1831.] REVIEW.-Devonshire and Cornwall Illustrated. history to the year 1752, with the History of the different States. The second Book continues the History of the American Colonies from the Commencement of the French War in 1756, to the Declaration of Independence, detailing minutely all the circumstances which led to that important result. It was, indeed, as Mr. Hinton ob serves, « A decisive hour when a new empire, of a character the most extraordinary, sprang into being. The world has known no rest since this grand confederacy took her rauk among the nations of the earth. Her example infused a power into the principles of liberty which for nearly two centuries had been dormant. Although in another hemisphere, it has exercised more influence in the state of the public mind in Europe, than did the great struggle in the days of the Commonwealth; and the world will rest no more, till, under whatever form, the great lessons of freedom which American history enforces, have been listened to, and embodied in action, by every nation of the globe." The particulars of these events are ably and fully, if not impartially detailed. The work, we presume, is by an American gentleman. If so, his prejudices against our well-meaning, though perhaps pertinacious sovereign George III. and his Ministers, may be allowable; or the work may be written to suit American readers, equally prejudiced. The political part of the work is to be succeeded by a geographical department; details of its Natural History, Statistics, Manners and Customs, Religion, and Topography. The latter portion will exhibit a series of views of majestic scenery, civic architecture, &c. About forty of these views are now published; they are well drawn and engraved. The Public Buildings in this comparatively infant Republic are well calculated to surprise us. The Grecian Portico seems to be much admired. It is adopted in most of the public buildings, as also in private residences; in those of S. Russell, at Middletown, and Jos. Bowers, at Northampton. These houses have just the air of public institutions. We shall look forward to the continuation of this important work with considerable interest. Devonshire and Cornwall Illustrated, exhibiling the Picturesque Scenery, Buildings, Antiquities, &c. From original Drawings 4.7 by Thomas Allom and W. H. Bartlett; with Descriptive Accounts, forming brief County Histories. By J. Britton and E. W. Brayley, Esq. F.S.S.A. 4to. 5 Numters, containing 80 Plates. THIS is one of the many Topogra phical publications which the art of engraving on steel has enabled its publishers to produce at a very cheap price. Its chief features are the prints, of these twin counties renders partiwhich the highly picturesque scenery cularly interesting. Perhaps influenced by the pleasures these scenes are calculated to produce, we are inclined to give the preference to this publication to all its companions. The draughtsmen who have made the drawings have executed their task with consummate ability, and the engravers appear to have been pleased with their subjects. This publication is also fortunate in having secured the assistance of such experienced antiquaries as Messrs. Britton and Brayley (the Castor and Pollux of Topographers), whose names in many a work will descend in union with credit to themselves, and advantage to posterity. The task is evidently a condescension on their part, but the public has the advantage; the descriptions being well written, satisfactory, and concise. Under Tavistock, the Editors have availed themselves of the excellent account of its Abbey by A. J. Kempe, Esq. which appeared in a series of articles in our vol. c. pt. i. and pay a deserved compliment to its present worthy incumbent, the Rev. Edward Bray, "under whose auspices, with others, a public library, occupying a small yet hand-` some building, of the Grecian Doric order*, was opened in 1822. Under similar patronage, an institution for the promotion of science, literature, &c. has also been formed; to which end lectures are delivered weekly during the Session." which shall be devoted to record the We have only room for one extract, praiseworthy and patriotic conduct of a living benefactor to Plymouth ; as it may "operate both as a stimulus and an example to all persons who are ambitious to effect improvements in other towns in England:" "For the great advantage of its market, Plymouth is principally indebted to the ex *This has been lately taken down, to make way for one about to be erected in the old English style. 48 REVIEW.-Jerdan's National Portrait Gallery. emplary exertions of Edm. Lockyer, esq. who has been thrice chief magistrate, and who obtained funds for defraying the expense by means of a tontine devised by himself. The subscribers to the fund were arranged in classes of twenty each, according to their ages, and five per cent. per annum was secured to them by bonds of the Corporation, with benefit of survivorship, so that the last person of each class will be paid an annuity of 1001. Many subscribers are now receiving full six per cent. yearly; and the income accruing to the Corporation, for the rent of stalls, tolls for goods, &c. has increased, since the erection of the new market, from scarcely 800l. to 2000l. per annum. The mayor of Plymouth is always clerk of the market.". '—" The idea of that combination of building, by which the Royal Hotel and Theatre were erected in the same style, and the inner arrangements so contrived as to give access and free passage from the former to the ball-room, and thence to the theatre, without going into the street, was solely that of Mr. Lockyer, and the scheme of raising the money requisite for the undertaking, on a plan similar to that by which he had secured the erection of the new Market-place, was entirely his own. The ground on which the Athenæum stands, was purchased and presented to the Institution by Mr. Lockyer. The noble casts from the Elgin marbles, and other handsome donations, were likewise obtained by him. He also promoted the erection of the north and east sides of Princess-square, the building called the Mechanics' Institute, and Sampson's beautiful Lycæum." for National Portrait Gallery of Illustrious and Eminent Persons of the Nineteenth Century. With Memoirs. By William Jerdan, Esq. F.S.A. &c. Volumes I. and II. THIS delightful work forms an excellent continuation to the deservedly popular volumes of Mr. Lodge's "Portraits and Memoirs of illustrious Personages of British History.' Mr. Lodge's labours will perpetuate the Portraits and Memoirs of all the most illustrious and eminent persons of this country, of whom there are portraits existing, from the first introduction of the art of portrait painting, to the Death of Nelson. The present publication is intended to include those eminent individuals only who have lived in the present century. The two works, therefore, will clash with each other in a few cases only. "It is the grand object of the National Portrait Gallery to preserve and transmit to posterity the features and the memory of those who have earned greatness in the present age, in all the paths that lead to dis [July, tinction or to glory; and their mixed examples will show that their plan embraces beauty, illustrious birth, the church, the law, the army, the navy, the sciences, the fine arts, and the literary character." We will now, in confirmation of the above, briefly enumerate the portraits and memoirs in these two volumes. Kings and Royal Family-George the Third, and George the FourthDuke of Kent-Princess Charlotte. Dukes-Beaufort, Wellington. Marquesses-Anglesey, Camden, Hast ings. Marchioness-Stafford. Earls-Amherst, Carlisle, Fife, Fitz- Archbishop-Howley.-Bishops-Ba- Sirs J. Banks, E. Codrington, H. The portraits are, with a few exceptions, very excellently engraved, and exhibit the workmanship in the stipple manner of Messrs. Fry, Dean, Thomson, Robinson, and others of our best artists in that line. It is remarkable that those we can least approve are the Portraits of the two Generals, Picton and Beresford, which are very coarsely executed. In some cases we think the likenesses not happy; we would instance those eminent statesmen Fox, Percival, and Canning. The portrait of Lord Spencer is copied from the painting by Copley, in 1800; and we need scarcely say, is far inferior to the fine portrait of him by Phillips, prefixed to Dr. Dibdin's Edes Althorpianæ, a work which has some of the best portraits for their size, that have ever been engraved. The gentleman who has written the Memoirs has executed a difficult task with fidelity and elegance. Not only 1831.] REVIEW.-Gallery of Greenwich Hospital. is he fully competent from his own acquirements; but his very general acquaintance with the circles of literature and fashion, affords him great facilities in acquiring information, in that most delicate of all literary pursuits-living biography. "Most of the memoirs," we are assured, "have to boast of the greatest recommendation which can belong to such papers; viz. accuracy; the facts having not only been diligently ascertained, but submitted to the best sources of correction; and it will hardly be credited how much the latter is required, although in the first instance apparently the most official and authentic documents have been consulted." In many cases, however, all false delicacy is removed by the deaths of the parties. Here the Biographer has been less constrained: the memoir of his friend Mr. Canning has evidently been written from the heart; it is, we think, the best in the collection. The memoir, also, of Mr. Perceval, Mr. Jerdan has rendered particularly interesting; having accidentally been close to that lamented Premier when he was assassinated. Few events, in our recollection, caused more universal regret; and every thing we hear of that truly upright Minister and sincere Christian, raises him still higher, if possible, in our esteem. There is no end to the anecdotes related of the late Mr. Abernethy's eccentric treatment of his patients; but we think none can surpass in humour the following account of a scene which once took place between that eminent surgeon and the famous John Philpot Curran : "Mr. Curran, it seems, being personally unknown to him, had visited Mr. Abernethy several times, without having had an opportunity of fully explaining (as he thought) the nature of his malady: at last, determined to have an hearing, when interrupted in his story, he fixed his dark bright eye on the doctor,' and said · - Mr. Abernethy, I have been here on eight different days, and I have paid you eight different guineas; but you have never yet listened to the symptoms of my complaint. I am resolved, Sir, not to leave the room till you satisfy me by doing so.' Struck by his manner, Mr. Abernethy threw himself back in his chair, and assuming the posture of a most indefatigable listener, exclaimed, in a tone of half surprise, half humour- Oh, very well, Sir, I am ready to hear you out. Go on, GENT. MAG. July, 1831. ร 49 give me the whole your birth, parentage, and education. I wait your pleasure, go on.' Upon which Curran, not a whit disconcerted, gravely began- My name is John Philpot Curran. My parents were poor, but I believe honest people, of the province of Munster, where also I was born, being a native of Newmarket, county of Cork, in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty. My father being employed to collect the rents of a Protestant gentleman, of small fortune, in that neighbourhood, obtained my entrance into one of the Protestant free-schools, where I obtained the first rudiments of my education. I was next enabled to enter Trinity College, Dublin, in the humble sphere of a sizer,'—and so he continued for several minutes, giving his astonished hearer a true, but irresistibly laughable account of his birth, parentage, and education,' as desired, until he came to his illness and sufferings, the details of hardly necessary to add, that Mr. Aberof which were not again interrupted. It is nethy's attention to his gifted patient, was, from that hour to the close of his life, assiduous, unremitting, and devoted." In conclusion, we think this delightful publication well worthy of its name, National,-for we cannot conceive any work more likely to create a desire in noble and generous youths to "go and do likewise;" thus raising a spirit of emulation that may prove of inestimable service to our country. The Gallery of Greenwich Hospital. Part II. THIS opens with a biography of that great ornament of the British Navy, the immortal Blake. He was a true patriot, ever ready "to fight for his country, into whatever hands the government might fall." After acquiring great fame as a General, he was appointed to the command of the Fleet at the age of 50. In this new career of glory, on another element, his genius accommodated itself instantly to naval command. "By the magic of his talents and example, he raised the character of his officers and seamen, and by leading them on to enterprizes which they would have previously regarded with doubt, if not dismay, he thus exalted the glory of the English Navy to a height which it never before attained." It being his constant custom to throw into the common treasury all his share of the immense booty to which he was entitled, he died worth only 5001. beyond his small private 1 50 REVIEW.-Gallery of estate. The picture from which the head of Blake is engraved, was painted by H. Briggs, esq. A. R. A. for the Gallery of Greenwich Hospital. The next character in the Number falls very short of Blake, as a hero, although his life was much more prosperous. The Earl of Orford was one of the most active in bringing over the Prince of Orange, of which he appears to have repented. He was so fortunate as to be compelled by circumstances to conquer the French fleet at La Hogue, against his own will, as, whilst entrusted with the chief command of the fleet of King William, he was intriguing with the rival Sovereign at St. Germain's. William rewarded Russell with 10,000l. for this service, but he still kept up his secret connexion with King James. When Sir John Fenwick was taken up for his plot to assassinate King William, he accused Russell of being concerned in it. This William affected to discredit, and appointed the Admiral to lay before Parliament all the papers necessary for Fenwick's impeachment. King William further honoured him with the titles of Baron Russell, Viscount Barfleur, and Earl of Orford; which titles he enjoyed for thirty years, dying Nov. 26, 1727. He may at least be considered as a fortunate Admiral. The portrait is painted by Dahl. The third subject is a portrait by Kneller, and memoir, of the brave and accomplished commander Viscount Torrington, the protegee of Lord Orford. In 1704 he led the squadron of Sir George Rooke, to the conquest of Gibraltar. On the accession of George the First, Byng became his favourite Admiral, and most faithfully did the Naval hero serve his gracious master, who in 1720 created him Viscount Torrington, and he died at the head of the Admiralty in 1733, with the esteem and honour of all good men. At the foot of this memoir, the fate of the Viscount's unfortunate son, Admiral John Byng, is alluded to. What a contrast did it exhibit! Mr. Lockyer's observations on this subject are so judicious, that we gladly extract them: "Admiral John Byng seems to have inherited his father's probity without his abilities, his just sense of honour without his gracious manners,-and instead of that enterprising spirit which seeks reputation even in the cannon's mouth,' to have possessed only that passive courage which he so well displayed when at length he bared his bosom to his executioners on board the Monarca. Respecting the fate of this unfortunate officer, much difference of opinion was then entertained, and perhaps may still linger among Naval officers. But now all parties are no more, and the transaction is unshackled with personal feeling, it must be acknowledged that, though the Ministry in 1756 deserved the severest blame for neglecting the relief of Minorca, and then shifting the popular odium from themselves to their unsuccessful Admiral, yet his conduct in the action with M. Galissoniere was indefensible. It is not necessary to impeach his courage or his integrity, but he failed according to the twelfth article of war, in doing his utmost in presence of the enemy, and therefore the Court Martial pronounced a right judgment. Dr. Campbell has observed that the justice of punishing an officer for a constitutional defect, rests solely on his accepting his commission with the articles of war in his hand."" "Whatever we may now think of the severity of Mr. Byng's punishment, there is no doubt that George II. (as a sovereign) conferred an important benefit upon our military service by withholding the pardon which was so earnestly solicited. The Admiral's fate (as Voltaire's wit foreboded) did much contribute to encourage' that high sense of public duty which was then beginning to languish, and this heavy blow, which was felt as an affront to the whole service, roused every man who embraced the profession of arms to a consciousness of his personal responsibility in action. The bravest man (so we have heard Lord Nelson himself declare) feels an anxiety' circa præcordia' as he enters the battle, but he dreads disgrace yet more. The recollection of Byng's fate has doubtless deterred some from embracing the service of the sword; whilst aspirants of higher promise, who somewhat mistrusted themselves until they looked the enemy fairly in the face, have been held firm to their resolution by that principle of responsibility to public opinion, which has converted many a hesitating heart into a hero." The last article in the Number is a memoir of the gallant Admiral Barringjoyed a larger share of popularity in ton, than whom "few men have enthe Royal Navy, or been surrounded with a circle of more attached friends." His portrait is one of the finest of Sir Joshua Reynolds's performances. It was presented to the Greenwich Gallery 1831.] REVIEW.-Dr. Beattie's Residence in Germany. by Bp. Barrington, "whose liberality in this instance was but an emanation from that constitutional generosity which circulated with unabated vigour for almost a century, and as it flowed from the heart, was not bounded even by the princely revenues of the See of Durham." The number concludes with a View of the Battle of the Nile, painted by G. Arnald, esq. A.R.A. to which Mr. Lockyer has attached a suitable account. Journal of a Residence in Germany. Written during a professional attendance on their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Clarence (their most gracious Majesties), during their visits to the Courts of that Country in 1822, 1825, and 1826. By William Beattie, M.D. Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of London. 2 vols. 8vo. ; GERMANY is in many respects what Europe was in the fifteenth century. The state, sentimentalism, and chivalry of feudal manners still obtain and the latter will ever be patronised in countries where military habits are essential to national independence. Wherever also military habits are predominant, those of making life an affair of pleasure are certain concomitants. In England, every man knows that it is essential even to his reputation that he should die worth money, or improve his situation. The chivalrous and romantic are secondary objects, adapted only to novels, evening songs in the drawing-room, or poems read and admired by the young, and feared by the old, lest their children should be imprudent, or make mesalliances. Beneficial as this is to the country in the accumulation of wealth, it produces a contempt for indigence, and there is no source of happiness left to the poor. They are consigned to sectaries as humble in life as themselves, to be trained for asceticism, and driven by reaction of nature to derive their pleasures only from intemperance. Such is the fact: but abroad it seems to be a point of study that the drudgery of the peasant should be relieved by a willing indulgence on the part of superiors; and the result is, that there the feeling of inequality, as between tyrant and slave, is mitigated, - in Germany at least. So Dr. Beattie represents matters; and we have heard from good authority 51 that so paternal a conduct prevails, from the Emperor of Austria down to the feudal princes, that, despotic as may be the government, they still remain a passive people. The principles of govermental conduct seem to be these; that they shall have plenty as to maintenance, and no hostility to innocent pleasures. Such is the light, accompanied with the romantic in sentiment and poetry, in which Dr. Beattie represents Germany; and when we read the Messiah of Klopstock, the Sorrows of Werter, and hear the music of Weber, we feel that there is a tendency, not vicious, towards enjoyment of life, which avarice, ambition, or fanaticism do not promote. There are in this work, simple songs, of which Byron or Moore would not be ashamed; and the waltz, as practised in Germany and lauded by Dr. Beattie (i. 94.), and the overture of Freischutz, make impressions on the heart unfelt by our own soulless tippling peasantry. The music and poetry of foreign itinerants strolling in this country is immeaballad-singers. surably superior to that of our native Voltaire assimilated the English character to a beverage consisting of froth at top (the frivolities of our fashionable life), sourness in the middle (the sectarian asceticism), and foul sediment at the bottom (the blackguardism of our vulgar). The truth is, that intemperance is alldominant in the majority of the inferior English population, and sectarianism in the minority. We boast of our charities and fanatical societies, but let us hear what Dr. Beattie says, and philosophers approve : "The chief end of all charitable acts is to encourage industry, and the only sure guide to so desirable an end is discrimination. As a favourable symptom of the industry practised and inculcated by the poorest class in this country, we observe no beggars congregating about us at the different stations, nor in the name of God and the Saints claiming an hereditary interest in our purse.”— ii. 255. Look at our publications professedly dispersed among the people. Few or none of them are addressed to reason, which, as Dr. Beattie says (ii. 257), "triumphs over the world," but all to incendiary politics or fanatical folly. We cannot give extracts sufficient to do justice to the instruction and entertainment derivable from this work |