r av e about E d w in Land s e e r an d C apt ain

J on e s Th e e l e g ant W e s t all and t he cl as s ic al
.

Ho w ard are not m uch b e tt e r off : and the s p irit e d

ill u strator of Ho m e r H e siod IEs chylus and D ant e, , ,

is forgott e n b e fore the bu s t of Turn e re lli or the ,

in e ffabl e fopp e rie s of the e ff e m in at e C anov a .

A l ittl e wh il e ago s om e of th e p e riod ic als m ad e

a st ir about Tho rs v alds e n I turn e d ov e r a l arg e .

volum e of c are ful prints aft e r th e b ass o r el ievo s or -

alto r e li e vo s of th is s culptor w ithout m e e t ing any

-
,

th ing lik e an origin al thought or s trik ing att itud e .

The w hol e s e rie s w as cold comm o npl ac e an d , ,

plagiaristic O ur countrym e n are b itt e n as th e y

.
,
1 52 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI C I SMS .

am told) s e v e ral of the Grub s tr e e t critic s had -

not pr e su m e d to criticis e his L ord L ondon d erry

in a m o s t ignorant s tyl e I w ill v e ntur e to s ay
.
,

th at drap e ry n e v e r w as m ore s cie ntific ally nor

m or e gr ac e fully arrang e d th an the proud rob e s of
’

t he M arqu is ; an d any one acqu aint e d w ith the

pr actic e of art kno w s th is to b e the t e s t of t as t e
t he att itud e is nobl e and the draw ing corre ct, .

Wh at in the n am e of fortun e w ould th e s e p re

, ,

t e nd e rs h av e ? C an any one of th e m t ell ? I

tro w not H is P r incess C ha r lotte h as b e e n long
,
.

known by th e d eli c at e and m ast e rly cr ayon dr aw

ing in C olnaghi s inn e r roo m ; b es id e s w h ich w e
’

are d aily e x p e ct ing th e fin al proof fro m the burin

of M r Golding The e xpre ss ion of th is ill fate d

. .
-

l ady s e ye s is e x qu isite— it is po e try— it look s lik e

’

a d is solving air of M o z ar t— it is L ord Byron s

’

the m ind the m u s ic bre ath ing fro m he r

“
id e a ,

fac e p aint e d I w rit e th is fro m the r e colle ct ion

,
.

of the dr aw ing w h ich is my first lov e

, .

L a dy L L a m bton is a p e rfe ct vision — a th ing for

.

a Nymphol e pt to m add e n ou and is at the -

s am e t im e qu it e a s li k e as n e c e s s ary
’
N orth cote s .

B uria l of the P r in ces in the Tower ( 2 2 ) is his b es t

work and th at in wh ich he s e e m s to h av e gon e
,

m o s t b e yond his ord in ary l e v e l Th e print b y .

S ke lton r e nd e r s th is fine th ing w e ll kno w n He .

has anoth e r h is toric al s ubj e ct The M a rr iag e

o
f R i cha r d D uk e of Y ork to the L a dy A nn e M ow

bray ,

The littl e Wa tts R us sels by P h ill ip s is a

,

compo sition of gr eat l abour in the m aking up :

 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI C I SM S . 1 53

th e co at of the dw arf pon e y is p aint e d with S in

gular fe l icity an d richn e s s of colour ; s o is the
p e acock s s tarry train The M urd er of the P rima te
’
.

S ha rp att e nde d w ith s uch circu m s t anc e s of cold

,

blood e d cru elty is h ardly a s ubj e ct for r e cital

, ,

e x c e pt in h istory The nov e lis t h as avoide d it in

.

a m o s t m ast e rly m ann e r in his Old M or ta lity ;

but M r Allan w as not so s qu e ami sh and has
.
,

d ragg e d out th e d a ughter to w itn e s s th e horrid

d e ath s truggl e s of he r s ilv e r h air e d fath e r But-
.

w h ile I cond e m n M r A ll an s cho ic e of a sub

’
.

j e c t,
h i s g e n e r al e x e cut ion of i t h as m y w arm
and s inc e re co mm e nd ation Ho w ard s S a brina .
’

( )
6 2 s e e m s to w ant m or e a ct ion a n d e n e rgy .

It 1 s s ui e ly altoge th e r a litt l e h e avy and do e s not , ,

in my op i n ion co m e up to his p ictur e from anoth e r

,

m o me nt of t he s am e story e x h ib it e d at the British ,

In s titut ion a y e ar or tw o ag o It is a p ity th at .

thi s l ast is not e ngrav e d ; it would b e e x tre m e ly

popul ar both at ho m e and abro ad H is Ti ta nia
,
.

curle d am id s t a w orld of virgin l il ie s w hil e her ,

ny m ph l ik e e lv e s roll round in giddy w h e e l und e r

-

th e w id e m oon s w at e ry b e ams w as a lov e ly p ictur e

’

, ,

an d d e s e rv e d gr e at e r co m me m or at ion th an it re

c e iv e d in a v ign e tt e to B all antyn e s S hak s p e are

’
.

The s tory of his D iomed e a n d C r ess id a in the s am e ,

book is co m ple te ly told and the e x pr e s sion s are

, ,

at onc e t as t e ful and tru e .

Tho m s on s B ed time ( 7 7 ) is e l e g ant and d om e s t1 c

’
-

th is g e ntl e m an s fe male s are alw ays v e ry amiabl e

’

an d w o m anly— s oft an d d e p e nd e nt without t am e

n e s s g e ntle without in sip idity and w arm with

, ,
1 54 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI C I SMS .

o ut imm od e sty In h itting th is d e lic at e mark he

.
,

e x c e l s e v e n S toth ard w ho s e g irl s so m e t im e s s m e ll

“
,

m o s t grie vou s ly of bre ad and butt e r and d e grad e

”
,

s im pl ic ity into in anity A S cene in B orrow d a le,

.

by C ollin s ( 8 7 ) is v e ry sooth ing and p ict ur e s qu e,

but s e e ms a l ittl e m ore lik e G ain s borough s th an ’

’
th e artis t s n a tur a l s tyl e p e rh ap s he w ill t ak e this
for a co m pl im e nt —I don t m e an it for o n e H e ’
.

h as a m o s t d e l ic iou s M orning on the K entish C oa s t

w h ich I v e rily b e l ie v e k e e p s th e E x hib ition
s w e e t and fre s h ! This p ictur e is g e nu in e l and
s c a pe and accur at e topogr aphy It is t he offspring .

of t ast e , fe e ling and s kill not of m e r e indu s try ,

and s e rv il e tran s cript ion .

M is s Land s e e r s View on the Grounds of Felice

’

H a ll E ss ex ( 1 1 2 ) is v e ry w e ll w orth any on e s
’

att e nt ion ; an d th e re is o ne of th e qu ee r e s t l ittl e

p ic ture s in re s p e ct to colour by S toth ard, th at

, ,

you e ve r s aw S a n cho r ela tes to D on

Q uivo te the f a mo us visionary I nterview w ith
D ulcin ea It w as v e ry pr e ttily e ngrave d in
.

a s m all s iz e by R aimb ach for M r S h arp of .

Picc ad illy w ho unfortun at e ly for m e, do e s not

,

r e tain a s ingl e impr e ss ion If an y v e ry cha .

rit ab le r ead e r who m ay po s s e s s M r

’
, S s e d it ion . .

of the S p a nish D on; w ould h ave the kind n e s s

to cut out t he fo ur frontis pie c e s and s e nd th e m ,

d ir e ct e d to C orn el iu s v an Vink b oo ms , c are of

M e ss r s Taylor and H e ss e y, I s h all b e duly th ank
.

f ul ( al w ay s provid e d t h e y b e not r e touch e d ) as I

am and h av e b e e n for s o m e t ime
,
m aking a col ,

l e ction of e ngrav ing s fro m S toth ard and h av e not ,

1 56 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI C I SMS .

rich g ay and harm oious ; hi s lights w e ll im

,

p ast e d his sh ado w s tran s p ar e nt ; and his e x e cution

airy y e t firm : d el ic at e
, ye t bold The inventio n , .

is c e rt ainly r ath e r co m m onpl ac e ; an d M r H h as . .

a co m pl e t e d is r e g ard for ha r mony o

f lin es The .

fold s of his drap e ry and the form s of his wild ,

pl ant s and flo w e rs are awkw ard and s tiff : th e y

,

h ave b e e n das h e d in qu it e at r ando m : he has

n ev e r thought about th e m : and the e ffe ct on an
e y e accu s to me d to th e grac e and s cie ntific dr aw ing

o f G iul io P arm e giano B onas on e and our Law

, , ,

r e nc e S toth ard an d E d w ard Burn e y is v e ry dis

, , ,

agre e abl e I f M r H ilton w ill t ak e the troubl e to

. .

’
look c andi dly at G G his i s l arge print of C ep halus
.

a nd Venda ng es d e Venus
B on as one
’
P r ocris , s ,

( B art s ch vol x v No
,
. or the arrang e m e nt of th e
. .

’
curl s in M A nton io s D a nce of C hild ren or his
.
,

l arg e S upp er fro m R affaello h e w ill in st antly com ,

pre h e nd m y o bj e ction Wh e th e r h e w ill con .

d e s c e nd to p ay any att e nt ion to th is h int I doubt ; ,

at all e v e nt s I h av e offe r e d it w ith the m o s t p e r

,

f e ct good w ill to w ard s him , w h ich I hop e w ill

-

e x cu s e t he fre e do m of th e s tyl e T ho s e who , l ik e .

m y s e lf h av e clos ely ob s e rv e d th is artis t s progre s s

’

, ,

w ill no doubt j o in m e in e s t e e m ing the fl e s h of his

N ature as the fin e s t he h as y e t produc e d H er .

s w e ll in g br e a s t p alp it at e s .

I lik e J C h alon s Gr een s ta ll ( 1 44) v e ry m uch ;

.
’
-

it look s cl e an ; th e r e is such a pu mpkin ! as G ri

m aldi s ay s — No 1 4 5 L e B i llet, A E C h alon , R A
.
, . . .

is of cours e a m o s t fas h ion abl e looki ng s c e n e : the -

a rch e x pr e ss io n of the young l ady in the bl ack

 ESSAYS A ND C RI T I C I SMS . 1 57

s atin S p anish dr e s s is v e ry b e w itch ing to m y

not ions : and I w is h th at I had b ee n th e lucky
m an in s t e ad of M r C h alon ( it is a portrait) ;
,
.

though v e ry lik e ly for m y o wn s ak e it is j u s t as

, ,

w e ll as it is H e igho ! but I must not b e fickl e

.
,
1—
and forg e t S us a nn e
,
No 1 5 5 The I n ter ior of a
. .
,

S ta ble wi th P or tra its A gass e is m ost n atur ally

, , ,

touch e d ; and I am v e ry gl ad th at it has a pl ace in

this roo m Ho w ard has a po e tic al d e s ign from
.

S p e ns e r The H ous e of M orp heus

, an d M r .

C oop e r a Sp irit e d P or tra i t of a H un ter ( 1 6 5 ) the

S k y b ackground of wh ich outrag e s n atur e w ithout
g aining e ffe ct .

In the corn e r s t and s S ir H ump hrey D avy him

s elf
,
by the P r e s id e nt Th e fe atur e s are m o s t .

s c ie nt ific ally and fe e lin gly dr aw n ; e v e ry s h ap e is

m ad e out— noth ing is blurr e d ; y e t th e w hol e

toge th e r is bro ad l ight d ash ing an d app are ntly
, , ,

e v e n c ar e l e s s W ard has a H orse brilli antly

.
,

p aint e d w ith gr e at po w e r of bru s h ; an d n e x t to

,

it is the E r ip hi le of the K e e p e r— a p ictur e of

,

m uch forc e in the act ion s colouring an d chiaro s , ,

e uro . The co mpo s it ion is e x trem ely s im pl e and

s e v e r e an d is r ath e r m onu m e nt al th an p ictur e s qu e
, .

I thi nk th e attitud e of th e traitorou s wife has b e e n

h int e d at in the antiqu e if so Fu s e li has m ade a ,

nobl e us e of it In the m urky v e il whi ch only

.
,

h alf di sclos e s the Furie s pouri ng hot on th e ch as e ,

th e acut e ob se rv e r w ill d e t e ct s o m e adm ir abl e

ton e s .

1
A pictur e in the las t E x h ib ition .
1 58 ESSAYS A ND C RI T I CI SMS .

The v e n e rabl e Wes t by S ir Tho m as, is of s tirli ng

,

m e rit — th e e as e an d ch aract e r of the attitud e the

b r e adth r ichn e ss , d e pth , an d gr and s obrie ty, Show
,

at onc e t h e p re e m in e nc e
-
of the s tyle of Titian
o v e r th e too fr e qu e nt blu s t e ring s an d attitudi

n iz ing s of V andyk e The whol e l e ngth of Vis

.

c oun tess P o lli ng ton a nd her C hild ( 208 ) is a g e ntl e

a n d touch ing im ag e of m oth e rly t e nd e rn e s s ; and ,

by po s ses s ing the po w e r of e x citing g e n e ral s ym

p athy, d e se rt s the clas s of portraiture for th at of
h is t o ry I t is w orth a hundr e d of C arlo M aratti s
.
’

M ad onnas B e low th is is a v e ry pr e tty L ady s

.
’

H ea d by P ick e rs g ill , wh ich w ould b e b e tt e r,

,

if it had m or e of Law re nc e s Sp irit, w ithout s o

’

m uch of his w ors t m ann e r S toth ard has a l arg e

.

r e p e tit ion of p art of a s m alle r p icture , e xhibit e d

s o m e y e ar s ago , and w h ich I fancy, is e ngrav ing ,

as a co m p an ion to th e C a n ter bur y P i lg r i ms It .

r e pr e s e nt s a s el e ction of S hak sp e are s ch aract e r s ’

fro m A S Y ou Lik e It Le ar, Macb e th and The

, ,

T e m p e s t , tog e th e r w ith F al s t aff I t h as of cours e ,

.
,

r e at b e aut ie s , but w ant s fire both in the co nc e

g p
t ion and e x e cution Miranda is innoc e nc e p er
.

sonifie d an d the group of L e ar and C ord e l ia is

w orthy of the artis t s anc ie nt n am e ; but the

’

M acb e th is fe e ble , m e an an d m a nner ed which, ,

l atte r fault p e rv ad e s the w hole p icture .

O , f o r a draught o f ntage t hat h ath b e e n

vi
Gool d a long age in the d ee p d e lv e d e arth
’
-

T as ting o f F lora an d the country gr e e n ,

D anc e and Pro v e nc al s ong an d s un burnt m irth

,
-
160 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

I fancy I m ay n ow proc e e d to th e ant e roo m -

,

wh e re I find a v e ry cl e v e r group by Linn e l :

La dy Torr ens a nd Fa m ily It is un e qu al ; but .

p arts are draw n w ith gr e at sk ill and pre c ision ;

witn e s s the for e — Short e n e d leg of the fine vigorous
l ittl e cr e ature on its m oth e r s kn e e s The girl ’
.

wi th the p alle t is a m o s t int e re s ting figur e and the

c as t of fe ature s h air & c r e m ind s o ne not a littl e
, ,
.
,

of Le on ardo or Lu ino w ho I shr e w dly s u s p e ct , ,

are as gr e at favour it e s w ith M r L as th e y are w ith . .

me . L ook at his ch arming portr ait of M rs B r ooks .

an d t e ll m e if I am not right The to n e of .

his fl e s h is too lo w to appe ar w ith adv ant ag e

by the s id e of Ph ill ips Jack s o n and O w e n ; , ,

oth e rw ise I th ink his princ ip al w ork s hould h av e

,

had a pl a c e in t he S chool of P a in ting at l e as t ,

Pick ersgill s M or ning ( 3 4 0) m ight h av e m ad e w ay

’

’
or M rs A nne sly s M is tak e e n titl e d S a ta n & c
.
, , .

M artin s R evenge ( 3 7 9 ) w ould furnish m att e r for a

’

v e ry po e tic al art icle b ut I m u s t b e brie f ; th e re

,

for e briefly M r M if you v alu e your ow n fam e

,
. .
, ,

brush out the w hol e of your fritt e r e d sh ingly , ,

gaudy fore ground tog e th e r w ith tho s e e x e crably

,

e x e c ut e d fig ur es ; put it in ag ain in a b ro ad m as s y

s e v e r e s tyl e s o as to s e t o ff the s ubl im e d is t anc e

, ,

an d you w ill h av e a ch ie v e d a work to l iv e in the

r e coll e ct ion s of our po s t e rity wh e n not a thre ad of ,

your c anvas r em ain s D o not d e sp is e th is advic e

.
,

b e c au se the giv e r is unkno w n to y ou ; it com e s

fro m the gr e at e s t m as t e r of e ffe ct th at e v e r liv e d ,

R e mbrandt v an Ryn ! an d for a proof of my ,

ass e rt ion I r e fe r you to his J a cob s D r eam in th e

’

,
 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI C I SMS . 1 61

D ulw ich G all e ry, or hi s l arg e e tchi ng of the

Three C ross es ; from wh ich you w ill pract ic ally
l e arn how mat e rially t e rror is incre as e d by obscu ri ty .

Thi s is a tr uis m ; n e v e rth e l e s s it s e e ms quit e n e w

to M r M art in S W R e ynold s , j un app ears
. . . .
,

to pos s e ss t al e nt ; th e r e fore I am s orry he do e s not

striv e to imit at e n atur e , r ath e r th an the m a nner of
This is not the w ay
’
S ir J oshu a s f ad ed p ictur e s .

to rival hi s gr e at n am e s ak e but it is the w ay to ,

draw on him a r e p e tition of the cont em ptuous cl ass i

fication wh ich confound e d am ong the s e rvil e crowd
th e n am e s of S alviat i, L e andro B as s ano , B aroccio ,
Alle s s an dro M az z uolo J ord ae ns , Bram e r Fl ink
, , ,

S e e R e yn old s s Works , S ix th D is
’
an d E e ckhout .

cour s e . O ve r the door w e h ave a H e be by a ,

g e ntl em an of the n am e of S tro ehling and, I think ,

it c an b e s afe ly s et down w ithout fl att e ry as
about th e wor s t thing in the A c ad e m y Th e P r e s i .

d e nt s Wes t and this are th e alph a and o m e ga of

’

m od e rn portrait C a t Grove, wi th the Win ter

.

N ight s Fight betw een the Ga m ekeep ers a nd P oa chers

’

H C orb ould) , h as a gre at d e al of m e rit — s o

( 4 3,5 .

h av e Nos 3 6 6 and 4 2 1 , by th e Bon e s Lan e s

. .
’

P or tr a it of D r .
( 4 2 7 i
) s not only w ell
p ain t e d , as b e co m e s a l at e pup il of Lawr e nc e , but
absolut e ly m or e like tha n the or ig in a l .

P oor R ela tions by S te phan off e vinc e s v e ry gre at

, ,

an d d ee p ob s e rv at ion of n atur e The e x pr e s s ions .

are v igorous an d tru e ; the w hol e conc e pt ion h ar

’
m oniz e d with a po e t s pow e r ; th at is , e v e ry th in g
about it t e lls the s am e s tory ; it is pr e gn ant w ith

good s e ns e ( a gr e at sc arcity in m od e rn art) and

M
1 62 ESSAYS AND C RI T I C I SMS .

good feeling—it is a m oral picture ; it holds the

mirror up to the world an d s how s it the horrid,

d e form ity of its cold blood e d prejudice s W e are

-
.

all of us a ct ing the p art of th is Old L or d L uxury

in his e as y ch air e v e ry d ay an d are not aw ar e of ,

it in s p it e of T o m J on e s and Mr S te phano ff
,
I . .

s h all s e e th e b e tt e r for th is couching as long as I

l ive ; s o I trust will m any m or e of us This is
, , .

b eing re ally a p ainter not a m e re orn am e nt al,

colouris t lik e M r “ I h ave not tim e

1
.

to po int out all the v arie ty of int e ll ig e nc e which

is com b in e d in th is littl e p icture ; but I th ink th at
our E li a would man ag e it b eautifully—le t me
sugg e s t it to him I m u st how e v e r b e for e I go
.
, , ,

co mpl ime nt M r S on the e xtr e m e m ode sty fre s h

. .
,

n e ss innoc e nc e and b e auty of the girl s h e ad ; a

, , ,
’

fair young ro s e fro m a drooping stock I n e ve r .

s aw a m ore int e r e s ting count e n anc e H e w as quit e .

right in making h er h andso m e whi ch is j u s t as ,

prob abl e as th at she s hould b e the re v e rs e b e s ide s ,

his obj e ct w as to s trike at onc e on the symp a thy

an d b e auty in d is tr e ss w ill al w ays e x c it e p ity ,

wh e re d e form ity will cr e ate disgu s t ! Th e r e is

st ill gre at roo m for improve me nt in the m e ch ani c al
p arts e sp e c ially mellowness of touch a nd s urf a ce ;
,

but th e s e diffic ultie s b eing ov e rcom e M r S will

, , . .

find hims elf at onc e in a h igh e r rank th an the

d eli n e ators of b itt e n appl e s cut finge rs and all the , ,

long li st of the r e sults of m e re dilig e nt ob s e rva

t ion and p atie nt imitation of obj e ct s intrins ic ally
worthle s s and d e vo id of the g e nuin e e l e me nts of
,

e ith e r hu m our or p athos I hop e that P oor R ela

.
1 64 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS .

o
f the C ap e, the
b e aut iful work s o f M r C onst abl e .
,

W D anie l s tr em e ndou s S ea in the B ay of B iscay

.
’

(an ad mir abl e co m po sit ion) S tark s Vi ew near

’

N orwi ch an d The Qua rrelling S cene between S a mp son

,

a nd B a lthaz ar R omeo a nd J ulie t by th e im proving

, ,

Briggs M o s t of th e s e d e m and a m uch long er

.

notic e th an m y lim it s w ill allow ; but I r e gre t th e

o mis s ion the l e s s as th e y are all abl e to s tand by
,

th em s e lv e s w ithout my feebl e props I pro mis e .

m ys elf the pl e as ur e of r e curring to tho s e of F us e li ,

S toth ard D an iel and E tty at s o m e futur e p e riod

, , ,

till wh e n I b id far e w e ll !,

C O RNELI US VAN VI NKB O OM S .

J une 1 8 .

PS . D ea r me ! I
’
ve qu it e forgot the M asonry !

PS 2 dus M r E lton will h av e the goodn e s s to

. . . .

acc e pt my S inc e r e th ank s for his un e x p e ct e d com

p li an ce with m y w ish I t ak e his co mplime nt, .

addr e ss e d to th e E ditor, all to m y se lf I as sur e him , .

C ould he not afford th e public som e m ore s el e c

tions fro m N onnus or his favourit e A pollonius ?
I suppos e th at M r E has s e e n the not e pr e fix e d. .

to s ome s e l e ctions from his M us aeus, in the p re

fac e to Marlowe s H e ro and Leand e r, e dit e d b y
’

M r S ing e r
. .
 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI C I SMS . 1 65

«at . was U inkhooms , his magmas for milettanti s

No I . .

C L L E C TI O N S
RE O IN A C O U N TR Y C H U R C H Y A R D .

D o w n by a flo w e ry e e n e I w e nt,
Full thi ck of ggrras s , ll s oft and sweet, gi
With fl owres f ull f air e und e r f e e t,
A n d little us e d , it s e e m e d thus
For both Flor a an d Z e pherus ,
T h e y tw o th at m ak e fl o wrés gro w ,
H ad m ad e th e ir d w e lli ng th e re , I tro w
as is as a
s a
s is

For all the w ood w as w ax e n gr e en e ,

S w e e tn e ss o f D e w e had m ad e it w ax e .

I t 1 8 no n e e d e f or to ax e
Wh e re th e re w er e many gr ee ne groves ,

O r thi ck s o f tr e es s o full of leav es

, ,
A nd ev e ry tr ee s tood by hims elve
Fro th oth e r w e ll t e n foot or tw elve
’
, ,

if 96 X
“
96 X
'

With crop s bro ad and ek e as thi ck , ,

T h e y w e re not an inch as und e r ,

T h at it w as s h ady o er all und e r ;

’

T hrough h e re I rom e d w ond e r f as t

D o w n th e w oo d s o at th e las t
,
I w as awar e o f a ma n in black
T h at sat in a church y ard and turn e d -
his
T o an o ak an huge tr e e
,
.

L ord s aid I who m ay that b e ?

,
”
,

Wh at aileth him to sitte n th e r e

Chaucer .

[
1
L ondon M g a in e , S e t em b e r, 1 8 2 1 T h V ink
p
a z es e .

b oo ms p ap e rs are pe rfe ct y i n Wain e wright s m ann er,

’

a lth ou h in on e or t wo lac esyh e trie s to thr o w us off th e

g
sc e nt A ut Wea thercoc A ut D ia bolus I]
.
1 66 ESSAYS AND C RI T I C I SMS .

THI S will b e in all prob ab il ity a short articl e

, ,
.

For as I am n ow Sitting in a church y ard s e ve nty

,
-
,

three mil e s from L ondon w ithout a Singl e book ,

e ith e r in m y pock e t or port m ant e au I m u s t put ,

my tru s t for fin e phras e s in my m e m ory whi ch is ,

not to b e r e lie d ou— and in my br ain s wh ich are ,

littl e copiou s O n this v e ry account ho w e v e r I

.
, ,

am d e t e r min e d w ith a p arity of r e as on ing w h ich

,

induc e d the L at ins to d e rive lucus a n on luc e ndo ,

and our l at e M r D ram a to p itch on S alis bury

.

Pl ain as the fitt e st s t ation for p e nn ing a criti qu e

on C onven t G ard e n ( as Ld P writ e s it) to d e .
,

scrib e a fe w p ictur es in the Britis h In s titution ,

an d two or thr e e print s for books b e s id e s wh ich as , ,

.

I s aid b e fore are s e ve nty thre e mil e s d ist ant fro m

,
-

m y vis ua l eye I h av e like wis e thr e e m otiv e s for

.
”

my pr e s ent action which th e g e ntl e r e ad e r s h all

,

h ave wh e th e r he lik e s it or not : 1 st I am lying

, ,

on the cool gr as s on a v ery e l e vat e d s pot not fiv e

,

m il e s fro m the gre e n s alt s e a ; an d a d ue ap p rox i

m ation to the w and e ring cloud s is h e ld by D r .

J ohns on to favour the wit 2 dly (which is the .

,

con s e qu e nc e of the fir s t though not syllogis tically ,

“ ”
s o ) I h av e a wond e rful
, e x pos ition to go s s i p
about M ich ae l A ng e lo Tris t an le L e onnois M aj or
:

, ,

C ockburn Go eth e ( I b eg p ardon r e s p e ct e d E di tor

, , ,

but w h at in the n am e of S athanas s et s om e body

, ,

two or thr e e numb e rs b ack a M istering e ight or -

,

t e n t im e s in a p ag e M le B aron J ohn Wolfg ang

, .

V o n Go e th e ) K e ats La D e m o is e lle qui s onge o it

? “
, ,

and th e l ik e : and 3 d1y I am pro m is e bound f or

, ,
-

not l e ss th an four p age s on so me thing this m onth .

1 68 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI C I SMS .

the r e c e nt with Sift e d grav e l It look s as if it .

w e re cl e an and n e at fro m n atur e not fro m art ,

the h e rb ag e is long an d th ick without r ankn e ss ;

th e re is not a n e ttle in it to alarm l adie s s ilk ’

cov e re d ancl e s ; the fe w ye w s are d ark but not ,

dis m al ; the c ircling h e dg e of li ving la ur el of the ,

brighte s t gr e e n I e v e r b e h eld ; and its whol e app ear

anc e tumuli and all is as do m e st ic ch e e rful an d
, , , ,

snug as if it w e re k e pt in s uch appl e pie orde r

,
-

for the b e tt e r s e ducin g folk s to co me and b e

burie d .

Tw o of my re qu isit e s are tol e rably w e ll mad e

out an d th e third will not co s t m e much m or e
,

trouble With r eg ard to n eighbourhood the vill ag e

.
,

is s o n e ar th at I can h e ar the littl e boys and girls

pl aying by th e duck pond at the botto m of its ap
-

pro ach and r e ce ive fro m my hon e s t ale hou s e -

( wh at I am now aw aiting as I br eakfas te d at ,

s ev e n o clock) a fine lunch e on of hom e b ake d bre ad

’
-
,

a cold s lic e of ho me s m ok e drie d H ampsh ir e b acon

- -
,

a nd a m u
g of ho m e br e w e d s ound
-
ale for wh ich ,

min e host of the King s A rms or H ead or wh at ’

e v e r it m ay b e is j u s tly fam e d
,
An d touchi ng .

s oli tud e th e s itu at ion of the ground is in it s e lf

,

e x tr e me ly adv ant ag e ou s b eing d e fe nd e d in front

,

by s o m e impractic abl e w ast e l and : in the r e ar by ,

the pl e asure ground s an d Shrubb e ry of an e l e gant

-

rural m an sion and flank e d on the o ne h and by

,

a r ang e of wood Sh ad e d m e ado w s and on t he oth e r

-
,

by a ru stic att empt at a ro ad l eading nowh e r e ,

or th e re abouts T ru e it is th at my r e treat is
.
,

cro s s e d by a thoroughfare l e ading from the s aid ,

 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI CI SMS . 1 69

ro ad to the af or e s aid m eadows ; but at pre s e nt , ,

th is p ath is b arr e d by a conv e ni e nt e x clus ive and

e x cluding bull who holds his court in th e s e gr e e n
,

r ealm s and in the e v e n ing not a soul would ap

pro ach the y ard out of r e s p e ct to a m onstrou s bl ack
d og w ith soup dis h e y e s gl aring livid lik e blu e
-

lights who pl ay s at l e ap frog ove r the to mb —

,

, s ton e s
-
,

an d is s uppos e d to b e th e prop e rty of an anc ie nt

a dmi ral who t ak e th hi s w alks in all w e ath e rs ,

«
dre s s e d in a red coa t a nd yellow wa is tcoa t an

a tt ir e sufficie ntly out of the ordinary cours e of

n ature to app al e ve ry thi nking mind if to this ,

horrid e normi ty he did not add the o mis s ion of his

h e ad — But h e re come s my s m ock frocke d -

v al e t de pl ac e R alph W e stropp with my forag e

- -

Wh e r e is— ( con
.
, ,
“ ”
S ur M eas te r s ay s as th at
, ,

f ound y e min d how y ou s et down the jug ! )

Wh e r e s my p ap e r Ralph ? Th e re S ur (pulling
”
’

, , ,

out four so il e d crum pl e d sh ee ts of 4 to ) I v e b ee n

“
.
’

’
axi ng an d quie ring all up an d down and th at s ”
,

e v e ry b it th e ple ace do hold ( al ack for the pro ,

gr e ss of lite ratur e I) but if you th ink prop e r I ll ,

’

j u s t st e p ov e r to T ( t e n mil e s off) an d b e b ack

—
,

in no time No no I s h all m an age ; an d now

“ ’

I s uppo s e l andlord w ants to know about dinn e r

—We ll ! —t e ll him to get m e th at log of S outh
dow n ro ast e d by nin e o clock ; I sh all din e and sup ’

altog e th e r—and b e sur e th e y bo il m e pl e nty of m ar

row fats and potato e s — an d —and —

-
ge t about your
bu s in e s s and l e av e B lucher with m e
-
Ee s ,

S ur ! I ll look up ag ain by and by and se e if you

‘ ’

A ye—aye
,

(
”
d on t w ant nothing E
’ ”
x it R a l h
.
p .
1 70 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI C I SMS .

C ornelius ma net ) Bluch e r ! do you lov e

.

but I b eg your p ardon s w e e t r e ad e r allow m e t o

,

introduc e Bluch e r the worthy bull h e ad e d m as tiff

,
-

of my ho stelrie , w ho k indly p atron iz e s me in con

s id e r ation of c e rt ain m outhful s of br e ad b ee f , ,

b acon and ch e es e
,
Bluch e r do you love fat ,

b aC OD ? ( Bluch e r bolt s a b ang ing bit of b acon ) .

Good : no w lie do wn h e re in th is n ic e hollo w b e

’
tw e e n the t w o gr av e s an d c atch fl ie s
,
Wh e r e s
the c as e kn ife to cut m y p e nc il ?
-
( N B N e ith e r . .

p e n nor ink ) S o ! .N o w I b e g in .

AR T I CLE .

The thoroughly ground e d p ain t e r and connois

s cur m ay safe ly indulg e h im s e lf in ad m ir at ion o f
'

e v e ry s p e c ie s of p ictur e good in its k ind fro m M

, ,
.

An g elo to V an A nybody th e art is t of dungh ill s

, ,

and p igs ty e s ; but th is c annot w ith s afe ty to the ,

progr e ss of t as t e b e allowe d to b egi nn e r s e ith e r

, ,

in practic e or am at e urs h ip The art of s inking is .

m uch e as ie r th an th at of ris ing ; an d though the

w ell— con s truct e d m ind e duc at e d and form e d by
,

the study of the antiqu e and the s chools of R o m e ,

.

and Parma w ith e as e unb e nd s an d e nj oy s the

,

products of m e r e im it ation ; ye t an in s t anc e has .

rar ely or n ev e r occurre d of the ca baret p aint e r w ho

has b e e n abl e to fe e l or co mpre h e nd th e tru e aim
an d e x c e lle nc ie s of the e p ic an d dr am at ic s tyl e s .

An dr ea d el S arto is a not abl e e x am pl e of the

B athos and s tands out a s trik ing b e acon to windy
,

j u dgme nts This w e ak m an though unn aturally

.
,
1 72 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

d uce d, fro m the p e ru s al to look a littl e high e r in

,

art th an th e y h av e b e e n hith e rto a ccu s to m e d .

O bst acl e s aris e to the g e n e ral d iff u sion as in It aly , .

o f the gr and gu s to fro m d iffe r e nt c ircu m s t anc e s

, .

O ne is th at s e v e ral of th e fin e st p ictur e s h av e
,

n ev e r b e e n e ngrave d at all or s o in ad e qu at ely as

to misl e ad r ath e r th an s atis fy—anoth e r is the
,

e x tr e m e rarity and h igh pric e of many of th e m o s t

d e s irabl e prints ( thi s how e v e r is not without e x

, ,

c e p t io n) ; add e d to wh ich s uppos ing th e am at e ur

,

o r artis t amply prov id e d in funds h e is not always ,

a bl e to put his good int e nt ion s in pr act ic e for w ant

of a w e ll s el e ct e d roughly pric e d c atalogue of the

-
,
-

mos t f a ithf ul engravi ngs f rom the mos t cha racter

is tic i nventions of the m ost p rominen t m a sters .

S uch a m anu al I kno w wo ul d h av e s av e d m e

, ,

m uch time and troubl e w h e n I b e g an m y littl e

c oll e ct ion ; and ind ee d w ithout it Fus e li s ad mir
’

, ,

a bl e an d indisp e n sabl e s e cond l e ctur e los e s m uch

o f it s ut ili ty to th e stud e nt in a pr act ic al po int of

Vie w wh o c annot b e m uch e nlighte n e d by critiqu e s

,

on work s wh ich he n e ve r saw ; but let it b e pl ac e d

b e fore him acco mp an ie d b y a prop e r s e t of illu s
tration s an d he will acqui r e in S ix d ays as good
, , ,

a v ie w of the g e n e ric fe atur e s of th e d iffe r e nt

s chool s as I h av e b ee n abl e to do in s ix y e ars .

In Sinc e re hop e s th at s o me one m or e c ap abl e will

t ak e it up I sh all att em pt a l ittl e e ss ay towards
,

this d e s irabl e obj e ct to b e continu e d if it should

, ,

not incur the disapprob ation of our r e ad e rs by ,

s mall p arc e l s through some succ e edi ng num b ers of

t he LO N DO N MA GAZ INE — I Sh all e ntr e at the l e n ie ncy
 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI C I SMS . 1 73

of the pr actis e d connoiss e ur and artist tow ard s my

e rrors wh ich he w ill th e m ore r e ad ily gr ant as
, ,

d e sir e of Showing my littl e knowl e dg e has n ot

a ctu at e d m e but m e r e ly of do ing r e al s e rv ic e
, .

A ft e r wh at I h av e s aid abov e it is h ardly n e ces ,

s ary to adv e rtis e th e r e ad e r th at m y li s t w ill b e

,

confin e d chiefl y to th e It ali an school and th at the ,

thorough br e d print coll e ctor will find noth ing t o

-

p amp e r his app e tit e for M as o Fin igu erras B aldinis , ,

Nie llo pl at e s R ob ettas Wolfg ang s &c No furth er

, , , .

ord e r or arr ange m e nt w ill b e obs e rv e d th an th at e v e ry ,

s e p ar at e port ion s h all cont ain o ne or two s ubj e cts ,

fro m e ight or t e n di ffe r e nt p ain t e r s whi ch I thi nk , ,

by its v arie ty w ill b e at onc e us e ful and agr e e abl e

,

to the new coll e ctor For w ant of books I am not

.

abl e to m an ag e e v e n th is d e sultory pl an so ord e rly

as I w is h th is num b e r th e r e for e le t us t alk about .

wh at w e h av e all s e e n viz the Exhibition of O ld

,
.
,

M ast er s at the Britis h In s titution I h av e alm o s t .

e v e ry o n e of th e s e p ictur e s cl e arly b e for e m e and ,

th e y will s e rv e as l and marks to my m e m ory

-
.

S o m e oth e r d ay w e will run ov e r M r A ng e rste in s

’
.
.

tog eth e r aft e r whi ch w e will driv e to th e e x c e ll e nt

,

D ul wich colle ctio n .

Th e p ain ting s whi ch I wish you now to look at

are tho se of C orr e gg io Tintor e tto
, and P oli doro , .

W e h av e but a fragm e nt al sp e cim e n of C orre ggio

but it is pr e ciou s as a g em (a s mall fem al e h e ad in
fr e sco Lord M ulgr ave ) No m ast e r is so littl e
, .

known in E ngl and e x c e pt P olidoro and S chiavon e ;

,

not but w e h av e m any cop ie s und e r hi s n am e ,

’
among wh ich I must cl ass M r A ng e rst e in s C hrist
.
 1 74 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI CI SMS .

in the G ard e n, th e orig in al of which is prob ably

i n th e coll e ct ion of t he D uk e of W e llington ,

o bt ain e d by him fro m th e K ing of S p ain , w h o thu s

d e priv e d the E s curial of its gre at e s t tre asur e .

H arm ony is the ch aracte ristic s t amp of his mind,

a nd an am orou s, dre am l ike m ys t e ry, in w h ich his
-

figure s app e ar to flo at as on an e nch ante d l ak e The .

m ann e r in wh ich his b e s t productions affe ct m e , is

by a co mb in ation of lu x urie s ; all impul s e s of
“

soul and s e n s e thrill m e ”

To lie n e st e d s e r e n e ly
.

i mm ov e abl e in do w n , am ong rich , s h adowy curt ains ,

through wh ich should s tr e am s e raphic strain s and ,

c ool p e rfum e s born e on the s oft b e am s of th e

s u mm e r m oon —th is is the n e ar e s t p ar all e l th at I

c an m ak e . H e is truly a s e nt im e nt al p aint e r, and
is th e r e fore in imit abl e The e x t e rior p articl e s of
.

his grac e w e re r e fin e d by P arm egiano to a ffe ct a .

t ion ; whil e his su avity dwindl e d into un m ean

ing im b e c ili ty in t he h and s of the d e li c at e but
fli m s y B arocc io . S o m e th ing of a kindre d fe eli ng
p ervad e d R e ynolds as m ay b e s e e n in his C up id a nd
,

P syche, in the colle ct ion of th e po e t R og e rs , an d

in the m oonli ght portrait of M rs S t anhop e . But , .

in m y op in ion, Fu s e li h as s e v e ral t im e s s hown

m ore of A ll e gr i s soul th an any of his m ost
’

e nthu s iast ic follow e rs A p ictur e by the pro fe s sor

.

p enes me, answe rs fully to t he above littl e Sk e tch

o f th e pr e vaili ng po w e rs of the L o m b ard K e ats .
,

in th e E v e of S t A gn e s, has s e v e ral l in e s , wh ich

.

h arm oniz e sw ee tly with th e styl e allud e d to If .

th e y live in my m em ory, I w ill g ive th e m to you .

1 76 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS .

individu al e x pr e s s ion y e t he has occ as ion all y ,

so are d into th e s e r e gion s w ith a vigour th at d e fi e s

all co m p e tit ion The s up e rn atural g roup of J upit e r
.

and To— the d iv in e h e a d s of C hris t an d th e V irg in

in his E cc e Ho m o—an d in my humbl e O p inion , ,

hi s S igism ond a are s u ffic ie nt e vid e nc e s of th is

,

as s e rtion H e w as th e gr e at e st m as t e r, if not th e
.

inv e ntor of th at sp e c ie s of fore s hort e n ing t e rm e d

,
-
,
”
“
D i sotto in s u in w h ich th e figur e s are s e e n ,

fro m b e lo w as on c e iling s cupol as & c and t o

, , , .

thi s principl e wh ich he push e d into e xtravag anc e

,

in the spraw l ing alm o s t ind e c e nt figure of his ,

glorifi e d S aviour m o s t of his mal e fr es co figur e s ,

are ind e bt e d for wh at e v e r of grand e ur th e y m ay

poss e s s Luckily for the E nglish am at e ur his
.
,

e ffe ct s are not unr e ad ily transfe rr e d to copp e r ; as ,

notwith st and ing his e x quis it e hu e s l egitim at e ,

ch iaro s curo w as his organ The e ngravings am ong .

,

oth e rs b e s t c alculat e d to furnis h a good id e a of his

,

styl e are
,

The J up it e r and Io a valu abl e and r ath e r s c arc e ,

print from L ove s own p ictur e

, (D uehange)
’
.

5 S or 6 8
. .

H is Alle gory c all e d the L ed a onc e cut to p ie c e s

, ,

by s qu e am ish b igotry but s inc e r e cove r e d and , ,

r e p aire d by P rudhon e ngrav e d in Filh ol s ,

’

G ale rie du M usée (D ueha nge ) 1 08 or 1 5 s . . . .

The D e sc e nt fro m the C ross at Parm a d e s crib e d , ,

in the s e cond nu m b e r of th e L O NDO N M A G AZ I N E ,

a ch arm ing tw ili ght pr int (F di R os asp ina ) . .

£ 1 1 1 s 6 d or £2 2 s . . .
 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS . 1 77

The Face H omo

ngr av e d by A gos C ar acc i
,
e .
,

t hough I pr e fe r as m ore faithful though still , ,

ina d e qu at e the print by B ettilini

,
£1 58 . .

The M adonn a unde r the P alm tre e s with the -

,

R abbit the fin e s t h e e v e r p aint e d (E arlom)

, .

£ 1 1 l s 6 d or £ 2 2 8
. . . .

The C hrist s A gony in th e G ard e n ( Lord W e l

’

lington s ) fro m H am ilton s S chol a It ali c a

’ ’

, NB . . .

the good im pre ss ions are on a v e ry th ick an d s t iff

R o m an p ap e r ( Vo l a to
p ) 7 s . . .

We m ust l e av e C orreggio for the pr e s e nt and ,

att e nd to the two p icture s fro m the brush of

hi s contras t Giacopo R obu s ti com m only c all e d
, ,

Tintor e tto o n e of the bright e st orn am e nt s of th e

,

V e n e t ian school th an who m s c arc e ly any m an

,

pos s e ss e d such e x ub e ranc e of fancy with so pow ,

e rful a h and to e m body its purpo s e s A t onc e .

ard e nt an d l aboriou s he turn e d out m or e work ,

th an all the p aint e rs in V e n ic e put tog e th e r

p aint ing at all tim e s and acc e pting and e x e cutin g ,

co mm is sions at all pric e s Br e d un d e r the tutor .

ag e of V e celli h e b e c am e sp e e d ily s o thoroughly

,

init iat e d in th at gr e at m ast e r s principl e s of colour

’

as to b e g e t his own e xp ulsion—an act both

m e an and fooli sh on the p art of Titian Not at .

all d is cour ag e d G iacopo did not cont e nt him s e l f

,

w ith his acqu ir em e nt s th e r e but s at down r e s o ,

lut ely to the s tudy of M A ng e lo an d the antiqu e .

,

at t he s am e t im e m od elling in cl ay p erfe cting ,

h ims e lf in an ato my and drawing fro m lif e by ,

1 78 ESSAYS AND C R I TI C I SMS .

l amplight wh enc e h e no doubt d e riv e d thos e

,

gr and s cie ntific m as s e s ye a flood s of sh adows

, , ,

which form one gr e at m ark of his styl e Fully .

impr e s s e d with the fl e shi ne s s and truth of his

m as t e r s tints h e w as not blind to his d e fe cts in
’

dr awing and e xpre ss ion whi ch he conce ive d the ,

grand proj e ct of r em e dying by sup e raddi ng Titian s ’

m aj e s t ic ton e glow an d j uic e to th e s e v e rity

, ,

l e arn ing and gig antic e xp an s ion of the form s of

B uonarotti H ad his d epth b e e n e qu al to his
.

warmth an d his s t e adine s s to his industry thi s

, ,

nobl e pl an afte rw ard s adopt e d by Titian him s elf

,
1
,

would h av e r e nd e re d him the un dis put e d king of

the m od e rn o il p aint e rs But to us e the words of
-
.
,

Fu s e li go ad e d on by the r age of do ing s ingly

,

the work of all and d e b auch e d by the un e x am pl e d

,

facili ty of hi s own e x e cution he g ave h im s e lf ,

n e ith e r t ime to conc e ive to judge nor to fin is h ; , ,

cont e nt to c atch a whim if it had nove lty he , ,

turn e d his subj e ct into a farc e or tr ampl e d its ,

p art s into undis tinguish e d m as s e s ; and s acrificing

m ind ch ar act e r d e s ign and s e n se to incongruous
, , , , ,

but p icture squ e im age ry and fug itiv e e ff e ct he ,

”

conve rt e d his art into a pl ayt h ing l e aving b e hind ,

him littl e m ore th an th e r e put at ion of b e in g the

h e ad of the orn am e nt al school .

The ch aract eristics of his style are : prodigious

bre adth of chiaroscuro richn e s s h arm ony d e pth
, , ,

“ “
1
S e e the Pie tr o M artire , the D avi d and Goli ath ,
” ”

C ain and A b e an d
“
S acrific e o f A brah am , all give n in
”

Le F e br e s Op era S electiora, é c
’
Ve n 1 6 8 0 . . .
1 80 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS .

the lin e of the horiz on is two thi rds up the p icture -

an upright) ; the figur e s are pl ac e d on a p ie c e o f

(
woody, brok e n, gr as sy ground by the s e a, which
forms o ne s ide ( about a fifth) of the p ainting, and
-

app e ars to flow b e h ind a d im s ton e c astl e s t an di ng

in the dist ance Th e y are group e d in such a
.

m ann e r as to shoot obl iqu e ly acro ss the c anv as

,

fro m th e b as e to th e horiz on b eginning with the ,

t e rrifi e d princ e ss on the for e ground continu e d by

‘
-
,

the du s ky body of a d e ad m an b e yond who m the ,

fi e rc e d eli v e re r with h e ad down arm r ais e d kn e e s

, , ,

grip e d to the s addle and spurs b ack in the fl ank s

, ,

driv e s hi s w hi te w ar hors e down the s lop e int o

-

the s id e an d swoln t e nd e r b e lly of the alre ady

r e el ing dr agon A burst of radianc e fro m th e
.

h e av e ns (b e tw e e n a v e ry p al e orange and straw

colour) me e ts the diagon al lin e of co mpo sition and ,

finis h e s the whol e Tintore tto has not h e r e dis

.

pl aye d so ost e nt atiou sly his bro ad b ann e rs of light

an d sh ad e ; but the glo w ing d e pth an d h ar m ony of
the colouring are worthy of his p e nc il The rob e .

of S abr a w armly gl az e d wi th P ru ss ian blu e is

, ,

r e lie v e d from the p ale gr eeni sh b ack gr ound by a -

ve rmili on s c arf ; and the full hu e s of both are

b e autifully e cho e d as it w e re in a lo w e r k e y by
, ,

the purpl e l ak e colour e d stuffs and blui s h iron

- -

armour of the s aint b e s id e s an am pl e b al anc e t o

the vivid az ure drap e ry on the for e —
,

ground in the
ind igo sh ad e s of the w ild wood surrounding the
c as tl e M r W e st all had onc e a gr and R e surre c
. .

”
t ion of Laz arus full of b e autiful colour w e ll
, ,
i
mp as ted and most furiously e x e cut e d and at M r
,
.
 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI C I SM S . 181

H amm ond s the p ictur e de al e r of Gre e k stree t

’
- -
,

S oho I h av e s e e n a v e ry fin e s k e tch of the L ast

,

J udgm e nt w h ich how e ve r M r O ttl e y inclin e s to

, , ,
.

a s crib e to young P al m a I r ath e r wond e r th at .

th e A c ad e m y did not purch ase thi s l ast w hi ch is ,

a n admi r abl e s tudy in po int of colour The b e st .

S p e c im e ns of Tintor e tto s styl e are the

’
C ruci
”
fixi o n in the S cuol a di S an R occo at V e n ic e the
,
“
R e s urr e ction an d th e M ass acr e of th e Inno
in t he s am e pl ac e ; an d th e
” “
c e nt s ,
M iraculo d el
S e rvo p aint e d for the S d i S M arco w ho s e holy
,
. .
,

d e e d it bl az ons In portr ait h e w as s carc e infe rior

.

to Titian as m ay b e s e e n fro m his A rchb is hop of

“

S p alatro now in th is country To conv e y an

,
.

ad e qu at e id e a of his e x c ell e nc ie s by print s is im

po ss ibl e as his m ost ch ar act e ris tic allure me nt is

,

t he chrom at ic p art E v e n his ton e s o m e w h at .

,

mor e att ain abl e has b e e n g e n e r ally m is s e d by hi s

,

t ransl ators ; witn e ss th e e norm ou s m is t ak e e n

g r ave d by A go s C arr acci fro m his C ruc ifi xi on
“
.

h ow e v e r t ak e a fe w of th e m such as th e y are
, ,

The M urd e r of the Innoc e nt s : of whi ch th e re is

'

a copy in r e v e rs e without the e ngrav e r s n am e ’

.

( AEg i dius S ade ler ) . 1 08 .

T he A rchb is hop of S p alatro (S helton) l 0s 6 d . . .

T he O rigin of th e G al ax y from the P al ais R oy al e ; ,

a v e ry s ublim e conc e ption whos e vigour of ,

d e s ign n e arly e qual s th at of the ton e and colour .

T P h illi ps E s q R A po s s e s s e s a r e p e tition of
.
, ,

thi s s ubj e ct with an addition al group of figure s

,

p l a c e d und e r t h e lin e of clouds wh i ch s upport

1 82 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI CI SMS .

the couch of the s t artl e d Jun o . It ought to b e

w ell e ngrav e d on a l arg e r s c al e .
( aunay ) 5 s
J .

The M iracl e of the S l ave ; a m ann e r e d prin t

d e ficie nt in ton e ; but it is this or non e .

a lha m the p up il of Goltz ius )

’
( M ,
. 88 .

S t J e ro me th e Virg in and An g e ls ; a fin e
.
, , rich
thing (A gos C arra cci ) 1 5 s or £ 1 1 S
. . . . .

The M arriage at C an a ,
in the S chol a It alic a . .

( p
Vo l a to
) . 53 .

The D e sc e nt from the C ro s s .

( S ud eler
) 58 .

In the south roo m w e h ave tw o p icture s by ’

P olidoro di C ald ara ( C up i ds a n d S wa ns an d C up id s ,

dragg ing N ets both in ch iaro s curo ) and I d e clare

,

I n e ve r fe lt s o m uch pl e asur e as I did on r e ading ;

H is M aj e sty s n am e as the poss e ssor of th e se
’

grac e ful productions of th at v alu abl e an d s c arc e

art is t
. P olidoro a M il an es e s urn am e d fro m his
, ,
.

n ativ e to w n C arrav aggio b e c am e a p ainte r fro m

, ,

vie wing in the ch aract e r of hod m an the e x e cution

,
-
,

of Rafl aello s and U dino s work s in th e Vatic an

’ ’
’ '

J ust at this tim e gre at dis cov e rie s of antique s

w e re t aking pl ac e in Italy b e sid e s the ca st s and ,
.

drawing s whi ch R aff aello c au s e d to b e procur e d3 .

fro m Gre e ce ; and P olidoro fe ll SO h e art ily to

studyi ng and inv e st igat ing the principl e s of th e
anc ie nt s as di spl ay e d in th e ir b as s o an d alto re
,

li ev o s fri e z e s v as e s & c th at in a short t im e he

, , , .
,

succ ee d e d in e st abl ish ing a s tyl e wh ich totally ,

f r e e from s e rvile i mit at ion of th eir husks is mor e; ,

 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS .

without vulgarity H is gu s to in d e sign is com

.

p le t e ly of a p ie c e w ith h is conc e pt ion ; corr e ct ,

but not s tiff or h ard ; l e arn e d y e t not an ato m ic ally

,

p e dant ic ; full an d bro ad w ithout h e avin e ss vigor

ous and m as c ulin e without lo s ing d el ic acy ; uniting
pr e cis ion w ith grace Though he n e v e r lik e m y
.
,

favourit e Parm e giano is cont e nt e d with affe ct ation

, ,

wh e n in s e arch aft e r e le gance y e t his lin e s are ,

flowing and s w e e py ; and in th eir e m an ation fro m

an d conn e x ion w it h e ach oth e r uni form ly b arm o ,

ni o us The b e auty an d n atur e of his flying dr ap e rie s

.

h av e n e v e r b e e n e x c e ll e d H is ch iaro s curo i s for

.

cibl e and w e ll conduct e d giving to s ingl e figur e s

,

an d group s prodig ious roundn e ss and his c om

po s ition co m p act y e t d is tinct is cons id e ring the

, , ,

fe tte rs of the m onu m e nt al s tyl e e x tr e me ly v arie d ,

an d appropriat e .

S uch are the h igh ch aract e ristics of a p aint e r ,

n e gl e ct e d and unknown ( e x c e pt to a f ew ) in th e s e
d ays w h e n s ordid vulg arity and accid e ntal d e
,

formi ty ass u m e th e n am e s of n atur e and truth

—w h e n a b ad copy fro m a s puriou s Tit ian or re
touch e d Re m brandt con s titut e s any give n R oggins
or S p ilk ins a critic on Fin e Art and w h e n a blas
p h e m o us us e of th e n am e s of R affaello and P h idi as

e r e ct s an e l abor at e t rifle r an indu s tri ous congr e

,

g ator of m ean imb e c il e and ug ly phy s iogno mie s

, ,

a nd a ctions into an h is toric p aint e r .

H is M aj e s ty s e x am pl e m ay do m uch tow ards

’

c alli ng p e opl e fro m th eir grov elling lov e for tho s e

product s of dull p atie nc e and w ant of imagin a
t ion s the p ictur e s of N e tsch e r D e nn e r D ouw old
, , , ,
 E SSAYS AN D C RI TI C I SMS . 1 85

M ie ris & c w h il e the e l e g anc e of t ast e and the

, .
,

p e n etration s ho w n in th e cho ic e of the tw o P oli

d oros and the S ch iavon e (B r iseis r a vished f rom
A chilles ) though no m or e th an w as to b e e x p e ct e d
,

fro m th e Firs t Gentlema n in the e m pir e , m ay p er

a dv e ntur e s h am e s o m e o f our w e althy s e lf dubb e d -

c onno is s e ur s o ut of th e ir itch for Brouw e r s and ,

into th e pur ch as e of s uch p ictur e s as gr ac e the

inv alu abl e coll e ct ion of J J uliu s A ng e r s t e in E s q
.
,
.

T ill t hi s is don e , an d t ill faithful art is t l ik e prints -

fro m the l e adi ng m ast e rs are publis h e d at s uch

pric e s as m ay allow and ind e e d invit e an e x t e n
,

s iv e s al e it is all fool is hn e s s for M r

,
Th is or M r .
, .

’ “
T oth e r to w rit e
,
pl ans for adv ancing th e fin e
art s & c Wh e n p e ople from hav ing th e b e s t m od e ls
,
.
,

c on s t antly b e for e th e ir e y e s, b e g in to co m pr e h e nd

the c ap ab ili t ie s of s e p arat e s tyl e s an d know w h at ,

is to b e e x p e ct e d fro m th e po w e rs of the art w h e re

an d wh e n it is to work w ith th e s im pl e m at e rial s

o f hi story : w h e r e to ch ang e an d tr an s m ut e th e m

to fit b e tt e r its o w n p e culiar purpo s e s ; and at

w h at crisis an d in wh at e m e rg e ncy it is p e rmitt e d
, ,

th e use of vis ion s ymbol or doubl e appos ition

'

, ,

t h e n o nl y will th e ir p at ron ag e acqui r e the p e r

m an e nt w e ight of utility A t pr e s e nt, it e vid e ntly
.

d o e s m ore h arm th an good ; for wh at m an will h av e

folly e nough to study d e e ply the prin cipl e s O f the
bl az ing lumin arie s of Flore nc e R o m e and P arma , , ,

for th e purpos e of e mbodying the p atriarch s

o f G e n e s is t he h e ro e s and fair wo m e n of Ho m e r,
,

H e s iod, S ophocl e s H e rodotus A riosto and S p e ns e r

, , ,

o r the m ystic an d p ictur e s qu e s itu at ions of L a

1 86 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS .

1
M ort d Arthur and of Undin e in ord e r to b e in
’

, ,

s ulte d by the pre fe r e nc e g iv e n to C rossing a

B r ook, The D og S tea ler, The C ook Fight The ap ,

pro ach to M r Pumm o ck s Grot, ’ ”

. O ffic ers of the
”
L anc e r s , or a p ack of p altry prints ,

publish e d for the ine x pre s se d purpos e of d e forming;

the b e aut e ou s p ag e s of J ohn B all antyn e , and
Tho m as D avis on 2
H e re , for the pr e se nt w e s top, ,

b e gging p ardon for our d igre ss ion, and re com

m e nd ing the am at e ur and e sp e cially the youn g
,

practition e r, to s tudy c are fully the f e w and im

p e rfe ct print s aft e r the inv e ntion s of th is s oli d
m ast e r . I am not able to d e scrib e all tho s e put
forth by A lb e rt i, as I po s se ss but fe w , and c annot
h e re c all on the as s ist anc e of M B arts ch (lo P ein tre
.

esid era n te w ill find l it t l e troubl e

g r aveur
) but th e d
in s e l e cting if he inqu ire s ( u s ing our n am e ) at
,
’ ’
M e ss rs C olnaghi s or M olte n o s for a portfol io o f
.

C h e rub ino Alb e rt i or P ol idoro H e w ill find th e m,

.

I b e lie v e , e xtre m e ly r e as on abl e , notw ith s t anding

th eir co mp ar ativ e s c arcity .

’
P olidoro s fin e st work , which st ill e x ist s in ru ins ,
is th e long frie z e of the Fa ble of N i obe e ngrav e d ,

1 Why will not the translator of S in tram fav our us w ith

th e S umm e r and Autum n R o manc e s or the M agic ,
Ring
or t he S iegf ried B runhi ld
an d
2
I tr us t M ess rs S toth ard , W e s tall an d R ich ard C ook,
.

( why do w e s e e you s o seldom, good M r C ook 2) will not .

ut on c ap s int e nd e d f or a v e ry d i ff e re nt s e t o f e o le It
p
p
.

i s a s m all crim e to i llus tra te the no v e ls o f S ir ‘ but,

t h e L ord pre s e rv e us 1 the d e ad (witn ess S hak sp e are ) are .

not s afe [H ear, h ear I]

.
1 88 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

faello D a Vinci Fra B artolom e o C orre ggio

, , , ,

B aroccio A ndr e a del S arto P arme giano Giuli o

, , , ,

P olidoro Tit iano ,

Tintore tto Paolo Ve ron e s e
, , ,

B as s ano P alm a Guido D ominichino M A d e

, , , . .

~
C arrav aggio A lb ano Gu ercino L anfr anco and
, , , ,

th e C arr acci Th is book is of it s e lf a g all e ry

. .

to a young artis t or am at e ur ; but wh e n you

h av e your h and in your pocke t it m ay not b e ,

amiss to add th e s e t of pl at e s c all e d R affaelle s

’

B ibl e publish e d in Oblong fol 1 7 9 0 by M on

,
.
,

t agnani of R o m e : if you s ho ul d light on a good

copy of M aure r s E mbl ems or S tim m e r s Huntings
’ ’

or ind e e d any of his works e x c e pt his B ibl e ( s mall ,

4 to B asl e
.
, s e cur e th e m imm e d iat e ly ; and
,

if you don t l ik e e m s e nd th e m to 9 3 Fl e e t stre e t

’ ’
-
, , ,

a n d you sh all r e c e iv e th e ir v alu e and m h earty

y
;th ank s .
 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS . 1 89

01 . B an v ins t ooms his

”

magmas for JlBiIettemti .

1

No II
. .

G i uLi o R OMAN O .

I lik e the gre e n p lus h whi ch your m e ado w s w e ar e ,

I raise y your pre gn ant fi elds , w hich duly b e are
p
e i r w e althy burth e n to th indu s tri ous boor e
’
.

N or do I d isall o w , that w h o are p 0 0 1 e

I n m ind e or f ortun e , th ith e r s hould r e t ir e
B ut h at e th at h e , w ho s w arm e wi th ho ly fir e
’

O f an y kno wle dg e , and m ong us m ay f e as t

’

O n n e ctar e d w it, s houl d turn e h ims elf t a b e as t,

’

An d graz e i the country

’
.

A wis e m an s ho ul d n e ve r r es olv e upon an t hing X “

A m an m u s t do accord ing to acc id e nts an e m e rg e nc ie s

’
g .

S elden s Table Ta lk .

HE who po s s e ss ing an activ e mind is y e t d efi

, ,

cie nt in varie ty and origin ality of id e as to fe e d it

with c annot subs is t long w ithout books Thi s
,
.
.

w e fe lt s o s e n s ibly in our l at e e x curs io n th at ,

w e w e re forc e d to r eli nqu ish f or a t im e our , ,

t “
r e solution of visiting ( whi ch would
i 9

of cours e h av e sugg e st e d v e ry p as toral and

marin e articl e s) and to r e turn to L ondon an d
,

our indis p e ns abl e authors and p aint ers In .

'

h eight of Spring tid e wh e n h e av e n s lights are

-
,
’

long w e m ay contriv e to dr ag through the d ay

,
”

bookles s not ami ss B e fore br e akf ast for inst anc e

.
, ,

[
1
L ondon Magazin e, O ctob e r,
1 90 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI C I SMS .

o ne m ay t ak e a vie w—if
noon a o ne can at

s ail—if n e ar th e s e a ; an d in th e e v e n ing a stroll

,

am id th e fr e s h fragr ant br e ath of t he fur z e and

h eath —if not t ir e d ; r e p e at ing C ollins s lov e ly ’

O d e —if e v e r l e arnt an d st ill r e t ain e d ,

By this .

t im e it draw s to w ard s t e n o clock and a t russ of

’

fine bl anch e d l e ttuc e ; a good d ig of S tilton or a ,

sl ic e of ham and a h and s o m e gl ass of b ottl e d

port e r —all w ell e arn e d by e x e rcis e —c arry yo u
,

, ,

co mfort ably to your w hi t e curt ain e d b e d But -

.

as th e d ays b eg in to d raw in and wh e n the ,

mystic al R r e nd e rs oy s t e rs e at abl e and c andl e s

.

n e c e ss ary solitud e at an inn b e co me s intol e rabl e

, ,

e s p e cially s inc e the d is u s e of coloure d prints ,

s am pl e rs scr e e n s m ap s & c Th e y h av e no l ittl e

c h in a p as toralitie s on t he mantl e s h e lv e s now— no
.
, , ,

p ip ing sh eph e rds in cl ar e t coloure d co ats an d -

c ock e d h at s —no fallow d ee r couch ing th e ir whi t e -

br e as t s am ong pur e lil ie s and id e ally gr e e n h e rb

age —no F alst affs l acqu e r e d re d and y e llow—nor
,

S hak s p e are s ov e rl aid w ith bl ack st aid wisdom s

’
, ,

hue : crumbl e d to t ind e r are thos e p ictorial b e d

c urtains
s
,
vis ibl e l e ctur e s on orni thology and
botany all all are gon e th e old famili ar fac e s
, , ,

an d with th e m i s flo w n h alf th e e nj oy m e nt I took

i n e n acting th e Tart ar I am c e rt ainly an amia

.

b le cre atur e ; e v e ry act ion of my l ife e m an at e s

from a wish to pl eas e I l e ft the valle y of.

last spring to pl e as e the p ainte rs with my

e ulogi e s. I l e ft the s e aw e e d t angl e d b e ach of -

bidding the thick e ning w ave s go f o am

f or oth e r e y e s to pl e as e m ys elf A nd this m orn
,
”
.
 1 92 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI C I SMS .

d e nt al p e ttin e s s of p arts in the ov e rpowe ring gran

d e ur of the w hol e ; but an infe rior t al e nt out ,

b al anc e d by m e d iocrity w ill c e rt ainly b e s m oth e re d

,

as in a qu ick s and M r C ook th e n m ay b e a littl e

. .

proud th at not he hi ms elf has b e e n abl e to rui n

,

hi s o w n co mpo s it ion e v e n by such a pro min e nt

d isfigure m e nt H e has l at e ly b e e n v ery idle but
.

I tru s t w e s h all m e e t him ag ain on th e high pl ac e s ,

r ais ing his e ars at th e loud t w ang of Ho m e r s ’

phorm in x and giving ch as e to the th ick thrilling

,
-

s ound s . Th is print is e tch e d with artis t lik e fe e l -

ing by th e firm h and O f Willi am Taylor a young ,

m an s truggl ing for fam e und e r gr e at di s adv ant ag e s ,

and who s e e x e cution do e s honour to M r C ook s

’
.
.

’
s e l e ction . O 1 h e r e is M r Golding s long e xp e cte d
.

P r incess C har lotte aft e r S ir Tho m as I h av e m e n .

tio ne d th is p icture in t e rm s of the w arm e st ad mi

ration ( S e e account of the l ast Exh ibition) and ,

am n o t t he l e ast incli n e d to r e tract though m

y ,

op inion has b e e n s trongly O ppo se d by s e v e ral who )

ought to kno w b e tt e r th an m y s e lf ; an d w h e n I

cons id e r how li ttl e S ir Tho m as s favourit e s the Old ’

It alian m as t ers and the antiqu e are appre ciat e d ,

am ong our art is t s and conno iss e ur s I fe el qu it e ,

s at isfi e d th at the r e fin e m e nt s u avity and gr ac e ful

,

d e lic at e ch as t ity of th is portr ait form its e s s e ntial

b ars to popularity With re sp e ct to the copy or
.
:

transl ation by M r Goldin g it is de cid e dly infe rior

.
,

to no lin e e ngraving of the pre s e nt E nglish s chool .

The firs t e sse nt ial of a print is im plic it fid elity to

t he or igin al ( w h ich of co ur s e w e suppos e worthy
1

1
I h av e h eard s o m e p e ople say th at th e e ngrav e r has
,
:
 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI C I SMS . 1 93

of m ultipli c at ion) ; wh e r e the w ant of this is ao

knowl e dg e d the r eal conno is s e ur will r ej e ct th e
,

mi s re pr e s e nt at ion with cont e mpt Th e re for e th e .

po s s e ss ion of th is qu alific ation should of its e lf

r e nd e r th e pr e s e nt pl at e valu abl e to all admir e rs
O f L aw r e nc e ; if Gold ing had not al s o fl atte r e d
t he e y e of the p r int coll e ctor by the m o s t v arie d
an d appropriat e w orkm ansh ip firm d e lic at e sol id , , , ,

airy cl e ar rich an d brill iant

, ,
The p ath e t ic t e nd e r
.

n e ss of the e y e s the gr e at attract ion of the l arge

,

dr awing ( form e rly allud e d to) is not so p e rc e pt ibl e ,

in t he pl at e ; but it s omis sion is rath e r th e grav e r s

’

mi s fortun e th an it s fault The e x pre s s ion though

.
,

tru e w as too subtl e and e th e r e al to b e ar th e touch

,

of st eel But who is the author of thi s l arg e

.

“
D e nt atu s from M r H ay d on s w e ll kn o wn p icture t
’
-

I am qui t e ignorant of hi s styl e —whe r e is my

.
,

“
glas s ? D raw n an d e ngrav e d on wood by
H arve y O n wood S o it is by J up it e r ! Truly ,

thi s is the m ost e ffe ctiv ely e l aborat e p e rformanc e

b ee n unfaithf ul to s uch an d s uch a p art only to improv e
i t : grantin g th e po ssib ili ty o f th at occur ring w hi ch I ai n ,

pr ep are d to say n e v e r occurr e d ye t s till w h e n I w oul d pur

, ,

chas e a L e on ardo s L as t S uppe r or a R affaello s Trans figur

’ ’

at ion I sha ll b e m uch disappo int e d an d ( unless pr e vi o us ly

, ,
taught b e tt e r) m uch d amage d in m y tas te if ins t ea d o f ,

t h e s e v e r e int e lli g e nt lin es and the f orcib le s h ado w s o f the

F lore ntin e and th e R om an I am pres e nt e d w ith a w oolly
, ,

m e tally ind e c is iv e t ame i mp rovemen t by th at m ann e re d

p e tty toolsm an Raflaélle M orghen—the admi ration of falle n
, ,
'

, ,

imm as culate I t aly and no se le d w ell m eanin g E ngland ;

,
-
,
-

w ho se copies b ear about the s ame r elat ion to th e p ict ures as ,

do es the olis h e d bom b as t of Pop e s Iliad to the do wn right
’

pass ion opH om e r s ’

.
 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI C I SMS .

th at I e v e r m e t with ; and can it b e the work of

t h e v e ry young m an I h av e h ad po int e d out to
m e as t he c o pup il of the Land s e e rs and young
-

B e wick ! H is ardour for e x c e ll enc e and unw eai ie d

’

p e rs e ve ranc e und e r the m o s t h arass ing p riv ations o

,

w e r e not unknown to m e : but who could s uppo s e

th at raw t w e nty One should thu s sh am e e xp e rie nc e d
-

fifty and cr e at e a new e ra in x ylography ? U p

,

to th is d ay our h is toric al w ood cutt e r s h av e thought

,
-

it m uch to follow in s o m e fash ion tho s e l in e s

r e ady— p e ncill e d by the inv e ntor on the block s b ut
h e r e a good for noth ing fello w t aking it into his
- -
,

h e ad to bre ak through all the e s t abl ish e d custo m s

of th e craft cop ie s a p ictur e and a co mpl e x o ne
, ,

too on an out o f—
, th e w ay s iz e d p ie c e of bo x w ith
- -

sk ill in drawing know l e dg e of an ato my fire O f e x

, ,

pre s s ion ch aract e r of touch and g e n e r al fe e ling

, , ,

b e s e e ming much r ath e r a practis e d inv e ntor th an

an in e x p e rie nc e d e ngr av e r ! Wh at is not to b e
appr e h e nd e d to m od e rn art if s uch an innov at ing ,

an d r ad ic al e x am pl e is to b e Spre ad ov e r all the

print w indo w s in town ? I s e e only o ne w ay ,

which is for all r e form h at ing loy al p e opl e to follow

-

my e x ampl e and un it e in buying up his whol e

,

e d it ion ; an d no doubt th is w ill b e s o d is cour ag ing

, ,

to M r H arve y as to induc e him (more D ibdini) O

.
, U

s h att e r his block S e riou sly you to who m a gu i n e a

.
,

is a mit e not m is s e d th ink if y e can think of the

, , ,

sup e r wr e tch e d s itu at ion O f the young artis t who

-
,

in th at trying s e ason w h e n unc e rt ain of e ith e r

future fame or e v e n the m e an s of a mis e rabl e
subsist e nc e d e vot e s all his e n e rgie s to pr e p arat ory
,
1 96 ES S AYS AND C RI T I C I SMS .

I h ave nothing m ore to s ay j ust now abou t

r e c e nt public ation s e x c e pt to re co mm e nd the n e w
,

volu m e ( 5 th) of M r D aniel s C o asting Tour as ’

.
,

fully e qu al in inte re s t to the fourth Al so an e x .

,

celle nt l arg e fo lio e tch ing of Windsor fr o m th e ,

for e st by M r D elamotte who se S tud ie s fro m

,
.
,

N atur e about S andhurst ( 2 Nos 4to ) are the m o s t . .

g e nu in e th ings of the kind e v e r publish e d in th is .

country though a l ittl e too p aint e r l ik e for b e gin

,
-

n e rs From G e rm any I b el ie v e noth ing has arriv e d

.
’

l ate ly but Mr Boht e has s e nt m e so me outlin e

, .

co mpos itions fro m the El e us in ian My st e rie s which ,

h av e m uch sp irit and e l e g anc e The cl as s ic al .

‘

schol ar will b e h ighly pl e as e d w ith th e m and th e ir

pric e is m od e rat e In a pock e t —
,

. book e dit e d by ,

L a M ott e Fouque are ins e rt e d t e n or twe lv e prints

,

illu s trat iv e of U ndin e H ie ron ymu s Von S t auf

, ,

& c v e ry ch aract e ris tic of the G e rman s chool Fro m

. .

the form e r m o s t b e w itc hi ng of t al e s C F S chult z e . .

has m ad e fourt e e n d e s igns in outli n e wh ich I s h all ,

notic e so me t ime or oth e r ; tho ugh p e rh aps m ore

for the d e light of r e curring to th e ir e v e r fre s h -

sourc e th an on th eir own account S till though by .

,

no m e ans e qu al to R et s ch the d e cor ator of G o e th e s

,
’

wond e rful dramatic po em S chult z e has in s e v e ral ,

inst anc e s r is e n far abov e m e d iocrity Tak e fo r .

,

e x ampl e the inimit abl e stu nt e d Gno me in pl at e

, ,

6 ; and K uhle b orn am ong the re e ds of the Bl ack

V all e y pl at e 1 2 : two figure s pronounc e d un im
,

provabl e by a judgm e nt whi ch I h av e found in

The pr e s e nt t e nde ncy of British art is tow ards

 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS . 1 97

m e an ,
b ald matt e r of fact ; wh ich is j ust co ming
round ag ain to the first st at e of p aint ing ,

w h e n s im pl e undiscrimin at iv e i mi ta tion w as the

,

s ol e obj e ct ; if th e e ye w as d az z l e d and d e c e iv e d ,

no c are was t ak e n of the s at isfaction of

t h e m i nd 1
Th is t e nd e ncy f ar from d e pre s s ing
.
, ,

fills m e w ith g r e at hop e s wh e n I cons id e r ,

t h at M ich ae l Ang e lo an d Raffaello ros e fro m

t he rui ns of s imilar b arb ar ity Ar t is grown .

O ld an d imb e cil e a s e cond t im e an d m us t li k e th e , ,

phoenix d e vote its craz y sh ell to the r e production

,

of on e s tronge r and b e tt e r abl e to e xh ibit its in

d w elling n e ve r dying fl am e This is th e cours e
,
-
.

of n ature wh e r e life e v e r s prings from d e ath ;

,

a truth b e aut ift s h ado w e d forth i n th e fabl e of

M e d e a who un abl e to re invigorat e the ruin of

,
-

w h at onc e w as f Eson w as forc e d to d e co mpos e

, ,

r e duc e to its origin al atom s and as it w e re , , ,

cre at e an e w Though in E ngl and the princ ipl e

.

o f life is st ill in e rt and do e s not y et fee l th e

,

influ e nc e of the r e g e n e rat iv e fe rm e nt ation now

work ing so p e rc e ptibly in G e rmany I do not ,

d e e m it altog e th e r im p e rt in e nt to e nd e avour t o
r e p ar e a f e w m ind s to r e c e iv e p atie ntly an d im
p
p e tul antly th e t end e r shoots wh ich will I trust , ,

s pring up in th e good t im e Th e r e are m any .

r e asons why the m od em s can n e ve r s ucce e d in

th e pur e clas s ica l e x e cut ion of any giv e n s ubj e ct
at s e cond —
,

e x c e pt h and : and as the e x p e ct e d ,

1
T o sim plify p e rspicuo us it is n e ces sary to m ake
an d be
th is bro ad o po sition of t e rms though it is n eith e r
s uffic ie nt ly d ep
,

c at e nor ind e e d s tri ctly philos ophi cal

, .
1 98 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS .

o utbre ak will b e n e c e s s arily so m e wh at wild and

lic e ntious I th ink it b e tt e r to dispos e the publi c
,

to indulg e nc e by accu s tomi ng th e m to the fli ghts

,

of the ro m antic m as t e rs th an to h arde n th eir ,

h e art s an d j udgm e nts by insisting on e xtre m e

corr e ctn e s s and nic e proprie ty With s uch imt e n .

tion I e nd e avoure d to c all m ore r e al and g e n e r al

notic e towards the su avity amorou s l anguor and , ,

s e rp e nt in e gr ac e of C orr e ggio most comm o nl y ,

obt ain e d by the s acrific e of drawing and truth

.

(onc e or twic e e v e n of appropriat e n e s s and co mm on

s e n s e ) ; an d in furth e ranc e of it I s h all try t o
, ,

re concil e the i ntenden ti to the s om e w h at r e p elli ng

inve ntion s O f a p aint e r app are ntly far m or e e x
t rav agan t though in r e ality m or e corr e ct and
l egitim at e—not with any wish to hold up th e s e
, , ,

d e r e lictions for imit ation or prais e but me re ly to ,

pr e ve nt s te rlin g g e niu s fro m n e g l e ct and ridi

c ul e on account of s o m e sup e rfic ial e cc e ntricitie s .

I m e an G iulio Pipp i surn am e d R om ano the , ,

favourit e discipl e and in m ythi c s ubj e ct s the , ,

’
succ e ssful rival of D Urb in o ; an d al s o th e h e ad
of a s e p arat e s chool honour e d by the n am e s of
,

Franc e s co P rimaticcio Te odoro Gh is i Rin ald o, ,

M antovano B attist a B ertan o and Giulio C amp i

, ,

the C r e m on e s e The p ictur e s occ as ion ally e x

.

hib it e d in E ngl and as the works of th is m as t e r

will c e rt ai nly not b e ar m e out in the follo w ing
obs erv ation s on his s tyl e ; n e ith e r will the fre s co e s
e x e cut e d in the V atic an fro m th e c artoon s of
R affaello ; but if you will turn ov e r the fol io s
of M e s s rs Woodburn M olt e no and C olnaghi
.
, , ,.
2 00 ESSAYS AN D C RI T I C I SMS .

with any unmi st ak abl e m ark H e has m or e .

grand and po etic al conc e ption s th an R affaello and ,

comm it s m or e im p e rt in e nc e s th an Paolo V e ron e s e .

E qu al in Sim plicity to F ra B artolo m e o he d isloc at e s

.
,

m or e limb s th an B andin e lli or G oltz ius No o ne .

e v e r und e rstood the m e ch an is m of the hu m an

frame b e tt e r and nobody e v e r playe d s uch trick s
,

with it H is co mpo s ition is as co m p act and unite d

.

as his chi aroscuro is unprinc ipl e d an d fritt e re d .

It is d ifficult to conce ive any th in g w arm e r m or e ,

attr act ive more in h arm ony with Tas so s chorus

,
’

O belld etd d el o ro th an his am orous g ro ups or

,

B acch ic sc e n e ry or m ore r ep e ll ant th an his un

,
“
g e n ial ton e and op aqu e colour with its re d bricky -

l ights viol e t d e mi tints and bl ack s h adows

,
-
,
.

Fro m his m od e O f tre ating th e m the m ost familiar ,

att itud e s as sum e an im port anc e an d nov e lty whil e ,

im pos s ibl e twists w e ar w ithout d e t e ct ion the p re

r o ativ e s of s uppl e n e s s
g T hough thoroughly
. im
bu e d with the grand e ur of Ho me r and the purity
and b e auty of the ant iqu e he had an inc e s s ant ,

itch for grot e s qu e d e formi ty ; a m as t e r of e x

pr e s sion h e pre fe rr e d th e griinace s of an It alian
,

m ount e b ank : with a mind c ap abl e of conc e iving ,

an d a h and of e x e cut ing e v e ryth ing j oyous g e ntl e , ,

e l e g ant an d sublime h e r e v e ll e d in brut al vul

,

g arity d e pre s sing m e ann e s s and d iabolic al tortur e ;

, ,

an d h e drops fro m th e h e av e n of s anct ity in to

t he abo min ations of C aprea 1

In his choic e of .

1
I n allu sion to th e lo s t Ar e tino print s, Fu seli s ays, S ome
h av e ob ecte d to the char acte r of hi s physiognomi e s as
'

m ore acio us th an e n am our e d , les s s im ple th an v ul ar,

g
al and horrid , wi thout b e in t e rri b le
g .
 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI CI SMS . 2 01

a tt itude s he is at onc e e ndl e s sly v arious and

m a nn ered ; in folds and flying curl s , app ar e ntly
n atur al, y e t arb itrary ; in the lu x uriou s h e ad
dre s s e s of hi s fem ale s , at onc e antic and m od e rn ,

cl as s ic al and fant astic ; and to crown the w hol e , ,

his id e as , youn g, lusty and full of s ap , are st arv e d

by the adust rigi d ity of his e xe cution S uch are .

the j arring e l e m e nts of this m as t e r s work s, whos e

’

c h ar act e ris t ic is an e rud it e un iv e r sal ity :

Giuli o s a mighty raging flood

’

Th at from s o m e m ount ain flo w s

Rap id an d w arm an d d e e p an d loud
, , , ,
Who s e forc e no limit kno ws .

H e w as d e cide d imit ator of the antiqu e ; but it

a

w as of the k e rn e l not of the s h e ll l ik e th e mod e rn

, ,

Fre nch s chool H e thought in th e ir sp iri t inst ead

.
,

of copying th e ir r em ains Thus he w as alw ay s .

o rigin al an d racy The vi gorous vit ali ty of his

.

o w n m ind runs thro ugh all his co m po s it ion s an d , ,

a s th e F ae ry w in e t ingl e s lik e y outh along the , ,

v eins of th e gr e y S herasmin so do e s his br e ath

1
,

infus e life into a cap ut mortuum H e drags forth .

so m e mu s ty m ythologic fabl e re m od e ls it and ,

-
, ,

pl acing it b e fore our e ye s in all its prim aeval

bloo m co mm and s and obt ains our s ymp athie s
, .

H e will giv e you an app e tit e for any d is h whi ch

O vid has s ick e n e d you w ith and l ik e JEne aS and , ,

O th ello sh all t e ll you his story ov e r an d ov e r

,

1
Wieland s O b e ron a b e autif ul rom anc e m uch in
S ee
’
, ,

n ee d o f conge nial tran slation I n th e m e antime I advi se

.
,

y ou to r ea d M r S oth eby s if you h av e not alrea dy

’
.
,
.
2 02 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI C I SMS .

g n whil e you sh all l is t e n lik e D ido and D e s

a ai ,

d e m on a E v e n his nu m e rou s and offe n s iv e e x

.

trav agan ce s s e r ve his purpo s e of striking an d

rive t ing his w ork s in the m ind Lik e F us eli he .
,

m ay b e ill appr e h e nd e d but n e v e r d e s p ise d ; you

-
,

m ay h at e but c annot forg e t ; th is is the p reroga

,

t iv e of o nl y tru e and v e ry h igh ge n iu s Y ou .

s h all b e pl ac e d b e for e C arlo Mar att i and b e ,

fore Gu ido b e for e A nn C arracci Alb ano D om

, .
, ,

e nichino Lanfranco
,
an d M ign ard
, an d s t and ,

n e ut e r on the qu e s tion of th e ir m e rits ; but M .

’
A ng e lo s Braz e n S e rp e nt G iuli o s R ap e of Hyl as
’

, ,

R e mbr andt s C rucifi xion

’
or Fu se li s H e ro and
,
’

L e and e r s h all com p e l you p e rforc e to an e l e c

,

t ion ! It is p e ace or w ar— int en s e love or

int e n s e d e t e s t at ion ! and th at m e r e wildn e s s w ill
n ev e r h av e th is e ffe ct is fully e vid e nc e d by
R o ss o S prang e r V an M and e r an d H e m s kirk
, , ,
.

P e rh ap s th is l as t ob s e rv at ion only applie s to thos e

alr e ady ini tiat e d in th e th e ory of th e art in as m uch ,

as it s uppos e s th e e x e rcis e of crit ic al judgm e nt ;

and judgm e nt in p aint ing as w e ll as in p oe try ,

is ,
.

an acqu ir e d t al e nt w h ich can only b e produc e d by

de e p thought an d a long continu e d inte rcour s e

,

with th e b e s t m od el s of co mpo s ition Th is un

an s w e rabl e truth s hould t e m p e r th e r as hn e s s O f
'

d e cis ion and s ugg e st th at if p ainting b e a s ubj e ct

, ,

on which m uch tim e has not b e e n b e s towe d the ,

j udgm e nt may b e e rron e ous and in m any cas e s ,

”
mus t b e s o The proc e e ding s and not ion s of p e o
.

p le who r e g ard po e try an d p aint ing as m a tt e r s of

am us e m e nt are imm at e rial but thos e w h o wish to !
2 04 ESSAYS A ND CRI TI C I SMS .

h av e n e arly the s am e imag e s in both For e ith e r .

v ict im th e h igh grov e s an d for e s t d e lls m urm ur ;

t he flow e rs e x h al e s ad p e rfum e fro m th e ir buds ;

the nighting al e m ourns on the craggy l and s an d ,
“
t h e sw allow in th e long wind ing v al e s
-
Th e .

”
s atyrs too an d faun s d ark v e il e d gro an
-
and th e ,

fount ain nymph s w ithin th e w ood s m elt into

t e arful w at e rs The sh e e p and go at s l e av e th eir
.

p as tur e and O re ad s w ho lov e to sc ale the m ost

,
”

in acc e ss ibl e tops of all up right es t rock s hurry ,

d o wn fro m the s ong of th e ir w ind court ing p in e s ; -

wh il e the dryad s b e nd fro m the branch e s of the

m e e ting tre e s and the riv e r m o ans for w h it e
,

P rocris with m any s obb ing s tre am s ”

-
,

Filling the f ar-see n oc ean with a v oic e . L eigh H unt:

The gold e n b e e s are s il e nt on the thy m y Hym e ttu s

'

a nd t he kn e lli ng horn of A uror a s lov e no m or e

’

s h all s c att e r aw ay th e cold t w il ight on the top of

P e l ion The fore ground of our s ubj e ct is a gras s y

s unburnt b ank , brok e n into s w e lls and ho llo w s

l ik e wav e s (a s ort of l and-br e ak ers ) : r end e r e d m ore

un e ve n by m any foot tripping roots and s tumps of
-

t r e e s stock e d unt im e ly by th e ax e , W h ich are ag ain

throwing out light gre e n Shoots This b ank ris e s .

r ath e r sudd e nly on the right to a clu st e ring grov e ,

p e n e trabl e to no s t ar , at the e ntranc e of which s it s

t he stunn e d Th e s salian k ing holding b e tw e e n his
,

kn ee s th at ivory-bright body which w as but an ,

in s t ant agon e , p art ing the rough bough s with he r

s m ooth f or e h e ad , and treading al ik e on thorns and

fl ow e rs w ith j e alousy- stung foo t now h elpl e s s, —

 ES SAYS A ND C RI T I C I SMS . 205

h eavy void of all motion s av e wh e n

, , th e bre e z e
lif ts h e r th ick h air in m ocke ry :

O God w h at doe s not o ne s ho rt hour s n atch up

O f all ma n s glo ss S t ill o v erflo ws the cup
’

O f his bur s t c ares put wi th no n e rve s toge th e r,

A nd li ght e r th an t he s hado w of a fe athe r .

C h apm an s Epi cedium

’

Fro m b e tw e e n the clos ely n eighbour e d bol e s as

t oni s he d nym ph s pre s s for w ard with loud crie s ;

An d d ee r k in ves t e d s atyrs crown d with ivy twis ts

-s -
,
’

,
advanc e
A nd put s trang e pity in th e ir horne d co unt en anc e .

Lael ap s lie s b e n e ath , an d s ho w s by his p anting the

1

r apid p ac e of d e ath O n the oth e r sid e of the

.

“
group , virtuous lov e with v an s d ej e ct e d , hold s
,

forth th e arrow to an appro aching troop of S ylvan

p e ople, fauns, r am s go ats , s atyrs and s atyr-m oth e rs
, , ,

pre ss ing th eir childre n t ight e r w ith th eir fe arful

hands w ho hurry along fro m the l e ft in a sunk e n
,

p ath b e twe e n the fore ground and a rocky w all on ,

.

whos e low e st ridge a brook gu ard ian pours fro m -

he r urn he r grie f t elli ng w at e rs

-
A bov e , and m or e .

r em ot e th an the E phidryad anoth e r fe m al e r e nd , ,

ing he r lock s app ears am ong the vin e fe stoon e d p il

,

l ars of an un s horn grove The c e ntr e of the p ictur e.

is fill e d by s h ady me adow s s ink ing do w n to a

riv e r m outh —b e yond is the v ast str ength of the
,

oc e an str e am fro m whos e floor the e xtinguish e r

,

1 O vid y th at he was transform e d into a ston e b e fo r e

sa s .

the pr es e nt e v e nt but I don t chuse to b eliev e him ’

.
2 06 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI C I SMS .

t r rosy A urora drive s furiou sly up h er brin e

o f s a s, ,

w ash e d st e e d s to b e hold the d e ath p ang s of he r

,
-

r iv al I am not aw ar e th at Giul io e v e r p aint e d

.

The L a ment f or P rocr is .

The print b e for e m e (by Giorg io Gh is i) is pl ainly

m ade fro m a draw ing or p ap e r s k e tch ; a cu s tom
a m ong th e O ld It alian e ngr av e r s e as ily prove d by ,

M A nton io s c e le brat e d S t C ecilia w ith the bla cle

.
’
.

C ollar (a v e ry fin e impre s s ion of it is w orth f rom

t wenty to thir ty g uin ea s ! ) aft e r a d e s ign of R af
faello d iffe ring m uch fro m th e p ictur e e ngrav e d by
,

B onas on e S trang e M as s ard & c ; by his P a r nas s us

, , ,
.
,

J udg ment of P a r is the Virg in w ith the long Thigh , ,

Al s o by th is v e ry G hisi s A ngl e s O f the

’
& c &c . .

’
S ist in e C h ap e l aft e r M A gnolo by C araglio s .

L o ves of the Gods The L a bours of H ercules aft e r ,

R O S S O (le m aitre R ou x) and The M a rr iag e of the ,

.

Virg in and not to multiply e x am pl e s fro m P ar ,

m e g ian o s Vulca n throwing the N et by G as p ar

’

R e v e rd inus an d the s am e m ast e r s M a rs a nd Ve

’

n us w ith Vulca n a t the Forg e in it s fir s t s t at e

, ( ) ,

by j E ne as Vicu s in w hich l as t EXTREMELY R AR E

,

pl at e th is fact is v ery app are nt I notic e thi s t o .

a cco unt for th e th ick co ars e c ar el e s s outlin e s of , ,

m any old print s as w e ll as for th e w ant of b e auty

,

in t he fe atur e s w h ich proc e e d e d not fro m in com

p e te n cy but fro m n egl e ct : the old m as t e r s s at isfy
,

ing th e m s e lve s in th e ir p e n and ink s k e tch e s w ith

,
- -
,

t he vividn e ss an d int ellig ib il ity of the co mpo sit ion ,

g e n e ral ch aract e r h arm ony of l in e s e t c without

, , ,

a tt e nd ing to t he d e t ails .

A nd n ow m o s t pl e as ant O f r ead e r s I m ust t ak e

, ,
2 08 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SM S .

should imagin e fro m a drawing : you will find ,

it e ith e r at Woodburn s or C o ln aghi s to a ce r

’ ’

t ainty for l l 1 4s 6 d or 2 l 2s 0d N B —I t is
,

. . . . . . .
, .

not o ne O f J ulio R o s ( as h e s ign s him s elf s o m e ’

tim e s) b e s t th ings by any m e an s ; but it has t e n

t im e s the fe e ling and e as e of B artoli s e tch ing ’
.

L a a nce d e J up i ter ; tot all y d iffe re nt fro m the

’

pr e c e ding P re ttily e ngr ave d by P a tas in the

.
,

Pal ais R oyal 5s . .

The D anc e of A pollo and the M u s e s ; from the

s m all p ictur e a v e ry h ighl y fin is he d print by
, ,

Raph ae l U rb in M as s ard 2 l 2 s 0d or l l l l s 6d . . . . . . .

The Triu m ph of V e s p as ian ; l arg e folio s iz e e n ,

grav e d in the C ro z at C olle ction by L D e spl ac e s

, , . .

1 0s or 7 8 6 d Th e re are lik e wis e two oth er

. .

print s of th is ; one in th e M usee Francais and

’

the oth e r in th e l ittl e Ga lérie d e Fithol .

From Te odoro Ghi s i .

V e nus w ithholding A do nis fro m the C h as e ; a v e ry

rich upright ; m o s t el aborat ely finish e d by G .

M antu ano l l l s 0d or 2 l 2s 0d I p ick e d

. . . . . . .

up a b e autiful impre s sion of th is s c arc e pl at e at

’
M r Triph ook s th e book s ell e r thre e or four
.
, ,

y e ar s ago and n ev e r m et w ith its fe llow t ill the

,

oth e r day at M r C olnaghi s It no w h id e s its .

’
.

d iminish e d h e ad .

M r Triphook has now the fin e s t S t H ubert by

. .

Alb e rt D ure r I s uppos e th at can b e produc e d

, , .

It is a m atch for m y frie nd We ath ercock s M ’

.

A nton io the f ar fame d S t C e c il ia

,
-
. .
 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS . 2 09

Qt v an U ink hndms ,
. his magmas f or ZBiIettamti .
1

No . III .

TH E A M ATE U R S ’
BO UD O I R, OR A VI S IT TO J AN U S .

H er e from th e m ould to con sc iou s b e ing start

T ho se fi n e r form s, the miracle s o f ar t
H e r e cho s e n gems , impr es t on s ulphur, sh in e ,
T h at slept for ag e s in a s e cond mi n e
A n d h e r e the faithful gr av e r d ar e s to trac e
A Mi ch ae l s grand e ur, an d a R aph ae l s grac e !
’ ’

T hy gall e ry, Flore nc e ! g ild s my hum b le w alls ,

A n d m y lo w roof th e Vat ic an r e c als R ogers . .

An d w o t you w h at it is th at w e all h e re th at are co me ,

to h e ar you w ill r e qu es t at your h and s ?

,

N O v e rily but I s h all kno w it w h e n you h av e told m e

,
.

M arry this it is : th at you w ould n ow in th is re h e arsal

, ,

of yours lay as id e all by ma tters and needless p reambles as

,
-
,
touchin g th e d e scription of fair m eadow s ple asant s h ad es ; ,
o f the crawlin g an d w inding ivie ; of rills issuing from
fo untain s running roun d about ; and such lik e comm on
plac es th at m any lo v e to in se rt —P lutar ch s M ora ls by
,
.
’
,
H o lla nd .

TH E N, if I un d e rst and your aim

( w h i ch you ll e x cu s e m y think in g a l ittl e m isty
’

so m e time s) you propos e to furn ish incip ie nt but

,

tru e am at e ur s w ith a Sk e tch of a ch alcogr aph ic

s el e ction , ill us tr at iv e of all style s h avin g any
affini ty to th e fancy and im agin at ion ; whi ch pl an

or sk el e ton m ay b e aft e rward s fille d up or not at

pl e asur e —Now, M ynh ee r V , your pr e s e nt m e thod .

[London M agaz in e e emc ber

1
,
D ,

P
21 0 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI C I SMS .

of dilating on one p aint e r for fiv e or six p ag e s to .

g e th e r w ill h ardly c arry your pup il s to the e nd

of th e ir found ation in thr e e y ears ; by which tim e
o n e h alf of th e m m ay b e d e ad an d th e survivor s
-
,

dis gust e d with ungratifie d longings Th e re is .

anoth e r obj e ct ion ; suppo s e s o m e o n e of t as t e ful

mind but uncorr e sponding purs e h as allott e d

, ,

tw e nty guin eas to the fine arts (wh ich s um you

know v e ry we ll though Janu s would lift up his
,

e ye brow s is s u ffi cie nt for good st e rling print s fro m

,

the ch ie f p e nc ils includ ing som e pl ais t e r cop ie s

,

from th e antiqu e and the m o s t e l e gant sulphurs

from Tass ie s Gre e k g em s) —thi s p e rs on is unh appy
,
’

e nough to e nt e r the w e b of your h ar ang u e s to

a c e rt ainty lik e oth e r fli e s h e is fas c in at e d sp e ll
, , ,

bound H is cours e is con s train e d to C olnaghi s

.
’

m ode s tly an d coyly at firs t doth he inqu ir e for

a s ing le subj e ct fro m C orre ggio or Giul io and the ,

p anting Shop m an hurls on the e xtra strong t abl e

whole elep ha ntine p or tf olios ! t e emin g with Vol
p atos Mull e r s L ongh is & c If h e r e sis t s h e is
, , ,
.
,

m ore th an m ort al Al as ! he do e s not

. H e buys .

print s one two and thr ee ! throw s do w n the

, ,

am ount w ith d e sp e ration r e fu s e s all offe rs of

,

porte r age d ash e s ho m e by the Short e st w ay s views

, ,

with unmix e d d elight his acquis itions for two

minut e s and th e n r e gr e ts the abs e nc e of tho s e
,
“

oth e r two whi ch inde e d w e r e qu it e comp anion s

,
.

The fe v e r ris e s h igh he bolts an e arly d inn e r an d

, ,

gulps down an addition al qu antity of infl amm ation

in a v e h icl e of port Now loving broth e r or
.
,

sist er ! The fett ers ! The man acl e s !

21 2 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS .

H is
notion struck m e as a lucky hit Th e re for e .

h av e the kindn e ss r e ad e r to fin d yourself ( as the

, ,

French adve rtis em e nt s h av e it) at our C rone y s ’

bron z e knocke r at the soun d of which fee t shuffl e

,

ov e r th e s ton e h all sp e e ding ,

A prir di Gi ano il chius o te mp iO .

—
Tas o s .

The d e ity of the pl ac e w as in his study loll ing ,

on a w ell s qu abb e d sofa by the s id e of a bl az ing

-
,

fire ; hi s b ack gu ard e d fro m the draft by a l arg e

folding Ind ian s cre e n and his fac e fro m th e fl am e
,

by a pol e do of yellow s ilk and ro s ewood B e sid e

. .

him w as pl ac e d a s m all ridg e d t abl e of Fr e nch

m anufactur e W h e re lay his snuff bo x an d s e v e r al
,
-
,

antiqu e c am e o s and int aglio s wh ich h e h ad j u s t ,

b e e n e x amining with a magn ifi e r ; one a h e ad of ,

A l e x and e r on an ony x of t w o strat a h e st ill ,

r e t ain e d d e claring it to b e th e undoubt e d work of

’

— I forg e t who M y r e qu e s t w as im me di at e ly
,

gr ant e d and the se rv ant orde r e d to light the fire

,

in hi s m ast e r s s anctu m But s it down a minut e

’
.

’
t ill the pl ac e ge ts a littl e air e d ; I h av e n t b e e n in
it th e s e two m onth s —and t e ll m e wh at you th ink
of th at buhl c ab ine t ; it c am e from Ld S .
’
.

s al e who you kn ow w as a gre at conno iss e ur

,

and h e r e is a j e w e l ! Th s is a br ck fro m the

i i 1

dw elling of the Pre adamit e s— fro m the p al ac e of

-

G iams chid ! I st ak ar ! O bs e rv e the s e v e rity and

s im pl e m aj e sty of the old P e rs ian h e ad impr e ss e d
1
Th e curious r ead e r W ill fi nd s o me account of this
Pe rse po li tan brick in th e Archaeologia s om e nin e y ears b ack .
 ESSAYS A ND C R I TI CI SMS . 21 3

on its surfac e , the stiff curl s of the b e ard an d the ,

p e culi ar bob -wig styl e of the h air ! Talking of

h air how do you lik e my n e w dog —H e r e
, ,
”
N e ptun e ! and forthwith , in Siz e and colour v e ry
lik e a w hit e b e ar, th at ani mal loung e d fro m hi s
l air b e hind the s cr e e n , and plung e d his nos e into
his m ast e r s lap S how us your p aw , Old m an !
’
.

Look at the w e bb e d to e s ! right N e wf oun dlan d

th e r e s mu s cl e —b y the b y e, m e ntioning mu s cl e,
’

I v e a g e nuin e b it of T e rra C ott a fro m th e h and of

’

M A ngelo, hi s cl ay sk e tch for the A ur or a on the

.

to mb of Lor enz o di M e di ci : of w h ich you h av e

th e l arg e dot prin t , by M adlle D uclo s 9 s 6 d .
, . .

Th at fin e s u it of flut e d arm our is n e w to you ,

I b e lie v e , Vink b oom s ? It s G e rm an , of about ’

1 5 07 D r R usty, who is ar mour m ad, O ff e re d m e

. .
-

4 00l for it, but I wo ul d not p art with it for

.

doubl e It illu s trat e s S intram ! A grand id e a

.

apropo s , this rom antic Idyll of Fouqu e The S ie g e ,

’
O f A ncon a
'
’
h e re in Olli e r s M isce ll any is ve ry
1‘ "f
c ong e nially tr ansl at e d by M r H who, I
.

und e rst and, is about to introduc e to us t w o m or e

of the B aron s m o s t int e re sting t al e s , as co mp ani ons
’

to his ve rs ion of S intram H e is the author of .

a v e ry d e e p , thorough go ing , high fl ying art icl e , in

- -

t h e G e rm an t as t e , on the G e rman dram a w h ich , to

und e rs t and, you mu s t r e ad w ith rath e r m or e att e n
t ion th an o ne do e s M r S outhe y s articl e s in the
’
.

1
Q u arte rly It is a good touch ston e for cl e ar h e ads
.
-
.

1
Tak e thi s fragme nt by N ovalis (V on H ard e nb urgh)
quot e d 111 the s a e article as a s p e cim e n
m ,
“
T h e w orld o f
.

a t ale is t he o ne d iam e tri cally oppo s e d to th e w orld o f

2 14 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

We are to h ave s o me thin g fro m this ge ntle man

in the n e x t livra is on of the M is c ell any whi ch I ai ,

d e ntly e x p e ct M r S o an e who m ad e s o m any

. .
,

alt e r at ions in U ndi n e (s im ply e nt itl e d by him a

Tale fro m the G e rm an ) and m od e stly r e gr e tt e d th at

,

he had not m ad e m ore has ju s t co mpl e t e d a tran s

,

l ation of Fouqu e s S ange r lie b e in the pr efac e t o

’
-
,

wh ich h e atte mpt s to b e r ath e r sh arp on the R11

glis h S intram ; but his criticis m is flipp ant and his ,

w it ill n atur e d
-
M r S is lik e wis e e ng ag e d or
. . .
,

ou ht to be s o in th e arduous t ask of pouring the

g ,

po etry O f Go e th e from a G e rman into an E ngl ish

v e s s el— I h av e 3 2 p ag e s of it (the F au s t) h e re in
print wh e r ein he app e ars to h av e succ e e d e d s o far
,

un e x p e ct e dly w ell No doubt the ve n e rabl e John

.

Wolfg ang s in sp e ct ion of his M S has b e e n of m a

’
.

t e rial ut ili ty an d will giv e his und e rt aking co ns e

,

q u e n ce in t h e e y e s of t h e publ ic Al lo w m e t o .

look at tho s e Sh e e t s Ah ! this is a v e ry good id e a

.
,

the ins e rt ing the orig in al on one s id e in Oblong

qu arto s o as to b in d w ith the g e nu in e e tching s .

S o S o an e h as turn e d the s adly pl eas ing O tt av a

R ima d e d ic at ion or addr e s s in the S p e n s e rian
s t an z a . I am afraid he has c aught the vulg ar
notion th at th e v e rse in whi ch Tas so s ang the wo es
,

O f E rmin ia is m or e ad apt e d for th e ludi crous th an

truth and f or this ve ry r eason as thoroughly similar to it

,
as ch ao s i s similar to t he e rf e ct cr eati on I n the future .

w orld e v e ryth ing is as in t e form e r w orld y e t altog e th er ,

oth e rwise ; the futur e w orld is the rational ch ao s ; the

ch ao s th at has p e ne trat e d its elf that is W ithin it s elf and
,
wi thout it self
21 6 ESSAYS A ND C RI T I C I SMS .

so m e cons id e r it in the s am e light as the c apric e s

,

of the A bbot of U nr e as on The L ord of it is not .

my Lord ; he is simply the d e ity of a fairy t al e In .

th e works of s e v e r al authors iro ni e s are put into ,

the m ouths of e v e n the hu m an actors : In Fa us t ,

the e vil o ne h im s elf is as he ought to b e th e ir

, ,

sol e utt e r e r The l angu age of the w re tch e d h e ro is

.

v e ry diffe re nt— h ark ! M a rg a ret S O th e n you .

, ,

b e lie v e nothi ng ? Fa us tus D o not con s tru e my

.

words s o ill ch arm ing cr e atur e ! Who can n am e

,

the d e ity and s ay I co m pre h e nd him ?

, ,
Who can
fe e l and not b e lie v e in him ? D o e s not H e av e n
,

d e s c e nd to form a c anopy ove r our h e ads Is not

the e arth imm ov abl e und e r our fe e t ? D o not the
e t e rn al st ar s fro m th e ir s ph e r e s on high look down
, ,
”
on us with lov e ? O n w h ich p ass age M ad d e S t ael
'

“
obs erv e s th at the author h e re s how s the n e ces
s ity of a firm an d po s it iv e b e lie f s inc e e v e n tho s e ,

w ho m n ature h as cr e at e d good and k ind are not

the l e s s c ap abl e of the m ost fat al ab e rr ation s w h e n
this s upport is w anting to th e m .
”

But w e sh all di s cours e this toge th e r m ore at l arg e

so m e futur e day Boo s e y has publi sh e d a v e ry
.

ple asing ab s tract of this Labyrinthin e po em wi th ,

cop iou s and sufficie ntly faithful v e rs ion s in bl ank

v e r s e which m augre the apology in the pre fac e
, ,

c an g iv e th e E ngl is h r e ad e r no v e ry s at is factory

id e a of this D ram a writt e n in the m ost v arie d

,

m e tr e s princip ally rhym e d and which is e ss e nt ially

, ,

lyric al both in conc e ption an d e x e cution How

,
.

”
e v e r as
,
the pre c e di ng pr elud e ( so the traducte ur
e l e g antly h as it) and the prologu e are om itt e d it
‘ ’

,
 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI C I SMS . 21 7

is m or e ppropriat e to th e m e r e fashi on abl e

a

s e e k e r s of s e mi ins truct iv e amu se m e nt ; w h ile it s

-

rival by M r S o an e will be tt e r s atis fy the inqui s i

.

t iv e and thoughtful stud e nt in po e try who m ay b e ,

guiltl e s s of G e rm an O ur D octor s as pirat ions and

.
’

inc ant at ion s in the firs t s c e n e b egi nning wh e re h e ,

Op e n s the book at the Sign O f Microco s m o s H a ! “

,

w e lch e Wonn e fli e s z t in di e s e m Bl ick

”
& c do w n ,
.

to I ch bins b in F aust b in d e in e s gle ich e n h ave

, ,

m ore fe rvour and imp e tuo s ity in S o an e ; but the

of the E arth S p irit S myst ic s train In ’
c ad e nc e ~

Lie b e ns fluthe n im Thate n s turm

,
is b e tt e r fe lt ,

in B o os e y s pr e tt ily print e d 8 v o
’
.

S p iri t —I n th e floods of lif e , in the t e m p es t s of

acti on ,
Up and do w n I rav e
H ith e r and thi th e r in m otion
Birth an d the grav e ,
A n abound e d oc ean
A ch angi ng s trife
A ki ndling lif e
A t th e rus tlin g loom o f Tim e I h av e trod ,
An d fas h ion e d th e li ving v es tur e o f God .

Wh e n e v e r I b e gin I can go on r e ading the littl e

,

A lm ain e s qu are 1 2m o all d ay but at pre s e nt

. I ,

m ust go fry s o me fish as the hon e s t Fr e nchm an

,

s aid in h is amb it ion to use the E nglis h tongu e w ith

,

unh allow e d fami liarity S O S I b e qu eath

.
,

you to Janu s w ho w ill Show you the Simple and

,

b e autiful groups in his v e ry t all copy of the

H yp nerotom achia (Al du s 1 4 9 9 )
’
an d don t b e
,

turn e d as id e by th e ir sm atch of A ndre a M ante gn a ,

218 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI C I SMS .

for your oracl e S toth ard admir e s th e m hi ghly I ,

c an pro m ise you Good d ay I sh all not com e out

. .

t ill I h av e finis h e d m y C ATALO G UE RAI S O NNEE .

”

But stop h alt s t and ! M y de ar V V you would

, ,
. .

oblig e m e m uch by not icing a series of Views on the

r iver D a r t
1
by F L ewis ,
H e r e ! t ak e th em w ith
. .

you and hold th e volum e s ome two fe e t fro m your

,

no s e wh e n you e x amin e it H olm M oor pl 1 h as

—
. .
, .

a v e ry fin e cut thro at sort of e ffe ct -

an d why

h av e n t you prais e d D e wint s rom antic S icili an

’ ’

S c e n e ry ? It is by far the b e s t s e rie s of th at

n ature publi sh e d by M e s s rs R odw ell and M artin .

an d I kno w you h av e it for I saw your n am e ,

down for the l arg e p ap e r my lad ! A nd w h e n ,

you re about it you may as w e ll brush up D e w int

’

about his L and s c ap e s in the Tyrol e ngrav e d b y ,

cl e v e r W C ook e : I w ant to know wh e the r th e y

.

are to proc e e d b e yond the fir s t nu mb e r or not

an d look did you e v e r s e e a th ing cop ie d s o ao

c urat e ly an d with S O m uch fe e l ing as th is brilli ant
, ,

littl e print by S criv e n aft e r H ilton s n atural and

’

ch ar act e ris tic portrait O f C l are Wh at li fe in the .

e y e s ! wh at a rd e nt thi r s t for e x c e ll e nc e an d wh at ,

fl e xibili ty and susc e ptibili ty to outward impre s

s ion s in the quiv e ring lip s ! ob se rve the thigh
c aught up unconsciou sly by th e h and ! it do e s
’
Hilton s p e n e tr ation cre di t to h ave arre s t e d th at
m o st unsoph ist ic at e d and s p e aking act ion Now .

s e t O ff with you to your d e n an d le t your p e n fly ,

for the br ac e of ph e as ant s co m e up pr e cis ely at

1
S c e n e ry of th e Riv e r D rt
a . 3 8 Plat es, folio ,
2l 83 . . to
non -s ub s crib e rs .
2 20 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI C I SMS .

crim son Fr e nch p ap e r form e d into p an els and ,

co mp artm e nt s with gold m oul di ngs ; and the o ak

floor is s pre ad with a glo w ing P e rsian c arp et A .

s w e eping O tto m an m atchi ng the curtain s in hue , ,

O ffe rs it s e l as t ic cu s h ions to the voluptu ary ,

oppo s ite the fire pl ac e ; on e ith e r s id e of w h ich

s t and m arbl e s l abb e d chiffonie re s cont aining s uch
-
,

e m b e lli s h e d book s as W icar s

“ ’
G ale rie d e Flore nc e
—
,

7
”
and in fol
e t du P al ais P itt i ( Gr 1 8 9 1 8 1 3 . . .

P aris about £ 3 0 im port e d by R odw e ll and M artin

, .

By far the m o s t co m pre h e ns iv e of the m od e rn

g all e rie s including p ictur e s s t atu e s and th e fin e s t
, , ,

g e m s ) C ouché s G al e ri e d u P alais roy al ( 3 vols

.
“ ’
. .

fol Paris 1 7 8 6
.
,
prints about “
M al ,
’ ”
v asia s C l austro d i S M ich e l e in Bosco d i Bologn a . .

( fol Bologn
. a 1 6 9 6 2 0 e tch ing,
s aft e r t h e b e st , ,

p icture s of Ludovico C arr acc i Lion ello S p ad a & c , ,

.

£2 R ub e n s s G al e rie d u Lux e m bourg ( imp

’
. .

fol Paris 1 7 1 0 2 7 pl at e s by D uchance Ed eli nck

.
, , , , ,

Pic art and B A udran fro m 5 to 1 0 gu in e as

, .
, ,

accord ing to the impr e s sion s The m od e rn book .

und e r the s am e t itl e Paris 1 8 08 is vastly inferior ) , , , .

L e F e br e s s e l e ctions fro m t he Fr e s co e s of Titian

’

an d P aolo Ve ron e s e ( fol V e n ic e 1 6 8 0 5 1 e tch ing s .

, , ,

about 3 gu in e as ) Filhol s Ga l e rie d u M usé e .

’

N ap oleon (imp 8 v o 1 0 vols ,

P ari s 1 8 04 & c
. . .
, .

7 4 0 b e autifully e x e cut e d pl at e s R e cu e il ,

D E s tampe s & c d it le C ab in e t d e C ro z at
’ ”

( 2
vol s im p fol Paris 1 7 2 9 —4 2 1 8 2 prints fro m
. .
,

. .
.
, ,

t he works of P e rugino Raff aell o G iuli o G arofolo , , , ,

C arav aggio Tit ian P aolo V e ron e s e Tintore tto

, , , ,

G iorg ion e S ch iavon e G uisepp in o P e ru z z i and

, , , ,
 ESSAYS A ND C RI T I CI SMS . 22 1

Girol am o M
£1 3 utian o,
Larg e p ap e r, in fine .

“ ’
condition , D ubois M ais s on ne uv e s P e in -

”
tur e s d e s V as e s A nt iqu e s by Milli n ( P ar is
1 8 08 — 1 0 2 vols im p fol about 1 5 gui n e as pl ain ,
.
, ,

. . .
,

and 3 0 colour e d The sc arc e an d v alu abl e c oll e c

.

t ion of Vas e s by D H an carv ille (N apl e s 1 7 6 6

,
’
.
, ,

& c 4 vol s fol 4 00 pl at e s an d upw ard s colour e d

. .
, ,

a m as s of e l e g ant an d un affe ct e d attitud e s and

costum e ,
The sub s e qu e nt as s e mbl ag e forme d
by S ii W H amilton , and publi sh e d by Tischb e in
.
,

with the r e marks and e x plan ation s of I talin sk y .

( p
N a o h 1 7 9 1 ,
4 vol s fol 2 4 0 outl in e s, 1 2 guin eas )
. .

M ille ng e n s Va ses Gr ecs ( R o m e , 1 8 03 , 7 1 1 7 s

’
.
, ,

im port e d by M e s srs R od w e ll and M artin 6 0 plat e s.

,

f ol cop ie d from the origin al s w ith v e ry r ar e and

“
prais e w orthy accuracy )
-
M urphy s B a ta lha .
’

,
“
L Antichite di E rcol ano ( N ap oh 1 7 5 7
’
folio . .
,

&c . 9 vols fol a fin e C opy m ay n ow b e h ad for

. .

l e s s th an 4 0l Th is work w as cop ie d in a s m all e r

s iz e by Piroli , in 6 vols 4to R o m a, 1 7 8 9 — about
.

.
,

M aj or S mi th s O ld E nglish C ostum e
“ ” ’
1 2 gu in e as . .

( ) “ i
’
fol colour
. e d pl at e s 1 5 l S t ru tt s l a bor
, ous work s
.

on the s am e s ubj e ct ; the A ncie nt A rm our of ”

th at fine fat fo dj e l Wight C aptain Gro s e and

‘ ’

Flax m an s Ho m e r, H e s iod , an d f EschyIuS

’
.

The afore s aid s l ab s sust ain s e v e ral v e ry fin e

Sp e cim e n s of the Rafl aélle chin a, p art icul arly a
’ '

grand di s h w ith the m arriage of C up id and P s ych e ,

of whi ch th e r e is a cre dit abl e print, by the M a itr e

a u d o (see B artsch v ol x v p 2 1 0, No
. . . . .

so m e curiou s brown b is cuit t eapots , fillagre e -

work e d ; and oth e r crocke ry, both cra cknell and

 2 22 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS .

g r een which Show th e ir pos s e s sor s ampl e

dr ag on ;
’

r ange of t as t e and antiqu arian scie nc e A n agr e e .

abl e ch ao s occup ie s th e bro ad m ant e l p ie c e cons ist -

,

ing of p ap e r n aut ili kin g humm ing b irds in Sp irit s

-
,
-
,

g igantic m oth s a nobl e P o dilirius butt e rfly a s m all

, ,
”
volum e of H eure s c as e d in a k yv e r of sol id ,

S ilv e r g ilt w rought w ith qu aint d e vic e s an d

, ,

s tudd e d w ith s m all brilliant s and r ub ies s uppos e d ,

o n good authority to h av e b elong e d to th e unf ort u

n at e and indis cr e e t A nn e Bol e yn C h e e k by j owl .

to th is s qu at s a little ugly m on s t e r a L ar p e rh aps

,
~

, , ,

d ug up in the s unny fi e ld s of corn b e aring S icily -

,

w h o grin s e t e rn ally at a l ang ui s h ing d ark lock e d -

b e auty ins e rt e d by th e surprising p e nc il of P e titot

, , ,

in an ov al s e v e n e ighth s of an inch in h e ight se t

-
,

in a rich ch as e d gold L ou is Q u atorz e s nu ff bo x

- -
.

Th at m ouldy b it of corrod e d bras s no b igg e r th an ,

o n e s old e s t fing e r is a H e rc ul es with th e s n ak e

’

an d — d am s e l gu ard e d appl e s ; d eem e d by the cog

n osce nti to e qu al in s tup e ndous s tre ngth an d

grande ur any of the fam e d m in ikin sublim itie s in

’
M r Payn e Kni ght s coll e ction of bronz e s and
.

un sh ap e ly s we e t young l ady as you s e em to

, ,

think thi s hum bl e e arth e n l am p it onc e g av e light ,

to the gay Q uintia S ab ell a ! S ee on its lid you ,

may trac e the figur e O f a fe mal e who hold s w ande r ,

ing L ov e su s p e nd e d by th e w ing s — R ound the

S id e s of th at fictile v as e u x orious C e ph alus
1
clad
, ,

i
1 Pe tit e Palac e o f Pe tt e his Ple as ure , the argu
In a
”

m e nt to the le g e nd o f th is Th essalian k ing comm e nc e s

‘

thu s — “
C e ph alus, a lus tie y oung g0 allaunt, and Procris , s '

b e autif ull girle, both of the D uke of Venice coil/rt, &c

’
.
2 24 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS .

mould e d in w ax e l e vat e d ov e r the O ppos it e doors

, .

O ur frie nd s gilt pol e d s cree n I grieve to s ay is

’
-
, ,

m od e rn ; ho w e v e r h e has the pro m is e O f o ne

,

work e d i n ch e n ille by the fair h and of Po mp adour .

The l arg e c ircul ar kin g w ood t abl e is in the s am e

p r e d ic am e nt ; but th e n i t i s P aris ian and the buhl ,

foliag e is r e ally v e ry t astily fancie d ; b e s id e s it is ,

g e n e rally hi dde n by the Silve r inkstand the citron ,

m orocco p ap e r fol io ( th e tool ing of wh ich by Le w is

-

co s t I know tw e lve guin e as and so m e sprinkl e

, ,

of books li k e the pr e s e nt Wh at are th e y by the .

B arry C ornw all s D r am at ic S c e n e s Op e n at ’

w ay ?
the D r ea m ; — ay e th at s o ne of his h ard e st
,
“ ’

blow s — Tho m as Taylor s C o mm e nt ary on Pro ’

B at e s s Fun e ral S e rm on
’
clus ;
for M r B ax t e r ;
.
—A de lung s “
Mithrid at e s and ’

,
”

S chw e ighaeus e r s folio H e rodotus

’
M e rcy upon us .
,

this is Janu s s J umbl e w ith a v e ng eanc e ! N o w

’

s e at your s elf in th at r em ark ably s oft cu shion e d -

Gre cian ch air : r e st both fe e t on the az ure foot

s tool an d am u s e your s e lf w ith e x am iniii g th os e
,
~

double r ang e s of print s s o g aily fram e d in ro s e wood ,

or polish e d oak wh il s t I note do w n the m o s t

,
1
not abl e First is the D elphic S yb il of M A nge lo
. .
,

1
T he rticle s h aving a s tar refix e d form ( with Pe rie r s ’

I con e s e t S e g m e nt a ob fo lio paxi s 1 5 45 £ 1 1 s ) Kirk s

a ,
j ’
, , , ,
. .

Gr e e k Vase s ( im p 8 vo £ 1 1 s 6 2 plat es) a f e w s ele ct im

. . .
,
res s io ns f ro m T assie s G e m s to b e e num e rate d h er eaft er
’
, ,

ve p las t e rs fro m th e An t iqu e vi z the A 0 11 0 th e F ight ,

.
,
ing Glad iator th e S le e in g H e rm aphr o ite t he Gr e c ian
, ,

S h e ph e rd e s s ( La Ve nus e b e lles f ess es ) and t he fr agm e ntal ,

Ve nus or D ion e i n th e B ritis h M u s e u m ) a sm all but m o s t , ,

compreh e ns ive as s emblage of the fin e arts the whole co s t of ,

 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS . 22 5

( V olp ato, 1 0s 6 d
) p ant in g with the d ivin e afflatus
. .
,

wh ich e x p ands h er migh t y limbs to a ye t grand e r

di me ns ion S ee “
. how she to ils in troublou s
e x t as y wh il e D ivina tion like a d e ep w arm
.
,

m is t sw e lls Surg in g round he r

,
If you fe e l not .

the sublimity of th is cglor iou s cr eature shrink w ith ,

w ordl e s s sh am e in to your nut s h ell m ind, m ost -

p itiful cockn e y ! and d ar e not l ift your e y e s to the

"“
S istin a fre sco wh e re to use the e loqu e nt l angu ag e
, ,

o f Fus eli in his th ird Le cture p 1 2 6 , 2 nd e d it ion

, , .
,
“
The C re ator born e on a group of att e nd ant
,

sp irits the p e rs onifi e d powe rs of o m n ipot e nc e

, ,

m ove s on tow ards his l as t b e st work the lord of , ,

h is cre at ion The imm ort al sp ark issu ing from

.
,

hi s e x t e nd e d arm e lectrifie s the n e w form e d b e ing

,
-

who tre mblingly al ive h alf rais e d h alf r e cli n e d

, , , ,

h as t e n s to m e e t his M ak e r ( C un ego, 5s ) Y ou . .

m ust r e memb e r a f e w y e ars ag o at the Britis h ,

Institution (it hung in the north roo m on the l eft ,

h and Sid e as you c ame up st airs ) a s mall p ictur e -

,

by M arc ello Ve nusti fro m the d e s ign of M An , .

g e lo wh ich e x c it e d gre at att e ntion at th e t im e

,
'

( th e e x -
an im at e body of C hris t, suppo rt e d on the

w hi ch w ould not e c ee d t w e nty guii i e as x T hou h , w ith

'

g
r e gard to th e choic e o mas ters, I am d e cid e d, it i s by no
f
m e ans my wis h to t ie ev e ry one dow n to my cho ic e of s ubj ects,
f or wh ich r e as on I h av e o ffe r e d s ev e ral oth e rs, p e rh ap s
e qu ally good , though I ear h ard ly so r e as on ab le
f I nd e e d , .

if i t w e r e po ss ible f or m e to lac e the prints th e ms elv e s ( as

I wis h I could do ) b e ore t e e ye s o my indulg e nt and
f f
fl att e ring r ead e rs, th e y w ould b e agre eably s urpris e d to find
w hat fine th ing s may b e had f or a comp ar ativ ely t ri fl in g
sum .
2 26 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI CI SMS .

lap of his m oth e r by t wo Wingl e ss ch e rubim) .

Th e re is Bonasone s v e ry s c arc e an d d e li c at e print

’

of it ( 3 to 1 2 guin eas) and a brilliant impr e s s ion ,

“
m atchl e s s in cond ition h aving
”
three i n ches of
—
,

cl e ar unw ash e d origin al marg in ! ! ! 1

Ne x t to it
’
is Lo uis S chiav onne tti s m aste rly finish e d e tch ing
of th at c e le brat e d p e rform anc e wh ich, by the ‘

unit e d t e st im ony of cont emporary writ e rs and the

e vid e nt tr ac e s of its imit at ion s c att e r e d ov e r the
w ork s of cont e mporary art ists (th at s coundre l
’

B andin elli s S t Lawre nc e, to wit) contribut e d

’
.
2 ‘
,

alon e mor e to the r e s toration of art and the

r e volution of styl e th an the unit e d e fforts of the
two c e nturie s th at pr e c e d e d it I mean the
C artoon of Pis a ( 1 03 6 d fol io Siz e) wh ich . .
,

r epr e s e nt s a b and of Flore ntin e s old ie rs hurrying ,

fro m th eir b ath in A rno s pl eas ant stre am at

“ ’

the c all of the fi e rc e bras s and th e Sh ifting fl ash ,

of st e e l bre aking through a brown shroud of dust

in the dire ction of Pis a From the n ak e d chi e f .

who shoot s hi s s umm ons through his thi ck b e ard

ov e r the v e x t wat ers e v e ry age of human agility,
,

e v e ry att itud e e v e ry fe atur e of al arm h ast e hurry,

, , ,

e x e rtion and e ag e rn e ss burst into so m any r a s

, ,
y ,

lik e sp arks flying fro m the h amm e r

”
P ouss in , i n .

The late L ord We bb S e m our p aid , not long b efor e

1
y
hi s d eath , 4 0l for M A ntoni o s Parn ass us , with a fiv e inch
m argin —I h ave an e x c ellent impres sion ( p e rf e ct) o f the
. .

s am e , w h ich co s t 8 l .

.
2
T h at m ultitudinou s compo sition , or rath e r dis traction ,
s o w ell e ngrav e d by M Anton io , in r e turn f or t he r ep e al o f
.

th e d e cree of b anishm e nt : wh ich r e p eal w as procure d

through the good o ffi ce s o f the said Baccio .
2 28 ESSAYS A ND C RITI C I SMS .

the go ats bro w s e on th e h e rb s wi thout strife or

w arring tog e th e r tho s e vin e and alm ond cove r e d -

ground— plot s swe e p ing down from the m ount ain s

, ,

wh er e on th e s un look s so hotly do grow l e s s an d ,

l e s s by variabl e d e gr e e as in th e atr e s and in the

,
“
r ight h and d ist anc e is the br ee z y l ak e cont ain
-
,
”
ing such hug e s ho al s of fish
’
I ob se rv e yo u don t .

r e lis h Burn e t s R e mbr andt l ik e e tching aft e r th at

’
-

gre at mast e r s B a lnew m B a ths hebae ( l l 1 1 3 6 d )

" ’

,
. . .

but I think you will s to m ach the corn cutting and -

,

s mall tooth co mb work b e tt e r aft e r gl ancing ov e r

- -

J anus s e ulog iu m on it in the 3 rd or 4th Nu mb e r

’

of the L O NDO N M A GAZINE : p e rh ap s th at m ast e r

p ie c e of C M arratti (the s am e s tory A ud e n
1
.
’‘
,

A e rd is m or e g e rm an e to your ide as of Uriah s

’
.

w ife Fu s e li (a d e s pis e r of cours e of th e in s ip id

.
, ,

C arlo) pronounc e s this p icture to b e a w ork o f

which it is e as ie r to fee l th an to d e scrib e the

ch arm s ; which has no rival ; and s eem s to
pr e clude all hop e O f e qu al s ucc e s s in any futur e
att e mpt T h e re is Ve ron e s e s Le d a ( R o m an e t 5 s )
” 1 ’ ’‘
. .
,

form e rly a bl az ing st ar in the O rl e an s coll e ction ,

a ft e rw ard s e x h ib it e d at th e Lyc e u m ; a ch arm ing

p ictur e at onc e s trik ing an d h arm on ious in e fl e ct ;

’

which b e s id e s the usu al fre shn e s s and d eli c acy of

,
’
P aolo s p e ncil po ss es s e s a truth of p ass ion at e
,

e xpr e ss ion not surp as s e d by th e l e ad e r s of e x pr e s

s ion s own p e cul iar s chool—the R o m an By th e
’
.

o m is s ion of the s wan and the introduction of

a sh ado wy h and round ankl e d L e d a h as b e e n con
,
-

v e rt e d by Fu s eli into S in r e c eiving the k e ys o f‘

H e ll g at e s
- a d ash ing re coll e ction str uck out .
 ESSAYS AN D C RITI C I SMS . 2 29

whil e the origin al w as hot in his mind Th e s e .

s tr e nuou s prim e val form s (

1
Fu s eli s A d am and ‘ ’

E v e l l 1 s H aughton ) e mbody th e p ath e tic an d

, . .
,

h e artfelt lin e s of Milton wh e n A dam afte r the , ,

fat al l aps e O f E v e d e cl are s th at the e n e m y

,

M e with th e e hath ruin e d f or with th e e

C e rt ai n m y r es oluti on is to die .

H ow ca n I live w ithout thee f h o w f ore go

’ v

T hy s w e e t conv e rs e , an d lov e s o d e arly j oin e d,

T o liv e ag ain in th e s e wild w ood s f orlorn
1‘
'

no, no I f e el
T he link o f n ature draw m e fl e s h o f m y fl esh ,
B on e o f m y bon e thou art, an d f ro m thy s t at e
M in e n ev e r sh all b e p art e d , b lis s or w o e .

a
s as as as a
t .

So sa ying brac e d him

sh e e m
m uch w on th at he hi s love
H ad e nnob le d as O f cho ic e t i ncur
’
so ,

D ivine disp leas ure f or her sake, or dea th .

In th e b ackground b e yond the bro ad l e av e s of

,

t h e bow e r th e ang e li c gu ards w ind through the ai r

,

to h e av e n m ut e and s ad for m an
“
,
Th e print .
”

1 am s orry to s ay though l aboriou s ly C op ie d has

, ,

a s qu ar e h ard clu m s y look not p e rc e pt ibl e in the

, , ,

richly im p ast e d p ictur e .

I n e e d h ar dl y n am e Watte au as the inv e ntor of

m i 1
th at ost p qu ant s c e n e ( Le Bosqu e t d e B acchus 6
.

C och in s culpt
,
though you m ay not so im
.

m e di at e ly distingui sh its com p ani on Le s agre

m e ns d e la c amp agn e J ouillain s culpt to b e
.
, .

t he product ion of Lancr e t his cl e v e r imitator ,

.

D id you e v e r m e e t w ith such n ic e pl e as ant good , ,

f or noth ing p e opl e ?

-
Turn aw ay fro m th e m t o
2 30 ESSAYS AND C RI T I C I SMS .

th at m elting glidi ng awkward grac e ful aff e ct e d

, , , ,

e as y pur e volupt uous h eavy airy p e rfe ct faulty

, , , , , , ,

i rr esistible group the r e fin e d Parm egian o s

’

, St .

Margare t Virgin B ambin o S t J e ro me S t P etron io

, , , .
, .
,

an d an ang e l ; p aint e d for the alt ar of S t M ar .

as onc e slightly
’
are t s church Bologn a It w
g , .

e ngrav e d by B o n as o n e and lat e ly in a d eli c at e and ,

s e ntime nt al gusto by R osaspina ( l 5a ) a b ett e r , ,

b e c aus e a m ore p aint e r lik e burin th an the e x -

,

u i s it e B e ppo L ongh i — M as s ard s l arg e print fro m ’

q
Giulio R o m ano ( 2 l 2s ) —turn your ch air round if
you pl e as e —has not y e t m e t with its due shar e of
. .
,

r e g ard it re pr e s e nts the M us e s as

—
Th
y lightly leap in d anc e
e
With d elicat e f e e t who h aving duly b ath e d
T h e ir t e nd e r bod ie s in P erm es s ian s tr e am s ,

I n s prings th at gush d fr esh fro m the co urs e r s hoof

’ ’
,

O r b le s t O lm ius wat e rs m any a time

’
,

U on the topm os t ridge of H elicon ,

T e ir e le gant an d am orou s d anc e s thr e ad ,

A nd smite the e arth w ith s trong r e boun d ing fe e t -
.

T h e nc e br e ak ing f orth tum ultuous and e n w r apt ,

With th e d e e p m is t of air th e y on ward pas s ,

N ightly and utt e r as th e y s wee p on hi gh

, , ,

A vo ic e in st illy d arkn ess b eautiful .

E lton s Hes iod

’
.

I c annot le t you stop to e x amin e R affae llo s ’

S chool of A th e ns n ow ( Volp ato N 1 1 3 6 d ) it , . . .

wo ul d hold us a day and th e n r e t ain us s till : w e

,

m u s t like wis e p as s ov e r for the pre s e nt R ub e ns s

’

tumultuou s Lion Hunt ( B ols w ert l l 1 0s the

"f
, . .
,

n e plus ultra of e ngr av ing s ) an d his

*
H ay field ,
-

s 6d )
a ft e r a S how e r w ith th e R ainbow
, ( d itto 7 , ,
. .
2 32 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI CI SMS .

by B ern ard ino Lu ini his pupil known by the , ,

print in Filhol s M use e N ap oleon I advis e C ol

’ ’

n agh i and M olte no to im port a fe w impr e s s ion s

im me d iat ely of tho se b e autiful pl at e s fro m D a
The M agd al e n w ith th e al ab as t e r cr us e
“ ”
Vinci , ,

x it m ultu m R icciani 1 0 6d ) and M is s

( D ile
“
3 .
, . .

Lady Bl anch e and the A bb e s s

”
Lam b s favourite
’

, ,

co mm o nly c alle d Vanit as et M od e s tia ( C amp a

“
,
”

n e lla 1 03 6 d ) for I fore s e e th at th is D ogma will

,
. .

occas ion a cons id erable c all for th e m— le t th e m

th e re for e b e r eady —A do z e n of Fost e r s s o me w h at ’

1‘
too bl ack gr av ur e La M aitr e s s e du Titian ( l l
m ay b e ord e re d at the s am e t im e — Al s o th e y w ill
.

s cr atch tog e th e r s o m e cle an cop ie s of th e D e s ce nt

fro m th e C ross by V olt erra and M A ng e lo .
,

( D or igny c rc 1 8 v ry fi n l l 1 1 6 d )
-
s a e, s ; e ,e 3 , . . .

’
D uch ang e s Io aft e r C orr e ggio Giul io R o .

m ano s 1"
R ap e of Hyl as ( 5 s ) M A ng e lo s
’ ’
Jo el ,
. .
,
"
D m i C om
’

( V olp a to 1 0 3 ,
6 d ) a n d . o e n ch in
.o s
1

m u ni on of S t J e ro me ( Jaco Fr e y 7 3 or 8 3 f ar
. .
, . .

s up e rior to the d e sp ic abl e p ie c e of m e r e m e ch an is m

by Ta rd ie u) —Now my s il e nt com p an ion h aving

,

.
, ,

n e arly got through our j ob w e w ill turn to the ,

’
V e ry w e ll
’
The di nn e r s p on t abl e S ir ! , ,

Willi am ! ”

P S —O n the follo w ing m orn ing among my

. .
,

s tarred art icl e s I o mitt e d to in se rt C orre g io s

’

g
b e aut e ou sly d ivin e and h e art th awing conc e ption of -

our Inc arn at e Lord whos e m ort al limb s e x uding , ,

th e faint s w e at of agony and dy e d in blood from ,

the wh is tling scourg e and the s p iny crown are ,

thrust stagge ring with w eakn e s s b e fore th at y elli ng

 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI CI SMS . 23 3

s ea
.
of wors e th an w olfish cru elty Le t so m e of our .

p e rt b e c aus e ignorant w ould b e D e ists give h alf

, ,
-

a s m uch att e nt ion to th is print and th e ae co m

p anying s impl e r e cit al of S t M ark as th e y do or .

, ,

pr et e nd to do (w h ich is n e ar e r th e truth) to the

,

h e adl e s s I ly s sus and th e y will fe e l th e long drie d

,
-

fount ain of sw e e t w at e r s Spring ag ain in th eir

h e art s .

The e nsu ing list of most int e re s ting pl at e s from

Filhol s M usé e Nap oléon at 1 3 6d a p ie c e m ay
’
.
, .
, ,

with the e x c e ss of s o m e 48 b e co m pris e d in th e .

propos e d 2 0 guin ea coll e ction which if purch as e d ,

w ith a littl e c aution an d r e ady mon e y w ill con s ist ,

of v e ry good impr e ssions

P ain ters . S ubj ects ,

S acch i, S t R om u ald ,
.

P ott e r, A nim aux d an s un e Priarie ,

M A C arav aggio ,
. . . C hris t au T o m b eau,
Tit ian , Pie tro M art ir e , .

A ntiqu e L Am our Gr e c ),
’
(
P ou s s in , E ducation d e B acchu s ,
’

Fra B arto lo m e o , . S t M arc,

.

R ub e n s, Ve nus e t A donis,
T it ian , Francis I ,
D a Vi nci P ortrait d e Fe m m e ,
Pio m bo , La Vis itation d e la Vie rg e,
v e ry fin e
D o m e n ich ino , L e C onc e rt,
D e l S arto C hris t au T o m b eau , c alle d th e
R affael d el Mass ard .

C orr e ggio L e M ari ag e d e S te C ath e rin e , D o

. .

P aris e t V e nu s , H e in a .

B ie rge au P onataire , Pige ot .

Wo uv e rmans D ep art pour la chasse du

’

,
F aucon ,
2 3 4: ESSAYS AND C RIT I CI SMS .

A nd n ow , my pup il s I w ill do a v e ry h andsom e

,

thing for if any of you , li ving w e st of the S trand,

will e ns ur e m e a ro as t leg of mutton and potato e s ,
a gl as s of good port an d an air from a pr e tty l ady
, ,.

m arrie d or s ingl e , I w ill, at a thre e d ays sum mon s

’

u nle s s b e tt e r e ng ag e d with my v e ry b e st loans on

, ,

d e l ive r my j udgm e nt gratis on all m att e rs con

n e ct e d w ith ta s te p ast pr e s e nt and to co m e
Witn e ss our h and, fro m our pomon a—
, ,
.

gr e e n m o
rocco chaise longue .

L E TT E R T O C O R N E L I U S VA N VI N K B O O M S , ES Q .
I

O N T HE EXETE R EX H IB I TI O N OF P A I N TI G S
N .

E xeter, 1 6 Oct , 1 8 2 1 .

D EAR VAN VI NKB O O M S ,— I am an old m an

M R .

a nd a lov e r of old p ictur e s and I t ak e the privil e g e

,

of ag e to addre ss you w ith th at m ark e d affe ction

w h ich you w ill not d islik e wh e n you know th at ,

I r e ad your dog m as the first am ong the article s

in the LO N DO N M A GAZ INE , and th at I l e arn
e nough fro m th e m to s e t m e up as a conn ois
s e ur in th is w e st e rn c ity A s you are a sort of .

fost e r fath e r to the fine arts and look afte r the

-
,

s ist e r M us e s with a c ar e ful and p are nt al e ye, I am

[ Q u e ry f rom h ims elf L ondon M agaz in e N o v e mb e r,

1
.
,
230 C RI TI C I SMS
°

E S S AY S AN D .

for the lo an of th eir p ictur e s to for m an e xh ib ition ,

for the d el ight glory and instruction of the inhab i

, ,

t ants of E x e t e r th e E arl of M orl e y S ir Tho m as

, ,

A ckl and Lord C lifford M r Bielfie ld and oth e rs

, , .
, ,

w ith a m o s t praise worthy al acrity supplie d a f ew

o f th e ir p aint ings tow ards for w ard ing the pl an ;

a n d w ith m any disappo int m e nt s and und e r con ,

s id e rab le dis adv ant ag e s a s m all and int e r e st ing

,

e x h ib it ion has b e e n op e n e d I m ys elf furnis h e d .

my s ol it ary littl e l andsc ap e l e aving a gr e at y ellow ,

s t ain on the whit e p an el of m y b e s t drawi ng

room to b e ar t e stimony of my z e al in the c au s e
, .

C e rt ain it is M r C orn e liu s th at mor e m ight h av e

,
.
,

b e e n don e ; for it is not to b e suppos e d th at S ir

Tho m as A cklan d s b e s t p icture is the fad e d por
’

trait o f one of his anc e stors by S ir Jo shu a R e ynolds ;

or th at his colle ction is s o limit e d as to afford no
m or e th an four trifling work s but le t m e not un
d e rvalue the s anct ion of hi s n am e to an und e rt aking
i n the bud as I m ay po e tic ally c all it
,
S ir S t afford .

Northcote ( a r el ation of the gr e at Northcot e the

p aint e r I pr e sume ) ind ee d dis cour age d the atte mpt
, ,

a t fir s t as I am inform e d ; but on s e e ing th at oth e r s

,

thought it practic abl e he b e gg e d th at one of his

,

p ictur e s m ight b e ins e rt e d in the room and his ,

n am e in the c at alog ue Th e r e app e ars to b e a .

c owardly f eeling of the way and not a m arch at

The b e s t works —ind e e d I m ay

,

o nc e to succ e s s !

s ay almo s t the only works worth s e e ing are ,

fro m the colle ction of a M r W K e nd all— a . .

w orthy and int ell ig e nt g e ntl e man of th e s e p arts ,

who has contribut e d with a l ib e ral h and Th e re .

 ESSAYS AND C RI T I CI SMS . 23 7

are a fe w, v e ry f e w fine portraits by O p ie

a , , ,

Northcot e and O we n ; p articularly one of North

cot e s own fine s e ns ibl e h e ad —
,

A n d a v e ry rich
’

rip e old l andsc ap e A Flemish R evel by O stad e

, , ,

and Te nie r s ( worth th e pric e of adm iss ion an d

c at alogu e in its e lf) wh ich I look at ag ain and again
,

w ithou t tiring an d wh ich I po int out to m y chil

,

dre n as a w arm glowing fruitful sp e cim e n of the

, ,

old m ast e r s Y ou w ill b e gl ad to h e ar th at the fin e

.

art s ( to t ak e u p my first figur e) are d aw n ing in the

w e s t —an d I r ej o ic e th at I am one of the first to
, ,

announ c e to you such grat ifying int ellig e nc e P ray

—
.

e ncour ag e us M r V an Vink b oo m s P ray t e ll M r

C ol e th at he is a l audabl e p e rson— pr ay im pr e ss
. .
,

upon t he nob ili ty and g e ntry O f D e von th at by ,

t aking a luk e warm int e r e st in th is import ant work

th e y are l e tting slip an Opportuni ty of doing a gr eat
s e rv ic e to th e ir county Up w ith your vo ic e M r .
, .

V an Vink b oom s up with it an d aw ak e n th is slum

, ,

b e ring e nthus ias m of D e von sh ir e m en ! H alloo !

to the h e art of S ir Thom as A ck l and ! S p e ak aloud
i nto th e e ars of the E arl O f E gre m ont an d sp ar e ,

not ! Thund e r into the m ind of M r D ick e nson .

'

C all out an d aw ak e n to th e w atch M r W A

, , . . .

H arris I Th e s ist e r Mus e s are now lik e ly to obt ain

a s e at h e r e an d I trust I do tru s t M r C orn el iu s , ,
.

w ill giv e th e m his vot e wh ich in the e l e ction for ,

fame is a p lump er
,

I am d e ar M r Van Vink b ooms

, .
,

Y ours e xtrem ely ,

S EN Ex .
2 38 ESSAYS AND C RIT I C I SMS .

L E TT E R F R O M J A N U S W E AT HE RC O C K ,
Es Q .
l

J anu s We ath e rcock ( E s quire G od w ot) is aliv e ! ,

We lav e re c eiv e d a right m e rry e istle from him w hich w e

r eadily rint b e cause it is s o ppeasantly imp e rtin ent an d
,

s o rid i cu ously cr it ical I f any o f our contributors should

.

r e cogn is e his allus ion s to th e m w h ich his us e of th eir

occ as ion al s ignatures m ay assis t w e—wis h him W ell
,

[ Ed . L M
. .
]

VorS hipf ul m as t e r
N h av e
I a great d eal of ,
I c annot
t ell wh at to ,
say to you .

S IR, or G e ntl e me n —I h av e not b e e n a contrib u

,

tor to your invalu abl e misc e ll any (as C ons ta nt

R ea d ers h av e it) for a long t ime and I doubt not ,

but th at your profits h av e b ee n in corr e sponde nc e

w ith my l eisure The fact is you h ave got a d e al
.
,

too g ood for me and my s e nt im e nt alit ie s and I

s hould n e v e r h av e troubl e d your co mpo s itor m o re

if I had not fanc ie d th at you w o ul d also shoot

a h e ad of th e h e avy s ail ing publi c
- -
Fro m your .

’
2
l as t Lion s H e ad I l earnt th at oth e r folks are
willi ng to s e rve you as the C aliph O mar did the
A l e x andrian l ibrary and r e nd e r the L ondon less
,

f ul l o
f li tera tu r e Now d
. e ar inv is ib ili
, t ie s I would ,

1
L ondon M agaz in e, M ay, 1 8 22 ]
A h ead ing w h ich follo w e d the t itle o f e ach of the
num b e rs, and cove r e d any m isc ellan e ous ite ms, wh ich
 2 40 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

shown th e ms elve s Short s ight e d for h aving suc -

,

ce e de d in s ubv e rting all g e nu in e e x is t ing l it e ra

ture and re nd e r e d the ground n e arly impractic abl e
,

to th e imm e diat e futur e th e y find th e ir pro s p e ct s

, ,

ass im il at e d to tho s e of E pirian P yrrhu s in his ,

conclu di ng e ng age me nts with the R o mans The .

public at the e xp e n se of m an y h alf cro w n s has

,
-
,

worm e d out the s e cr e t of th e ir fight and is rap idly ,

throwing off th e tramm els of its alarm e d tutors

w hich is as m uch as to s ay in K ing s E ngl is h
’

( wh ich S ir W alt e r S cott c annot writ e ) th at any

l ady wi th in the bound ary of g e nt ility ( coloure d
r ed in M ogg s m ap ) or out of it p e rh aps
’
can ,

d iss e rt on the m e rit s or d e m e rits of the afore s aid

S ir W s l ast nov e l w ith as good e m ph asis and
’
.
, ,

b e tt e r m att e r th an any give n p e e vis h l ittl e E ditor

of a R e vie w But th is is noth ing to the purpos e
.
,

I b e lie v e ; y e t le t it go for a hug e p ar e nth e s is in ,

wh ich art icl e I oliny O ld C hapm an our noble ,

E nglis h Ho me r Wh e re w as I ?
. O h ! ah r .

“ ”
n ature of M ag az in e s Y e s ! w ell. I l e av e y ou ,
-

to pond e r ove r m y qu e ry s at isfi e d th at I h av e ,

aw ak e n e d you to a v e ry w e ighty and n e c e s s ary

p r e lim in ary t o im prov e m e nt ye t b e for e I put yours

f a ithf ully do to th is s crawl (in the postscript to
,

wh ich you will find a l ist of pr e tty b ooks for s ofas

)
an d sofa t abl e s I c annot h e lp forc in g a word O f
-

a dvic e D on t act ov e r ag ain the fabl e of the O ld

’
.

M an and his A s s Y ou h av e e nt ere d a bold

.

sp e cul ation in attem ptin g to e st abl is h a r e al

li terary M agaz in e Towards s uch a pl an no e n
.

c ourag e m ent co ul d b e e x p e ct e d from the l arg e st .

 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS . 241

l ss of m ag az in e r e ade rs as m ag az in e s w e re
c a ,

o riginally g ot up ; you had no r e c ip e s f er th e tooth

a ch e no ch arad e s no dis in tei es tecl l e tt e r s b
, , A gri
“
c ol a ( with a wood on the new prop ell ing
s h afts ,
no p ap e r on an ancie nt H ighl and kn ee
buckl e no drunk e n songs no p altry Fr e nch
, ,

rom anc e s and no sc and al Y ou had to work your

, .

w ay into a ne w s oc ie ty som e wh at difficult of ,

a cc e s s at first but whos e ultimat e acqu aint anc e

,

wo ul d r e p ay all e ndeavour s to O bt ain it in as m uch

as th e r e only could yo ur wort h y m att e r b e worth ily
e nt e rt ain e d and c e nsur e d Th is introduction is .

a cco m plis h e d ; an d to spr e ad th e conn e x ion still

,

w id e r it is only n e c e s s ary th at y o u should not b e

,

w anting to yours e lv e s th e re fore rou s e up br av e ly

in th e w arm s pring t M e an d adv anc e your out ,

post s still hi gh e r up the m ount of gr e e n flow e rin g -

H elicon 1
.C l ap E lia on the b ack for such a s e rie s
i
of good b eh av our Flog your s trong hor s e .
2
,

Lyd d a l cross up to the m ark of All an a M aut

”
- - -
, ,

o r t he King of t he P eak wh ich will b e a good ,

swinging trot li k e a g allop B e s o obliging as to

, .

3
a sk our idl e r by the gre e n se a wh e re for e he gav e ,

u p th e fourt e e n syll abl e m e asur e (wh ich b e co me s

1
J anu s is getting critical Th e b ad b it is co ming
.
,

y our honour as M iss E d ge worth s po s tilion says

” ’
, Mr . .

Weath e rcock lays about him h and s om ely but li ke the , ,

I rish du e llis t h e o f t e n hits t he w ron m an
, .

2
W e h av e no horse nor as s n e it e r am ong our con
, ,
”
O

t rib ut ors Un fortun at ely for M r W e athe rco ck s m e ta hor

. .
’
,

m
th e author [Allan C unn ingh a ] of t h e t ales of L y dal
cro ss is a v e ry slight g e ntlem an i n d e li c at e h ealth .

3
Ou R am b le r
. .
2 42 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

him sow ell) in the Hymn to C e r e s—remind him ,

too th at w e h ave n e ve r had a s atisfactory s p e cim e n

,

of an E nglish ZEschylus or E urip id e s ; and th at

s om e good things might b e p ick e d out of Q uintu s
C al ab e r and N onnus —b e s id e s tho se alr eady in
clud e d in M r E lton s t ast e ful s p e cim e ns M r
.
’
. .

Living Brit ish D ramat is t r e qu ire s a p inch of

s nuff
1
,
h igh drie d j udging fro m his l ast ; but a
,

p arody on Ob s cur e in an ity mu s t b e in an e The .

or ig in a l as my frie nd S
t
,
a
s ay s is s uffi ,

c ie ntly s at iric al on its elf E ntre at the lively

'

obs e rv ant E dward H e rb e rt to k e ep out of b ad

co mp any : the influ e nc e s of D rury lan e gr e en -

room had an aw ful e ffe ct on the conclus ion o f

his l as t as he h im s e lf s e e me d aw ar e 2 Giv e us
, .

some good s e rious po et ry ( if to b e had anyw h e r e

— why is the h arp of C ol e ridge mute an d con
tras t it w ith s om e s uch s m art bubbl e s of w it as
“ ”
Ple as e to ring the b e ll e A n d now by wh at .

3
i h l
obl qu ity do e s t e ab e st s chol ar of the d ay
confin e his att e ntion e ntir ely to the Fre nch E arly
P o e t s Is not the ex quisite the s till uncompre
.
,

h e nd e d P e tr arch worthy of his clos e y et cl ass ic

,

E ngli sh 7 Why not alt e rn at e a nobl e c an z on e o f

Mr L iv in g D ram atis t do es not t ak e snufl '
1
. .

2
J anus has c e rtainly don e f o r h im s elf in the good opin ion
of Mr H e rb ert as h e con sid e rs it the liv eli es t ap e r he
h as ev e r wri tt e n ; and has alr eady qu arr elle d withtw o o f
,
.

his b e s t frie nd s who took the lib e rt y to thin k oth e rwis e

, .

3
We do not know how to apply thi s advic e f or we ,

h av e s ev eral A bles t s cholars Pie rre R on sard is how ev e r

.
, ,

at th e P i t D oor o f our M ag az in e an d is on ly preve nt e d fro m

,
e nt e ring b y seeing Pit full ”
.
2 44 ESSAYS AND C RI T I C I SMS .

d e fin it e articl e “
The po s t is ju s t go ing out
.
,
”1

( how lucky !) s o H e ave n bl e s s you and yours .

J A NU S WEAT H E RCOC K .

PS . .
—H
v n t room for my po s tscript aft e r all
a e
’
.

R e ady n e x t month A maz ing th ie v e ry at C os

.

w ay s s al e ! H e ard all about it I suppos e ? one

’

l ady s topp e d on the st aircas e w ith two thous and

P o n my
’
pound s worth of print s in he r pock e t ’

,
’
l ife it s tru e : wh at ll you lay it s a lie’
— Fond of ’

st atu e s ? Go see Giovann i di M e d icis by M ich el

at D ay s —worth a d ay s j ourn e y !
, ,
’ ’
A nt th at good ?
’

he y ? But ! gad ! I t hi nk you re all s t atu e s your

’

s elv e s or the M e rcand otti would h av e th aw e d you

,
2
into an articl e in prais e of he r Titaniane sque
(
’
don t blund e r it into Tit i )
an e s qu e foot A pre tty .

s um th e e duc at ion of th at g irl has cost m L ord

y

1
S e e E ngli s h corr espond enc e in enera l .

2
L e t J anu s go h im s e lf , an d b e t aw e d into an a rticle ,
as
h e has und ert ak e n all th at s ort o f th ing
“ ”
.
 ESSAYS AN D C R ITI C I SMS . 2 45

g e nus W eathercock s
’
33 9 51 5 0 11 5
1

A GAI NS T W R IT I N G AN A CCO U N T OF

THE E XH IBITI O N .

A V E RY I N G E N I O U S PA P E R ,
W IT H T WO M O TTO S WO R TH A LL

T HE R ES T B ES D I E .

T hou too full o f fi gures that s a w ord of the G as con

’
art
gro wth that s a d angerous p hras e ( I don t r ej e ct any that
’ ’

are us e d in the co m m on s tr e e t s o f Fr anc e t is a m e r e j e s t

’

to think o f oppo sing custo m with gramm ar) that s an ig ’

norant dis cours e a aro doxi cal s e nt e nc e th at th e r e is too

s illy you Oft e n m a e yo urs elf m e rry it will b e thought
’

y o u s ay a th ing in good e arn es t w hi ch yo u onl y s p eak in

,
j es t
. M on ta igne .

O f all th e s eve ral w ays o f b eginn ing a book w h ich are ,

n o w in pract ic e thr oughout t h e kno w n w orld I am co n fi ,

d e nt m y o wn w ay o f doing it is the b es t I am s ur e it is
t he m o s t r elig iou s —
.

for I b e gin with wri ting the fi rs t s en

,

t e nc e and tr us ting to Provide nc e for t h e s e cond

,
.

Tris tra m S handy .

THE We lsh b ards w e r e much s mitte n by Triads .

By my m oth e r s s id e I inh e r it a p int or so O f C am

’

brian lym ph ( v e ry ap t in hot w e ath e r to s et my b e st

corks flying) th e r e for e it is not di fficult to account
for my imm od e rat e e x e rcis e o n th e s e hobb ie s .

L ord Byron t alk s about his twof old p e rc e ption s of

things : I m ust s ay th at a mor e sufficing proof of
,

w ant of inv e ntion in his m e ditat ive pow e rs co ul d

not b e adduc e d A s w e mi n e d e ep e r am ong the
.

[ L ondon
1
M ag az i n e J un e , ,
24 6 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI C I SMS .

h arm on ious e nt angl em e nts of n atur e S O doth the ,

s acr e d P yth agor e an num b e r th e b e autiful triangl e

, ,

giv e rich e r gl e am s through the op acity of our

corpor eal incumbrance s and in thos e m er e re t ain
e rs on the fl e sh ( the art s an d scie nc e s in the ,

vulgar acc e ptation) the po int s of the e v e r un alte r

,
-

ably pyramid al e mbl e m th e e th e r e al flammic s ym

-
,

bol are pre s e nt e d to all r e as on ably s e ns itiv e

,

appr e h e n s ions thi ck as qu ills upon the fre tful

,

porcupin e But how m ost profound Janu s ! is

.
”
,

t his pr e fac e to your ch apt e r of trin al an alog ie s to

b e co m e p e rtin e nt to a critiqu e on the E xh ib ition
R e ad a littl e farth e r if you pl e as e and it is te n to
, ,

o n e but you w ill fe e l as e as y on th at scor e as th e

author— at l e as t I am for this once qu ite ass ure d

.

of an int e nt ion ; and b e s ide s th at pr e tty cl ear of

a m e anin g —if I could but m ak e it out — you ll
, ,
’

not b e troubl e d w ith it this m onth how e ve r , .

A ccord ing to my th e ory th e lif e of the m ind ,

may b e portion e d out into thr ee grand st ag e s ;

the first and the thi rd of w hi ch o ff e r externa lly
s imil ar ch aract eristics The mind in its s impl e
.
, ,

pure and un inform e d s tat e is qu ie s c e nt and r ely ,

ing ; and the e nd of all it s fe v e rish asp irations

aft e r knowl e dg e is but to r e turn it to its origin al
ho m e wh e r e the adoration of n ature absorbs it
,

wholly For t he critic al art this proc e s s applie s

.
,

v e ry clos e : crit icis m b e in g n e ith e r m or e nor l e s s

th an a g e nuin e e xpo sition of the impre ssion s pro

d uce d by a g iv e n subj e ct on a t as t e ful mind ,

s crupulously cle ar e d fro m w arp s and pr ejudic e s .

To att ain thi s obj e ct wholly I assum e to b e im 4

248 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS .

t rump e te th is kn ave or a dup e The appos ite

a .

n e s s of m y introduction is nic ely d ev e lop e d or ,

e l se the D e vil s in t ; an d now it has s erv e d my

’ ’

purpo s e you m ay giv e it by way of a p inch o f

,

snuff to your frie nd th e re w ith the obtus e ap

preh e n sion Wh e n he h ath pluck e d out the h e art
.

o f my myst e ry he sh all find A ristotl e s po e tic s

’

(without as e asy as lyin g P e rh ap s

—
.

all th is is too t e rs e
“
D um br e vis e ss e l aboro
O b s curus fio — I t s the b e s t p art of my articl e f or
,
’ ’

all th at — ( I use the p res ent au x il iary

.
,

b e c aus e , ,

though the re mainde r IS not as y e t s ign ifi e d on the

“
p ap e r it is and has b e e n writt e n Within the book
, ,

and volu m e of my br ain

”
to all int e nts and pur
po s e s fro m all e t e rn ity) —I t s th e b e s t p ar t of my
,
’

art icl e I r e p eat and if you r e ad four p ag e s m or e

, , ,
’ ’
you ll not b e the wise r t ake a fool s word ! ,
“
Wh e r e is the wind to d ay S outh e as t - -
.

How in the pl agu e s n am e c am e a praye r again st

’

this m ost accurs e d of all winds to b e o m itt e d in

our Lit any But th e r e w as no S o mers et hou s e -

Exh ibition I n thos e d ays b e c aus e th e re w as no ,

S ome rs e t hous e -
I d ar e s ay you may d is cove r
.
,

anoth e r r e as on or two but I am qu it e co mfort abl e

,

with th is
S O ! w e are arriv e d ! P u—g—h / ( I look on a
.

p rint e rl
y arr ang e
-
d e x cl am at ion of th is ki nd a s a rr

a d mir abl e succ e d an e um for a p aragr aph of w itti

c is m s . It g ive s o ne a con s e qu e nc e b e yond a con

t ributor : it is quite E d itorial and v e ry h arml e ss
—so P u—g—h again ) Wh at a s m oth e r ! how .

t he dust c ar ee rs aw ay yond e r in the long sun ,

 E S SAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS . 24 9

b e am I—h ow ru s ty and rough are the cas te rs of

m al e s —how dis gust e d l adie s are w ith the dimm e d
h ue of th eir bl ack m orocco slipp e rs ! how th eir
-

c url s un curl th eir w anton t e ndrils : and how littl e

straggling p artie s thr e e or four h airs in e ach fre t
, ,

on th eir t e mpl e s t ickl e in th eir n ap e s

,
How
light kid glov e s are d ark e n e d by th e action of
anim al w armth ! How fac e s S h in e and b andan as
wh isk about ov e r b ald fore h e ad s —
,

and h ow aw k

w ard m en stick th e ir thumb s wh e re th e y s hould

no t for l ack of th e ir st ick s torn aw ay by th at
,

unfe e ling c aitiff Tom Bro m h e ad who couch e d in

, ,

his gr e e n d e n at th e v e ry fe e t of H e rcule s Sp ar e s ,

n e ithe r age nor s e x .

I c annot bring m ys elf to put im plicit faith in

th at s aying of Lord B acon s “
th at good m e n ’

crushed are s w e e t e r for the crush — H e av e n kno w s

,

th at the crush here to d ay is strong and y e t

,
-
, ,

I will not s e t down so m any hundre ds of my

fellow cre at ur e s as b ad b e c au s e th e y do not d is til
-

into frank inc e n s e and Sp ik e n ard — N O ! B acon for

,

onc e is mist ak e n 1 but for all th at ne w v e ntil ator s

would not b e irrel e vant to the gr e at roo m—s o
,

p u— g h ! t h e th ird t im e — or wh at i s st ill b e tt e r
b e c aus e S h aksp e rian—p ah
,

Who d id the E xh ib ition for the London M ag a

1
J anus is e x tremely f ond of di stort ing not able p assages
i n not ab le authors for the p urpo se o f build ing s om e p re
,

pos t e rons conc eits th e r e on T his is all mi ghty w ell with

.

d abble r s lik e S outh e y B yron and S cott but w h e n h e

, ,
.

m e ddles with B acon h e g e t s the w rong p ig by th e e ar In .

f act he had b e tt e r turn Je w and evit e him altoge th e r

,
.
2 50 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI C I SMS .

z ine l ast s e ason ? C orn V an Vink b ooms

. D id .

he inde e d ? Why th e n le t him d o it ag ain, as

’
Vathek s aid to the Giaour .I ll non e of it ! Why
S ho ul d I g e t the ill-will of e v e ry e x h ib itor, bot h

thos e I co mm em or at e and tho s e I do not ? Ve ry

t ru e , d e ar W —but—he m ! but—why you s e e th at
C orn e l ius h as m e t w ith s e ve ral l ittl e ob s t acl e s
w h ich h av e hi th e rto pre ve nt e d his att e ndanc e at
t he A c ad em y— in s hort ( I kno w I sp eak to a
frie nd ) , Van Vink b o om s n ow l ie s in Hors em onge r
j a i l und e r s e nte nc e of d e ath for a M A nton i o .

robb e ry in the British M u s e um ’

B andinelli s
S t Lawr e nc e avec les d euce f ourches w as hi s b an e
. .

L ov e of art sw ay e d him not lucr e ( for Oft e n h ath

,
'

h e offe re d a hundre d pound s in vain ), l ik e the 1 1 n

h ange d p ilfe re r of Re mbrandts ; y e t how d iffe re nt
t h e ir fat e Extre mely unpl e as ant ind e e d, and
turn s up inconve ni e ntly both for him and m e
m ais —h el as ! h e -bie n —(This facon d e P aris is
v e ry dry !) I m ust unde rtak e it for you, I s e e !
L ook on it as don e— so me w ay or oth e r .

Th e re are 1 049 works, as th e y are t e rme d occu ,

p ying in the ir int itul at ion 4 9 p ag e s 4 to To gi ve .

a nythi ng lik e an account of a qu art e r of th e s e

would fill thr ee of our m ag az in e s Let us count

t he not e s of ad miration in our c at alogu e —1 7 3 !
.

too m any by 1 00 How m any doubl e cross e s .

-
5 7 ! S t ill uncomp as s abl e ! Thus th e n w e sw e at
down the mass for our use P ortr aiture attracts
.

p atron ag e e nough , God knows ; and th at p atron ag e

runs in a good cours e , as th e goodly tr e e s it wat e rs
t e stify, L awr e nc e , P h ill ips, O we n , Jackson, C h alon ,
2 52 ESSAYS A D
N
C RI TI C I SMS .

an e v e n an d s ob e r l ight the c arn at ion s are cl e an ,

fre sh and s angu in e L e t i1 s h ave a print of it

, .

fro m the brilliant and faithful h and of S crive n ,.

not forg e tt ing its ad mirabl e co mp an ion l ast y e ar .

A s a p e nd ant to this conv e ntu al in c arce ration

h angs The Burial of C hrist by the s am e p e ncil a
worn out h ackn e ye d s ubj e ct on wh ich the cr e ativ e
-
,

g e n iu s of M ich e l A ng elo would now fail t o

e l e v at e any s tructur e wh ich s hould arr e s t att e n
t ion by nov e lty Th at M r N s hould h ave e m
. . .

ploy e d his t im e on it w as prob ably the r e sult of a

cho ic e not his o wn It is ho w e v e r w e ll co m po s e d
.
, , ,

and po ss e s se s br e adth d e pth and s trong r el ie f

, , .

The t ast e O f colour is fro m t he s e v e r e r d e p art

m e nt s of the Bologn e s e school s o e loqu e ntly re ,

co mm e nd e d by S ir Jo s hu a and Fus el i as the l eg i

t imate v e h icl e of the d ignifi e d the p ath e t ic and , ,

the awful B e tw e e n th e s e two cool ch as titie s is a

fi e ry lu x urianc e ( C up id and P s ych e 1 8 ) by the
“

now in O il s eldom s e e n W e s t all an artist who has

- - - -
,

touch e d e ve ry sp e cie s of co mpo sition and s eldo m ,

fail e d to add s o m e d e lic acy unknown b e for e If .

the v ariou s s tyl e d S toth ard our R affaell e has b ee n

-
, ,

m ore succ e s sful in c atch ing th e e van e s c e nt grac e s

of e v e ry day l ife he must yield to his rival in
-
,

hi gh e r and m or e po e t ic al inv e nt ions ; S toth ard

could not h av e p aint e d W e stall s Thr e e Witch e s ’

— nor We st all S tothard s Fr e nch Prie st s e arn e st

,
’ ’

,
”
C olloquy with R ob inson C ruso e S toth ard look .
,

ing to his humanities is rath e r th e int e n s e r of th e

,

t w ain ; W e s t all the m ore unive rs al I find gr e at .

difficulty as to pr e c e d e nc e of m e rit b e tw ee n his

 ESSAYS A ND C RITI C I SMS . 253

Fish e rm an lab ourm g out a bo at on th e wild ,

b e ach of b illowy H ast ings his rich l and s c ap e s of

,

S olitude an d R oslin C as tle his tu multuou s cattl e

,

p ie c e of Lions and B ulls ; or his in all lim bs - -

b e aute ous H e l e n fallin g lik e a w arm s un stre am

,
-

o n th e s e ns e s of Pri am and Troy s e ld e rs

’
who ,

b ask lik e gr as shopp e rs in her blighting lov elin e ss

I h ave h e ard his pow e r s d e n ie d or d e grad e d —le t
.

t he abov e e nu m e rations of ach ie v e m e nts in s o

m any oppo sit e br anch e s strik e th e s e s ill y unre ,
1
fl ecting and p e tty c alumn iators dumb
, Th at .

W e stall s s tyl e is r e dol e nt with faults no one e v e r

’

a ffe ct e d to d e ny ; but th e y are the faults not of

i nc ap acity but of r e ckl e s s n e ss as to wh at h e m ay

,

d e e m (p e rh aps e rron e ously) the un e s s e ntial it ie s -

o f his works H is e x c ell e ncie s both in e l e ganc e

.
,

o f postur e brill iancy of ch iaroscuro ch aract e ris ti c

, ,

touch and v ividn e s s of colour are e min e ntly his

, ,

o wn . In the production b e for e us the ne w ,

m e thod of working w ith an ad mix ture of w at e r

2

c olours cr ayon s and O il p aints has b e e n strictly

, ,
-
,

1
Who po ss es ses th is g e ntlem an s painting from the ’

Thi rd C an to o f th e L ord o f th e I s les ( B ruce A lla n R ona ld , ,

a nd E di th in the ou tla w s cave) ? w h e r e in the cho ic e an d

’
,
s e iz ure of the m o m e nto u s nick of t im e r ev eals an intimacy
w ith t h e s pring s o f s ymp athy w orthy o f t he high es t n a me s .

Th e s tat e of pub lic kno wle dg e o f t he arts in th is m att er

o f fact country m ay b e le arnt fro m th e mise rab le S ight o f
-

t h es e ab ilities pro s titut e d by d ir e n e c e s sity to orn am e ntal

vi gn e tt e s for S h arp s pro s e w rit e rs an d id g e nus o m n e
’
,
2
S uppo se d by M is s C leav e r th e ve ry ing e n iou s inv en
,
t r ess to b e t h e r eal an d tr ue proc es s of T iz iano C orr eggi o
, , ,
t he B asse n s R em brandt C uy p & c
, , , .
2 54 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS .

follow e d ; but the e ffe ct ( at l e as t as w e ll as I can

j udg e at so gre at a dis t anc e) s e ems h ardly c om
m e nsurat e to the t e di ou s n e s s of th e m e an s It is .
.

whi sp e re d th at M r W h im s e lf puts littl e or no

. .

faith in the not ion of its b eing th e Veneti a n

S ecret though h e e s t e e m s it to com pris e s e v e r al
”
,

de s id e rat a am ong which is s urf a ce It is m y v ery

,
.

hu mbl e O p in ion (w ho am not p icture but p rin t ,

lea rned) th at it r e lis h e s a littl e of the B as s anos ,

but I fin d not much of Giorgion e Titiano Tin , ,

t ore tto or S ch iavon e the abl e s t colouris ts of th at

, ,

gorg e ous age I c annot h elp fancying th at the

.

usu al d is tinctn e s s of M r W s firs t conc e ption . .

’

w as in thi s e v e r d elightful subj e ct

,
-
so m e th ing ,

d imm e d by a too unvarie d cont e m pl ation of

D e s ign s g audy tyring m aid The nov e lty of his
’
- .

m e an s thr e w a t e mporary d az z l e ov e r his fancy ;

and wh il e com pl e t e adm irat ion is giv e n to th e
b e auty of the lorn P s ych e and the w antonly ,

lu xuriant acc e s sarie s th e in ad e qu at e p e rs onifica

,

tion of th e h e av e nly Bre ath of the World provok e s .

our spl e e n It w e r e al s o to b e wish e d th at the

.

spl e n di d y et bli nd cub icul um of A p ule ius had not

b e e n e x ch ange d for an op e n l e afy t e nt wh e r e the ,

t ell t al e moo nlight m ak e s the l amp (th e instru

-

m e nt of th e h e lpl e s s one s futur e m is e rie s) Sup e r

’

fl uous . Th e s e th ings would b e trifling in the o

orn am e nt al s tyl e which aims to pl e as e the e y e

, ,

r e ckl es s of proprie ty ; but We st all h ith e rto has h e ld

“
a h igh e r m ood ! and ind e e d in this s am e
, bril ,

liance p ictorial h e p e rch anc e but disports by w ay

,

o f unb e nd ing his inv e nt iv e an d r e fl e ct iv e facult ie s

2 56 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

A t th is s o h e av e nly sight , the lampy s pir e

I ncr e as e d his fl am e s , an d bur nt m or e pur e , an d

di X
~ it

as P oor Psych e , all am az e d ,

With j oy an d w ond e r on his b eauty g az e d .

H is n e ck s o w hit e , his colour so e x act,

H is lim b s , th at w e r e s o curious ly co mp act
Hi s body sle ek, an d sm ooth .

at X
'
X
“

A bright r e fl e ct ion an d p e rfum e d s c e nt

Fill d all the roo m with a m ix d b land ish m e nt,
’ ’

S hot f ro m his w ing s and at his f e e t di d li e

H is b o w, an d arro ws, and his arm oury .

if if 1‘
'

Wh e n lo,
Wh e th e r fro m e nvy or fro m treach e ry
, ,
O r th at it had a burni ng a p et it e
T o touch the sil k e n sk in t at lo ok d so wh ite
’
,
T h e wick e d lam p in an unlucky hour
, ,

A drop of s cald in O il did le t do w n pour

fr

O n his ri ght s hould e r .

“
H av e you look e d at this young l ady who w e ars ,

f orth th e odorous m o isture of the flo w e r s with ,

t h e w arm th of her d ainty body b ath e d in the un ,

s ee n d e ws of s l e e p I s ay ag ain h ave you look e d ,

a t h e r w e ll A11 truly I h av e
”
, We ll S ir ! .
,

and w h at do you s e e ? I se e a v e ry h andsom e

g irl with gold e n tre ss e s fas t asl ee p w ith her pr e tty
, ,

m outh op e n and upward s

, and I s e e a littl e
impud e nt C up id who s e e m s e x tre m ely awar e th at
h er s lumb e r is som ewh at e x tran e ou s and as it w e re ,

rath e r induc e d by e x c e s s of s timul ants th an e x c e s s ,

o f e x haustion wh ich to b e sure is pl ainly e nough

,

implie d in the d e co mpo s e d S traggl e of he r plu m p

 ESSAYS A D N
C RI TI C I SMS . 57

limbs ; and I se e a ro mantic whi t e h aire d go at -

with l e e ring eye and upre ache d qui ve ring mouth ,

cropp ing the s w e e t shoot s of the lu s h vi n e und e r

E xtre me ly
”
the whi ch th e s e thr e e lie burie d !
right Mr A A Wh at d ye c all hi m ! But ’

All—s av e a p air of s m all br as s

, .

“
is th is all ?
L — d h ave m e rcy on us !
”
B acchi c cymb als .

w h at a blind world is th is m y m as t e rs Why , .

,

thou fe ath e rl e ss o w l ! thou Short n ail e d m ol e ! d e s -

crye st thou not cl e arly th at thi s t abl e t h av in g b ee n

,

origin ally p aint e d some t im e agon e the v arn ish or , ,

the ma eg ilp or th e so mething has crack e d the M is s s

’

, ,

skin lik e a dropsy and th at to hid e th e s e r avag e s

, ,

S CUMB LIN G has b e e n u s e d D ost h e ar ? S C UM B

LIN G M ay b e s o ; and wh at of th at ?
S top a m o m e nt w ill you my d e ar r e ad e r ?
, ,
I
c annot get th at int e rrog ative do w n y et I m ust .

drink th is gl ass of S h e rry e xactly at thr e e s w allow s

an d t ak e pr e cis e ly— How pr e cis ion is di s r e g ard e d
,

n ow to b e sur e ! in draw ing in a ct in g in m aking , ,

up pr e script ions in t aki ng th e m in the pos it ion of

, ,

dragoon s fee t in the stirrup s in the m ak e of

’

bre e ch e s in gramm ar in pronunciat ion in cho ic e

of words in—in shor t—I don t kn ow w hy I shoul d
, , ,
’

b e gin my e x c elle nt work On P r wis ion just here !

SO I put my fing e r and thum b into the bo x ove r
whi ch it has hov e re d for the l as t twe nty thr e e -

s e conds and t ak e
,
pr e cis ely—tw o s ev e n eighths -

p inch e s of Paris I th ink I fe el a littl e b ett e r

.

now ! n e ve rth el e s s I do pronounc e th at phr as e

,

“
wh at of th at to b e the m ost vulg ar the m ost
”
,

imp e rt in e nt unfe eli ng m al e vol e nt stup id churlish

, , , , ,

S
2 58 ESSAYS AND C RI T I C I SMS .

discomfiting ,
una ns wera ble
qu e ry th at A pollyon
e v e r thr us t in a m an s h e ad
’
It is as b ad as a p ail .

of w at e r thrown ove r you or a s m ack in the fac e !

—And to m e e t w ith all th is in re w ard for as fine
,

a p ie c e of connoiss e ursh ip as you s h all li ght upo n

be twee n Vasari and Vink b oom s fie on t it s an ’

,
’

ungrat e ful w orld B ut for all th at I will h av e my

s ay and I s ay th at S tot hard s p icture is a good
’

p icture and a love abl e p ictur e—go to ! and a w ell

,

draw n — and an e xpre s s ive p ictur e and as good as

,

, ,

a P ouss in and a g re at d e al b e tt e r altog e th e r th an

,

you or I Should m ak e if w e w er e to liv e accord ing ,

to the C h in e s e wi sh 1 000 y e ar s p aintin g aw ay all

th e time —and if you co me to th at—s o in hi s oth e r
, ,

l ittl e co mpo s ition yond e r ( 1 7 8 J acob t e lling his .

d r e am to his fath e r) a d e s ign w h ich look s as if it

o ught to b e in R afl aello s B ibl e ! N O matt e r !
’ ”
’

s aid M r Hob s on
. .

But co me my ch arming young l adie s who do at

,
“

on Lord Byr on h e r e is a p icture p ainte d on pur

,

pos e for ye : M a nf red a nd the Witch of the A lp s

A v e ry ch as t e and c ar e fully fin ish e d compo
s ition ; of cours e m or e in the gu s to of Ro m e th an
o f V e n ic e though the t ints are cl e ar and b e ar m or e
, ,

transp ar e nc e th an is usu al w ith M r How ard The . .

fountain s pirit has gre at b eauty of Sh ap e and

fe ature s—the attitud e O f the guilty mis anthrop e is
n atural and ch aract e ris tic and the Al p in e sce n e ry , ,

rocks and wild flow ers the torr e nt and its spr ay
-
,

b egotte n Iris mak e up a v ehi cl e for the actors

,

e x tr em e ly p ictur e s qu e rich an d inviting ,

With .

r eg ard to his A riel releas ed by P rosp cro I

260 ESS AYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

by C ollin s ? ( Buck l and in the M oor I do ,

with all m y h e art and w ith all my soul on wh ich

, ,

it would act l ike b al m And I wish I h ad Turn e r s

’
.

e x qu is it e l ittl e g aie ty ( Wh at you Will

, A nd ,

I wis h I had C oop e r s B attl e of S trig onium

’

A nd I wis h M r E tty had mad e a l arg e fortun e

.
,

an d g av e aw ay his d e lic at e ly and m as t e rly e x e cut e d

g em s to poor but ard ent am at e ur s Al as alas .

W hy is the will to e ncourag e g e nu in e m e rit so

s eldo m acco mp ani e d by the m ean s ? Wh e n I look
at th is g e ntl e group (M a terna l Afiecti on so ,

corre ctly draw n so s pl e ndidly colour e d and so

lightly touch e d I long—I l angu ish
, ,

I c annot
withdraw but turn b ack at e v e ry st ep —I s igh
,

, ,

an d in s igh ing e x cl aim unfortun at e b e ing th at I

—
,

am it is thus th at all pow e rful Painting k e e p s -

m e unde r h er do minion—th e n g ain ing s tre ngt h I , ,

proc e e d r e fl e cting on th e treasure I h ave qu itt e d

, .

M r E tty has as y e t give n us littl e or no Sp e cim e n s

of hi s powe rs in st ern e r stu ff—but why should he ?
.

H is mann e r is p e culi arly his own an d w ill always ,

e n am our by its t e nd e r s e l e ct ion O f attitud e s and

e x pre s s ions and th e g e n ial w arm th of its hu e s
, .

P e rh aps a gre at e r forc e of l e gitim at e ch iaro s curo

woul d add varie ty to his styl e his e ffe ct s at pre s e nt ,

d ep e nding n e arly if not e ntir ely on th e Oppo sition

, ,

of colour s I c annot t ak e l eav e of th is m o s t

.

m e ritoriou s artist without e x pr e ss ing my Sinc e re

admir at ion of the am orous and y e t m od e st l anguor
infus e d into the bright e y e s and fair l id s droop
ing with thick l ash e s of his fe mal e s —
,

The S t
, , .

’ ’
C atherine and P syche in the l ast Exhi bit ion at
, ,
 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS . 2 61

t he British Galle ry owe d to thi s b eautiful trait

,

m or e th an h alf th e ir attract ion .

Le t us n ow s it down an d feast our e y e s on

Hilton s gall e ry p icture (M eleager A tala nta a nd
’
, ,

the B oa r of D i a na How fin ely colour e d

how v e ry rich e x ub e rant and j uicy—how w ell
, ,

m ad e up—how p ain terly

, ,

Thi s l ast t ack has

brought him n e ar e r to the gorge ous port of V e ni c e
t h an any b e fore How glow ing without fox ey
.

n e ss : h o w brown and m ell ow y e t pur e and cl e an !

,

How m uch n ature and s uppl e n e s s in the d rawin g

without vulgarity — and how m uch corr e ctn e s s
,

without rigidity ! How cl ev e rly brought tog eth e r ,

a nd h o w efieetua l are th e cold s te e l an d the p e r

s p irin g fl e s h Wh at a fie rce p e ncil in the an imals

and the Tiz ian e s que tre e s ! how p ul py and d eh

c at e in the c arn ation s ! how artfully e asy are the

roup in g a n d t h e arr ang e m e nts of th e p arts an d
g
what an air of uni ty th e whol e pos s e ss e s ! Thi s
i n my O p in ion is M r H ilton s cong e nial styl e th e
’

s tyl e of V e celli—th e p i ctures que in its prop e r and

.

high e s t s e ns e ; and it is a million of p itie s he

Should e v e r wande r in a v ain s e arch afte r the
a nt agonis t ic an d e ss e nt ially inim ical grac e s of
P arma and R o me ; th e r e sult of such unch e m ic al
a lli anc e has b ee n an d e v e r will b e
, n eutraliza tion
,
.

Fro m thos e who do not com pr eh e nd the reaso n of

his s tyle M r H m u s t e xp e ct to h e ar m any O h
, . .

j e ct io n s,
m i ghty sound in th e m s e lv e s but tr av e s ,

t ie d into ab s olute nons e ns e by th e ir in applic abil ity

to th e point in que s tion I hold th at no work of
.

ab ili ty can b e trie d

. oth e rwis e than by l aws
d e duc e d f ro m its elf ; wh e th e r or not it b e consis
2 62 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS .

t e nt with its elf If th is th e ory b e tru e the onus

.
,

l aid on the conscientious critic is alm o s t e qu al to

the author s In our good E ngl and howe ve r this
’
.
, ,

burth e n would s e e m but feath e rw eight j udging ,

from the Sp anking p ac e at which our p e rio di c al

s calp e rs get ove r the ground : p e rh aps conscie nc e s
i
are too high in pric e for th e r pock e t s
1
.

But I don t li k e to b e hurrie d along in th is

’

w ay I h av e s ee n p ictures e nough for to day and -

,

I won t h av e th e m put out of m y h e ad !

’
S we e t
J anu s but thre e m ore ! —We ll S ir wh ich b e
, , ,

th e y ? Why firs t h ere is C h alon s P recieuses

,
’
.

r idicules ( 1 6 2 ) o ne of the v e ry b e st th ings h e e v e r

,

e nch ant e d the fashi on abl e world w ith C an art .

and t ast e go b e yond his triu m ph ov e r the m ost

pr epo s t e rous costum e th at e ve r c aric atur e d hu
m an h ab il ime nt s ? How pung e nt how e ffe rv e s ,

c e nt is the count e n anc e of the ros e coloure d -

B e auty — I m ean the b eauty dre s s e d in cracklin g

s at in couleur d e r ose How fi erc e are thos e sho e
.

tie s how awful th at w ig ! Would anyon e b eliev e

,

th at M r C h alon w as not born and br e d in

.

the C ourt of Louis Q u atorz e in s t e ad of b e ing at ,

this pr e s e nt t ime alive and in gre at r e qu e st w ith ,

the l ad ie s at N O 1 1 Gr e at M arlborough s tre e t

, .
,
-
,

L ondon ? Tell m e M r We ath e rcock if you would

,
.
,

not give s o me of your s c arc e st B onas one s to b e

abl e to put t h at th at—bottl e of C h am p agn e for
-

”
the e y e s into your B oudoir ? Why it is not ,

e asy for me to ans we r th at qu e stion b e c aus e ,

“
1
Pale y onc e s ai d th at h e could not aff ord to ke e p
a con s cie nc e T his d e clar at ion was hon es t at any rat e
2 64 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI C I SMS .

P s ych e is affe ctingly simpl e— a pure b ashful r ely

ing cre atur e who could liv e but in the bre ath of
,

The W ar A ng el of the e le
—
t he h e av e nly L ov e .

g ant mi nde d Fl axm an is e xtr e m ely nobl e no m an

-

und e rst ands the action and pow e rs of the sk el e to n

b e tt e r th an M r F wh ich knowl e dg e is the
. .

r i m u m m obile of gr ac e and m ot ion I wond e r h e

p .

do e s not favour the public with so me more of his

h arm on ious outlin e s The ro mantic A pollon ius .

would furnis h an int e re s ting s eries which might

'

b e lithographi z e d by s om e of his pup il s .

PS .
— Give
my r e sp e cts to your M r F in e Art s, .
1

and r e qu e s t him to writ e a p an e gyric on Wilki e s

’

f d ce uvr e (for so it c ert ainl y is both in con

’
che -
,

ce ption, co mpo s ition , colour, dr awing, grac e , and

e x pr e s s ion ; thi s is ind ee d fe tching up lee -w ay
, ,

w ith a w e t s ail ) with one of his m o s t s up e rb quills

, .

Te ll him al s o I sh all look sh arp aft e r his critiqu e

’
on M ulre ady s C onva les cent ; it is a touch s ton e of
s ym p athy and fe eli n g M ack e n z ie s houl d writ e .

it or Allan C unningh am ! I d e sir e th at M ynh ee r

V an S tinking Broom s w ill kee p his h e rring —
,

de file d
p aw s from it I h at e th at fello w most p articul arly
. .

Fu igat e him out of t e conc e rn !

m h 2

H azlitt ]
gO ur fri end M r We ath ercock has omitte d to notice M r
1

. .

L eslie s ’
RivalsWith s om e d efe cts of e x e cution nothin g
.
”
,

can b e m ore e x pr e ss iv e th an thi s a dm irab le li ttle p ictur e

if his f orm e r re duction s w e r e m or e attractiv e fro m th eir
conn e x ion wit our national h ab its and ass ociations thi s is ,

e qu ally m e ritoriou s in g e n ui n e u nf orc e d hum our N othing .

c an e x c el the s p irit e d and r c ful w i w hi ch t h e s tory

is told —
g a e a y n
ED .
 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS . 2 65

THE D E L I C A T E I N TRI C A C I E S 1
.

Wha t tim e the gr e y fly winds her sultry horn . M ilton .

H e h ad uch
kirmis hin g cuttin g kind of a slashi ng
s a s ,

w ay with him in his d isputations thr us tin g and ri p ing

p , o ,

a n d giving e v e ry on e a s trok e to rem em b e r him by i n his

t urn th at if th e r e w e r e t w enty p e ople in c omp any 1 n
, ,
less than h alf an hour h e w as sur e to h av e eve ry o ne o f
th em again s t him . S terne .

A ND n ow outlin e s of the chi mn eys and

the
hou s e top s b e gan to cut e ve r m ore s h arply and
-

s h arply ag ainst the aeth e r e al b ackground an d ,

“
t he east e rn g at e of h e av e n s oon soon to glo w
, ,

w ith a bloody blush r e fl e ct e d a h e art cool ing

,
-
,

m oony r adianc e fro m its m arbl e v alv e s wh e n ,

Nin a L un abl e to sl e e p fro m th e unite d pon

.
, ,

d e ros ity of he r h eart and the atm o s ph e re and ,

t ir e d w ith cont e mpl at ing the bronz e d Hy me ns ,

whos e h ands support e d the luxuriant drap e rie s of .

h e r v irgin b e d rais e d up he r fr agrant h e ad from

,

t he l ac e trimm e d p illows of d own

-
Without w ait .

ing to d e sc e nd th e st e ps in a r e gul ar and m oral

m ann e r s he thre w h e r s e lf out on the thi ck l e op ard
,

s kin and h as tily induing h er p e arl colour e d slip

,
-

p e rs and w r e athi ng he r roun d arm s and s w e e p ing

s hould e rs in a c ashm e r e —the wh it e ankl e d o ne

,

mov e d timidly (though alon e) ov e r the p aint e d

v e lv e t c arp e t towards the aristocratic al s emi circl e
o f e m bl az on e d window s wh ich form e d th e s outh e rn

[ L ondon M a azin e J uly 1 8 2 2 ]

1 g
, ,
2 66 ESSAYS AND C RI T I CI SMS .

e nd of her voluptuou s s a lon d coucher H er fl ex .

ibl e fing e rs turn e d th e pliant locks of the c e ntre

o n e and r e g ardl e s s of app e ar anc e s ( i e p ass e ng e rs )
,
. .

S he l e ant out of h e r b alcony l ik e the Ve n e t ian

don z ell e s in Paolo Ve ron e s e or ( to r e duc e m y ,

com p aris on to the l e v el of your com pre h e n sion ,

M r S im k ins lik e Miss O N e il in J ulie t ; though

.
’

on s e cond thought s I b elie v e I sh all cro ss out this

,

l ast touch b e c aus e she l e ant l ik e no cre ature

,

I e v e r s aw ; e x c e pt h ers elf S top a b it ! H as .

P arm e giano e v e r p aint e d the kind of subj e ct !

N —n—n—no ! I am afraid not ! Why th e n S ir , ,

h e ought to b e tre at e d e xactly as your b aulk e d

curio sity dict at e s z—for d ep e nd upon it you hav e
no ch ance of co ming w ithin n in e hundre d and
s e ve nty thr ee d e gr e e s of her longi—altitude I
-

me an — B ut w e ll proc ee d with this t al e a littl e

’

or e ls e Nin a will c e rt ainly c atch cold by st anding

so long in th e vapoury d e ws of morn .

The g as w as now w ani ng fast ; so w e r e the

p atrol e and w atchm en With cr e aks ru mbl e s .
, ,

d h m m i &
’

g e -
e w ha t s an t
,
e s e ll O f a tt ng c abb ag e s c , , .
,

m ark e t c arts slo w ly progr e ss e d to THE GARDE N

fro m the d el ightful villag e s of I sl e worth Twick e n ,

h am and Turnh am gr e e n
, S e v e ral noticea ble me n
-
.

w ith bl ack s ilk stocking s w e re r e turning fro m

a h igh court pl e n ary of -
lite ratur e and Fr ench
w in e s — one m ight s ee at a gl anc e th at th e y w e re
,

famous in pun s po etry ph ilo s ophy and e x alt e d

, , ,

criticism ! Brie fly th e y w e r e the w its of London !

, ,

O n e of th e m “
s o aring al oft in th e high re gio n o f
‘ ’

his fancie s w ith his g arl ands and s ing ing rob es
,
2 68 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

s ay, backwards nor w as it m uch e asie r for her to

h ear th e ir Ly aean hym n s, for I can m ak e o ath th e y
n e v e r s tr ay e d w ith in tw e nty s tr e e t s of h er s itu a
—
tion ! I hop e, m ad am, I h av e e x culp ate d my
h e roin e from any ch arg e of ind elic acy Y e s, S ir ! .

but how c am e you to troubl e us and your s tory

with this imp e rtin e nt e p is ode ? Th at you Should
ask m e why, and I , in r e turn , m ak e m y int e nt

lucid .

Tho s e n ic e tie s an d p articul aritie s of n arrat ion

w h ich are to b e found in m ys elf and all oth e r
author s of v alu e an d cr e d ib ili ty , are th e t e s ts , th e

w itn e s s e s, th e vouch e rs , for th e auth e nt ic ity O f the

t al e —for e v e ry t al e is or ought to b e ( aft e r
a fas h ion
) h is toric ally tru e (look into th e S chl e

g el s , will ye you fe e l assur e d th at the r el at e r

h as actu ally b e e n pre s e nt at the s c e n e s h e pl ac e s b e
f ore you It is firs t h and , f ire, new ! To illu s trat e
.
-

i n r e counting the m ann e r of X s d e t e ntion of Z

’

—
. .

during a pro s y argume nt , I w rit e, “

an d wi th

such sp e e ch e s he (X) dexterously s e iz e d with hi s

s inis ter h and a button of Z S d oubl e t — it w as th e
’
.

fifth button count ing fro m the botto m

”
N ow , .

do e s not thi s s ubtl e c ircum s t antial ity put the fact

t h at uch confer e nc e took plac e b e yond doubt ;
s

for why should X grappl e Z s button s av e to

. .
’

p r e ve nt Z fro m e s cap ing ? and as s u mi ng th at Z

. .

att e m pt e d to l e av e a g iv e n s pot and p e rson it ,

f ollo w s tol e rably log ic ally th at Z mus t ha ve been

, .

o n th e s pot an d wi th th e p e rson h e e s say e d to

,

qu it Is not th is v e ry cl ev e r r e as on ing ? An d if
.

t he ing e n ious g e ntl e m an who h as b e e n tw ic e

 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS . 269

1
d id act ic on the Elgin M arbl es would h ave the
kindn e ss to con sid e r the forc e of m y conclus ion s
as e nfe e bl e d by th e r o ttenness of my pr e mis e s ( not
my t e n e me nt s an d h e r e d it ame nt s) I as s ur e him ,

on th e word and honour of a ge ntl eman for so the ,

l at e king s mo s t e x c ell e nt m aj e sty w as gr aciously

’

pl eas e d to d e s ign ate your most humbl e s e rv ant in

a c e rt ain co mmis si on ( not of the p ea ce) b earing his

ow n S ign m anu al I r e ally b e liev e I h av e it

now in m y pock e t I ll r e ad it if it w ill gr at ify ’

you at all—no ! I h av e n t— I m afraid it s up —

.

’ ’ ’
st air s
—n ev e r mind
I s ay th at on th e honour of a g e ntl eman I will
, ,

do as m uch for e v e ry tittl e h e has advanc e d in the

for e m e ntion e d tw o e x c e ll e nt articl e s—I c an t o ff er ’

fair e r can I ? A nd now h aving m ade a c ap it al

,

d e fe nc e of my pre cis e and corre ct an d ing e n iou s , , ,

s tyl e I sh all b e for th e futur e ing e nious

,
corr e ct , ,

an d pr e c is e as h ard as e v e r I can
,
.

Y ou v e m ad e y ours elf e x trem ely agr e e abl e m os t

’

Sil e nt r ead e r all this t ime ; and as a re w ard you

, , ,

and I will go and g az e on Nin a and all h e r do ings

in p rop r iis p er sonis and th e n e ith e r k e e p du mb
,

n e s s th e re on or whi sp e r a littl e in the e ars of

so me of our heartest (a word d e s id e rat e d L —d
,

knows how long !) of our heartes t frie nds j ust as ,

d e corum and s e ns e of d e lic acy and a ll tha t sort

S ee— h e r e w e are in
,

of thing sh all ind ic at e

, .

“
Grosve nor S quare ! An d is th e hous e here ,
”
J anus ? No S ir ! but it is not a gr e at w ay off
, ,

[
1
H azli tt s
’
p ap e r on th at s ubj e ct in the E ncyclop ce dia
B ritannica ]
2 70 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

Th is turn if you pl eas e : now, w e are arrive d !

I h ave the k ey O f this wall door—pooh p os tern —
,

—
I mean and h e r e w e
“
H e r e ! M e rcy on us
why h e re l iv e s L ord Hush ! for your l ife !
S t e p in qu ickly— S t and clos e b e h ind th is bouncing
laure l on the l e ft t ill I ve r e lock e d —Th e r e
’

Wh at a r e fre s hing s pot of summe r gr ee n e ry in the

c e ntr e of b arr e n brick and P ortl and ston e ! The
lov e ly cool of its s h ad e ( f rigus a ma bile) pours
a round th e r e v e l fe v e re d n e rv e s ,
-

A s glas s ~b right sho we rs

O n the fai nting flo wers .

The sw e e t d e w , wh ich m ak e th the gras s all gre y,

i s not y e t l ick e d up by the fourth hour s
’

th ir sty sun ; and the h igh s w aying tre e s and the

bu shy shrubs s e em cove re d with a light az ure
bloo m O ne little b ird is awaking—p e e p —p e ep
—
.

at int e rvals. Hark ! anothe r ! a th rush ! with

h ow de e p a thrill, lik e the st artli ng t ru mp e t of
a kni ghtly ch all e ng e r, doth h e Sh ak e forth hi s
vigorous not e s ! Wh at d elicious odour s fum e fro m
th at thi ck e t of ros e s and swe e t -briar ! N o w the
y e t dro w s y br ee z e v arie s and is drown e d in the
,

l ive ly p e rfume of l av e nde r ; it subs ide s, and the

s t eam of d abbl e d c arn at ions ris e s conqu e rin gly
o v e r t he scr e e n of lil a cs
. A nd now th at the S k y
i s bl anch ing fast with the re fl e ct ion of A urora s
’

white rob e, and D ian s ch ast e cr e sc e nt n arrows

’

in the cl ear d aw n, you m ay d e scry ( a much

m or e po e tical e x pr e ss ion th an b ald see) the rich
h ollyhocks , the e ndl e s s -b u e d t all t ulip s, and the
s c e p trous w and of fairy O b e ro n, the l ily
272 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS .

If the flo w e rs had b ee n h er o wn infant she ,

C ould n ev e r h av e nurs d th em m ore t e nd erly 1

’
.

S he turns her h arm onious fac e this w ay—t ak e

your op e ra gl ass —qu ick ! It is in your right
pock e t I s aw you put it th e r e thr e e hours agon e
, ,

wh e n the d ark v e il of b aiz e cut fro m your d e vout

e y e s ight th e triu m ph ant l e gs of N O ble t an d the
eti t p ied of the C irc ean S p an iard—A h ! m a mi
,

p g
nonn e M ercandotti !
,
Now did you e v e r ,

Wh at long soft s h adowy l ash e s ! O h b e autiful

e y e s ! SO g e ntl e y e t so brill ian t—bl e ss e d b e the
,

g arde n wh e re first I s aw your d ark blu e —

,

S ap
hi re s c e nt e r e d with d iam ond Sp ark s ! My littl e
p
frie nd E mily S has the twin p air .

The sun W hich colours all th ings is s till ling e r

, ,

ing on the pl ains of P e rs ia ; and her ch e e k app e ars

p ale —ye t not p al e but only m arbly pure By
,
.

d ay a rich glo w of gold is s pr e ad l ike a glory ov e r

tho s e w avy stre am s of h air wh ich r ele as e d fro m ,

th eir j e w ell e d b ands and aure at e co mb pour dow n ,

h e r s lop ing s hould e rs and b ack l ike a d ark d e e p , ,

w at e rfall am ong w hite hill s O ne m as sy lock has .

fall e n forw ards by the Sid e of he r sw an lik e n e ck -

,

A nd crossing her round elastic w aist . ,

H angs do wn p as t her round light kn e e , .

1
Th e S e nsit iv e Plant ( 8 v o, O llie rs ) A po em ins pire d
. .

with th e essenc e , m ould e d W ith the br e ath o f lo v e not the

C upid of th e lic ent ious R oman s, b ut the h e av enl y E ro s o f
Plato D on t imagin e , b e c ause I e nd e av our to do b ar e
’
.

j us tice to the high m e rits of M r S h elley s po etry, th at I

’
.

ad mir e his vision ar y an d chaotic phil o s ophy ( as it is mis

n am e d ) T hough
.
o
e ve n on th at po int I am convinc e d h e
has b ee n grossly sland e r e d .
 ESSAYS A ND C RI T I C I SMS . 273

M y good curious p e opl e who stand outs id e the

g ard e n g at e and Wi sh you co ul d ge t in—t e ll m e if
-

you h av e e v e r stud ie d the Parma C orreggi os ?

Ah ! m is e r abl e who,
n e v e r truly l iv e d 1
your ,

count en anc e s are ne g ativ e ! Wh e r e do you e x

p ect to go ? H ey ? Ho m e ! d ir e ctly g e ntl e m e n ,

swin e ! for n eve r sh all you s ee with th at inw ard

2

eye

Whi ch is the blis s o f s olitud e ,

the amorous g e nt ili ty the int e ns e e l eganc e of tho s e

,

gracil e wrists and h ands tingli ng w ith s e nsibility

,

to the ro s y fing e r top s

-
H e e d th em not good
.
,

Janus !
I n d ark ob livion le t th e m d w ell .

S he only i s worthy to b e h e e d e d — th at she who ,

shrin e d in a l iving fram e of all odorou s e x otic s

an d cho ic e r n at iv e pl ants s eem s sc arc e ly li k e a
,

b eing of th is world ! The int erior of th e roo m

b eh ind her is y e t gilt With the fl am e of her al ab ast e r
l am p —,
ou such a gold e n g round do e s the holy

M a d onna rep os e in the s aintly p aint ing s of thos e

old It alian s Giotto C im abu e or l at e r s t ill Pie rr e
, , , , ,
”
P e rugin e or Fr ancia But W h at sound is th at ?
.
’

1 M ungo sai d th at the only g e ntleman in VVhite land w as -

th e H og H e no w ork e e h e e at he drink he S le e p h e
“
, , ,

w alk about h e lib like a gentleman

,
2 S ee rem ark s on this num ero us clas s in the se cond
“
c anto of th e nf rno
I e B ut I am guiltless o f I t alian !
.
”

I know it B ut the nob le Ghib ellin e r e cit e s hi s ve rs es in

.

e loqu e nt an d classic E nglis h und e file d thro ugh the lips o f ,

his m o st favour e d pup il the R e v H F C ary . . . .

2 74 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI CI SMS .

—I t nought but the d ash ing of the j e t d e au

is
’

Wh ich the Wind w afts th is w ay ! N ay nay but ‘

, ,

Nin a turn s her bright ivory n e ck into the w arm

gloo m of her spl e ndid ch amb e r— again ! th e r e ! ’

A n d in truth an e cho ing twang as fro m a full h arp

chord at th is m o me nt s e e m e d to ride with a s woop
fro m the Op e n l as s doors —a wh istling bre ez e ran
-0
g
'

round the proj e ctions of the bu ild ing and flo at e d I n ,

1 ap id fold s ov er th e airy but am pl e rob e of the nobl e

m aid e n— O wh it e d im pl e d fe e t ! 0 round ankl e s

-
O n e m om e n t — an d t he cold b alcony is v ac ant .

C HAP II
. .

D id sh e
throw h e rs elf ov e r M r J anus , .

Ex cus e me m ad am but I am not accu s to m e d to

, ,

b e int e rrupt e d with fooli s h qu e stions wh e n I t ak e ,

on m e to r e l at e o ne of th e m ost inte r e sting adv e n

tur e s th at e v e r w as adv e ntur e d in all London !
A noth e r word and I am dum b for e ve r O h d e ar .
,

g ood nic e Janus pray forgiv e m e th is tim e : it w as

, ,

quit e a Sl ip E x actly so ; but allow me to sugge s t

.

to your d is cre tion th at wh e n a young d am s e l of

e ight e e n m ak e s a s lip it is th e D ulw ich W att e au to
,
* “ th at i th
(
’
Mr . s s e
9
w a y w e p ai nt e r s

and po e t s and stock j obb e r s are wont to b e t w ith

,
-
,

goods which n ev e r w e r e and neve r will b e the pro

p e rty of s aid b ett e rs ) but she scratch e s off the Ski n
of her poor (r ep utation s the word is n t it ’
of her ,
’

poor r eputat ion in such an incur abl e m ann e r as to

k e ep he r t e nde r and raw in th at p art to the e nd of
her d ays —Now b e a good gi rl and sit down
.
,
.

Wh e n Nin a e nt e re d the room she fanc ie d for

276 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI CI SMS .

— O ne l arg e whit e h and de corat e d with r e g al ring s

e ncircl e d the w ais t of Giocond a the oth e r po int e d -

at th e b e aut iful hu m an cr e atur e b e for e it It w as

the v e ry count e n anc e —the id e al of all the Sp iritu al
.

Nin a s d e e p as p ir ations : a count e n anc e not o f

’

fe atur e but of mind ; an d yet th e fe atur e s w e r e

,

nobl e and lov e in s tilling A h arp twang run g

- -

gr andly as if from c av e rnous d e pths afar O ff—the

.

w alls sl id around he r in long glidi ng curv e s an d ,

h e r lim bs s e em e d to flo at in a gl ass s m ooth cradl e -

of gre e n s we e ping w av e s—her l angu id l id s w e r e

drooping with a holy p eac e ; and she s aw
’ ”
Wh at for h e av e n s s ak e 7
, Th at M iss ! you ,

sh all n ev e r know .

916 9K
:

C R AP . III .

He re s a pre tty bu sin e ss ! to h ave got into the

’

m arrow of a story th at would h av e M ercy

upon m e ! Wh at a syste m of ph ilosophy an d
p s ychology s hould h av e b e e n dis clos e d in it ! I t
would h av e brought to l ight the riddle w h ich has
driv e n the world craz y so long n amely the , ,

doctrin e o f O Jup it e r Ammon ! th at all the

-

bur s ting hop e s of the public Should b e bl ast e d b y

the folly O f a bre ad an d butt e r f ac e d ch it th at
- - -
,

ought to h av e By the s id e of it the R o m anc e s ,

of Fouqu e Shoul d h av e b e en Fa bles f or the Nurs ery ,

t he C at e gorie s of K ant M rs L ovechi ld s P rimer

’

, .
,

and the A n alogi e s of Nov ali s D ilwor th s S p elling

’

boole . But al as ! I swor e th at a s e cond int erruptio n

-
,
 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS . 27 7 .

—my o ath s acr e d—and th e r e is nothing for it

is
but th at the world m ust go on—just as it has don e
,

f or th e s e— H ow many thous and y e ars ago w as this

e arth cr e at e d m y littl e boy I l e arnt th e s e things
s o long ago—(if I e v e r l e arnt th e m at all)
,

Ah .
,

e x actly so n in e thous and s e ve n hundr e d an d

s ixty thr ee y e ars !
-
qui t e corr e ct ! a v e ry forward
c hild in d ee d—th e r e s a p e nny for you to buy s o m e
’

twop e nny t art s with and t ak e c ar e not to e at too

many at onc e —the re s a m an ! ,
’

A n d now thi s articl e or work or p ap e r is to b e

—
, , ,

c omm e nc e d a s e cond t im e I d e cl ar e I fe e l as if
I w as s e t b ackw ards two hours of my li fe Y ou .

S h all h av e m y s e ns at ions on the bus in e s s in a p arabl e .

B eing dre ss e d an ho ur soon e r th an usu al one

m orning for the purp os e of obt aining an int e rvie w
,

with an early gre at man I di scov e r fro m a fin ishing ,

look in the p arlour glass th at my cl e an Shirt and

n e ckcloth are st arr e d and flow e r e d with chin blood -

— O blig e d to unshirt and re shirt

.

—
I Sh all n e v e r do it w ithout a bottl e of soda
Fiz whiz — wish— wush — b ounc e —Uh ! Uh ! O
.

m y br eath s gon e !—N O W giv e m e my fid dle —

,
’
trum
—trum—thi s string s wrong— Now le t us t ry ’

trum trum tr am di ddle —di d dle diddle -

di ddl e —v e ry w ell !
“
C o m e com e M aste r Janu s ! b e s e rious for a
, ,

minut e and t e ll us W h at you me an by s ticking

,

up a P ygmali on s idol to b e a dmir e d an d hiring

’
.
,

lodgi ng s for he r and buying j e w els and a h arp an d

, ,

a L e on ardo and no o ne know s wh at b e s id e s ; and

,

fris king and skipp ing about h er and fidge ting he r ,

2 78 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

’
gown th is w ay and t witching her ribbons t oth e r
, ,
.

an d all s ort s of m onk e y trick s an d th e n as soon as

you h av e got toge th e r a tole rable crowd of sp e cta

tors you give h er a slap on the b ack— tumbl e h er
,

d own on t he fl ag s an d bre ak he r all to b it s ,

We
s ay ag ain w h at do you me an by it S ir ?
,
M o st ,

r e sp e ct e d E ditor ! h av e m e rcy on m e and do n t ,

’

look S O bl ack ! I didn t go to do any h arm ; ind e e d ’

I di dn t ! I ll t ell you th e truth upon my word !

’ ’

Y ou must know I v e b e e n grie ving som e tim e at

’

the unfair d e alin g of S ir Walt e r tow ard s M r Fr ancis .

Tunst all ( The fortun e s of Niggl e) H e introduc e d .

hi m to us at first w ith gr e at ce r e m ony and s em

bl anc e of alm ost p ar e nt al r e gard ; h e p aint e d his
m ind and body in th e m o s t fl att e ring colours and
th e n sudd e nly w ithout any visibl e c au s e turn e d
, ,

h is b ack on him and n e v e r show e d him any coun

,

te nan ce th e nc e forw ard s .

N O W S ir my Siste r took a li king to the young

, ,

m an ; (an d s o did a g rea t many g irl s for th at .

m att e r ! ) S he s aid it w as pity he couldn t find a

’

wife s uit abl e to him— and S O—I s aid— I d wri te ’

him on e an d so S ir
—
, ,
’
Th at s all S ir “
Y e s S ir
,
It is all inde e d ! all
.
,
.

th at you s h all e v e r s p e ak in this hous e Tho m as

Show M r W e ath ercock down stairs —
.

M r S e cr e -

t ary !—E ras e his n am e from the lis t of contrib u

. .

”
tors !
O h ! pray d ear—ch arm in g l adie s ! do Sp e ak for
m e ! I ll n e v e r—( The d ouble d oor r ecoils a nd
,
’

k nocks J a nus ba ckwa rds d own the s tone s ta ircase.

E xit J anus ! )
280 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI C I SMS .

s ocial un adult e rat e co mpl et e n e ss lik e thos e con

, ,

found e d globul e s of q uick s ilv e r wh ich ge t out of -

your w e ath e r gl ass e s and worry l ittl e boys whos e

-
, ,

co mb in ative impul se s b egin to b e obj e ctiv e Th e re .

is M r . who kno w s m ore about p ainting s

than all th e A c ademytog e th e r (m ak e thr e e e x cep
tionS ) — we ll S ir his whole lif e has b ee n e mploye d
, ,

in w e ighi ng th e s e two things o ne ag ain s t the oth e r ,

and s tr e nuously e nd e avouring to ach ie v e a horiz on

t al — “
a h air w ill do it !
”
in go e s the h air and up
’
go e s o ne sc al e to the h e av e ns ! Wh e w ! Th e r e s
some thing wrong about the s c ale s and he re ctifie s

and re ctifie s th e m as if th e y w e r e s p irit s of w in e

Now w e h ave it ! —Lack a d ais y !

.

H OW - -

Gre at G e n iu s of m e t aphysics but I spy an adv e n

t itious flaw in the w all : it s the wind th at com e s
’

through th at crack which turns my an d th e

p utty is applie d insta nter ! —H e turns ( a voluntary

S is yphus ) with fre s h hop e to his d e ar torm e nt his
ch e rish e d N e s sus s shirt —s till it singe th its Old
,
’

tun e
H e r e w e go up up up , , ,
And h e r e w e go do wn do wn dow n a , , ,

fickle and w av e ring as Girald a th at fam ous ,

”

giant e s s of S e ville But s till h e p e rs eve r e s ; and

1
.

though I firmly b e liev e he n ev e r w ill bring about

this match I am e qu ally s atisfi e d th at if it is to
, ,

b e accom plis h e d during th is g e n e rat ion he is the ,

man .

Vid e D on Q uix ot e s colloquy wi th th e knight

1 ’
Of the
looking -glasses .
 ESSAYS AND C RITI CI SMS . 281

Th is l ast p aragr aph th at is this firs t p aragraph

, , ,

has m or e ut ili t y in it th an anyth ing I e v e r

p e nn e d— if you appr eh e nd it and pull it an d
s tr e tch it —an d
, ,

u t your h and i nto it — an d don t ’

p
b e afraid of hur ting it —I w arrant it toug h as— as
, ,

— india rubb e r or— let this com p arison b e—l e s t

-
,

w e go farth e r an d far e wor s e 0 it is a s e e d

.
,

wh ich s e t in good m o ist s oil would Sprout up into

whol e royal qu artos — a ph ilo s ophi c al F ortun atus s
’

purs e
Y e t I co uld g iv e it an un m e nd abl e sli t S h all .

I No for wh at e v e r rott e n pl anks com po s e m y

,

flooring ingratitud e if I know m ys elf ( 0 ri dicul ous

, ,

if ! ) h ath not pl ac e th e r e ; and— th at p ar agr aph

h ath s e rv e d m e for a tol erably d e c e nt op e ning I .

am e nd m
’

y e p ith e t ! t is a n excellent op e n ing ,

e x c e ll e nt b e c au s e appropriat e as I Sh all d e m on
,

strat e in a minut e afte r j ust in s isting th at the

,

p o w e r of grasp ing an d p e n e tr ating proprie ty in its

high origin al s en s e is the ab s olut e k ey s ton e -

o f g e nuin e crit icis m . I d ar e s ay g e ntl e me n and

,

l adie s this s e e ms to you lik e a s elf e vid e nt propo

,
-

s itiou ; but if you w ill just t ak e th e troubl e to

s crut iniz e so me of our R e vie ws I trust th e r e m ark ,

will nO t b e d e e me d imp e rtin e nt — h av e you look e d ,

S ir A11 ! you qu ite agr e e w ith m e I s e e ! your p e r ,

c e p tion s are e x tr e m e ly d e lic at e an d acut e N o w for

—
.

th e appropriat e n e s s whi ch you must b e told aris e s

,

out of its p e rfe ct re v e r s e pray S ir don t j um p o ff

, ,
’

t he ch air an d run to the door ; I am not mad

M y pulse as yours doth te m p e rat ely k e ep t im e ,

A n d mak e s as h ealthful m usic .

2 82 ESSAYS AND C RI T I CI SMS .

a m n ot m u s t b e ch ang e d
( By th e b y e , th e pr e s e nt I
into the im p e rfe ct I wa s n ot wh at tim e you s h al l ,

w ield the ivory lib e rator of our clos e s hut wisdo m ) -

.

“ ”
A ris e s out of its p e rfe ct r e ve rs e I th ink I s aid ,

th e n co me s your guomod o ? Thus sw e e t S ir Y ou , .

are aw ar e doubtl e s s
,
th at e ve ry ove rture to an
,

op e ra ( I don t m e an E nglish on e s) cont ains or is

’

b el ie v e d to contain (whi ch is j u s t the s am e to m e

,

in thi s s e nt e nc e ) ce rtain f oreb o dings proph e cies '

, ,

w arnings O f the mus ic al e v e nt s the h armonious ,

m ain action : whi ch indic ations and prognost ic

not e s stand in the s am e r el ation and l ik e n e s s to
th eir aft e r d ev elop m e nt as do the lightly fl eeting ,
-

bloom fl ow ers to the re d gold h arv e s t of plum py

- -

fruit .

Th is th e ory of the m utu al d e p e nd e nc e s of the

op e ra and its ov e rtur e is the s am e w ith m y th e ory
of the subj ect of an a rticle (s upposing just for the
s ak e of argum e nt an art icl e to h av e a subj e ct
, ,

w h ich is not alw ay s the c as e though th at s n e ith e r

’

h e r e nor th e r e) —would you d e ar D octor e x amin e ,

m y cran ium ? and p e rh aps w e m ay light on the

confound e d Jack o the l ant e rn bump wh e nc e Spirt
’
- - -
,

and s qu irt all th e s e im p e dim e nt al e x cr e s c e nc e s ,

’
th e s e p ar e nth e s e s ? But I c an t stop n ow b e c au s e ,

I h ave a s e nt e nc e g e tt ing cold th e re for e I writ e , ,

a nd i ts m m m ak e it
”

p r oe i u wh i ch thr
, e e word s

w arm and air tight -

.

This th e ory is my d elight and m n ight m ar e -

y .

Its b e auty b e ge t s my lov e and my i nc ap acity to

ob e y its co mm ands drive s m e craz y—m y practic e
,

”
i s l ik e M r M s mouth
“
all on the oth e r s id e In
’
.
,
. .
2 84 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS .

b e gin ; th e r e for e for the j o int advantage of the

,

s aid w ell dis po s e d p e r s ons — th e L O NDO N

-
ours el f ,

M AGAZ INE E STABLI S H MEN T an d M e s s rs C olnagbi ,

.
,

Hur s t M olt e no S mith Woodburn s & c w e pro

, , , , .
,

n ounc e the c ollect an e al fund am e nt s to b e first a , ,

p air of she ars thirte e n inch e s long : s e condly a

, ,

r e am of tint e d p ap e r
(th e r e is g re at varie ty at
H e ath s) : and thirdly a fe w loos e hundr e ds
’

, , .

l
’

( W e l not s a thous a nd s l e s t b e g inn e rs b e d aunt e d

y , ) .

Ne x t it will b e w e ll to d e t e rmin e on the n atur e

o f your d e s ign wh eth e r the coll e ction sh all b e
,

a rtis tica l or collectorica l If the l at t e r h av e a co at ,

con s truct e d with pock e t s e nough strong and ,

S p aciou s to hold t he s ix t e e n volu m e s of B art s ch ;

,

ris e at S ix in the m orning ; couch not t ill t w elv e

and at the e nd of forty
y e ar s an d as m any thou sand
pound s you s h all h av e som e e ight to m e s of s aid
P e intr e Grav e ur tol e rably
- But if ,

t hric e h appy ! the fairie s s ung at your b irth an d ,

t he form e r is your as p iration list e n to the advic e

of Horam the son of A sm ar—I b e g p ardon
,

list e n to th e advic e of him ycl e pt by the god s (my

littl e girl is r e ading th e Tale s of the G e n ii clos e by
m y Sid e an d my e ye c aught the
,
ycl e pt by
t he god s J anus W eath e rcock an d by m e n Tho m as ,
1
Rugg !
Y outh of pro mis e ! b e it your first study to cl e ar
y our m ind out thoroughly s o th at it m ay b e ,

a pur e ap art m e nt wh e r e in th e g iant s of old Sh all

,

1
NB . .
—N O conn e ction with any p e rs on Of th e sa me
'

n am e for me rly at th e T h eatr e R oy al, C ove nt Gard e n .

 ESSAYS AND C RIT I C I SMS . 285

h av e due honour s B e war e of dr e ami ng of e rrors .

in tho s e mighty b e ings for at the l e ast t w o y e ars ; , ,

an d e s t e e m it m uch if in s o short a prob at ion y ou ,

vie w the s h adow of th eir glory afar o ff The gr e at .

pl an e ts of m od ern art und e r whos e asp e cts w e ,

m ay alw ay s w alk in s afe ty are th e s e — L e on ard o ,

d a V inc i M ich ae l A nge lo R affaello Tiz iano C or

, , , ,

r e ggio P ou s s in R ub e ns and Rembr andt A n d

, , ,
.

th e y h ave th eir att e nd ant st ars th e ir m oons ; ,

L uino G io di Bologn a G iul io Tib aldi P e rino

,
.
, , , ,

P olidoro P rim aticcio Tintor e tto P aolo Parmigi

, , , ,

an ino G as p ar L a S u e ur Bourdon V andyk e D ie

, , , , ,

p e nb e k e W a
,
tt e au E lsh e im e r See
( H
,
o w th e ir ,
.

n am e s r e li sh in the mouth ! ) All th e s e are com

o n e n t s of o n e gr and h arm oniou s s yst e m
p .

The li ghts of G e r many an d th e Low C ountrie s

s e em to b elong to anoth e r h e misph e r e or if mys , ,

t eriously conn e ct e d w ith link s too fin e for such ,

oco cura n te e y e s as min e I h eir d e s ign at ions are

p
h ard and cram p e d as th e ir e man ations —Fran z
.

v on Bockholt Z ing el Israe l v an M e ck e n Martin

, , ,

S chOngauer Al br e cht D ur e r Luc as C ran ach Luc a s

, , ,

v an Le yd e n B urgmair Altorf e r — or
,
strange , ,

an d pr e post e rous K arl V an Mand e r Blo e m art

, , ,

H e yn z H an s A b ach G oltz ius and B artholom e w

, , ,

S prang e r Th e r e w e r e oth e r gr e at m as t e rs who s e

.
,

inv e ntion s ( truly s o t e rm e d) lie for the m o s t p art

burie d in h eavy G e rm an B ibli c al e p ito m e s an d
transl at ion s from Livy and J o s e phu s S wit z e rl and .

cl aims th e m and e nvie s It ah a h er Raffaello and

,

G iuli o the l e ss wh e n po s s e s sing the s impli city

, ,

the s cie nc e th e truth of Holb e in and the alw ays

, ,
:

v igorou s Oft e n s ubl im e fe rt ility of Tob ias S t imm e r

, ,
.
 286 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS .

Th is b ar e e num er ation brie f as it is m ay

, ,

p e rh aps c au s e s om e al arm to the S tud e nt an d ,

dis trust of the po ss ib il ity of ann e xing ch ar act e rist ic

i d e as to s uch a B abylon is h e nt angl e m e nt of un
w ont e d s ound s ; but b e of good ch ee r an d turn ,
’
d il ig e ntly th e l eav e s of Fu s eli s Pilkington (second
e d ition ,
r e g ardi ng as apocryph al all art icl e s ,

h aving n e ith e r init ial as t e ris k s nor conclu s iv e F s

’
.

The s ix D iscour s e s of the l e arn e d K e e p e r (4 to

‘

, ,

1 8 2 0) w ill w arm and e l e v at e your fancy and ,

s t imul at e your e x e rt ion s ; an d th e r e in the s e cond

l e ctur e is to b e p e rp e tu ally consult e d as the mo s t

c orr e ct ch art of your e xh il ar at ing voyag e y e t l aid
d own .

Le t m e also pl ac e on your study t abl e the work s

o f S ir J o s hu a ; an d troubl e not your h e ad about
t he fut il e c avill ing s and th e co mmixtur e of inv ol
u ntary and w ilful misr e pr e s e nt at ions ag ainst th at
j udicious and ac ut e wr it e r whi ch h av e b e e n much
,

d iss e min at e d by h asty h alf dipp e d and avow e dly

,
-
,

pr ej udic e d p e rsons doubtl e ss with a s ordid vie w

,

to pull down A rt fro m her lofty Q u adriga to crawl

on her b e lly and e at the dus t of the earth all the
d ays of her life Blind owl s an d cuckoos ! but w e
.

lo s e ours elve s s o me wh at in m akin g m e ntion of

th eir b arb arous no is e .

Th e first m ov e me nt of an arde nt and S inc e r e

m ind on p e ru sing th e abov e books will b e to p ant
a ft e r (both m e t aphorically an d lit e rally) e ngr avings

fro m the p icture s s e l e ct e d as m ost m ark e d with

the fe atur e s of th e ir r e s p e ct iv e p ar e nts : ag ain s t
w h ich consum mat ion s e v e ral obst acl e s are array e d .
2 88 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI CI SMS .

not foolhardy al s o to as s u m e th at it has n ot

s c ap e d you how s h am e full y d isproportion e d is th e
’
,

facil ity of rolling do w n h ill t o th e to il of s tr ain ing

up ! D on t l augh if you pl e as e ; but apply this
’
,

incontrov e rtibl e c ircums t anc e to b e auty and de

form ity in the pl as tic and gr aph ic arts H ard t o .

clim b and Sl ipp e ry is the h igh h e ave n p ie rcing - -

towe r of th e form e r ; but e as y—e asy— O ho w ,

e as y to d iv e into the murky dung e ons of th e

l att e r In pl ain E nglish imbu e and s at ur at e your
.
,

m ind with the e v e r varying e ndl e ss love l in e s s o f

“
-
,

the antiqu e s t atu e s S ub mit yours e lf to th e ir

.

influ e nc e as a child to its p are nt s ; le t th e m ag ain

b e d ivin it ie s to you ; bru sh away e v e ry p it iful
doubt of th e ir tran s c e nd e nt e x c e ll e nc e ; t re mbl e
to bl as ph e me th eir c e l e stial rad ianc e l e s t thou b e ,

thro w n into th e h e ll of E gb e rt H e msk erch wh e r e ,

nought is s av e th e m ops and m o w s and ch at

, ,

t e ring s of ap e s If w e would r e ach any worthy

.

d e gr ee e ith e r of p e rc e pt ion or e x e cution in any

nobl e art ( and w h at art is not nobl e if und e r ,

stood and follow e d in its h e ight th at wr etch e d

vic e of a p rofligate age —tb at carp ing— not m irth
o

— th at s eofi ng must b e e sch e we d utt e rly Th at

D
m

inv e nt ion th at d e vic e —all e p ith e t s are too h e

.

n o urab le—th at T RI C K of imb e c il e and indur at e d

,

grov ell e r s to dr ag do w n and b e lut e m th e ir miry

pool all th at is e x alte d in m oral princ ipl e de e p in
'

fe eli ng and g e n e rously d e vot e d i n action ! C as t

,

it out ; lo ath an d s p it upon it b e l ie ving th at ,

your trusting lov e s h all at th e e nd work out its

own r e w ard .
 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS . 289

Is this the chos e n room d e d ic at e d to c arv e d and

‘

p aint e d po e try ? V e ry good ! Its h e ight I t ak e

it is about fourt e e n fe e t s ix inch e s—p ity it had
,

not thr ee m ore —but we m ust d ark e n your w in

, ,

do w s for th e s p ac e of nin e fee t up w ards from the

fl oor a t leas t ! Would w e had a sk y light ! Y our -

c arp e t is too spotty and d az z ling—b e cont e nt e d

w ith a sob e r ash gr e y drugg e t
-
W e s h all do n ow .
,

I fancy ; s o le t t he m en bring in the p e d e st al s

‘

Hollo ! without th e re ! ( a mighty s crap ing a nd

fi g stamp ing p ufi ng b ump ing wheezing a nd
s h u lin
—
, , , ,

un ti n is he ar d i n the ha ll th e d oor o ens a nd

g r
g , p
v a ri ous
p ond eros i ties are bor ne in a nd set d own, a s
w rong ly as us ua l J a nus a nd C ollector bes tir
.

themselves w i th should er a n d voice, a nd the thing s

a re a t leng th ar ra n ed C ord ers the m en so me
g . .

thi ng to d rink, a nd they r etire uncouthly g r a te

f )
u l .

C o me, S ir the work w arm s ; much is don e ; but

,

m ore r e m ain s to do ! ( This is a cl e v e r contrivanc e ,

’
is n t it ? L ook ! th e s e l arg e r p e d e st als Op e n , and
are s h e lv e d to hold all the portfoli os — you w i ll

h ave ) The alt ars are r e ady, but wh e re are the

.

“
gods ? at M az z on i s and P ap e ra s , I trow !
’
Ah !
’

d e ar W now your t ast e and j udgm e nt are ind is

.

p e n sabl e ! d ire ct my choic e , thou m al e mund an e

m u s e ! — H ith e r for such purpos e am I co m e !
”

First, the D eity of the B elv e d ere sh all from this

loftie st s t at e ov e rlook the ap artm e nt ; his own
cons e cr at e d t em pl e—R oyal A pollo ! The 1 m shorn
P h oebus ! K ing of the fi e ry arrow and tough
string !
290 ESSAYS AND C RITI C I SMS .

Whom e e n the god s th em selve s f e ar w h e n h e go e s

’

T hrough J o v e s h igh hous e an d w h e n his good ly bo ws

’

H e go e s to b e nd all f ro m th e ir thron es arise

,

A nd clus t e r n ear t ad mi re hi s faculties

’
.

H omeric H ymn to Ap ollo .

O n th is low o ak e n couch le t 1 1 s s pread the

l e op ard s kin w h e r e on H e rm aphrod itus is w ont to
-

r e clin e the in e x pl icabl e b ewild e ring attract ion s o f

his d e l ic at e l imb s —
,

though p e rh ap s his t w in ,

broth e r s urn am e d of the ma ttrass m ay b e tt e r

, ,

pl e as e the vis u al rav But no ! .

S wee t flo w ers o f e qu al b loo m ,

I n v idious prais e or b lam e
S h all n ev e r s und e r y e

Far b e it fro m m e to d is turb tho s e fair popp ie d

l id s with p altry t e chn ic al bick erings z—s l e e p on
in your innoc e nt n ak e dn es s—uncon s c iou s O f g az ing
a d mirat ion ! S le e p on in the s hrin e of your coy
1
gr ac e ! God l ike conjunction s sl ee p on !
-
,

Af t e r a thou sand m az es o v e rgon e ,

At las t , w ith s udd e n s t e p , he c am e M )
A ch am b e r myr tle wall d , e m bo w e r h igh ,
’ ’
d
Full of light , inc e n s e , t end e r m ins trelsy,
A n d m or e o f b eaut iful and s trang e b e s id e
For on a s ilk e n couch of ros y prid e ,
I n m id s t of all, th e re lay a S le e ping youth
O f fond es t b e auty
x
“

1 The f ollow ing lin e s , by the lam e nt e d K eat s, illus trat e

t he pr e c iou s F lo re nt in e gem r e pre se nting th is m ix ture o f
w ondrous m ood
”
.
2 92 ESSAYS AND C RIT I CI SMS .

W e s tand ,
th at f orm and fac e b ehold
and in
Wh at mind can m ak e wh e n N atur e s s elf w ould fail ;
,
’

A n d to the f ond idolators o f O ld

E nv y the inn ate fl as h wh ich s uch a s oul could m ould .

We gaz e turn aw ay —and know not w h er e

and , ,
D azzle d an d dr unk w ith b e auty t ill th e h e art
R e e ls w ith its f ulness th e r e —for eve r th e r e
,

C hain d to t he ch ariot o f trium h ant art

’
,
lVe s tand as c aptiv es an d w o u d not d e p art
A w ay —th e re n ee d s 11 0 w ord s nor t e rms pr e c ise
,
.

, ,
The p altry j ar on O f th e m arble m art
Wh e re Pe d antry g ulls Folly —w e h av e e ye s
g ,

B lood puls e an d br e as t confirm th e D ard an s h e ph e rd s

’
, , ,
priz e !

For my own hu mbl e p art I can truly d e scrib e ,

h e r int e n s e p ow e r ov e r m e as th at of the m oon on

t he r e s tl e s s t ide s — a S y re nic s ong—a fas c in at in g
agony— an e x t asy s h arp e r th an s courg e s — a m o s t

bl ighting lov elin e ss — and thou g e ntl e g irl ! ( I ,

r e ck not of m en the d aily world s tru e w orld

“ ’

l ing s woma n alon e b ath the s e ns it iv e touch the ,

thrill ing appre h e n s ion !) who now b end est ov e r

th is sh allow p ag e the rich curl s O f thy amar anth ine
hair do thou b el iev e m e for the honour of tru e
,

n atural fe e ling : a po e t w orthy of th e e soon sh all

S ing how onc e of O ld a Gr e cian m aid die d for th e
,

love O f P yth iu s : uns ee n his image s av e in the ,

m irror of gr e at P h idias 1
.

1
A noth e r instanc e in our t im e A young G e rman .

( M ulle r) und e rtook to e ngrave th e nob le M adonn a d e l

S is to o f R afl aello L ik e a true d is ciple , h e we dd e d his
'

s ou l to th e obj e ct o f his cho ic e s o com p le t ely, th at all

facult ie s o f m ind w e re ab s orb e d , an d fin ally e x h au s t e d
 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS .
o so0
t
:

I le av e to learn e d fi nge rs and wis e h and s ,

T he A rt is t and his ap e, to t e ach and t e ll
H ow w e ll his conno is s e urs hip und ers t and s
Th e grac eful b e nd and the vo luptuou s s w e ll
L e t th e se d es crib e the und es crib ab le .

But we h av e not t ime to dwell on th e s e j e w e ls

mow . I h av e fiv e or S ix vis its to m ak e before
d inner ( a v e ry co m m on c as e w ith authors) and ,

c an b ut j u s t m an ag e to run ov e r th e cont e nt s of

t his l ist and s e e if th e y are all right

, First the .
,

g rand bust of Z e u s with d e athl e ss brow b e nt

,

f orw ard und e r the Sh ad e of bl ack am bros ial curls ,

a wfully b e aut iful : l ik e s t to so m e hug e h ill wood ,

c ov e r e d ! A c ap it al c ast not at all d e ar at fiv e

,

g u in e as ! I s e e but one of the crouching nymphs

( or V e nus e s ) ! W e must h av e th e oth e r w h o ,

w ard s O ff the foli ag e p ie rc ing sun b e am s fro m h e r

- -

a nt elop e e y e s w ith t he r ight h and wh il e the l e ft ,

c o mpr e s s e s th e w at e r fro m he r crin it e v e il ! With

r e g ard to the A nt inous I c annot bring m y judg
,

m e nt to allow its in di sp e ns ab il ity S uppos e th e n

.
, ,

w e e x ch ang e him for the T wo D e cii as th e y are ,

v ulg arly c all e d . Th e y are m ore po e tic al r ic he r in ,

s ugg e stions
. . Y on bracke t must b e low e r e d a foot ,

to s ho w prop e rly th at nobl e h elm e t e d h e ad of

.

P eli de s the t e rriblest of m e n the lov e d s e duc e r

, ,

o f D e id am ia !
u

H e fi nish e d his labour an d —die d h eart fracte d and

H is
c o rroborat e through hop o e — T he guiltles s
[ ]
si c e less l v
m urd e re s s has a cons p icuou s p lac e in C olnagh i s room
’

but I rar ely look at it the d es olat e f at e of the e nthus ias t

-

i s too d epre ss in g for my craz y n e rves

2 94 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI C I SMS .

Wh e r e Sh all w e find a l ight s u fficie ntly p e rv e d

ing for my e x qu is it e coqu e tt e my alluring b ash ,

fuln e s s who w ith such ravish ing aff e ct at ion gath e rs

,

S id elong the th in rob e s h igh from he r bloo ming

l imbs long s t e pping
,

T houb e aut e ou s ankle d n am ele ss one w hat country gav e

-
,
th ee birth
W
Vho w as the god or god lik e y outh mad e blesse d with thy
,
-
,
lo v e ?

Wh at thrill ing fing e rs

D rew o e r th e round e d w ris t the e las t ic r ing o f gold ? 1
’

I s n ature now worn out ? O r w e rt thou alw ays ,

a s now a v is ion of d e s ir e t he flow e r of a m in d

, ,

burn ing w ith the id e a of b eauty ( n eve r to b e

r e alis e d but by its own faint r e fl e ction) cl p ro terea
,
e

nihil Fre qu e nt in my dre am s of day and n ight .

d o thos e brai d e d look s “

so Simply e l e gant
,
2
,
”

a ris e as fro m a w ar m gloom an odorou s s hroud ,

.

Th at r e tort e d n e ck tho se plum p Should e rs th at

, ,
,

bo s o m ind e virgin at e !
In F ouqué s pure r o manc e The M instrel L ove
’

, ,

th e form s of the Gree k d ivin itie s (as r ais e d up by

t he m ag ic ian Ultram ont e) in t e rw e av e th e m s e lve s .

s o thoroughly w ith t he brain fib re s of a youn g -

v is ion ary as to b e co me e sse ntial to his s an ity

,

th e ir m o m e nt ary d is app earanc e induc e s frightful

1
NO on e kno w s any thing O f any th ing can apply
wh o ,

t he abo v e im p e rfe ct inch o f ch aract e r to any s tatu e but t he

m is nom e d Gre c ian S ep he rd ess or Ve nu s K allipyg a
,
.

2
The s i mp lest munditiis of F lac ons is thus f e elingly
r e nd e r e d by E lton .
296 ESSAYS AND C RIT I C I SMS .

I n b lack bro w d bulrus h e s (and w h e re he r hound s

’

S h e firs t uncouples, j o in ing th e r e he r hors e ),

T hrough S m yrn a, c arr ie d I n m o s t fi e ry cours e
T o grap e -rich C laro s —
w h e r e ( in his ri ch ho m e
A n d co ns t ant e x p e ctat ion s he will co m e )
S its Ph oe bu s th at t he S ilv e r b o w doth b ear,
T o m ee t wi th Phoeb e , th at doth d art s t rari s fe r
—
A s f ar as b e his s h aft s as f ar th e n b e
Thy ch as t e fam e s hot, 0 Q u e e n o f A rch e ry

Y ou are now provide d w ith a nobl e b and of

tut e l arie s and I h e artily e nvy you the virgin
,

d e l ight of cont empl ating th em by l amp l ight

fro m the e as e of your m orocco faut e uil But .

pl e asur e s r e qu ir e int e r mis sion and va1 iation : th e r e

fore it is n e ce ss ary to conve rt th at chiff onie re into
a l ittl e stor e clo s e t for Tass ie s c am e o s an d int agl io s
’

( or r ath e r a s el e ction out of his imme n s e c at alogu e ) .

S uppos e you put in the following as n e s t e ggs

th e y are among the finest b oth in scie ntific draw ing
, ,

h arm ony of co mpo sition gr ace of outl in e (in wh ich

,

th e y st and unriv alle d fro m the r e s toration of art

in Italy downw ard s) and m ast e rly work m an sh ip
, .

To appre ciat e th e s e qu al itie s att e nt ion must b e,

d ire ct e d to throwing th em into a forc ibl e and

appropriat e chi aro s curo and th e g e n e ral rul e is
, ,

th at the light s ho uld str eam ov e r the surfac e

o bl iqu e ly fro m the top : th e g e ntl e s t proj e ct ion s

are thu s brought up whil e th e b ack ground r e mains

,
-

in a te nd e r d e mi tint - .

The e nu m e ratio n b e low h ath no allur e me nt ,

but p ardon it for ut il ity s s ak e I will b e gin m ore

’

H es iod i w it h far h e ard J ov e —

.
,

,
-
th e s ubl ime h e ad
of J up it e r IEgiochus in wh ich I al most r e g ard as
,
 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI CI SMS . 29 7

S up e rn atur al th e qu ality of int ens e O b s e rv at ion ,

c o m p ar ison an d t e chn ic gras p e v id e nc e d by the

, ,

j unc t ion an d h arm on iz ation of oppo s ing e s s e nc e s ,

a ct ivity an d r e po s e t h e unbrok e n bloo m of youth

, ,

a n d d e e p counc l of ag e N e x t in worth but not

1
i .
,

in Siz e I rank th e fragm e nt (but a no s e m outh

, ,

a n d ch in ) O f A pollo The l arg e h igh ,

bre as t e d M in e rva or r ath e r A s p asia flatt e re d

w ith he r attribut e s a g e m of unsurp as s abl e re fine
me nt The e x qu isite D io me d e s w ith the Pall adium
,

( to b e s tud ie d w i th a m ag ifi )
n er H e rcul e.s ( Theseu s)

w ith the M arathon ian Bull The H e rcul e s and

.

Iol e of the P al ais Pitti F e mal e crouch ing w ith

.
,

a l av e r The grand Front of S e rap is or ,

P luto The d a ncing B a cchus

. justly d e e me d
by M r C umb e rl and the no p lus ultra of Gr e e k
.

2
art . The port e ntous S ph in x st ill and m in a
c ion s as a gro w ing storm cloud H e racl e s d e s troy
-
.

ing the blood fe as ting cran e s of S tym p alus : he

-

kn ee l s by the h aunte d l ak e an d loos e s the thrilli ng

,

s tring on th e ob s c e n e fo w l v ainly he at in w it h
g
loud w ings the air N e ar the Th eb an h e ro w e w ill
.

plac e his l at e st frie nd Philoct e t e s l e ft lon e ly in

rud e s e a—
, ,

g irt Le m no s w as t e d w ith l e an d is e as e
, ,

1
I n the h istory o f the fin e art s am ong the Gr ee k s , th eir
d e v e lop m e nt w as s ubj e ct e d to an in v ariab le law o f s e para
t ing, in t he m o s t r igid m anne r, e ve ry th ing d iss imilar, and
a ft e rw ard s co m b ini ng an d e levat ing t he s im ilar , by int e rn al
e x c e lle nc e , to o n e ind e p e nd e nt an d h arm onious W ho le .

H e nc e the v ariou s d e p art m e nts , with th em , are all confin e d

w ithin th e ir n atur al bo und aries , an d t he d iffe re nt s tyle s
d is tinctly m ark e d . A IV S chlegel . . .

2
T hought s on O utlin e , 4 to , 2 6 plat es, 1 7 9 6 .
298 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI C I SMS .

an d torture d w ith th e po is on of th e s e r pe n t s tooth ’

S qu ali d n ak e d the m is e rabl e cre atur e l ie s droop in g

, ,

ove r the putrid wound cool ing its fe ve r with a

b ird s wing — a s itu at ion of d e s olat e wretch e dn e s s
,
’

too h e avy for p ity Turn to o ne w hos e n am e

.

h as bright e r as s oc iat ions d ark h air e d S appho

,
- -
,

s he th at fe l t t he st ing s o f C up id s e ith e r arro w !

’

t he twi— flame d torch —th e re for e so soon al as , ,

burnt out ! The Le sb ian is pl ac e d on an e l e vat e d

s e at ,an d support e d p artly by o n e s l e nd e r arm ,

w h il e the oth e r glowing p al m is h e ld forth re

p roac h f ul ly to t h e d e c e itful P h aon No dr ap e ry .

h id e s h e r s m ooth s hould e rs and body ; but ove r

h e r kn e e s a g au z y p e plo n s pre ad s in folds tran s
p are n t as a s tr eam and s inuou s as its w ave s
,

S O in s w ee t S p e n se r th e fair w itch A cras ia l ie s in

‘

, ,

h e r d e lic ious bow e r

or rath e r d isaray d
Aray d ,
’ ’

A ll in a v e le of s ilk an d s ilv e r th in ,
T h at b id no w h it h e r alab last e r s k in ,

B ut rath e r s h e w d m or e w hi t e if m or e m ight b ee
,

M or e subtle w e b A raclm e c annot s p in

N or the fine n e ts w h ich oft w e w ov e n s e e
O f s corch e d d ea w do not in th ayr e m ore lightly
,
’
fle e .

L et M r Tass ie also re c eive your in s tructions t o

.

c as t the follo wing b e aut ie s The frag m e nt al s it .

t ing Ve nu s and C upid w ith tw o cornucop iae The

,
.

voluptuous kn e el ing Le d a The s am e

s ubj e ct The m is no me d n ak e d Ps ych e he r ,

b ack n e arly turn e d to us looking up at a rock ,

( e ngrav e d by M o s e s as D ian a and A cte on) Gre e k

,
.

w arrior co mpl e t ely arm e d cow e ring b e h ind his

, ,
3 00 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI CI SMS .

A mor d ra wing his bow, e ngrave d by M illin

The pr e ciou s c am e o of A ch ill es b e guiling the
w e aris o m e hours of his volunt ary idle n e ss w ith
t he sounds of his phormin x, agr e e abl e to the d e
s cription of Ho m e r,

T hu 8 iipo u ¢ péva é/J GVO V (pdpp rryz Awe ffi,

’ '
T Gp H
‘ ’
e
’
K aA fi, 8 a z8aAey, 87d 8 py épe o s ( izb 56 V 85 0
’
‘
a
, .

IM a 5. t . 1 86 .

x pound e d by M r Lam b s fine o ld favourite ’

t hus e .
,

C h ap m an ( C o w p e r is fl at and w rong in my ,

o p in ion )

Th e y f ound him s e t
D e lighte d w it h h is s o le m n h arp wh ich cur iously w as ,

f re t,

lVith w ork s conc e it e d through the v e rg e

,
The b awdrick .

that em b rac t ’

H is lofty n e ck w as s ilve r t wis t th is (w h e n h is h and laid

w as t e
E c tion s c ity) he d id chu s e as his e s p e c ial pr iz e
, ,

A n d lo ving s acr e d m us ic w e ll m ad e it his e x e rc is e ,

.

T o it he s ung th e g lorious d e e d s o f gr e at H e roe s d e ad ,

A nd his tru e m ind th at pr act ic e f ail d 1 w ith cont e m

’
, ,

p lation f e d .

I sh all not troubl e you S ir w ith any mor e ite m s , ,

o f th is c at alogu e at l e ast for the dur at ion of t hirty

, ,

d ay s ; th e which t im e is suffic ie ntly fill e d up for

t he m o s t r av e nous of Hot up on t s
’
Howe ve r as - -
.
,

a sort of suppl e m e nt to th e c as ts I r e co mm e nd ,

S ir W H am ilton s s e cond coll e ct ion of v as e s

’
.
,

e dit e d by Tischb e in the l e tt e r pre s s fro m t he -

1
d c lack e d
. .
 ESSAYS AND C RIT I CI SMS . 3 01

l e arn e d p en of I talins k y It w as put forth at

.

d iffe re nt t im e s in four volu me s folio ; e ach con

,

t ain ing about 6 2 pl at e s ch ast ely e n g rav e d in

,

outli n e illu s trat iv e of the B acchic and E l e u s in ian

,

m y s t e rie s an d th e nobl e trad ition s of Th e b e s

,

a nd w indy Il iu m Though far sup e rior in fid elity

.

to the costly tom e s of D H ancarv ille and e qu al ’

, ,

q u it e e qu al in int e r e st of subj e ct an d c apt iv at in g

grac e of d e s ign it has n e v e r m e t w ith its due re
g ard in this country and I d ar e s ay m ay b e p ick e d
, , ,

up und e r its orig in al pric e (tw elv e gu in e as ) tho ug h ,

th at w as e xtr em ely m od e rat e con s id e ring its ,

h and s o me app ear anc e S hould m any of th e com

.

pos it ions strik e you at th e first op e n ing as quaint

a n d uncouth b e not d iscour ag e d fro m th e purch as e
, ,

but m od e stly yield the p al m of t ast e to th e old

art ist s ; an d p iqu e yours elf r ath e r on e x tr act in g

gold dust fro m the conc e aling m ud th an in p o s

-
,

s e s s ing the m icroscop ic v is io n of the fly for filth

a nd d e form ity
1
.

I h av e thus comme nc e d a pl an of study calcu ,

l at e d I Sinc e r e ly b el ie ve to insp ir e a tru e b e c au s e

w ell p rin ciple d lov e for the fin e arts —a pl an wh ich
, , ,

-
, ,

if stre nuously s upport e d an d a ct e d on would ,

s p e e dily abol ish the p e rn iciou s th e s e ns el e s s ,

m e thod of coll e cting not by p aint e rs but by th e ir

, ,

t r ansl ators ( rath e r tr aduc e r s ) the e ngr av e r s a cl as s

, ,

of craft s m e n w hos e h igh e st aim mus t b e impl ic it

s e rvil ity (h ard as the phr as e m ay s e e m d h
) an w o ,

1
T he ch aract e rist ic o f th is od iou ly s qu eam ish c ant ing
s
, ,

p ro filgat e age 1
3 02 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

n e c e s s ar ily b e ar the s ame r e l at ion to the inve ntor ,

a s the m e re bu ild e r to t h e arch it e ct .

D e ar re ad e rs who h av e had the pol it e n e ss to go

good —
,

s o f ar w ith m e , n ight God bl e s s you all !

,

a nd k e e p you fre e fro m such a v il e fe v e r an d in

fl am e d w ind p ip e as I h ave now ! If any of

-

y o u a re good n atur e d and idl e

-
,
you c a nnot e m
ploy a f e w minute s m ore ch aritably th an by
writing a c ivil l in e or two to our amiabl e E d itor s
( s ig ne d C onstant R ea ders r e qu e s ting th e m
“
by all m e an s to continu e the agr e e able and
p opul a r l e ctur e s of
J AN US WEAT H E RCOC K .
3 04 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

him : how c an it D oth the farm e r lov e the

un s e e n w ind w h ich ove rturn e th his b arn s his ,

gran arie s d evas t at e s his orch ard s ? H e cuts m e

,

out thre e p age s ( a m on s trou s c antl e thr e e p ainful

p ag e s ! thre e e la bora ted p age s — p rint he
turn e th th e e dge s of my k e en e st raz ors (rath e r l e as t
blunt good J anu s ! ) awry s o th at th e y lo s e the
, ,

n am e of act ion ; he obl it er at e s a cl im ax ! ! In

s hort I n e v e r s aw him in my l ife and ther f or e, I
, e
suppo se h ate him abom in ably Y ou h av e now
, .

o ne of m y r e as on s for choos ing you for my p at ie nt .

S e condly R e mark s on the M A GAZ INE and its

,

C O NT RIB UTO R S s e e m to d e d ic at e th e m s elve s p e en

liarly to the P roprie tor and P atron of t he s aid
M ag and C ontribs (w h at a Procr us t ean p e n I) , and
. .

th irdly I c annot s uffe r th is opportun ity ( the

,

l ast I sh all e v e r h av e in the L O NDO N) to p as s away

w ithout th ank ing you publ icly, but m ost truly for ,

t he e ncourag e m e nt m y j ej un e p ap e rs h av e r e c e iv e d
from your unvarying good n ature H e re p e rmit
m e to d igre s s for a f e w lin e s on a s ubj e c t on wh ich
all m e n are flu e nt f e w a0 1 ee ab le— s el M any of
'

your r ead e rs , as I k now h av e b e e n and are sur

—
, ,

1 ise d at th e pr e s u mpt ion wh ich t e nd e r e d a t t h e

p ,

w e akn e s s (th at w as t he w ord) wh ich ad mitt e d the

t awdry article s s igne d J W and C V V .
1
Fro m the
. . . .

l att e r count I c an e x culp at e you by r em inding

th e m of s illy r ead e rs s ymp athy for s illy writ er s : a
’

tub for the wh al e a farc e for th e g all e rie s Th at

, .

is d e sp atch e d I must pl e ad now to the firs t

c h arg e—n ot gu ilty
.

1
C orn elius Van Vink b o om s and J anu s We ath ercock ]
 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS . 3 05

A s a boy I w as pl ac e d fre qu e ntly in lit e rary

s oc ie ty a g iddy fl ighty dispo s ition pr e v e nt e d m e
,

fro m r e c eiving th e nc e any advant ag e The l ittl e .

att e nt ion I g av e to anything w as dire ct e d to P aint

ing or r ath e r to an adm ir ation of it but e v e r to
, ,

b e wil e d aw ay by n e w and fl ashy g aud s I po s t ,

pon e d the p e ncil to the sword ; and th e no is y

aud acity of M il it ary conv e rs at ion unit e d to th e,

fragr ant fum e s of wh isky-punch ( te n tumbl e rs e v e ry

e v e n ing w ithout a c id ! ) obscur e d m y r e coll e c t ions

of M ich el A nge lo as in a dun fog A ft e r a wh il e .

,

s e v e ral app ar e ntly trifling ch anc e s d e t e rmin e d m e

ag ainst th is m od e of k illing Tim e and huma ns I .

w as idl e on th e to w n — m y bl e s s e d A rt touch e d her

,

r e n e g ad e ; by her pur e and h igh influ e nc e s th e

noiso m e mis ts w e r e purg e d my fe e lin gs p arch e d , ,

hot and t arn ish e d w e re r e novat e d w ith a cool fr e s h

,

bloo m ch il dly, s impl e b e autiful to the s impl e

, ,

h e art e d The writ ings of Words w orth did much

.

t o w ard s c al m ing the confus ing whirl n e c e s s arily

incid e nt to sudd e n mut at ions I w ept ove r th e m
.

t e ars of h appin e s s and grat itud e : y e t my n atur al

imp at ie nc e an d I m ay t e rm it fie rce n e s s , w as not
altog e th e r th e r e by s ubdu e d —
,

r ath e r cond e ns e d and

gu id e d again s t m or e fit obj e cts m e ann e s s s ordid
, ,

worldl in e s s h ardn e ss and r e al vulgarity in Wh at

,

so ev e r rank it gr e w at l e ast in such d e gr e e as I

,

w as c ap abl e of d istingui s hing th em But th is .

s e re n e stat e was brok e n lik e a v e s s el of clay, by

,

acut e dis e as e , succ ee d e d by a r e l ax at ion of th e

muscl e s and n erv e s, which d e pr e ss e d m e

x
3 06 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS .

A s through the aby s ses o f a j oyle s s h eart

The h e av ie s t p lumm e t of d e s pair could g o ,

hypochondrias is ! e v e r shudd e ring on th e horribl e

aby ss of me re ins an ity ! But two e x c ell e n t
s e cond ary ag ent s a k ind and sk ilful P hys ician
, ,

an d a m o s t d e lic ate ly affe ct ion at e and unw e arie d

( though young and frag ile ) Nurs e brought m e at ,

l e ngth out of thos e d e ad bl ack w at e rs n e arly e x ,

haus te d w ith so s ore a s truggl e .

S t e ady purs u it .

w as d e b arr e d m e a nd varie d amus em e nt d e e m e d

,

e s s e nt ial to my co mpl e t e r e vivic at ion A t th is

t im e the LO NDO N M AG AZ INE w as on the stock s ;
,

and it s l at e l am e nt e d E d itor t ak ing not ic e of m y ,

e nthu s ias m for A rt an d p itying m y e s t ate r e qu e s te d

, ,

m e to put do w n on p ap e r so me of the e xpre s s ion of

fe el ing w h e r e to I was fro m time to t im e e x c ite d by
t he m ighty w orks of M ich e l R affaello C orr e gg io , , ,

a nd Re m br andt With so m e m odific ation s as to

.

pl an I ch e erfully pre p ar e d to ob e y him ; not th at I

,

h ad any hop e of c arrying s uch att e m pt b e yond tw o

p age s of M S —but it w as a n e w th ing It s truck
. .

m e as s o m e th ing rid iculou s th at I who had , ,

n e v e r a uthoriz e d a lin e s av e in O rd e rly and ,

Gu ard R e port s ( and l e tt e r s for m on e y of cours e)

s hould b e co n s id e r e d co mp e te nt to app e ar in
a n e w doubl e good M ag az in e ! I actu ally l augh e d
,
-

outright to the con s t e rn at io n of my cat and dog

, ,

w ho wonde r e d I b e l ie v e wh at a pl agu e ail e d m e

, , .

A r e act ion co mm e nc e d and I put s o m uch g aie ty

,

and p r t nto my
s i i i F irs t C on tri b u I
tion th at S w as , .

[1
J ohn S cott ,
or ig in al E d itor o f th e L ondon Magaz in e ]
3 08 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI C I SMS .

purpos e had t ak e n its full e ff e ct on m y mi nd and

body b e g an to rap m e on the h e ad as one s e e s
, ,

a c at d e al w ith an e ld e rly k itt e n w h ich r e t ain e th

it s l act e al prop e n s itie s ov e r d ue s e as on Th e n .

c am e a bl ank .

Afte rw ards s hortly b e for e his p ainful e nd at

a wr e tch e d inn on a squ ali d b e d —P oor fe llo w !
,

a t th is m o m e nt I fe el fr e s h as y e st e rday roun d
, ,

m y n e ck the h e art bre aking fe e bl e ki ndly cl asp o f

-
, ,

his fe v e r w ast e d arm— his faint w h isp e r of e nt ire

-

tru s t in my frie ndsh ip (though but short)— the

voic e dr opp ing b ack ag ain — the look— o ne strong e r
cl as p ! M ay the p e ac e w h ich r e s t e d ov e r his l as t
m o m e nts r e m ain with him for e v e r ! Th at I s t ead
fastly confid e in s uch consu mmat ion thi s r e curr enc e ,

to his n ame w ill prove ; w e re it not for th at ,

I could not h av e utt e re d an allu sion .

I m ust finis h my involuntarily int e rrupt e d s e n

t e nc e A fte r w ards th e r e w as s o me t alk of a r e gul ar
.

re e ng ag e m e nt w ith an incr e as e of fiv e guin e as p er

-
,

s h e e t ; on w h at account I coul d n e v e r e x actly di s

cov e r ( not th at I trie d much to b e s ur e— it w as ,

.

too gracilely pl e as ant for the h arsh touch o f

scrutiny) E l ia the wh im s ic al the pr e gn ant
the abund ant j oke —
.
, , ,

g iving El ia and our M r , .

D ram a th e r e al old orig ina l M r D ram a —p ar

n obi le f ra trum spok e fl att e ringly of J anus — sh all
,
.
, ,

I br e ath e it —
,

as of on e not ab s olut e ly in effic ie nt ,

not the w orst of P e riodic al scribbl e rs .

Y ou P adron e mio ! kno w b e st how I w as found

,

on your e s t abli shm e nt ; w h eth e r my im portun itie s

[ H az lit t ]
1
 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI C I SMS . 8 09

f or admiss ion ov e rm atch e d your r ej e ctiv e fac ultie s .

P rocl aim th e n aloud n ow at th is m y lit e rary

d e c e as e th at
, my r e put ation is un s mirch e d,
unbl e mis h e d, by any h at eful scrambling aft e r th e
le av e s and fi s h e s : answ e r for me H ave I b e e n
.

for ward w ith M S S ? H av e I e v e r dis pl ay e d an

un s e e m ly al acrity with my qu ill ? H ave I e v e r
b e e n r e ady and forthco ming wh e n firs t c all e d on
The k e rn e l of the abov e p e roration l ie s , I t ak e
it, in the affirmat ion , th at not a s ingl e s e nt e nc e h as
b ee n by m e volunteered fro m the co m menc e m e nt of
t he L O NDO N M A G AZ I N E to its pr e se nt robu s t an d
1
h e althy growth .

Thi s d igr e s sion has pull e d out h alf an ell long e r

th an I intend e d and the o nly th ing is to get it
o ut of your h e ad as fast as you can C o m e ! t ak e
.

a p inch of snuff an d a sn e e z e H e shsh hoo

G o d bl e ss you —N o w wh at do you thi nk of Mis s
,

F K e lly ? Not s e e n her ind e e d ! I w as s orry to

.

s ee C h arl e s K e mbl e how d ar e an

:
( y o ne writ e him
d ow n
«
K e mbl e without the b aptis mal pre fi x
w hi l e his gre at broth e r l iv e s — I w as r e ally
,

s orry to se e C h arl e s K e m bl e on the s am e bo ard s .

H e c arr ie s the ge ntl e man in e ve ry m ot ion H e 18 ’

not a b it l ik e R o me o —the young th e s e ntim e ntal

.

C opy of an affi d avi t s worn b efor e the late L ord Mayor

1

I, T P Print e rs D e vil to the L O N D O N M A G A Z I N E,

v o lun tar ily m ak e o ath , th at M r .J anu s Weath e rcock has
n ev e r b e e n f or ward with his
‘
an d th at he w as n ev er
re ady and f orthcom ing w h e n firs t calle d on but, on the
c ontrary, th a t I h ave c alle d o n him at le as t s ix t im es f or

e ve ry art icle
”
.
3 10 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

R om e o , for all th at . T he It al ian L ove r s w e r e by

S h ak e sp e ar e st e e p e d in po e try, the h igh e s t, the
m ost ab s olut e po e try, t ill it b e cam e infus e d through
t h e ir sub s tanc e p as t re - s e p aration H e h as c om
.

e lle d an d am alg am at e d tog e th e r s p irit an d m att e r

p
i nto a qu ick s ilv e r too sli pp e ry and s ubtl e for the
m e r e corpore al h ands of any giv e n actor or actre s s .

The d e e p - s e nt ie nt C h arl e s L amb h ath prot e s t e d

ag ains t the co m p e t e ncy of th e atric al m e ans t o
g iv e an outward and vis ibl e r e pre s e nt at ion of Le ar .

I think, for R o m e o and Julie t th at s w e e t hym n ,

i n prais e of lov e ! th at h armoniou s m iracl e ! he

m ight h av e don e as m uch 1
.

A ll trac e s of the d igre s s ion are now qu it e

’
o bli t e rat e d , I ll v e ntur e to say —
j u dging from m y
s elf at l e as t —the fact is I v e forgott e n wh ith e r
,
’

th is l et t e r t e nde d— I m ust turn to the firs t l e af

,

n 1u — th irdly — um —um — O R e m arks on th e

fil ag an d its C ontribs V e ry good— s o th e n
w ithout furth e r pre am bl e — thu s ru s h I , lik e
. .
,

Hom e r Tas s o, O s sian, or, to s p eak concis ely lik e

, ,

all auth e nt ic e p ic po e ts of th is t e rraqu e ous glob e ,

w p e Bt a s p m, wh ich b it of H ebr e w m e ans g e ntl e,

— no not g e ntl e s trictly—r ath e r— s w ee t r e ad e rs ,
, ,

i n to the midd le of the C ontri b utors C lub room

’
-

—
,

I doubt it is in s o m e sort p e d ant ic to

,
’
int e rl ard and g arni s h on e s p aragr aph s w ith strang e
a nd outl andish s prigs , not p e rson ally pluck e d fro m

1
If the r ead e r adore s S h ak e s p e ar e ( not the f am ily on e ,
n or the a cte d o n e , ) h e w ill b e p leas e d w ith the e laborat e
a nd po e t ic al crit iqu e on R o m e o an d J ulie t , tran slat e d f ro m

A ug S ch le g el, in O lli e r s Mi s c e llany, N o I

’
. . .
312 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS .

be so k ind as to r e ad the n e xt lin e or tw o ov e r till ,

c onv inc e d of th e ir r at ion al ity .

S t and not on the ord e r of your nom in ation s If

'
'

I had acqu aint anc e w ith your n am e s I w ould say ,

m y l ittl e s ay an d t ak e m y le av e alph ab e t ic ally

,
'

If I had the r e qu is it e j udg m e nt y e s hould b e ar ,

r ang e d according to s tyl e and r e sp e ctiv e e m in e nc e

th e r e in ; or if m y p at e had the bum p of c alcul ation
( s uch a bu m p e x ist s
) t h e p ag in ary am ount of your
,

lucubration s should d e t e rmin e pr e c e de nc e B eing .

d e ficie nt in all th e s e r e qu isit e s for a lucidus ord o ,

I s h all tru s t to c ircu m s t anc e s ( my usu al w ay) and ,

e s t e e m m y disarr ay un bea u d esord r e as th e Fr e nch

’

w is e acre s h av e dubb e d the surviv ing lyric s of the

Th eb an S w an .

A n d firs t th e n for J O H N C LAR E : for firs t doth

, ,

he s t an d in the s ixth volum e

”
P rinc e ly C l ar e
.
,

a s E lia would c all th e e s o me thr e e hour s aft e r the

,

cloth w as drawn A l as ! good C l are n ev e r ag ain

.
,

sh all thou and he e ng age in tho s e high com b at s ,

tho s e w it fights ! N e ve r sh all his com p an ion abl e

-

d raught c au s e th ee an aft e r look of an x ie ty into -

t he t ank ard no m ore s h all h e pl e as antly

-
,

m al iciou s m ak e thy e ars t ingl e and thy ch e e k s

,

glow with the s ound of th at p e rpl e x ing con

s trainm e nt ,
th at conv ention al g agging b ill th at -
,

Gramm ar till in the b itt e rn e s s of thy h e art thou

,

curs e d s t Lindl e y M urr ay by all the s t ars ! N ot

onc e again sh all thy s we e tly Sim pl e D oric phras e -

and acc e nt b e g e t th e odious p un Thou m ay e s t .

imb ib e thy ale in p e ac e and d e fy P ris cian un

ch e ck e d —for Pris cian s ch am pion is gon e
,
’
Elia -
 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI CI SMS . 31 3

is gon e ! Littl e d id s t thou th ink th at e v e n ing

w ould b e the l ast wh e n thou and I an d tw o or , ,

t hr e e m or e M e s s e r Brun e tto D ugd al e R e d ivivu s

,
1
, ,

T th at anth e ry C ic e ro p art e d w it h the ,

hu m an ity loving E lia b e n e at h the ch as t e b e am s of

-

t he w at e ry m oon w arm e d w ith his h e arty ch e e r

—
,

t he fr agr ant s t e am Of his g rea t p la n t his ,

s avoury conv e r s ation and the g e nu in e good ,

2
n atur e of his cou s in Bridg e t gild ing all Th e r e .

w as s o m e th ing s ol e m n in the m ann e r of our cl asp

ing p al m s —
“
it w as firs t
,
h and s roun d th e n ,
”

“
h and s acro s s Th at s am e p arty Sh all ne v e r
.

m ee t ag ain ! But pardon gr aciou s S p irit ! th at I ,

thu s but p ar e nth e tic ally m em oriz e th ee ; y e t a

f e w m or e l in e s sh all flow to thy m o s t e mb aM e d
r em e m br anc e R e st th e n awh il e
.

O n e w ord at p arting J oh n C l ar e ! and if a ,

s tr ang e o n e as a str ang e r g iv e it w e lco m e

,
I .
.

h av e known j ov ial n ight s fe lt d e e ply th e virtu e s ,

of the grap e and the b arl eycorn ; I h av e co op e r -

“ ”
at e d in th e s w e e t w ick e d c atch e s bout the ’

c h im e s at tw e lv e y e t I s ay to th e e v is it London
,

s e ldo m s hutting clo s e thy e ar s in th e abound ing

,

c o mp any of e m pty scoff e r s : e v e r holding it in thy

inm ost soul th at lov e an d p e rfe ct tru s t n ot doubt

, , ,

is th e g e rm of true po e try Thy h and frie n d .

,

C l ar e oth e rs m ay sp e ak th e e fair e r but non e w is h ,

th ee s olid e r w e lfare th an Janu s .

[ 1
T he R e v . H F C ary
. . . H e w as als o a contributor to
the M agaz in e of L ives f
o the P oets in continu ation o f
J o hn s o n ] .

[
2
M is s L amb ]
3 14 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

Ne ar the b anks of Th am e s d w e ll s o ne li k e the

s tre am pl a c id and d e e p M e s s e r B rune tte !
, , M any
are th e b e n e fit s I o w e him in co mm on w ith oth e r s
-
( hi s Op us m oj us
“ — his e l e g ant M e m o irs
9

r e pl e t e with c andour and sub s t antial criticis m

his E arly Fre nch P o ets a pl e as ur e —
,

plot qu aintly
,

pr ank e d l aid op e n for public r e cre ation ) ; so m e

p e culiar to my s elf—his cou nt e n anc e and co m
,
.

m e ndation L e t m e apply to him the w ord s of an

.

author only und e rv alu e d by the d ull an d th e p re

j udice d ; N 0 m an can b e a tru e crit ic or connO IS

s e ur who do e s not po s s e s s a un iv e r s al ity of m ind ,

who do e s not po s s es s the fl e x ibil ity w h ich thro w ,

ing as id e all p e rson al pr e d il e ct ion s an d bl ind

h abit s e n abl e s him to tran sport h ims elf into the
,

p e culiaritie s of oth e r ag e s and n ation s to fe e l th e m ,

a s it w e r e fro m th e ir prop e r c e ntr al po int and ,

wh at e nnoble s hum an n atur e to r e cogniz e and ,

r e sp e ct wh at e v e r is beautif ul a nd g ra n d un de r
t he s e e x t e rn al m od ific ation s wh ich are n e c e s s ary
to th eir e x is te nc e and wh ich s o m e tim e s s e e m e v e n
,

to d isguis e th e m Th at Me s s e r B rune tte is e ndow e d

.
”

w ith this rare co m pre h e n siv e appr e h e n s ibility c an

not b e d e n ie d ; his tran s l ation s are n e arly uniqu e
for clos e n ess and fe l icity both as to s tyl e and ,

e x pr e s s ion The po e try how e v e r s ubtl e n e v e r

.
, ,

e vapo rat e s during the tran s fus ion n e ith e r is his ,

p e n e tration p artial but o ff e r s fr e s h proofs of its

,

l e g itimacy in the s ist e r art H is t ast e th e r e is .

s ingul arly grand pur e and con s is t e nt By the

,
.

b ye our crit ic s se e m h ardly aw are of th e int imat e

,

conn e xion or r ath e r of the id e nt ity of the primal

, ,
3 16 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS .

T h e re oth e rs fro m who m E ngl ish e d E x c e rpt a

are

m ight am u s e him an d d e light h is r e ad e rs ;

,
we
h av e no s p e c im e n of an E ngl ish A rio s to ; P ulci
a nd Bo iardo are qu it e unknown S ome gree n .

flow e rs s ur e ly might b e pick e d from the ch apl e t s

o f the P rov e n cal s ,e nu m e rat e d by C res cim b e ni

o r he m ight afford th e involunt arily unl e arn e d an -

id e a of t he towe ring an d se v e r e lEs chylus ! .

Wh e n the s pring com e s th e r e is j oy on the h ill s

,

o f C u mb e rl and and l ife in t he str e am s of N iths d ale

,

but the j oy of thy s mile and the l ife of thy song

, ,

A LLAN ! glo w through the s now of w int e r flouris h

1
,

s appy an d gr e e n am id the adu s t su mme r :

T hou m urmure s t n e ar the runn ing brook s

A m u s 1 c s wee t e r th an th e i r o wn .

L arg e art thou in body and s oul ! Thy bro ad

bro w and p al m consort m o s s fitly If n atur e .

m od el s h e r fac e s truly th e re w as n e v e r m an l e s s
,

s o il e d by the foul s m ok e of B abylon Thy po e try

—
.

g e r m i n at e s fro m t h e d iv in e s e e d lov e of all th ing s

m

lov ely and good Th e re find I s et do w n w ithout

.
,

s train ing a nd am b it iou s fu s t ian the e l e m e nt s of

thin e own mind—p atho s innoc e nt hil arity d isd ain
,

, ,

of p e tty craft and c ant d e e p affe ction s n ative

, ,

d el ic acy and a nobl e e nthu s ias m for s up e rn atur al

,

c h ee r . In it w e s e e how
w ild e rn e ss and w ood ,

B lank oc e an an d m e r e sk y s upport th at m oo d
, ,
Wh ich w ith t he lofty s an ctifies the low .

[ Allan C umi in gham, who

1
contribute d larg e ly to the
M agaz in e ]
 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI C I SMS . 3 17

But wh at n e e d of my l ean prais e ? thou h ast thy

m ee d of fam e ; h igh e r h ands h av e cro w n e d th e e
’

w ith the w il d w ood w re ath -

F ar ew ell pl e as ant .
,
,

A ll an C m! The l as t gre e n gl as s ov e r ,

which w e nodd e d to one anoth e r w as the l ast ,

E re C hr is t m as D ay J anus w ill b e e v e n as E lia

, .

F ar ew e ll ! M ay thy s e asons b e e v e r s m ooth .

H e alth to th e e and h er
T o w ho m th e warble of thy lip is d ear e s t .

Mild an d t as t e ful BARRY C O R NWALL ! old broth er

d iletta n te frie nd of E l ia ! P o e t of Wo m an ! th e
,

m o s t grat e ful t itl e to thy e ars— hon e y tongu e d -

s ing e r of b e auty an d its m oth e r n ight -

'

C o m e f rom out thy dr e am s

O f gr e e n S ic ili an fi eld s,
A n d b lu e S ic ilian s tr eam s

L et H er s m iling hair ,
Unt w is t e d , w ind at le n gth
T o th e w ild W ind s trick s o m e c ar e
’
,

w h il e
thou strik e st a dying not e in the h and of
W e ath ercock A d ie u ! too s e ns itiv e frie nd follow
.
,

thy own bloom ing ro ad : b e thy o w d mind thy

k ingdo m ; and s hould the e nviou s and the h ard
blow on thy t e nd e r flow e rs w ith th eir foggy br e ath ,

doubt not the adv e nt of due gu e rdon .

Fame no plant th at gro ws on m ort al s oil

is
N or in th e gli s t e ni ng f o il ,
S e t o ff to th e w orld nor in bro ad rum our lies .

R elin quish not

'

our —l e s t thin e own

art in a ng er
 3 18 ES SAYS A ND C RI TI C I SMS .

d e s e rt thee Grant m e too o ne r e qu e st at th is

.
, ,

h e avy t ime ; d rop on my grav e o ne me lod iou s

t ear ; m y hungry s p irit w ould s uck up
“
anoth e r
“
as r ich inc e n s e
1
LAST S O N G Wh at s ay you
.
,
”
frie nd ? J anu s to B arry C orn w all s p e ak s his l ast
a d ie u !

I w ould fain addre ss a v al e d ict ion to our M r Tabl e .

T alk 2 “
,
th at cunninge mas t e r of fe ns he th at w il l
t hru s t you cl e an through the e y e of a n e e dl e
who unloo se s the m o s t knot t e d qu e s t ion familiar ,

a s my g art e r By S aint Nichol as in m att e r s of

.
,

r aph ic art and op e ra d anc ing he is v ill ainou sly

g
h et e rodo x a p e r ilou s h e r e t ic !
-
But I may sp are
my fl ick e ring bre ath —h e r e ads not a w ord of our
M ag az in e ! !
3
Young TH EODO RE ! young in y e ar s not in ,

o w r ! O ur n w O v id — only m ore im agin at ive !

p e e

P aint e r to t he v is ibl e e y e an d the in w ard ; com

m ixture of w h at the s up e rfic ial d e e m incon
;g ruo us el e m e nt s ! Ins tructive l iving proof, how
c lo s e lie the fount s of l aught e r and t e ar s ! Thou
“

fe rme nt ing brain oppre s s e d as y e t by its own

,

r ich e s Though m el ancholy w ould s e e m to h av e

.

t ouch e d thy h e art w ith h e r p ainfu l ( s al utary )

h and y e t is thy fancy m e rcurial und e pr e s se d and
, , ,

:s p arkl e s and cr ackl e s m or e fro m th e cont act as th e ,

n orth e rn l ight s wh e n th e y n e ar the fro z e n P ol e .

1
S e e th at e x qu is it e lyr ic , am ong th e m inor po em s at t he
e nd o f M arc ian C o lonn a . M arc ian C o lonn a i s a d ainty
boo k ) [S o said M r L e igh H unt ]
”
.

2
Hazlitt ]
3
T h e odor e H ook , o f course ]
3 20 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI C I SMS .

'

Le t my gr at itud e r e ach th e e in thy l e arn e d e as e ,

uns e e n IDLE R on th e pre rupt rocks and br e e z y

,

1
dow ns of w oody ! Thou who h as t t aught .

s o m any Gr e e k an d R o m an m outh s to utte r vigor

o us and m anly E ngl ish S o m e c all t h e e rough ! s o
.

d id the full s tyl e d R ub e ns l e av e his d e cid e d t int s

-

— The a coloure d A m p elus is rich as his un ct u

g y
-

2
o uS p icture s h i
T y v e rs on of
. A tys h ath th e
thund e ring forc e of so m e old anvil cl ad c avali e r s -
’

b attl e ch arge M ax imil ian Rich ard the Lion or

, , ,

A l b e rt t he G iant I lov e th e ard e nt w ay in wh ich

.

thou champ ion est tho s e of thy favourit e s at who m ,

ignorant s corn h ath wrinkl e d the no s e ! Tis a rare

’

vic e no w a d ays m or e p ity ! M y b idding h ath b e e n

- -
,

pote nt on thy s prit e s e re now again I e s s ay ! I c all

on A pollon ius s e e th at he an s we r not in rhyme .

But E LI A S gho s t is im p at ie nt
’
.

Y e t wh at I can s ay of th e e m ore th an all kno w

th at thou h adst th e g aie ty of a boy w ith th e kno w ,

l e dge of a m an ; as ge ntl e a h e art as e v e r s e n t

t e ars to the e y e s M arry the bl ack b il e would
.

s o m e t im e s s l ip ove r h is tongu e s t ip ; th e n w ould

’

he s p it it out and look m or e s w e e tly for the

,

ridd anc e How wittily would h e mist ak e your

.

m e an ing and put in a conc eit m o s t s e as on ably o ut

,

of s e as on ! H is t alk without affe ct ation w as com

pre ss e d like his b e love d Eli z ab e th an s e ve n unt o
, ,

ob s curity li k e grains of fine gold his s e nt e nc e s ,

“
would b eat out into whol e sh ee t s I s ay without .

[ Prob ably C h arles A br ah am

1
E lton, e d itor of Sp ecimens
f
o the C las s ic P oets,
2
Private ly pr int e d .
 ESSAYS AND C R IT I CI SMS . 321

aff e ctation for he w as not the blind brain e d man

,
-

“
to c e nsur e in oth e rs his own vic e Truly w ith .

out aff e ctat ion for nothing rubb e d him the wrong
”

w ay s o m uch as p r etence ; —th e n the s p ark s fle w

,

about ! Y e t though he would strip and wh ip

,

soundly s uch b e ggars in v e lv e t r ags the thong ,

n e v e r fl e w in the fac e of a w is e m ode ration to do

h e r any hurt 1 H e h ad s mall m e rcy on spurious
.

fam e and a c au s tic O b s e rvation on the f as hion f or

m en of g enius ( vulg arly SO t e rm e d) w as a s t anding
d ish H e cont e nd e d t h at s ev e ral of our m in or
.

t al e nt s w ho now e mulat e Byron C ole ridg e and the

, ,

old D ramat is t s h ad fifty y e ars ago r e s t e d con

t e nt e d s at e llite s to old S ylvanu s Urb an—tranquil
, , ,

imit ator s of J ohn s on and Gol ds m ith O ne of th e s e .

fl aunting arrog ant e ph e m e ra w as p articul arly odious

.

to hi m (in o ne s p e cie s of his s cribbl in g he r e s e m

ble th a g ilt ch im n e y sw e e p e r in anoth e r a blow fly ;
- -

—this is my re mark) S o m e tim e s would he d e fame

,

”
aft e r a s ort his print e d ( not p aint e d) mis tr e s s e s .

As p e rp le x e d lo v e rs us e
A t a n e e d wh e n in d e s p air
,

T o p ain t f orth th e ir fair e s t fair

O r in p art but to e x pr e s s
T h at e x c e e di ng co m e lin e s s
t ich th e ir f anc ie s doth s o s t ri k e ,
T h e y borro w languag e o f d is lik e .

no oth e r w ay th e y kno w
.

A cont e nt m e nt to e x pr e ss ,
B ord e rs s o upon e x c e s s ,

T h at th e y do not ri ght ly w o t
Wh e th e r it b e p ain or not .

Fa rewell to Tobacco .

1
S o m e wh e r e in Fulle r .
3 22 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI CI SMS .

S ir Thom as Bro w n w as a bo s o m cron ie of “

his —so w as Burton an d old Full e r , In his .

am orou s v e in h e d all ie d w ith th at p e e rl e s s D uch e s s

of m any fol io odour ; and w ith th e h e y day co m e
- -

d ie s of B e au m ont and Fl e t ch e r he induc e d l ight

dre am s H e w ould d el iv e r critic al touch e s on
.

th e se lik e o ne 1 nsp1 re d but it w as good to le t him

,

choo s e his o w n g ame ; if anoth e r b e gan e v e n on ,

th e a ckno w l e dg e d p e t s h e w as l iabl e to int e rrupt

,

or r ath e r app e nd in a m ode d ifficult to d e fin e

, ,

w h e th e r as m is appre h e n s iv e or m isch ie vou s O ne

n ight at C — s the above dr am at ic p artn e rs
.

, ,

w e r e the t e mporary subj e ct of ch at ! M r 1

.
‘

co mme nd e d the p as s ion and h aughty s tyl e of a

trag e dy ( I don t kno w w h ich of th em ) but w as
’

in s t antly t ak e n up by El ia who told him Tha t

w as noth in g — the lyric s w e re the h igh th ing s —th e
,

lyric s — and s o h aving s trick e n w ith so m e

a maz e — he conclud e d w ith a brie f int e n s e e ulogy
“
on the Littl e Thie f !
H e had l ik e w is e two p e rve rs it ie s— a d isl ik e to
all G e rman l it e ratur e by wh ich l angu ag e he w as
, ,

I believe s crupulou sly int act : th e oth e r w as a

,

m o s t v e h e me n t ass e rtion of e qu al ity b e twe e n

H arington and F airfax as transl ators V e n ial
ab e rr at ion s —I know of no oth e r s
, .

H is d e ath w as s o m e w h at s udd e n ; y e t he w as
not without wormy foreboding s S o m e of th e s e he .

e x pr e s s e d as you m ay r e coll e ct D e ar P roprie tor !

, ,

at your hosp it abl e t abl e the of l ast

,
I
a cco mp an ie d him ho m e at r ath e r an e arly hour in

t he morn ing and b e ing b e n ign antly invit e d to e nt e r

, ,
 3 24 ESSAYS AND C RI T I C I SMS .

A C HAR AC T E R O F T H E L AT E E L I A 1 .

BY A FRI E ND .

TH I S g e ntl em an who for so m e m onth s p as t had

,

b ee n in a d e clin ing w ay h ath at l e ngth p aid his ,

fin al tribut e to n ature H e j u s t liv e d long e nough

.

( it w as wh a t he w is h e d ) to s e e his p ap e rs colle ct e d
into a volum e The p ag e s of the Lo ndon M ag a
.

z in e w ill h e nc e forth know him no m or e .

E x actly at tw e lv e l as t n ight his qu e e r s p irit

d e p art e d and the b ells of S aint Brid e s r ang him
,
’

out w ith the old ye ar The m ournful vibration s .

w e re c aught in the d in ing roo m of his frie nds T .

an d H an d th e co mp any as s e mbl e d th e r e to W e l
’
.
,

co m e in anoth e r First of Janu ary ch e ck e d th e ir ,

c arou s al s in mid mirth and w e r e s il e nt Janu s

-
, .

w e pt The g e ntl e P [roct e] r in a whi sp e r s igni fi e d

.
, ,

his int e nt ion of d e vot ing an E l e gy ; and Allan

C [unn ingh am] nobly forg e tful of his country
,

m e n s wrong s vo w e d a M em o ir to his ma nes full

’

, ,

and frie ndly as a Tale of Ly dd alcros s .

To s ay truth it is t im e h e w e re gon e
, The .

humour of the thing if th e re w as e ve r m uch in it

, ,
’
w as pre tty w ell e xh aust e d ; and a two ye ars an d

[ L ondon M agaz in e J anu ary I in s e rt th is p ap e r

1
, ,
1 8 23 .

h e re conse qu e nc e of a sugge st ion

in f ro m t he E d itor of
t h e M agaz in e e lsew h e r e th at it was wr itt e n by Wain e
wrigh t ]
 ESSAYS AN D C RI TI CI SMS . 3 25

a h alf e x is t e nc e has b ee n a tole rabl e duration for

a ph anto m .

I am now at lib e rty to confe ss th at much wh ich ,

I h av e h e ard obj e ct e d to my l ate frie nd s writings ’

w as w e ll found e d
-
C rud e th e y are I grant you
a so rt of unlick e d incondit e th ings —villainously
.
,

prank e d in an aff e ct e d array of antiqu e m od e s and

phras e s Th e y had not b e e n his if th e y had b e e n
.
,

oth e r th an such ; and b e tt e r it is th at a writ e r ,

should b e n atur al in a s elf pl e asing qu aintn e ss -

,

th an t o affe ct a n aturaln e s s ( s o call e d) th at should

b e str ang e to him E gotistic al th e y h av e b ee n
.

pronounc e d by s o m e w ho did not kno w th at w h at ,

h e t e ll s us as of hims e lf w as oft e n tru e o nly ( his

, ,

to ric ally) o f anoth e r ; as in his Fourth E s s ay ( to

s av e m any inst anc e s
) wh e r e und ,
e r t h e fi rs t
p er

s on
( his favourite figur e
) h e s h ado w s forth t h e
forlorn e st ate o f a country boy pl ac e d at a L ondon-

s chool ,
f ar fro m his frie nd s and conn e ctio n s—in
d ir e ct O ppo s it ion to hi s o w n e arly his tory If it .

b e e got is m to imply an d twin e w ith his o w n id e n

t ity the grie fs and affe ctions of anoth e r : makin
h ims e lf m any or re ducing m any un to him s e lf
, ,

th e n is the s kilful nove lis t who all along b ring s ,

in his h e ro or h e ro in e s p e ak ing of th e m s e lv e s
,
.
,

the gre at e s t e got is t of all ; who y e t has n e v e r ,

th e r e fore b e e n accus e d O f that n arro w n e s s A nd

, .

how Sh all th e int e ns e r dram at ist e s cap e b e ing

faulty who doubtl e s s un d e r cov e r of p as sion
, ,

utt e r e d by anoth e r oft e ntim e s giv e s bl am el e ss v e nt

,

to his m o s t in w ard fe e lings an d e x pr e s s e s his own

,

s tory m od e s tly ?
3 26 ESSAYS AND C RIT I CI SMS .

M y l at e frie nd w as in many r e s p e cts a s ingular

ch ar act e r Tho s e w ho did not l ik e him h at e d
.
,

him ; an d s o me w ho onc e l ik e d him aft e rw ard s

, ,

b e c am e his bitt e re s t h at e rs The truth is h e g av e .

,

h im se lf too l ittl e conc e rn w h at h e utt e re d an d in ,

who s e pr es e nc e H e ob se rve d n e ith e r t ime nor

.

pl ac e and would e e n out w ith w h at c am e upp e r

,
’

m o st . With the s e ve re r el ig ion is t he would p ass

for a fre e th ink e r wh il e the oth e r faction s e t him
-

do w n for a bigot or p e rs u ad e d th e m s elve s th at h e

,

b e lie d his s e ntim ent s Fe w und e rs tood him and .

I am not c e rtain th at at all t im e s he quit e unde r

stood h im s e lf H e too m uch aff e ct e d th at d ange r
o us figure—irony
.

H e s ow e d doubtful s p e e ch es
.
,

and r e ap e d pl ain un e qu ivoc al h atr e d ,

H e w ould .

int e rrupt the grav e s t d is cu s s ion w ith som e li ght

j e s t ; and y et p e rh ap s not quit e irrel ev ant in
, ,

e ars th at could und e rs t and it Your long an d .

m uch t alk e rs h at e d him The inform al h ab it O f .

his m ind j o in e d to an inv e te rat e imp e d ime nt of

,

s p e e ch forbad e him to b e an orator ; an d he

,

s e e m e d d e t e r min e d th at no o n e e l s e should pl ay

th at p art wh e n h e w as pr e s e nt H e w as p etit and .

ordin ary in his p e r s on and app e aranc e I h av e .

s e e n him so m e time s in w h at is c all e d good com

p any but wh e re h e has b e e n a strang e r s it s il e nt
, , ,

an d b e su s p e ct e d for an odd fe llow ; t ill so m e ,

unlucky occ asion provoking it h e w ould s tutt e r ,

out s o me s en s e l e s s pun (not altoge th e r s e n s el e s s

p e rh ap s if rightly t ak en ) wh ich has s t am p e d his
, ,

ch aract e r for the e ve n ing It w as hit or m is s with .

him ; but n in e t ime s out of t e n h e contriv e d by

, ,
3 28 ESSAYS AND C RI TI CI SMS .

s olve nt of sp e e ch M arry as the friendly vapour

.
,

asc e nd e d ho w his pr attl e w ould curl up so m e t im e s

,

with it ! the ligam e nt s which tongu e tie d him

,
-
,

w e re loo s e n e d and the stamm e re r proc e e d e d a

,

s t atis t !

I do not know w h e th e r I ought to b e m o an or

rej oic e th at my Old frie nd is d e p art e d H is j e s t s .

w e r e b eginn ing to grow ob s ol e t e and his s torie s ,

to b e found out H e fe lt the appro ach e s of age ;

.

an d wh il e he pr e t e nd e d to cl ing to l ife you s aw ,

how s l e nde r w e re the t ie s l e ft to bind him D is .

cours ing with him l att e rly on this s ubj e ct he e x ,

~

pre ss e d h ims elf w ith a p e ttishn e s s wh ich I thought ,

un worthy of him In our walk s about his s uburb an

.

r etre at ( as h e c all e d it) at S hackle w ell s o m e ch il ,

dre n b e long ing to a s chool of indu s try had m e t 1 1 s ,

an d bo w e d an d curt se y e d as h e thought in an e s
, ,

p e cial m ann e r to him The y t ak e m e for a vis it

.

ing gov e rnor he mutt e r e d e arn e s tly H e had a h or

” '

, .

ror w hich he c arrie d to a fo ibl e of look ing im port an t

, ,

and p aroch ial H e thought th at he appro ach e d

.

n e are r to th at s tamp d aily H e had a g e n e ral .

av e rs ion fro m b e ing tr e at e d l ik e a gr av e or r e s p e ct

abl e ch ar act e r an d k e pt a w ary e y e upon th e ad

,

v anc e s of ag e th at s hould S O e ntitl e him H e .

h e rd e d alw ays whil e it w as po s sibl e w ith p e ople

, ,

y oung e r th an h im s e lf H e d id not
. confor m to t he
m arch of t im e b ut w as di agge d along in the pro
,
or

c e s sion H is m anne i s l agg e d b e h ind his ye ars

.
0
.

H e w as too much of the boy m an The tog a .

vir ilis n e v e r s at g rac e fully on his s hould e rs The .

impre s s ion s of infancy had burnt into him and he ,

 ESSAYS A ND C RI TI C I SMS . 3 29

r e s ent e d the imp e rtin e nc e of m anhood Th e se .

w e r e w e akn e s s e s but such as th e y w e r e th e y are

, ,

a k e y to e x p lic at e so m e of his wr it ings .

H e l e ft l ittl e prop e rty b e h ind him O f cour s e .

,

th e l ittl e th at is l e ft ( ch ie fly in Ind ia bond s) d e

volve s upon his cou sin Bridg e t A f e w critical .

d iss e rt ation s w e r e found in his e s crutoire wh ich ,

h av e b e e n h and e d ov e r to the E ditor of th is

M agaz in e in wh ich it is to b e hop e d the y will
,

shortly app e ar r e t ain ing his accus t o m e d s ign a

,

ture .

H e has h im s e lf not obscur ely h int e d th at his

e m ploy m e nt lay in a publ ic offic e The g e ntl e
.

m e n in the E xport d e p artm e nt of the E as t Ind ia

Hous e w ill forg ive m e if I acknowl e dg e t he
,

r e ad in e s s w ith w hich t h e y as sis te d m e in the re

t rie v al of his f e w m anu s cript s Th e y po int e d out
.

in a m o s t obl ig ing m ann e r the d e sk at wh ich he ,

h ad b e e n pl ant e d for forty y e ar s Show e d m e pon

d e rous to m e s of figur e s in his own r e mark ably
n e at h and w h ich m or e prop e rly th an his f e w
, ,

print e d tract s m ight b e c all e d his Work s

,
“
.
”

T h e y s e e m e d affe ct ion at e to his m e m ory and ,

un ive rs ally co mme nd e d his e x p e rtn e s s in book

k e e p ing It s e e m s he w as the inve ntor of s o m e
.

le dg e r which s hould co m b in e the pr e cis ion and

,

c e rt ainty of the It al ian doubl e e ntry ( I th ink th e y

-

c all e d it) w ith the br e v ity and facil ity of s o me

n e w e r G e r man s yst e m ; but I am not abl e to
appr e c iat e the worth of th e d is cov e ry I h av e .

o ft e n h e ard him e x pr e ss a w ar m r e g ard for hi s

a s s ociat e s in o ffic e and how

,
fortun at e he con
330 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS .

s ide re d h im s elf in h aving his lot thrown in

amongst th e m Th e re is m or e s e ns e m ore d is
“
.
,

course m ore s hr e w dn e ss and e ve n t al e nt among

, , ,

th e s e cl e rks ( he w ould s ay) th an in twic e the

nu mb e r of authors by profe s s ion th at I h av e con
v e rs e d w ith H e would bright e n up som e t im es
.

“
upon the old d ays of the India Hou s e wh e n ,
”

h e con s ort e d w ith W o odro ffe and Wis s e tt and ,

P e t e r C orb e t ( a d e s c e nd ant an d worthy re p re

s e nt at iv e hating the point of s anct ity O f O ld
, ,

fac e tiou s bishop C orb e t) and Hool e who tran sla

,

t e d Tas s o and B artl e m y Bro w n who s e fath e r

,

( G o d as s oil him th e re for e ) m od e rn iz e d Walton

and S ly w ar m h e art e d old J ack C ol e ( K ing C ol e
-

th e y c alle d him in tho s e d ays ) and C amp e and , ,

Fo mb elle and a world of cho ic e s p irit s m or e ,

th an I can r eme mb e r to n am e who as s ociat e d in ,

t ho se d ay s w ith Jack Burr ell ( the bon viva nt of

the S outh S e a Hou s e ) and littl e E yton (said to b e
,

a f ae s imi le of P op e — h e w as a m in iatur e of a

g e ntle m an ) th at w as c as hie r unde r him and D an ,

V o ig t of the C usto m Hou s e th at l e ft t he fam ous

l ibrary .

W ell E lia is gon e — for aught I know to b e

, ,

r e un it e d with th e m— and th e s e poor trac e s of his

p e n are all w e h a v e to Sho w for it Ho w lit .

tle surviv e s of th e w ord ie s t authors O f all th e y

s aid or d id in the ir li fe t im e a f e w gl itt e ring w ords
,

only ! H is E s s ays found s o m e favour e rs as th e y ,

app e ar e d s e p ar at e ly ; th e y s hu ffl e d th e ir w ay in

the crowd w e ll e nough s ingly ; how th e y w ill r ea d ,

n o w th e y are brought tog e th e r is a qu e s t ion for ,

332 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS .

T HE E S S E N C E O F O PE R A .
1

I MO GE NE ET ALM ANZO R .

S uj et d e cet Op era .

Un j e un e P rinc e A m e ric ain

A dor e un e j e un e P rinc e s s e ;
C et A m ant qui p e rit au mili e u d e la p ie c e ,
,

P ar le s e cours d un D ie u r e s s u s c it e a la fin
’
.

P R OLO G UE .

Pe upl e s, ; que 1 O n
’ ’
e ntre z S av ance .

( A ux r )
cha n teu s .

V ou s, t ach e z d e pr e ndr e le t e mp s .

(A use danseurs)
V ou s , le j arr e t t e ndu p art e z b ie n e n c ad e nc e
, .

C eleb rons le bonh e ur d e s fid ele s amans !

ACTE I .

I mog ene C h e r Princ e , on nous un it

.

A lma nsor J e u s ui s ravis , P rinc e s s e

’
. .

[L ondon M agaz in e, Feb T h is qu e e r little crap

1
. 1 826 s
s ign e d J anus
is
]
 ESSAYS AND C RI TI C I SMS . 3 33

L es D eux . P e upl e s ch ante z d ans e z montr e z

, , ,

votre alegre s s e
L e C ha ur . C h antons d ansons montron s notre
, ,

ale resse !
g

ACTE II .

I mogene . A mour —
Tumulte de guerr e . L e P rince p ard i t,
p ours uivi p ar ses E nn emi s
—C h r
.

L e P rince
’
C omba t L a P rincesse
. s evanoui t . es t tué )
. e
Pr inc e

A lma ns or H e l as ! .

I m og ene Q uoi l
.

’
A lm ans or J e x p i r e
. .

I m og ene O h , m alh e ur !
.

P e upl e s ch ant e z d ans e z m ontre z votre

, , ,

doul e ur !
Le C ha ur C h anton s d ansons montrons notre
.
, ,

doul e ur !

ACTE I II .

(P a llas dans nu nuag e . A A lmans or .

)
P all as te r e nd le j our

I mog en e Ah ! qu e l m o me nt !
.

A lm a nzor, O il s uis j e -

L es Trois P e upl e s , ch ant ez , d ans e z , celeb re z

.

prodig e
L e C hee ur C h anton s d ansons, montrons
.
,

prod ig e '
3 36 A PP E ND IX .

w ill and i nte nt ion th at the sam e s hould b e d iv id e d accord

ing to
the s t atut e f o r the d is tribution s b e t we e n m y wife
an d m y s o n G e org e E d ward Griffith s and th at I should d ie

int est at e sav e an d e x c e pt as to w h at I h ave d e clar e d r e gard

ing m y s aid gr and s on T ho mas Waine wright I n witn ess
'

w h e r e o f I h av e h e re unto s e t m y h and an d s eal th is s eve nth

d ay o f J un e in the y e ar o f our L ord o n e thousand e ight
hundre d and three R G RI FF I T H S [LS S ign e d
s e ale d an d d elive re d by th e w ith in n am e d R al ]1 G ri ffith s
. .

-
p
in the pr es e nc e o f S am u e l R o se o f L incoln s I nn B ar
’

r is te r at Law
- -

2 4th D ec , . 1 803 .

A PPE AR E D PE RS O NA LL Y T he R ev e re nd C H RI S
T O PH ER L A K E MOO D Y o f T urnh am Gre e n in the
Parish O f C h is w ick in the C ounty o f M idd le s e x C le rk
D octor o f L aw s an d m ad e o ath th at h e kn e w and w as w ell
acqu aint e d w ith R al h Gri ffith s lat e O f T urnh am Gr e e n

in the C ounty o f M i d le se x D octor o f L aw s d e c ease d for

m any y ears b e fore an d to th e tim e o f h is d e ath and during
s uch h is ac n aintan ce w ith him h ath O ft e n s e e n him w rit e
an d s ub s cr ib e his n am e s to w rit ing s an d is th e r e by b e co m e
w e ll acqu aint e d w ith his m ann e r o f and ch aract e r o f h and
w rit ing an d s ub s cript ion an d h aving n ow c ar efully in
s c ot e d t he n am e R Gr iffith s app e aring s ub s crib e d to
”
.

t 1 e p ap e r w r iting h e re unto ann e x e d purport ing to b e the

las t W ill an d T e s t am e nt of the s aid d e c ease d the s aid W ill
b e g inn ing thu s T his is th e last Will and T estam e nt of m e
R alph Griffith s of T urnh am Gree n in th e C ounty of M idd le
'

s e x D octor o f L aw s an d e nd ing thu s I n witn ess w h er e o f

I h av e h e r e unto se t m y h and and se al this s ev e nth d a O f
J un e in the y e ar of our L ord o ne thou sand e ight hun red
and thr e e T h is D e pon e nt s aith h e v e rily an d in his con
s c ie nc e b elie v e s t h e n am e R Griffi th s s o app e aring s e t to
“
.

t h e said p ap e r w rit in g to b e o f th e prop e r h and w riting an d

s ub s cript ion o f t he s aid R alph Griffith s D octor o f L aws

d e c e as e d C L MOO D Y
. . s am e d ay t h e s ai d C hr is
t oph er L ak e M oody D octor O f L aw s w as duly s w orn to the
truth of th is A ffid avit b efor e m e S PARS O N S urrogat e .

Ps t E d wd T olle r N P
. . .
 A PP E N D IX . 3 37

O N th e tw enty nin th da of N ove mb e r in the y ear of

-

o ur L ord o n e thousand e ig t hu ndre d an d thr e e A d m on

( w ith t h e W ill a nn e x e d ) o f all and s ing ul ar th e good s

ch att els and cre dits of R alph Griffiths late of Turnh am
G r ee n in th e C ounty o f Midd le s e x D octor o f Laws d e c eas e d
w as rant e d to G e org e E d w ard Griffi th s E s quir e the n at ural
a nd awf u l s on o f the s aid d e c e as e d h av in g b e e n firs t s w orn
to adminis t e r N o E x e cutor b eing n am e d in the said
$3
1 !

[N o .

The Tw o Te st Trials in t he C ourt of E x ch e qu e r,

Jun e 29 an d D e em
c ber 3 ,
1 8 3 5, for the
r e cov e ry of the as s ur anc e s for

( From th e Times, J un e 3 0,

C O U RT O F E XC HE Q U E R, W E S T M I NS T E R .

( JU N E 2 9 TH .
)
( B efor e L O R D AB I N G E R and a S p e cial J ury ) .

WA I N E WR I GH T v B LAND and O th e rs
. .

T his w as an action by T hom as Griffi th s Waine w right,

e x e cutor o f M is s H e le n Franc e s Ph oe b e A b e rcrom by d e
c e ase d , again s t M ich ae l Bland , Grant A llan , an d C orn eliu s

B utt e r, D ir e ctors of th e I mp e rial I n suranc e C omp any, to

r e cov e r upon a po licy d at e d O ct 2 2 md , 1 8 3 0, .

e ff e ct e d f or t w o y e ar s upon th e lif e o f M iss A b e rcro m by .

T h e d e fe ndants plead e d t he g e n e ral is su e to the Plaintiff s

’

d e clar ation, whi ch was file d b efore th e n ew rule s cam e into

op e rati on .

M r E R L E, S ir WI L LIAM FO L LE rr, and M r H E ND E R S O N ,

. .

w e r e for the plaintiff ; nd th e A TTO R N E Y -G E N E RA L, S ir

a
Z
338 A PPE N D IX .

F Po LL o cx M r T H ES I G E R and M r R OB I NS ON f or the
.
, .
,
.
,
d efe nd ants .

M r H E N D E R S O N h aving op e n e d the lea d in gs

.
,
M r E R L E sai d the nomin al plai nt had no inte res t in
'

,
.

th e c as e t he r eal plaintiff an d party inte res t e d was M rs

, .

W f orm e rly M iss M ad elin e A b e rcromb the s is te r

O f the d e c e as e d to w hom M iss A b e rcro m by h a
,
left all her
prop e rty by he r will in w hich the plaintiff as e x e cutor was
,
O nly conc e rn e d as tru st e e The d elay in bringing the .

a ct ion had aris e n f ro m t he d e fe nd ant s h avin g t ak e n pro

’

cee dings in C h anc e ry T he policy w as f or .e ff e ct e d

in O ctob e r 1 8 3 0 M is s A b e rcro mby liv e d at th at t im e
, .

w ith t he plaintiff and his wif e w ho w as h e r s is t e r Th ey , .

c am e to to wn on the 1 2 th of D e c emb er 1 8 3 0 and took , ,

lodgings at th e ho us e O f M r Nichols a t ailor in C onduit .

,

s tr eet S hortly aft e r the plaintiff and lad ies we nt to the

.

th e atre and w alk e d hom e The w e ath e r was v ery sev e re .

,
an d M iss A b e rcro m by got w e t in h e r f e e t S he ate s om e .

oyst e rs f or s uppe r th at nig ht an d w as tak e n v e ry ill in the ,

m orn ing D r L oc ock was calle d in and s h e was aft er
. .
,
w ard s cu p e d oth e r m e dic al assis tants c am e in but she ,

d ie d in a ew d ays in a convulsion D r Locock saw h e r a . .

s hort t im e b efor e he r d e ath ; he op e n e d he r m outh aft e r

w ard s an d found an e ff usion o f w at e r on the b asis of th e
brain which w as s uffi c ient to account f or h er d eath The
,
.

s to mach w as aft e rw ard s e x am in e d but pr es e nt e d no ind ica ,

t ion of any d iseas e

M r I N G A L L —Was actu ary of the I mp e rial I n s uranc e
.

O ffic e Was attesting witn es s to the s ign atur e of the

.

policy w h ich he prov e d ( Th e policy w as th en put in and

,
.

r ead ) .

C ro ss e x amin e d by th e A TTO R N E Y G E N E R A L
-
M iss -

A b e rcro mby came to th e o ffi c e on the 1 4 th of O ctob e r ,

1 83 0 .Witn ess told her he presum e d her obj e ct w as t o

s e cur e prop e rty s he w oul d co m e into po s s es sion o f at th e

e n d o f t w o y ears M rs Waine w right w ho c am e wi th h e r

. .
, ,

s aid N ot e x actly s o it was to se cur e m on e y to h e r s is t e r

“
, ,
in th e e v e nt o f h er d eath w h ich sh e w ould b e able to do b ,

oth e r m e ans if she outli v e d that t erm but add e d s he di ,

not kno w much of her affairs but witness had b ett er s p e ak ,

.
340 A PP E ND IX .

into t ears , an d conv uls ion s c am e on N o boy had b ee n in .

th e room S he had h ad w and e rings , but not th at m orning

. .

Witne ss sent f or M essrs King an d Nichols on , apoth e car ie s . .

M r H ank s c am e an d s aw h er in the convulsion fit S he

.
.
.

“
had s aid to D r L oc ock , D octor, I was gon e to h e av e n , but
.

you hav e brought m e b ack to e arth Hank s gav e s om e .

”

m e dic in e s W hile D r Lo cock w as th e re T h e convulsions

. .

got b e tt er and th e y w ent away S oon aft er the y we re

,
.

gon e the convulsion s c am e on again and s he die d I t w as .

on T u esd ay the 2 l st of D e c emb e r 1 8 3 0 S he lay ill seve n

, ,
.

d ays
C ro s s e x am in e d —
.

- Witn ess w as s e rvant f our y ears with

.

intiff an d t we nty y ears with hi s uncle M r Griffith s

péieW plaintiff since he was fiv e years old His uncle d ie d
. .
,

in 1 8 2 9 .Plaintiff w as on a Vi sit to his uncle w h e n h e

m arrie d .Miss A b e rcrom b y s m oth er d ie d a ye ar af te r M r ’
.

Griffith s S he c am e to M rs Waine wright on a visit and

. .
,

di e d the r e Plaintiff w ent abroad H ad not s ee n him

. .

s inc e 1 8 3 1 M is s A b ercromby v om it e d violently on th e

.

S aturd ay S und ay an d M ond ay ni ght b efor e he r d e ath

, , , .

M r an d M rs Waine wright w e nt out afte r s he was c onsi

. .

d e re d b e tt e r and did not r e turn until aft e r she w as d ead

,
.

H er wa es w e re n ev e r r e gularly aid and about £ 2 or £ 3

v
,

w as s t iff d ue to her th er e w as a ailiff in th e hous e wh e n

sh e left .

H AR R I E T G R ATTA N anoth e r serv ant c am e with plaintiff , ,

an d f ami ly f rom his hous e Lindon H ou s e T urnh am Gr ee n , , ,

to town; The n ight b e f or e M iss Ab e rcromby w as tak e n
ill she ate oys t e rs f or s upp e r ; saw h er the n e x t d ay on a
s o fa shi v e ring an d cold an d c om laining o f s ickn ess s aw,
h er th e d ay s he d ie d D r L oco c was c alle d in the s e cond
. .

d ay of h e r illn e s s .

C ro ss e x amin e d
- O n the day she di e d M rs Waine wright
.
-
.

p av e h er m e d icin e T h at was about t w e lve o clock M rs ’

Waine wright went out imm ediat ely afte r A t two o clock
. . .

’
.

Mis s A b e rcromby w as tak e n viole ntl ill with conv ulsion s

a pp e are d in gr e at p ain an d s t ruggy
,
e d a gr e at d e al Dr ,
. .

L ocock c am e the fit had th e n s ubs id e d

,
S he sai d Oh .
, ,
d octor I am d yi ng ; I fe el I am I am sur e s o ”
,
Th e -
.

d octor s ai d Y ou ll b e b ett er b y and b ye Witn ess s ai d ”

’
- - .
,
 A PPE ND IX . 34 1

h er moth er di e d in the wa S he s aid Y es, my poor

same
’y
.

m oth e r ! oh , my poor m oth er ! D r L ocock left, an d she .

h ad a fi t an d gras p e d witn ess s h and Witn es s had not re

’
.

c eiv e d all her wag e s

—
.

M rs N I C H O L
. Was landlady of th e hous e in C ondui t
.

s tr e e t Le t h er ap artme nts in D e c emb e r, 1 8 3 0, to plai ntiff

.

and f am ily Th e y w e nt t wic e to the th eatr e, on M onday

.

and T u es d ay r e c e ding her d eath

p
C ro ss -e x ami n e d —Wh e n s he fir s t s aw M is s Ab e rcrom by
.

on a Frid ay she app eare d a r em arkably h ealthy, bloomin g

young w om an
—
.

D r. LOC O C X Was c alle d in on T hur s d ay, the l 6 th of

.

D e c e mb e r K n ew Plaintiff and had s ee n M is s Ab e rcrom by

.

b efore , wh e n she came for a c e rtificate th at sh e miO ht '

ins ur e h e r lif e Whe n he w as c alle d in he f oun d er

.

s itting in h e r b e d - roo m , co mplaining o f gr eat h ead ach e , a

w e ight o v e r h er e y es , and p artial blin dn ess S h e had a f ull, .

labour in g pulse , and s hooting p ain s about th e h ead S he .

s aid s he w as t ak e n ill th e pr e c e d ing m ornin g f ro m h avin

got w et in h er fe e t on T ues day ni ght S he had s upp e .

that night on oyst ers and bottle d porte r, both on t he

M ond ay an d Tues d ay night, afte r b eing at th e play O n .

the T u es d ay ni ght sh e com plain e d , but on b eing pr es s e d ,

s at do w n an d m ad e a h e arty s upp e r, an d in th e co urs e o f
th at night had a b ad r estles s h ead ach e, and w as violently
s ick . Plaintiff th e n told wi tn e ss th at he had s e nt out to a
chym is t f or a black dos e, whi ch sh e had tak en Witn ess .

pr es crib e d c alom el f ollo we d by senn a, unt il the bo wels

s hould f r eely act H e c alle d n e x t m orni ng, an d found t h e
.

h ead w as not r eliev e d , and orde r e d cupping I t r eliev e d .

t h e h ead for a t im e , but th e pul se b e c am e f e v eri s h Th e n .

w itn ess ord e re d m e di c in e to ab at e the f ev e ri s h a ction

tartar e m e tic I t produce d viole nt v o mi ting O n S unday
. .

s h e r e co v e r e d h e r e y e sight , an d the f ev e ris h s ymptom

ab ate d , an d witn ess allo w e d h er broth O n M ond ay h e .

f ound sh e had p ass e d a ve ry r es tless hys teri c al night, a n d

w as ea sily agitat e d H e ord e r e d a s e d ativ e me dicin e
.

c am phor Witness as ke d M rs Wainewright for inf orm a

. .

t ion O n Tu esd ay m o rning s he was cons id e rably b e tt e r,

.

but s till eas ily e x cit ed, b ut her puls e was agitat ed H e .
 3 42 A PPE ND IX .

b e gged she m ight b e k ept quie t and the child k ept out of ,

th e room S h e ask e d if sh e mi ght h av e s ome m eat ?

. .

Witn ess s aid Y es if you are b ett e r to m orrow S he w as

“ -
”

to continu e her m e d icine—a c amphor pill S he the n

, , .

as k e d f or a cup o f co ffee Witn ess w e nt away and was . .

,
s e nt f or b e t we e n t w o and thr e e S eve ral w e r e in the .

room and she w as in convulsion s r es embling thos e

,

wh ich w e r e th e e ff e ct of a w ound and w as hys t eri c al S he , .

w as quit e s e n s ible ; sh e s aid s h e was s ur e s he w ould die ,

an d sh e w e nt o ff into con v uls ion s Witn e ss sugg es te d s om e .

alt e r ation o f M r A sh s m e d ic in es whi ch w e r e anti sp as

’
.
-
,

m od ic . Witn e ss th e n w e nt away and r e turn e d at f our and , ,

s he w as th e n j u s t d ead M e t laintiff at the door as h e .

w as goin g out an d told him e app eare d m uch s hock e d .

and as toni s h e d as h e had le ft h e r m uch b e tt e r th an s h e

,

w as t he n ight b efore an d ask e d w h at w as the c au s e of h e r

,
“
d eath 7 Witn ess replie d M is chie f in th e brai n an d pro , ,
”

po se d to e x am in e the brai n to which he imm e diat ely ,

as s e nt e d O n th e n e x t d ay th e brain was op e n e d by Hank s

.
,
an d th e y found w h at witn es s b eliev e d w as a qui t e s uffi cie nt
c au se o f d e ath—a consid erable qu antity of wat er on the
lo w e r p art of the brain pre s sing upon t he upp e r art o f th e
,

s in al m arro w The v e s icles of the brain w e r e o ad e d t he

.
,
b o od v e ss els of s om e p art of the sub s tanc e of the brain
-

w e r e lo ad e d Witn ess thought t he e ffusion c ause d the con

.

v ulsion an d th at th at c aus e d d e ath

,
Th e oys t e rs had b ee n .

t h e c au s e O yst ers had produc e d similar e ffe cts upon

.

irritab le con stitution s We t fe e t w ould r e nd e r the con s ti

.

t ution w eak and irrit able T h e r e was a f urth e r e x amin a .

t ion two d ays afte rward s at the d esir e of M r Grah am a , .

,
s urg e on o f the s tom ach
,
The cont e nts of the s tom ach w e r e
.

take n out ut in to a bottle and give n into M r Graham s

, ,
.
’

ch arge T e y w e re m in ut ely e x amin e d T h e re w as no

. .

app e aranc e o f anyth ing s u ffic ie nt to account f or d e ath A .

f e w points in w hi ch the b lood v essels We re m uch m or e -

inj e ct e d with b lood th an u s ual an app e aranc e o f t e n s ee n ,

in tho se wh o die s udd e nly Violent vomiting w ould .

a ccount f or it
C ro ss e x amin e d —
.

-
D id not ap l a le ns . O b se rve d a fe w .

little s p e cks und er the co at 0 t e s tomach but wh e th e r ,

3 44 A PP EN D IX .

life. T h e r e was no r e as on ab le obj e ct in he r d esiring to

in s ur e h er life B ut in s uri ng f or t wo years th e re w as les s
.

pr e mium to ay th an if the ins uranc e w as e ff e ct e d for the

w hole life t w ould h ardly b e b e liev e d that the plaintiff
.

had pr e vaile d upon M is s Ab e rcrom by to ins ur e h e r lif e at

'

di ffe r e nt o ffic e s , w hich sh e h ad don e to th e am ount o f

an d th at s he had att e mpt e d to in s ure in oth e rs to
t h e am ount of but the policies w e re r ej e cte d S he .

h ad no m on e y to p ay the pr em ium T he m on e y w as s up .

p li e d by the laintiff out of a lo an , and on t wo occas ions

t he not es co d b e tr ac e d T he plaint iff or M rs Wai n e
. .

w right always w e nt with h er Th e A ttorn e y Ge n e ral th e n

.
-

d et aile d ins ur an c e on her life f or tw o y ears, and on one

occas ion for three y ears, e ffe ct e d in the I mp eri al, H o e ,
Pallad ium , Pe lic an , an d E agle , f or in th e who e ,
an d m ent ion e d the Alli anc e , and oth e r o ffic es , w ho r e fus e d
the o ffe r Th e .rob ate of her will was s w orn und er
S h e m a e a will in f av o ur o f th e plain tiff, and
as sign e d to him , f o r £ 1 9 1 9 s each , t wo o f th e polic ie s S h e
. .

a ft e r w ard s mad e anoth e r will in f av our o f h er s is t e r M ad e

lin e , which w as now produc e d I t w as c le ar s he w as the .

ins trum e nt o f th e plaintiff I t w as im po s sible to go on

.

ayi ng the pre m ium s, w hi ch w ould am ount y e arly to £ 2 01 .

en the uranc e s w e r e e ff e cte d the oor young lad y

ass ,

w as t ak e n ill an d d ie d o f e at ing oys t e rs he laintiff had .

not b ee n able to pay his s e rv ant s w a es T e re was an ’

g
.

e x e cution in his hous e an d at th at t im e th e young lady

,
w as in p e rfe ct h e alth The A ttorn e y G e n e ral th e n put it
.
-

to the j ury wh e the r it w as oyst e rs or m e di cin e th at c aus e d

t he young lady s d eath an d ob s e rv e d th at M rs Wain e
’
.
,
w right w h e n the young lady w as re co v e ring ou th e
,

T u es d ay th e d ay o f h er d eath aft e r the doctor Was gon e

, , ,

ad m in is t e re d a m e d ic in e
L ord AB I N G E R int e rrupt e d the Attorne y G en eral and -

o bj e cte d to his purs uing that cours e .

T he A TTO R N E Y G E N E R A L cont e nd e d th at if h e could

-
,

s ho w th at M is s A b e rcro mby w as only t he upp e t of the

plaintiff th at the policie s w e r e in fact alPof th em his
, , ,

olicie s an d only fr audule ntly procur e d to b e m ad e out to

,

e r n am e th e n by t he 1 3 th G e o I II
,
c 4 8 th e y w ould b e . .
,
.
,
 APP E N D IX . 3 45

invalid as w ag e rin
po li c ies b e caus e no m an coul d I ns ur e
g ,

the lif e o f a noth e r 1 11 w ho se lif e h e had no int e res t an d it ,

w as not pre te n d e d th at the plainti ff had an y in t e r es t I n thi s

lady s lif T he p arties w e r e guilty o f mi sr epre s enta tion at
’
.

all t h e o ffic es and p arti c ularly at th e o ffic es o f th e d e f e n

,

d ants in conce aling th at s he ha d m ad e oth e r ass urances

, ,
an d on th at a ccount the oli cy w as v o id .

T he ap lic ation to t e B o ard o f O rdn anc e an d the

p
ins uranc e i n v ari ous o ffic e s to the am ount of £ 1 6 000 was ,

prov e d an d als o that the plaintiff or M rs Waine wright

, ,
.
,

acco m p an ie d M iss A b e rcro m by to th e o ffic es an d th at sh e ,

w as r e pr e s e nt e d not to h av e insur e d in oth e r o ffic es an d

v ari ou s r e as ons f or th e in s ur anc e w e r e give n as to e n ab le ,
h e r to b ri ng a law s ui t f or th e r e co v e ry of prop e rty & c ;
-
,
.

an d s o m e o f the b ank not es p ai d for pr e mium s w e r e trac e d

as h av ing co m e from t he p lain tiff or hi s wife an d the ,

e x e cuti on o f ass ignm e nt o f t wo po li c ies to th e p lai ntiff by

t w o di ffe re nt attorn I“ w ho fille d up th e b lank form s I n
o ne cas e pr evi ous ly fil le d up in pe ncilp by the plain tiff w as ,
prov e d . B oth th es e attorn e ys w e re s trange rs to M iss
A b e rcro m by .

Mr E R L E r e plie d and ins is t e d th at th e re w as no frau d

.
,
or mi sre pres e nt ation on the d e fe nd ants T h e y w ell kn e w .
,

as app e ar e d by M r I ngall th e ir a ctu ary s e vi d e nc e th at a

’
,
.

f orm e r as s ur anc e h ad b ee n m ad e y et th e y r es olv e d to gran t

,

t he policy H aving t ak e n th e pr em ium th e y w e re bound

.
,

to f ulfil th e ir contract I t w as no d efe nc e e v e n if M iss

.

A b e rcro mby had b e e n m urd e re d but th at ch arg e w as raise d

,
rej ud i e th e mind s o f th e j ur y If M iss A b e rcro m by
hql pnot k i lle d h e rs e lf d ie d by t h e h and s o f j us t i c e or on
c .

, ,

th e hi gh se as it w as no d e fe nc e if s he h ad b e e n kille d by
,

anybody e ls e ; but the e xam in at ion an d th e e v id e nc e o f D r

L o c o ck w as a co mple t e an s w e r to th at in s inu at ion .

L ord A B I N G E R s aid if a p ar ty w er e to kill hims elf it

, ,
.

w ould b e f raud upon the o ffic e and av o id the policy ev e n, ,

if it w as not s o e x press e d In the po li cy ; but it w ould b e no
d efe nc e to th e o ffic e if the p arty whos e lif e w as as sur e d
w e r e ki lle d by anoth e r p e rs on an d if it h ad b ee n clearl
,

prove d th at the plaintiff had kille d M iss A b e rcrom by st 1 ,

t he o ffic e w o uld hav e to p ay b e c aus e th at w ould b e n o

,
3 46 A PP E ND I X .

f raud in he r . B ut th e r e no pre t e nc e to c all upon the

w as
j ury to find th at w as the c as e N o p ers on could b e con
.

v ict e d on s uch e vid e nc e and he doubt e d w h e th e r h e had

,
not s uff e re d too m uch evi d e nce to b e giv en and r em arks to ,
b e m ad e on th at h ead
, The qu es tion s w e r e w as thi s
.
,

p oli cy bon d fide th e po licy of M iss A b e rcro mby or w as it ,

r e ally the policy of the plaintiff ? I t w as cle ar th at the
t w o olicie s as s ign e d w e r e the po licies o f the plaintiff an d ,

had e e n s o f ro m the b e g inn ing and h e th e r e f or e thought

,
th e y we re v oid ; and the j ury w e re to j udge w h e th e r this
w as bond fid e M is s A b e rcrom by s po licy T he n e x t point
’
.

w as w h e th e r th e r e w as a wilf ul m is re pr ese nt ation

, Mr . .

I ngall co m p lain e d th at sh e h ad not m e nt ion e d o ne insur

anc e an d t h e p laint iff s coun s e l r e m ark e d th at t he d efe u
’
,

d ant s w e r e awar e o f th e form e r as s ur anc e s but th at was ,

not the cas e for tw o oth e r as surance s had b ee n th e n e ffe ct e d
, ,
o f wh ich th e y w e r e not aw ar e T he j ury w e r e to j udg e
.

w h eth e r this w as a mis r e prese nt ation o f s uch a fact as if

know n w ould h av e pre ve nt e d the o ffi c e from as suring I f .

n o t bond fid e the policy o f M iss A b e rcrom by or if a m ate rial ,

misre pres e ntation th e plaintiff co ul d not r e co ve r
,
.

T h e jur y aft e r d e lib e rat ing tw o hou rs se nt out a not e

, ,

th at th e y w e r e s ix to six and not lik ely to agree and ask e d

, ,
if th e p art ies w ould con s ent to w ithdraw a j uror w h ich w as
d on e accord ingly —J uror withdr awn
,

( From the Times , D e e c mb e r 4 th,

C O U RT O F E XC HE Q U E R , WE S T M I NS T E R .

T H U R S D AY , D E C E M B ER 3 RD .

( B efore L ord A B I NG E R an d a S p e c ial J ur y .

)
WA I N E WR I G H T v . B LAN D and A noth e r .

T h is was a n e w trial I t w as an action brought by the

.

lai ntiff, as e x e cutor o f M is s H e le n A b e rcro m by, to r e co v e r

p
f rom the d efend ants the s um o f the valu e o f a
3 48 A PP E N D IX .

e xhibit e d M iss Ab e rcrom by s aid th at s he und e rs tood very

.

little of t he m att e r h e rself but sh e act e d und e r th e ad vi c e

,
o f h e r f rie nd s T he policy w as e ff e ct e d
. If th e dir e ctors .

of the I m p e rial had know n th at M iss Ab e rcromby had in

s ur e d h e r life in oth e r o ffic e s to th e am o unt of
th e y c e rtainly w ould not hav e comple t e d the in sur anc e
without furth e r inquiry .

M iss A b e rcromby s will w as put in by wh ich she left all

’
,
h er prop e rty to h er s is te r an d appoint e d the plai nt iff her
e x e cutor .

J A M E S S TE WA R T an auction e e r prov e d th at h e had b ee n

, ,
in t he h ab it of r e c eiv ing r e nt s f o r s o m e le ase hold an d f re e
hold prop e rty b e longing to M rs A b e rcrom by at M ortlak e . .

T he r ent s am ount e d to £ 1 00 an d th e fr ee hold w as s ub se ,

qu e ntly s old for £ 2 00 .

O n cros s e x am in at ion h e st at e d h e h ad ad v anc e d b e tw ee n

-

£ 40 and £ 5 0 to M rs A b e rcromby f or w h ich h e h ad not

.
,
b ee n p aid .

D r L o co c x o f H ano v e r s u ar e d e po se d th at h e was
.
,
-
,

c alle d upon to att e nd M iss b ercromb y on the 1 6 th o f

D e c em b e r 1 8 3 0
,
H e had see n h e r b efor e an d h ad kno w n
.
,
s o m e p art o f h e r family f o r m any y e ar s H e found h er .

labouring und e r a pr ess ur e o f the brain Upon inquiry he .

,
w as inform e d th at on th e M ond ay r e v iou s s h e had gon e to
the play an d s upp e d on oys t e rs amf bottle d port e r on the
T u es d ay sh e w e nt ag ain to th e play an d got w e t f e e t with , ,

w hich s h e s at during the e v e ni ng O n h e r r e turn she at .

fi rs t r efus e d to t ake s upp er but on b e ing presse d ate ,

h eartily again of oys t e rs and bottle d porte r The c ircum .

s tanc e s account e d f or th e pre s s ur e on t h e brain H e w as

‘

told th at she had t ake n a black draught and he gav e h er ,

s uch m e d ic in e as h e thought n e c es s ary T h is tre atm e nt .

d id not ab at e th e ress ure an d h e cupp e d h e r ,

The illn e ss .

cont inu ed and s e w as finally s e iz e d w ith conv ulsions

, ,

w hi ch e nd e d in he r d e ath H e att e nd e d a po s t m ort e m

.
-

e x amin at ion an d found se rum

,
on the brai n w hich he ,

thought account e d f or the d eath The laintiff app eare d .

an x ious to h av e t he body op e n e d and t e frie nd s o f th e ,

d e c eas e d app eare d to p ay her e v e ry atte ntion

C ro ss e x amin e d —S u ffusion on th e br ain might b e pro
.

-
.
 A PP E N D IX . 3 49

d uced by e x c ess iv e v o mitin g but it w as m or e lik ely to

o cc as ion t he burs t in g o f a b lood v e s s e l H e had not w it .

ne ss e d th e e x ami n ation o f th e s tom ach o f any p e rs on w ho se

d eath h ad be e n occas ion e d by v e ge tab le po is on , whi ch was
m os t difficult to d e t e ct H e s aw noth in g whi ch le d him to
.

s u po s e th at M iss A b e rcro mb y s d eath w as occas ion e d by

’
p
p oi s on .

E D WA RD H A N K s , rge on s apoth e cary confirm e d the

a su
’
,

e vi d e nc e o f D r L o co ck as to the n ature o f M iss A b e r

.

c ro mb y s di seas e T h e r e w as nothin g in th e s tat e of the

’
.

s to mach to c au se a s u sp ic ion o f f oul p lay .

Thi s w as the plaint iff s cas e

’
.

T h e A TTO R N E Y G E N E R A L f or th e d efe nd ant s cont e nd e d

-
, ,

th at hi s cli ents w e re e ntitle d to a v e rd ict on t w o ground s

firs t th at Miss A b ercromby and M rs Wain e wright had m ad e
,
.

f als e s t at e m e nts to th e in s uranc e o ffic e and s e cond ly th at , ,

M iss A b e rcromby h ad no inte r es t in t h e policy w hi ch w as
e ff e ct e d f or the b e n e fit o f W ain e wright w h ich w as contrary ,

to t he s tatute of the 1 4 th o f G eo I II cap 4 8 Aft e r . .

,
. .

s tat ing th at the w hole tran sact ion w as o f a m o s t s u sp ic iou s

n ature he sai d th at Wain e wright had left this country and
, ,

th e re w as good r eas on to b eli eve w oul d n ev e r agai n r e turn

t o it .Th e learn e d g e ntleman th e n calle d th e f o llo win g
e vid e nc e
M r R I C H ARD M M AR S HA L L a cle rk in th e O rdn ance
. .
,

O ffic e produc e d a le tt e r s ign e d by M iss A b e rcom b y ciate d

, ,

A ugus t 1 83 0 s t ating th at now she h ad attain e d the age o f

, ,

2 1 s h e was “
totally un prov id e d f or an d r e qu es tin g the ”
,
c ont inu anc e o f h e r p e n sion o f 1 0 a y ear w hi ch sh e e nj oy e d -
,

as t he d aughte r of an o ffic e r H e als o produc e d an af fid avit

.

s w orn at t h e s am e p e riod by M is s A b e rcro m by s t ating th at ,

s he w as “
totally unprovid e d f or The p e ns ion w as .
”

grant e d in 1 8 1 2 .

N IC H O LA S C R U T E actuary to th e Pallad ium I n s uranc e

,
'

O ffice d e po s e d th at on th e 23 rd o f M arch M r W ain e wright

, ,
.

m ad e an appli ca tion at th at o ffic e to e ff e ct an ins ur anc e on

the lif e of M iss A b e rcromby The ins ur anc e w as comple t e d
.

on the 2 oth of A pril f ollo wi ng f or f or thr e e y ea rs .

Th e premium was £ 3 9 and s t am p £ 4 I nqui ry w as m ad e

,
.

as to the obj e ct of the I ns uranc e and M rs Wain ewright s aid ,

.
3 50 A PP E ND IX .

it was to raise m on e y to e nable th em to ge t possession o f

prop e rty w hich w oul d fall in wi thin thr e e ye ars Miss .

A b e rcro m by w as pr ese nt als o M is s A b ercromby b eing .

as k e d the obj e ct of t he ins uranc e re plie d th at sh e h ad b e e n , ,

told it w as prop e r f or h er to do it O n the 1 8 th of D e ce m .

b er th e p e rs on wh o had b ef or e ap e ar e d as M iss E lle n

A b ercro m by and upon w ho se lif e t e ins uranc e had b ee n
,

e ff e ct e d c am e again to the offic e in com pany with t wo

, ,

ladi es . H e is s ur e of t he d at e of the 1 8 th b e c au se h e re ,

c e iv e d a s um o f m on e y at th at t im e w hi ch he w as count ,
ing an d left on s e e ing M iss A b e rcrom by
,
H e w e nt to he r .
,
“
an d s aid ,M is s A b e rcrom by I b eliev e ? S he r e pli e d , ,
“
Y es E lle n S he wis h e d to kno w th e form o f as s ignme nt
”
.
,

o f olicies He told h er he had no s uch f orm in the o ffice

. .

H o M As K I R K an attorn e y d e po se d th at an as s ignme nt
, ,
of t he policy in the Pallad ium w as w ritte n by him ov e r a
draft wr itt e n in p e nc il wh ich w as brought to him by a
,

lady calling h e rs e lf M iss A b e rcrom by S he c am e alon e . .

H e had n e v e r s ee n he r b efore S he c am e on the 1 4th o f .

D e c em b e r 1 8 3 0
L ord A B I N G E R —
.
,

The las t witn ess m us t h ave mi s tak e n

.

t he d ay w h e n he s aw M iss Ab e rcrom by th e s e cond t ime .

S he w as dyin g on the 1 8 th o f D e c emb e r .

M r G R U T E -M y L ord I c annot b e mis tak e n on the

. .
,
po int I can pro ve it w as the 1 8 th b y the e ntry which I
.

m ad e in the books of th e m on e y I r e c ei v e d
T H O M A S K I R K continu e d hi s e vid enc e —
.

T h e r e w as s om e .

writ ing in ink as w ell as in p e ncil in the dr aught of the

ass ignm e nt .

M r C O R N WA L L rov e d th at the wri ting in ink was in

.

Wain e wright s han wr iting ’

.

T h e as signm e nt was r ead and it ap peare d th at the con ,

s id e rat ion giv e n for t he assign me nt o f the inte r es t in th e
policy f or £ 1 9 1 9 3 .

M O N K H O U S E TA TE se cre tary to the Pelic an O ffic e

, ,

d e po s e d th at on th e 2 5 th of S ept em b e r 1 8 3 0 a proposal , ,

w as m ad e by Wain e w right to e ffe ct an ins uranc e in th at

O ffic e on the life o f M is s A b e rcromby for for tw o
y ears O n the first of O ctob e r M rs Waine wright and M iss
. .

Ab ercromby c ame and M iss Ab e rcromby s t at e d th at a

,
3 52 A PP E N D IX .

No . T he o ffic e kno wing that to b e untru e , d e clin e d

e ffe cting th e in s ur anc e .

R O B E R T R I C KA R D S , a cle rk in the H op e Offi c e , d e po s e d

th at on the 1 5 th of O ctob e r, 1 8 3 0, Miss Ab e rcromby and
M rs Wain e wrigh t c am e to th at O ffic e an d m ad e a propo sal
.

f or f or tw o y e ar s M iss A b e rcrom by app ear e d b efor e

.

th e m e d ic al O ffic e r on the 1 9 th of t he sam e m onth , w as

acc e pt e d , an d the po licy w as e ff e ct e d on th e 2 7 th .

J A M E S B I R D , an attorn e y, d e os e d, th at on the 1 3 th of
D e c em b e r M rs Waine wright an M is s A b e rcro mby c am e to
.

him . H e had s e e n M rs Waine wright t w o or thr ee t imes

.

b e for e , but h ad n e v e r don e bus in e ss f or her M rs VVain e . .

wright s aid sh e had a li tt le j ob f or him , an d produc e d a

f orm o f an assignm e nt , wh ich s he said s he h a d l ro cure d
f ro m th e H op e I ns uranc e O ffic e , an d which she wis e d him h
to fill 11 H e fi lle d up the ins tr ume nt at th e d ict at ion of
M rs . ain e wright Miss A b ercrom by took no p art in the
.

proc e ed ings H e s aid h e s hould like to see the consid e ra

.

t ion m on ey p aid M rs Waine wright said th ey

. .

w ou ld s e ttle th at po int wi th M r Wai n e wri ght M iss A b e r

. .

c ro m by m e rel S ign e d h e r n am e H e kn e w M is s Ab e r
.

cro m b y s m o t e r S h e le t a r e ady -furnish e d hou s e at

’
.

M ortlak e, an d she told w itn ess it w as all th e prop erty sh e

h ad to d ep e nd upon .

M r B AR B E R B E A U M O N T, m an agi ng d ire ctor o f th e Pro

.

v id e nt C o m p any, r e m e m b e r e d M is s A b e rcro mby co mi ng to

th at o ffice on th e 1 9 th of O ctob e r, accom p ani e d by M r and .

M rs W aine wright M iss A b e rcro m by m ad e a propo s al to

.

in s ur e h e r lif e f o r f or tw o y e ars T h e propo s al w as.

a cc e pt e d s om e d ays aft e r ward s , but the oli cy w as not com

p le te d, and it n e v e r was ap lie d f or is s A b e rcrom by was

.

a r em ark ab ly h ealthy an d i an d s o m e g irl .

L EE S T, an attorn e y, o f T ook s -court , C hanc e ry-lan e ,

’

d e po s e d th at on the 1 3 th of D e c emb e r, 1 8 3 0, h e w as applie d

to to m ake M iss A b ercrom by s will by Miss A b ercrom by
’

h e rs elf H e h ad n ev er s een h er b efore S he c am e about

. .

1 2 or 1 o clock, an d gav e ius tructi ons S he c alle d again

’
.

about 2 , and t wo fair cop ie s w e re m ad e b he r d esir e S he .

g av e v erb al instruction s S he exe cut e both wi lls, and

.

took th e m away .
 APP E N D IX . 353

F RA N CI S S L O KUM a clerk to the las t witn es s s aid th at

, , ,
a ccordi n g to the b es t o f his r e co lle ct ion Mis s A b e rcro m by , ,
w h e n sh e cam e to e x e cut e the will s ai d sh e w as go ing abro ad , .

B E N J A M I N S TO D A RT w as calle d but d id not an s w e r , .

D R A KE a cle rk in th e hous e o f J on es L oyd an d C o

, , ,
.
,
d e po se d that a b ill of e x change was pr es e nt e d at th at hous e
on the 2 8 th of S e t emb e r 1 8 3 0 T he bill was paid in ,
.

not es ( wh ich w e r e s own to the witn e s s and ide ntifi e d by

CALL prov e d th at th e r e c eipt on th e b ack of the
O R NW
bill w as in the hand w ritin g of M rs Waine wri ght . .

M r D R A KE s ai d the b ill was draw n on the 2 4th and w as

.
,
p ayable at sight .

M r T A T E w as r e c alle d and prov e d th at t wo of the note s

.
,

w h ich th e las t witn ess id e ntifi e d as h aving b ee n p aid to

M rs W ain e wright w e r e p aid by Miss A b ercrom b f o r the
.

pre m iu m on th e in suranc e e ff e cte d in the Pelican ffice .

M r I N G A L E w as r e c alle d and gav e sim ilar evi d e nc e Wi th

.
,

r es p e ct to the note s re c e iv e d from M is s A b e rcrom by for the

pr emi um on the policy e ffe cte d in the I m p e rial O ffic e .

M r C O R NWA L L d e pose d that the n ame of Wain ew right

.

w as wri tt e n in Wain ewright s h and w ritin g upon o ne of t he

’

not es re ce iv e d by M rs Wain ewright fro m J on es Lloyd and

.
, , ,

Co . Th e wi tn ess s tat e d th at he is an attorn e y and was

, ,
conce rn e d for M r S harpus of C ockspur s tre e t a d e ale r in
.
,
-
,
crock e ry M r S harp us had p e cunia ry d e alings wi th Wain e
. .

w right and on sev e ral occ asion s applie d to Wi tn e ss to pro

,

cur e pay me nt s from Wain e wright I n J uly 1 8 3 0 M r .

, , .

S harpus h eld tw o s e curitie s fr om Wain e wright o n e a w arr ant ,

o f attorn e y an d th e oth e r a b ill o f sale T he w arr ant o f

C lark 0 ( th e J udgm e nt
,
.

attorn e y w as produc e d by M r .
,
O ffic e ) Th e con sid e ration f or the w arrant o f attorn ey w as
.

£6 1 0 .T h e b ill o f s ale w as produc e d and id e ntifie d by th e

wi tn ess I t w as pr e par e d on th e 8 th o f J uly 1 8 3 0 an d w as
.
, ,

f or th e w ho le furn itur e and e ff e ct s in Wain e wright s hous e

’
.

B y t he warran t the m on e was p ay ab le in A ugu s t 1 83 0 , ,

w h e n Waine wright ap li e for tim e T his w as acc e d e d to .
,
upon Waine wri ght ing an affid avit th at h e h ad g iv e n no
othe r se curi ty to any pe rs on and p aym e nt w as postpon ed ,

to the 2 l s t of D e c emb er Witn es s saw Wain e wright w h e n

.

2 A
3 54 A PP E ND IX .

M is s A b ercrom by w as lying d ead , an d Wain e wright wis h e d

p aym e nt to b e again os t n ed M r S harp us obj e ct e d ,
. .

an d Waine wrigh t c alle in t e ev e ning o th e s am e day, an d f

produce d tw o will s of M iss Ab e rcrom by s Waine wright
’
.

r ead one will, which w as prep are d by M r e es t Wain e . L .

w right s aid th e oth e r w as a will in fav our o hi ms e lf an d f

M rs Wain e wri ght ; the n ame o o ne o f the att esting witn ess es
. f
to the s e cond will w as M r Waine w right, an attorn e y o
. f
Furnival s I nn The d ate o both wills w as e ith e r the 1 3 th
’
. f
or 1 4 th o D e cemb e r Th e witn es s m ad e s om e r emark as
f .

to the singularity o hi s h aving t wo will s Wain ewright

f .

re li e d in e ffe ct, th at the re as on w as , th at if o n e will

f a e d, th e oth e r w ould do udgme nt w as e nt e re d
. J
th e w arr ant o f attorn e y, and e e cut ion s u e d out x .

W ho le o th e d e bt and co s ts w e r e p aid in
f anuary, 1 8 3 1 , J
without a sale .

M is s A b e rcro mby s w ill w as p ut in an d Waine wr ight s

’ ’

affid a i t upon s uing out prob at e , in w h ich h e s wore th at her

v
w hole p rop e rty was und e r t he v alu e o £ 1 00 f .

S e e ral tr ad e sm e n o T urnh am Gr e e n, wh e r e Wain e wright

v f
res id e d ( includ ing a b ak e r, a o ce r, a butch e r, an d a coal
d eale r), rov e d th at at t he e n o 1 8 3 0 an d the b e ginni ng
f
o 1 8 3 1 , ain ewrig ht w as ind ebt e d to th em ind ividually f or
f
goods s upplie d to him T he y h ad n ev e r be e n able to
.

obtain p aym e nt rom him u to the pre sent m om ent

f .

T his w as the c ase f or th e e fe nc e .

Mr E R L E h aving re plied ,
.

L ord A B I N G E R s umm e d up th e ev id enc e and told the ,

j ury it was f or th em to d e t e rmin e wh e th e r mi srepresenta
tion had b ee n employe d by M iss A b ercromb and her
fri e nds wh en the ins ur anc e w as e ff e ct e d in t he efe ndant s ’

offi c e and als o w h e th e r the ins uranc e had b e e n mad e for

,
th e b e n e fit o f Waine wright in contrave nti on o f the st atut e .

The cas e w as pre gn ant with s u spicion I t was n e c e ss ary to

.

c on sid e r f or a m o m e nt w h e th e r m urd e r had b ee n co mmitt e d

( sup osing th at qu es tion h ad b ee n rais e d ) b e c au se that

w o up
,
d not prevent the e x e cutor s from re co ve ring provi d e d ,

th at th e in suranc e had b e e n e ffe ct e d bond fide on he r b eh alf .

H is Lo rdshi di r e cte d the att ention of the j iuy to th e e x

tarordinary act of the youn g lady h aving e ff e ct e d the in
 I D E X .

A b ch H n 2 8
a ,
a s, And n M B ris te r 3 47
e rs o , r .
, ar ,
Abb tt M W 81
o ,
r . .
, An l y M
es e G 1 21 1 6 0
,
rs . eo .
, ,

A b r m by Li ut
e rc o u ,
e .
, x xv Ang t in M 1 7 3 1 85 28 3
e rs e , r .
, , ,

A b r mby M
e c ro xx ii xxviii ,
rs .
,
v , , Ant ni M 1 56 2 06 208
o o, .
, , ,
xxix xxx iii xxxi X1 li
,
v , x, , , A r bin M S rj nt l i
a ,
r . e ea , x v
lx ii v ,
Ari t 2 1 45 1 85
os o , , ,

A b r m by H l n F n
e c ro ,
e e ra ce s Arn ld G rg e
a , 1 23 eo ,
Ph b oe n xxi x xxxix xlii
e ,
xxv , , , , Arnd t 2 43 ,
xli l xl i xl ii x l iii 1 li
v, x v , v , v ,
v , , , A ne D
r 78,
r .
,

1 iii lxx ii 3 3 7 3 3 9 3 40 3 41
v ,
v , , , , , A i to tle 3 1 1
r s ,
3 43 , 344, 3 46 , 3 47 , 3 48 , 3 49 , A tkin n M B ing hall S tre e t
so ,
r .
, as ,

A b r r mby M d l in e
e c o n ,
a e e , xx v ,
A ud e b e rt , V . 116
,

xxx XXX I X xlii l xl iii xlix

, , , ,
v , , Audran B 2 2 20
liii l ii li
,
lx iii lx ix lxx iii
v ,
x, v , ,
v ,

lxxxi 3 43 3 44 3 45
, , , B c n L d 2 49
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or ,

A b n thy D 9 4
er e , r .
, B ily E H 2 63
a , . .
,

A bing r Lor d li lx iii lxix

e , , x, v , , B n din lli B i 200 226 25 0
a e ,
ac c o , , ,
33 7 , 3 44, 345 , 3 46 , 35 0, 3 5 4 B i F 1 61 1 7 4 1 88
aro cc o , .
, , ,
A c h , J o hn V an , 1 0 B r tt G 1 25
a re , .
,

A n
c h es o , M r , o li i o r, liii , liv , . S ct B t li S ut 1 83 207 208
ar o , a e , , ,

l l ii
v, v B t lom F 1 88 200 233
ar o e o, ra , , ,

A c kl n d a S ir T , 2 3 6 , 23 7
,
. B rt n B n rd xxx
a o , n er a , , xxx v ,
Ad lung
e ,
J C , 22 4 . . lxxi x
E s c hylus , 221 Bart h A 42 47 22 1 28 4 287
sc , .
, , , ,
E s op, 8 B tty C t 1 1 1
a , a .
,

g as s e , J L , I 5 7 . . B an
ass nd o 1 6 1 253
o, ea r , ,
Alb n a o, B tti J 7 1
ea e,
A lb t i Ch rubino
er ,
e , B um nt S i G 1 6 3
ea o ,
r .

Ald n M B n lxiii
e rs o ,
r . ar o , B um nt nd Fl t h r 3 22
ea o a e c e ,
All n S i Willi m P R S A
a ,
r a , . . . B h y S i W 1 20
e ec e ,
r .
,
R A 1 53
. B th n 1 41
ee ov e ,
All n M Gran t 33 7
a , r .
, B lz ni G B xx i 1 05
e o , . .
, v ,

A ll g i A d C 1 7 4
e r , . a .
, B ntl y M Ri h d i
e e , n r . c ar ,
x , x11 , ii
A lt f e
or Albe t 285 r, r , Be t nr a Battista 1 9 8
o, ,
3 58 DEX
IN .

Be wick 1 9 4 ,
Byron L rd , o , 1 5 2,
Bia Fanny
s, 1 41 29 3, 321
B ie lfie ld , M r ,
,

ev o n, 2 36
. D
B is h o p, S ir H R , 77 . C ad e ll M Publi he r 1 55
,
r .
, s ,
B land , Mc
i hae l, 3 3 7 , 3 46 C sa 8
ae r,
B t L
le ss ing o n, a d y , l vii xx C ll tt S i A W 1 6 3 25 1
a co ,
r .
,
B loe mart , A , 28 5 . C amoe n 3 s,
B o ccac io , 2 , 3 3 amp n ll A 23 2 a e a, .
,

B t
ock ho l , F V o n , 285 . C mp i Giuli 1 9 8
a , o,
B t
oh e , Mr , o o k se lle ,
. B r C r g li G 206
a a o, .
,
6 9 , 7 0, 1 9 6 C rlyl T xxi
a e, .
, v
B o le y ,n A nne , 22 2 C p nt M M S 1 2 8
ar e e r, rs . . .
,
B n
o lo g a , G io d i, 285 C rr Re 1 7 9
a , v. ,
B o log n a, J o h d i, 2 23 n C rac i A 55 56 1 81 202
ar c , .
, , , , 2 2(,
B onas o ni, 40, Ca r vag g io ,
'
M A de , 1 88 , 220,
é3g
. .

1 5 6 , 206 ,
B o ne , H e niy , R A 1 48, 1 6 1 , 26 3 C tullu 3
'
. . a s,
B t
o nm o , E g o m e t , ii , x x xiv, 1X, xx C h l n J 1 56 25 0 26 2
a o , , ,

xx
l i ii, 1 , 5 , C h l n A E 89 1 56
a o , . .
, ,

1 07 Ch n a S i F nci L R A r ra s .
, .

B o o s e y , M r , P ublish e r, 21 6 , 21 7
. 1 1 0 48 25 1 , ,
Br r
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36 0 DEX
IN .

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Fre J aco , 23 2 . Guido , 47 , 202
Ful e r, J o hn, 3 22 Guis e ppino , 2 20
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F s e li , e n y , xi x , liv , l vi, 5 4, xx
6 9 , 9 0, 9 1 , 9 3 , 1 2 0, 1 3 2 , 1 43 , H fiza M , 3 , .

1 46 , 1 49 , 1 50, 1 5 7 , 1 6 4, 1 7 2, H ak e w ill J 1 1 1 ,

1 7 4, 1 7 8 , 1 9 9 , 200, 202 , 2 25 , H t A r
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228 , 229 , 2 52, 28 7 H t
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H t
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Gain s b o roug h m as , 1 5 4 ,
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.

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Gallo , as iano S an , 227 H ard e nb urg h , V o n , 2 1 3 , 27 6
Gand y , 1 2 1 , 1 2 8 , 1 45 H r
a ris , W A , 2 3 7 .

r
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r
G as pa , 28 5 H t C t
as ing s , ap , 1 6 3 .

G e org I I I x e .
, H u t
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G r ut Eng ra e r 23 3
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t
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, Barri te r s 33 8
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O
ld s mith , liv e r, X , x ii, xvi, Xli, H e io d 22 1
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s ,

1 21 H e yn z , 285
G olt z ius , 1 0, 1 83 , 200, 285 H t
il o n , 9 3 , 1 28 , 1 5 0, 1 56 , 21 8
Graham, M r , Sur g e o n , 2 42
. 261
r t C u t xxx
G am mo n , o n , H o fl and T C , 1 28 , . .

t
Gran , S ir W , 85 . H t
o ls , V an, liv
r tt n H rr t t
G a a , a ie , Wi n e s s , 3 40 H r
o me ,

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G ey o d, 9 4
,
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Gro s e , ap , 221 . H oo k , T
he o d ore , 3 1 8
Gri ffi s , A nn, see Wainewrig ht ,
th H o w ard , H
e nry , 1 50, 1 53 , 1 5 7,
M rs T ho m as
.

r th x
G i ffi s , M rs , x i i , iii . H ulmand e l and H arding ,
111
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Griffi hs , G e o d ward , x v , x vi, . Hunt L , e ig h , xxx 26 v, , 2 7, 1 25 ,
x x
vii, xx x xxx xxx
viii, i , iii, viii, 2 04, 3 1 8
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li, l ii, l i , 3 3 6 H rtu s Mr , 284
Griffi s , Ralph, LL D , ix , X , x i,
.

th . .

Xi i,x x
i i i, x v , v ii, I ng all, Mr Witn . e ss , 338, 3 453 ,

337 3 53
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, 1 19, 1 5 1 , Li n l 1 6 0
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1 6 0, 25 0 Lint n W 1 20
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.

n
J ohnso , D r S , ix , . . x ,
x1 1 , x x x n , Li t n J hn 81 88 1 08
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x li , 1 6 6 , 3 21 L k xiii
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J o e s , ap , 1 5 0C t . l iii 1 i lx iii 3 3 8 3 39 340
v , xv , v , , ,

J ouillain , 229 L ng hi 21 0
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Luini B n rdi n 232 28 4
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Kant 27 6 ,
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K ean C harle s J 21 8 3 2 33
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K t J ohn 1 2 4 1 5 9 1 6 6 1 7 4 M r dy W C xxx l 7 4
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a nd Nic h o ls o n, A p o th e ant n ov a 1 98 o, a o,
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,
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arra 1 5 8 202 228 , a o, , ,

Kn re lle , S ir G o df e y , 5 0 r M h ll M r R M Witn
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1 3 2 1 33 1 46 1 6 0 1 6 1
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a , a es, x x i, xxi v, xx x , M rd R ph l U b in Em
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xxx i xxx ii v ,
v , xl, 1xx vi , lxx v ii , g a r 2 08 23 3
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a r o a e e,
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L amb ,M is s , 23 2, 3 1 3 M k n I r l n 285
ec e , s ae va ,
L rt M
a nc e o ns , 3 2 , 2 29
. M d i i L nz di
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x x v,
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a d se e , iss , 1 1 8 , 1 5 4 M dl nd T Eng r r 1 2 1 55
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L r E
an d s ee , S ir dwin , 1 1 6 1 1 7, , M phi t hi l 1 5 1 7 1 8 1 9
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1 22 , 1 28 1 50, 1 9 4 , M et y e M i i xiii
ar ss , x ,

L an e , S , 1 6 1 . M iddim n S mu l 1 1 1 a , a e ,

L n nc
a f ra o , G , 1 88, 202 . M ich l Ang l ae xxi 3 58 e o, xx ,
v, , ,

L ng ton B nn t xxx ii
a , e e , 1 12 , 1 40, 1 45 , 1 46 , 1 47 , 1 5 0,
L nté 83
a ,
1 51 , 1 6 6 , 1 7 0, 1 71 , 1 78, 1 87 ,
L w n S i Th m i
a re ce , r o as , x x , l xx vi, 1 9 7 , 206 , 2 1 0, 2 1 3 , 22 4, 225 ,

3
85 , 86 , 1 43 , 1 47 , 1 5 1 , 1 56 , 1 5 8 , 26 , 23 2, 25 2, 25 9 , 303 , 3 06 ,
25 0 15
L ee , N at , 3 . M ic he l, J B , 2 44, 3 15 . .

L t
e e s , M r , Wi e s s , 352 , 35 4
. tn M ie ri s , F , 1 85 .

Le s lie , C R , 1 59 . M ig na d , N , 202r .

V
L e ailla nt
d e Flo rival, P E , 1 1 6 . . M illin , 221 , 3 00
3 62 IN DEX .

M illing e n, 1 1 2 , 221 P aus anias 1 46 ,

t
M il o n, 2 , 8 , 5 1 , 1 06 , 26 5, 3 1 5 Pay ne and FO S S M e s srs ,
. 1 39
M r
o lie e . 8 Pe rig ai A 1 48 , .
,

M t
o l e no , M r 1 9 8 , 232, 284 . Pe rie r 224 ,

M o ntaig ne , 2 45 P e rino 2 85 ,

M r
oo e , T o m , 6 0 P e rug ine Pie tro 2 7 3 , ,
M r
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a l, 2 36 P e rug ino 220 ,

M o rg h e n , G E , 1 5 1 . . P e ruzz i B 220 ,
.
,
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M o o n, Ed w , x vi, lx i . x x xx P e trarch 3 3 1 5 , ,

M t
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, ,

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. .
, 8 5 , 86 ,
M iille r, 21 0 88 9 4, 9 5 , 1 2 3 , 1 45 ,
, 1 5 1 , 1 5 2,
M ii lle r, T S , ng av e , 292
'

. . E r r 1 6 0, 1 63 , 2 50
M rea d y, W illiam , R A , 9 4, 1 49 , ic ar , 2 2 0 t
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,
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sc e r, t
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N ich l M Witn Po lo ck , S ir F , 338, 3 43, 3 44, 3 47
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,
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iqu t E ng r e r 2 33
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N m nb y L d xxx i
or a , or , v P o p e , 1 38 , 1 9 3
N t h t S i S t ff d 23 6
or co e , r a or tt
P o e r, Paul, 233
N 0 1 tmo te , J ame s , 1 5 1 , 1 5 2, 2 3 7 .
,
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P o us em , 5 0, 1 1 5 , 1 33 , 1 40, 1 41
25 1 1 83 , 1 9 9 , 2 26 , 2 33 , 25 8, 2 63, 28 5
N o valis , see H ard e nb urg h v o n P o v o r, aj o , l M
vii r xx
Price , M iss , x xx
'

O llie r, e ss s M r
x x i, lx x , 2 1 3 , 272 Primatacc io , F anc e s o , 1 45 , r c 1 83
O N e ill,
’
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is s , 22, 26 6 1 9 8 , 207 , 2 8 5
O pie , J o n , R A , 23 7 h . . Pro c e r,t an Walle r, B iv , xx xxx
O s tad e , 2 3 7 xxxvi, 4 224, 3 1 5 , 3 1 7 , 318
tt
O le y , Willia m o ng , 1 8 1 Yu 3 24
O vid , 2 05 P ye , J o h , 1 1 1 n
O we n , William, R A 88, 1 43, .

1 45 , 1 51 , 1 6 0, 2 3 7 , 250 Rac ine , 3

R ap hae l d U rbino, 3 , 1 2 , 51 , 58
’

P ae r F 1 41 ,
.
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Pale y W 26 2 , .
, 1 83 , 1 8 7 , 1 9 3 , 1 9 7 , 1 9 8 , 200
P alm a The Y o ung e r , ,
1 81 206 , 2 20, 2 2 1 , 23 3 2 52, 2 58
Pao lo M 220 ,
. 3 06 , 51 5
Parme g iano 1 40, 1 45 , 1 5 6 , 1 7 4, , R e mbrand , 5 0, 5 1 , 5 2, 5 4, 1 1 5 t
1 84, 1 88 , 206 , 2 07 , 28 5 , 3 1 5 1 40, 1 60, 1 8 4, 2 02 , 25 3, 285
t
Pa as , Palais Ro yal, 208
3 64 I ND EX.

Sr
Talf o urd , M r e j e a n , xi x , iii, . t xx V in i c , L D . a,
xx viii, xxx xx
iii, l iii, l iv, l vi, xx xx
lxxx Vinkb o o m s , e rr, xx 1 1 , x x iV, lx H
T ass ie , 2 1 0, 224, 2 9 6 , 29 8 x
l xiv , 1 6 4, 1 6 5 ,
T as s o , 3 , 2 00, 2 1 2 , 21 4 23 7 25 0, 258 , 3 04
.

T t M hu
a e, M r to nk o s e , Wi ne s s ,
. V r
iv a e s , F 1 42 .

3 5 0, 3 5 3 V o l ato G ,
1 51 , 1 87 , 21 0, 225,
, . B .

T H
ay lo r an d M r e ss e y , e ss s 1 63 . 2
Ta ylo r, Willia m, 1 92 V t
o l a ire , 3
T r T
aylo , h o m as , 22 4 V tr
o l e ra , D d e , 23 2 .

T e nie rs , 2 3 7
T e rry , M rs , 1 2 2 . Wag ne r 13 ,

T c r xxx
ha k e ay , W M vi . . Wa ine wrigh t , ho mas Gri ffi h s ,
T t
T B r
h e s ig e r, M r , a rris te , 33 8, 3 47 . x v, x xx
vi i i , x ix , ,
x xi1 , x x ii,
i
T h o m as s inus , P , 207 . xx
iv, XXV , xx xx v i, viii , xi , x x
T H nr
ho m s o n , e y, R A , 1 53 . . xxx xxx
, xxx
ii, iii, vi , xxx
T ho m so n, M r 26 3 . xxx x x
viii, x l, x h1 , liii, lvi, lvii , x
T x xx
h o rn ury , W , l viii, l i 2 6 . , x
lviii , x x li , li, lii , lii i, liv, lV,
T n
ib aldi, Pe lle g ri o , 1 46 , 28 5 lVi , lvii, lv iii, lx , lx i lx ii, l iii, , x
Tie c k , L 2 43 x x x x
l iv , lx v , l vi, l vii, l vi ii , l i , xx
T trt
in o e to , 1 7 3 , 1 77 , 1 7 9 , 1 80, xx xx xx
lx x , l ii, l iii, l iv , l v, xx
1 81 , 22 0, 25 4, 2 85 xx xx x xxx
l vi , lxx v n , l i , l , l x i, xx
T n
is c hb e i , 221 , 3 00 1 15 , 3 2 4, 3 3 5, 3 3 7 , 3 3 9 , 3 40,
Tt n
i ia , 58 8 3 , 9 2, 1 1 5 , 1 40, 1 5 1 ,
, 3 41 , 3 44, 3 45 , 3 46 , 3 49 , 3 5 2 ,
1 5 8 , 1 7 7 , 1 8 1 , 1 8 4, 1 8 8 , 2 20, 353 , 3 5 4
23 3 , 253 , 25 4, 2 85 Waine wrig ht , M rs h om as G rif . T
T n
h orvalds e , 1 5 0 fi th s , viii xx iii XIV, lvi, , xxx x
Tr M x x
,

e e, is s , 8 0 lviii, li, liii, lix , lx i, l viii,

T rip h o o k M r , o o k s e lle r, 208
, . B l xxxi, 9 6 , 3 3 5 , 3 3 8 , 3 3 9 , 3 40,
Tu n r
r e , 46 8 7 , 8 9 , 1 1 1 , 1 1 2 , 1 1 6 ,
,
3 41 , 3 44, 3 45 , 3 47 , 3 49 , 3 50,
1 20, 1 41 , 1 43 , 1 44, 1 88, 2 5 1 3 5 1 , 3 53 , 3 55
W aine w rig ht , M r T ho mas , x iv, X .

U dino 1 82 ,
W aine wrig ht, M rs ho m as , iii . T x
U tt n E 8 4
e rs o , . XV, x vi
Waine wrig ht, Ro be , viii, l i ii rt xx x
V nd k 83 1 43 1 58 2 85 W aine wrig ht , mi t and Gi a d , S h ru
V ng f i n M J u ti lxiii
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220 266 ,
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,

Virgi l 8 ,
Watt eau , 3 2, 33 , 8 3 , 1 1 2, 229 , 28 5
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xxxi xxxix
, lx , , xl ,
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lxxiii 23 Wie land C M 201 . . .
, ,
243
2 5 , 3 1 , 3 4 60, 6 5 , 6 9 83 , 84, 86 ,
. , Wilkie S ir D avid R
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.

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23 8, 2 41 , 2 43 , 2 44, 2 45 , 2 49 , Wille s, W , 1 28 .

25 4, 2 59 , 2 6 2 , 2 6 9 , 2 7 4, 2 7 8, n
Wils o , R , R A , 1 1 6 , 1 41
. . .

2 79 , 3 02, 3 03 , 3 04, 3 08 , 3 09 , t
W ilm o , S ir J o hn a dle y, Er
3 1 8 , 32 1 r
W o o db u n, 1 9 8 , 2 08 , 28 4
W e lling o n,t Du
ke o f , 9 4 r th xx
W o d s wo r , , 3 6 , 46 , 1 3 8, 1 5 9 ,
We dg e woo d , x i, 23 9 , 3 05
We st , B , 1 5 8
. W o uve rmans , P , 23 3 , 25 1 .

W e s all, W , 8 3 , 1 2 4, 1 42
t .

t
We s all, R , x ix , l vi, 1 43 ,
. xx Y un g l
o , vi i
1 5 0, 1 7 9 , 1 80, 1 8 6 , 25 2 , 253 ,
25 5 Zing el 2 85 ,

We st m aco t t, S ir R , 263 .

B OW D EN ,
H UD S ON A ND CO I
P R NT E R S , R ED L IO N S T R E ET, H O L B OR N .