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The original of tliis bool< is in 
 tine Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924013540780 
 

THE EARLY LIFE 
 
 OF 
 
 SAMUEL ROGERS 
 
 BY 
 
 P. W. CL'AYDEN 
 
 AUTHOR OF 
 '*SAMUEL SHARPE, EGYPTOLOGIST AND TRANSLATOR OF THE BIBLE '' 
 
 BOSTON 
 
 ROBERTS BROTHERS 
 
 1888 
 
 @ 
 to 
 

 Kntbersftg 39«ss: 
 John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. 
 
PEEFACE. 
 
 The narrative of Eogers's early life covers a period of 
 forty years, and naturally ends with his settlement 
 in the celebrated house in St. James's Place. Another 
 period of more than fifty years, in which he was one 
 of the chief figures in English society, remains to be 
 dealt with in another volume. I have ample materials 
 for this work in the shape of letters from many of 
 Eogers's eminent contemporaries, but I shall esteem it 
 as a great favor if those who possess letters by Eogers 
 himself will let me have copies of them. 
 
 The materials for Eogers's life were placed ia my 
 hands by Miss Sharpe of 32 Highbury Place, and Mrs. 
 William Sharpe of 1 Highbury Terrace, the representa- 
 tives of his nephews and executors, — the late Mr. 
 Samuel Sharpe and the late Mr. William Sharpe ; and 
 I am deeply indebted to them for the generous trust 
 they have placed in my discretion. For the use made 
 
vi EAKLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 of letters and diaries I am solely responsible. I wish 
 further to express my cordial thanks to Mrs. Drum- 
 mond of Fredley and of 18 Hyde Park Gardens, for the 
 valuable and interesting letters of Eichard Sharp. 
 
 P. W. CLAYDEN. 
 13 Tavistock Squahb, London: 
 November, 1887. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Stoke Newington. — Rogers's Ancestors. — Dr. Price. — Mrs. 
 Rogers. — Her Letters. — Her Character 1 
 
 CHAPTEE II. 
 
 Rogers's Boyhood and Schoolmasters. — His Father. — "William 
 Maltby. — Dr. Price and the Boys. — Thomas Rogers's Poli- 
 tics. — Dr. Price's Influence. — Samuel Rogers and the 
 Pulpit. — The Coventry Election. — Letters from Thomas 
 Rogers. — Samuel Rogers at Home 24 
 
 CHAPTEE III. 
 
 Early Writings. — ' The Scribhler.' — ' "Vintage of Burgundy.' 
 — ' Ode to Superstition.' — Smaller Poems 46 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The Bank Partnership. — Hackney College. — Dr. Kippis one 
 of his Literary Sponsors. — Helen Maria "Williams and 
 the Coquerels. — Mrs. Barbauld. — Joanna Baillie. — Death 
 of Thomas Rogers, junior. — Letters from Thomas Rogers, 
 senior. — Visit to Edinburgh. — Adam Smith, Robertson, 
 H. Mackenzie. — The Piozzis. — Tour through Scotland. — 
 Burns. — Henry Mackenzie and his works. — Sir Joshua 
 Reynolds and Burke 65 
 
EAELY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGEES. 
 
 CHAPTEE V. 
 
 English feeling about France in 1789 and 1790. — Words- 
 worth, Coleridge, Adams. — Diary in Kevolutionary Paris. 
 
 — Visits to Lafayette, De Chatelet, De Liancourt, the Due 
 de Kochef oucauld, etc. — National Assembly, Jacobin Club. 
 
 — The Theatres. — The King and Queen. — The Populace. 
 
 — Journey homewards through Belgium and Flanders. — 
 
 Dr. John Moore, father of Sir John and Sir Graham Moore 101 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Helen Williams. — Conversation at her house. — Merry and 
 the Delia Cruscans. — Journey through Wales, 1791. — Mrs. 
 Barbauld's Letter. — Visit to Dr. Parr, 1793 142 
 
 CHAPTEE VII. 
 
 'The Pleasures of Memory.' — Letter of Criticism from Dr. 
 Parr; Notes. — Letter of Gilpin. — Hay ward's Criticism. — 
 Estimate of the Poem 184 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Diary of literary risits, parties, etc. — Dmners with Parr, 
 Cumberland. — Fox, Sheridan, and Pamela, at Stone's.— 
 E. Sharp. — Summer journey to New Forest, etc. — Gilpin. 
 
 — Meetings of Club. — Cooper, Priestley, Tuffin, Stothard, 
 Franklin, etc. — Eumelean Club. — Arthur Murphy. — His 
 stories of Foote and Garrick 210 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Death of Eogers's Father. — Eichard Sharp. — Eogers deciding 
 on a West-end life. — E. Cumberland, E. Merry, T. Cooper. 
 
 — Priestley's exile. — Home Tooke's Trial. — WUIiara 
 Stone's Trial. — Mrs. Siddons and her Epilogue. — Dr. 
 Moore. — Early Correspondence with Eichard Sharp.- 
 Eogers's Commonplace Book. — Dr. Johnson and Dr. Priest 
 ley.— 'My Club.' — Eogers and Polwhele 239 
 
CONTENTS. ix 
 
 CHAPTEE X. 
 
 PAQI 
 
 State of the Country in 1795-96. — Reaction in Parliament. — 
 Westminster Election, 1796. — Dr. Moore and his sons. — 
 Eogers's Domestic Relations. — Correspondence with R. 
 Sharp. — Brighton in 1797. — Lady Jersey. — A Romance 
 without a denouement. — Brighton in 1798. — Sarah Rogers 278 
 
 CHAPTEE XI. 
 
 •An Epistle to a Friend.' — Letters from Dr. Warton. — W. 
 Gilpin. — Criticisms and changes in the poem. — Mr. Hay- 
 ward's criticism. — Rogers and Fox, Erskine. — Political 
 Warfare. — The Fox Banquet, 1798. — The Duke of Nor- 
 folk. — Prosecution of Gilbert Wakefield. — Parr and Mack- 
 intosh 308 
 
 CHAPTEE XII. 
 
 ' The Pursuits of Literature.' — A winter at Exmouth. — Classi- 
 cal Reading. — George Steevens. — Jackson of Exeter. — 
 Letters to Richard Sharp. — Dr. Moore's 'Mordaunt.' — 
 Dr. Moore's death. — Richard Sharp and Fredley. — Brighton 
 in 1801 
 
 CHAPTEE XIII. 
 
 'The King of Clubs.' — 'The Bachelor.' — Rogers Building. — 
 Paris in 1802. — Letters to Henry Rogers, Maria Sharpe, 
 Mrs. Greg. — Fox and Rogers in Paris. — Fox and Mackin- 
 tosh. — Rogers's new House. — His final Settlement in St. 
 James's Place 370 
 
 INDEX 397 
 
THE EARLY LIFE 
 
 OP 
 
 SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Stoke Newington. — Rogers's Ancestors. — Dr. Price. — Mrs. Rogers. — 
 Her Letters. — Her Character. 
 
 In the middle of the eighteenth century the suburban 
 village of Stoke Newington contained a group of friendly 
 households, which embraced many persons afterwards 
 known in the larger World. The pretty village green, 
 then a piece of open grass with a few ancient elms and 
 quaint Elizabethan houses round it, was a centre of 
 political and religious Liberalism. A meeting-house of 
 the English Presbyterian dissent had been built there 
 in 1708, and there the Eev. Charles Morton, the silenced 
 rector of Blissland, in Cornwall, — Defoe's teacher, — had 
 kept his school. In the early part of the eighteenth 
 century, Samuel Harris, an East India merchant, who 
 had married a daughter of Queen Mary's physician, Dr. 
 Coxe, lived in one of the houses on the Green ; and 
 in 1731 their only daughter, Mary Harris, — a cousin of 
 William Coxe, the author of the ' History of the House 
 of Austria,' — married Daniel Radford, a warehouseman 
 in Cheapside. Daniel Eadford had come to London from 
 Chester with a capital of a thousand pounds, with which 
 he had entered into partnership with Mr. Obadiah 
 
 1 
 
2 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL KOGEES. 
 
 Wiekes. He was the son of Samuel Eadford, a linen- 
 draper at Chester, and of Eleanor his wife, third daughter 
 of the Eev. Philip Henry, one of the most eminent of 
 the clergy who had been ejected on the passing of the 
 Act of Uniformity in 1662. Philip Henry was the son 
 of one of the pages of Charles I. He was born in the 
 palace at Whitehall, had been a playfellow of the Prince 
 of Wales and the Duke of York, had seen the king 
 beheaded, and was in politics a Cavalier. His mother 
 inclined to the teaching of the Presbyterian divines, and 
 the son, after leaving Westminster School, and taking 
 his degree at Oxford, had adhered to the same side in 
 religious matters, and had entered the Church during the 
 Protectorate by Presbyterian ordination. Daniel Rad- 
 ford, his grandson, inherited the serious disposition and 
 the religious principles of his grandfather. Daniel's 
 father and mother, the Chester linen-draper and his wife, 
 had died early, and Daniel was brought up by his ma- 
 ternal uncle, the Eev. Matthew Henry, the author of 
 the celebrated Commentary on the Bible. Daniel Ead- 
 ford's Diary shows the influence of this ancestry and 
 training. He was an introspective person, and religious 
 feeling tinged his life. He puts on record, sometimes 
 day by day, sometimes only year by year, not the day's 
 events nor the year's history, but the serious reflections 
 which the flight of time or the death of friends, or fam- 
 i^ joys and troubles, suggested to a religious mind. A 
 few events of personal and family.interest are noted here 
 and there, but only for the sake of recording some pious 
 resolution, or of writing down some aspiration which 
 had arisen out of them. The Journal begins in March, 
 1715, with an extract from a devotional book, and ends 
 in June, 1767, less than four months before his death, 
 with the expression of the hope that ' though I shall not 
 die a profitable servant, yet I hope to die a pardoned sin- 
 ner through Jesus Christ.' In all the two-and-fifty years 
 
HIS MATERNAL GRANDFATHER. 3 
 
 there is only one reference to a public event, and that is 
 an earthquake,* which suggested a religious reflection to 
 his mind. 
 
 Daniel Eadford was born on the 24th of May, 1691, 
 and died on the 14th of October, 1767, having completed 
 his seventy-sixth year on the 4th of June, to which the 
 change of style had transferred his birthday. He had 
 settled at Newington Green on his marriage in 1731, had 
 lived there all the rest of his life, and there his only child 
 Mary had been born. With Philip Henry for his grand- 
 father, and Matthew Henry, the commentator, for his 
 uncle, it was natural that Daniel Eadford should connect 
 himself with the small Presbyterian congregation at the 
 chapel on the Green. The minister was Mr. Hoyle ; but 
 a man destined to European renown, and worthy of it, 
 was living near, and gave occasional help. This was 
 Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Eichard Price, who became preacher 
 to the congregation in 1758. Daniel Eadford and his 
 daughter — his wife had died in 1738, when Mary was 
 scarcely three years old — were thus brought into contact 
 with one of the most acute and enlightened minds the 
 eighteenth century produced, with the best intellectual 
 and social results to their connections and descendants. 
 
 1 This entry in the Diary is as follows ; ' In London, on Thursday, 
 8th February, 1749, betwixt twelve and one o'clock at noon, we were 
 surprised greatly by the shock of an earthquake which was felt in the 
 city and the country round about it. 1 happened to be shaving then in 
 the counting-house, and I asked the barber what the noise and shaking 
 was. He said he believed somebody had fallen down above-stairs, for 
 indeed it felt as if something heavy was fallen down. I thought it felt 
 as if the house had given way, and so most people indeed did, that 
 were in houses. But, thanks be to God ! it did veiy little damage 
 anywhere as I heard of, and it was over almost as soon as one felt it. 
 And, alas ! too much so has been the remembrance of the thing itself 
 among us. But shall I not fear always before, and stand in awe of, 
 this great and holy Lord God, who can, whenever He pleases, make the 
 earth shake, with the foundations thereof ? ' 
 
4 EAELY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGEES. 
 
 Daniel Eadford was treasurer to the congregation, and 
 at his death left a hundred pounds towards the augmen- 
 tation of the salary of the minister. 
 
 The little group of people among whom the Eadford s 
 lived was Puritan by ancestry and association, in full 
 sympathy with the Whig party in politics, and inclined 
 to latitudinarian opinions on theological questions. In 
 the sixth decade of the century there came into it a 
 young man of altogether different birth and training. 
 In Daniel Eadford's Diary there is the record of the 
 deaths of his two partners : Mr. Obadiah Wickes, the 
 father, in 1748, and Mr. John Wickes, the son, in 1750. 
 On the 1st of January, 1753, he writes that he is again 
 in some concern about a new co-partnership into which 
 he has entered with Mr. Eogers. Q'his was Thomas 
 Eogers, a glass manufacturer of Stourbridge, whose only 
 son afterwards removed to London to take part in the 
 business in which his father had thus become a partner. 
 Thomas Eogers lived at a house called 'The Hill,' in 
 the parish of Old Swinford, and his name had been long 
 associated with the manufacturing industry of Stour- 
 bridge. The earliest record of the family is that the will 
 of Thomas Eogers the elder, of Amblesant, yeoman, was 
 proved on the 27th of June, 1681, by Anne, his widow 
 and sole executrix. This Thomas Eogers is described as 
 a Welshman, and an eminent dealer in glass, in HoUoway 
 End, Stourbridge. He had married the daughter of M. 
 Tyttery of Nantes, in Lorraine, and left two sons, Thomas 
 and James, and a daughter, Sarah. This second Thomas 
 Eogers had a half share in the business, and was appar- 
 ently the father of Thomas Eogers of 'The Hill,' the 
 partner of Daniel Eadford. Thomas Eogers of 'The 
 Hill ' — the grandson of the Welshman who had married 
 the Frenchwoman, and the grandfather of Samuel Eogers 
 — was a person of much influence and consideration in 
 the town and county. He had married a daughter of 
 
HIS FATHER. 5 
 
 Eichard Knight of Downton ; and Eichard Payne Knight, 
 the antiquary, and Thomas Andrew Knight, the writer 
 on horticulture, were his nephews. He was a Tory of the 
 old school, and lived on excellent terms with the Tory 
 gentry of the county. In the picturesque and well-kept 
 churchyard of Old Swinford there are still memorials of 
 the Eogers family ; and 
 
 ' Yon old mansion frowning through the trees,' 
 
 of which Samuel Eogers speaks in <The Pleasures of 
 Memory,' was in all probability the house of Thomas 
 Eogers, his grandfather, which was* not far from the 
 church. A few miles off was 'The Leasowes,' where 
 Shenstone lived, and where he died in the year in which 
 Samuel Eogers was born. Close at hand, at Hagley, 
 was George Lyttelton, the friend of Pope, the patron of 
 Thomson, the poet of ' Blenheim ' and ' The Progress of 
 Love ; ' afterwards, author of ' Dialogues of the Dead,' a 
 Tory Chancellor of the Exchequer, and a peer. Farther 
 off, on the other side of Stourbridge, dwelt the Earl of 
 Stamford and Warrington, at Enville ; and round about 
 were the houses of many other country gentlemen with 
 most of whom hatred of the Whigs was the chief public 
 passion and virtue. Such was the circle in which, in 
 the second quarter of the eighteenth century, the elder 
 Thomas Eogers lived and Thomas Eogers the younger 
 was brought up. 
 
 There is no record of the date at which Thomas 
 Eogers the younger removed to London. He was proba- 
 bly just about of age when he left the Tory atmosphere 
 of the country house in Worcestershire, and plunged 
 into the entirely different moral and social conditions 
 and influences of Stoke liTewington. It is evident that 
 he soon won the esteem of his father's partner, for in 
 1760 he was married to Daniel Eadford's only daugh- 
 ter, Mary. The wedding took place at Islington parish 
 
6 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 church on the 27th of March, 1760; and on the next 
 New Year's Day Thomas Rogers joined his father and 
 father-in-law in the partnership, the latter advancing 
 him. £2,000 to make up his share of the stock-in-trade. 
 Thomas Sogers yielded quickly and fully to the new 
 influences around him. As soon as we get any glimpse 
 of his opinions we find him to be in full sympathy with 
 the political and religious Liberalism of his wife's family 
 and friends. He was a good man of business, and pros- 
 pered in his way. In 1765 he joined George and Thomas 
 Welch, who were bankers in Cornhill, and the firm there- 
 after carried on the business under the style of Welch & 
 Eogers. Meanwhile a family was fast growing up around 
 him. His eldest son, Daniel, named after his father-in- 
 law, was born on the 3d of January, 1761 ; about Christ- 
 mas in the same year a second son, Thomas, was born ; 
 and a year and. a half later, on the 30th of July, 1763, 
 the third son, who was to outlive every member of the 
 family, was born, and called Samuel after his mother's 
 grandfather, Samuel Harris. Other children followed 
 with nearly equal rapidity : Martha, afterwards Mrs. 
 John Towgood, in 1765 ; Mary in 1766 ; Paul in 1768 ; 
 another daughter, who lived but a day, and was never 
 named, in 1770 ; Maria (afterwards Mrs. Sutton Sharpe) 
 in 1771 ; Sarah (the Miss Eogers who lived to within 
 a year of Samuel, and was all through her life closely 
 associated with him) in 1772 ; Henry (the kind and 
 thoughtful friend of his nephews and nieces) in 1774 ; 
 and Mary Eadford in 1776. Of these children three — 
 Mary, Paul, and Mary Eadford — died in infancy, and 
 Thomas died in 1788, in his twenty-seventh year. Six 
 saw the nineteenth century: Maria dying in 1806; 
 Daniel, on whose death Charles Lamb wrote a Sonnet, 
 in 1829 ; Henry in 1832, Martha in 1837, while Sarah 
 lived on till January, 1855, and Samuel till December 
 in the same year. These two were thus the only long- 
 
HIS RELATIONS WITH DR. PRICE. 7 
 
 lived members of a family, the father and mother of 
 which died comparatively young, and of which only one 
 other member reached the age of threescore and ten. 
 
 The charm of Dr. Price's character exerted a con- 
 siderable influence on Thomas Eogers and his family. 
 Dr. Price lived close by, and a great friendship sprang 
 up between him and the Eogerses. A weekly supping 
 club was established which met at the houses of Dr. 
 Price, Thomas Eogers, and Mr. Burgh in turns. These 
 three, with Mr. Thoresby, the liberal and learned rector 
 of Stoke Newington, were the chief members of the club, 
 and at one of its suppers Dr. Price and Dr. Priestley 
 were afterwards introduced to each other by Dr. Benson. 
 Mr. Burgh was a schoolmaster, who kept a boarding- 
 school at Kewington Green, and for a time acted as 
 tutor to Samuel Eogers and his brothers. He was a 
 man of acute mind, who wrote a work entitled 'Political 
 Disquisitions,' but was best known as the author of a 
 book 'On the Dignity of Human Nature.' Dr. Price 
 was as great a favorite with the boys as he was with 
 their parents. They not only listened to his sermons 
 on Sunday afternoons, but enjoyed his sympathy during 
 the week, in their lessons and even in their games. 
 Samuel Eogers spoke of him in after-years with the 
 most sincere affection. He would go in from his study 
 in his dressing-gown to spend the evening with the 
 family, and the children never forgot the impression his 
 conversation made upon them. 'He would talk and 
 read the Bible to us,' said Eogers in after-years, ' till he 
 sent us to bed in a frame of mind as heavenly as his 
 own,' At other times he would take the boys and girls 
 to his house and show them scientific experiments. The 
 Equitable Assurance Society, in recognition of his ser- 
 vices in the publication of his ' Treatise on Eeversionary 
 Payments,' his 'Northampton Mortality Tables,' and 
 other writings, by which he had laid the scientific foun- 
 
8 EAELY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 dation of Life Assurance, had presented him with some 
 scientific apparatus, — a telescope, a microscope, and an 
 electrical machine. It is easy to imagine the charm 
 which these instruments, then novel and unusual, had 
 for a group of lively and intelligent children. Dr. 
 Price's delight in the company of children, and his de- 
 sire to contribute to their amusement and instruction, 
 found in these toys of science an unfailing source of 
 interest and profit to his young friends. But he had 
 other and more personal charms. He was a most de- 
 lightful companion for boys. He seems to have pos- 
 sessed not only a love for children, but much of that 
 boyishness and love of frolic which have often charac- 
 terized men of genius. In some juvenile recollections 
 of him which Samuel Kogers has left, he tells several 
 amusing stories which illustrate this unexpected side of 
 a great man's nature. He once challenged Mr. Hulton, 
 a commissary in the German war, and commissioner of 
 customs at Boston, a much taller and more robust person 
 than himself, to hop the length of the first field between 
 the meeting-house and Stoke Newington, and won the 
 race. On another occasion he attempted to leap over 
 a honeysuckle bush in the grass-plat in the Eogerses' . 
 garden ; but, to use Rogers's words, ' he entangled the 
 tree between his legs, and away went the honeysuckle 
 and the doctor together.' The boys said to one another 
 that he had once leaped over the New Eiver; and it was 
 his custom every day at two o'clock to run ofE for a 
 swim in Peerless Pool. He had frequent falls from his 
 horse, and in Covent Garden was once thrown into a 
 basket of beans. His conscientiousness and benevolence 
 were exemplified in other favorite stories. In a field 
 near his house he once saw some larks struggling in the 
 nets in which they had just been caught. He cut the 
 nets and set them free, but, reflecting on the loss he had 
 thereby caused to some unknown person, returned and 
 
THE FAMILY OF THOMAS EOGEKS. 9 
 
 deposited some money on the spot. In one of his strolls 
 he suddenly remembered that he had seen a beetle on 
 its back, and he returned through several fields, found 
 it, and set it on its legs. Assailed in a country walk by 
 a footpad, he mildly expostulated with the man and lec- 
 tured him on the crime of robbery. His absence of 
 mind was another source of continual amusement. It 
 was said that he had gone down to his study to supper 
 an hour after he had eaten the meal. In conversation 
 he turned his wig round on his temples, twisted one 
 leg round the other, and folded his cocked hat into a 
 thousand shapes. But all these things endeared him 
 to the boys as much as his intellectual distinction, his 
 tender religious feelings, and his lively interest in all 
 the questions of the day, attached the elders to him. 
 Rogers describes him as 'slim in person, and rather 
 below the common size, but possessed of great muscular 
 strength and remarkable activity. With strong features, 
 and a very intelligent eye, his countenance was the 
 mirror of his mind ; and when lighted up by conversa/- 
 tion his features were peculiarly pleasing.' Everybody 
 admired and loved him, and this love and admiration 
 exerted a powerful influence on the family at Newing- 
 ton Green. 
 
 Thomas Eogers and his wife were quite worthy of the 
 society of which Dr. Price was the most distinguished 
 member. He was a man of much vigor and decision, 
 and she is described as a tall and handsome woman, with 
 dark hair and eyes and a face of great intelligence. 
 Their children were not very strong. It was the time of 
 queues and cocked hats ; and Samuel Eogers says that 
 the children wore cocked hats, and he remembered 
 chasing butterflies in the fields with the quaint three- 
 cornered head-covering in his hand. The boys went to 
 day-school at Mr. Burgh's and Mr. Cockburn's ; and 
 afterwards, when Mr. Burgh removed to Colebrook Eow, 
 
10 EARLY LITE OJF SAMUEL EOGERS. 
 
 Islington (where Charles Lamb lived at a later day), they 
 went over to him for lessons. There was plenty of active 
 outdoor amusement and exercise for the boys, — bathing 
 in Peerless Pool, riding on the nag, sporting in the pad- 
 dock behind the house, and rambling over the open fields. 
 London was two miles away, across the fields and gardens 
 now covered by De Beauvoir Town. Perhaps the best 
 account which can be given of the father and mother is 
 in the self-revelations of their letters, many of which 
 have happily been preserved. In these letters are the 
 only remaining records of Samuel Rogers's boyhood ; and 
 some of them are worth reproducing for the glimpses 
 they give us of various interesting people, some of whom 
 are famous and some forgotten, as well as for the picture 
 they make of the pleasant life a prosperous middle-class 
 family was living more than a century ago. The earliest 
 in date are from Mrs. Rogers, and were addressed to her 
 husband during a summer journey he took with Dr. Price, 
 in 1772, to visit the doctor's native district in South 
 Wales, and a short stay Thomas Rogers made at his 
 father's house on the way home. The letters, from 
 •which some purely business and domestic details have 
 been omitted, show what kind of woman Rogers's mother 
 was ; how careful of home concerns, how solicitous for 
 her household, how open to all the pleasantness of life, 
 how entirely free from that other-worldliness — as 
 George Eliot has called it — which is supposed to have 
 accompanied a Puritan ancestry and training. 
 
 Mary Rogers to Thomas Bogers. 
 
 'Newington Gebbn, July 4, 1772. 
 'Mt ever dear T. R., — As this method of communi- 
 cating our thoughts to each other is now the only re- 
 source left, it is with great pleasure I sit down to assure 
 you with sincerity how much I regret your absence, and 
 
HIS MOTHER'S LETTERS. H 
 
 to endeavor in some measure to alleviate it by acquaint- 
 ing you with all my proceedings since you left us. But 
 as I know the anxiety that always attends you upon ac- 
 count of every branch of your family, I must first begia 
 by assuring you that we all continue perfectly well. 
 Tommy is got quite well, and is in exceedingly good 
 spirits. The four ^ are at this time particularly happy 
 in exercising Obey's nag about the field, and are very 
 proud in showing their horsemanship. Tommy has been 
 twice to the bath on horseback before Eichard,'' and the 
 horse carries him extremely well. We went to drink tea 
 with Mrs. Wilson ' after you left us on Tuesday, and had 
 the pleasure to meet Mr. and Mrs. Welch ; * Mr. Wilson 
 also was at home, and all conduced to make the visit 
 very agreeable. On Wednesday evening we went to 
 town to see Mr. Eaper^ and Miss Eaper in Norfolk 
 Street, who both agreed to dine with us at the Green 
 next day; and Mr. Harry Eaper being there — and a 
 bachelor at present — offered to be of the party. The 
 coach accordingly fetched them- in the morning to dinner 
 upon beans and bacon, a couple of chickens, and a piece 
 of roast beef, and we widows and widowers drank your 
 health and Mrs. Henry Eaper's. The two gentlemen 
 and little Harry ' walked home again about seven o'clock, 
 and Miss Eaper stayed with us till last night, — her 
 father and self being to return to Wendover this morn- 
 ing. . . . Yesterday morning Dr. and Mrs. Grant called 
 
 1 The four were Daniel, Thomas, Samuel, and Martha ; Maria, the 
 youngest, was only twelve months old. 
 ^ Sitting before Richard on the horse. 
 
 * Mother of Thomas and Joseph Wilson of Highhury. Thomas 
 Wilson was the great chapel-builder of the Independents, whose life 
 was written by his son Josiah. 
 
 * Mr. Welch was Mr. Rogers's partner in the banking-house. 
 
 5 Matthew Raper of Wendover Dean, Bucks, father of the Matthew 
 Raper afterwards vice-president of the Antiquarian Society. 
 ^ This little Hairy was afterwai'ds Admiial Raper. 
 
12 EARLY LIFE OE SAMUEL KOGERS. 
 
 on us and engaged us and Miss Sally [Eaper] to dine 
 with them on Thursday next. In the afternoon Mrs. 
 Dunn and family drank tea with us. . . . Mrs. Price 
 writes to-day to Bridgend, but desires I will likewise 
 mention that she and Mrs. Barker returned home to-day, 
 s§af e and well, about three o'clock, and very little fatigued 
 with their journey. They desire compliments to you, 
 and many thanks for the kind call you made them. . . . 
 Your trunk went this morning from the Saracen's Head. 
 Kichard is gone to have the horse shod, so I can't tell 
 the name of the wagoner. Adieu, my dearest T. E. 
 I hope to hear this evening that you are well, which will 
 always afford the truest pleasure to 
 
 ' Your ever affectionate and unalterable 
 
 'M. E. 
 ' Thomas Eogbes, Esq. 
 
 ' To be left at the Post Office, Swansea, GlamorgaiisMre.' 
 
 Mary Rogers to Thomas Rogers. 
 
 ' Newington Green, Saturday, July 11, 1772. 
 ' Mt evee deae T. E., — Many thanks for your very 
 kind and agreeable letter, which I received on Wednes- 
 day last. I assure you I would have endeavored not to 
 have merited your hint if I had thought you had the 
 least expectation to have heard from me at Cardiff, as 
 it is, and always will be, my highest temporal wish to 
 promote your pleasure in every instance. It gave me 
 great satisfaction to hear of your health last night from 
 Mrs. Price, but don't accuse me of recrimination if I say 
 that a line from your hand would have given your poor 
 M. E. a little more self-consequence ; but I know you mean 
 always to be kind to me, and therefore I ought not to com- 
 plain. I called on Saturday evening on Miss Crisp, and 
 agreed for Patty to go to day-school: £1 Is. entrance 
 and £2 12s. Qd. per quarter, for which she learns reading 
 
HIS MOTHER'S LETTERS. 13 
 
 and working, and has five dinners per week. She began 
 on Wednesday, and seems at present very happy with it. 
 The boys left us on Wednesday in pretty good spirits. 
 Tommy continues his bathing as usual. On Thursday 
 we dined at Dr. Grant's, and a most melting day it was. 
 There was no company but an uncle of the doctor's.. 
 They wanted us to have gone to Vauxhall in the evening, 
 but we excused ourselves, and agreed to accompany the 
 doctor and Mrs. Grant to Foote's on Monday next to see 
 the Nabob. I came into it, as I thought it would be 
 agreeable to Miss Sally Raper. . . . She talks of leaving 
 us on Wednesday or Thursday next. The doctor says 
 there is no banker in London besides yourself who would 
 have had the courage to have ventured on a journey at 
 this crisis. I suppose you have before this heard of 
 Mrs. Peach's marriage with Mr. Lyttelton. I begin to 
 think that I have got a husband that is possessed of the 
 art of divination. . . . 
 
 ' We heard the other day that Mr. Gordon's Nursery 
 was in full perfection, and Miss Sally and Miss Mitchell 
 expressing a wish to see it we took a ride there last 
 night, and it perfectly answered our expectations. We 
 laid out ten shillings with them among us, and Mr. Gor- 
 don and his son were extremely polite, and made us a 
 present of a most pompous nosegay, which consisted 
 chiefly of his most curious flowers, particularly some 
 charming magnolia flowers, of which tree he has scores in 
 bloom. . . . We all happily continue well, and our little 
 Maria is as lively as a bird, and, in her mother's opinion, 
 daily increases in charms. Master Eickards was bap- 
 tized yesterday by the name of Samuel, and yesterday Mr. 
 Eickards himself was seized with a fever and speckled 
 sore-throat, and was obliged to sit up in bed while his 
 son was christened. They have had Dr. Grieve, and he 
 is to be blistered to-day, but I believe they don't thinly 
 him in danger. Adieu, my ever dear and own T. B.. May 
 
14 EAELT LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGEKS. 
 
 happiness ever attend you, and may your own M. R. 
 (if Providence spares her life) grow more deserving of 
 your love! All join in love and compliments; and I 
 remain 
 
 ' Your constantly affectionate 
 
 'M. R. 
 
 ' Thomas Rogers, Esq. , jun. 
 ' To be left at the Post Office, "Worcester." 
 
 There is a letter from Samuel Rogers addressed to 
 his father while he was on the same journey. It is a 
 child's letter, — he was then approaching the close of his 
 ninth year, — and it gives a pleasant glimpse of a happy 
 boyhood. 
 
 Samuel Sogers to his Father. 
 
 ' 19th July, 1772. 
 
 ' Dear Papa, — I hope you have had a good journey, 
 and hope my grandpapa and all my aunts are very well, 
 and my cousin Tommy Bowles. I went to school July 
 8th, but school began July 6th. I had a very pleasant 
 ride back again from the Pack Horse at Turnham Green. 
 My mamma chose to leave off dipping Maria, 
 
 ' July the 6th I went to Sadler's Wells, and I thought 
 it was very pretty. Me and Tommy and Dan and Patty 
 and Hannah and Nurse all went together in the coach. 
 At last the makerony started out of the floor, with a 
 long pigtail as big as my wrist, and an artificial nose- 
 gay, and came strutting about with his fine cocked hat, 
 and his hand in his bosom. 
 
 * I am your dutiful son, 
 
 'Samxtel Rogers. 
 'Thomas Eogers, Esq., jun. 
 • At " The Hill," near Stourhridge, "Worcestershire." 
 
 . His mother follows this up with a letter dated from 
 Newington Green on the 21st July. 
 
HIS MOTHER'S LETTERS. 15 
 
 Mary Rogers to Thomas Rogers. 
 
 ' I had th.e pleasure to receive my dearest T. E.'s kind 
 letter this morning, and am rejoiced to hear he spends 
 his time so joyously, — a proof that he enjoys health, 
 and I hope spirits. Dr. Price returned home on Satur- 
 day evening in perfect health, but his complexion has 
 received a very different hue. He preached on Sunday 
 morning, and Mr. Pickbourne in the evening. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Burgh dined and drank tea at Dr. Price's. . . . We 
 ■went to London yesterday morning, and called in Friday 
 Street. Mrs. Bowles told me she has at times suffered 
 great uneasiness on account of the criticalness of trade, 
 but that Mr. Welch had been extremely kind to them in 
 giving them assistance. Mr. Bowles came upstairs, and 
 seemed in exceeding good spirits, and said, I think, that 
 he wrote to you on Saturday. Bessy goes to school on 
 Thursday, so I asked Mrs. Bowles to dine with us, and 
 offered to send the chariot for her. Mr. Lisle's house is 
 again disposed of to a Mr. Coxe, a refiner in Little Bri- 
 tain. Did you ever hear of him ? My expectations are 
 mighty small. Mr. Parmer has resigned Salter's Hall, 
 his health not permitting him to continue it. . . . 
 
 *I suppose you will receive poor Sammy's letter to- 
 morrow. Tou -will easily perceive that it was entirely 
 his own. He told me — a little rascal ! — that he was 
 determined to tell his papa that I had left off dipping 
 Maria. 
 
 'Adieu, my dearest T. E. Be ever assured of my 
 sincerest affection, and continue to love and think of 
 your number five and your own 
 
 'M. E. 
 ' Thomas Eogees, jun. Esq. 
 
 'At "The Hill," near Stourbridge." 
 
 The letters continue in the same strain. On the 25th 
 of July she tells her husband of Sammy's illness from 
 
16 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 the speckled sore-throat, which seems to have been one 
 of the terrors of the time. She had heard ' a good deal 
 of city news,' one item of which was that a new bank — 
 'Sir Richard Glyn's house' — was to open, with 'my 
 Lord Mayor at its head.' In the next letter she reports 
 that Sammy's throat is still bad, but that he continues 
 in charming spirits, and has no fever. 'Dr. and Mrs. 
 Price spent the evening with us last night, and Dr. Price 
 was speaking on what very advantageous terms they 
 were granting annuities on the Douglas and Heron Bank, 
 — provided the security was good, — upon which he and 
 Mary Mitchell agreed to go to London this morning to 
 ask Mr. Welch's opinion of it, and if they should hear 
 a satisfactory account of it to risk about £200 apiece.' 
 Dan and Tom had gone to Mr. Burgh's, as Mr. Burgh 
 was too ill to come to them. On the 29th, the day 
 before Sammy's birthday, Tommy begins a letter, but 
 his fluency failing, as his mother says, she completes it, 
 complaining that the postman had slighted her, and 
 reporting a visit from Mrs. Cockburn, wife of the school- 
 master, to say that Tommy had fainted at school, but 
 was better again, and the doctor had advised some bark. 
 The last of this series of letters is dated on the 1st of 
 August. She tells her husband of a drive she had taken 
 to Southgate, to see the Miss Birches, but not finding them 
 at home she had gone on to Mrs. Jones's, on the Chase, 
 ' where we were received in a very polite and friendly 
 manner. It is quite a sweet situation, and the walking 
 about so pleasant that it was nine o'clock by the time we 
 reached home, rather too late an hour now.' She adds, 
 'I am afraid my T. R. will think me a racketing female, 
 but everybody admires the appearance of the horses, 
 and Eichard says he is sure they have not too much 
 work.' Another item of city information is that 'Mr. 
 Steed, of Tower Hill, stopped a short time, to the great 
 astonishment of many, but he now finds that after 
 
HIS MOTHER'S LETTERS. 17 
 
 everybody is paid lie will have an overplus remaining of 
 £10,000.' 
 
 This letter was written on the 1st of August, 1772, 
 and on the 1st of September Sarah Eogers was born. 
 She was the ninth child, but, as three had died, the five 
 of whom Mrs. Eogers speaks in one of the above letters 
 formed at that time her whole family. In the succeed- 
 ing summer Mr. Eogers was away from home during the 
 months of August and September, spending the earlier 
 part of the holiday in a journey to Scotland, and the lat- 
 ter part at his father's house. Scotch tours were then 
 just coming into fashion. Mr. Thomas Pennant made 
 his first tour in Scotland in 1769, and the beautifully 
 illustrated quarto in which -he gave the public a lively 
 account of his travels, was published in 1771. It was 
 very widely read, and may be said to have turned the 
 tide of holiday travel northwards. His second tour was 
 made in 1772 ; but the three quarto volumes in which he 
 told the amusing story of his journey were not published 
 till 1775, the year in which Johnson published his ' Jour- 
 ney to the Western Isles.' , Thomas Eogers went in 
 August, 1773, over much of the ground covered in Mr. 
 Pennant's first tour, and his wife, sitting at home, traced 
 his course with Pennant's volume in her hand. Her let- 
 ters, of which a dozen are preserved, are full of domestic, 
 social, and business details, and give further glimpses of 
 the family life at Newington Green. The earliest speak 
 of the ailments of the children, of visitors, one of whom 
 had come unexpectedly to dine because he was sure he 
 should not meet his wife, and of a, lawsuit which had 
 been decided in which Mr. Eogers was interested. The 
 fourth letter is as follows : — 
 
18 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 Mary Rogers to Thomas Rogers. 
 
 ' Njswington Gkebn, August 17. 
 
 ' Mt dearest T. E., — It is not in my power to ex- 
 press sufficient thanks for the happiness your last two 
 letters afforded me. To know that you are well always 
 gives me sincere pleasure, but to give me so near together 
 two such strong proofs of your remembrance to your 
 happy M. E. was indeed peculiarly kind ; and I can with 
 sincerity say, my dearest T. E., that on receipt of your 
 last letter I felt an affectionate gratitude that no words 
 can express. The children all continue well, and your 
 M. E. is also quite stout, though still but poorly. Mrs. 
 Newman and Misses Sarah and Euth Eaper are come in 
 to dinner, which will oblige me greatly (and much against 
 my will) to shorten my letter. I have had letters from 
 M. M. [Mary Mitchell]. She returns home this week or 
 next, and desires her love to you. Mrs. B. [Bowles] took 
 Patty to London on Sunday. She has got the measles in 
 a very favorable way. Mr. Field attends her.^ 
 
 ' Dr. Price is returned from Lord Shelburne's ; he 
 entirely cleared up his conduct relating to the India Bill. 
 He entirely disapproved of the measure, but the Duke 
 of Eichmond said the Parliament had no right to make 
 such a Bill, in which respect Lord Shelburne differed with 
 him, and said they had a right. 
 
 'Mr. Burroughs has accepted of the living. You said 
 I might give Dr. Amory ^ an invitation to come and take 
 a bed sometimes on Saturday night, which I mentioned 
 to him on Sunday, and I don't know whether he will not 
 accept of it next Saturday. We have had violent storms 
 
 1 Mt. Field, apothecary of Stoke Newington and Christ's Hospital, 
 father of Henry Field of Christ's Hospital and of the Rev. William 
 Field of "Warwick, the biographer of Dr. Parr ; gi-andfather of the late 
 Mr. Edwin Wilkins Field. 
 
 2 Dr. Amory was the morning preacher at Newington Green. 
 
HIS MOTHER'S LETTEES. 19 
 
 of tliiinder and lightning, whicli have in many places 
 done much damage. Mrs. T. Eickards and her little 
 boy are gone to-day to Brighthelmstone with Mr. Mait- 
 land's family. I assure you, my dear T. E., I have been a 
 great housekeeper (I wish I could say a good one). I 
 have scarcely been off the Green since you left me, 
 not above twice or thrice in the coach. Adieu, my ever 
 dear T. E., 
 
 ' And always believe me to be 
 
 ' Your constantly affectionate 
 
 'M. E. 
 
 * Thomas Rogers, Esq. 
 'Post Office, Inverness.' 
 
 The next letters were addressed to Inverary, Dumbar- 
 ton, and Glasgow; the last containing the news of 'the 
 death of that worthy and great man. Lord Lyttelton,' and 
 of a visit from Mr. Eogers the elder. In another, dated 
 September 4, she says : — 
 
 'I had a letter from my sister Mary [her husband's 
 sister at the Hill] on Saturday evening. She says Mr. 
 Eogers is but indifferent, though rather better than he 
 has been. She seems to intimate that it would give him 
 particular pleasure to hear from you. Lord Lyttelton is 
 greatly lamented, as must be imagined. He has long 
 been troubled with a boil, and constant physicking for 
 that, and uneasiness of mind. Dr. Ash thinks, quite broke 
 his constitution. He left his blessing for his son, and 
 desired he might be told that he forgave him. He was 
 speechless for some time ; and at last, exerting himself, 
 called Mrs. Lyttelton,^ gave her his blessing, lamented 
 her situation, and said that in losing him she had lost 
 her only friend. He then called Lord and Lady Valentia, 
 
 1 The wife of his worthless son, formerly Mrs. Peach of 'The 
 Leasowes.' 
 
20 EAELY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGEUS. 
 
 blessed them, and hoped they would continue to live in 
 virtue, as that would give them peace at the last. Mr, 
 Eogers desires that you would give his compliments to 
 Mr. Laseelles, and let him know that he shall be glad of 
 the pleasure of seeing him at the Hill with you.' 
 
 ' On the 23d of September she writes : — 
 
 ' I had the happiness to receive a very kind letter from 
 you, my ever dear T. E., on Tuesday morning, from 
 Warrington, and was pleased to think that you were 
 drawing so near to your poor deserted wife and her six 
 children, who will all rejoice to receive again their ram- 
 bling husband and father. You must allow me to be a 
 little saucy by way of variety, though in truth if I was 
 likely to indulge a grave vein, the sentiments I constantly 
 feel would lead me to express my gratitude for your 
 unspeakable kindness to me during your absence, your 
 unwearied attention to your own M. E., and the kind 
 assurances of love and affection that you were con- 
 stantly favoring her with. My heart sincerely exults in 
 the agreeable reflection, attended with the truest self- 
 congratulation, and determines to increase my assiduity 
 to promote his happiness to whom I am united by the 
 most tender and indissoluble ties ; and though above 
 thirteen years have elapsed since that — to me, happy — 
 union took place, I have the daily satisfaction to find 
 that the attachment of my heart is more and more 
 strong, and that the chief of all my temporal wishes 
 centre in him. 
 
 'We have this morning been taking an agreeable ride 
 that I have been talking of all the summer : it was to 
 see Mrs. Hanson and Mrs. Berthon, and we found neither 
 of them at home. Mr. Berthon lives on the Forest, just 
 beyond Mr. Bosanquet's. It is a pretty part of the coun- 
 try, and, I think, vastly superior to Clapham Common. 
 
CHARACTER OF HIS MOTHER. 21 
 
 Samuel Derrick, our Uncle Jo's man, is come here 
 to-day ; he came to London on Sunday, and returns to- 
 morrow morning. He says all friends are well at Derby. 
 Pray tell Mrs. Bowles that all her young folks dined 
 with us yesterday, and were very well and very merry. 
 We had, also, two of the young ladies from Miss Crisp's, 
 and they were altogether a joyous party. I was much 
 obliged by Mrs. Bowles's letter that I received yesterday, 
 and beg my thanks for it. Mrs. Solly and Mrs. Neal 
 made us a long morning visit yesterday. Mrs. Solly 
 says that they were prevented dining with us early in 
 the summer by the children having the whooping-cough ; 
 and that they intended sending to us the week you left 
 home, but were prevented by hearing of your journey. 
 They, however, fully intend it, but must leave it till they 
 come to London.' 
 
 These letters sufficiently indicate what manner of 
 woman Mrs. Eogers was. They have been carefully 
 preserved by her descendants, and have kept alive the 
 memory of her virtues as a mother and a wife. She is 
 described as a handsome and accomplished woman, of 
 much vivacity, popular in society, and tenderly beloved 
 by her own household. She was firm and strict in her 
 domestic administration, but so tender and gentle that 
 these were the chief characteristics which afterwards 
 dwelt in the memory of her children. * I was taught by 
 my mother,' said Eogers to Mr. Dyce, 'to be tenderly 
 kind towards the meanest living thing, and, however 
 people may laugh, I sometimes very carefully put a stray 
 gnat or wasp out of my window.' So do childhood's 
 lessons survive, and a mother's teaching endures. In 
 Mrs. Kogers's diary we get another view of her character, 
 — see what Wordsworth calls 'the very pulse of the 
 machine.' Like her father she was introspective, apt 
 to sit in judgment on herself, fond of putting her good 
 
22 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGEES. 
 
 resolutions on record. In these 'sessions of sweet si- 
 lent thought/ she, like Shakspeare in the sonnet, would 
 'summon up remembrance of things past,' and in re- 
 spect, not of outward happiness but of inward character, 
 ' sigh the lack of many a thing ' she sought. Into this 
 secrecy there is no need that we should further look. 
 Such a diary is a sacred thing, which only love and 
 reverence should scan. It contains passages from Dr. 
 Price's sermons which show the great influence of his 
 thoughtful genius on her inward life. It was a life nobly 
 planned ; and her husband's testimony, when with dimmed 
 eyes he read this record of her pious resolutions, was that 
 it was nobly executed. ' In understanding,' he says, ' she 
 was equalled by few ; in humility, good-nature, cheerful- 
 ness, benevolence, and tenderness of disposition, a con- 
 stant desire to please, and in the amiable discharge of 
 every relative and social duty, by none.' She died on 
 the 11th of July, 1776, three weeks after the birth of 
 her eleventh child, who survived her only a couple of 
 months. Samuel Eogers was then within three weeks 
 of the completion of his thirteenth year. 
 
 In his poem of ' Human Life ' Rogers gives a glimpse 
 of his own boyhood, and shows how vivid was his recol- 
 lection of his mother's tenderness : — 
 
 ' He walks, he speaks. In many a broken word 
 His wants, his wishes, and his griefs are heard, 
 And ever, ever, to her lap he flies. 
 When rosy sleep comes on with sweet surprise — 
 Locked in her arms, his arms across her flung 
 (That name most dear forever on his tongue), 
 As with soft accents round her neck he clings, 
 And, cheek to cheek, her luUing song she sings. 
 
 But soon a nobler task demands her care ; 
 Apart, she joins his little hands in prayer, 
 TeUing of Him who sees in secret there. 
 
THE MOTHER'S INFLUENCE. 23 
 
 And now the volume on lier knee has caught 
 
 His wandering eye, — now many a written thought, 
 
 Never to die, with many a lisping sweet. 
 
 His moving, murmuring lips endeavor to repeat. 
 
 Released, he chases the bright butterfly ; 
 
 Oh, he would follow, — follow through the sky I 
 
 Climbs the gaunt mastiff slumbering in his chain, 
 
 And chides and buffets, clinging by the mane ; 
 
 Then runs, and, kneeling by the fountain-side, 
 
 Sends his brave ship in triumph down the tide, — 
 
 A dangerous voyage ; or if now he can, 
 
 If now he wears the habit of a man. 
 
 Flings off the coat so much his pride and pleasure. 
 
 And, like a miser digging for his treasure. 
 
 His tiny spade in his own garden plies, 
 
 And in green letters sees his name arise. 
 
 Where'er he goes, forever in her sight, 
 
 She looks and l(Joks, and still with new delight.' 
 
 In the notes to the same poem Eogers says : ' We have 
 many friends in life, but we can only have one mother, — 
 " a discovery," says Gray, " which I never made till it 
 was too late." The child is no sooner born than he 
 clings to his mother, nor while she lives is her image 
 absent from him in the hour of his distress. Sir John 
 Moore, when he fell from his horse in the battle of 
 Corunna, faltered out with his dying breath some mes- 
 sage to his mother. And who can forget the last words 
 of Conradin when, in his fifteenth year, he was led forth 
 to die at Naples, — " O my mother, how great will be 
 your grief when you hear of it ! " ' 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 Rogers's Boyhood and Schoolmasters. — His Father. — William Maltby. 
 
 — Dr. Price and the Boys Thomas Eogers's Polities. — Dr. 
 
 Price's Influence. — Samuel Eogers and the Pulpit. — The Coven- 
 try Election. — Letters from Thomas Bogers. — Samuel Eegers at 
 Home. 
 
 The too early death of Eogers's mother did not leave 
 the family without a woman at its head. When Thomas 
 Eogers married he went to live in the house of his 
 father-in-law, and he found there, living as a member 
 of the family, Mary Mitchell, who is spoken of in Mrs. 
 Eogers's letters. She was the daughter of Paul Mitchell, 
 who had married Mary Eadford, the sister of Daniel 
 Eadford, and she was therefore first cousin to Mrs. 
 Eogers. Daniel Eadford had taken his niece, who had 
 heen left an orphan, to be the companion of his only 
 child, and she had lived with her all through her married 
 life, assisting her in bearing the burden of her house- 
 hold cares. Miss Mitchell was a capable and cultivated 
 person, whom the children looked up to as almost a 
 second mother. She lived on with them till the home 
 on Newington Green was broken up, and then with Mr. 
 Henry Eogers at Highbury, where she died. Another 
 of the ladies of the household was Mrs. Worthington, an 
 older and more distant cousin than Mrs. Mitchell. She 
 is the Milly of the family letters, and acted as governess 
 to the children. 
 
 The kind of life the family led during Samuel Eogers's 
 boyhood has been sufficiently shown in his mother's 
 letters. In Mr. Hayward's appreciative notice in the 
 
CHAEA.CTERISTICS AS A BOY. 25 
 
 ' Edinburgh Review/ written a few months after Eogers's 
 death, there are some speculations on his conduct and 
 character in boyhood, which Mr. Hayward borrowed 
 from a letter written to him by Mrs. Norton, who 
 humorously constructed an imaginary first childhood out 
 of what she had known of Rogers when he was verging 
 towards second childhood. Neither Mrs. "Norton nor 
 Mr. Hayward knew anything at all of Rogers's younger 
 days. He was the very contrary of everything they 
 describe in this futile attempt to construct biographical 
 details out of their internal consciousness. He was sen- 
 sitive, impulsive, imaginative, and emotional, as all lads 
 who inherit the poetical temperament are. He was not 
 strong enough for much athletic exercise, but he took 
 his fair share in the games and adventures of boyhood. 
 ' His life was gentle,' and his was just such a boyhood as 
 thousands of English lads are enjoying now in families 
 of some wealth and much culture, with only the outward 
 differences that the lapse of a hundred and twenty years 
 has made. His father had ideas as to the relation of 
 parent and child which have become old-fashioned now. 
 He was a somewhat strict disciplinarian. His grandson, 
 Samuel Sharpe, describes him as having dressed, accord- 
 ing to the fashion of the day, in a brown coat, with great 
 amplitude in the sleeves, and worn a cocked hat, powder, 
 and a queue. The powdered hair was, in those days, 
 not inconsistent with Whiggism; a little later, when 
 Fox had set the fashion of leaving his hair of the color 
 nature had given it, the Whigs followed his example, 
 aud with them, at least, powder went out of fashion. 
 Thomas Rogers was what would now be described as 
 a Radical, as were all the Whigs of a century ago. 
 Samuel Sharpe tells us that he had voted for the Byngs, 
 father and son, at every Middlesex election, except when 
 he was displeased with the Coalition Ministry. That he 
 was a good man of business his success may be taken to 
 
26 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 prove. His household was conducted with, the regular- 
 ity which became the chief person in a Dissenting con- 
 gregation. He -read prayers with his family in the 
 morning, and they were regular in their attendance at 
 the Stoke Kewington Chapel. In the next pew to them 
 sat Mary WoUstonecraft, then a girl; and the pulpit 
 was filled by Dr. Towers in the morning and by Dr. Price 
 in the afternoon. Thomas Eogers was affectionately re- 
 garded by his children, though in those days there was 
 always a certain distance between the head of the house 
 and the other members of the household. His children 
 address him in their letters with the formality now re- 
 served for strangers, and with them all his will was 
 law. 
 
 Soon after his mother's death Sam was sent to his last 
 schoolmaster, — the Eev. James Pickbourne of Hackney. 
 Mr. Pickbourne had been librarian to Dr. Williams's 
 library, of which Thomas Eogers was one of the trustees. 
 He had afterwards acted as travelling tutor to some 
 young men, with whom he had made the grand tour. 
 He was the author of a 'Dissertation on the English 
 Verb,' and of another on ' Metrical Pauses.' His school 
 was in Grove Street, Hackney. One of the most lasting 
 friendships of Eogers's life was begun at this school. 
 This was with William Maltby, a near relative of Edward 
 Maltby, who was afterwards Bishop of Durham. Maltby 
 writes to his friend on the 12th of December, 1781, of 
 'the many joyful hours I have passed in your company 
 under the confinement of scholastic restraint,' and now 
 that school days are over, expresses 'the most sanguine 
 hopes of a pure and lively pleasure from our new corre- 
 spondence and increasing friendship, the latter of which 
 I flatter myself will neither be dissolved by diversity of 
 opinion nor distance of habitation, but will be as dura- 
 ble as sincere.' Such anticipations are often expressed, 
 but rarely realized. In this instance they were literally 
 
LORD SHELBURNE AND DR. PRICE. 27 
 
 fulfilled. The schoolboy friendship proved 'as durable as 
 sincere.' It lasted for more than seventy-two years after 
 this letter was written, and was only dissolved by death. 
 William Maltby went to Cambridge when Samuel Kogers 
 went to business, though, being a Dissenter, he was 
 unable to take his degree. He afterwards practised as 
 a solicitor, and in 1809 was appointed librarian of the 
 London Institution in succession to Porson. He was re- 
 lieved from duty in 1834, but continued to live in the 
 librarian's house till he died in January, 1864, in his 
 ninetieth year. His schoolboy friend survived him, and 
 erected a tablet in Norwood Cemetery to his memory. 
 
 While Samuel Eogers was still at school, Dr. Price 
 suddenly bounded into fame by publishing his great 
 •work on the war with the American Colonies. This 
 obscure preacher to a small and decreasing suburban 
 congregation had already become known and esteemed 
 beyond the little circle of those who appreciated his 
 religious teaching and admired his character. He had 
 published in 1758 a 'Treatise on the Foundation of 
 Morals,' and in 1767 a volume of dissertations, among 
 which was one on 'Providence,' and another 'On the 
 Junction of Virtuous Men in a Future State.' These 
 essays attracted the notice of Lord Shelburne, who read 
 them during a period of gloom and depression occasioned 
 by the loss of his wife. Lord Shelburne asked Mrs. 
 Montagu, who had recommended the book, fpr an intro- 
 duction to its author, and thereupon called on Dr. Price 
 at Kewington Green. The interview was so satisfac- 
 tory to both that it was soon repeated with important 
 results. 
 
 Lord Shelburne felt the charm of Dr. Price's simple 
 and unaffected character; Dr. Price respected and es- 
 teemed Lord Shelburne for his serious earnestness, and 
 a friendship was begun which only ended with their 
 lives. This intercourse with Dr. Price led to Lord Shel- 
 
28 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 burne's introduction to Dr. Priestley, and to Dr. Price's 
 acquaintance with Mr. Dunning and Colonel Barr^. The 
 same book which had brought Lord Shelburne to New- 
 ington Green soon afterwards brought Lord Lytteltcm 
 thither on a similar errand. His 'Dialogues of the 
 Dead ' had been published in 1760 ; fourteen years earlier 
 he had written a work on the ' Conversion of St. Paul, 
 and he now went to Dr. Price to talk with one of the 
 clearest thinkers of the age on the transcendent themes 
 in which he felt so profound an interest. The acquaint- 
 ance thus begun between an old neighbor of Thomas 
 Eogers and his next-door neighbor and minister at New- 
 ington Green was cut short by Lord Lyttelton's death 
 a few years later in 1773. Dr. Price was all this time 
 becoming known for his philosophical inquiries in an- 
 other direction. He had written letters to Dr. Franklin, 
 which had been published in the 'Philosophical Transac- 
 tions,' ' On the Expectation of Lives,' and ' On the Effect 
 of the Aberration of Light on the Time of the Transit of 
 Venus; 'and had made a communication to the Eoyal 
 Society on the proper method of calculating the values 
 of contingent reversions. It was said by some of his 
 friends that the labor of these abstruse calculations 
 turned his hair suddenly gray. His biographer, Mr. 
 William Morgan,^ says that in this latter paper he had 
 corrected an error into which M. de Moivre had fallen ; 
 but thinking the mistake must be his own, rather than 
 that of so eminent a mathematician, he ' puzzled himself 
 so much in the correction of it, that the color of his hair, 
 which was naturally black, became changed in different 
 parts of his head into spots of perfect white. All this 
 must have arisen from his usual diffidence in his own 
 abilities ; for no other cause can be assigned for his 
 doubts and difficulties in a case which really admitted of 
 1 Memoirs of the Life of the Rev. Richard Price, D.D., F.R.S. By 
 William Morgnn, F.R.S. 
 
DR. PRICE ON CIVIL LIBERTY. 29 
 
 none.' It was in this same year 1769 that his celebrated 
 ' Treatise on Eeversionary Payments ' was issued. It 
 was followed up in 1772 by an ' Appeal to the Public on 
 the National Debt.' 
 
 These publications had prepared the way for his ' Ob- 
 servations on Civil Liberty and the Justice and Policy 
 of the War with America,' which was issued early in 
 1776. The outbreak of these fratricidal hostilities in 
 1774 had deeply stirred the public mind, and one of 
 Samuel Eogers's early recollections was, that on one 
 evening after reading from the Bible at family prayers, 
 his father explained to his children the cause of the 
 rebellion in the colonies, and told them that our own 
 nation was in the wrong and it was not right to wish 
 that the Americans should be conquered. When the 
 news of the battle of Lexington reached England, — a 
 battle begun by nine hundred British soldiers firing 
 three volleys at the little troop of seventy men whom 
 Captain John Parker, grandfather of Theodore Parker, 
 had formed into the first line of the revolution, — Thomas 
 Eogers put on mourning. Being asked if he had lost a 
 friend, he answered that he had lost several friends — in 
 New England. The Eecorder of London put on mourn- 
 ing for the same event at the same time, and Granville 
 Sharp gave up his place in the Ordnance office because 
 he did not think it right to ship stores and munitions of 
 war which might be used to put down self-government 
 in the American colonies. To this very strong and wide- 
 spread feeling Dr. Price's Essay gave powerful literary 
 expression. It was written in the winter of 1775. The 
 battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill had taken place 
 in the preceding summer, and the Declaration of Inde- 
 pendence followed on the fourth of July, 1776, about six 
 months after the issue of Dr. Price's pamphlet. The 
 time of its publication was, therefore, most opportune. 
 The public excitement was more intense than anything 
 
30 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 this generation has witnessed, and the book was so 
 eagerly bought that the printers, with the slow machin- 
 ery of those days, could not keep pace with the demand. 
 Dr. Price was urged to allow a cheap edition to be 
 printed, and he at once consented, though by doing so he 
 sacrificed his pecuniary profits. In a few months nearly 
 sixty thousand copies, then an almost unparalleled num- 
 ber, had been sold, and Dr. Price's name was in every- 
 body's mouth. The Corporation of London — then, as 
 in so many parts of its previous history, a really popular 
 body, representative of the best Liberal feeling of the 
 time — presented him with the freedom of the city in 
 a gold box, in ' testimony of their approbation of his 
 principles and of the high sense they entertained of the 
 excellence of his observations on the justice and policy 
 of the war with America.' Fame brought its incon- 
 veniences together with its pleasures. Anonymous let- 
 ters were sent threatening his life, and he was obliged 
 to decline correspondence with Dr. Franklin on the 
 ground that he had become so marked and obnoxious 
 that prudence required him to be extremely cautious. 
 The populace, however, loved and reverenced the coura- 
 geous advocate of popular rights. As he rode in the 
 streets of London, on his old white horse, blind in one 
 eye, clothed, as Eogers remembered him, ' in a great coat 
 and black spatterdashes,' Eogers says that, like Demos- 
 thenes, he was often diverted by hearing the carmen and 
 orange-women say, 'There goes Dr. Price!' 'Make way 
 for Dr. Price ! ' The seriousness and gentle mildness of 
 his character surprised those who only knew him from 
 his works. When the Duchess of Bedford met him, at 
 her own request, at Shelburne House, his quiet aspect 
 and unassuming manners caused her great astonishment. 
 'I expected to meet a Colossus,' she afterwards said, 
 'with an eye like Mars, to threaten and command.' 
 Gibbon is reported to have expressed similar surprise 
 
DH. PRICE'S INFLUENCE. 31 
 
 when he met him in Mr. Cadell's shop. Theservices he 
 had rendered to freedom were acknowledged in France 
 and the United States, and in most unexpected quarters 
 at home. Congress passed a resolution inviting him to 
 become a citizen of the United States, and to assist them 
 in the regulation of their finances. In later years Tur- 
 got corresponded with him, Pitt repeatedly consulted 
 him on great questions of national finance, and a speech 
 of his in proposing the toast of union between England 
 and France was read twice in the National Assembly, the 
 members standing. He was one day at the Bar of the 
 House of Lords, when the Duke of Cumberland came up 
 and told him he had read his ' Essay on Civil Liberty ' till 
 he was blind. ' It is remarkable,' replied Lord Ashbur- 
 ton, who was standing near, 'that your royal highness 
 should have been blinded by a book which has opened 
 the eyes of all mankind.' 
 
 It is difficult to over-estimate the influence which this 
 admirable and estimable person exerted over Samuel 
 Eogers and his brothers in the early part of their lives. 
 Dr. Price was no mere controversialist. He was content 
 with the service he had done to freedom, and expressed 
 the desire, after the issue of his second pamphlet, to 
 remain 'an anxious spectator of the present contest 
 with the satisfaction of having endeavored to commu- 
 nicate just ideas of government, and of the nature and 
 value of civil liberty.' He held high and serious views 
 of the responsibilities of his profession as a preacher, 
 and his excursions into politics and finance were only 
 occasional divergences from pastoral work. He had left 
 Stoke Newington in some depression at the smallness 
 of his audience there, and had become morning preacher 
 at Hackney, but remained as afternoon lecturer to his 
 former congregation . Political celebrity, however, brought 
 crowds to hear him at Hackney, and his sermons on the 
 fast days of 1779 and 1781 were published and very 
 
32 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGEKS. 
 
 widely read. His profound sense of the importance of 
 the pulpit impressed itself very strongly on his young 
 admirer and disciple Samuel Eogers, and led him to 
 desire to adopt it as his profession. He used to tell 
 the story of his father one day calling the boys into 
 his room, and asking them what professions they would 
 choose in life. Samuel replied that he should like to be 
 a preacher. He thought there was nothing on earth so 
 grand. The wish was entirely due to his admiration for 
 Dr. Price and his preaching. It was afterwards over- 
 ruled ; but a letter is extant from the Eev. Theophilus 
 Lindsey, the founder of Essex Street Unitarian Chapel, 
 in which he states that he had heard an oration from 
 Mr. Samuel Eogers, who was thinking of entering at 
 Warrington Academy as a student for the ministry.* 
 The choice is only now of interest as showing the bent of 
 Samuel Eogers's mind away from business. The weak- 
 ness of his voice would have disqualified him for any 
 form of public speaking. His father probably saw, more- 
 over, that it was his imagination rather than the impera- 
 tive call of special faculties and endowments, which had 
 led to his desire to preach ; and there was no sign what- 
 ever, in any part of his life, that he possessed the peculiar 
 powers which can alone lead to distinction, and to the 
 large usefulness which accompanies it, in the profession 
 of the preacher. Mr. Dyce, in his recollections of 
 Rogers's conversation, — recollections which show on 
 every page that they are chiefly gathered from Rogers's 
 declining days, — reports a freak, which, small as it seems 
 in the record, is interesting as showing that as a boy he 
 was greatly under the influence of a strong imagination. 
 There was a children's ball at his father's house, at 
 which many older people were present. Samuel Rogers, 
 
 1 I have not seen the letter, but the Eev. Dr. Sadler, the editor of 
 Crabb Eobinson's Diary, clearly remembers reading it, and his accuracy 
 is un(juestionable. 
 
HE ENTERS ON BUSINESS. 33 
 
 then about thirteen, was dancing a minuet with a pretty- 
 little girl, and at the moment when he should have put 
 on his hat and given both hands to his partner he threw 
 the hat among the young ladies who were sitting on the 
 benches, creating much surprise and confusion. 'Tliis 
 strange feat,' he said to Mr. Dyce, ' was occasioned by 
 my suddenly recollecting a story of some gallant youth 
 who had signalized himself in the same way.' 
 
 He probably told this story because it showed an un- 
 regulated and childish form of the desire for distinction 
 which was an important element of his character as a 
 young man. There seemed but little chance of his dis- 
 tinguishing himself when he left school. He was the 
 third son, and his proper place, in his father's view, was 
 a stool in 'the shop,' as it was the custom to call the 
 bank. To the bank, therefore, he went. His eldest 
 brother, Daniel, had already gone to Cambridge. Daniel 
 was intended for the bar. His father thought of him as 
 the member of the family most likely to distinguish him- 
 self, and probably anticipated his entering Parliament 
 and reaching the higher ranks of the profession. But 
 Daniel never took either to the law or to banking. He 
 lived and died a country gentleman. Thomas and Sam- 
 uel were to be the bankers, and they went to business 
 instead of to the university. The London of those days 
 was a very different place from the London of the present 
 generation. Few of the merchants or bankers lived, as 
 the Eogerses did, away in the suburbs. Some years later, 
 when Mr. Jones Loyd came to London, he dwelt over his 
 bank in Lothbury, and there the late Lord Overstone was 
 born in 1796. On Temple Bar there was a ghastly relic 
 which testified to the barbarity of the times, for Rogers 
 remembered seeing one of the heads of the rebels still 
 exposed upon its pole. It was the London which Dickens 
 has admirably described in ' Barnaby Eudge ; ' the Lon- 
 don of the Gordon Eiots. Eogers recollected the excite- 
 
 3 
 
34 EAELY LIFE OF SAMUEL KOGEES. 
 
 ment and the horrors of the time. He had already gone 
 to business when the riots occurred; and one of his 
 most Yivid recollections was that of seeing a cartload 
 of young girls, in colored dresses, passing through the 
 streets on the way to execution at Tyburn. They had 
 been condemned to death for taking part in the riots, 
 though in all probability they had done little more than 
 look on. 
 
 There is no reason to believe that Samuel Eogers 
 exhibited any strong disinclination to go to business. 
 The poetical temperament is often intolerant of drudgery ; 
 but he had been too dutifully brought up to allow him 
 to waste time and strength in protests against conditions 
 he could not alter. Such sentimental complaints as 
 Kirke White afterwards indulged against the employ- 
 ment which was generously given him in Mr. Enfield's 
 ofB.ce at Nottingham, were not likely to arise from a boy 
 nurtured in the atmosphere of the Stoke Newington 
 home. It was a disappointment to Eogers that he was 
 obliged to take to business when all his tastes and 
 inclinations led him to literature, but he submitted 
 without repining. If banking was to be his work, 
 literature should be his recreation ; and if the one was 
 cheerfully done as daily duty, the other should be joy- 
 fully sought as a source of never-ending delight. He 
 never contemplated making literature his profession. 
 He spoke of it as mere drudgery when it is made the 
 business of life, but thought that when it is resorted to 
 only at certain hours it is a charming relaxation. In 
 these earlier years he was a banker's clerk, obliged to be 
 at the desk every day from ten in the morning till five 
 in the afternoon ; but he never forgot the delight with 
 which, after returning home, he turned to the reading 
 and writing which occupied his evening leisure. In these 
 days, too, he was not without a lively interest in politics. 
 One day, in the general election of 1780, Wilkes came 
 
HIS INTEREST IN POLITICS. 35 
 
 into the bank to canvass TMr. Eogers. He was out, but 
 Samuel was able to assure the popular candidate for 
 Middlesex of his father's sympathy ; and felt proud at 
 having shaken hands with him. Wilkes was a man of 
 good manners, but ugly and with a squint. He was 
 chamberlain of the city, and Eogers remembered seeing 
 him going to the Guildhall on foot, in a scarlet coat, 
 military boots, and a bag-wig, — the hackney coachmen 
 calling to him, ' A coach, your honor ? ' but calling in 
 vain. When Wilkes called to canvass him Thomas 
 Eogers was probably at Coventry, where he was one of 
 the Whig candidates. His colleague was Sir Thomas 
 Halifax, and the Tory candidates were Mr. Edward Roe 
 Yeo and Mr. John Baker Holroyd, afterwards Lord 
 ShefBeld. The contest was one which attracted great 
 notice at the time, and the accounts of it which have 
 been preserved illustrate in a very striking way the 
 political manners and customs of the age. Daniel 
 Eogers Avrites to Samuel : — 
 
 ' COVENTKT, Sept. 14 [1780]. 
 
 ' Deae Sammy, — As I have no doubt you are anxious 
 to hear of our health, and the particulars of our situar 
 tion, especially at such a riotous period, I have taken 
 this earliest opportunity of answering your kind letter 
 to my father by return of post. Few words are neces- 
 sary to acquaint you with the state of the election. . . . 
 Yesterday and to-day the booth has been so encompassed 
 with a riotous mob that the poll has been adjourned 
 without proceeding to business. Every equitable propo- 
 sition to prevent riot and confusion has been rejected 
 by Mr. Holroyd and Mr. Yeo; but the sheriffs are 
 determined to persevere in adjourning the poll from day 
 to day till the freedom of election is restored. At 
 present our voters are obstructed, beaten, stripped, and 
 endangered by a hired mob of colliers and others of the 
 
36 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGERS. 
 
 like stamp. The whole affair will doubtless be misrepre- 
 sented by our opponents in the London papers, but our 
 friends are convinced we have the majority of voters; 
 and Mr. Briggs, who has examined the subject, and been 
 remarkably active, is of the same opinion. . . . With 
 compliments to Dr. and Mrs. Price, 
 
 ' I remain your ever affectionate 
 
 'D. EOGEES.' 
 
 This letter was written on the fifth day after the poll 
 opened. So great was the rioting that in nine days, 
 from the 9th to the 18th of September, only eighty-three 
 persons voted. The sheriffs, determined not to proceed 
 with the election till peace was restored, closed the poll 
 on the ninth day, and made no return. The new House 
 of Commons met on the 31st of October, but there were 
 no members from Coventry, and the sheriffs were accord- 
 ingly summoned to the Bar of the House and eventually 
 committed to prison, and on their release were repri- 
 manded by the Speaker. In December another election 
 was held, the same candidates being in the field. Party 
 feeling still ran as high as ever, and the prolonged poll- 
 ing, which lasted more than a fortnight, gave occasion 
 for all kinds of disturbance. The election is described 
 in a letter from his father to Sam. 
 
 Thomas Rogers to Samuel Rogers. 
 
 ' Coventut, Saturday evening, 15th December, 1780. 
 ' Dear Sammt, — I have received several kind letters 
 lately from the Green, but, as yours was the last, I have 
 laid my haud first upon it. I wish I could have the 
 happiness to make one of your party this evening at the 
 Green, but, alas ! I am still confined to this region of 
 discord and contention. Coventry seems to be the place 
 where every unclean bird dwells ; for of all the black- 
 
HIS FATHER A CANDIDATE FOR PARLIAMENT. 37 
 
 guards in the universe I think the Coventry Blues are 
 the greatest. They still seem confident of success, but 
 I think on Tuesday night they will have found out their 
 mistake. It may possibly end then, but not sooner. 
 Total number polled to-night, 2,317. They have only 
 about forty more to poll, so that on Monday morning 
 we shall soon begin to regain the 150 we first gave 
 them. I have been a good deal indisposed by a cold ; 
 but, by attending to it to-day, I am now much relieved, 
 and doubt not by Monday morning to be quite well as 
 usual. I hope to return to my children and family life 
 before this day se'ennight, and to exchange a scene every 
 way hateful for one of peace, happiness, and content. I 
 have sent you one of our new songs, which I hope will 
 please you. I beg my kind love to everybody. 
 ' I remain, in haste, dear Sam, 
 
 ' Your ever affectionate father, 
 
 'Thos. Kogees. 
 •Mr. Sam Eogees, 
 ' At Messrs. Welclj & Comp»'', 
 ' Cornhill, London.' 
 
 Mr. Eogers's anticipations were realized. The poll was 
 declared on the 28th December : Sir Thomas Halifax, 
 1,319; Thomas Eogers, 1,318; Edward E. Yeo, 1,298; 
 John Baker Holroyd, 1,295. The Tories petitioned, and 
 a Tory election committee, as was inevitable in those 
 days, unseated the Whigs and gave the seats to their 
 defeated opponents. Thomas Eogers never stood again 
 at any election. Neither the morals nor the manners of 
 elections in those times were congenial to him, and his owB 
 strong political convictions were in advance of the age. 
 
 There is a further curious illustration of the elections 
 of the reign of George the Third, ninety years before 
 the ballot, in a letter written to Thomas Eogers during 
 the Bristol election in January, 1781. 
 
38 EAELY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 John BoUtison to Tliomas Bogers. 
 
 ' Dbak Sir, — I wrote you from Namptwich \_8ic1, and 
 at the same time enclosed proposals from Harrison and 
 Houghton's house, to which I suppose you have given 
 them an answer. I am now at Bristol, where they have 
 this day begun a contested election for a member in the 
 room of the late Mr. Lippintot, deceased. The candidates 
 are Mr. Cruger and Mr. Daubeny. They poll in tallies 
 of ten each. They have polled to-day (after squabbling 
 about three hours before the opening of the poll) six 
 tallies each, and nine single freeholders, so that they 
 stand equally, — sixty-nine each. The Blues are, in their 
 own opinion, very secure of their election of Mr. Dau- 
 beny, but I think, myself, from what I have heard and 
 seen, that Cruger will run him hard. He has by much, 
 to a stranger, the greatest share of popularity; and if 
 the gentlemen who manage for him mind what they are 
 about I am of opinion he will get his election. They are 
 extremely riotous, have already pulled down the board 
 that directed the freemen the road to Daubeny's polling- 
 place, and knocked down several in the street of Dau- 
 beny's party. I shall be at Coventry in about eight days 
 from this, where I shall be very glad to receive a letter 
 from you directed to the King's Head there. If I can, 
 say or do anything there pray command me. I shall go 
 from thence through Birmingham and Stourbridge, where 
 I shall do myself the pleasure of paying a visit to Miss 
 Eogers. Some gentlemen, before the poll began to-day, 
 taxed Daubeny with attempting to compromise with 
 another party at the last election. As you will see by the 
 enclosed paper, the Dissenters of all denominations are 
 for Cruger ; and the Quakers — who are numerous here, 
 and you know are in general a quiet set of people — were 
 the first who mounted the rostrum to poll. I can say no 
 
SOCIETY IN WORCESTERSHIRE. 39 
 
 more uow, and you must excuse tlie incorrectness of wliat 
 
 I liave said, for there is a noise here almost su£B.cient to 
 
 crack tlie drum of a mau's ear. 
 
 ' So must subscribe myself, dear Sir, 
 
 ' Your very humble servant, 
 
 'John Eobinson. 
 'Bristol, Jan. 30, 1781.' 
 
 Mr. Cruger, the Whig candidate, was defeated. He 
 had been Burke's colleague in the Parliament of 1774, 
 and made the celebrated speech in the House of Com- 
 mons, — ' Mr. Speaker, I say ditto to Mr. Burke ; I say 
 ditto to Mr. Burke.' 
 
 Thomas Sogers the elder had died a few years before 
 this, and his daughters continued to live at ' The Hill,' 
 where the elder members of the family from Newington 
 Green often visited them. These visits during the life 
 of their grandfather, and afterwards to their aunts, were 
 something more than journeys to the country. They, 
 were excursions into another social atmosphere, another 
 political climate, another world. Thomas Rogers was 
 there every summer, and his letters to Sam give a lively 
 picture of the society of the neighborhood. On the 14th 
 of August, 1781, he writes : ' We were last week entirely 
 taken up by Lord and Lady Valentia, who were upon a 
 visit to "The Hill" from Monday to Saturday. This 
 visit has brought on another from this family to Arley, 
 Lord Valentia's house, which takes place to-morrow, and 
 . in which I am compelled to take a part. We shall re- 
 turn on Friday. I look upon these engagements as near 
 a fortnight's loss to me. Tom left us on Sunday even- 
 ing. He intended sleeping that night at Lichheld, and 
 on Monday at Derby. The races were to begin to-day.' 
 On the 6th of September he says : ' We pass our time so 
 uniformly that I have nothing to communicate worth 
 your notice. Among the changes which have taken 
 
40 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 place in this neighborhood, chance has brought to Mr. 
 Amphlett's house at Clent a Mr. and Mrs. Blair, both 
 Scotch. They live in one of the polite squares, keep 
 many servants, live in a high style, and are famous for 
 musical parties. Mrs. Blair sings delightfully, and is 
 called "the inimitable Blair." As they visit a good 
 deal, and Mrs. Blair sings whenever she is asked, and 
 •without the least ceremony, they are considered as an 
 acquisition to the county. But I am afraid they will not 
 stay long, as they are said not to think their house good 
 enough, and occasionally give themselves some conse- 
 quential airs of that sort which some of their neighbors 
 do not seem to relish. As Mrs. Blair is a lady of so 
 much tone, I thought I would introduce her to you. . . . 
 We were told last week that the combined fleets were in 
 the Channel, but we disregarded it; the papers to-day 
 confirm it, but nobody seems to think it a circumstance 
 of any moment, and I suppose the same torpid indiffer. 
 ence prevails through the country generally.' 
 
 The visits to and from the Valentias were repeated in 
 later summers, and Mr. Eogers, in his frequent visits to 
 ' The Hill,' seems to have entered with great zest into the 
 pleasures and amusements of the country life to which he 
 had been accustomed in his early days. He writes on the 
 6th of October, 1783 : ' Our Assembly is fixed for next 
 Monday, which will give us pleasure on Martha's account, 
 as I hope there will be a smart dance. ... It is so cele- 
 brated a meeting that there are generally four or five 
 hairdressers from Worcester and Birmingham come over • 
 to attend the ladies, as the friseurs of the town are not 
 found sufScient.' In October, 1785, he reports the first 
 Assembly of the season at Stourbridge, and adds : ' Four 
 of your aunts and myself were there, and had the pleas- 
 ure of meeting Captain and Mrs. Cox and many friends.' 
 He notes, moreover, two new features of country life. 
 The first mail-coach had been started at Bristol in 1784, 
 
ESTABLISHMFNT OF SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. 41 
 
 and in 1785 mail-coaches spread rapidly all over tlie 
 country. ' The extension of the mail-coaches/ says 
 Thomas Eogers, in a letter to Sarah Eogers, on the 18th 
 of October, 1785, 'makes the country towns very gay. 
 We have one comes from Birmingham to Stourbridge, 
 and from hence to Bewdley every day but Monday ; and 
 the king's arms on the coach, and the scarlet and gold 
 livery of the coachman, please the populace much.' 
 
 Another innovation of the time was the establishment 
 of Sunday Schools. The Eev. Theophilus Lindsey had 
 established such a school at Oatterick in 1764, and Miss 
 Hannah Ball at High Wycombe in 1769 ; but the move- 
 ment had been made general by the success of the school 
 Mr. Robert Raikes had opened at St. Mary-le-Crypt in 
 Gloucester in 1781. So in this same letter Thomas Eogers 
 reports in 1785 : ' Mr. Foley, the rector of the parish, and 
 several gentlemen, are very busy in drawing up a plan 
 for Sunday Schools. Sufficient money is raised, but the 
 school-houses are not yet fixed upon, nor the masters and 
 mistresses appointed. There will be about six for boys, 
 and the same number for girls.' He adds a wish which 
 was realized fifty-five years afterwards by some of his 
 descendants : ' I hope the gentlemen of Islington and 
 the Green will establish some in the neighborhood. I 
 wish one or two could be established at the Green, and 
 the children brought to meeting, as I know no place 
 where there are so many poor people with so little attend- 
 ance upon public worship.' 
 
 The autumn of 1786 finds him again at ' The Hill,' 
 and he writes to Sam, who had just returned from 
 Brighton, of some delightful excursions they had made. 
 ' One to Downton, to Dick Knight's Castle, and over a 
 lofty range of hills in that neighborhood, commanding 
 Herefordshire, Shropshire, and part of Wales.' The 
 other excursion was to Mr. Harley's at Berrington, near 
 Leominster. ' The house not large, but taking in horses' 
 
42 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGEES. 
 
 stables, gardens, with the establishment of servants, the 
 whole may be called princely. No park and not much 
 shrubbery, but some hundred acres of ground, beautiful 
 in situation, laid out in great taste, and kept up at a 
 profusion of expense.' In this letter he expresses the 
 hope that in Tom's absence Sam will get early to town, 
 and attend as much as possible to Mr. Welch's ease, 
 doing everything he can to relieve him from too much 
 application. 
 
 In most of these letters he speaks of Sam's health. In 
 1781 Sam had gone to Margate, and his father strongly 
 recommends him to take horse exercise, promising to 
 send the brown mare if he cannot get a decent horse by 
 hiring. Sam had said something about dancing, and his 
 father expresses the hope that he will ' be so prudent in 
 the use of it as not, like Penelope, to undo by night the 
 work of the day.' Year after year there are references 
 in the letters to a weakness of the eyes from which Sam 
 was suffering. He seems to have had a very odd experi- 
 ence with respect to them. One of his poems is entitled 
 ' To the Gnat,' and admirably describes in sixteen lines 
 the ' whirring wings ' and ' shrill horn ' of the mosquito. 
 If it had been written on Staten Island, near New York, 
 or in some other place haunted by the scourge of conti- 
 nental climates, it could not have pictured more graphi- 
 cally the possible horrors of an autumn night ; but 
 addressed to our poor English midge, the lines seem 
 exaggerated, and Mr. Sharpe thinks the piece might 
 have been written in order that it might end in mock- 
 heroic style with Dryden's line, — 
 
 ' They wake in horror and dare sleep no more. ' 
 
 Yet Eogers always declared that the lines literally 
 described his own experience. In his young days the 
 gnats at Stoke Newington distressed him as the mos- 
 quitoes plague an Englishman who without due precau- 
 
MAKGATE IN 1785. 43 
 
 tions ventures to sleep with an open window in some 
 parts of the United States. His eyes, he says, were 
 often swollen with the bites of gnats when he woke in 
 the morning. This annoyance was probably due to his 
 weak health. Every year during his clerkship at the 
 bank he took long holidays at Margate or at Brighton ; 
 year after year sea-bathing and horse exercise were 
 recommended him by the doctors, and he found benefit 
 from them. His father had to exhort him not to spend 
 too much time in reading, but to lay his favorite books 
 aside and look after his health. In the summer of 1785 
 he writes to his father : — 
 
 ' Maegatb, 24 Sept., '85. 
 
 ' Dear Sib, — I arrived here last Tuesday night, after 
 a very pleasant journey. The hop-picking had thrown 
 an air of gayety over the country, and women and chil- 
 dren were everywhere singing songs and filling their 
 baskets. The weather has been very changeable, and the 
 showers so partial that yesterday when I was riding with 
 Mr. Seawell (who is here, and boards in the same house 
 with me) a very heavy shower fell within twenty yards 
 of us, and we could distinctly see the drops. Margate is 
 rather full, but the height of the season seems to be past. 
 Mr. Seawell and myself propose to take a little trip to 
 Calais next week, and on our return to Dover I shall be 
 met by Mr. Joseph Collier, who will accompany me along 
 the coast to Brighthelmstone. Mr. Wm. Maltby is there 
 for his health, which is very indifferent, and I hope to 
 stay there a week or ten days. The sea has been very 
 calm since I came, and I have bathed every morning. 
 As we shall make easy journeys every day, I mean to 
 bathe at Eye and Eastbourne. Mr. Bearcroft and his 
 family are here, and are extremely civil to me. I walked 
 down to the pier this morning, and counted twenty-four 
 West India merchantmen, which are just visible on the 
 
44 EARLY LIFE OF SAMDEL ROGERS. 
 
 line of the horizon. I have found the sea air have the 
 same effect it used to have, and my appetite is so keen 
 that I am sometimes ashamed of it. I beg my duty to 
 my aunts, and my love to my cousins ; and remain, dear 
 Sir, 
 
 ' Your dutiful and affectionate son, 
 
 'Saml. Eogeks.' 
 
 He was at this time preparing his first book for the 
 press, but there is not a hint concerning it in any of his 
 letters. There is, however, a letter from his sister Maria, 
 written when she was twelve or thirteen years old, which 
 supplies the material for a slight sketch of Kogers's 
 evenings at home in these early days. Maria speaks of 
 being with him in the study when he is reading and she 
 is writing, and her only pleasure is to look up to him 
 from time to time, wishing to know his thoughts. She 
 speaks in most affectionate terms of his kindness in al- 
 ways doing everything to oblige her, and says she is sure 
 there is not one brother in a hundred who so behaves to 
 his sister. In the Rogers's house the law in the library 
 was that of silence when any one was reading or writing. 
 Samuel could therefore sit and write comparatively un- 
 disturbed, and had not to learn, like Maria Edgeworth, 
 to compose amid the prattle of a family. Communicar 
 tion was to be by correspondence, and the letters were 
 put in a place in the library called the ' Post Office.' 
 There Maria placed her letters, and there she found her 
 brother's answers after he had gone to business in the 
 morning. In this way a correspondence was carried on 
 between a brother and sister living under the same roof ; 
 and Maria says of Samuel's letters : ' If I am grave they 
 make me merry, and if I am merry I still continue so.' 
 As Samuel's eyes were weak, his sisters sometimes read 
 to him ; and it is easy to picture the pleasant scene in 
 the study on many an evening in those happy years, — 
 
BEGINNINGS OF AUTHORSHIP. 45 
 
 the girls writing or reading or preparing their lessons, the 
 brothers sitting with them at similar work, and Samuel, 
 the literary brother, studying the poets or himself writ- 
 ing what he hoped might live, or, like a later and less 
 fortunate aspirant for fame, with old bards of honor- 
 able name, measuring his soul severely. In this way he 
 became an author. 
 
CHAPTEE III. 
 
 Early Writings. — ' The SoribUer.' — ' Vintage of Burgundy.' — ' Ode 
 to Superstition.' — Smaller Poems. 
 
 EoGEES did not begin poetical composition very early 
 in life. He did not lisp in numbers, for lie was probably 
 far beyond boyhood when the numbers came. He had 
 been kept at school rather longer than Walter Scott, who 
 was only fourteen when, to use his own words, he ' en- 
 tered on the dry and barren wilderness of forms and 
 conveyances' in his father's of&ce. Rogers entered his 
 father's bank when he was sixteen or seventeen, and he 
 made his first literary venture before he was eighteen. 
 He went to business later than Scott, but plunged into 
 authorship much earlier than his great friend and con- 
 temporary. His first printed efforts were not in verse. 
 They consisted of a brief series of papers published in 
 successive numbers of the 'Gentleman's Magazine.' Like 
 most early efforts, these essays are imitations ; and as 
 might be expected. Dr. Johnson is the model. Rogers 
 never saw Johnson. He records having met old General 
 Oglethorpe at the sale of Dr. Johnson's library. But 
 the great autocrat of literature was still exerting his 
 undisputed sway when Rogers was meditating author- 
 ship, and he felt for him not only the reverence which 
 was then universal, but that which young ambition feels 
 for old and established fame. One day, in early youth, he 
 and his friend William Maltby went to call on Johnson 
 at his house in Bolt Court. ' I had my hand upon the 
 knocker,' said Rogers, in telling the story, ' when our 
 
THE SCRIBBLBE. 47 
 
 courage failed us and we retreated.' Boswell told them 
 many years afterwards that they should have gone boldly 
 in, for the great man would have received them kindly. 
 Johnson died in December, 1784, — more than a year be- 
 fore Eogers printed his first poem, — so that he and his 
 friend could have had no such introduction as the pres- 
 entation of a book might give them ; and it is not likely 
 that, in those early days, his literary friends could give 
 him an introduction to a man who would probably de- 
 cline to know or recognize them. Nor is there any reason 
 whatever to think that Eogers was sufB.ciently content 
 with his imitations of Johnson to have ventured to call 
 his attention to them. 
 
 These short pieces are only worthy of notice as the 
 earliest productions of a writer who afterwards attained 
 wide celebrity on a different field. It was the custom 
 of the Sylvanus Urban of those days to print in his 
 magazine short series of papers, under titles evidently 
 suggested by the 'Eambler.' 
 
 Samuel Eogers gave his papers the title of ' The 
 Scribbler,' and the following is the first number, which 
 appeared in February, 1781: — 
 
 THE SCEIBBLEE, No. I. 
 
 Ut scriptor cyclimis olim. — Hoe. 
 
 Prompted by the ambition of appearing in print, the Scribbler 
 here obtrudes his compositions on the public. His character may 
 obstruct his success, but it precludes disappointment, for no one 
 can conceive very sanguine expectations of entertainment from 
 the Scribbler. 
 
 Though his Essays be not favored with a perusal, though the 
 appellation he has assumed repress curiosity or excite contempt, 
 the satisfaction he wiU feel at seeing himself in print will amply 
 compensate the mortification of neglect. 
 
 If they be favorably received it will indeed he an additional 
 pleasure ; if not, he -wiU not be dejected, nor, like Cowley, form 
 
48 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 the chimerical design of secluding himseH from society and re- 
 nouncing the chief pleasures of life. 
 
 He solicits the contributions of all who are influenced by the 
 same motives which he has adduced for the publication of his 
 productions, but declines a correspondence with those who have 
 the vanity to aspire to literary eminence. 
 
 This introduction may be regarded as singular, but the Scrib- 
 bler disdains the practice of averting the displeasure of the reader 
 by servile submission, or by affecting that difiidence which he 
 does not possess. 
 
 Had he been a native of Athens, or had he even resided in 
 Eome in the Augustan age, he would certainly have never con- 
 ceived the idea of appearing in print, nor have been sensible of 
 the bliss of publication. 
 
 This is a species of luxury of which the Ancients were entirely 
 ignorant ; which even the Despots of Asia had never the felicity 
 to enjoy. Applause can never be conferred adequate to the 
 merits of the discoverer of so exquisite a pleasure. 
 
 To his memory — to the memory of 
 
 FAUSTUS OF MENTZ; 
 
 Who hy the invention of the art of printing 
 
 Has ultimately contributed more to the happiness of Empires 
 
 Than all the conquerors and legislators of antiquity, 
 
 This Bagatelle 
 
 is inscribed by his grateful admirer, 
 
 (To be continued regularly every month.') 
 
 The same strain was continued in the next number, 
 ■which began by describing the raptures he felt at seeing 
 himself in print. The third paper was on ' Eloquence,' 
 the fourth was on ' the Ancients and Moderns,' and was 
 reproduced by Mr, Dyce in his Table Talk; the fifth 
 was a story entitled the ' Pupil of Nature,' supposed to 
 be translated from the Erse, with the statement that 
 'Shakspeare had probably seen it when he wrote the 
 
THE SCRIBBLER. 49 
 
 tragedy of Macbeth ; ' the sixth, ' On the Eegions of the 
 Blest,' a rhapsody, with Cicero's words for a text : ' 
 prEBclarum diem, cum ad illud divinum animarum con- 
 cilium coetumque proficiscar, eumque ex hac turba et 
 coUuvione discedam ! ' The seventh was on the ' Temple 
 of Fashion,' quoted below ; and the eighth, misnumbered 
 seven in the magazine, is on ' Virtue.' Mr. Dyce thinks 
 these papers were 'quite up to the standard of the 
 periodical writing of the time,' and some of them are 
 clearly superior to those which were published contem- 
 poraneously with them. The one which Mr. Dyce quotes 
 ' as a curiosity,' though it shows industry, is by no means 
 equal in merit to some others of the series. That on 
 the ' Temple of Fashion,' quoted seventy -five years after- 
 wards by Mr. Hay ward in the ' Edinburgh Review ' article 
 on Samuel Eogers, is perhaps the best of the series. It 
 is written, says the 'Edinburgh' 'with a freedom and 
 rhythmical flow which are rarely found in essayists of 
 eighteen.' 
 
 THE SCEIBBLEE, No. VII. 
 
 Sed nihil est magnum somnianti. — Cic. 
 
 Eeflecting the other evening on the influence of Fashion, I 
 insensibly fell asleep, and imagined myself suddenly transported 
 into a magnificent temple, in the centre of which, elevated on a 
 pedestal, stood a female of very light, capricious air, attended by 
 numbers of both sexes, who were burning incense on her altar. 
 But what astonished me most was that the scene experienced a 
 perpetual change. When she waved her hand the columns of 
 the temple, which were first of the Ionic, became of the Corin- 
 thian order, the stucco wall appeared hung with the richest tap- 
 estry, the fretted ceiling swelled into a dome, and the marble 
 pavement assumed a carpet of the brightest tints. These, after 
 innumerable transformations, were revived, once more to pass 
 through the same revolutions. 
 
 Whether she heightened with a pencil the vermilion of her 
 cheeks or clothed her hmbs with a close or flowing vest ; whether 
 
 i 
 
50 EAELY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 she collected her ringlets in a knot or suffered them to hang 
 negligently on her shoulders ; whether she shook the dice, waked 
 the lyre, or filled the sparkling glass, — she was imitated by her 
 votaries, who vied with each other in obsequiousness and rever- 
 ence. AU united in presenting their oblations, — either their 
 health, their fortunes, or their integrity. Though numbers inces- 
 santly disappeared, the assembly, receiving continual supplies, 
 preserved its grandeur and brilliancy. At the entrance I observed 
 Vanity fantastically crowned with flowers and feathers, to whom 
 the fickle deity committed the initiation of her votaries. These 
 having fluttered as gayly as their predecessors, in a few moments 
 vanished and were succeeded by others. AU who rejected the 
 solicitations of Vanity were compelled to enter by Ridicule, 
 whose shafts were universally dreaded. Even Literature, Science, 
 and Philosophy were obliged to comply. Those only escaped 
 who were concealed beneath the veil of Obscurity. As I gazed 
 on this glittering scene, having declined the invitation of Vanity, 
 Ridicule shot an arrow from her bow which pierced my heart ; I 
 fainted, and in the violence of my agitation awaked. 
 
 The publication of these essays in the months from 
 Tebruary to September, 1781, gave their young author 
 great encouragement. His nephew, Mr. Samuel Sharpe, 
 in his sketch of Eogers's Life describes him as looking 
 forward every month 'to the day of these papers appear- 
 ing with boyish eagerness. As the magazine reached him 
 in the morning it was brought into his bedroom before he 
 was out of bed, and, month by month, as he cut its wet 
 pages, and found that the publisher had decided that 
 bis essay was deserving of publication, he was more and 
 more fixed in his purpose to be an author.' None of the 
 later pleasures, even of successful authorship, equal this, 
 the first and earliest satisfaction that is given to the 'last 
 infirmity of noble minds.' It is not fame, but it seems 
 like the promise of fame. It gives young energies a 
 sense of boundless opportunity in which to prove their 
 quality, and conquer the empire for which they long. 
 
 The imitation of Johnson was a passing phase ; and 
 
HIS LITERARY TASTES. 61 
 
 the writing of essays was soon dropped for more con- 
 genial work. In the next year, 1782, we find him al- 
 ready engaged in poetical composition. From the first 
 he had poetry in view, and his love of poetry, even his 
 desire to be a poet, had been known and recognized from 
 comparatively early years. In 1775 Mason published 
 the ' Life and Letters of Gray,' with an edition of his 
 poems ; and Samuel Eogers, then twelve years old, read 
 them with delight. Some years later, when he went to 
 business, he walked to town in the morning with Gray's 
 poems in his hand, and could repeat them all. He ad- 
 mired the letters as much as the poems. They had for 
 him, he said, an inexpressible charm. He thought them 
 to be as witty as Walpole's, and to have what he thought 
 Walpole's wanted, — true wisdom. But Gray was not 
 his earliest teacher. In 1771, the year in which Gray 
 died, and when Wordsworth was but twelve months old, 
 the first and best part of Seattle's ' Minstrel ' appeared. 
 Eogers was then a boy, and it was probably a yea? or 
 two later, when on a summer evening he took down the 
 volume from the library shelf and read the story of 
 'Edwin' with that kindling sympathy which was the 
 stirring within him of his own share in the divine gift 
 of genius. He never forgot that first experience of the 
 poet's spell. It might be described in Wordsworth's 
 lines in his autobiographical poem : — 
 
 ' Twice five years 
 Or less I might have seen, when first my mind 
 With conscious pleasure opened to the charm 
 Of words in tuneful order ; found them sweet 
 For their own sakes, a passion and a power.' 
 
 This seems to have been the dawn of his genius. It 
 woke up the love of song, and sent him to study with 
 enthusiasm the chief poets of the time. He soon tu:^ned 
 from Beattie to Goldsmith, and from Goldsmith to Gray. 
 
52 EAELY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 Goldsmith's 'Traveller ' was published in the year after 
 Eogers was born, and the ' Deserted Village' in 1770 ; 
 and these were among the poems on which his youthful 
 fancy was fed. He soon went back, of course, to older 
 and even greater masters; but his boyhood's love of 
 poetry was nourished by the popular poets of the time. 
 One of the sweetest bits of early praise which reached 
 his ears was the description of him as ' a child oL Gold- 
 smith.' But he was something more. It is needless to 
 say that a young man of poetical ambition in the second 
 half of the eighteenth century was a careful student of 
 Pope and Dryden. Rogers sat at the feet of both these 
 great men, but his preference was for Dryden. His 
 father advised him to study Pope's 'Homer,' but, with 
 all his love and reverence for the poet of the ' Dunciad ' 
 and the 'Essay on Man,' he could never like Pope's 
 translation of the 'Iliad' and the 'Odyssey.' When 
 Cowper's version of 'Homer' appeared in 1791 he ad- 
 mired it greatly and read it again and again. The gentle 
 singer of ' John Gilpin ' and the ' Task ' was, however, a 
 contemporary of Eogers, and cannot be numbered among 
 his early teachers. i Those teachers were Gray and Gold- 
 smith, Dryden and Pope; but the influence which the 
 elders in the brotherhood of genius possess over its 
 younger sons was exerted in Eogers's case chiefly by 
 Gray and Goldsmith. Gray inspired him first and Gold- 
 smith afterwards, but he was himself from first to last. 
 In his imaginative boyhood when, like Beattie's 'Edwin,' 
 though for reasons of health rather than of feeling, — 
 
 ' Concourse and noise and toil he ever fled, » 
 
 Nor cared to mingle in the clamorous fray,' — 
 
 he may have thought himself to be not unlike that hero 
 of his favorite poem. The excitement with which he 
 
 1. ' John Gilpin ' was published in the ' Repository ' in 1783, and the 
 ' Task ' was issued in 1785. 
 
SELF-DESCRIPTION. 53 
 
 first read the 'Minstrel' was due to the sympathy he 
 felt with Edwin's dreams. Such revelations of intel- 
 lectual kinship come to every boy of sensitive nature in 
 whom the first movements of great faculties take the 
 shape of ambitious hopes and plans. He does not 
 merely follow the great examples he admires, but catches 
 inspiration from them. He does not consciously imitate 
 them, but hears and obeys the call of innate powers to 
 go and do likewise. This was Eogers's case. In some 
 lines written in earlier days, but added to the second 
 part of his ' Italy,' and dated 1839, when he was seventy- 
 six years old, he says of himself: * — 
 
 ' Nature denied him much, 
 But gave him at his birth what most he values, 
 A passionate love for music, sculpture, painting. 
 For poetry, the language of the gods, 
 
 1 In the Common Place Book is the earliest form of these lines, and 
 they are entitled ' Of Myself — a Fragment.' 
 
 ' My gentle reader, hast thou yet conceived 
 A wish to know me V Bear with me awhile, 
 And ere my task is ended thou mayst know 
 More than thou wouldst. Fortune denied me much, 
 Yet gave me, with a smile, what most I value, — 
 A passionate love for music, painting, sculpture, 
 For poetry, the language of the gods. 
 For all or grand or beautiful in -nature: 
 A setting sun, a lake among the mountains, 
 The light of an ingenuous countenance. 
 And what transcends them all, a noble action. 
 
 What though mj' ancestors early or late 
 Were not ennobled by the breath of kings, 
 Yet in these veins was running at my birth 
 The blood of those most eminent of old 
 For learning, virtue ; those who could renounce 
 The things of this world for their conscience' sake, 
 And die like blessed martyrs. Health from my cheek 
 Fled ere the down was there, and, rain or shine, 
 From very childhood was my soul inclined 
 To sadness, such as few I hope have known ; 
 Yet were my waking dreams, when health was mine, 
 Not nndelighttul.' 
 
54 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGEES. 
 
 For all things here or grand or beautiful : 
 A setting suUj a lake among the mountains, 
 The light of an ingenuous countenance, 
 And what transcends them all, a noble action. 
 
 Nature denied him much, but gave him more ; 
 And ever, ever grateful should he be 
 Though from his cheek ere yet the down was there 
 Health fled ; for in his heaviest hours would come 
 Gleams such as come not now ; nor failed he then 
 (Then and through life his happiest privilege) 
 Full oft to wander where the Muses haunt, 
 Smit with the love of song.' 
 
 There was not muci. opportunity to wander where the 
 Muses haunt in those early days. Nor was there the 
 slightest prospect at this time of that dignified leisure in 
 which his long life was to be spent. If he thought defi- 
 nitely of his future, the shape it took in the dreams of 
 his ambition was in all probability that which has been 
 wrongly attributed to him of the ' banker poet.' If this 
 phrase, now often applied to him, has any meaning, it 
 describes a man who is actually engaged in the business 
 of banking at the same time that he is cultivating the 
 Muse. This is what Eogers did in his early days, — but 
 in those early days only. He was then and then only, 
 in the true sense of the words, a banker poet. It was, 
 as it were, by accident that he became the chief owner 
 of the business which was afterwards carried on by his 
 brother and his nephew on his behalf ; and that he, the 
 third son, was put into the position of the heir. There 
 can be no stronger evidence of the confidence with which 
 he inspired his father, who was himself a prudent and 
 very successful man of business, than that the bank 
 should have been left in his hands. It is the most con- 
 clusive proof that could be given of Eogers's devotion to 
 business and of his capacity for it. But when he began 
 to write he was not even a partner, and when he pub- 
 
HIS FIRST POEMS. 55 
 
 lislied his first volume of poems he was only the youngest 
 member in the banking partnership, with scarcely the 
 most distant prospect of ever being anything else. The 
 world has been assured that from the first he laid out 
 his life with a view to the social distinction he after- 
 wards attained; but such statements have no foundation. 
 They have been made by persons who have written 
 about him in complete ignorance of the kind of life he 
 lived in his younger days. It was a life of steady appli- 
 cation to business, of going to and fro between his home 
 in Stoke Newington and the bank in Freeman's Court ; 
 of immersion for the best part of every working-day in 
 the dry details of finance. This life of work was varied, 
 relieved, brightened, and consoled by the love of poetry. 
 The leisure which business left to him was spent in 
 literary occupation or in cultivating the society of men 
 of letters. But Eogers never dreamed of making either 
 literary or social success his chief pursuit. The oppor- 
 tunity for such successes came afterwards, and awoke 
 the desire for them ; but that opportunity found him 
 behind a bank counter or in a bank parlor, as the genius 
 of his country found Burns at the plough. 
 
 His first poetical composition has never been pub- 
 lished. It took the unexpected form of a comic opera. 
 The world might never have heard of this production, 
 of which Eogers himself did not desire much to be said, 
 but for a Note which, in his * Table Talk,' Mr. Dyce has 
 appended to an account given by Eogers of the time 
 occupied in the composition of his poems. In this Note 
 Mr. Dyce writes, ' I was with Mr. Eogers when he tore 
 to pieces and threw into the fire a manuscript operatic 
 drama — "The Vintage of Burgundy" — which he had 
 written early in life. He told me that he offered it 
 to a manager, who said, "I will bring it on the stage 
 if you are determined to have it acted, but it will cer- 
 tainly be damned." One or two songs which now appear 
 
56 EAELY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 among his poems formed parts of that drama.' This 
 statement is only partly true. The manuscripts — for 
 there were two copies — were indeed torn, but only a por- 
 tion of each was burned, and the remainder is still pre- 
 served. The story of the offer of the opera to a managerj 
 like many others which Mr. Dyce has reported, was told 
 by Rogers when his memory was failing. The manager 
 to whom it was submitted seems, from a letter which has 
 been preserved, to have been George Colman the elder. 
 His letter, returning it, is dated from Soho Square, April 
 8th, without the year, and merely says, ' The little piece, 
 herewith returned, is, I think, a pretty drama of the senti- 
 mental kind, but its success upon the stage must depend 
 much upon the music. Is not it a translation from the 
 French? ' This faint praise from the eminent author of 
 the ' Jealous Wife ' and the ' Clandestine Marriage,' was 
 probably regarded by Eogers as equivalent to condemna^ 
 tion, and may have convinced him that his chance of 
 literary success was to be found in a different direction. 
 
 The piece was called 'The Vintage of Burgundy — a 
 Comic Opera in Two Acts.' The larger fragment shows 
 that the manuscript covered eight-and-twenty pages of, 
 small, clear writing ; two of these have been completely 
 cut away, eighteen are roughly torn down the middle, 
 and eight are entire. Of the smaller manuscript much 
 less is left; but it contains a few lines which are ob- 
 literated in the other copy. So far as the two can be 
 compared, the difference between them is considerable. 
 The description of it as a ' comic opera ' is not borne out 
 by what remains of it ; but it exactly answers to George 
 Colman's description, ' a pretty drama of the sentimental 
 kind.' No steps seem to have been taken to get it set 
 to music, but there is on one of the manuscripts an in- 
 complete cast of the play in which the chief characters 
 are apportioned to Incledon, Johnson, Blanc, Mrs. B., 
 and Mrs. M. The little piece contained at least nineteen 
 
THE VINTAGE OF BDEGUNDY. 67 
 
 songs, two of which are published among Eogers's 
 poems, — ' The Alps at Daybreak ' and ' Dear is my little 
 Native Vale.' Among those which have never seen the 
 light is one of which only part of the first verse remains, 
 the idea of which is expressed in the words of one of the 
 peasants, ' 'T is the vintage to-morrow, and if you long 
 for the pure juice of the grape, you may eat a bottle of 
 Burgundy in the way Nature gives it ! ' The verse may 
 be reconstructed thus : — 
 
 ' Let the grape's gushing nectar ferment 
 And sing from the flask as it flows, 
 But with Nature's [own gift I 'm content], 
 I '11 quaff the [red juice as it grows].' 
 
 There are some dancing songs, sung by a Burgundian 
 peasant girl. One verse can be reconstructed : — 
 
 ' Each tender youth at every pa[use] 
 Breathes softly in his partner's [ear] 
 What most can plead a lover's [cause] 
 What most she hopes yet d[reads to hear].* 
 
 Another of the peasant songs is : — 
 
 ♦ At the close of a summer's day, 
 
 When all danced over the green, 
 With my Luhin I stole away 
 
 Xo walk hy the hedge unseen ; ^ 
 And my heart went pit-a-pat. 
 
 ' " Ah, Annete ! " he said with a sigh, 
 " Could I tell you what I feel 1 " 
 And I hlushed, though I knew not why, 
 At the tale he would reveal ; 
 
 And my heart went pit-a-pat. 
 
 ' With such softness he pressed my hand, 
 Such a kiss enforced his vow, 
 That I 'd hardly strength to stand, 
 And I looked — I know not how ; 
 While my heart went pit-a-pat. 
 
58 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGERS, 
 
 ' And when we returned to the green 
 
 So lightly we tripped away, 
 Such a jig had never been seen 
 Since the piper learnt to play ; 
 For our hearts went pit-a-pat.' 
 
 One of the girls employed in the vintage is an Italian 
 girl, who has run away from a match her father wished 
 to force upon her, and is followed by the lover she 
 favors in the guise of an organ-grinder. She sings 
 the song, 'Dear is my little Native Vale,' and one to 
 
 the nightingale. 
 
 I. 
 
 ' Blest chantress of the midnight grove, 
 
 Descend and sing thy serenade ; 
 No parent checks thy little love, 
 Or bids thy ruffled plumage fade. 
 
 ' The moon shines through the dusky trees, 
 Her beams among the branches play ; 
 Let thy wild warblings swell the breeze, 
 And softly, sweetly, die away.' 
 
 And when her lover finds her, and she will not accept 
 him without her father's consent, they sing together : — 
 
 ' Lucio. The opening floweret greets the dawn, 
 When genial dews impearl the lawn ; 
 Up springs the lark with carols clear. 
 When day spreads o'er the sky. 
 Maria. But when despair has shut the heart 
 What joy can any sense impart ? 
 Then, what is music to the ear 
 Or beauty to the eye ? ' 
 
 The piece, of course, ends happily. From the date of 
 1782, given to the song ' Dear is my little Native Vale,' 
 it is evident that it was the first of Eogers's completed 
 productions, and embodied much of his early poetical 
 
HIS LITERARY HABITS. 59 
 
 effort. He had kept it by him very many years, and 
 had probably re-written and published several of the 
 songs it contained, besides the two already mentioned. 
 He might have said of ' The Vintage of Burgundy,' — as 
 he did of the ' Ode to Superstition,' — that it was written 
 in his teens, and afterwards touched up. This elaborate 
 method was followed in everything he did, — even in the 
 writing of a letter of more than common importance. 
 He wrote nothing in haste, yet he always reconsidered 
 every line at leisure. He said to Mr. Dyce : * During 
 my whole life I have borne in mind the speech of a 
 woman to Philip of Macedon, — "I appeal from Philip 
 drunk to Philip sober," After writing anything in the 
 excitement of the moment, and being greatly pleased 
 with it, I have always put it by for a time, and then, 
 carefully considering it in every possible light, I have 
 altered it to the best of my judgment.' This rule has 
 the testimony of all antiquity in its favor ; but it belongs 
 to antiquity. The custom of the present day is to print 
 at once that which is flung off in the heat of the kin- 
 dled fancy, and the haste is justified of its children by 
 the gain in strength and fire, though the gain is made at 
 some expense of that grace and polish of which Rogers 
 is one of the latest examples in English literature. 
 
 His second poetical composition was the 'Ode to 
 Superstition,' which has been already mentioned. The 
 writing of this poem was one of the chief occupations of 
 his evening leisure in 1784 and 1785. Like ' The Vin- 
 tage of Burgundy,' it was written and re-written, and 
 was published anonymously in the spring of 1786, with 
 the title, 'An Ode to Superstition, with some other 
 Poems.' It was issued by Mr. Cadell as a thin quarto, 
 at the price of eighteenpence. The other poems were : 
 ' The Alps at Daybreak,' which had been included in the 
 unpublished opera, ' The Vintage of Burgundy ; ' ' Lines 
 to a Lady on the Death of her Lover,' which were after- 
 
60 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 wards omitted in the republication of his poems ; ' The 
 Sailor,' which is dated 1786 ia his collected works ; and 
 the pretty song, often set to music and included in col- 
 lections of poetry, entitled 'A Wish,' and beginning 
 ' Mine be a cot beside the hill.' In describing this first 
 venture many years afterwards, Eogers said, 'I paid 
 down to the publisher thirty pounds, to insure him 
 against being a loser by it. At the end of four years 
 I found he had sold twenty copies.' This was as dis- 
 couraging a beginning as that which Wordsworth and 
 Coleridge made twelve years later with their joint vol- 
 ume of ' Lyrical Ballads.' Mr. Cottle, the Bristol pub- 
 lisher, paid them thirty guineas each for the copyright, 
 and boldly printed five hundred copies. The first piece 
 in the volume was the ' Ancient Mariner,' yet the sale 
 was so slow that Cottle was glad to dispose of the largest 
 portion of the copies to a London bookseller at a loss, 
 and he gave back to the authors their valueless copy- 
 right. Eogers's publisher was at least kept from loss, and 
 , Eogers himself was not discouraged by the small sale of 
 the poem. The critics were more appreciative than the 
 public ; he was encouraged by them to own himself to be 
 the author of the poem, and was soon recognized as one 
 of the promising writers of the time. He learned too, 
 from the reception of the ' Ode to Superstition,' that it 
 was not in lyrical poetry he was destined to excel. 
 
 The first notice of the ' Ode to Superstition ' was in the 
 ' Critical Eeview ' for June, 1786. This magazine quoted 
 the first stanza of the Ode, and added only two lines and 
 a half of criticism: 'This exordium — and the other 
 parts of the Ode are not inferior to it — is spirited and 
 harmonious. The lesser poems are elegant and pretty.' 
 A somewhat longer notice appeared in the ' Monthly Ee- 
 view ' for July, 1786. ' In these pieces,' said the reviewer, 
 'we perceive the hand of an able master. The "Ode 
 to Superstition " is written with uncommon boldness of 
 
'ODE TO SUPERSTITION.' 61 
 
 imagery and strength of diction. The Author has col- 
 lected some of the most striking historical facts to illus- 
 trate the tyranny of the daemon he addresses, and has 
 exhibited them with the fire and energy proper to lyric 
 poetry. The following stanzas are particularly excel- 
 lent.' The reviewer then quotes the lines : — 
 
 III. 1. 
 
 * Mona, thy Druid rites awake the dead I 
 
 Rites thy brown oaks would never dare 
 Even whisper to the idle air ; 
 Bites that have chained old Ocean on his bed. 
 Shivered by thy piercing glance 
 Pointless falls the hero's lance. 
 Thy magic bids the imperial eagle fly, 
 And blasts the laureate wreath of victory. 
 Hark, the bard's soul inspires the vocal string 1 
 
 At every pause dread Silence hovers o'er. 
 While murky Night sails round on raven wing, 
 
 Deepening the tempest's howl, the torrent's roar ; 
 Chased by the morn from Snowdon's awful brow 
 Where late she sat and scowled on the black wave below. 
 
 III. 2. 
 
 ' Lo, steel-clad War his gorgeous standard rears I 
 The red-cross squadrons madly rage, 
 And mow through infancy and age, 
 Then kiss the sacred dust and melt in tears. 
 Veiling from the eye of day. 
 Penance dreams her life away ; 
 In cloistered solitude she sits and sighs, 
 While from each shrine still small responses rise. 
 Hear with what heartfelt beat the midnight bell 
 
 Swings its slow summons through the hollow pile ; 
 The weak wan votarist leaves her twilight cell, 
 
 To walk with taper dim the winding aisle ; 
 With choral chantings vainly to aspire 
 Beyond this nether sphere on Rapture's wing of fire.' 
 
62 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 Tke reviewer adds: 'The picture of night at the end 
 of the first of these stanzas is highly poetical; in the 
 second, the gloom of cloistered solitude is well repre- 
 sented.' ' The Sailor ' is described as an elegy * harmo- 
 nious and tender,' and the reviewer concludes, — 'the 
 rest of these pieces have the same character of chaste 
 and classical elegance.' 
 
 It is probable that a critic of the present day might 
 make a different selection of stanzas for the purpose of 
 showing the chaste and classical elegance of the poem. 
 But these passages met the taste of the time. There 
 may be no conscious imitation in them, but they are 
 evidently suggested and inspired by Gray's ' Bard.' It is 
 needless to say that this criticism gave the young author 
 great satisfaction and encouragement. He afterwards 
 learned that the writer in the ' Monthly Review ' was the 
 amiable and accomplished Dr. Enfield, compiler of the 
 ' Speaker,' and author of the ' History of Philosophy.' Dr. 
 Enfield had read the poem aloud to his family. Other 
 criticisms were equally encouraging. His school-friend 
 William Maltby, writing to him soon after the ' Ode ' was 
 published, tells Rogers that he has just received a letter 
 from Winchester, with the Poet Laureate's opinion of the 
 ' Ode ' : ' He thinks it has a great deal of merit indeed, 
 and that the reviewers have not given it more praise 
 than it justly deserves. He wishes much to know the 
 name of the author.' The Laureate at that time was 
 Thomas Warton, whom Rogers never saw, but whose 
 poem 'The Suicide' was one of his favorites. Rogers 
 had made the acquaintance of Mr. and Mrs. Barbauld, 
 who had just established themselves at Hampstead, and 
 a copy of the poem was sent to them through the pub- 
 lisher. Mrs. Barbauld writes on the 4th of September, 
 1786, expressing the hope that she is not wrong in ad- 
 dressing her thanks for the book to Mr. Rogers. She 
 adds, 'Charmed as she was with the picturesque and 
 
MINOR POEMS. 63 
 
 striking beauties of the poems in question, she wished 
 to have made an earlier acknowledgment of the pleasure 
 she received, if she had known to whom to make it ; and 
 was delighted when she learned that her thanks were 
 due to the same gentleman whose conversation had al- 
 ready engaged her esteem. Mr. Barbauld and herself 
 should be happy to improve an acquaintance which so 
 many concurring circumstances lead them to value.' 
 Rogers was then three-and-twenty, and was already be- 
 coming known among his contemporaries for those con- 
 versational powers for which he was widely celebrated 
 afterwards. 
 
 There are two other short pieces written about this 
 period which give indications of the true direction of his 
 muse. The first of these is entitled ' Captivity,' and was 
 said by Eogers to have been a favorite with Hookham 
 Prere, who said that it resembled a Greek epigram : — 
 
 ' Caged in old woods, whose reverend echoes wake 
 When the hern screams along the distant lake, 
 Her little heart oft flutters to be free, 
 Oft sighs to turn the unrelenting key. 
 In vain ! the nurse that rusted relic wears, 
 Nor moved by gold — nor to be moved by tears ; 
 And terraced walls their black reflection throw 
 On the green mantled moat that sleeps below.' 
 
 The second is dated 1786, and is entitled 
 
 Written at Midnight. 
 
 While through the broken pane the tempest sighs, 
 And my step falters on the faithless floor, 
 Shades of departed joys around me rise, 
 With many a face that smiles on me no more ; 
 With many a voice that thrills of transport gave. 
 Now silent as the grass that tufts their grave. 
 
64 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL KOGEES. 
 
 These are early efforts in the direction of his later 
 and more successful style. It may be objected to the 
 stanzas •written at midnight, that tempests would not 
 ' sigh ' through a broken pane, and that ' falters on the 
 faithless floor' is too alliterative. But the perturbed 
 watcher sees his own agitation reflected in the moaning 
 of the wind, which he thus exaggerates into a tempest ; 
 while the silence of the house is equally represented in 
 his mind by the faltering of his step as he treads the 
 floor, the creaking of which betrays his vigil. 
 
CHAPTEE IV. 
 
 The Bank Partnership. — Hackney College. — Dr. Kippig one of his 
 Literary Sponsors. — Helen Maria Williams and the Coquerels. — 
 Mrs. Barbauld. — Joanna Baillie. — Death of Thomas Rogers, junior. 
 — Lettei-s from Thomas Rogers, senior. — Visit to Edinburgh. — 
 Adam Smith, Robertson, H. Mackenzie. — The Piozzis . — Tour 
 through Scotland. — Burns. — Henry Mackenzie and his works. — 
 Sir Joshua Reynolds and Burke. 
 
 The few years that followed the publication of the ' Ode 
 to Superstition' were the turning-point in Samuel Rog- 
 ers's history, the period at which all his prospects under- 
 went a change, and life opened out before him with new 
 and boundless opportunities. As the third son he had 
 only the expectation of a share in his father's growing 
 business. He had gone to the bank as a clerk, and in 
 1784, a few months before he had completed his twenty- 
 first year, he had been taken into partnership. The 
 partnership deeds ' show that Thomas Rogers the younger 
 and his brother Samuel became members of the firm 
 on the 19th of April, 1784. Mr. Olding, who had been 
 principal clerk for many years, was made a partner' in 
 1771, at a salary, and in June, 1778, his name had been 
 added to that of the firm, and his remuneration fixed at 
 one-sixth of the profits. In 1784, Thomas Rogers, Jr., 
 and Samuel Rogers were introduced on similar terms. 
 The profits were to be divided into sixty-eight parts, of 
 "which nineteen were to go to George Welch, nineteen to 
 
 1 The deeds were in possession of the late Mr. Kemp Welch of 
 Woodlands, Parkstone, Dorset, to whom I am indebted for a transcript 
 of their contents. 
 
 5 
 
66 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGEES. 
 
 Thomas Eogers, Sr., and ten each to John Olding, 
 Thomas Eogers, Jr., and Samuel Eogers. The name of 
 the firm was at the same time altered to that of Welch, 
 Eogers, Olding, Eogers, and Eogers, — Samuel Eogers 
 being the youngest partner, and his name the last. 
 
 He was already the best known. The publication of 
 the ' Ode,' and the reception it had met with from the 
 reviewers, and especially from persons known or eminent 
 in literature, to whom he had sent it, had already made 
 him the literary member of the household and the firm. 
 He was known to entertain literary ambitions, and his 
 father at least sympathized with them, and did what he 
 could to advance them. There may possibly have been a 
 little feeling among his brothers and sisters, of impatience 
 at his desire for distinction, or at the manner in which 
 it occasionally appeared. This may account for one 
 statement recorded by Mr. Dyce. ' In my youth,' he re- 
 ports Eogers to have said, ' just as I was beginning to 
 be a little known, I felt much gratified by an invitation 
 to breakfast with Townley, the statue collector, and one 
 night at home I mentioned the invitation. " You have 
 mentioned that before," was the remark,' — in all proba- 
 bility a playful sally of his eldest sister, Martha. He 
 told the story, too, of Sir Thomas Lawrence, who on re- 
 ceiving an unexpected prize from the Society of Aits, 
 went with it into the parlor where his brothers and 
 sisters were sitting, but finding that none of them would 
 take the least notice of it, was so much mortified by their 
 affected indifference that he ran upstairs into his own 
 room and burst into tears. When he narrated this story 
 of Lawrence to Mrs. Siddons, she in her turn exclaimed : 
 ' Alas ! after I became celebrated none of my sisters 
 loved me as they did before.' Perhaps this coolness, 
 where it arises, is less the fault of the family than of the 
 individual. Fame is an exacting mistress, and demands 
 an undivided service. Social success can only be pur- 
 
HIS LITERARY FRIENDS. 67 
 
 chased at a sacrifice, and the sacrifice sometimes is the 
 pieties of home. lu these early days, however, no such 
 sacrifice was asked of Samuel Eogers, or was made by 
 him. He could only have spoken of a temporary mis- 
 understanding, due to his own eagerness ; for there are 
 no signs in the family letters that any but the most 
 affectionate relaticftis existed between the father and the 
 children, the brothers and sisters, at Newington Green. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Eogers had, at this time, entered into a 
 new engagement which was very advantageous to his 
 son Samuel. He had sent his eldest son, Daniel, to Cam- 
 bridge ; but he was fully impressed, as the Unitarians 
 always were, with the inconvenience of the prevailing 
 system of subscription to creeds, as a condition of univer- 
 sity education. As these barriers shut out their theo- 
 logical students from the national seats of learning, they 
 endeavored to provide means of academical instruction 
 for themselves. With this object the Hackney College 
 was founded, and Thomas Eogers became its chairman. 
 There are frequent references to this college in his let- 
 ters. Among the tutors there were the Eev. Gilbert 
 Wakefield, and afterwards Dr. Kippis, the learned and 
 accomplished editor of the ' Biographia Britannica.' Dr, 
 Kippis was in those days a frequent visitor at the house 
 on N'ewington Green, and many of Samuel Eogers's early 
 introductions to literary society came through him. He 
 had friends among all parties ; that hearty Tory, Boswell, 
 while lamenting that he was a ' Separatist,' speaks of 
 him as his friend, and in a note to his ' Life of Johnson,' 
 in which he apologizes for having carelessly joined in a 
 censure which had been carelessly uttered, bears witness 
 to ' the manly, candid good temper which marks his char- 
 acter.' Dr. Kippis frequently took Sam Eogers with him 
 to literary parties ; and Eogers himself followed up the 
 introductions thus given. Dr. Price and Dr. Kippis were 
 thus, as it were, his literary sponsors. They were both 
 
68 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 Fellows of the Eoyal Society, and had a large acquaint- 
 ance among scientific men. Dr. Kippis was also a Fel- 
 low of the Society of Antiquaries. Samuel Eogers called 
 for Dr. Kippis one evening at Robinson's (the book- 
 seller's), to go with him to a meeting of that society. 
 When Dr. Kippis came down he said, ' Tom Warton is 
 upstairs ; ' and Rogers always regrettdfl that he had not 
 gone up to see the Laureate. The only letter from Dr. 
 Kippis which has been preserved is dated from West- 
 minster, the 14th November, 1787, and is to inform Eog- 
 ers that ' Miss Helen Williams desires his company at 
 tea on Monday next. She lives at Mr. Jacques's, the first 
 house in Southampton Eow, Bloomsbury, opposite Eussell 
 Street.' In 1789 he owed to Dr. Kippis an easy entrance 
 into the best literary society of the Scottish capital. 
 
 Miss Helen Maria Williams, to whom Dr. Kippis had 
 introduced him, was at that time living in London with 
 her mother and sisters. She was a year older than 
 Eogers, and had already attained considerable success 
 and reputation as an authoress. At eighteen she had 
 become known as a poetess, and at twenty had pub- 
 lished a novel entitled 'Edwin and Eltruda,' written in 
 the sentimental fashion of the time ; and two years later 
 she had written a similar tale entitled 'Julie.' Eogers 
 spoke of her in after years as a very fascinating person, 
 though not handsome, and he became at this period of 
 his life very intimate with her. She was a woman of 
 much conversational power, and had the charm of sym- 
 pathy and the art of bringing people together. She 
 Was full of admiration for the French Eevolution, and 
 in 1791 the family went to France with the intention of 
 settling at Orleans. They, however, soon removed to 
 Paris, where Eogers afterwards visited her. She was a 
 warm adherent of the Girondist party, and shared their 
 fall and imprisonment, and, but for an oversight, would 
 have been carried with' their leaders to the guillotine. 
 
THE COQUERELS AND BAEBAULDS. 69 
 
 She was liberated after the fall of Eobespierre, and be- 
 came iu later years an admirer of Napoleon. She trans- 
 lated the twenty-nine volumes of Humboldt's 'Personal 
 Narrative ' of his Travels into English, and wrote several 
 works on Trance which were a good deal more read. She 
 continued to live in Paris till her death in 1827. Mean- 
 while her sister Cecilia had married a Frenchman, — 
 M. Coquerel, — and her son, Athanase Coquerel, became 
 the celebrated Liberal Protestant preacher of the Ora- 
 toire, and representative of Paris after the Revolution of 
 1848. Cecilia's grandson, Athanase Coquerel the younger, 
 was, till his too early death, the genial and gentle, yet 
 high-spirited and vigorous leader of the Liberal section of 
 the French Protestant Church. 
 
 Another of Rogers's friends in these early days was 
 Mrs. Barbauld. The Barbaulds had settled at Hamp- 
 stead in the summer of 1786, where Mr. Barbauld was 
 the minister of a small Presbyterian chapel on Rosslyn 
 Hill. The congregation was one of those which had 
 already become Unitarian in theology. It is now the 
 largest Unitarian congregation in London, and is under 
 the charge of Dr. Sadler, the accomplished editor of 
 Crabb Robinson's ' Diary.' Writing to her brother, Dr. 
 Aikin, Mrs. Barbauld says,^ 'Hampstead is certainly the 
 pleasantest village about London ; ' but she adds, ' except 
 Avignon it is the most windy place I was ever in.' She 
 speaks too of ' the long tea-drinking afternoons ' which 
 the calls of friends imposed on her, and remarks with 
 pity on the number of young ladies. ' One gentleman in 
 particular,' she says, 'has five tall marriageable daugh- 
 ters, and not a single young man is to be seen in the 
 place.' Rogers had already visited her when she writes 
 to ask him to come again. In the letter conveying the 
 
 1 ' Memories of Seventy Years,' p. 63. Edited by Mrs. Herbert 
 Martin. 
 
70 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGEES. 
 
 invitation, whichi her great-niece, the late Mrs. Le Breton, 
 writer of ' Memories of Seventy Years,' dates in October, 
 1787, Mrs. Barbauld says : — 
 
 '■ Your visit was so short that we wish to think of any- 
 thing which may induce you to make us a longer ; and 
 as we are to have an Assembly at the Long Room on Mon- 
 day next, the 22d, which they say will be a pretty good 
 one, I take the liberty to ask whether it will be agreeable 
 to you to be of our party, and in that case we have a bed 
 at your service. I could, I am sure, have my petition 
 supported by a round robin of the young ladies of Hamp- 
 stead, which would act like a spell and oblige your at- 
 tendance; but, not being willing to make use of such 
 compulsory methods, I will only say how much pleasure 
 it would give to, 
 
 ' Sir, your obliged and obedient servant, 
 
 'A. Baebauld.' 
 
 She adds a postscript to say that their dinner-hour is 
 half after three. This invitation was probably accepted, 
 and Eogers kept the letter all his life. He told Mr. Dyce 
 that he used to go to the Hampstead Assemblies when 
 he was young, that there was much good company there, 
 and that he had sometimes danced four or five minuets in 
 one evening. The acquaintance with Mrs. Barbauld soon 
 became intimate, and the friendship continued unbroken 
 till her death in 1825. 
 
 Among the friends whom he made during these visits 
 to Hampstead was Miss Joanna Baillie. Miss Baillie 
 was a year older than Eogers, and died only four years 
 before him, in her ninetieth year. In these early days 
 she was unknown as an authoress, and Mrs. Barbauld 
 says, ' came to Mr. Barbauld's meeting with as innocent 
 a face as if she had not written a line.' Even after the 
 publication of the first volume of her ' Plays of the Pas- 
 
HIS BROTHER DANIEL. 71 
 
 sions'in 1799, she kept the secret of her authorship, 
 though the warmest admiration of her writings was 
 expressed in her presence. ' The unsuspected author lay 
 snug,' says Miss Aikin, ' in the asylum of her taciturnity.' 
 Her intercourse with Eogers was constant, and large num- 
 bers of her letters have been preserved, but they are of 
 small importance, and are as a rule without a trace of 
 date. Her brother, Dr. Matthew Baillie, the eminent 
 physician, who lived with her, was the successor of Dr. 
 William Hunter in his anatomical professorship. 
 
 It was in the year 1788 that the first great change in 
 the prospects of Samuel Eogers took place. His eldest 
 brother, Daniel, was at Cambridge. Daniel Rogers had 
 definitely chosen a career which had left the banking 
 business to his two younger brothers, Thomas and Sam- 
 uel. He was not adapted for business, and his father did 
 not leave him, in his will, even the estates in Worcester- 
 shire and elsewhere which had come to him by inheri- 
 tance or had been acquired during his life. Sir Egerton 
 Bridges, in his chatty and egotistical autobiography, 
 speaks of Daniel Eogers as one of his fellow-collegians, a 
 very clever man, who had an amazing memory and read 
 much, but he adds, 'I never saw any of his compositions.' 
 Daniel Eogers, in fact, did not become an author. He pre- 
 ferred the life of a country squire. Samuel Sharpe, his 
 nephew, speaks of him as ' a man of delightfully simple 
 mind, a great reader, and throughout life an earnest stu- 
 dent of the ancient and Eastern languages.' In the au- 
 tobiographical sketch I have quoted in his memoir (p. 18) 
 Samuel Sharpe further says of his uncle Daniel : ' He 
 was of delightful guileless simplicity, without a thought 
 that was hidden from you, and was liked by all his ac- 
 quaintance. His father meant him for the Bar, and had 
 great hopes of his being a distinguished man. But he 
 did not like the law : he preferred classics. He married 
 his cousin, Martha Bowles, and went to live in the coun- 
 
72 EAELY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 try, much to his father's disappointment. He dwelt first 
 at Lincoln, where he was intimate with Dr. Paley, but he 
 afterwards removed to Wassal Grove, near Hagley, where 
 he had a farm. There I visited him, and spent my time 
 most delightfully, sometimes rambling in Hagley Park 
 with his daughters, sometimes walking over the farm 
 with him and then returning to his study, where he would 
 pull down book after book to follow a reference or trace 
 a thought, with an enthusiasm and richness of memory 
 that was most encouraging to anybody fond of knowledge. 
 He had at that time been studying Persian.' These tastes 
 and this disposition in the eldest brother quite sufficiently 
 account for the abandonment of the bank and all its con- 
 cerns to the younger brothers. 
 
 Thomas Rogers, the second son, was eighteen months 
 older than Samuel, and appears to have been devoted 
 to business. He had neither his elder brother's distaste 
 for it, nor his younger brother's literary ambition. He 
 would naturally have been his father's successor in the 
 management of the bank; and his diligence and care 
 justified the confidence reposed in him. He and Samuel 
 had become partners at the same time and on the same 
 terms, and the relations between them were those of 
 perfect confidence. They dined together every day with 
 Mr. Olding, who was the resident partner, and lived over 
 the bank. At holiday seasons they were away from 
 business by turns ; and their father wrote to them with 
 equal fulness and confidence respecting business and 
 family matters during his somewhat prolonged absences 
 from town. There are no references in the family cor- 
 respondence to any ill-health of Thomas, though such 
 references are frequent with respect to Samuel; there 
 is only the brief record that he died on the 15th of 
 April, 1788. He was then in his twenty-seventh year. 
 The last letter from him is dated the 13th of August, 
 1787, and tells his father of a journey he had just taken 
 
DEATH OF HIS BROTHER THOMAS. 73 
 
 to Ostend and Bruges, and of Sam's setting out for 
 Launde at the end of that week or the beginning of the 
 next. His father replies on the 16th from Derby, and 
 enters into a good deal of business detail. Thomas's 
 death is spoken of by Samuel in the second part of ' The 
 Pleasures of Memory,' where, after saying that — 
 
 ' ... as the softening hand of Time endears 
 The joys and sorrows of our infant years,' — 
 
 so, in a brighter world, — 
 
 ' . . . the soul, released from human strife, 
 Smiles at the little cares and ills of life ; ' 
 
 and after imagining the spirits of the d'ead descending 
 to watch the silent slumbers of a friend, he invokes his 
 brother : — 
 
 ' Oh, thou, with whom my heart was wont to share, 
 From Reason's dawn, each pleasure and each care, — 
 With whom, alas 1 I fondly hoped to know 
 The humble walks of happiness below ; 
 If thy blest nature now unites above 
 An angel's pity with a brother's love, 
 Still o'er my life preserve thy mild control, 
 Correct my views and elevate my soul ; 
 Grant me thy peace and purity of mind. 
 Devout yet cheerful, active yet resigned ; 
 Grant me, like thee, whose heart knew no disguise, 
 Whose blameless wishes never aimed to rise. 
 To meet the changes Time and Chance present. 
 With modest dignity and calm content. 
 When thy last breath, ere Nature sank to rest. 
 Thy meek submission to thy God expressed. 
 When thy last look, ere thought and feeling fled, 
 A mingled gleam of hope and triumph shed, 
 What to thy soul its glad assurance gave. 
 Its hope in death, its triumph o'er the grave ? 
 The sweet remembrance of unblemished youth, 
 The still inspiring voice of Innocence and Truth! ' 
 
74 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 Nothing can be added to this admirable description of 
 Thomas Eogers's character ; and no better account can 
 be given of the relations between the two brothers, or of 
 the death of Thomas. 
 
 Henry Rogers, the youngest son, was at this time in 
 his fourteenth year and was receiving his education 
 at the Hackney College. Samuel was consequently left 
 alone with his father in the bank. He had already 
 shown much capacity for business, and the larger re- 
 sponsibility which now fell upon him found him fully 
 prepared by character, training, and experience to meet 
 it. 'He became,' says Mr. Sharpe, 'the friend and 
 adviser upon whom the father relied for help in all 
 matters of business.' At the end of the year in which 
 Thomas died, his father was again out of health, and 
 was advised to take the Bath waters. Sam was now 
 his chief correspondent at home, and the letters which 
 passed from one to the other show the complete con- 
 fidence which existed between father and son. In one 
 of the letters is an interesting sketch of the company in 
 a boarding-house where Mr. Rogers and his servant 
 Thomas were taking their meals. 
 
 ' I like my lodging-home exceedingly, and Mrs. Cottle 
 is very kind and obliging to me. There is only one 
 other lodger in the house, — Sir Gervase Clifton, who 
 has the drawing-room floor; I have the dining floor. 
 The worst of it is, Mrs. Cottle has declined keeping a 
 boarding table, but very strongly recommended me to a 
 neighbor three doors from her, and where Thomas and I 
 board. The company is strangely made up indeed, and 
 consists of Sir Gervase, a perfect Nimrod and a very fine 
 specimen of a country knight or squire ; M. de Linne, a 
 Trench gentleman, young, lively, and sensible, who talks 
 English tolerably well, and has been two years amusing 
 himself in England ; Mr, Tann, a young German, who 
 
HIS FATHER'S LETTEES. 75 
 
 speaks all the European languages, is a great traveller, 
 who laughs, talks loud, and is very comical; Major 
 Bennet, in the East India Service, who was very near 
 being taken by Tippoo with General Matthews, but 
 escaped captivity and perhaps death by being left sick 
 in quarters a few days before, — the Major is very good- 
 natured, quiet and civil, but very gouty, and I am afraid 
 not very rich, having no servant with him ; a Mr. Law- 
 ley, an old gentleman from Warwickshire, a relative of 
 the county member, one of the most wretched beings I 
 ever saw. He seems perfectly well, but says that such 
 is the state of his nerves that nobody can have any con- 
 ception of the miserable manner in which he passes his 
 days and nights ; he has long been in this way, always 
 complaining but never pitied. The last of our males I 
 shall mention is a very well-behaved young Irishman, who 
 has' lately taken orders and serves as our chaplain.' 
 
 The account of the women at table is defective, being 
 torn by the seal. Another letter to Sam, dated Tuesday, 
 6th January, 1789, is worth quoting, as showing what 
 the winter journey from Bath to London was nearly a 
 hundred years ago : — 
 
 'The severity of the weather has compelled me to 
 give up all thoughts of riding any part of the way to 
 town, and I have just taken a place in a two-day coach 
 that leaves Bath to-morrow morning at eight o'clock. 
 It stops all night at Newbury, and gets to Piccadilly the 
 next day about four o'clock. You will be so good, there- 
 fore, as to order William to be at the White Horse Cellar, 
 or coffee-house, Piccadilly, at four o'clock on Thursday 
 afternoon with the coach. But as the cold will probably 
 continue to be very intense, he had better put up the 
 horses as near to the White Horse as he can, and be 
 in waiting at the White Horse till the coach comes in. 
 
76 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 Before I took my place I learned that three places were 
 before taken, so that I hope we shall keep each other 
 from freezing.' 
 
 In the summer of this year Samuel Rogers made a 
 journey to the north of England and Scotland, of which 
 he has left some very interesting records in the shape of 
 letters and diaries. He had just entered his twenty- 
 seventh year, and among literary people was already 
 beginning to be known as the author of a volume of 
 poems, and as a young man of much conversational 
 power. The journey was made on horseback, with a 
 servant on a second horse. The route was by way of 
 Stamford to York, Leeds, and Harrogate, through Settle 
 and Ingleton to Lancaster, thence by Eydal, Keswick, 
 and Penrith to Carlisle, thence by Hawick, Selkirk, and 
 Melrose to Edinburgh; from Edinburgh to Stirling, 
 thence to Crieff and Inverary, back to Glasgow, and 
 returning by Dumfries, Carlisle, Appleby, across York- 
 shire, and through Mansfield, Nottingham, Leicester, and 
 Northampton to London. The tour extended from about 
 Midsummer Day to the end of the first week in August 
 Two letters to his sister Sarah will appropriately intro- 
 duce the Diary, which more fully records his conversa- 
 tions and observations. 
 
 ' Keswick, July 8 [1789]. 
 'Dear Sahah, — I have this moment received Mrs. 
 Mitchell's kind letter, and desire my best thanks to her 
 for it. I have also to thank you for yours which I re- 
 ceived at Lancaster. I wrote thence to Mrs. "W., and 
 hope she has heard from me before this. On Friday 
 morning I left Lancaster, and arrived that evening at 
 Lowwood, a very pleasant lone house on the banks of 
 Windermere. The next morning I sailed on the water, 
 and had a few thunder-showers, but enjoyed the day 
 
AT THE LAKES. 77 
 
 exceedingly. In the evening saw some waterfalls near 
 Ambleside, and returned to Lowwood, where the moon 
 played deliciously on the water. On Sunday I went to 
 church at Grasmere on my way to Keswick, and after- 
 wards proceeded towards that place, but was soon over- 
 taken by a heavy rain and obliged to shelter in the Vale 
 of St. John. There I stayed till nine at night, when, 
 though the rain did not abate, I was obliged to go for- 
 ward, and had a very unpleasant ride through one of 
 the most romantic tracts of country in Cumberland. 
 The next morning proved very fine, and I rode round 
 the lake of Derwentwater, saw Lodore waterfall, and the 
 Grange and Straits of Borrowdale. In the evening I 
 walked in Crow Park, a favorite spot of Gray's. The 
 next morning proving very clear I was induced to mount 
 Skiddaw, in company with a young lady from Penrith 
 (very handsome and very musical), Mr. Ewer, a first 
 cousin of Mr. Ewer of Clapham, and Dr. Coyte, a phy- 
 sician at Ipswich who has left off practice, a great 
 botanist and a very agreeable man. We rode on horse- 
 back to the summit, from whence we had a very fine view 
 of Scotland, over Solway Pirth, with the Isle of Man. 
 Many of the lakes and mountains of Cumberland com- 
 posed the foreground. When we descended, we dined at 
 a charming house that looks directly up Bassenthwaite 
 Lake, and returned along one of its sides to Keswick. 
 We had a very rainy evening. This morning I rode with 
 the guide up the vales of Buttermere, Lorton, and New- 
 lands, — places that my father is well acquainted with 
 most probably, — and in the evening went out on the lake 
 of Keswick. In returning from my ride about six o'clock 
 I was wet through ; but this was the second time only 
 that I have been obliged to change everything. I often 
 change my stockings twice a day ; but in general I con- 
 sider myself as tolerably fortunate in the weather, 
 though confinement at an inn to a single man is rather 
 
78 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 dull. From the rain I derive some advantages. The 
 waterfalls are improved by it, and it affords me a decent 
 excuse for calling at the farm-houses and cottages on the 
 road, where I always find the heartiest welcome, and am 
 delighted with the simplicity and native politeness of 
 the inhabitants. To-morrow I bid adieu to Keswick, and 
 after spending a day or two at UUeswater shall proceed 
 to Carlisle and Edinburgh. Any letter written to me 
 on or before Wednesday next may be directed to me 
 at Edinburgh. I hope Henry has recovered his spirits 
 before this ; indeed I don't doubt it. Pray give my kind 
 love and duty to my father and [remember me] affection- 
 ately to Mrs. M. and Milly. Tell * ... I won't trouble 
 her to write to me. I will . . . her to read such letters 
 as I write. [My exjcuse for them is that they are gen- 
 erally [hurried] over when I am tired and heavy and im- 
 patient. Adieu, dear Sarah ; believe me to [remain], 
 ' Your affectionate friend and [brother], 
 
 ' Samuel Eogebs. 
 
 'P. S. I wrote to Patty from Lancaster, and to . . . 
 from Keswick. I like my servant exceedingly ; he takes 
 great care of my horses, which are both well. I have 
 got rid of my cold. I have just read in the papers of the 
 duel between Colonel Lenox and Mr. Swift. I am sorry 
 to find the result of it, as Mr. Swift is a very agreeable, 
 sensible man. You may remember my mentioning that 
 I drank tea with him last time at Mrs. Williams's house. 
 With respect to Dr. Kippis, if he has not sent the letters 
 he promised me, there would, I think, be no impropriety 
 in just sending to inform him that you were sending to 
 me at Edinburgh, and to ask him if he has any letter or 
 commission to convey thither, as I had mentioned my 
 expectation of something of the kind. Indeed, he told 
 me that he should at the same time contrive to transact 
 
 1 Parts are obliterated by being torn in opening the seal. 
 
VISIT TO EDINBURGH. 79 
 
 some real business with each of the gentlemen he wrote 
 to. But I would not have it done if thought in the least 
 improper, though I know Dr. Kippis is the last man iu 
 the world to take the least umbrage at it. 
 ' Miss Sarah RoeBKs, 
 ' NewiDgton Green, Middlesex.' 
 
 Another letter gives an account of his visit to Edin- 
 burgh : — 
 
 ' Stirling, July 21, 1789. 
 
 'My dear Sakah, — I received your kind letter on 
 Friday at Edinburgh, which gave me great pleasure, as 
 it assured me that you were all well. In consequence of 
 the letters my father was so kind as to enclose to me my 
 time passed so pleasantly there that I should have left it 
 with regret, if the Highlands had not promised me ample 
 amends. Saturday morning proving rainy, I could not 
 resist the temptation of staying till Sunday, and I heard 
 Dr. Eobertson in the morning, and Dr. Blair in the 
 a,fternoon. They are neither of them orators, but Dr. 
 Eobertson has a serious, unaffected manner which pleased 
 me very much. Dr. Blair is very pompous in his delivery, 
 and all the great and fashionable attend at his church. 
 He gave us a sermon on censoriousness, which I under, 
 stand is soon to be published, with some others, in a third 
 volume. I have dined twice at Mr. Adam Smith's, who 
 is a very friendly, agreeable man, and I should have 
 dined and supped with him almost every day if I had 
 accepted all his invitations. He took me to a club, which 
 is very select, and consists of all the first men in Edin- 
 burgh. At his house I met Mr. Mackenzie, author of 
 " The Man of Eeeling," etc., who invited me very politely, 
 but I had the resolution to refuse. Dr. Eobertson called 
 upon me twice, when I had the ill luck to be out ; but I 
 saw him twice at his own house, and I shall always think 
 of Edinburgh with gratitude, for the many instances of 
 
80 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 attention and civility I met with there; indeed, if I 
 were to judge from my own experience, I should think 
 that the inhabitants (at least t|he most eminent of them) 
 devoted their whole time to the entertainment of stran- 
 gers. Dr. Eobertson's deafness affects his spirits very 
 much ; but with the assistance of a trumpet he can con- 
 verse with tolerable ease to himself and other people, 
 and is very entertaining. 
 
 ' I have been very much struck with the situation of 
 Hopton House and Stirling Castle. I admire the last 
 even more than Edinburgh Castle, when viewed from 
 a distance. From hence I shall go on by Inverary to 
 Glasgow, which I shall reach on Saturday, and then 
 leave my horses and proceed directly home, where I hope 
 to arrive on Friday or Saturday following. I have ex- 
 ceeded my time, and begin to be tired of rambling ; but 
 I shall be very, sorry if I occasion my father to delay his 
 journey with any inconvenience to himself. Nothing but 
 his kind assurances to the contrary would have induced 
 me to extend my time as I have done. I beg my love 
 and duty to him, and desire to be kindly remembered to 
 Mrs. M. and Mrs. W., Martha and Maria ; and remain, 
 dear Sarah, 
 
 ' Your sincere friend and affectionate brother, 
 
 'Samuel Rogers. 
 
 ' P. S. I am very well, and my horse seems entirely 
 recovered from his lameness. 
 
 'Miss Sarah Rooers, 
 'Newington Green, Middlesex.' 
 
 During his stay at Edinburgh, Eogers kept a short 
 journal of his visits. The letters he had taken from Dr. 
 Price, and those which his father had forwarded to him 
 from Dr. Kippis, opened to him the doors of Edinburgh 
 society, — then almost in its most brilliant period. His 
 acquaintance with the Piozzis began at the same time. 
 
ADAM SMITH; MACKENZIE; ROBERTSON. 81 
 
 They were staying in the same hotel, and the landlord 
 having told them who Eogers was, and that Dr. Robertson, 
 Mr. Adam Smith, and Mr. H. Mackenzie had called 
 on him, Mr. and Mrs. Piozzi called and introduced them- 
 selves. Eogers always said that one of the most mem- 
 orable days in his life was the Sunday in Edinburgh, on 
 which he had breakfast with Dr. Robertson and heard him 
 preach in the morning, heard Dr. Blair in the afternoon, 
 took coffee with the Piozzis, and then supped with Adam 
 Smith in the evening. The following is his journal : — 
 
 'Edinburgh, Wednesday, July 15, 1789. — Called on 
 Dr. Robertson. In the parlor hung his portrait by Sir 
 Joshua Reynolds. He soon entered, with his trumpet 
 in his hand. His dress was remarkably neat, and his 
 countenance very open and pleasing. Compared him with 
 the picture, but could not trace a very striking resem- 
 blance. His eye has lost much of its fire, and age has 
 given a stoop to his figure. The conversation began on 
 the English Universities, and the absurdity of proposing a 
 test to a poor boy of seventeen. He said that Edinburgh 
 contained little worth notice, but that its situation was 
 very romantic ; that Gilpin had not done justice to the 
 Highlands ; he saw everything with the eye of a painter, 
 but many a scene gives pleasure which will not make a 
 good picture. Richmond HHl is peculiarly striking to a 
 Scotchman for its richness and amenity, but is by no 
 means a fit subject for the artist. Advised me to make 
 the home tour, but to reverse Mr. Gilpin's route, — to be- 
 gin with Inverary and return by Dunkeld. Said Mr. Gray 
 devoted a month to the lakes ; that his cicerone, Hodg- 
 kins, who was a sensible fellow, described him as difficult 
 to be pleased, and peevish from ill-health ; that he could 
 not ride on horseback, and would not go on the water. 
 
 'July 16. — Called on Adam Smith, who was sitting 
 at breakfast with a plate of strawberries on the table. 
 
82 EAKLY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGERS. 
 
 Fruit, lie said, was his favorite diet at this season. 
 Strawberries were a northern fruit. In the Orkneys and 
 in Sweden they were to perfection. Said that Edin- 
 burgh deserved little notice ; that the old town had 
 given Scotland a bad name ; that he was anxious to 
 move into the new town, and had set his heart on St. 
 George's Square ; that Edinburgh was entirely supported 
 by the three Courts, — the Exchequer, the Excise, and 
 the Judiciary Courts ; that Loch Lomond was the finest 
 lake in Great Britain, — the islands were very beautiful, 
 and formed a very striking contrast to the shores ; that 
 the soil of Scotland was excellent, but that its harvests, 
 from the severity of the climate, were too often over- 
 taken by winter; that the Scotch on the borders were 
 to this day in extreme poverty ; and that when he first 
 left Scotland, he was on horseback, and was struck with 
 the transition as he approached Carlisle; that our late 
 refusal of corn to France must excite indignation and 
 contempt, — the quantity required was so trifiing that 
 it would not support Edinburgh for a day. Said that 
 in Paris as well as in Edinburgh the houses were piled 
 one upon another. Spoke contemptuously of Sir John 
 Sinclair, but said that he never knew a man who was in 
 earnest and who did not do something at last. Said he 
 did not know Mrs. Piozzi, and believed her to be spoiled 
 by keeping company with odd people. 
 
 'Juhj 19. — Called at two, when all the bells of the 
 kirk were ringing, to take leave of Adam Smith. His 
 chair was waiting to take him an airing. He met me at 
 the door. Asked me how I liked the Club. Had before 
 mentioned Bogle as very clever, and expressed pleasure 
 at the thought of his being there. He now said : " That 
 Bogle, I was sorry he talked so much, he spoiled the 
 evening." He seemed to apologize for him. Invited 
 me to supper and to dinner next day, as he had asked 
 Mackenzie to meet me. Who could refuse ? 
 
ROBERTSON; BLAIR; ADAM SMITH. 83 
 
 'Heard Dr. Eobertson in the morning. An old 
 church ; sweet singing. His manner striking, but not 
 graceful; his voice not unpleasing. He spoke and 
 looked like a good man. The service began with a 
 psalm, then a prayer, then a psalm, then a commentary 
 on the first chapter of the Second Epistle to the Thessa- 
 lonians, which lasted twenty-five minutes ; then a short 
 prayer, then the sermon, twenty-five minutes long. 
 Text from Psalms, " Praise ye the Lord." The second 
 part of a discourse on "Thanksgiving,'' then a psalm, 
 and then a prayer. He seemed to direct himself partic- 
 ularly to ns, and after church, when we joined him, he 
 inquired my route, and said that if I kept anything of a 
 journal, at night I should not find it dull. Reminded 
 me of Lord Rosebery's park. "All good things attend 
 you, sir.-"' We parted. 
 
 ' Heard Dr. Blair in the afternoon, but not distinctly. 
 A hoarse, unpleasant voice. A very neat, elegant ser- 
 mon on " Censoriousness," in which was a fine parallel 
 between that vice and charity. Charity covereth a mul- 
 titude of sins, censoriousness makes it its business to 
 divulge them. Afterwards bowed to the corporation 
 in the gallery on the right. Walked home with the 
 Piozzis. Drank coffee with them and heard P. perform 
 some of his music on the harpsichord. 
 
 * Repaired at nine to Mr. A. Smith's : present, all the 
 company of Friday except Bogle and Macaulay. Mr. 
 Playfair, a mathematician, and Mr. Muir from Gottingen 
 were there. Talked of Junius. Adam Smith suspected 
 "single speech" Hamilton to be the author. He was 
 told by Gibbon that when Hamilton one day paid a 
 visit at the Duke of Richmond's in Sussex, he told him 
 that there was a devilish keen letter from Junius in the 
 "Public Advertiser" of that day, and mentioned some of 
 the passages. The duke was anxious to see it ; but when 
 the paper came there was an apology in it for its not 
 
84 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 appearing. It was a letter to the Duke of Eiclimond, 
 and the last that appeared. As long as they were 
 ascribed to Lord Lansdowne, Burke, Germaine, etc., 
 they went on ; but as soon as they were said to be Ham- 
 ilton's they were dropped. Adam Smith said Turgot 
 was an honest, well-meaning man, but unacquainted 
 with the world and human nature; that it was his 
 maxim (he mentioned it to Mr. Hume but never to 
 Smith) that whatever is right may be done. He said 
 that Nicholas Herbert, uncle to Lord Porchester, had 
 read the list of the Eton boys and repeated them four 
 years afterwards to Lord Porchester. He knew him 
 well. He (A. Smith) had been in Voltaire's company 
 five or six times. Voltaire had a great aversion to the 
 States, and was rather attached to the king. [Said] 
 that his old friend the Duke of Eichelieu was a singular 
 character, and that when he slipged down at Versailles 
 a few years before his death, said it was the first fawx 
 pas he had ever made at Court. Dr. Smith said he had 
 been bastilled more than once. Dr. Black said that 
 when in Germany he [Duke of Eichelieii] borrowed 
 plate of the goldsmiths and gentlemen there, and never 
 returned it. . . . Mrs. Piozzi said Pennant was her 
 cousin. She should get me to introduce her to Mrs. 
 Barbauld. 
 
 'July 20. — Heard a swindler tried in the Parliament 
 House. Dined at Mr. Adam Smith's with Mr. Mac- 
 kenzie, Mr. Muir, and Mr. McGowan. Mackenzie an- 
 swered P.'s description, — of very soft and pleasing 
 manners. Admired Mrs. Smith's sonnets and Mrs. 
 Hunter's. Adam Smith said Blair was too much puffed 
 off ; was surprised at Johnson's reputation. Mackenzie 
 inquired after Hannah More and admired her " Percy ; " 
 spoke slightly of Merry and [of] Blair's sermon on 
 Sunday; said there were few in the Highlands who 
 pretended to second sight ; that there was a gentleman 
 
TOUR THROUGH SCOTLAND IN 1789. ' 85 
 
 who pretended it to keep up authority and order there ; 
 that on going to see John O'Gaunt's house he was 
 detained by rain in a cottage from nine to one, and 
 heard some wonderful stories that would have lasted till 
 now ; mentioned an epigram on Mr. Smith's sleeping at 
 the Eoyal Society ; spoke well of " Emmeline " and of the 
 " Sonnet on Shipboard " in it. Dr. Hutton drank tea 
 with us, and we afterwards went to the Eoyal Society. 
 Only seven persons there. Dr. Anderson read an essay 
 on Debtors and the revision of the laws that respect 
 them, written by himself, very long and dull. Mr. Com- 
 missioner Smith fell asleep. Mackenzie touched my 
 elbow and smiled; afterwards said he should be glad 
 to see me ; sent him my book. Went afterwards to 
 the play " Hippolita " and the " Eomp." Sat in the box 
 over the stage, shut in, in the Italian style, with Mr. and 
 Mrs. Piozzi, Miss Thrale, Mr. Bruce, and a very hand- 
 some woman and her brother. Very lively and pleasant. 
 Mrs. Jordan directed herself to the box. 
 
 ' July 21. — Left Edinburgh at six. Eode through Lord 
 Eosebery's park to Queensferry along the Forth, and 
 there breakfasted. Walked in Lord Hopton's grounds, 
 and was full of admiration. Had a delightful ride along 
 the Forth to Falkirk ; then saw the Carron works, five 
 furnaces, each with four cylinders. A thousand men 
 employed there. Saw the forges. Proceeded to Stirling ; 
 saw a beautiful valley on the right, bounded by the 
 Athol hill ; saw Falkirk moor, and Torwood, where 
 Wallace and his men concealed themselves. Much 
 struck with the first view of Stirling. The grandest and 
 prettiest thing in the world. 
 
 ' July 22. — Set out on a military road. The scene 
 gradually grew wilder till we came to Dunblane, in a 
 rich and pleasant valley. Saw the church, a monument 
 of Knox's vengeance. It was built by one of the Davids. 
 Eode through a wild country to Greenloaning, a mile and 
 
86 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL KOGERS. 
 
 a half beyond which, on the right, is the finest Eoman 
 station in England, according to Dr. Robertson. It is 
 encompassed with dykes and ramparts four deep, and 
 contains three or four acres of ground. Just beyond 
 Dunblane the field of battle in the year '15 was pointed 
 out to me on a moor to the right. Arrived at Crieff, in 
 a cultivated vale. There a girl ^ang me an Erse song 
 over the washing-tub. She said it was made by a young 
 man in praise of his sweetheart, but would not explain it. 
 The notes were simple and melancholy, but without much 
 harmony or sweetness. It lasted ten minutes, and was 
 sung very fast. Left Crieff, and soon entered a deep 
 valley that opened and closed as I advanced and receded. 
 Very grand and awful. Left the Inverness Road at the 
 tenth milestone, and soon pass'ed along a considerable 
 loch and several little villages among trees. Saw a 
 woman extracting a thorn from the foot of an old High- 
 lander, and a boy in his plaid watching sheep. Spoke to 
 two who could not speak English. Observed the cottages 
 with the smoke in them. Ascended a steep hill and soon 
 came to a beautiful view. Taymouth Castle and park, 
 through which the Tay ran, lay at my feet, and refreshed 
 my aching eyes with the softest verdure. Behind rose 
 hanging woods to a great height, and to the left opened 
 Loch Tay in the bosom of the mountains, with the 
 village church of Kenmore at the head of it. Dined on 
 a trout. The village very fond of dancing. Waited on 
 at dinner by a teacher of the art. Saw the castle and 
 park. A walk on the banks of the Tay not equal to its 
 fame. Had a sweet evening walk by the lake. Saw 
 the fallow deer in the park. 
 
 ' July 23. — Eode along the left bank of the lake. Saw 
 the Hermitage and Fall, which rather 'disappointed. me. 
 The views down the lake very fine, particularly from the 
 fifth stone. Gilpin rode on the other side, before this 
 road was made. The lake had a line of surf that slanted 
 
TOUR THROUGH SCOTLAND IN 1789. 87 
 
 into the middle for a mile ; imagined it to arise from a 
 hidden reef of rock. Several little clusters of cottages 
 on its banks. Saw the inside of one. It was divided 
 into three apartments. The door opened into the first, 
 in which was a little lean cow. In the middle room was 
 the fire, over which was a hole in the roof, and on the 
 other side was the bedchamber. Came to Killin, through 
 which runs a rocky torrent into the lake. On the bank 
 of this were several women and girls dipping their 
 clothes into the river, and spreading them out on the 
 green margin, like kings' daughters of old. Saw a girl 
 stamping in a tub to wash. In the river is an island, — 
 the laird of McNab's burying-place. Saw a little girl of 
 four years old footing it in imitation of a reel. Break- 
 fasted at Killin. The Reel Master mentioned before 
 comes here for two months in the year, and opens a 
 school for dancing. On weddings and holidays fifty are 
 sometimes collected to dance. Set off through rude, 
 rocky, and romantic country, with the river gliding on 
 my left hand; it changes its character several times. 
 Passed several hills with snow in the hollows on their 
 summits. From the hill before the inn at Killin saw 
 for miles up the glen Dr. Eobertson mentioned. It is 
 romantic and woody, with a river running up it. It 
 extends ten miles ; I saw about five of it. Called, on 
 my way to Tyndrum, at a cottage, and saw an old woman 
 at her spinning-wheel who answered me in Erse. Saw 
 several parties on their travels on foot, and a boy who 
 kept up with us for some time. A Highlander thinks 
 no more of a twenty-mile stage than of a walk for an 
 appetite before breakfast. Found afterwards from a 
 traveller that the old woman I called on was a widow, 
 and kept house for her son, who was a shepherd. She 
 said she supposed I had no Erse. Dined at Tyndrum on 
 trout, wild venison, and goat's cheese. At Killin saw a 
 hole said to be Eingal's grave. The laird had dug it up 
 
88 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 to seek for the bones, but in vain. It is a fine situation 
 for the grave of a hero, — at the foot of a mountain and 
 in full view of a lake. At Tyndrum heard a Highlander 
 whistle "The Ploughboy," produced but lately in the 
 comic opera of " The Farmer." Have been waited upon 
 everywhere but here by waiters in philibegs and maids 
 without stockings. 
 
 ' At eight left Tyndrum, looked into a hut and entered 
 the door, where there was a room full of smoke and dark- 
 ness. For some time could distinguish nothing, till I 
 heard a voice that seemed to encourage me to come 
 forward. Then I saw two women over a fire, and a man 
 in bed. The man sat up, and one of the women — old, 
 but of a pleasant countenance — spoke some Erse, and 
 then, stepping out to a wooden box on the floor, took out 
 a bowl of ewe's milk, and saying in broken confused 
 sounds, " Here 's health to you, sir," tasted and gave it to 
 me. I tasted it, and she appeared dissatisfied, and wanted 
 me to drink more. She then came out and offered it to 
 the servant, saying, " Will you not drink some malk ? " 
 Her honest and hearty welcome affected me. I offered 
 her a trifle, but she drew back her hand and at first re- 
 fused to take it. Eode through a valley shut in with 
 black mountains, and crossed, every half a mile, above 
 ten torrents or channels of torrents. Passed only two 
 villages. Arrived at Dalmally, a neat house, but they 
 could give me no bread. After supper three young women 
 came in, and each taking the corner of a napkin, sang 
 their wild melody above half an hour, moving the napkin 
 backwards and forwards. The verses were short and 
 simple, and ended in a burden that was sung by two • 
 the song by the other. Sang a song by a dairymaid to 
 her herd in praise of her sweetheart ; a song by a man at 
 sea to his sweetheart ; a song by a lovelorn maid. More 
 melody here than at Crieff, but very melancholy and rude. 
 They looked and sang sometimes like the weird sisters. 
 
TOUR THEOUGH SCOTLAND IN 1789. 89 
 
 In my way from Killin met a man who seemed proud of 
 showing off a little English. Asked me if I came from 
 England and was going to Icolmkill, a place he said many 
 went to. I answered I was not. He said " Just so ! " a 
 very common answer, as is " Indeed it is ! " 
 
 * July 24. — Had a cold and dreary ride along Loch 
 Awe to Inverary, the glory of Scotland. Loch Fyne, an 
 arm of the sea above sixty miles in length, here forms a 
 bay, which, from the bold projection of the mountains 
 that rise abruptly round, has the appearance of a lake of 
 enchanting beauty. The flowing lines of the mountain 
 summits, and the frequent and natural curves formed in 
 the shore by their projection, have a fine effect. Add to 
 this the herring fishery, which impresses a busy char- 
 acter on the scene, with other vessels of greater size that 
 are continually sailing in the ofl&ng or anchored near the 
 bank. On a green lawn [surrounded] by hanging woods 
 the chieftains of the clan of the Campbells had fixed 
 their castle, and nearly on the site of that the Duke of 
 Argyll, their descendant, has erected an elegant house of 
 the same form, with turrets and battlements. He seems 
 possessed of far better taste than the rest of the Scotch 
 nobility, and has not attempted any little decorations, 
 thinking very properly that they would degrade the 
 dignity of the scene. In the house are pictures of the 
 present and the last Dukes of Hamilton, several Dukes 
 of Argyll, Lady Augusta, Lady Charlotte, the Marquis 
 and his brother, and a most bewitching portrait of the 
 Duchess of Argyll taken when she was Duchess of 
 Hamilton. 
 
 ' Left Inverary with a sigh, the sun shining mildly on 
 as sweet a scene as it almost ever visited. Rode round 
 the bay, commanding beautiful views, particularly up 
 the loch, towards the sea, a fine vista of mountains, up 
 which a sail was coming. Drank tea at Cairndow, and 
 proceeded through Kinglas vale, smooth to the summits, 
 
90 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEli ROGERS. 
 
 sprinkled witli sheep, but dark from the clouds that 
 formed above it. A beautiful retrospect towards In- 
 verary, where the sun seemed smiling sweetly ; before 
 me clouds and darkness and black mountains. Took 
 many a parting look. 
 
 ' Entered Glen Croe : rude and romantic even beyond 
 the pass through which I entered the Highlands. Enor- 
 mous fragments lay on each side. Saw on the top between 
 the two vales " Eest and be thankful," which Johnson 
 and Gilpin describe. Gilpin is wrong in his account of 
 the vales, — Kinglas is smooth and Glen Croe rough. 
 Arrived at New Arrochar, a good inn, on the banks 
 of Loch Long, where the herring-boats were busy. A 
 sweet perspective down the loch. Saw a cormorant flying 
 over it. 
 
 'July 25. — Had a very fine ride along Loch Lomond 
 to Luss, the sun shining and the air calm. The reflec- 
 tion in the water not so vivid as in Cumberland. Walked 
 in the churchyard at Luss. The minister's house a neat 
 white house in a quiet secluded situation. His name was 
 James Stewart, a very intelligent man, who furnished 
 Pennant with natural history and Erse names of birds, 
 etc. He made the tour of the northern lakes with Lord 
 Mountmorres last summer. Was rowed by a boy and 
 girl to Inchtavannach, and from the summit had a fine 
 geographical view of the southern end of the lake, full 
 of islands. Saw that where the osprey eagle builds, very 
 small and tufted with trees. Sir James Colquhoun won't 
 suffer the nest to be ever molested. 
 
 'Returned through a heavy rain. Dined and rode 
 along the lake till I came to an obelisk with a Latin in- 
 scription to the memory of Dr. Smollett. On the left, a 
 little removed from the road, is a single stone house in 
 which he was born. Eode on to Dumbarton, where I saw 
 the castle, and arrived at Glasgow in the evening. The 
 steps in Dumbarton Castle are only 183, and not so 
 
THE PIOZZIS. 91 
 
 many as Gilpin states them. J. Stewart at Luss preaches 
 in English in the morning and in Erse in the afternoon. 
 He translated the New Testament into Erse, and is now 
 engaged on the Old. He has finished the Books of 
 Moses. Saw only one eagle on Loch Lomond. The 
 gardener at Inverary said he had seen twelve or fourteen 
 sail over the week before in company. Saw the garden 
 there, but found it to be only a kitchen garden. In it 
 was a small greenhouse, erected for Lady Augusta, who 
 is particularly fond of plants. The Duke is quite recon- 
 ciled to the match. Inverary, Eort William, and Port 
 Glasgow are the three rainiest places in Scotland. 
 
 ' July 26. — Called in the morning on Mrs. Piozzi at 
 the " Saracen's Head." She dined with Dr. Blair, who 
 said that the Duke of Argyll, when in Scotland, was 
 always pleased to hear that it rained in the south, and 
 when somebody called the rain at Inverary a shower, 
 another less polite said, "Then it is an everlasting 
 shower." Walked round the town with Piozzi, stepped 
 into the "Hart Inn" and saw some rooms. Afterwards 
 dined with them, and then walked in the public walks. 
 Mrs. Piozzi expressed great anxiety to see the reviews. 
 Said she should look carefully into them now. Said 
 Cadell had no reason to complain of his bargains with 
 her, for he had always been sharp enough. Spoke 
 rather slightly of Parsons, but highly of Merry and 
 Greathed. Pound Miss Cecilia Thrale was not more 
 than twelve ; appeared fifteen. Spoke of Carpenter 
 coming 1,100 miles in nine days ; that he slept an hour 
 at Paris, another at Lyons, another at Florence; re- 
 gretted she did not mention it in her books. 
 
 ^July 27. — Called, and walked to the college and the 
 old church with them ; the first very handsome, the last 
 bad. She talked much of Dr. Johnson. At three set 
 off in the mail to Moffat, and arrived there through 
 a wild country at half-past eleven. Saw Northern 
 
92 EAELY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 Lights. Here are wells similar to tut not so strong as 
 Harrogate. 
 
 'JM^y 28. — Proceeded in a post-chaise with an English 
 gentleman to Dumfries, and there met my horses. The 
 country but little varied. Saw Linclouden College at a 
 distance. Dined arid proceeded in a return chaise to 
 Annan along the frith, with distant views of Skiddaw, 
 and then to Gretna Green, through Solway Moss. This 
 is a pretty village in grove of trees. Here are two inns. 
 Slept at the wrong one. The right house is a small 
 house with some arms for the sign, and stands in Spring- 
 field, not Gretna Green. Saw the parson at the door, — 
 a tall, sottish, good-looking fellow. His name is Parsley, 
 or Parsfield, and he is a farmer. The man who used to 
 marry them filled peat and dung carts ; his name was 
 James Long and his father's Peter. He signed his 
 name "James Long, Peter's son." Lord Westmoreland 
 was married at a small ale-house by the river between 
 Gretna and Annan, where a new bridge is now building. 
 They slept there afterwards. Mr. Henderson, a good- 
 natured old man. Lord Stormont's factor, left his bed 
 for them. Everybody goes back to Carlisle immediately 
 after the ceremony. An officer was obliged to pawn his 
 watch there in the last spring, not having £30, the 
 money exacted for it. The innkeeper from Carlisle 
 went with him to get it cheaply done, but he shared 
 with the parson. It was not the landlord of the 
 « Bush." 
 
 ' July 29. — Crossed the sands in a boat, and my horse 
 was led over. Breakfasted again at Carlisle, and was 
 once more welcomed there with rain. Had a pleasant 
 ride from thence to Penrith. Piozzi said that Miss C. 
 Thrale was a good-tempered girl and companion to her 
 mother, "for the other daughters, you know — " Here 
 he stopped and shrugged his shoulders. She calls him 
 papa. Mrs. Piozzi talked of marriage, and said that it 
 
PICTURES OF THE COUNTESS OF PEMBROKE. 93 
 
 was necessary to wait some time in a parish ; then turning 
 to Piozzi said, " You know, my dear, we waited twenty- 
 six days in Bath." Miss Thrale looks unhappy, but 
 brightens up sometimes. Mrs. Piozzi calls Piozzi her 
 master. ■ Sadly out of sorts with the Scotch for sending 
 her to Carron ; said one might as well go to one's own 
 brewery and then to see a steam-engine. Said, "You 
 know why the Scotch wish to send me to the High- 
 lands?" Piozzi hinted it afterwards and said they 
 wanted her to contradict Dr. Johnson. Had a most 
 delicious ride to Appleby, a richly wooded valley running 
 on each side, bounded by mountains. Saw Countess 
 Pillar, a small octagon with her arms colored in front, a 
 sundial on each side, and the inscription behind. The 
 stone table is within a foot from the ground, and about 
 three yards from the pillar. It stands on a little hill 
 just beyond Brougham Castle, about two miles from 
 Penrith and opposite a milestone. Appleby is a small 
 mean town in a delightful valley, and consists chiefly of 
 one street running up the hill to the castle, the tower of 
 which forms a fine termination. In the castle hall are 
 three pictures of the countess, — when a child; when 
 married, with her husband, Lord Dorset, beside her; 
 and when married to Pembroke, a single whole length. 
 In a small room adjoining are four more pictures of her, 
 — when a child, when a young woman, in her first widow- 
 hood, and in her second. From all these she appears 
 very handsome. In the picture of Lord Dorset and her- 
 self are two children, one of whom alone survived her, 
 and upon it is written a very minute history of each. 
 In a room on the other side of the hall a small door is 
 opened, and in a closet appears the complete armor of 
 her father. Lord Clifford, richly gilt, his helmet, cuirass, 
 and saddle, with the stirrups lying at his foot. A curious 
 lock on his breast seems to keep it together. His gaunt- 
 lets are on. In the chui-chyard is a pretty epitaph on an 
 
94 EARLY LIFE OE SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 officer's wife who accompanied her husband through 
 most parts of America, — " Who knew her living must 
 lament her dead." Wandered till dusk. 
 
 ' July 30. — Had a long but not very unpleasant ride 
 over the mountains of Brough and Stainmore, having 
 several distant views. Breakfasted at Bowes, and after- 
 wards came to the spot whence James I. took his first 
 view of England; then entered Leeming Lane, which 
 tuns in a direct line for some miles between shady 
 hedge-rows, with rich enclosures on each side, till we 
 came to a large heath whence we had a beautiful view of 
 Richmond and its environs on the right and the county 
 of Durham on the left. Dined at Catterick Bridge, and 
 proceeded in the mail through a flat but rich country to 
 Boroughbridge. 
 
 ' July 31. — Had a pleasant ride in a return chaise for 
 nine miles by Allerton, just purchased by Col. Thornton 
 of the Duke of York. The house is very large, but not 
 elegant. We had one view of it. Rode two miles on 
 the left to the village of Cowthorp. The celebrated oak 
 stands in a farmyard near the church. One half of it 
 is bare of vegetation and shoots up its naked branches 
 in a very fantastic manner ; the other half is not so high, 
 and is full of leaves. The cavity within is very spacious 
 and lofty, about fifteen yards in circumference. In the 
 oak-tree stands an immense block, detached from the 
 tree, once the heart of it. Took away a relic. -Saw 
 there a gentleman from Harrogate, in the army, who 
 measured it. Eode through Wetherby, a small town, 
 and was confined for shelter under a tree for four hours 
 with two sawyers, young men. Afterwards came on in a 
 return chaise to Ferrybridge over a country I had seen 
 between York and Leeds. 
 
 ' Auffust 1. — Eode through a flat but rich country to 
 Doncaster. The church is of great antiquity, and its 
 noble tower finely terminates almost every avenue to the 
 
A YOEKSHIRE RIDE. 95 
 
 town. Inquired here of Captain Steven, my companion 
 in the mail, and found that his father is just dead. Eode 
 through a woody and pleasant tract of ground to Sand- 
 beck Park (Earl of Scarborough's) through which I 
 passed, having a full view of the house, an elegant 
 stone structure, and proceeded to Eoche Abbey, the last 
 beautiful scene I shall visit. It stands in the centre of 
 three valleys. One is wide, floated with a lake and 
 finally terminated by Laughton spire. The others are 
 close and woody, and meet each other in the same direc- 
 tion, being enlivened by a small river that forms frequent 
 cascades. One of these last is finely hung round with 
 high red rocks that are very beautiful, and are fringed 
 with wood. But a small part of the abbey remains, and 
 it is perfectly regular, being the east end. The parts 
 are two and are detached, but are finely connected with 
 trees. Behind is a building that was probably the 
 abbot's apartment. This ruin afforded much employ- 
 ment to my glass. I spent an hour and a half there 
 and left it with great regret. Had a charming ride 
 through many rural scenes to Worksop. The moon 
 shone and amused nie with its shiftings. 
 
 'August 2. — Eode to Worksop Manor and Welbeck 
 Park (Dukes of Norfolk and Portland) — neither of them 
 very beautiful, the first the best. Breakfasted at Mans- 
 field, a small, well-built town, and heard Mr. Catloe 
 at Meeting, an ingenious young man and a pleasant 
 speaker. The Unwins were there, and it was a funeral 
 sermon for Mrs. Heywood of Nottingham, their relar 
 tion. The road to Nottingham lies through Nottingham 
 Forest, in a deep sand, with but few trees. Here and 
 there we have a distant catch of the country on each 
 side, the ground at Eed Hill making rather a pleasant 
 dip into the village of that name, and Nottingham in 
 its first appearance is grand. The moon was up. A hot 
 day. 
 
96 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 'August 3. ■ — Had a pleasant view from the castle, and 
 set off from thence in the Leeds mail to Loughborough, 
 Leicester, Northampton, and Newport Pagnel, — the 
 greater part of the way in the guard's seat. From 
 thence proceeded on the 4th in post-chaises to town with 
 a Manchester gentleman.' 
 
 This Scottish journey, to which Rogers looked back 
 with interest all his life, left one source of regret behind 
 it. It enabled him to be introduced to some of the most 
 eminent persons in the Scottish capital ; but he missed 
 the most interesting of all in failing to visit Burns. The 
 fame of the great peasant poet of Scotland had not then 
 fully reached the ears of literary men in the south, 
 though Burns himself had in August, 1787, addressed to 
 Dr. Moore that striking biographical letter which is still 
 the best extant account of his early days. Burns had 
 visited Edinburgh in the autumn of 1786, where his 
 coming had been prepared for by Henry Mackenzie in a 
 paper in ' The Lounger,' — a short-lived literary journal of 
 which Mackenzie was the editor. Burns had again vis- 
 ited the capital in the winter of 1787- 88, when he had 
 published the first Edinburgh edition of his poems. He 
 was more fortunate than some other eminent writers, 
 for he had received from his bookseller, Creech, nearly 
 five hundred pounds, and had taken* a farm at Ellisland, 
 on the banks of the Nith, six miles above Dumfries, and 
 settled down to the business of farming. Here Rogers 
 might have found him in July, 1789, 'at times saun- 
 tering by the delightful wanderings of the Nith,' as he 
 says in a letter to Mr. M'Auley, ' praying for seasonable 
 weather or holding an intrigue with the Muses, — the only 
 gypsies with whom I have now any intercourse.' It was 
 a bright interval in the poet's life, and Rogers might 
 have preserved for us a picture of him in his fields, or 
 at home with his 'wife and twa wee laddies,' who, as 
 
FAILS TO SEE ROBERT BURNS. 97 
 
 he saug, ' maun hae brose and brats o' duddies,' and who 
 had made him resolve that — 
 
 ' To make a happy fireside clime 
 
 To weans and wife, 
 That 's the true pathos and sublime 
 Of human life.' 
 
 Burns, as we know from one of his letters to Mrs. Dun- 
 lop, had just been ' very busy with " Zeluco," ' the ' most 
 sterling performance,' as he calls it, of his friend and 
 Eogers's friend. Dr. Moore. He tells Mrs. Dunlop that 
 he had been revolving in his mind some criticisms on 
 novel-writing, which he found to be a depth beyond his 
 research, and a year later he writes to Dr. Moore : ' I have 
 gravely planned a comparative view of you, Fielding, 
 Eichardson, and Smollett, in your different qualities and 
 merits as novel-writers.' This comparative view is only 
 briefly hinted in a later letter to the author of ' Zeluco,' 
 but his admiration for Moore's writings suggests a topic 
 on which Eogers and he might have talked ; and a most 
 interesting conversation might have been added to the 
 pleasant record of Eogers's Scottish visit. The oppor- 
 tunity thus lost never came again. Eogers did not re- 
 visit Scotland till 1803, when Burns had been dead seven 
 years. 
 
 This first journey to Scotland was well-timed in other 
 respects. Sixty years later, when the economical doc- 
 trines of Adam Smith had been established in Free Trade 
 legislation, it was a satisfaction to Eogers that he had 
 seen the author of ' The Wealth of Nations.' Mr. Dyce ^ 
 records a story of him which is not in Eogers's Diary. 
 ' Once in the course of conversation I happened,' said 
 Eogers, 'to remark of some writer that he was rather 
 superficial, a Voltaire.' ' Sir,' cried Adam Smith, strik- 
 ing the table with his hand, ' there has been but one Vol- 
 1 Table Talk, p. 44. 
 7 
 
98 EAELY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 taire.' Adam Smith died on the 17th of July, 1790, not 
 quite a year after Rogers's interviews with him. Robert- 
 son lived three years longer. When Rogers breakfasted 
 with him, and afterwards heard him preach, his ' History 
 of Scotland' had been published thirty years, and he 
 had been for as long a period one of the chief figures 
 in the Scottish capital. Rogers always remembered the 
 kindness with which the great historian had welcomed 
 him, and told how he had taken down a map of Scotland, 
 spread it on the floor, and, kneeling down upon it, had 
 traced the route to be followed in the Highland tour on 
 which Rogers was setting out. Robertson died in 1793. 
 Henry Mackenzie, with whom a long friendship was be- 
 gun on this meeting in Edinburgh, was then in middle 
 age. He was born in Edinburgh, in August, 1745, on 
 the very day on which Prince Charles Edward landed 
 in Scotland. He had been in London in 1765, to study 
 the modes of English Exchequer practice, as Sir Walter 
 Scott tells us in his pleasant account of Mackenzie, in 
 the ' Lives of the Novelists.' He had sketched the out- 
 lines of his principal work, ' The Man of Feeling,' during 
 his residence in London, but had not finished and 
 published it till 1771. It was anonymous, but it at once 
 became the most popular novel of its time. Like George 
 Eliot's ' Adam Bede,' it was the subject of a false claim. 
 A man named Eccles transcribed the whole, made correc- 
 tions, blottings, and interlineations in the manuscript 
 thus produced, and pertipaciously declared himself to be 
 the author of the book. Mackenzie was thus compelled 
 to own and claim his offspring. His ' Man of the 
 World ' is regarded by Scott as a second part of ' The 
 Man of Feeling,' while 'Julia de Roubign^' was written, 
 Scott says, in some degree as a counterpart to the earlier 
 work. Rogers had read and admired this pathetic story, 
 and went to Edinburgh full of desire to see its author, 
 who was then one of the most distinguished persons in 
 
HIS FRIENDSHIP WITH MACKENZIE. 99 
 
 the literary society of the Scottish capital. Eogers's 
 feeling with respect to Mackenzie at this time was that 
 with which a young writer regards an author of estab- 
 lished fame. He first saw hiiu at Adam Smith's dinner- 
 table, and remarks in his diary on his soft and pleasing 
 manners. Mackenzie was an admirable talker. Just 
 thirty years after Eogers had first met him, Mr. Tickuor, 
 the author of the 'History of Spanish Literature,' re- 
 cords in his diary that he had breakfasted one morning 
 with Mackenzie at Lady Cumming's. ' He is now old,' 
 says Ticknor, ' but a thin, active, lively little gentleman, 
 talking fast and well upon all common subjects, and 
 without the smallest indication of "The Man of Feeling " 
 about him.' Eogers and he corresponded occasionally 
 for five-and-forty years, and Mackenzie more than once 
 visited Eogers in London. Their sympathy with each 
 other was purely literary, for Mackenzie wrote against 
 the French Eevolution in the days when all liberal 
 spirits in England were still hoping everything from it. 
 He lived on through all the changes it brought, and saw 
 the Monarchy of July and the agitation for English 
 Eeform before he died. In a letter announcing his 
 death, in January, 1831, when he had got half-way 
 through his eighty-sixth year, his son, Mr. J. H. Mac- 
 kenzie, expressed gratitude to Eogers 'for your kind 
 friendship to my father, which added so sensibly to the 
 enjoyment of his declining years.' Mr. Joshua Henry 
 Mackenzie afterwards became a judge of the Edinburgh 
 Court of Session, and his daughter. Miss Mackenzie of 
 Moray Place, Edinburgh, is now the sole descendant of 
 ' The Man of Feeling.' 
 
 After his memorable stay in the Scottish capital 
 Eogers was more than ever set on the attainment of 
 literary distinction. He came back home to work hard 
 at the poem by which he was to gain the fame he felt to 
 be his right. He was always accumulating material for 
 
100 EAKLY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGERS. 
 
 it, putting down happy thoughts and fortunate expres- 
 sions, and polishing a line or a couplet into the perfect 
 rhythm which distinguishes the poem. It was the chief 
 subject in his thoughts, yet it is never mentioned in his 
 letters or his diary. Perhaps it was because of this pre- 
 occupation with the work of this period of his life that 
 there is no record of 1790, except one which he mentions 
 in his ' Recollections.' It is a personal reminiscence 
 of Burke. Ou the 10th December, 1790, Sir Joshua 
 Eeynolds delivered his fifteenth and last discourse at 
 the Royal Academy. There was a crowded audience, 
 and the front seats were reserved for persons of distinc- 
 tion, among whom was Burke. Younger and less known 
 men, of whom Rogers was then one, were thus kept in 
 the back of the room. Suddenly a beam under the floor 
 gave way with a crash, and the people present rushed to 
 the door. As there was no sign of further disaster the 
 alarm was supposed to be a false one, and the audience 
 struggled back to their places. Some of the younger got 
 to the front, and Rogers was among them. Sir Joshua 
 concluded his lecture with a striking passage : ' I feel a 
 self-congratulation in knowing myself capable of such 
 great sensations as he intended to excite. I reflect, not 
 without vanity, that these discourses bear testimony of 
 my admiration of that truly divine man, and I should 
 desire that the last words I should pronounce in this 
 Academy and from this place should be the name of 
 Michael Angelo.' He came down from the desk to 
 mingle with the audience, and Burke went up to him, 
 and taking him by the hand repeated Milton's lines : — 
 
 ' The Angel ended, and in Adam's ear 
 So charming left his voice that he awhile 
 Thought him still speaking, still stood fix'd to hear.' 
 
 ' I was there,' writes Rogers, ' and heard it.' 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 English feeling about France in 1789 and 1790. — 'Wordsworth, Cole- 
 ridge, Adams Diary in Revolutionary Paris. — Visits to La- 
 fayette, De Ch^telet, De Liancourt, the Due de Rochefoucauld, etc. 
 — National Assembly, Jacobin Club. — The Theatres. — The King 
 and Queen. — The Populace. — Journey homewards through Bel- 
 gium and Flanders. — Dr. John Moore, father of Sir John and Sir 
 Graham Moore. 
 
 While Rogers was enjoying the literary and social inter- 
 course to which his friends had introduced him in the 
 Scottish capital, events which greatly influenced the life 
 of every prominent man in Europe were taking place in 
 Paris. The destruction of the Bastille has made the 
 14th of July, 1789, a dividing line in history. It was 
 the first great victory of the populace. The Bastille was 
 at once the instrument and the symbol of despotism, and 
 its fall announced to the world the overthrow of the an- 
 cient authority of a family and of a caste. The people 
 of England rejoiced in the victory almost as much as the 
 people of France. It was regarded by English Liberals 
 as the formal entry of France on the career of constitu- 
 tional government ; as the proclamation of a new era, in 
 which the old Whig toast of ' Civil and religious liberty 
 all the world over ' should come to complete realization. 
 It is difficult in these days to enter very fully into the 
 feeling of that already distant time. It is only by recol- 
 lecting how completely the near future is veiled from us, 
 how impossible it was in 1790 and 1791 to foresee the 
 deeds of 1793 and 1794, that we can understand the en- 
 thusiasm which the first movements of the Revolution 
 
102 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 aroused in men of liberal thought and training in 
 England and the United States. They beheld in 1789 
 and 1790 nothing but the rosy dawn ; they could not 
 foresee the storms which were so soon to obscure it and 
 blot the sky. Poets and philosophers, politicians and 
 divines, saw in the earliest movements of the Eevolution 
 the power and the potency of all necessary ameliorations 
 in the lot of the great masses of mankind, and the pledge 
 of the quick coming of the better time in which Christen- 
 dom, in spite of all disappointments, has passionately 
 believed and still passionately believes. Southey, Cole- 
 ridge and Wordsworth, Price, Priestley and Mackintosh, 
 Charles Fox, Charles Grey, Whitbread, Francis, Erskine, 
 Sheridan, Windham and Stanhope, and all the men who, 
 like them, had been laboring in the popular cause, felt 
 upon their faces the light and warmth of a new morning 
 for the world. Wordsworth, looking back when he wrote 
 'The Prelude,' said of those days of illusive, yet not 
 wholly illusive, hope, — 
 
 'Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive, 
 But to be young was very heaven.' 
 
 Coleridge, writing his ' Ode to France ' in 1797, just after 
 the moment of worst disenchantment, sang of the time« 
 
 ' When France in wrath her giant limbs upreared, 
 And, with an oath that smote air, earth, and sea, 
 Stamped her strong foot and said she would be free.' 
 
 Even in those days Coleridge was not ashamed to 
 boast of 'the lofty gratulation ' with which he could sing 
 'unawed among a slavish band' and 'bless the pseans 
 of delivered France.' All these men saw in the French 
 Eevolution in 1790 what Milton had seen in the English 
 Eevolution a hundred and thirty years before, — ' a noble 
 and puissant nation rousing herself like a strong man 
 after sleep.' Wordsworth exactly describes the almost 
 
THE FRENCH EEVOLUTION. 103 
 
 universal feeling at the time of his own first visit to 
 France, iu three lines of ' The Prelude ' : — 
 
 * . . . Europe at that time was filled with joy, 
 France standing on the top of golden hours, 
 And human nature seeming horn again.' 
 
 There were, however, other voices even then. In the 
 autumn of 1789, John Adams, who had been the first 
 Minister of the United States at the English Court, and 
 who was afterwards the second President of the American 
 Eepublic, expressed the opinion — I may almost say, 
 uttered the striking prophecy — in a letter to Dr. Price, 
 that nothing good could be expected of a nation of 
 atheists, and that the probable result of the Revolution 
 would be the destruction of a million of human lives. A 
 great genius of our own land — a man who united in his 
 own person the qualities of the statesman, the philoso- 
 pher, the orator, and the prophet — was then writing 
 the 'Reflections on the French Revolution' which were 
 published in the following year. Burke, however, stood 
 almost alone ; and when in April, 1791, Mackintosh, then 
 a young and unknown man of six-and-twenty, issued his 
 brilliant ' Vindicise Gallicse ' it was received with almost 
 universal gratitude and admiration by the Whigs and the 
 educated middle classes, as Paine's ' Rights of Man ' was 
 welcomed by less cultivated readers. Burke's eloquent 
 lamentations over the disappearance of the age of chiv- 
 alry embodied the feeling with which the Conservative 
 section of the privileged classes regarded the Revolution. 
 They saw in the scattering of a frightened noblesse, and 
 the limitation of the arbitrary powers of the monarch, 
 not the enfranchisement of a people whom king and 
 aristocracy had utterly impoverished and grossly op- 
 pressed, but the overthrow of institutions based on priv- 
 ilege, which age had made venerable and picturesque. 
 Paine, in the most eloquent passage in his 'Rights of 
 
104 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 Man,' said of Burke's pathetic description of tlie suffer- 
 ings of Marie Antoinette, that Burke pitied the plumage 
 but forgot the dying bird. He and his friends mourned 
 over the troubles of the ornamental classes, but over- 
 looked the long patience of the people on whom they 
 preyed. 
 
 The great bulk of the English Dissenters, and of the 
 Whig aristocracy whose lead they gratefully acknowl- 
 edged, were too much occupied with the progressive 
 establishment of Liberal institutions on the other side 
 of the Channel to think much of the cost at which the 
 enfranchisement was being purchased. On the 4th of 
 November, 1789, the anniversary dinner of the 'Society 
 for Commemorating the English Revolution ' was held 
 at the London Tavern, with Lord Stanhope in the chair. 
 Many of Eogers's friends were there, and Dr. Price — who 
 earlier in the day had preached to the members of the 
 Society, in the meeting-house in the Old Jewry, his great 
 discourse ' On the Love of Our Country ' — moved a con- 
 gratulatory address to the National Assembly of France. 
 This address congratulated the Assembly, so the resolu- 
 tion ran, ' on the revolution in that country, and on the 
 prospect it gives to the first two kingdoms in the world 
 of a common participation in the blessings of civil and 
 religious liberty.' The Liberal triumph in France was 
 to lead to a similar Liberal triumph in England, and the 
 Whigs — who were the Eadicals of the time — hoped to 
 see, in the words of Dr. Price's address, ' a general refor- 
 mation in the governments of Europe, and to make the 
 world free and happy.' On the 14th of July, 1790, the 
 first anniversary of the taking of the Bastille, there was 
 a dinner at the Crown and Anchor, at which there is 
 reason to believe that Eogers was present. Dr. Price 
 was one of the stewards of the dinner, and made the 
 speech which, together with his sermon in the Old Jewry 
 on the 4th of November, became the subject of some of 
 
HE GOES TO PAEIS IN 1791. 105 
 
 Buvke's ' Eeflections.' This speech, read in the light of 
 modern political ideas, suggests the wonder that any- 
 human being could have felt anything but the fullest, 
 and completest sympathy with its patriotic sentiment 
 and peaceful tone, or anything but appreciation for the 
 severe moderation of its language. It suggested an 
 alliance between the first two kingdoms of the world, for 
 promoting peace on earth and good-will to men. It was 
 eminently worthy to be, as it was, the last public testi- 
 mony on behalf of civil and religious liberty borne by 
 one of the gentlest and purest spirits the eighteenth cen- 
 tury produced. Dr. Price died before the second anni- 
 Tersary came round and brought with it the brutal attack 
 of the Birmingham mob on Dr. Priestley's house and 
 chapel, and before the angry clouds had risen which too 
 soon turned the golden hours to weeping. His name, 
 however, was known and honored in Prance, and he had 
 an extensive correspondence with some of the best men 
 of the early days of the Revolution. Dr. Price never 
 visited Prance himself, but his name was a passport to 
 the best society of revolutionary Paris, and to be known 
 as his friend was to be sure of a welcome in circles 
 where in 1790 and 1791 the chiefs of the movement were 
 to be met. 
 
 As Dr. Price's friend, and with letters from him and 
 many other well-known Whigs and sympathizers with the 
 Eevolution, Rogers went over to Paris in the beginning 
 of 1791 to see the chief scenes and persons in the revolu- 
 tionary drama. It had not yet become a tragedy ; it was 
 not yet even apparently tending to tragic results. The 
 moment was one at which the hope and anticipation 
 raised in the previous summer had not yet died away. 
 The king and the National Assembly had come to an 
 understanding. He had accepted the new constitution, 
 and though he was almost a prisoner or a hostage in the 
 Tuileries, there were still reasons for hoping that the 
 
106 EAKLT LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 Eev61ution might complete its course within the limits 
 of constitutional forms. There were, indeed, signs of a 
 different issue, but they were not discernible from afar. 
 The king was already ceasing to desire final reconcilia- 
 tion with the Eevolution and its leaders. Mirabeau, 
 elected President of the Assembly while Eogers was in 
 Paris, was within three months of the close of his career, 
 and Lafayette was in retirement. It was most signifi- 
 cant that when, on the 28th of January, Eogers and Bod- 
 diugton expressed to Lafayette their pleasure at finding 
 everything so quiet, Lafayette made no reply, and that 
 on the same evening Mr. Keay, their English friend in 
 Paris, told them that the people were barbarous, and 
 described how a few days before, when a mob was hurry- 
 ing away a man they suspected to be a spy, a porkman 
 rushed from his shop and ran a knife into his head. 
 There was the germ of all the coming excesses in this 
 event. But it was not likely that foreigners would dis- 
 cern the signs that were hidden from Frenchmen them- 
 selves. More than two months after Rogers's return from 
 Paris, Fox spoke of the new constitution as the most 
 glorious fabric ever raised by human ingenuity since the 
 creation of man. So it seemed, regarded from afar. 
 Like Mulciber's ' fabric huge ' of Pandemonium in ' Para- 
 dise Lost,' it — 
 
 ' Rose like an exhalation with the sound 
 Of dulcet symphonies and voices sweet ; ' 
 
 and just at this moment — 
 
 ' The ascending pile 
 Stood fixed her stately height.' 
 
 But less than six months after Rogers saw Lafayette, and 
 within ten weeks of the time at which Fox spoke, the 
 king fled from Paris, and the prospect of transforming 
 
JOUKNEY TO PARIS. 107 
 
 France by peaceful change into a constitutional kingdom 
 passed away like the baseless fabric of a vision. 
 
 Eogers went to Paris, full of the feeling with which all 
 English Liberals regarded the Revolution, in January, 
 1791. He tells us, in the first page of his diary, that he 
 regarded Calais as the shore which might ' soon, even to 
 Englishmen, prove a welcome asylum.' He had as his 
 companion Samuel Boddington, afterwards the partner 
 in business of Eichard Sharp." The diary is a rough 
 one. It was written on the evenings of his journey, and 
 while each day's experiences and events were fresh in 
 his recollection, and he probably intended to rewrite it 
 afterwards. But it remains as it was written, and needs 
 no other introduction than the reminder to the reader 
 that Eogers was even more interested in the literary and 
 social aspects of Erance than in its political state. 
 
 * January 18, 1791. — The hop-grounds and cherry- 
 orchards of Kent were still pleasing amidst the drear- 
 iness of winter, and we had several fine catches of the 
 Thames and its shipping. At Canterbury we snatched 
 a passing view of the cathedral ; and as we approached 
 Dover the castle rose in all its majesty, and wore a chaste 
 gray tint from the reflection of a storm that brooded 
 over it. 
 
 '20iA. — The wind being contrary we made a pilgrim- 
 age to the top of Shakspeare's cliif, which towers to a 
 stupendous height from the edge of the ocean, and com- 
 mands the town of Dover, shut in by mountains and only 
 open to the sea. The Erench coast was not visible, but 
 the sea was fresh and beautiful and spotted with white 
 
 1 The name of the firm was Boddington, Sharp, and Phillips. 
 Samuel Boddington's only child, Grace Boddington, married Sir 
 Henry 'Webster, then a colonel in the army. Sir Henry Webster was 
 the second son of Lady Holland and of her first husband, Sir Godfrey 
 Webster, from whom she was divorced by Act of Parliament. 
 
108 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 sails, and the air was so mild and elastic that it was a 
 luxury to breathe it. In the evening walked on the pier. 
 The brightness of the moonshine on the cliffs and the 
 water, the silver line of the horizon, and the old sailors 
 standing in groups on the beach, and conversing in their 
 long blue cloaks on the uncertainty of the weather, 
 formed an amusing scene. 
 
 ' 21st. — Set sail for Calais with a clear sky and calm 
 sunshine, and in two hours and forty minutes gained 
 that shore which may soon, even to Englishmen, prove 
 a welcome asylum. As we landed, the national troops 
 were parading in their white uniform, and several gens 
 comme il faut of both sexes were walking on the pier, 
 with large fox muffs. We were conducted across a 
 handsome square, built of white brick, and ornamented 
 with some good public buildings, the great church, the 
 HStel de Ville, etc., to the Silver Lion, where we dined 
 on soupe, houilli and perdrix, and received a visit from 
 Father Martin, a Capuchin friar, who introduced himself 
 most cautiously to solicit alms for his convent. Pro- 
 ceeded afterwards to Boulogne, along a paved road 
 which ran in a direct line through a country well cul- 
 tivated and uneven, and enlivened with many villages 
 scattered over it, but in some parts marshy and destitute 
 of trees. Our chaise was drawn by three horses abreast, 
 and the driver, a brisk pleasant fellow, wore a large 
 cocked hat and jack-boots, with deep ruffles, gilt earrings, 
 and an enormous queue. We afterwards changed horses 
 by the light of a blacksmith's shop, and in our own way 
 met the Calais stage, a huge monster, not much less than 
 Noah's Ark. It was heavily laden with trunks and pas- 
 sSngers, and, though drawn by seven horses, rumbled 
 along at the rate of two miles an hour. Entered Bou- 
 logne by moonlight through a winding avenue of trees, 
 and after having ordered our petit souper at La Vignette, 
 we repaired to the theatre, a small oblong building with 
 
JOURNEY TO PARIS. 109 
 
 a circular termination, the shape of every French theatre. 
 It was very gayly painted, but miserably lighted, and it 
 smelt of pomatum like a barber's shop. In the boxes 
 were a few abbes and officers who left their seats between 
 the acts and conversed familiarly with the actors on the 
 stage behind the curtain. The comedy was admirably 
 acted, and was often interrupted by the most rapturous 
 bursts of applause. The entertainment began and con- 
 cluded with a pas de seul. 
 
 'January 22. — The market-place at Montreuil was 
 crowded as we passed through it. It was a busy scene, 
 and exactly resembled a fair in a Flemish picture. The 
 women wore a close cap, with no hat ; and their muffs 
 and powdered hair had a singular effect among baskets 
 of eggs and stalls of gingerbread. The weather was now 
 so fine — so superb, to speak the language of the country 
 — that we could here contain ourselves no longer, and, 
 leaving the chaise to follow us to the next poste we 
 mounted our bidets and cantered away in jack-boots, as 
 happy and as perpendicular as La Fleur himself. Our 
 outset was, however, such as to have discouraged less 
 enterprising spirits, for when we had accoutred ourselves 
 for the ride, we could neither vault into the saddle nor 
 even lift our feet into the stirrup, but tottered along 
 with the hostler's assistance amidst the titterings of the 
 landlady and her maids in the inn-yard. When we had 
 passed through Abbeville — a large town in an extensive 
 valley, and brimful of churches and convents, priests and 
 beggars — we gradually ascended the heights of Picardy, 
 whence we saw the Somme winding through green mead- 
 ows on the left. The moon was rising when we entered 
 Amiens through a deep gateway ; the convent bells were 
 tinkling, and the streets were lighted by lanterns sus- 
 pended in the middle by a rope. Alighted at the Silver 
 Lion, and were charmed by the naivete and simplicity 
 of the innkeeper's daughter, Flora, a sweet little girl 
 
110 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 about ten years old. " Aimez-vous les Anglais ? " said I. 
 " J'aime tout le monde ! " " Avez-vous des sceurs ? " 
 " Oui, mais elles ont des maris." "Et vous serez mariee 
 de bonne heure ? " " Oh qu'oui, Monsieur." 
 
 ' January 23. — When I descended into the parlor to 
 breakfast I was surprised to find there a little fellow 
 about fourteen years old, in a very fine coat, with 
 powdered hair and long queue. He advanced towards 
 me with his hands in an immense muff and with a pro- 
 fusion of bows and fine compliments. He proved to be 
 Flora's brother, and had been deputed by his mother to 
 conduct us over the town. Under his guidance, there- 
 fore, we sallied forth to the Cathedral, a most magnifi- 
 cent piece of Gothic. The clergy had not yet taken the 
 national oath, the gates that led to the high altar were 
 sealed, and Mass was performed in the aisle. " Ou sont 
 les moines ? " said I, as we walked through the streets. 
 " lis sont dans leur convent k pleurer, Monsieur." The 
 ramparts form an amusing promenade round the town. 
 The Somme meanders on one side with convents and 
 manufactories on its banks; and on the other rise the 
 cathedral with its taper spire, of rich filagree work, and 
 a multitude of religious houses and hotels of the noblesse ; 
 among these are small flower-gardens, each intersected 
 with espaliers and gravel walks, and furnished with a 
 marble fountain and an alcove of green trellis-work. As 
 we left Amiens we saw a fiddler perched up in the corner 
 of a street playing and singing, while he exhibited to a 
 crowded audience a scroll of pictures daubed in different 
 compartments. Proceeded through pleasant fields and 
 woods till the country made a grand fall, and presented 
 in front a very extensive plain, fading away into the 
 blue and purple tints of distance. At Breteuil we 
 passed a convent of Benedictines, with a very long and 
 elegant white front. It was a modern structure with 
 sash windows, the antique tower of its chapel rose beside 
 
JOURNEY TO PARIS. Ill 
 
 it, and it formed a very striking object for many miles. 
 At the door of an auberge, on a little hill, we were soon 
 afterwards stopped by the entreaties of the auhergiste, 
 who asked permission for an elderly well-dressed man to 
 ride a few leagues behind the chaise. " C'est mon ami, 
 c'est un officier. Messieurs." These arguments would 
 have been irresistible, if any had been necessary, and 
 he seated himself behind. We caught a glimpse of the 
 magnificent chateau of the Due de Fitz-James, with a 
 lawn opening in front, and woods intersected with 
 avenues rising behind it. 
 
 'Neither the rattling of the carriage-wheels on the 
 pavi, nor the flats and sharps of the post-boy's whip, 
 could drown the brisk notes of a fiddle as we entered the 
 village of Clermont. It was a dance of the peasants, 
 and we immediately went to it, aud were shown into a 
 large room, with a floor of red tile and a raftered roof. 
 There were three sets of cotillojis, here called contre- 
 danse, and never had we any idea of dancing before, — 
 such activity, so much soul in all their movements. We 
 were immediately pressed to dance. "Ne voulez-vous 
 pas danser, Messieurs ? " resounded from all sides. It 
 was an invitation not to be resisted; and we danced 
 " Les Plaisirs des Loix " to the tune of " Ca ira." The 
 
 > 
 
 very fille de chambre who had conducted us from the inn 
 was already engaged in another set. Every man paid 
 three liards for two dances, and saluted his partner 
 when they were finished. On the hill was a dance of 
 the bourgeois, tres splendide, but we chose the dance of 
 the peasants. The band consisted of two violins ; and 
 some stools elevated on a table against the wall formed 
 the orchestra. Over the door was this inscription : " Ho- 
 nore, Perruquier, tient salle de danse a la nation." 
 When I saw the innocent gayety of the villagers of Cler- 
 mont, my heart bled to think of the oppressions which 
 so amiable and generous a people had so long endured. 
 
112 EAKLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 Proceeded through an uneven country, with woods and 
 vineyards on either hand, till we entered a long avenue 
 that led to Chantilly, the seat of the Prince of Gonde. 
 Saw the house, the gardens, the stables, etc., altogether 
 a most superb monument of bad taste. The gate of the 
 stables is, however, a striking exception. The armor 
 of Henri IV. and of the great Conde are here preserved 
 with veneration. Continued through the woods of Chan- 
 tilly, and passed through several villages. The country 
 soon made another fall, and of equal grandeur with 
 the former. As we changed horses at St. Denis, one 
 of them was restive and broke the traces. " Ha, ha ! 
 Monsieur I'abbe Maury," said a boy as he passed by, " ne 
 voulez-vous pas rester tranquille ? " Over the arch of 
 every nobleman's gateway the coat of arms was erased, 
 and printed advertisements of the sale of the Church 
 lands were fixed on every wall. As we approached Paris 
 we saw an infinite number of avenues leading from it 
 in all directions, like the radii of a circle. Passed at 
 the foot of Montmartre, a hill of granite covered with 
 windmills. 
 
 ' The clumsy coaches of all shapes that rumble along 
 without springs; the ladies hurrying out of their way 
 with rouged cheeks and without hats ; the gentlemen 
 parading with their national cockades, immense muffs, 
 and copper buckles ; and the very beggars accosting us 
 with a powdered head, a muff, and a cockade, — every- 
 thing was new to an Englishman ; but who could attend 
 a moment to such minutice when so many thousands were 
 beating as it were with one pulse in the cause of liberty 
 and their countrj', and crowding every coffee-house and 
 public walk to congratulate each other on an event so 
 favorable in its consequences to the best interests of 
 mankind ? 
 
 'In the evening walked under the piazzas of the 
 Palais Eoyal, a very elegant square, full of shops 
 
PARIS IN 1791. 113 
 
 and coffee-houses, glittering with lights and crowded 
 with belles and beaux who were taking their evening 
 promenade. 
 
 ^January 26. — Breakfasted in a coffee-house, where I 
 could have passed hours in contemplating the various 
 figures that were sipping their coffee and capillatre 
 around me, and dined at the Cafe des Quatre Nations, 
 where the scene was so diverting and the dishes were all 
 in masquerade. The moment we entered, one of the 
 waiters with irresistible grace presented us with a printed 
 bill of fare, including above two hundred different articles 
 with the several prices affixed ; from fricassees, frican- 
 deaus, and ragouts down to humble hifteck, so changed in 
 name and nature that we could with difB.culty recognize 
 our old acquaintance. We afterwards repaired to the 
 cirque in the middle of the Palais Eoyal, an elegant 
 room, 300 feet by 50, lighted by a long skylight and 
 designed for every species of entertainment. " Ce n'est 
 pas un cirque," said I to a carpenter at work there. 
 " C'est un cirque FrauQais,'' said he, archly. Here we 
 saw a faro-table surrounded by adventurers, and were 
 soon called away from remarking their anxious and 
 fluctuating spirits to view an assault between La Motte, 
 a musician in the king's band, and several other 
 fencers. 
 
 ' January ^ 27. — " C'est une belle saison," said I to my 
 hairdresser this morning. " C'est superbe. Monsieur," said 
 he. Sallied forth with a smart laquais de place, Lefevre, 
 in a chariot driven by a coachman whose scarlet cloak 
 formed a fine front screen ; over Pont Neuf, by the statue 
 of Henri IV., to the Abbe Grenet,^ a professor in the 
 College of Richelieu, — a sensible, pleasant man, but an 
 aristocrat ; disapproved of the plan of juries now before 
 
 1 Query Jan. 26. 
 
 2 The Abbe Grenet was a celebrated writer on geography and pro- 
 fessor of that science. He disappeared during the Revolution. 
 
 8 
 
114 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 the National Assembly, and said it was unsuitable to the 
 genius of the nation. Proceeded afterwards to Monsieur 
 Petrie, member of the Assembly from Tobago, a gentle- 
 man and a man of sense. He said he feared the Assembly 
 had too many irons in the fire, and that the conduct of the 
 clergy at Amiens had drawn a motion from Barnave to 
 petition the king to appoint new bishops. In the even- 
 ing went to the theatre of the Grands Danseurs du Eoi 
 on the Boulevards, full of the canaille. The first piece 
 was the conduct of the Spaniards in Mexico, and when 
 the priests were disgraced the laughter and shouts of the 
 audience were very pointed. Went afterwards to the 
 cirque, and saw some cotillo7is danced by the dames du 
 Palais Royal in a very capital style. 
 
 ' January 27. — M. I'abbe Grenet breakfasted with us, 
 and told us that the mob had last night threatened to 
 burn the house of M. de Clermont-Tonnerre,* and were 
 proceeding to the lanteme with an officer of the police, 
 but were prevented. Said Marmontel ^ had changed his 
 principles and disapproved of the new government ; that 
 the Abbe Eaynal " was an enrage, and at Marseilles ; that 
 
 1 M. de Clermont-TonneTre fell a victim to the populace in the 
 succeeding August. 
 
 2 The author of Oontes MoravsD was in his sixty-eighth year. He 
 had been Secretary of the Academy from D'Alerabert's death in 1783, 
 and on the suppression of the Academies in 1791 betook himself to the 
 writing of new Contes Mm'aux. He died in 1799. 
 
 2 The Abbe Raynal was at that time the most celebrated French 
 historian living. In December, 1790, a severe criticism on the doings of 
 the Assembly had appeared, entitled ' Lettro de I'abb^ Raynal k I'Assem- 
 blee Nationale.' It was by the Comte de Guibert, but embodied Ray- 
 nal's sentiments. In May, 1791, he wrote a letter to the President of 
 the Assembly, which was read at one of its sittings, protesting against 
 its proceedings and expressing regret that the writer had been ' one of 
 those who, in expressing a generous indignation against arbitrary power, 
 had perhaps put arms into the hands of license and anarchy.' He did 
 not emigrate, but lived in retirement through the Terror, and died in 
 Paris ia 1796, in his eighty-third year. 
 
MEN OF THE REVOLUTION. 115 
 
 the Ahh6 Maury was the first man in France, and M. 
 Eabaut * the most dangerous ; that he was of Eousseau's 
 opinion that a republican form of government suited 
 small states only; that M. d'Alembert, the great mathe- 
 matician, could never draw a right angle with his com- 
 passes ; that M. I'abbd Maury had often appeased the 
 cry of " X la lanterne ! " by saying, " You may take me 
 there, but will you see the clearer for it ? " ^ Sallied 
 forth afterwards and left our letters and cards at Lord 
 Gower's, the Due de Eochefoucauld's,' de Liancourt's,* 
 etc. Called on M. de Keralio,^ printer of the Mercure 
 National; saw his daughter, a very pleasing, sensible 
 
 1 See note to page 179. 
 
 2 The Abbe Maury was celebrated all through the Revolution for his 
 ready wit. ' I am going to shut up the Abbe Maury in a vicious circle,' 
 said Mirabeau one day iu the Assembly. ' Then you are going to em- 
 brace me,' said the Abbe, to the great orator's confusion. Hearing that 
 he was proscribed he fled, but was brought back. On retaking his 
 place in the National Assembly he said, ' I shall perish in the Revolu- 
 tion or get a Cardinal's hat in fighting it.' He did not long fight the 
 Revolution, but fled again when the Constituent Assembly was dissolved, 
 and was made a bishop in partibiis and afterwards a cardinal. He died 
 at Rome in 1817. 
 
 ^ The Duo de la Rochefoucauld was one of the early victims of the 
 Revolution. He was stoned to death at Gisors on the 14th of Sep- 
 tember, 1792, as he was on his way to take the waters at Forges. His 
 mother and his wife were with him. 
 
 * The Due de Liancourt is the man who, two days before the fall of 
 the Bastille, had gone to Versailles to tell the king of the state of Paris. 
 ' It is a revolt,' said the astonished Louis. ' No, sir,' replied the Duo 
 de Liancourt, 'it is a revolution.' He was for a time President of the 
 National Assembly. Not long after Rogers wasat his house he fled to 
 England and took refuge with Arthur Young. On the death of his 
 cousin he took the title of La Rochefoucauld. 
 
 ' M. de Keralio, who had translated various works from English, 
 German, and Swedish, had translated in 1789 Dr. Price's sermon 'On 
 the Love of our Country.' He was one of the editors of the Journal des 
 Savants from 1785 till its suppression in 1792. He died at Grosley in 
 December, 1793. 
 
H6 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL KOGEES. 
 
 woman.* Called at Perrdgaux's,^ and saw one of the 
 partners, asked after Mr. Keay and heard he was iu 
 England. Dined at the coffee-house, and saw there an 
 Englishman in the navy, a sceptic in religion, and in 
 politics an aristocrat ; went afterwards to the opera, — an 
 ordinary house, full of the best company. All the boxes 
 let except two. The parterre crowded, and the people 
 there moved like ears of corn. The opera " Dido," Mal- 
 lieux the first woman. Saw afterwards "Cupid and 
 Psyche," — a beautiful ballet. Lahore and Nivelon won- 
 derful dancers, the first more esteemed here than Vestris, 
 only eighteen years old. 
 
 ' January 28. — Called on Mr. Keay, who was out, — 
 H6tel des Etats Unis, Eue des Gaillons. Called on M. 
 Hottingue and M. Eougemont,' and were politely received. 
 Saw the Church of La Eoche ; the Italian theatre, with a 
 beautiful Ionic colonnade in front; and the Theatre de 
 Monsieur, just finished, the front a circular colonnade. 
 
 'In the afternoon called at the Marquis de Lafay- 
 ette's, and were introduced by M. de Chatelet,* through 
 an anteroom where some ofB.cers were dining, into a large 
 room where he sat at table with thirty or forty officers. 
 He rose to receive us. We then passed on to another 
 chamber, where several gentlemen were waiting. He 
 soon entered with Madame de Lafayette, — a pleasing, 
 
 1 Mdlle. de Keralio was assisting her father in the editorship of the 
 Mereivn NaiimwX, ou Journal d!i!tat et de Citoyen, and soon after 
 Kogers's visit married M. Robert, one of her father's colleagues. Rohert 
 hecame Danton's secretary, but escaped the proscription of the Dan- 
 tonists. Madame Robert, like her father, was a voluminous translator, 
 obtaining considerable celebrity. She died in 1821. 
 
 ^ The banker. 
 
 ' M. Rougemont was a merchant to whom Rogers had received an 
 introduction. 
 
 * This was probably the Due du Chatelet, afterwards one of the 
 generals in the army of the Republic. He was arrested as a Girondist, 
 and poisoned himself in prison. 
 
GENERAL LAFAYETTE. 117 
 
 lively woman, but not handsome, who told us that we did 
 her country honor to visit ib when they were but in 
 their infancy ; that she could understand English, bat 
 was afraid to talk it. Lafayette then came up, a tall, 
 handsome man about 35.* He inquired after Dr. Price, 
 and asked whether he had any intention to visit Paris ; 
 said that most people could speak a little English and 
 understand him. We expressed pleasure to find all 
 things so tranquil ; he made no answer. In this room 
 was a picture of the Bastille. Invited us to dine with 
 him to-morrow, and said he dined every day at four and 
 should always be happy to see us. Went to the Theatre 
 de Monsieur and saw an Italian comedy, " La Pastorella," 
 beautifully lighted in the centre with a transparency of 
 Apollo and his rays. Came home, when Mr. Keay 
 waited upon me and spent two hours with us. Said that 
 Lafayette had nearly ruined his fortune, and would not 
 touch his allowance from the Assembly ; that the people 
 were the most barbarous in the world; that when the 
 mob on Thursday last were hurrying away the man they 
 suspected to be a spy, a porkman rushed from his shop 
 and dug his knife into his head ; that Lafayette is no 
 republican. 
 
 'January 29. — M. de Chfltelet and another gentleman 
 called this morning. M. de Chatelet invited us to the 
 Conversation de la mere du Duo de Rochefoiicautd, — a tall, 
 thin woman, very animated. Advised us to attend the 
 " Comedy," and said that we could acquire the language 
 in two months ; that Burke's letters were written to a 
 M. Dupont, a young man, attached to the new constitu- 
 tion, who answered him with great spirit ; that we might 
 go to-morrow to the Assembly with M. Mirabeau, who 
 was yesterday elected President. Wrote letters, and 
 afterwards dined at M. de Lafayette's. 
 
 ^ He was born in 1 757, and was therefore in his 34th year. 
 
118 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGEES. 
 
 ' Madame de Lafayette said they should come to see 
 us after they had finished their Eevolution ; talked with 
 rapture of Thomson and Gray, and thought the English 
 language more difficult to learn than the French. La- 
 fayette came late, inquired what news from England; 
 said Pitt had a great majority and the confidence of, but 
 was no friend to, the people ; that every member of the 
 Parliament had contributed more or less to increase the 
 influence of the Crown ; that Pitt did him the honor to 
 dine with him on his return from Eontainebleau before 
 he was Minister, in company with Dr. Franklin, and then 
 told him that he had too much democracy in his prin- 
 ciples for him.^ There were about twenty-six people, 
 chiefly officers, there. There were but two courses and 
 a dessert. After dinner, retired into the drawing-room 
 to drink coffee. Beyond this was another apartment, 
 into which he frequently withdrew with some of the 
 company. Went afterwards to the Theatre Fran5ois, 
 and saw " Le Jaloux sans Amour " and Auguste and 
 Theodore. The King of Prussia — very like Prince 
 Henry — was much struck with it, and suggested some 
 slight improvements in the costume. Saw there one of 
 Lafayette's officers, who said that Lafayette, during 
 the heat of the Revolution, kept eighty men at his 
 own expense, and now supports nearly twenty besides 
 the company at his own table ; that he, the officer him- 
 self, had a shot through his hat at the taking of the 
 Bastille. 
 
 'January 30. — Went at ten to the Salle Rationale; 
 the tribune crowded, the subject uninteresting — respect- 
 ing the alienation of the incomes of the hospitals. Bar- 
 nave, Eoohefoucauld, and Mirabeau spoke a few words ; 
 the last is the best speaker in the National Assembly. 
 
 1 In a letter to his sister Sarah, dated the 4th of Fehruary, Rogers 
 says that ' Lafayette said little ahont the French Eevolution, but was 
 very inquisitive respecting the state of politics in England.' 
 
M. AND MME. DE CONDORCET. 119 
 
 On the table was a bust of Monsieur Desiles, who fell a 
 victim to the soldiery at Nancy. The bell rung frequently 
 by the President Mirabeau to obtain silence. Walked 
 afterwards in the Tuileries gardens, and saw the palaces 
 of the Prince of Conde and of Monsieur. Dined with 
 Mr. Keay (nobody else there), and at half-past five drove 
 to M. de Condorcet's, formerly secretary to the Academy 
 of Belle Lettres, and found Madame de Condoreet sit- 
 ting in a little room with a girl of eight years of age. 
 A charming woman with an oval face, very open and ex- 
 pressive, and very fair ; a beautiful picture of two ladies 
 painted in crayons by herself. Full of patriotism. Con- 
 doreet, being engaged below with Rochefoucauld, did not 
 appear. Drove to the Theatre Eran9ois and saw " La 
 Liberte conquise," — a simple representation of the tak- 
 ing of the Bastille, interspersed with noble sentiments but 
 laid in a distant province. Between the acts " Ca ira" was 
 played by the orchestra, and the audience beat time by 
 clapping. When soldiers clubbed their arms and era- 
 braced their fellow-citizens the house resounded with 
 shouts for some minutes. An English nobleman is intro- 
 duced, who utters fine sentiments of liberty, and con- 
 cludes the piece with this address, "Francois, vous avez 
 conquis la liberty, tachez de la conservir." 
 
 ' Went from thence at nine to the Club of the year 
 1789, — an elegant room with sixty or seventy members 
 there. Conversed with two, one of whom offered to 
 supply me with facts if I would give him queries. They 
 knew well that there were only two parties, — for the 
 aristocracy and the crown. The apartments were three, 
 leading into each other. Proceeded afterwards to sup 
 at Madame de Canissy's Hotel de Brienne, Rue St. 
 Dominique, Paubourg St. Germain. Entered through 
 several rooms into an elegant apartment, where were a 
 lady and gentleman. The company consisted of Madame 
 de Canissyj a very lively, talkative woman ; her husband. 
 
120 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 who resembled a Methodist minister ; Chatelet ; a bishop ; 
 a Scotchman, a very pleasant, sensible man, rather dry ; 
 a foreign Ambassador with a star and ribbon ; two other 
 gentlemen, one of whom came in Chatelet's cabriolet ; 
 and M. de Condoreet,* a very sensible but very plain 
 man, and his wife as enchanting as ever. In the room 
 was an elegant bed, with a portrait of a lady hung at the 
 head of it ; and close by it was a couch on which was a 
 girl, who soon waked and was taken to the fire to warm 
 its little feet by Madame de Condorcet, and afterwards put 
 to bed again. The supper was brought in on the table, 
 at which few sat down, except the ladies, and afterwards 
 it was carried out in the same manner. Chemistry, 
 Shakspeare, Junius, Burke, animal magnetism, took 
 their turns. Chatelet said Dr. Priestley's "Answer" was 
 far below him ; Condorcet, that water could be decomposed 
 into two substances ; and the lady told a story of M. de 
 Clermont-Tonnerre, which all present confirmed as true, 
 that he actually believed and had certificates that a 
 certain woman " ^tait accouchee par le diable." 
 
 ^February 1. — Sallied forth with Mr. Keay. Saw the 
 Louvre with its most elegant front, the Place de Greve, 
 the Palais de Justice with the Sainte Chapelle, the 
 Church of S. Genevieve, the Church of Saint Sulpice, 
 the Palais de Monsieur, a Eoman bath of the Emperor 
 Julian the Apostate, the Mint, and the statue of Henri 
 IV. on the Pont Neuf. M. Petrie called and said that 
 Barnave, in a colonial committee to which he belonged, 
 — Barnave the leader of the Band, — said he hoped we 
 should be freer than England, but feared that in a few 
 years the National Assembly would become like the 
 
 1 Mr. Hayvrard says : ' He had met Condorcet at Lafayette's table 
 in 1789.' Mr. Hayward is, of course, referring to this visit to Paris in 
 1791. The meeting with Condorcet, here recorded as taking place at 
 Madame de Canissy's, is clearly the first, and there is no trace in this 
 diary of Rogers's meeting Condorcet at Lafayette's at all. 
 
DINES WITH ROCHEFOUCAULD. 121 
 
 Parliament of England ; that he himself knew that sev- 
 eral things had been carried by corruption. Dined at 
 the Duo de Eochefoucauld's, with twelve or fourteen 
 gentlemen, waited on at dinner by near twice the number 
 of servants. Sat [Boddington and Kogers] on each side 
 the Duke, a little man, continually winking his eyes, but 
 with an air of great goodness, and very civil. During 
 dinner came a letter from Lord George Gordon enclosing 
 his remarks on the civic oath. Chatelet said that he 
 was confined for a crime of which every man in France 
 was guilty.^ After dinner rose immediately, and with- 
 drew to the other room with his wife. Mr. Morris from 
 America, M. Chabot, brother to Madame, M. Chatelet, 
 etc., were there. In came immediately the old duchess, — 
 such a figure never seen now but in a picture-frame, lively 
 and sensible, and a warm friend to the Kevolution.'^ 
 Drank coffee and went to Mr. Boyd's (a banker), Eue de 
 Gramont, where we were soon set down to brulant, — Mr. 
 and Mrs. Boyd, General Campbell, Mr. and Miss Harris, 
 and M. Petrie. M. P. said that a considerable force was 
 sent to the West Indies to quiet the contending parties 
 there, that Barnave was completely led by a Creole. 
 
 ' February 2. — Went to the palace of M. d'Orl^ans, 
 and saw his pictures : several of Raphael, Eubens, and 
 Titian. Saw the duchess and all the children. Dined 
 at the traiteur's, and saw " William Tell," a tragedy in 
 which La Eive acted very well, and was afterwards 
 called out to make his bow. The audience beat time to 
 "^a, ira" with the same enthusiasm as before. After- 
 
 1 He was in prison for libels on the Queen of France and the 
 Empress of Russia. 
 
 * In a letter to his sister Sarah describing this part of his visit to 
 Paris, Rogers says the Duchess Dowager said to him ; ' I once wished 
 to see England ; but now we are freer than yon, and you must come to 
 us, not we to you. I had many infirmities, but I have not felt them 
 since the Revolution. ' 
 
122 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGEES. 
 
 wards " Le Fou par Amour." Went to the Club of '89. 
 A debate on three different motions to the same purpose, 
 the exclusion of the members of the Club Monarchique. 
 That of M. de Condorcet carried. Was afterwards told 
 ■that the Club Monarchique were friends to despotism 
 under the mask of moderation ; i that the Club of '89 
 and that of the Jacobins are much the same in principle, 
 and act in concert in the Assembly, but that the first are 
 less precipitate in their measures, and that the leaders of 
 each have a degree of jealousy of each other; that a 
 motion had been made more than once to exclude those 
 of '89 from the Jacobins, but without success ; that of '89 
 are about four hundred. The Jacobins much the largest. 
 M. Chatelet gave us tickets for the Jacobin Assembly. 
 
 'February 3. — Saw the pictures in the Louvre, chiefly 
 French. Observed a coachman with bag and muff. 
 Dined at M. de Liancourt's with about twenty-four men, 
 Chatelet," Chabot," Chapelier,* M. de Rochefoucauld, etc. 
 
 1 The Club Monarchique was first called the Club dea Impartlaux. 
 
 2 This was probably Charles Louis ChS.telet, who was a. leading 
 member of the Jacobin Club. He adhered to Robespierre, became one 
 of the agents of the Reign of Terror, escaped on the 9th Thermidor, but 
 was arrested some months afterwards, tried, condemned, and in May, 
 1795, executed. 
 
 5 Frangois Chabot was in his thirty-second year. He had been a 
 Capuchin monk, and grand vicar of the constitutional Bishop of Blois. 
 He was at this time an enthusiastic clerical friend of the Revolution. 
 In the following September he was elected to the Legislative Assembly, 
 and speedily became one of the leaders of the ' Mountain ' which owed 
 its name to him. He got the decree passed which turned the cathedral 
 of Paris into a temple of reason. Eventually he fell a victim to the 
 Terror, being giiillotined on the 5th of April, 1794. 
 
 * Isaac Ren^ Chapelier, then thirty-seven years old, was a member 
 of the Committee on the Constitution, and drew up the decree for the 
 abolition of the noblesse. He broke with the party of violence, fled to 
 England, returned to save his property, was arrested, condemned by the 
 revolutionai7 tribunal, and guillotined with Thouret and Despr^menil 
 in April, 1794. 
 
PARIS THEATRES AND PLAYS. 123 
 
 Very elegant rooms hung with good paintings and look- 
 ing into the gardens of the Tuileries. Sat by him. A 
 sumptuous dinner, — two courses and a dessert. Mira- 
 beau no favorite, a man of heaucoup d'esprit, with no 
 materials of his own, but possessed of the singular talent 
 of availing himself of the ideas of other people. Three 
 bishops have taken the oath. A revolution at Geneva. 
 De Eochefoucauld twice excommunicated at Eome. 
 Had seen Lord Stanhope when at Geneva, then very 
 active with the patriots at the same time with Mr. 
 Wilkes, but would not associate with him. " I admire 
 his public principles," said Lord Stanhope ; " I think him 
 an oppressed man [at the time of the ' North Briton ' ], and 
 would support his cause, but his private character is bad, 
 and I don't want to become acquainted with him." Saw 
 Adam Smith here and admired his " Wealth of Nations." 
 The Jacobins above twelve hundred in Paris, with six 
 hundred corresponding societies in the country; the 
 Monarchique about four hundred, professing a desire to 
 establish a constitution like that of England, but in fact 
 something worse ; that and the Club of '89 have no other 
 branches in the country. Liancourt thought their vote 
 of last night a bad one. Saw a fighting match with 
 handkerchiefs. Afterwards at the Theatre du Palais 
 Eoyal saw "L'amant femme de chambre" and "Euse 
 centre ruse, on Guerre ouverte." 
 
 ' February 4. — Saw the king's library and his Cabinet 
 des Estampes. Saw a Euripides with notes by Eacine. 
 Dined at the traiteur's, saw "CEdipe h, Colonne" and the 
 ballet of " Cupid and Psyche." ^ Went afterwards to sup 
 with Madame de Condorcet. About twelve persons at 
 supper ; three rouged girls. After supper played at a 
 game. The company fixed on a person distinguished in 
 history or in the present age, and somebody not in the 
 
 1 Is described in a letter. ' Such music, such scenery and dancing, 
 I think could not be excelled.' 
 
124 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 secret asked what advice they gave her or him (a lady if 
 the asker be gentleman, and vice versa). Que conseillerez- 
 vous k mon ami ? 
 
 ' Same day. — Saw the Place Vendome ; the H6pital 
 des Invalides, with a most beautiful dome ; the military 
 school and the Champ de Mars, the scaffold of which is 
 still standing, with the elegant heights of the village 
 Chaillot. 
 
 'In the centre of the area, on an eminence, is the 
 maison in which the oath was administered ; on one 
 side is written this inscription : " C'est dans ce champ oil 
 lis venoient de jurer d'etre fideles k la Nation, k la Loi 
 et au Roi." 
 
 ' On the opposite side were these verses : — 
 
 " Les mortels sont ^gaux ; ce n'est pas leur naissance, 
 C'est la seule vertu qui fait la difference. 
 La loj dans tout etat doit @tre universelle ; 
 Les mortels, quels qu'ils soient, sont ^gaux devant elle." 
 
 ' Saw the H6tel de Ville ; the long room in the Louvre, 
 430 yards in length with the exhibition room. Went 
 to Eougemont's, where were about fourteen people, two 
 men from Neufchatel and an Italian chevalier who went 
 with us to the Italian theatre. Saw " Selima and Azor " 
 and " Le Convalescent de quality " — a nobleman who, 
 having been long confined by illness and being ignorant 
 of the Revolution, is surprised to find his servants out 
 of livery, but is told that la loi I'a dechire ; finds that 
 his daughter whom he had. destined to a convent is in 
 love with a bourgeois, and writes for a lettre de cachet 
 to confine him ; is insulted with the designation of his 
 family name and an application to pay his debts, but 
 is at last, after much point and equivoque, brought to 
 reason. "He bien! demain Monsieur le Colonel, vous 
 monterez la garde." English horses here at sixty and 
 one hundred guineas. 
 
CALLS ON PERIGOED (TALLEYRAND). 125 
 
 ' February 5. — Saw tlie family go to Mass through, the 
 apartments of the Louvre. The king came tirst with 
 a good-humored unmeaning face, afterwards the queen 
 bowing courteously to all about her, with the dauphin, a 
 little pale-faced boy with a kind of nightcap on his head. 
 She has a beautiful profile, but her eyes are heavy.^ 
 Then Monsieur, very like the king, his eldest brother, 
 and his sister. Heard Mass, — a most beautiful concert. 
 Raphael's " Cartoons " and his " Mass at Bolseua " in 
 tapestry on the walls. 
 
 ' Attempted to see the king dine, but could not, having 
 frocks. In the evening at five went to Vespers, where a 
 number of men in flannel gowns and hoods chanted for 
 about half an hour in a very deep discordant tone. The 
 king and queen were there ; below were guards forming 
 an avenue up to the altar. Afterwards, at the Theatre de 
 Madlle. deMontausier (who was there), saw "Le Sourd" 
 inimitably well performed by an actor "who imitated the 
 Gascon dialect. Sat in the orchestra. Dined at the table 
 d'hote by myself, B. having a headache. Saw the hdtel 
 of the Prince de Salm,^ who asks 75,000 francs for it. 
 
 'February 6. — Called on Perigord.' Saw the remains 
 of the Bastille, about ten feet high, in an area of three 
 or four acres and surrounded by a fosse. In the centre 
 a staircase that led into darkness ; several cells open to 
 daylight, one of which had a cross traced on the stone, — 
 the melancholy amusement of some heavy hour. Perigord 
 
 1 In the letter to his sister, Rogers thus describes the king and 
 qneen : ' The king is -■ very easy, good-humored man in appearance ; 
 but the queen, I think, has neither beauty nor good-humor. She has 
 a fine profile, but her eyes are very heavy.' 
 
 2 The Prince de Salm-Kirbourg was another of the victims of the 
 Revolution. He was guillotined on the 23d of July, 1794, at the age 
 of forty-eight. Fourteen months later his property was restored to his 
 family. His h6tel became the headquarters of the Legion of Honor. 
 
 2 Charles Maurice de Perigord, then bishop of Autun, afterwards 
 Prince de Talleyrand. 
 
126 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 knew Lafayette, — a man now forgotten, a courtier at 
 bottom, but a very amiable, well-meaning man. No other 
 could fill his place when he took it. He said handsomely 
 that he accepted it because he knew there was danger 
 in it. The delicacy of his constitijtion makes him ojaserve 
 a regimen of rice and eggs. Waked often ten times in 
 a night, as every rumor is brought to him. P. said the 
 opera was once the finest thing in the world, on account of 
 its company, but now things were changed. Afterwards 
 saw the Gobelins tapestry, the coloring beautiful beyond 
 conception, — twenty years' practice before a workman 
 weaves figures. Saw a collection of Wouvermann's prints 
 at Bassan's, Kue Serpent ; saw the Place Victoire, where 
 Victory is placing (or taking away) a wreath on the brow 
 of Louis XIV. Dined at the traiteur's, and afterwards 
 lingered away an hour at the Ambigu Comique, a kind 
 of Sadler's Wells on the Boulevards. Eode this morning 
 on part of them, and was charmed with the villas and 
 various buildings ; they are planted on each side with 
 trees. 
 
 ' February 7. — Eode along the avenue from the 
 Barrier, surrounded with ginguettes pour faire des noces 
 etfestins, through La Chapelle to St. Denis. Saw among 
 a crowd of monarehs Henry IV., Francis I., Hugh Capet, 
 and Turenne ; among the curiosities, the beautiful onyx 
 vase mentioned by Gray, on which is sculptured in basso- 
 relievo the rites of Bacchus, referred to the time of 
 Ptolemy. Saw relics of saints in abundance. A silver 
 bell most musical. Went at five to the Schools of 
 Painting in the Louvre, and saw about thirty students 
 drawing and moulding in terra-cotta the figure of a man 
 who lay naked in the centre in an oblique posture, his 
 right hand extended and his left shading his eyes. The 
 same number above drawing a man suspended by both 
 his arms in pulleys. Went afterwards to the Theatre du 
 Palais Eoyal and saw the " Seigneur Suppost^." 
 
THE CONQUERORS OF THE BASTILLE. 127 
 
 ' February 8. — Eode with Mr. Keay along the road to 
 Versailles. Passed Passy, the village from which Pilatre 
 de Eosier first ascended in a balloon, and saw the house 
 in which Dr. Franklin lived, — a white house with green 
 windows. At Sevres saw the beautiful china in a princely 
 house, and proceeded by several houses to Versailles, 
 now a desert. Like the deserted town in the " Arabian 
 Nights " silence has laid her finger on it. Saw amidst a 
 number of statues Jupiter Stator before which Augustus 
 and the Caesars made vows. It had stood in the palace, 
 but commanded too much respect there. Saw the " Witch 
 of Endor " by Salvator Rosa, " Alexander in the Tent of 
 Darius " by Le Brun, and " Charles I." by Vandyke ; the 
 Church of the Convent of the Augustines, and the room 
 in which the Assembly first met, — all perfect in their 
 kind. Some Swiss exercising there. Dined with Mr. 
 Keay. Went afterwards to the Soci^te des Amis de la 
 Constitution. Passed through a long arched passage, and 
 ascended by a stone staircase into a long narrow room, 
 with a low vaulted roof, formerly the library of the 
 Jacobins. Over the recesses for the books were written 
 " Historiae profanse," " Interpretes Scripturae," " SS. 
 Patres," etc., with several portraits of nuns and abbots. 
 An inquiry into the affair of La Chapelle was before 
 them, the room full, 300 or 400 present. A fulmination 
 against the Societe Monarchique. The conquerors of 
 the Bastille presented themselves, three plain modest 
 men, thanked them for having been chosen members of 
 their Society, presented them with a book, and desired 
 leave to put themselves under the protection of the 
 Society, as they had reason to expect every moment to 
 be assassinated. The President replied that every citi- 
 zen was under the protection of the law, that assassins 
 seldom attacked men of true courage, that if they main- 
 tained that character they had hitherto borne they would 
 be always dear to every friend of his country, and that 
 
128 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 in the hour of danger every member of that Society 
 would stand foremost in the defence of men who de- 
 served so well of their country. 
 
 ' February 9. — Saw with Mr. Keay the chapel of the 
 Carmelites in which is a beautiful Guide, but ill-engraved 
 by Strange ; and Madame La Valliere in the character of 
 a Magdalene, the chef d'ceuvre of Le Brun. Le Val de 
 Grace, a gaudy church, and the chapel of the Carthu- 
 sians, but Le Sueur's " History of St. Bruno " is removed 
 to the Louvre and lies packed up. "Walked into the stone 
 quarries (near Val de Grace) that undermine the city, — 
 three miles one way and a mile and a half the other ; 
 walked above half an hour ; saw a cavity into which 
 the nuns of Val de Grace were let down when in dis- 
 grace, and fed with bread dropped down by a string. 
 Saw the workmen employed, several air-holes ; could walk 
 for days a different route, many branches and turns ; 
 were conducted by a pleasant lively fellow. At Notre 
 Dame heard Mass, saw a good picture of Le Sueur's, and 
 from the top of the great tower saw the city intersected by 
 the Seine and crowded with churches, convents, and pal- 
 aces, the environs rich and woody and gay with chateaus 
 and villages, — a much better view than from St. Paul's. 
 The day favorable. The pavement of Paris bad, — the 
 stones being cut square and not oblong are soon worn 
 round by the feet of the horses ; the lights of Paris daz- 
 zling, from their hanging in the centre before the eyes of 
 the coachman, but the lamp sooner cleaned and repaired 
 from its construction being an octagon with framed glass. 
 
 ' Dined at Perigord's with Mr. Payn, Mr. Hartley, Mr, 
 Lockhart, and several Englishmen. Went to the opera, 
 and saw Eenaud with a divertissement. 
 
 ' February 10. — Eode with Mr. Keay by the Duke of 
 Orleans's English garden and a barrier, a very beautiful 
 Grecian Eotunda by the side of it, to Pont Neuilly, a 
 very elegant bridge, with six elliptical arches, on the top 
 
PLACES AND PALACES. 129 
 
 of a direct plane. The country round it beautiful. 
 !Rode through, the Bois de Boulogne, chiefly young wood, 
 where the king generally rides every morning, to Baga- 
 telle, Comte d'Artois's small house, not inelegant, with a 
 garden, a false imitation of the English. Passed Madrid, 
 a gothic chateau built by Francis I. after his return from 
 Spain, inlaid with porcelain, but now ruinous, and sen- 
 tenced to fall by the National Assembly. Saw Long- 
 champs, a little hill with a nunnery on its summit, in 
 which are musicgl performances the last three days of 
 Passion week. A few years ago a favorite opera-singer 
 was engaged there, and the crowd from Paris was far too 
 great to be accommodated. The day being fine, numbers 
 amused themselves with riding in the Bois de Boulogne. 
 The thing took, and in these days every year all Paris in 
 its best equipages pours out to parade in the Bois de Bou- 
 logne. The palace of Versailles, almost entirely built 
 from a hunting-seat by Louis XIV., who did not like St. 
 Germain's (a finer situation), as it commanded St. Denis, 
 where he was to be buried. Saw St. Cloud, the queen's 
 house, where the king Tesided last summer, — a very ele- 
 gant modern house ; the gardens are in infamous taste. 
 A beaiitiful day. Walked with Mr. Keay in the Tuile- 
 ries ; full of company. Saw the dauphin's garden and 
 duckery at the end of it, in which his name was sown in 
 mustard-seed, — Louis Dauphin. Fair people always in- 
 constant and wavering. Went to the Bouche de Fer, a 
 debating society on the principles of Eousseau, in the 
 Circus, his bust before the President, the Abbe Mailly ; 
 a numerous company. Afterwards saw " The Apothecary " 
 and " Sourd " at M. de Montpensier's, and looked into the 
 Society of '89; nothing doing. Went to the Jacobins, 
 but it was ■ over. If one hundred millions have been 
 spent on building it, as much has been spent on going to 
 see it. Chatelet not at the Jacobins, because no favorite, 
 as his friend Lafayette is not popular. 
 
 9 
 
130 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL KOGEKS. 
 
 'February 12. — A delicious day. Eode to Vincennes, 
 where is a palace in a very pleasant park, in which our 
 Henry V. died, and in which Louis XIV. first saw 
 Madame La Valliere, — a chapel with beautiful painted 
 windows (mentioned by Gray), and a State prison, 
 chamber within chamber, lighted by a narrow grated 
 window and carved on the walls of each, to chase ennui 
 from the victims of tyranny. From the roof is a deli- 
 cious view of the suburbs of Paris and the country, and 
 round each story runs a gallery with a low parapet, into 
 which some of the prisoners were taken for air. Who 
 can sigh on seeing the still gloom that pervades Ver- 
 sailles, the grandest palace and the most elegant village 
 in the world, — who can sigh on seeing the grass grow in 
 the courts of the one and the streets of the other, when 
 he recollects that so many dungeons share its downfall ? 
 Dined at the table d'hote, and afterward walked along the 
 Seine and saw La Sainte Chapelle ; mixed in every group 
 that was collected by the buffoon and the ballad-singer, 
 and walked in the Tuileries, which were full of company. 
 Saw " Cupid and Psyche." 
 
 ' February 13. — At the Church of Notre Dame, from a 
 gallery, saw three cures elected by the Electoral Assembly 
 in the great aisle ; each from the pulpit delivered a short 
 discourse expressive of his attachment to the present 
 constitution. He said that his office as preacher was to 
 enlighten the people and give energy to the laws ; that 
 heaven approved of the Confederation, and that to incul- 
 cate these sentiments would be the last employment of 
 his life. High Mass performed. Afterwards the king 
 and queen, with the two children and Monsieur and 
 Madame walked to chapel. Saw them at Mass after- 
 wards. The Tuileries gardens very full of company. 
 Attempted the National Assembly with Mirabeau's 
 ticket, but was refused: nobody admitted there. Mr. 
 Keay dined with us on frog pie, and we went to see 
 
INFLUENCK OF KOUSSEAO AND VOLTAIRE. 131 
 
 " Didon " and " Le Ddvin du Village," an opera, the words 
 and the music by Rousseau, the fable very simple, the 
 music in general charming. To-morrow leave Paris. 
 
 '■February 14. — Mr. Keay called and spent an hour 
 with us, and said the Protestants were numerous in this 
 town, but that all calculations were very erroneous and 
 that there was no place of public worship but the English 
 Ambassador's chapel; that the king had allowed twenty 
 thousand a year to the opera, but not now, and owing 
 to this circumstance and the noblesse having thrown up 
 their boxes, it was in debt fifty thousand to its tradesmen ; 
 the Theatre de Monsieur also much in debt ; that in one of 
 the churches at Eouen he saw nobody but a woman flat 
 on the ground apparently in the greatest agony ; that he 
 watched till she rose up and went out : he had the curi- 
 osity to see her face ; it was the wickedest in the world. 
 Said that Kousseau copied music at Paris, when he had 
 about £100 a year, but would not accept anything more 
 than his due, as he (Mr. Keay) was told last night by a 
 lady who took him some to copy purposely to see him, but 
 that when she offered to leave more his wife assured her 
 that he would not suffer her to take it ; that the Revolu- 
 tion was in great measure ascribed to his " Contrat Social," 
 but that Voltaire with his winning vivacity first led the 
 French to think on the subject ; that he saw him when 
 he was received at the French Comedy with great 
 honors, just after the present king had refused to see 
 him at Versailles, though in policy he should have gone 
 to meet him, and that that affair was the first blow to 
 the old government ; that he knew Diderot perfectly, and 
 saw him just before his death ; his advice to him he 
 should always observe: "Never let a Frenchman come 
 nearer to you than this," said he, stretching out his arm 
 to some distance in his usual emphatic manner. The 
 air mild and pleasant as October, but cloudy. The 
 country soon improved with some rich distances, and 
 
132 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGEES. 
 
 villages everywhere on the horizon, but was still open 
 and flat on the foreground and intersected with roads 
 planted on each side with trees in straight lines. The 
 ground almost all tillage, and the farmers at the plough ; 
 a single man guides it. It is drawn by two horses 
 abreast, and no other man attends with a whip, as in 
 England. Our post-boy had ruffles and earrings, and 
 drove as fast as in England. Eecollect that in the Paris 
 houses there are no passages, but that we always passed 
 through the eating parlor in our way to the drawing- 
 room. Saw frequently two smiths shoeing one horse. 
 At Seulis, where are two or three old collegiate churches, 
 we walked along a pleasant promenade that runs beside 
 the town and saw near twenty women washing clothes in 
 the little river Nonette, and beating them with a wooden 
 trowel. From thence passed through the Prince de 
 Conde's woods, being now near Chantilly, along a serpen- 
 tine road to Pont St. Maxence, so called from an elegant 
 bridge with three elliptic arches on strong pillars, and 
 a good towing-path built by Maxence, who built Pont 
 Neuilly and is now engaged on Pont Louis Seize. The 
 view from the bridge very rich and woody on both sides. 
 On the roadside from Bourgot were frequently four 
 handsome stone pillars forming a square ; on inquiring, 
 found they were gibbets. Walked in the village, full of 
 rosy, healthy children with black eyes and round, merry 
 faces. On stopping to admire them a woman pleasantly 
 asked us if we would have a coop to take some of them 
 away with as. At the church door saw two little fellows 
 striding over the pathway with spelling-books under their 
 arms. On the pillar that formed one side of the portico 
 was fixed a board full of nails, with several written 
 advertisements of wood and houses upon it, as in some 
 of the country churchyards in England. The river Oise 
 winds here very pleasantly through the valley. Arrived 
 here at half-past four, and on inquiry learned, with regret, 
 
EN ROUTE TO BRUSSELS. 133 
 
 that last night there had been a dance of about two 
 hundi-ed people, with three or four violins, in the " Grand 
 Salon " by the riverside, and eight dances at a time, — one 
 sous for each dance. Played au nolle jeu de billard, a 
 favorite game among the townspeople. In the coffee- 
 house at Versailles the laboring people of both sexes 
 drank coffee and talked politics. Saw a drunken man 
 there, the only one I have seen. 
 
 ' February 15. — Set out at half -past six through a 
 flat country and along a straight road. Near Gournay, 
 which lies in a hollow, the scene became more unequal 
 and woody. A chateau stands just without the town. 
 Here walked on, while the horses were changing, and 
 had an extensive but uniform view on the left, the larks 
 singing and the air mild and serene. The young corn 
 springing up in different streaks with the freshest ver- 
 dure, and a file of beeches skirting the edge of the hori- 
 zon on each side, while little plots of villages appeared 
 here and there. Beyond Conchy les Pots left the chaise, 
 and walked above a mile under a row of apple-trees that 
 were planted on the field-side, — the sun shining and the 
 larks still singing. Breakfasted at Eoye, at the " Soleil 
 d'or," where we were waited on by some very handsome 
 young women, the younger sisters of our landlady at 
 Pont St. Maxence. Walked on a pleasant terrace, which 
 surrounds the village, and is dignified with the name of 
 a rampart. A liard was levied from us by some boys to 
 play for at top. At some little distance saw a convent 
 now nearly deserted by the monks of the Cordeliers. The 
 day soon turned to heavy rain, which lasted till within 
 a post of P^ronne, but the country continued flat and 
 the prospect extensive, diversified with streaks of corn 
 and fallow ground melting away into the softest colors 
 through the harmonizing medium of a rainy atmosphere. 
 The crucifix rose frequently by the wayside, a windmill 
 was generally turning on an eminence, and several spires 
 
134 EAKLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 were frequently visible at once above tbe horizon. Passed 
 by several orchards and soon descended to Peronne, a 
 fortified town round which the Somme is carried, and 
 into which we entered through two gateways. Ascended 
 the ramparts by a crucifix before which a well-dressed 
 woman was devoutly kneeling ; commanded on one side 
 the outskirts of the town, and on the other a valley 
 nearly half a mile wide and flooded with water, but 
 broken into little islands planted with cabbages or 
 covered with willows and rushes. Observed two little 
 towers enclosed with strong square walls that were each 
 washed by the water and comprehended about half an 
 acre. Imagined they were castles, but found them to be 
 summer-houses in which the bourgeois dine and drink tea. 
 From one part looked up the great street and the market- 
 place. Descended into the town by the crucifix ; but the 
 scene was changed, some children playing merrily before 
 it. Every Sunday evening is here consecrated to the 
 dance in which the bourgeois and the servants are regularly 
 taught ; an academy is open for the latter to-night. 
 
 ' At Marche le Pot met the Brussels diligence, a long 
 unwieldy vehicle, containing eight inside passengers la 
 three rows, three in a kind of cabriolet in front, two in 
 a basket at the top, and an immense [mass of] luggage 
 behind and before. It was drawn by eight horses, two 
 abreast, with two postilions on the first and third near 
 horse. It had hardly moved ten yards when it fell into 
 a deep rut ; a cry of despair immediately issued from it, 
 the passengers jumped out from the front and crawled 
 from the top, and the women within desired with great 
 fervency to be let out. Above twenty people flew with 
 ropes to restore it to its proper centre, and with great 
 efforts it was removed from the rut without a downfall. 
 In the mean time a cheerful fellow, who had descended 
 from his post in front with the same ease and unconcern 
 that he would have crossed a threshold, walked up to 
 
CAMBRAI, AND THE TOMB OP F^NELON. 135 
 
 our chaise door aud inquired what news from Paris and 
 whether we were going to London. He said he was a 
 Dutchman, and a rope-dancer by profession ; that he had 
 served under Astley in London and also at Sadler's 
 Wells, and was now engaged by him at Paris, to which 
 place he was going. At Eoye had left the diligence 
 from Paris to Brussels where it stood, — the gaze of the 
 market-place. In the bookseller's shop in the Palais 
 Eoyal asked for the "History of the Bastille," and a 
 well-dressed man immediately opening it [the shopman] 
 and unfolding a plan of it, " There," said he, " was Mar- 
 montel confined, and that," he added with all the un- 
 concern possible, " was my apartment." " You, sir ? " 
 "Yes, sir, I published something that gave offence, 
 and I passed eight months there." " Were you well 
 treated?" "Never better, sir." Are lodged at the 
 Grand Cerf, kept by the eldest sister of those at Pont 
 St. Maxenoe and Eoye. 
 
 ' February 16. — Set off at six precisely, by owl-light, 
 through the same flat country, and were driven by a 
 phlegmatic Fleming with a large round hat and a pipe 
 in his mouth. At Cambrai, a large handsome town 
 where we breakfasted, saw the cathedral, a large old 
 building, the gates of the chancel sealed, with the names 
 of the Commissioners afSxed to them. A woman had 
 torn off part of the paper, saying they should not keep 
 her God in jail. Saw the tomb and bust of Fenelon, 
 with a very true Latin epitaph. The palace contiguous, 
 very old, the most modern part built by him. Went 
 through the cloisters of the convent of Chartreuse and 
 saw a picture, by Eubeas, of our Saviour taken down 
 from the Cross, — very fine coloring, with some good 
 figures. Was shown it by one of the Fathers, a mild 
 cheerful man about fifty. We desired to see his apart- 
 ment ; he nodded assent and said it was but small. We 
 followed him up a brick staircase, that led from the 
 
136 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 cloisters, into a long narrow gallery into which their 
 different cells opened with their names inscribed upon 
 them. His was indeed small, and consisted of a bed- 
 chamber and oratory, with a little casement to each; 
 altogether about twelve feet by six. I stepped into his 
 study ; there were several little phials on his desk. There 
 was but one book, — a missal. He said they dined at 
 eleven, had no breakfast, but supped at six, went early 
 to bed, and rose at twelve, when their matins lasted till 
 one. There were but seventeen monks there. In a new 
 church lower down saw some very good painting in bas- 
 relief. The Hotel de Ville, in the market-place, just 
 finished and very elegant. Left the town on foot, 
 having dismissed our guide, — an old man who once lived 
 in England with Lord Stormont, — and pursued the road 
 to Brussels, having a valley on the left in which was a 
 village shaded with trees. The country soon opened 
 again, the eye commanding a wide circle, diversified by 
 no near objects, but frequently pointed with above eight 
 spires at once. Valenciennes, which we soon approached^ 
 lay low, but appeared very considerable from its towers 
 and steeples. It proved the largest town we had seen 
 except Paris, and was very strongly fortified. Walked 
 on the ramparts, but were stopped by a shower when 
 we had completed but half the circuit. Eeturned into 
 the town and crossed a very handsome place, distin- 
 guished by a pedestrian statue of Louis XV., an hotel de 
 ville, and a theatre. Saw the Hospital for Orphans, and 
 the Citadel, — a modern brick building. From the ram- 
 parts had a Memish view, — cold, tame, and watery. 
 Here Boddington bought a puppy of an apothecary. 
 " Otez vos cockades. Messieurs." 
 
 ' February 17. — Set off before seven, and soon entered 
 the emperor's dominions, along a straight road planted 
 with willows, raised above the country, and terminated 
 with a church. The face of it soon improved. Mons, 
 
AT BRUSSELS. 137 
 
 wliere we breakfasted, is a large fortified town, with a 
 very handsome place, in which is the H6tel de Ville, and 
 where the Austrian troops were exercising. The faces 
 of the people were here quite Flemish, and had lost all 
 the French vivacity ; but there were many very pretty 
 women. Between this and Valenciennes was a stone 
 pillar to the memory of the Prince of Hainault. Casteau, 
 the first post, was a very romantic village, the ground 
 broken, and the huts one above another. The landscape 
 now became English, a valley on each side full of farm- 
 houses and enclosures, and bounded by hills dotted with 
 wood. The road continued straight to Brussels. On 
 each side were many Santa Marias, enclosed in a kind of 
 sentry-box and peeping through an iron lattice. Met 
 several strolling friars, one of whom was taken into a 
 coach by a fat ahhe. As we approached Brussels saw 
 low carts drawn by four dogs abreast and a horse as 
 leader. Austrian Flanders, at least that part which is 
 near the capital, is far pleasanter and more varied than 
 French Flanders. The post-horse which the man rides 
 has bells. The uniform changed from blue and scarlet 
 to scarlet and yellow, and they were less scrupulous in 
 passing another traveller than in France. At Brussels 
 saw " L'Amant jaloux," an opera, in an oblong theatre, 
 the boxes partitioned from eacli other and lighted within, 
 — their fronts of wood, painted white, with light gold 
 ornaments, in compartments very cheerful and elegant. 
 The parterre full of ofH.cers. French dukes, marquises, 
 and counts here.' 
 
 The glimpses of revolutionary Paris in this diary are 
 the more valuable because they give us its social rather 
 than its political aspects. It is * France standing on the 
 top of golden hours,' as Wordsworth described it, though 
 without many of the signs Wordsworth saw, of ' human 
 nature seeming born again.' The hearty admiration of 
 
138 EAKLT LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 England expressed to Rogers by some of tlie most promi- 
 nent leaders of the movement in France, was repaid on 
 tBe English side by the sympathy which all liberal minds 
 felt with Frenchmen. More than one illustration of this 
 feeling is given in Eogers's correspondence. One of the 
 literary acquaintances he had made in London was Dr. 
 John Moore, the father of Sir John Moore and of Admiral 
 Sir Graham Moore, and then best known as the author 
 of 'Zeluco,' the most popular novel of its time. Dr. 
 Moore had published, in 1779, 'Views of Society and 
 Manners in France, Switzerland, and Germany,' and in 
 1787 a similar book on Italy. He had also written 
 'Medical Sketches,' — a work which may have suggested 
 Warren's ' Passages from the Diary of a late Physician,' 
 as ' Zeluco ' is said to have kindled the fancy of Byron and 
 led to the production of ' Childe Harold.' ' Zeluco,' which 
 has as a second title, ' Various Views of Human Nature 
 taken from Life and Manners, Foreign and Domestic,' 
 was published in 1789 ; and Mrs. Barbauld says in her 
 Memoir of the author that it at once placed him in the 
 first rank of writers of that class. Rogers probably met 
 Dr. Moore at the house of Miss Helen Williams, and, 
 different as the two men were, a warm friendship sprang 
 up between them. Dr. Moore was a large man, with 
 shaggy eyebrows and a most expressive countenance ; 
 shrewd and humorous in conversation, full of knowledge 
 of men and things. He had been with the army in 
 Flanders, had studied medicine in Paris, had then prac- 
 tised as a surgeon in Glasgow till he was forty, and had 
 afterwards travelled for five years with the Duke of 
 Hamilton. He was in his sixtieth year when ' Zeluco ' 
 was published. Rogers had probably received some in- 
 troductions from him when he went to Paris, and wrote 
 to him during his stay in that capital. Dr. Moore's 
 reply illustrates both the character of the man and the 
 feelings and opinions which were current at the time. 
 
THE AUTHOR OF 'ZELUCO.' 139 
 
 Br. Moore to S. Sogers. 
 
 'Dear Sie, — I thank you very cordially for your letter, 
 which came a propos to destroy the effect of recent 
 rumors : of a counter revolution, of the king being in 
 danger of being ravished by two old princesses, of insur- 
 rections in all quarters, etc., — all of which your satis- 
 factory and perspicuous letter dispersed, as the fogs and 
 clouds are dispersed by the rays of the sun. The abettors 
 of despotism will be continually inventing stories of the 
 same kind, and we may expect to hear of Spaniards 
 jumping over the Pyrenean mountains ; of the Emperor 
 giving peace to the Turks by the Pope's orders, that he 
 may be at more leisure to make war on the Christians ; 
 of armies in disguise at the gates of Paris, and other 
 tales equally probable. Why should they not still hope 
 for the restoration of the Bastille, and the return of a 
 monarch in all the splendor of unlimited power? Do 
 not the Jews still look for the coming of the Messiah ? 
 
 ' I envy your present opportunity very much of being 
 an eye-witness to the most complete triumph over tyranny 
 and debasing prejudices that Philosophy and the free 
 spirit of man ever enjoyed. I always loved the French 
 as an ingenious and amiable people ; I now admire them 
 as real and enlightened Franks, and am not surprised 
 — as many here seem to be — that the National Assembly 
 have made so little progress towards the establishment of 
 a steady free constitution, but I wonder rather that they 
 have made so much. It ought to be remembered that it 
 was an unforeseen accident (the foolish attack of Lambert 
 in the Tuileries) that threw the power so rapidly in their 
 hands ; and althoiigh they had the spirit to seize it with 
 ability, yet they must have respect to the prejudices of 
 that very populace who were the immediate instruments 
 of transferring it to them. This no doubt clogs and 
 retards their progress in the rearing a stable and com- 
 
140 EABEY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 modious structure of Freedom, but with a little time 
 I am persuaded ga ira a la demiere perfection, and they 
 have my best wishes. Make my best compliments to M. 
 de Lafayette, and tell him so. If I can get over to Paris 
 in summer I shall carry letters to him from his friend 
 Colonel ntzpatriek and the Duchess of Devonshire. 
 
 'I have not yet seen M. Dupont's answer to Mr. 
 Burke ; but you will bring what is most curious when 
 you come. 
 
 ' There is nothing new here, only some people imagine 
 that Pitt intends to send his veto by the Baltic and the 
 Mediterranean against the Empress's seizing Constanti- 
 nople. Pour mot, je rCen sgai rien. 
 
 ' Adieu, my dear Eogers ! Believe me always, with 
 much esteem, sincerely yours, 
 
 'J. MOOEE. 
 ' Cliffoed Street, Feb. 10, 1791.' 
 
 Dr. Moore's letter fitly ends a chapter, the notes to 
 which may be fairly regarded as the disappointing answer 
 of history to the anticipations he expresses, — antici- 
 pations which Eogers, as his diary shows, fully shared. 
 The disillusion came quickly enough for them and for 
 Europe. We have but to put ourselves in their position 
 to understand the revulsion of feeling which in this 
 country threw back the cause of social and political re- 
 form for forty years. Eogers. looked back on this visit 
 to Paris in 1791 with a feeling of horror. He often 
 spoke of the men he had then seen, but he did not re- 
 fresh his memory by references to his diary, which he 
 seems to have put aside and almost forgotten. To read 
 it would have been indeed to walk among ruins and 
 tombs. He always recollected with a shudder that most 
 of the men he met were, at the very time he was talking 
 to them and sharing their glowing anticipations, standing, 
 as it were, with one foot in the grave, Thexe are, per- 
 
THE EEIGN OF TERROR. 141 
 
 haps, few more moving spectacles in history than that of 
 the old Duchess-dowager de la Rochefoucauld, ' a figure 
 never seen now but in a picture frame,' talking to Eogers 
 with enthusiasm of the Revolution, declaring that she 
 had not felt her many infirmities since it began, and then 
 within eighteen months driven into exile and called to 
 witness the massacre of her son by the angry populace 
 he had lived to serve. Eogers himself, Talleyrand, and 
 Lafayette were almost the only men whose names occur 
 in this chapter who lived to see any approach to the 
 rearing of that ' stable and commodious structure of 
 freedom ' which Dr. Moore hoped the French would in a 
 little time bring to perfection. The whole political life 
 of Rogers's Whig friends in 1791, with the exception of 
 Richard Sharp, was spent under the cloud of public 
 disfavor and discouragement which settled down on all 
 political movements that seemed to look in the direction 
 of popular enfranchisement. It was not till the time 
 of the great Reform Bill that the English people fully 
 recovered from the frightful apprehension that triumphs 
 of philosophy and the free spirit of man over tyranny 
 and debasing prejudices, to use Dr. Moore's words, 
 might lead in England, as they had led in France, to a 
 Reign of Terror. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Helen Williams. — Conversation at her House. — Merry and the Delia 
 Cruscans. — Journey through Wales, 1791. — Mrs. Barbauld's 
 Letter. — Visit to Dr. Parr, 1793. 
 
 The memorable visit to revolutionary Paris was only one 
 of the events of this year which Rogers has left on record. 
 On his return to London in the latter part of February, 
 he naturally resumed his morning journeys from Stoke 
 Newington to the banking-house in Freeman's Court. 
 On one of these daily journeys an event happened of 
 which he often spoke to his friends with some emotion. 
 Mr. Dyce reports it in the ' Table Talk ' in his usual bald 
 and half-remembered manner ; but the best and most vivid 
 account is given in the postscript to a letter addressed 
 by the Eev. John Mitford of Benhall to the ' Gentleman's 
 Magazine,' soon after Eogers's death.' Mr. Mitford him- 
 self, in the letter, illustrates the premature confidence 
 with which some of Eogers's friends spoke and wrote 
 about him, by expressing the opinion that Eogers had 
 left no diaries behind him. In the postscript Mr. Mit- 
 ford says : — 
 
 'The last drive I ever took with Mr. Eogers in his 
 chariot was one often previously made by us into the 
 City, to pay one of his regular calls on his oldest friend, 
 Mr. William Maltby of the London Institution, who had 
 been his schoolfellow more than eighty years previous to 
 this time, and who died a year or two before him, nearly 
 at the same age. In returning by the City Eoad, he 
 
 1 Gentleman's Magazine, vol. xlv. p. 147. 
 
JOHN WESLEY LYING IN STATE. 143 
 
 pulled the check-string opposite to the Bunhill Fields 
 Burial-ground, and then desired me to get out and read 
 the inscription on the stone which stands conspicuously 
 over the grave of the well-known Thomas Hardy. This 
 being done, he said : " You see that little chapel opposite ; 
 go and look carefully at the house which stands there 
 to the left of it, and then come back and get in.'' This 
 all duly performed, and again seated side by side, he 
 said : " When I was a young man in the banking-house, 
 and my father lived at Newington, I used every day in 
 going into the City to pass by this place. One day in 
 returning I saw a number of respectable persons of both 
 sexes assembled here, all well dressed in mourning, and 
 with very serious look and behavior. The door of the 
 house was open, and they entered it in pairs. I thought 
 that, without impropriety, I might join them ; so we all 
 walked upstairs, and came to a drawing-room in the 
 midst of which was a table ; on this table lay the body 
 of a person dressed in a clergyman's robes, with bands, 
 and his gray hair shading his face on either side. He 
 was of small stature, and his countenance looked like wax. 
 We all moved round the table, some of the party much 
 affected, with our eyes fixed on the venerable figure that 
 lay before us ; and as we moved on, others came up and 
 succeeded in like manner. After we had gone the round 
 of the table in our lingering procession we descended as 
 we came. The person that lay before us was the cele- 
 brated John Wesley, and at the earnest request of his 
 congregation, they were permitted to take this pathetic 
 and affectionate farewell of their beloved pastor." ' 
 
 Wesley died on the 2d of March, 1791. Southey 
 does not mention this lying-in-state in the house in the 
 City Road, but only records that on the day before the 
 funeral the body was carried into the chapel, 'and there 
 lay in a kind of state becoming the person, dressed in 
 
144 EARLY LIFK OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 his clerical habit, with, gown, cassock, and band ; the old 
 clerical cap on his head, a Bible in one hand, and a 
 white handkerchief in the other.' The crowds that 
 flocked to see him were so great that the funeral was 
 accelerated, and took place between five and six in the 
 morning. The scene which Eogers so vividly remem- 
 bered, in which he had been privileged to catch a glimpse 
 of the great man's face as he lay dead, must have been 
 an earlier and more private lying-in-state than that 
 which Southey records. "^ 
 
 Two of Eogers's distinctive characteristics were his 
 faculty of rapid and correct observation and his retentive 
 memory. He used to say that Samuel Boddington, his 
 companion in the visit to revolutionary Paris, attended a 
 series of lectures on Memory, delivered by the Stokes of 
 those days, Mr. Feinaigle, but on being asked the name 
 of the lecturer, could not recollect it. Eogers was asked 
 why he did not attend the series. He answered that he 
 wished to learn the art of forgetting. The remarkable 
 volume of his 'Recollections,' published by his nephew 
 Mr. William Sharpe after his death, has shown the 
 wonderful power he possessed of noting down the actual 
 words he had heard in a long conversation. The earliest 
 illustration which his diaries contain of this power of 
 reproducing an evening's talk, is an account of a conver- 
 sation at the house of Miss Helen Williams. At one of 
 her literary parties he met Henry Mackenzie, whose 
 acquaintance he had already made in Edinburgh, and a 
 number of other men and women of letters, some of 
 whom were then famous, but are now forgotten, and one 
 or two of whom were then comparatively unknown, but 
 are now familiar names after nearly a hundred years. 
 
 1 Mr. Dyce in the last edition of his ' Tahle Talk ' quotes Mr. Mit- 
 ford's letter, and expresses the opinion that Rogers's memory had 
 j)layed him false. The view I have taken of the apparent discrepancy 
 is, I think, far the most likely to lie the true explanation. 
 
AT A LITERARY PARTY. 145 
 
 'April 21, 1791.— At Miss Williams's. 
 
 ' Mr. Mackenzie, a man of very mild and unassuming 
 manners, was first announced, and began upon Edin- 
 burgh. "I believe," said he, "conversation is more 
 cultivated there than here. In London the ardor of 
 pursuit is greater. The merchant, the lawyer, and the 
 physician are enveloped in their different professional 
 engagements, but the Scotchman will retire early from 
 the counter or the counting-house to lecture on Metar 
 physics, or make the grand tour of the arts and sciences. 
 I believe we have a more contemplative turn than you, 
 and it arises partly from a defect, — the little commerce 
 and agriculture we have among us. We are also more 
 national, and there is not a laborer among us that is not 
 versed in the history of his country. Local history is 
 what we are particularly fond of." 
 
 ' " I had observed it," I said. " Not a Highlander I 
 met but could give me the history of every pebble about 
 his village." 
 
 ' Mr. Mackenzie : " I remember an innocent trick that 
 was once played on an Englishman. When Dr. Eoebuek 
 was riding in Scotland, he was assured by a friend that 
 every peasant knew Greek. ' Let us visit, for instance, 
 that farmhouse ! ' Dr. Roebuck assented. It belonged 
 to Wilkie, the celebrated author of the ' Epigoniad,' and 
 he was at work as usual in the dress of a laborer. Dr. 
 Eoebuek made an observation on tillage. 'Yes, sir,' 
 said Wilkie, 'but in Sicily there was once a different 
 method,' and he quoted Theocritus. Dr. Roebuck was 
 thunder-struck. Wilkie was an original character. He 
 had conversed so long with the ancients that he had lost 
 every trace of the modern in his composition. When he 
 paid Edinburgh a visit at a time that party ran high on 
 some particular subject, he attacked the leading wits of 
 the day in a large circle with such spirit that he set 
 them to flight, and when his hearers, who were struck 
 
 10 
 
146 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 with the uncouthness of his look and gesture, expressed 
 their surprise at his courage : ' Shall I,' said he, ' who 
 have kept company so long with Agamemnon, the king 
 of men, shall I shrink from a contest with such a puny 
 race?' But after all," said Mr. Mackenzie, returning 
 to his subject, " Dr. Johnson was perhaps right when he 
 said of us that every man had a taste, and no man a 
 bellyful." 
 
 ' " And yet you will allow that there are many excep- 
 tions to the last part of the rule, sir ? " said Miss Baillie, 
 a very pretty woman with a very broad Scotch accent. 
 "Mr. Adam Smith — " 
 
 ' " Yes, ma'am," Mr. Mackenzie interrupted, with a 
 warmth he seldom discovered, "Mr. Smith was an ex- 
 ception. He had twice Dr. Johnson's learning — who 
 only knew one language well, the Latin — though he 
 had none of his affectation of it. He was one of the 
 mildest and most amiable of men, a good son, an affec- 
 tionate brother, and a sincere friend. The last time we 
 met was at a club which was held every Sunday evening 
 at his own house (I had once the pleasure to see you 
 there, sir).* He was very cheerful, but we persuaded 
 him not to sup with us, and he said, about half-past 
 nine, as he left the room : ' I love your company, gentle- 
 men, but I believe I must leave you — to go to another 
 world.' He died a few hours after. Before I came that 
 evening he had burned, with the assistance of Dr. Black, 
 sixteen volumes in manuscript on Jurisprudence — the 
 sum of one course of his Lectures at Glasgow, as was 
 the ' Wealth of Nations ' of another ; but these had not 
 received his last corrections, and from what he had seen 
 he had formed a mean opinion of posthumous publicOr 
 tions in general. With a most retentive memory his 
 conversation was solid beyond that of any man. I have 
 
 1 See Rogers's visit to Edinburgh, p. 85. 
 
PECULIAEITIES OF GREAT MEN. 147 
 
 often told him after half-an-hour's conversation — 'Sir, 
 you have said enough to make a book.' Dr. Blair by 
 these means introduced many of Adam Smith's thoughts 
 on Jurisprudence into his lectures, but when I told him 
 of it — ' He is very welcome,' said he, ' there is enough 
 left/ " 
 
 ' I inquired after his old servant. 
 
 'Mr. Mackenzie: "He was provided with a place in 
 the Custom House at the request of everybody. Mr. 
 Smith left the bulk of his fortune to his nephew, a very 
 clever young man. But perhaps the Scotch cannot claim 
 him entirely, for he received part of his education at 
 Oxford." 
 
 'During this conversation came Dr. Cadogan, Mr. 
 Jerningham, Dr. Baillie, and CadeU with his daughter. 
 Tea now walked in, and drew a disquisition on its 
 merits from Dr. Cadogan. Dr. Johnson's immoderate 
 love of it was mentioned, and the remark brought him 
 again upon the carpet. Lord Monboddo's contempt of 
 his Dictionary was mentioned. Mr. Seward (who now 
 introduced Mr. Merry, a very genteel, handsome man) 
 said he had silenced him with quoting James Harris's 
 high opinion of it, and that when somebody had given 
 Johnson a list of its imperfections — " Are those all ? " 
 said he ; "I thought there had been a thousand more." 
 Mr. Mackenzie said Johnson's greatest fault was in re- 
 jecting every word from the Saxon. 
 
 * As the tea went round, the sugar suggested the slave- 
 trade and the late debate. 
 
 ' Dr. Cadogan thought it the most disgraceful evening 
 ever spent by the House of Commons. 
 
 ' Mr. Mackenzie thought the immediate abolition dan- 
 gerous in its consequences in the islands. So did Dr. - 
 Baillie and Mr. CadeU. Mr. CadeU said a whole people 
 was not chargeable with any solitary acts of cruelty, and 
 instanced a late case of a chimney-sweeper's apprentice. 
 
148 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 ' Mr. Mackenzie : " You should consider not the act 
 itself, but its impression on the minds of the people. 
 An English mob would, I doubt not, massacre the chimney- 
 sweeper in a moment ; but I fear the Jamaica people view 
 barbarity with unconcern." 
 
 ' Mr. Merry said he believed it indeed, and he blushed 
 for his country. 
 
 ' The company then rose up to read a small poem of Mr. 
 Day's, of which Mr. Seward proposed an emendation — 
 
 " Turns on his hunters and then valiant falls." 
 
 ' There were different opinions ; and different groups 
 were formed. Mr. Jerningham asked me concerning the 
 fate of Mr. Merry's play. I fear, said he, that his style 
 is too artificial for tragedy. 
 
 'In another place stood Dr. Moore, Mr. Merry, and 
 Cadell on Boswell and Johnson and Piozzi; and in 
 another stood Seward and Mackenzie and Dr. Kippis in 
 judgment on the poem. Mr. Mackenzie said that Eobert 
 Burns had lately written a beautiful poem in Scotch, 
 called the "Kirk of Alloa." ^ It fell flat towards the 
 conclusion. 
 
 'Mr. Macl^enzie: "The same young man who wrote 
 the German tragedy mentioned in the Edinburgh Trans- 
 actions, has since published another, full of uncommon 
 merit and more regular, the last scene particularly 
 striking. A nobleman's son in love with a musician's 
 daughter is induced by his father, who is an enemy to 
 the match, to think her false, and in a frenzy he stabs 
 her. Her innocence then appears, and he stabs his 
 father and himself. The German works appear to great 
 disadvantage here, as they are translated from the French 
 only, which -is very bad, the translators gliding over 
 
 1 This is ' Tarn o' Shanter.' It was -written for Captain Grose in 
 return for a drawing of Alloway Kiik, and published in Grose's 
 • Antiquities of Scotland.' 
 
DE JOHNSON'S PON. 149 
 
 every difficulty. I have learned a little German since 
 that paper of mine appeared, and I am now struck with 
 their tragedies particularly, though the unities are not 
 observed." 
 
 ' I said, only one of those was of consequence, — unity 
 of character. 
 
 ' Mr. Mackenzie : " Mr. Smith wrote a charming piece 
 on that subject in a periodical paper at Glasgow, in 
 which Lord Loughborough engaged, but which was soon 
 dropped, the parties being discovered." 
 
 ' Mr. Jerningham inquired after Dr. Seattle. 
 
 'Mr. Mackenzie said his spirits were naturally low, 
 and were now still lower from family afliction, the con- 
 finement of his wife, and the death of his son. He then 
 adverted to Lord Monboddo. He is a friend of the slave 
 trade because the ancients encouraged it. He bathes 
 every morning in a cold and a hot bath, and afterwards 
 anoints himself because they did so. 
 
 '"Ay," said Mr. Seward, "I remember that circum- 
 stance drew a pun from Johnson, notwithstanding his 
 aversion to puns. 'That man of Grease,' said he. I 
 laughed at it, and he affected to be angry, and said he 
 did not intend a pun." 
 
 ' Mr. Mackenzie : " When I congratulated him [Lord 
 Monboddo] on his recovery from a fever, he assured me 
 it was not one of your modern nervous fevers but a true 
 Roman fever, a burning fever. He complains that the 
 present race have no voice now he grows deaf, and often 
 desires the barristers to speak up." 
 
 ' Mr. Seward : " He is come to town partly to buy an 
 orang-outang, that he may take him to Edinburgh and 
 teach him to talk and think." 
 
 ' Mr. Mackenzie : " He has been often imposed upon 
 with baboons which have passed for that species, particu- 
 larly with one which had been taught to walk with a 
 stick and was afterwards shown in Edinburgh." 
 
150 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGEKS. 
 
 ' I observed that Lord Monboddo had that day se'en- 
 night asserted that no man in the House of Commons 
 could make or deliver a period but Mr. Pitt, and no man 
 recite Milton but the Lord Chancellor. 
 
 'Dr. Kippis: "He is a great enemy to short sen- 
 tences, but he is wrong in his notion of the sentence of 
 the ancients." 
 
 ' Mr. Mackenzie : " His admiration of Milton is now 
 so high, that he begins to think it unintelligible to the 
 vulgar. He once set Macklin to read it, but found so 
 much fault with him, that he threw the book to his 
 lordship saying, ' Do read it yourself.' He admires Mrs. 
 Siddons, but does not think she does justice to Milton. 
 He once saw her act the lady in Comus," 
 
 'The circle now contracted to Mr. Jerningham, Mr. 
 Merry, Mr. Seward, Dr. Moore, the ladies, and myself. 
 
 ' Mr. Merry said he should pass the summer in France, 
 and that he knew Madame de Condorcet. Asked me if 
 I had ever played at a kind of question and answer at 
 her house with the Abbe Sieyes. Mentioned also another 
 game similar to our blind-man's-buff. He said Con- 
 dorcet's house was charmingly seated on the Seine, of 
 which I knew nothing, as I had paid my visits there at 
 night. 
 
 'Mr. Jerningham asked me doubtingly if Paris was 
 quiet. 
 
 'Mr. Merry said he had walked at midnight to his 
 lodgings from the Palais Boyal frequently with no 
 alarm. 
 
 ' I said I admired Madame de Condorcet, and that if 
 I left England again it would be with Sir Charles Gran- 
 dison's resolution to form no attachment. 
 
 ' Mr. Merry : " Sir Charles is translated into Italian and 
 universally laughed at by the Italian ladies, among whom 
 there are no Clementinas. Sir Charles wore a wig, and 
 the coach and six are continually coming in. Do you 
 
ACTORS AND ACTING. 151 
 
 remember Sir Charles's wig ? Lovelace's wig fell off in 
 a most affecting situation. Wig-stealing was once a very 
 lucrative profession, when wigs sold for fifty pounds 
 apiece. Many a man has had his wig snatched off, 
 when he put his head out of the coach window to 
 speak to his coachman." 
 
 'Mr. Jerningham said Eichardson was ridiculed at 
 Florence when he was there. 
 
 'Dr. Moore mentioned Voltaire's contempt of Clarissa, 
 who thought Tomlinson and — which was the good char- 
 acter ? " Lovelace," said Merry — a laugh. 
 
 'Miss Williams said that Mrs. Siddons read Clarissa 
 at Streatham last autumn for the first time, and was 
 much struck with it. 
 
 ' Mr. Merry asked if she felt on the stage. I said she 
 had assured me she did. 
 
 ' Dr. Moore : " It is impossible. Good acting requires 
 a cool judgment and a clear memory. It is not acting 
 your own part but another's. What a burden must 
 so many different characters be to the memory ! Yet 
 an old actor will forget his lesson of last night, and 
 learn another for this evening, as easily as you can 
 change your clothes. What is very singular, they never 
 want more than their part of the dialogue." 
 
 'The conversation now turned upon feeling. 
 
 ' Dr. Moore : " We are struck differently by the same 
 thing. ' I remember,' says Eousseau, ' a fine picture by Le 
 Sueur ; the subject, Alexander drinking the physic pre- 
 scribed by Philip, at the same time that he puts a letter 
 into that physician's hand, — a letter which accuses him of 
 an intention to poison him. Everybody was struck with 
 the piece, but particularly a boy who shuddered at the 
 sight. Upon being questioned concerning the reason, 
 he said it was to think that he could drink so black a 
 dose.' " 
 
 ' Mr. ,Jern jngham took his leave, and it was observed 
 
152 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 that he was aristocratic, though one of his brothers who 
 lived at Naples has been obliged to leave it on account 
 of the freedom of his language. 
 
 'Mr. Seward: "Mrs. Montagu, too, is an aristocrat 
 and a friend to the slave trade. But I suspect her of 
 art. She has often diverted me with instances of Dr. 
 Price's simplicity." 
 
 ' I said Mrs. Montagu was a composition of art. She 
 has so long been attached to the trick and show of life, 
 as Mrs. Piozzi expressed it of her, that she has no taste 
 for the simplicity of a great mind. The genuine soul of 
 nature has forsaken her.^ 
 
 '"What a beautiful expression is that of Paine!" 
 said Mr. Merry ; and the next — "His hero or his heroine 
 must be a tragedy victim," etc. — and again " We have 
 dropped our baby-clothes and breeched ourselves in 
 manhood." He seemed a warm admirer of Paine. 
 
 'On the feeling of actors Mr. Seward observed that 
 Garrick affected to feel his part deeply, and that one 
 night when Johnson spoke loud between the scenes, 
 Garrick, who was acting Richard, cried out, " Don't talk 
 so loud, you disturb my feelings ! " " Pooh ! " said John- 
 son, " can Ponch [as he pronounced it always] feel 1 " ' 
 
 The Mr. Seward mentioned in the above conversa- 
 tion was not the Eev. Mr. Seward of Lichfield, the father 
 of Miss Seward the poetess, a man whom Johnson de- 
 
 1 This was not the general opinion respecting Mrs. Montagu, 
 though it is a most striking circumstance that two observers like 
 Mackenzie and Rogers should have agreed in it. Lord Bath, as we 
 leam from a note of Croker's, said of Mrs. Montagu that he did not be- 
 lieve a more perfect human being was ever created. Sir Joshua Rey- 
 nolds repeated the words to Burke with the observation that Lord Rath 
 could not have said more. ' And I do not think that he said a word 
 too much,' was Burke's reply. Rogers knew Mrs. Montagu in her old 
 age. She was more than seventy when this conversation at Miss 
 Williams's took place, and she died in 1800 at the age of eighty. 
 
WM. SEWARD AND EOBT. MERRY. 153 
 
 scribed as having the ambition to be a fine talker, and as 
 going to Buxton and such places where he might find 
 companies to listen to him. It was Mr. William Seward, 
 F.E.S., of whom Johnson had spoken in a letter to Bos- 
 well in 1777 as a great favorite at Streatham, who 
 had edited a book entitled ' Anecdotes of Distinguished 
 Persons.' Boswell acknowledges indebtedness to him for 
 several communications concerning Johnson. He was 
 forty-four at the time of the above conversation, and 
 died eight years later, in 1799. Robert Merry is chiefly 
 remembered as one of the writers attacked by Gifford in 
 the 'Baviad' and the 'Mseviad.' He was the Delia 
 Crusca of Gifford's preface. He had been educated at 
 Harrow and Christ's College, Cambridge ; had studied 
 for the bar, and then joined the army as an officer in the 
 Guards. Having gone to Florence, where a group of 
 British poetasters were writing poems to one another in 
 the ' Florence Miscellany,' he entered into the scheme, 
 and on his return to England became one of the leaders 
 of a school. With curious appropriateness they took 
 their name from the Delia Cruscan Academy in Florence, 
 — a Society formed in 1582 to winnow the chaff from the 
 Italian language and leave the pure wheat behind. The 
 English Delia Cruscans were chaff without grain, bran 
 with the least possible admixture of flour : the mere 
 refuse the signature Dellg. Crusca implied. Yet for a 
 moment they met the public taste. Macaulay, in his 
 'Essay on Byron,' speaks of them as signs that a literary 
 revolution was at hand. 'There was a ferment' — he 
 tells us — 'in the minds of men, a vague craving for 
 something new, a disposition to hail with delight any- 
 thing that might at first sight wear the appearance of 
 originality.' Hence the temporary success of writers 
 now utterly forgotten. ' Anything which could break the 
 dull monotony of the correct school was acceptable.' 
 ' Macpherson and Delia Crusca were to the true reformers 
 
154 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGBES. 
 
 of Englisli poetry what Knipperdoling was to Luther or 
 Clootz to Turgot.' ' The Delia Cruscans were the,Spas- 
 modics of their time. GifEord in the ' Baviad ' speaks 
 of 'Merry's Moorfields^ whine,' and rhymes it with 
 * Greathead's idiot line.' In the ' Maeviad ' he writes : 
 
 ' . . . while Merry and his nurslings die, 
 Thrill'd with the liquid peril of an eye, 
 Gasp at a recollection, and drop down 
 At the long streamy lightning of a frown.' 
 
 Mr. Jerningham's criticism of Merry's play that his 
 style was too artificial for tragedy was the gentle view 
 of one of his friends. Mr. Jerningham was himself one 
 of the Delia Cruscans. Gifford writes : — 
 
 ' See enivelling Jerningham at fifty weep 
 O'er lovelorn oxen and deserted sheep,' 
 
 and speaks of him as ' a gentleman with the physio- 
 gnomie d'un mouton qui reve.' He pours worse con- 
 tempt on Este and Topham, the parson and captain who 
 between them edited 'The World,' and who were lit- 
 erary arbiters in the days when Gifford was beating pieces 
 of leather smooth, and working problems on them with 
 a blunted awl. Eogers used to say that he felt great 
 pleasure when told that Este had said of him : ' A child 
 of Goldsmith, sir;' and that, as reader at Whitehall, 
 Este read the service so beautifully that Mrs. Siddons 
 used to go to the Chapel Eoyal to listen to his elocution. 
 Gifford's lash fell on this school in 1794 and 1796, and 
 scattered it to the winds. Merry went to America, and 
 Este died insane. 
 
 Eogers was now in his twenty-eighth year, and was 
 quietly at work in most of his leisure hours polishing 
 
 1 Essays, vol. ii. pp. 334, 335. 
 
 ' The great Bethlehem Hospital — the Bedlam of popular tradition 
 — stood in Mooi-fiolds. 
 
JOURNEY THROUGH WALES. 155 
 
 his second poem to perfection. Yet his life seems to have 
 been so full of business, visiting, and travel, that there 
 was little space left for serious work. His health was 
 still weak, and he was advised to take exercise on horse- 
 back. During the early summer of this year, 1791, he 
 made a journey in this fashion through a great part of 
 Wales. His quick observation and retentive memory 
 have enabled him to hand down some valuable sketches 
 of South Wales as it was in the days of our great- 
 grandfathers. 
 
 The diary of this journey is broken into two parts, 
 the first extending from the 17th to the 30th of June, 
 and the second from the 19th to the 22d of July. The 
 volume containing the intervening period has probably 
 been lost. The entries chieily consist of descriptions of 
 the scenery; but there are now and then glimpses of 
 contemporary manners and of passing events. He be- 
 gins by noting the solitude of the London streets at four 
 in the morning, which was the hour of starting, and 
 anticipates a common remark of travellers in these days 
 of railways, by saying that the rapidity of a stage- 
 coach allows no time for observation, so that the archi- 
 tecture of an Adam or the statuary of a Damer, Sion 
 Gate, and the Keystone of Henley Bridge were equally 
 unnoticed. He says that Abingdon market-place, and 
 Fairford church, where he probably stopped to see the 
 windows, left pleasing traces on his memory. ' In the 
 evening walked in the classic park of Lord Bathurst.' 
 The day's stage seems therefore to have been from Lon- 
 don, by way of Henley and Abingdon, to Cirencester. 
 The next day he 'rode with the keeper through Lord 
 Bathurst's woods and saw a favorite seat of Pope,' and 
 then on to Birdlip Hill, from which the counties of 
 Worcester, Hereford, and Gloucester ' spread like a car- 
 pet beneath ' him. Thence through a delicious country 
 to Ross, finding there a very agreeable and intelligent 
 
156 EARLY LIFE OP SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 apothecary, Mr. Pope, and sleeping in the house of the 
 * Man of Koss.' The diary next day records a row upon 
 the river. 
 
 '19th,. — Left Boss at ten iu a small boat with two 
 oars. The church bells chimed most musically, and the 
 sound came floating among the hills down the river long 
 after the spire had disappeared. Passed under the 
 bridge, and in a few minutes saw Wilton Castle just 
 above us on a green bank on the left, its round tower and 
 grated window mantled with ivy. These ruins have no 
 majesty, but they are very soothing, and strike the mind 
 as a first object. A little line of cottages lies below them, 
 — the village of Wilton. Glided down the stream under 
 a sedgy shore on the right, the left fringed with willows, 
 and on the surface of the water floated white flowers, 
 here called greeds. . . . Eoss spire continually sinks and 
 rises to the eye of the voyager, and the river, having 
 formed a noble curve, now returns almost up to it. A 
 walk from the churchyard, called Kyrle's Walk, runs 
 down to a summer-house which here overlooks the river. 
 A very steep and rich eminence, intersected with hedge- 
 rows, among which are several cottages and a little farm- 
 house called Weir-end, with its appendages — a barn, a 
 poultry-yard, and a haystack — now presents itself, but 
 soon sinks to the left, and is succeeded by the humble 
 village of Groson, a cluster of thatched huts by the 
 waterside, with their hanging gardens and a succession 
 of green enclosures ascending rapidly above them. Be- 
 fore the most conspicuous of these huts lay several loose 
 and newly-felled trunks of trees, and a vessel lay moored 
 near the spot. The boatman dignified it with the name 
 of a timber-yard. So far the scene had never risen above 
 the simple and humble style of pastoral beauty, but its 
 character soon changed. In front, and sweeping round 
 to the right, a superb amphitheatre of wood and pasture 
 
DOWN THE WYE. 157 
 
 unfolded ; the Friary, a little farm half discovering itself 
 near the summit ; and on the left, near the base, Good- 
 rich Castle, with its towers and battlements, gave a 
 glimpse of the grandeur which soon burst upon us. . . . 
 Landed at the ferry, and, crossing a meadow, ascended 
 through a glade of ancient elms to the ruin. The port- 
 cullises, the pointed windows, the round towers were 
 hung with large masses of ivy. The structure in its 
 present state is very extensive. Elm and ash trees of 
 considerable height have taken possession of its internal 
 courts. The daws were very clamorous at our intrusion, 
 and a white owl fluttered from the fractured mouldings 
 of a window. The view from it in front is verj-^ rich 
 and extensive. Directly in front, and not above two 
 miles off, is Eoss spire, with the Chase, a long woody 
 ridge, in the background. Behind are hanging meadows. 
 Returned to the boat. In our course we continually 
 passed the fisher, with his wicker basket on his back, 
 angling for salmon-fry and grayling knee-deep in the 
 water. The left bank, which had as yet been low, be- 
 came now very steep, with cottages perched one above 
 another, half sheltered with wood, and often discovered 
 only by the blue wreaths of smoke that ascended from 
 them. One of the most observable was a basket-maker's. 
 In his little garden, which was almost a precipice, hung 
 linen to dry on a line, and his threshold was strewed 
 with heaps of rushes in the sun. Everything wore the 
 face of cheerful industry. Passed a fisherman's hut, 
 which had a very fresco appearance behind a clump of 
 trees. A brown pitcher had been left on the landing- 
 place, and against the bank rested a coracle, a small 
 leathern boat. The man mentioned by Gilpin, who navi- 
 gated the Wye and reached the Bristol Channel in one 
 of these vessels, was Luke Hughes. Near Bristol, a mile 
 beyond the river's mouth, he was hailed by the king's 
 yacht stationed there, the crew thinking that he floated 
 
158 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 on a cask. He went on board, and was made welcome, 
 but returned to his nutshell. From either hand shoots 
 up a high promontory. On the left is a chain of orchards, 
 the apple-trees twisting into a thousand forms, with 
 beautiful cows grazing on the shore. Pass on the right 
 the coal wharf at Lidbrook, a busy scene, but properly 
 softened down by the woods that nearly envelop it. On 
 the left in a meadow a plain old house called Courtfield. 
 On this spot Henry V. is said to have been nursed. An 
 ancestor of Mr. Vaughan, to whom it now belongs, kept 
 the ferry-boat at Goodrich,, and when Henry IV. came 
 disguised on his way to Monmouth, where the queen lay 
 in, he first learned from the ferryman the birth of his son 
 Henry, and was invited by him with honest exultation to 
 drink at the alehouse kept there. The king gave him 
 this estate. This is the boatman's tale. The little 
 church of Welsh Bicknor to which Henry IV. gave gold 
 communion plate, rose now by the green hillside, with 
 yews in its churchyard and the parsonage built of gray 
 stone close by it. Ked and blue cornflowers fringed the op- 
 posite bank. It was a scene of great simplicity. A succes- 
 sion of cottages on the left, with their orchards grazed 
 by horses, several of which were standing in different 
 groups in the water ; the water wagtail running and fly- 
 ing along the shelving rocks on the right. A blue vol- 
 ume of smoke now spread itself over the pointed wood 
 which announced Coldwell Kocks. . . . Here we came 
 to anchor, and the boatmen drawing water from a fine 
 spring on the bank, which gives the name to this part of 
 the river, I dined in full view of this charming perspec- 
 tive. While they were at their repast I wandered half 
 a mile along the river, till I came directly opposite the 
 rocks. Cottages and orchards were hanging near their 
 bases; in the centre was a lime-kiln, into which the 
 sheep had retreated from the sun, and not a single sound 
 was heard but the tinkling of the wether's bell, when I 
 
DOWN THE WYE. 159 
 
 was roused from a delightful reverie by the appearance 
 of one of the boatmen, who immediately hallooed to his 
 comrades, who were dispersed in pursuit of me. The 
 echo among the old woods gave immediate life to the 
 scene. Ee-embarked, and wound round these majestic 
 rocks. Others soon towered above the wood on the left, 
 less bold, but correspondent. The village on the right is 
 called Coldnose, the sun seldom shining upon it. . . . 
 Landed here on the opposite side, and half a mile from 
 the spring, and was conducted by a woman who showed 
 me her orchard, garden, and cottage, in which was a poor 
 solitary jay in a wicker basket up the rocks. She lived 
 by spinning, brewed and baked for herself, made her own 
 cider, and kept only a few ducks. Said the cottagers on 
 each side often ferried over to visit one another, that 
 winter was very dreary, but the boats which passed in 
 summer were a great amusement to them. Attended by 
 a little nephew and two girls she led me up a winding 
 path to the green summit of a projecting rock called 
 Symond's Tat, which commanded a cluster of wooded 
 hills in the foreground, the distant and whimsical wind- 
 ings of the Wye and a wide stretch of cultivated country 
 fading away in the blue and purple tints of distance. 
 Directly before us was an immense hill, round which the 
 Wye made a circuit of above three miles. Descended, 
 and embarked at the New Weir, an iron forge, where the 
 rocks on each side tower to an immense height, often in 
 very grotesque forms. Here the river makes a consider- 
 able fall, and we descend by a lock. This scenery con- 
 tinued about a mile, with nearly the grandeur of Matlock 
 and the solitude of Dovedale. Passed a small house, the 
 greatest fishery on the river, with a long shed to hang 
 the coracles in, and several barked trunks, on which the 
 nets are spread. The coracles go down the river two at 
 a time, one on each side, drawing the net along to sweep 
 the river. These pairs succeed each other every ten min- 
 
160 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 utes. The Dean Forest still hung on our right, and we 
 now came to what is called Slaughterhouse Stream, the 
 deer, many head of which are still in the Forest, having 
 been formerly shot here by the bowmen as they came 
 down to drink. The rocks continued like ruined towers 
 mantled with ivy and brushwood, till at St. Martin's 
 Pool, where was the deepest water in our course, they 
 died away. . . . Threaded several reefs that raised a 
 surf in the river, and shot rapidly by Dixon Church, a 
 humble and solitary white building ou the left shore. 
 A magnificent wood now rose in front and seemed to 
 preclude all further progress. As we advanced it with- 
 drew to the right, and on the left rose Monmouth spire. 
 The bridge and the town above it appeared soon after- 
 wards, and at six in the evening we concluded tte 
 voyage.' 
 
 The next day he records a ride to E.aglan, ' a beggarly 
 village,' with a neat inn ; a visit to the Castle, ' a most 
 noble ruin ; ' and on to Usk, where there was a village 
 fair. Continuing his ride he describes the view of the 
 Bristol Channel with the Steep and Flat Holms and 
 here and there a sail. At Newport — which he describes 
 as ' a neat town on the side of a hill, the church, like 
 most others near the coast, a conspicuous landmark ' — 
 he 'saw several boats waiting to catch the coal at low 
 water which is washed in flakes from the mountains.' 
 This was the coal trade of Newport in 1791. The jour- 
 ney continues over the hills and through the marsh to 
 Cardiff, where he walks round the Castle with ' a sensible 
 little fellow, my landlord's sou at the " Cardiff Arms." ' 
 Next day to Llandaff, with its ruined Cathedral, ' part of 
 it included in the modern Cathedral, a strange medley of 
 Grecian and Gothic' Then on to Caerphilly Castle, ' less 
 picturesque and less perfect than Eaglan, but with more 
 traces of magnificence and on an infinitely larger scale ; ' 
 
WELSH CUSTOMS. 161 
 
 and thence along the banks of the Taff and over the hills 
 to Cowbridge. On the way — 
 
 ' On Newbridge Hill was overtaken by two good- 
 natured, pleasant men on one horse, who had come from 
 a large foundry twelve miles from Pontypridd — or 
 bridge built of the earth — and who accompanied me 
 to Cowbridge. From them I learned several anecdotes. 
 The Welsh are a very joyous social people. At weddings 
 they often muster friends and relations to the number 
 of fifty on horseback ; and often make what is called 
 " a bidding." Each gives a crown, or some trifle, to the 
 newly-married couple, and the sum has amounted to one 
 hundred pounds. When a family are in distress there is 
 very often " a pye." The good woman of the house 
 makes a great many pies, and on a Sunday a consider- 
 able number will ineet and dine and dance, and after- 
 wards make her a present. The relator of this story 
 had often been of the party. At weddings the bagpipe 
 is often played, as in Scotland, and at funerals the 
 church singers always lead the procession with a psalm. 
 The women here wear black beaver hats, gowns of blue 
 or blue-and-red check, which descend to the knee, and a 
 blue or black petticoat. The men and boys also wear a 
 jacket and often trousers of check. About Cardigan the 
 women wear wooden shoes. The sudden drop they make 
 in curtseying and the familiar nod are very diverting. 
 From Easter to Whitsuntide the peasantry dance every 
 Saturday night. The clergyman frequently translates 
 his text into Welsh. . . . Curacies are about £30 or £25 
 per annum here.' 
 
 The journal of the next two days records the continu- 
 ation of the ride to Swansea and Carmarthen, summa- 
 rized in a letter to his father. 
 
 11 
 
162 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL KOGEES. 
 
 S. Bogers to Ms Father. 
 
 ' Saturday, June 25, [Postmark] 1791. 
 
 'Dear Sir, — I received your kind letter to-day, as 
 well as Martha's enclosing a very long and entertaining 
 one from Mrs. Piozzi. She says an account of her little 
 fete will overtake me in the newspapers before I reach 
 Monmouth, but I have not seen it in any of them. All 
 I learn from them is that Mr. Sergeant Bond has with- 
 drawn his name from the list of stewards. I wrote to 
 you from Pill. Margam next morning gave me great 
 pleasure, but the orangery is in decay, and the view 
 along the searcoast rather dreary. At Neath, which is 
 most charmingly situated, there was a fair. I dined 
 with the farmers, — as I had done the day before with 
 the collectors of excise at Bridgend, — and there met 
 with a gentlemanlike, sensible young man, an attorney 
 from Swansea. He offered to ride over with me, and as 
 I found him to be a man of good character I accepted 
 this offer. He offered also to go with me to the ball 
 at Swansea in the evening, and through him I danced 
 with the surgeon's wife, a very pretty woman about 
 twenty who has just left the Quakers. The harp was 
 the principal instrument. My sisters will smile to 
 hear that I have been kicking my heels at a Welsh 
 Assembly. 
 , ' Sir Herbert Mackworth's house at Neath commands 
 a very beautiful stretch of country, but just before his 
 parlor windows he has erected a steam-engine and large 
 copper-works. They are actually on the lawn before his 
 house : but if they are a source of profit he may think 
 them the finest objects which it commands. Yesterday 
 I had a most delicious ride of twenty-five miles to Llan- 
 dilo, where 1 saw the ruins of Carreg Cennin, an impreg- 
 nable fortress, and the fairy scenes round Dynevor 
 
GLIMPSES OF SOUTH WALES. 163 
 
 Castle. I find that Mr. Eice, the member for the county 
 aad owner of this enchanting spot, is brother-in-law to 
 Mr. M. Dorrien.* 
 
 'To-day I made a pilgrimage to the top of Grongar 
 Hill/ but a mizzling rain came on before I had reached 
 it. I rode through the delightful Vale of Towy to 
 Carmarthen, which was crowded with market people. 
 Welsh is everywhere the current language, and it is 
 curious to hear children that have just left the cradle 
 conversing in sounds that are as unintelligible to me as 
 the Sphinx's enigma. I am now on my way to Tenby, 
 where I shall stop to-morrow. . . . 
 
 ' Sunday, 26th June. 
 'To-night I mean to sleep at Tenby, to-morrow at 
 Haverfordwest, Tuesday at St. David's, Wednesday at 
 Cardigan, Thursday at Aberystwith, Friday at Dolgelly, 
 and Saturday at Carnarvon, — at which last town I hope 
 to find a letter from the Green, at farthest, but flatter 
 myself I shall hear sooner. The weather is now cold and 
 blustering, which, I find, agrees best with me. The hot 
 days have prevented my making any progress. Pray 
 give my love to all, and believe me to be, dear Sir, 
 ' Your dutiful and affectionate son, 
 
 'Saml. Eggees.' 
 
 The account in the diary of Neath fair and the farmers' 
 dinner, gives further glimpses of South Wales in the 
 days of our great-grandfathers ; — 
 
 ' In one street were numbers of farmers, etc., cantering 
 and trotting and walking horses of every size and color 
 to attract the notice of those who came to buy ; in another 
 was the trumpet sounding for the puppet-show, with bas- 
 
 1 The banker in Finch Lane, Lombard Street. 
 
 ^ Made classic ground by John Dyer's poem, published in 1726. 
 
164 EAKLY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGEES. 
 
 kets of gingerbread, etc., carried by rosy-cheeked girls. 
 In another street were booths for gloves and hats and 
 every article of dress. Here stood an old woman with a 
 roll of flannel under her arms, the product of her spinning- 
 wheel, and there were baskets of fleece and goose-wings 
 in abundance. The concert of voices in the Welsh lan- 
 guage was very diverting. I think it more sonorous and 
 grand than the Erse. Heard a man thunder at his cow, 
 and thought it had a very philippic air. Every woman 
 wore the black hat and flannel check, which lasts three 
 or four years in constant wear washed in cold water with 
 but little soap.' 
 
 The dinner was with seven or eight farmers, and 
 their talk is briefly recorded : — 
 
 'Lambs destroyed by bad land in half an hour, 
 thin soil never to be tilled, fern strewed in a farm- 
 yard the best manure, — these were the principal topics. 
 Duels also had their turn, owing to a late fray at Swan- 
 sea between two farmers. A lusty man had affronted 
 a thin one, who challenged him. "No," said he, "I 
 am' too broad a mark, it will be unfair." " Then," said 
 the thin one, "I will stand close to you, and my size 
 shall be chalked on your body, and if I don't hit within 
 the line it shall go for nothing." ' 
 
 He speaks of the country on the way to Swansea as 
 even then 'deformed with forges.' At Swansea the 
 dance was at the Mackworth Arms, and the sensible 
 attorney's name is given in the diary as Mr. Mansfield, 
 and the pretty wife of the surgeon is Mrs. Seycomhe, 
 described as 'a, most beautiful woman.' At Carreg 
 Cennin Castle, ' a ruined citadel, the Gibraltar of former 
 times,' a story was told him illustrative of the popular 
 superstitions of the time. The young man who con- 
 ducted him over the ruins led him — 
 
CHURCH AND VILLAGE OF TENBY. 165 
 
 ' back to a cottage at tlie foot of a rock, from which he 
 had borrowed a lantern to explore the well. At the door 
 we saw one old woman, who looked like a "poster of the 
 sea and land." I walked in, and pointing to a human 
 form which sat in the chimney of a dark room he said, 
 in a low voice, that it was that woman who sixteen years 
 ago lost her sight the instant she looked on some old 
 pieces of coin which she discovered at the Castle ; that 
 she was driving the horses of a plough when the coins 
 were turned up, and that the man who guided it and 
 who pillaged great part of them and took them to a Jew 
 at Swansea to melt shared the same fate. He added 
 with great seriousness that his father and grandfather 
 had told him that several other instances of the same 
 nature had occurred near the Castle. . . . Near Carreg 
 Cennin is a cavern, called in Welsh the "Eyes of the 
 Eiver Loughor," branching into innumerable others, 
 which branch some over some under the river which 
 issues quietly into day, but within dashes along with the 
 noise of thunder. Is not this Merlin's cave in the 
 "Paery Queen"?' 
 
 At Carmarthen it was market day, the streets and 
 roads were crowded, and some of the women on the road 
 were walking barefooted with their shoes in their hands, 
 others moved briskly along knitting as they went. He 
 slept that night at Tavern Spite, a neat house on a furzy 
 heath, and continued his journey in the morning, going 
 to church on the way, as it was Sunday, and hearing 
 there a good sermon. The church was hung round with 
 flowers. Tenby was reached in the afternoon, and his 
 description of it as it was in 1791 is worth quoting in 
 his own words : — 
 
 'The church and village of Tenby are situated on a 
 low cliff, hung with ivy and other vegetable tints. On 
 the left the shore is high and rocky, and a distant reach 
 
166 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 of land projects into the sea beyond it, though not equal 
 in grandeur to the mountainous shore on the leit of 
 Swansea. On the right, seated on a small but lofty 
 promontory which is united by a narrow isthmus to the 
 shore, are the ruins of a castle, half mantled with ivy. 
 This promontory forms a beautiful bay. Beyond it, 
 still farther to the right, within two hundred yards is an 
 insulated rock, tufted with herbage, on which are the ruins 
 of a house and where hung a few goats. The rock is of 
 rich gamboge color, and through it the waves have per- 
 forated a small archway. Half a league beyond this, 
 still farther to the right behind the town, is Caldy Island 
 with a farmhouse on it, but with no trees. The vessels 
 in the harbor and the offing gave cheerfulness to the 
 scene. Walked to the Castle and saw a clergyman draw- 
 ing the insulated rock with a camera ; a boat was rowing 
 under it ; on the extreme point of the promontory is a 
 lofty single tower from which the sailors were looking out. 
 Walked by a little path to the cliffs on the opposite shore 
 (the fashionable walk) and also on the sands. The scene 
 beautiful in every point of view, the church spire rising 
 nearly in the centre, and drawing the village to an apex. 
 From the little by-path which connects the front cliff 
 with the left is perhaps the best view. . . . Tenby was 
 once very strong. The walls that guarded the two sides 
 next the sea are now nearly demolished, but sufficient 
 vestiges are left to trace them. On the two sides next 
 the land it is guarded by a high wall in perfect preservar 
 tion, with strong round and square towers at a small 
 distance from each other, richly hung in many parts 
 with ivy. . . . Walked again to the Castle ; the clergy- 
 man was still employed on his sketch. In the strait 
 below lay some boatmen on their oars, and along the 
 perpendicular sides of the rock two sea boys of their 
 party were chasing for diversion where I would not have 
 stood for fifty worlds.' 
 
WELSH TOWNS AND VILLAGES. 167 
 
 The day at Tenby did not include a visit to Giltar 
 rocks ; and on the next day Eogers resumed his journey 
 over the Eidgeway to Pembroke. Thence the way lay 
 through shady green lanes to the ferry across Milford 
 Haven, on which magnificent sheet of water, 'blue as 
 ultra-marine,' he notes ships in full sail in different 
 directions before the wind. On to Haverfordwest, — 
 'the largest town I have yet seen in Wales, with the 
 dirt and gloom of a large town,' and thence on towards 
 St. David's. On the way he ' was surprised to meet a 
 lady with a veil, and a pretty woman, with an air of 
 some elegance, washing linen in a rivulet with her bare 
 feet, though only two hovels were in sight.' He describes 
 St. David's as a poor village. * Except two or three neat 
 little houses belonging to the clergy of the Cathedral, no 
 house habitable by civilized beings.' He had to put up 
 at a hovel of an inn, ' the canon residentiary, Mr. Hol- 
 combe, whose hospitable genius has raised a caravanserai 
 in the desert, and whose musical and elegant family gave 
 an air of enchantment to the reception of the desolate 
 traveller, being now in London.' Eiding next day 
 through the cornfields the larks were so numerous that 
 'every stalk and ear of corn seemed full of melody. 
 Never in my life was I so struck with their music. It 
 was above, below, and around.' On the way to Cardigan 
 is the Castle of Cilgerran, which was reached by a boat 
 up the Towy Eiver. At the village near the Castle, 
 which was solely inhabited by fishermen, were several 
 coracles. He measured one of the smallest with his 
 handkerchief. It was exactly the breadth of the hand- 
 kerchief, but an inch more in length. At one point of 
 the voyage a fisherman came down with his coracle on his 
 back and his paddle in his hand, to go out for the night. 
 ' They suffer themselves to be carried down by the tide, 
 and when they wish to return paddle ashore and walk 
 home with their vessels on their backs.' Next day he 
 
168 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 was ' stopped by the rain at three cottages, the first best, 
 the last worst but cheerful, with a colt neighing in one 
 of its divisions, the second dark as night, a spinning- 
 wheel in each.' A little English was spoken in one cot- 
 tage, none in the other two. At a wayside inn, called 
 the ' New Inn ' — ' was entertained by a sweet little girl 
 with some Welsh songs ; she had a very pleasing voice 
 and the tunes were equally so. They were of the cheer- 
 ful kind. Her elder sister, a very modest, reserved, 
 pretty girl, told me that the harper from Aberystwith 
 often slept there in his musical peregrinations through 
 the country, and that they sat up the whole night to 
 listen to him.' On arriving at Aberystwith itself 'in 
 the hall of the inn a poor blind girl was playing on the 
 harp most exquisitely, such airs as made Gray put his 
 last hand to the unfinished ode of " The Bard." ' 
 
 There are here eighteen days missing from the journal, 
 but there is evidence that these were spent in Central 
 and Northern Wales. The journal opens again on the 
 19th of July, when he is on the way out of Herefordshire 
 to Brecknock. He is up betimes, making a ride of sev- 
 eral miles before breakfast. One day he is on horseback 
 by six in the morning, the next at half-past five, and the 
 shades of evening are usually falling when he concludes 
 his day's wanderings. The journey along the road from 
 Leominster to Brecknock is, at first, ' through a succes- 
 sion of hop-grounds, orchards, and villages,' not partic- 
 ularly beautiful in themselves, but chiefly so ' from the 
 ideas of cheerfulness and comfort and plenty which were 
 everywhere excited.' Passing the old hall of Kynnersley 
 the road soon approaches the Wye — 
 
 'Here we were presented,' he says, 'with a striking 
 image of desolation, the wreck of a bridge. It had con- 
 sisted of several arches, and had been very elegant, but 
 fell in last spring, having had a bad foundation. Three 
 
SCENERY OF THE WYE. 169 
 
 of its arches were still standing on one side, but all fur- 
 ther progress was abruptly broken off, and the river 
 rushed triumphantly over the shattered pieces of the 
 rest. The toll-house on the other side, the lane that led 
 from it, and the sweeping approach all reminded us of 
 the communication which now existed no longer. The 
 ferry-boat was unfit for horses, and we were obliged to 
 follow at some distance the course of the river. We 
 were soon rewarded with a beautiful reach between 
 woody banks, and soon afterwards with another less 
 woody but more extensive and distinguished by the 
 ruins of a castle on a green eminence over the river. 
 We had now ascended to high ground, and presently saw 
 before us a rich and extensive valley, skirted by distant 
 mountains and disclosing here and there a faint catch of 
 the Wye in its passage from Plinlimmon. Descended, 
 and by a narrow bridge entered The Hay, a long scattered 
 town on its banks, with very fine woody hills behind it. 
 The old village-like church hangs beautifully on a green 
 knoll over the river, which there makes a curve to meet 
 it. Above it is a forlorn castle, part of which is glazed 
 and tenanted. As we left The Hay the same chain of 
 hills with wood accompanied us on the left ; and on the 
 right in a delicious valley wound the Wye, but seldom 
 an object of sight, though its banks were almost level 
 with its surface. Beyond it rose green and shady hills, 
 with hamlets and spires and scattered farms below them. 
 At the fourth stone the Wye made a bold turn to the 
 right and left us among the hills. . . . Nothing could be 
 more beautifully retired than the descent into Brecknock. 
 We wound between woody declivities, above which in 
 front rose the double tower of the Priory. On the right 
 rushed the little river Honddu over mossy fragments of 
 rock. In the course of half a mile we came to a few 
 cottages and a water-mill, and presently we discovered a 
 rude stone arch. We then entered -Brecknock. From 
 
170 EAELT LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 this bridge is the most enchanting view. The eye is 
 carried up the dell along the foaming current of the 
 stream, which is closely fringed with shrubwood and 
 darkly overhung with foliage of the freshest verdure, 
 but of different shades. It appears to work its way 
 through the windings of a wood. On the left, loftily 
 seated behind the trees, is the Priory, a noble Gothic 
 structure now converted into a church. 
 
 ' Ascended to the Priory and pursued a delightful path 
 along the edge of the woody precipice which overhangs 
 the glen, the little torrent gleaming through the trees 
 below, and soothing the ear with the dash of its waters. 
 Here and there a humble hut stands solitarily on the 
 margin or hangs on the opposite declivity, with a little 
 cabbage-garden running along a ledge of the rock, and 
 literally on a level with the ridge of its thatched roof. 
 As I proceeded, the path descended gradually towards 
 the level of the river, and the glen along which the 
 Leominster road had at first wound now contracted to 
 the breadth of its current. At a forge which is near a 
 mile from the Priory this beautiful scenery ended. In 
 a little shady cove, half-way down the precipice, and not 
 far beyond the Priory, a clear spring gushes out of the 
 rock and falling over a rude ledge hurries down to the 
 river. An oblique path through the fern and shrubwood 
 descends to it on each side. It is a favorite resort for 
 water. I could have passed hours here to observe the 
 children that descend almost every minute into this 
 beautiful recess. It was once, according to Homer, the 
 occupation of king's daughters, and, as we are told with 
 a beautiful simplicity in Holy Writ, the charms of 
 Eachel suffered no diminution from it. That golden age 
 is gone ; but the visitors of a spring are still interesting 
 to a contemplative mind; the fair and ruddy complex- 
 ions of the country, with that simple and open expres- 
 sion which is soon lost in the less retired walks of life, 
 
VALLEY OF THE USK. 171 
 
 are to me more interesting than the most beautiful scen- 
 ery. Their action always pleases and is generally 
 graceful because it is natural and unaffected. I have 
 seen a ragged shepherd boy, particularly near St. 
 David's, throw himself down in an attitude that Raphael 
 would not have disdained to copy; and I have often 
 stopped, especially between Bala and Berwyn, to admire 
 the firm and graceful step of a girl with a brown pitcher 
 on her head. A little beyond the bridge the Honddu 
 enters the Usk, which forms a semicircle round the ruins 
 of a castle which stands on a rock. Part of the round 
 tower of the citadel crowns the highest point ; below on 
 the other side is the College, a small Gothic building 
 belonging to St. David's ; part of it is employed as a 
 school-room. As I returned from the forge to the Priory 
 had a beautiful glimpse of the valley and mountains over 
 the town. From the Castle Hill commanded the whole 
 valley, which is nearly circular, and but small, rounded 
 by green hills on three of its sides, and on the other, 
 opening to the Vale of Usk between the foldings of the 
 mountains. The evening was close and damp, with now 
 and then a drizzling rain. 
 
 ^July 20. — Set off at half -past five — a pleasant gray 
 morning — and immediately entered the Vale of Usk, 
 which was at first mountainous, but afterwards sank into 
 cultivated uplands. On the right side ran a chain of 
 mountains, sometimes woody, sometimes richly cultivated. 
 Along the valley murmured the Usk in the sweetest 
 meadows through its fringed banks, with little farms and 
 villas scattered around it. It was Nature in her neatest 
 attire. About the sixth stone ascended from the Vale 
 behind a high hill, looking down directly on the windings 
 of the river, and commanding a rich review of its progress 
 from Brecknock. At the summit were agreeably sur- 
 prised with the view of another valley with a small lake 
 (Langor's Pool) gleaming in the centre of it. As we 
 
173 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 descended round the hill we passed Tretower Castle, with 
 its gray round tower and battlements, at the foot of a 
 hill, and there re-entered the Vale of Usk, the little river 
 winding close to the road which now ran along the 
 middle of the valley. The valley grew wider, and the 
 river still more rapid; and considerable w(jpds masked 
 the hills on the left. It was diversified with noble pro- 
 montories and insulated hills, cultivated to the very 
 summit. The road now regained the left side and 
 taking a higher direction wound along a green terrace 
 over the river, the banks of which were now indeed 
 sometimes exposed, but which ran in a noble stream. 
 We here passed a little bridge over a tributary stream 
 that turned a mill as it entered the Usk, and soon came 
 to Crickhowell, a village deliciously seated on a gentle 
 eminence near the Usk, looking up and down the Vale 
 for some miles. Here again are the remains of a cas- 
 tle on the river, and though not very considerable they 
 have a beautiful yellow tint and are in good preser- 
 vation. The Vale soon afterwards contracted and grew 
 more woody and less cultivated as we entered Mon- 
 mouthshire, but a duskiness, arising perhaps from the 
 heat, spread itself over the scenes we had left. As we 
 approached Brecknock it opened on the right, and on the 
 left the hills were of great beauty, especially the Sugar 
 Loaf, which is cast perhaps in too correct a mould for 
 picturesqueness, but is cultivated almost to the very 
 summit, where it is green with shrubwood. The cheer- 
 ful little villages that were blended in beautiful confusion 
 along the sides of the opposite mountains, and the inces- 
 sant bursts of wood and cultivation which enriched them 
 continually, varied the scene. As we left Abergavenny — 
 its hills forming a grand screen on the left, and lofty 
 mountains hung with wood projecting into the Vale on 
 the right — a magnificent pass presented itself through 
 which we looked back towards Brecknock. Continued 
 
RAGLAN CASTLE. 173 
 
 along the Vale. On tlie left were the green swells of a 
 park belonging to Mr. Hanbury Williams, and on the right 
 ran the mountains finely clothed with wood. These, 
 however, soon shifted behind us ; but the Usk still accom- 
 panied us, not often visible indeed, between rich uplands 
 with little pllages on its banks. At the sixth stone it 
 makes a sudden bend to the road, and then, taking its 
 farewell both of eye and ear, it turns off to the right 
 between close woody declivities, and after a pleasant 
 journey of five miles arrives at Usk, where I first found 
 it. The scene soon closes on the right, but a sweet 
 valley, deficient only in water, unfolds itself on the left, 
 bounded by the Abergavenny hills, among which the 
 Sugar Loaf lifts its pointed summit. The views on 
 each side are at last reduced to the compass of a few 
 fields, when Eaglan Castle appears, with its walls and 
 towers at a small distance, but with no great degree 
 of elevation. The Vale of Usk extends from Brecknock 
 to Abergavenny, a tract twenty miles in length. This 
 is its first and finest part. It then turns on the right 
 eleven miles to Usk, and from thence to Newport, ten. 
 miles, a tract of equal extent. The river there loses 
 itself in the sea. Dined at Raglan, and afterwards stole 
 a parting glance at the Castle, still beautiful as ever, not 
 magnificent as a distant object, but in itself, when viewed 
 at hand, the most picturesque I ever saw. The deep 
 pointed arch of the gateway, half obscured by the net- 
 work of ivy that hangs from it, the rich Gothic work- 
 manship of the windows and abutments, the elegance of 
 the banqueting-hall, — these still please and must ever 
 please. Eeturned, as I went, in haste, to the great and 
 loud merriment of a party at a cottage door, particularly 
 an arch, black-eyed girl of sixteen. Eode on high ground 
 and had a succession of the most beautiful views, little 
 hills on each side melting into most delicious valleys and 
 falling into each other with the most varied forms and 
 
174 EARLY LIFE OE SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 with the softest swells. Such a charming interchange 
 of wood and valley, meadow, corn and fallow ground, aU 
 in miniature, and all in the most enchanting confusion, 
 is only equalled between Monmouth and Eaglan, and 
 scarcely even there. From several higher points we 
 commanded in retrospect an extensive valley, bounded by 
 a noble amphitheatre of distant mountains. 
 
 ' Left the turnpike road, and turning through a farm- 
 er's fields soon arrived at a very striking spot. On 
 the right was a deep glen, so deep that the tufted tops 
 of very high trees were far, very far, below me, and a 
 torrent rushed along through them with fury, but was 
 not an object of sight. The wood on the opposite side 
 of it rose very majestically to a considerable height, and 
 on the left, directly above me was a woody declivity. 
 As I descended the depth decreased and cottages were seen 
 clinging to its sides. At last a forge appeared with its 
 gigantic hammers and its sheet of red flame, but the 
 wood around, above, and below it was as luxuriant as 
 ever. Down this glen, the sides of which folded over 
 each other in perspective very finely, I was let down 
 gradually among hanging cottages till a lofty wood 
 ascended in front with the Wye winding calmly round 
 it. On its green and level margin stands Tintern Abbey. 
 The church is built, as indeed aU abbeys are, in the 
 form of a cross. The west window is entire, and its rich 
 framework is clear of ivy, but within is finely hung, and 
 ivy in large masses and with the freshest verdure hangs 
 everywhere over it. The arch of the south window, 
 which has lost its framework, is so deeply fringed with 
 ivy that it scarcely admits the light, and the external 
 wall of the south aisle is entirely overspread with it. 
 Eoger de Montgomery, the founder, lies entombed there. 
 But a very small part of the cloisters is now to be traced. 
 Adjoining to what is called the Monk's cell a poor 
 woman has furnished a melancholy apartment. The 
 
TINTERN ABBEY. 175 
 
 vault and its tenant correspond with Mr. Gilpin's de- 
 scription, but are not the same. The woman he men- 
 tions died in the workhouse. A poor girl was weeding 
 the fragments on the green floor. The head of a monk 
 and the body of a virgin are scattered there among 
 mouldings and cornices. A little path leads directly 
 to the river, which is shut in on all sides by high hang- 
 ing woods. Ascended by a by-path, taking leave of 
 this venerable ruin through the trees. Nothing can be 
 more imposing than the perspective through its aisles 
 when the west door is thrown open. Its outside is 
 almost wholly [hidden] by the cottages that surround it. 
 Ascended up a hanging wood. On the left was the rocky 
 bed of some winter torrent, and the path itself was little 
 better. It soon closed and the trees overarched it. It 
 was now near ten, and the gloom was awful. It was 
 here that I met a figure which I at first thought was an 
 ancient tenant of the abbey. It wore a flannel gown 
 which hung like a hood over the head. Not a lock of 
 hair appeared over a pallid but striking countenance. A 
 small black beaver hat was in one hand, and the other 
 held a staff. I asked with some degree of hesitation the 
 way to Chepstow, when it appeared to be an old woman. 
 My question di-ew an appeal to my charity. She was 
 returning home from the surgeon with a strengthening 
 plaster and could scarcely crawl. Gained the heights, and 
 saw the Severn with its wide waters before me ; but the 
 night was cloudy and I could but just distinguish a park 
 on my left as I entered Chepstow. There I was regaled 
 with songs by a cheerful young man of the town who 
 was entertaining the landlord's daughters — fine girls, 
 particularly the youngest — in the bar. Eead an account 
 of the riots at Birmingham.' 
 
 The journey was continued in the same manner to 
 Bristol and Bath. Having dined at Beachley Passage 
 
176 EAELY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGEES. 
 
 House he crossed the Severn, two miles, in six minutes 
 and a half, landing on a rough rock covered with sea- 
 weed, it being half-tide, and went by King's Weston, 
 paying a visit to the point in Lord Clifton's park from 
 which the celebrated view is to be seen, and thence ou 
 over Durdham Down to Clifton. He notes the villages 
 and villas which spot the country, the sprinkling of 
 carriages and horses on the downs, the 'close and awful 
 pass ' through which the sails rapidly succeed each other 
 along the Avon ; the Hot Wells, ' and the walks full of 
 walkers, French staymakers, Pall Mall milliners, and 
 all the finery and impertinence of life ; ' and adds : ' I 
 was sorry to renew my acquaintance with it.' Next day 
 he notes the picturesque aspect of St. Vincent's rocks, 
 tastes the water at the Hot Wells, and notes the young' 
 women, many apparently consumptive, who were there, 
 and one girl who ' drank her glass on the mail pillion.' 
 He complains of being ' enveloped in black dust on the 
 road to Bath, where the Koyal Crescent on the hillside 
 strikes him with its simplicity and beauty as he enters 
 the city, which, however, ' wants the domes and turrets 
 of public buildings to give it magnificence ' at a distance. 
 The month in which Rogers had thus bCen enjoying 
 the delights of home travel, which made him sorry to 
 return to all the finery and impertinence of life, had been 
 one of great anxiety to many of his personal friends. 
 His brief record on the 20th of July — ' Bead an account 
 of the riots at Birmingham ' — is like that of an outside 
 I spectator of a serious social and political crisis. There 
 is no need to tell in this place the painful and disgrace- 
 ful story of the sack of Dr. Priestley's house, the de- 
 struction of his philosophical apparatus and library, and 
 the burning by a drunken mob of the meeting-house in 
 which he preached. If on the other side of the Channel 
 crimes were being committed, as Madame Roland after- 
 wards exclaimed, in the name of liberty, these outrages 
 
LETTER FROM MRS. BARBAULD. 177 
 
 were perpetrated in the England of Pitt and George III. 
 in the supposed interests of church and king. Eogers 
 was in full sympathy with those against whom this vio- 
 lence was directed, but poetry and not politics was still 
 the uppermost thought in his mind. During the Welsh 
 journey he corresponded with Mrs. Barbauld, among 
 other friends, and just before the ominous entry in his 
 diary he had received from her a letter expressive of her 
 enthusiastic adherence to the Liberal side. It was writ- 
 ten on the day before the second celebration of the fall 
 of the Bastille, and the occurrence of the Birmingham 
 liots. 
 
 Mrs. Barbauld to S. Eogers, 
 
 'Dear Sir, — For your very entertaining as well as 
 very friendly letter I thank you with all sincerity, and am 
 truly sensible of the favor you do me by writing when 
 you are surrounded by such charming scenes that while 
 you bend your eyes upon paper you must lose a landscape. 
 But why do you bid me write who have nothing to com- 
 municate, where there are neither harps nor Druids ? 
 We have a lady, indeed, and she is a pretty lady, who 
 sings a Welsh song most enehantingly, but then she has 
 not the advantage of singing in a cottage ; and, moreover, 
 she is a married woman. I have been trying in my own 
 mind whether Miss Hagen, with her fingers upon her 
 harp, will bear any comparison with an ancient Druid 
 sweeping his with his flowing beard ; but I find her so 
 infinitely inferior in the sublime, that I am obliged to 
 drop the similitude. I know of no news to tell you but 
 that Mr. George Maltby was at meeting yesterday, look- 
 ing very happy, and that the family of the Websters set 
 off to-morrow for Devonshire, to our great regret, as I 
 suppose they quit Hampstead entirely. 
 
 'But pray, sir, what have you to say in your defence 
 for rambling amongst fairy streams and hanging woods 
 
 12 
 
178 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGEKS. 
 
 instead of being at the " Crown and Anchor," as you and 
 every good patriot ought to be on the 14th of July? 
 What do you say to that ? Do not you deserve at least as 
 severe a philippic as the Welsh farmer gave his cow ? 
 
 ' Muse, thy thrilling numbers dart 
 Through his ear and through his heart ; 
 Chide the youth who holds his stay 
 Far from Freedom's band away. 
 
 ' Hanging woods and fairy streams 
 Inspirers of poetic dreams, 
 Must not now the soul enthrall 
 While dungeons burst and despots fall. 
 
 « Shall peals of village bells prevail, 
 Floating on the summer gale, 
 While the Tocsin sounds afar, 
 Breathing arms and glorious war ? 
 
 ' Think when woods of brownest shades 
 Open bright to sunny glades, 
 Such the gloom and such the light 
 Of Freedom's noon and Slavery's night. 
 
 ' Harps of Mona, sound once more, 
 With strong vibrations shake the shore. 
 Ne'er did your solemn chords relate 
 Eventful scenes so big with fate. 
 
 ' Now stretched at hoary Snowdon's base 
 Hide in shades thy long disgrace, 
 And blush that Freedom's child should be 
 Far from Freedom's Jubilee. 
 
 ' You see how envious I am, not being able to trans- 
 port myself to those delightful scenes you so well describe. 
 I am maliciously endeavoring to disturb the harmony of 
 your sensations, but I dare say you will disappoint my 
 malice. ... I hope when you return we shall have the 
 
DR. PRIESTLEY. 179 
 
 pleasure of seeing you soon, as we shall go into Norfolk, 
 I believe, about the beginning of August. 
 
 * M. Eabaud ^ has sent a second address to the people 
 of England. It is an exhortation to peace, and urges 
 sentiments of national justicp, which I hope we are not 
 disposed to controvert. 
 
 ' Perhaps you know that Mrs. Williams and Cecilia are 
 set out for France, and that Helen and the rest of the 
 family are soon to follow. They pay a visit to their old 
 friends at Eouen before they settle at Orleans. 
 
 ' Mr. Barbauld, who has shared in the entertainment 
 of your letter, desires to join in thanks for it and in affec- 
 tionate remembrance, 
 
 'I am, dear Sir, 
 
 ' Your obliged friend and faithful servant, 
 ' A. L. Bakbatjld. 
 ' Hampstead, July 13th. [Postmark 1791.] ' 
 
 The excitement which the Birmingham riots produced 
 spread more or less violently all through the country. 
 Thomas Kogers was well known to be in full sympathy 
 with Dr. Priestley and his friends, and there were reasons 
 to fear an attack by the mob on the house at ' The Hill,' 
 yhere his sisters, Samuel Eogers's aunts, continued to 
 live. Happily the danger passed over. Thomas Eogers 
 was there, as usual, in the summer, and in a letter to his 
 son, dated the 21st of September, speaks of the state of 
 feeling which then existed at Stourbridge : — 
 
 'I am sorry to say in answer to your postscript 
 respecting the party spirit at Stourbridge, that there 
 is some truth in the report, though the conduct of the 
 church is not quite so bad as the report makes it, Mr. 
 Parker, Jr., a grocer in the town, received a parcel by 
 
 1 M. Eabaud St. fitierme, a deputy of the National Assenihly. He 
 was a Protestant clergyman and correspondent of Dr. Price. 
 
180 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 the coinmon carrier of the obnoxious handbill.* He 
 owns that he gave one of them to a clergyman in the 
 neighborhood, but at [the] same time expressed his dis- 
 approbation of it, and his determination to burn the 
 remainder. He declares SQlemnly that he burned all the 
 other copies immediately afterwards; but one of them 
 having been left in the public library and another stuck 
 up in the coffee-room at the "Talbot," and about six 
 more having been sent under cover from the post-office 
 in Stourbridge to as many gentlemen in the neighbor- 
 hood, the whole of this, notwithstanding his denial, is 
 laid to his charge. This brought the young man into 
 disgrace, and many of his customers immediately sent for 
 their bills and paid them off and left his shop. Some 
 others of the Dissenters have also suffered in their 
 business. . . . The flame the handbill has occasioned 
 is scarcely to-be conceived, and the violent charge the 
 whole body of Dissenters with entertaining the same 
 sentiments, and wishing for a revolution in this coun- 
 try, and conduct themselves accordingly ; but it is said 
 that at Birmingham and Stourbridge they are softening 
 apace. Many of my acquaintance seem to be more 
 attentive to me than usual.' 
 
 In a postscript he adds : — 
 
 ' I am inclined to think Dr. Priestley will not return 
 to Birmingham. AU the respectable part of the congre- 
 gation, except about two or three, signed a very warm 
 request for his return, but he had not returned his 
 answer on Wednesday last. Mr. Taylor and Mr. John 
 Ryland were among the opponents. When I saw Mr. 
 
 * This was an address from the assembled deputies and delegates of 
 the Protestant Dissenters of England to the Protestant Dissenters of 
 Birmingham who suffered from the riots. It expressed the astonish- 
 ment and horror the outrages had excited, and assured the Birmingham 
 Dissenters of their warmest affection and steadiest support. 
 
DR. PARR AT HOME. 181 
 
 Stone at Brighton lie intimated that it was the wish of 
 many of the Hackney gentlemen to invite the doctor to 
 Hackney, and that Mr. William Morgan approved of the 
 idea. He said also if Jones went to Birmingham, where 
 he was likely to be invited,. that perhaps Dr. P. would 
 be prevailed on to give chemical and philosophical 
 lectures at the College.' 
 
 The Jones mentioned in this letter seems to have 
 gone to Birmingham as Mr. Morgan expected. He 
 appears also to have kept up a connection with the house 
 at Newington Green. Samuel Eogers's advice to him to 
 call on Dr. Parr was the origin of one of the familiar 
 stories told by him and not very correctly reported by 
 Mr. Hay ward in the ' Edinburgh Eeview ' article in which 
 Mr. Dyce's inaccuracies are severely rebuked. The 
 story is told by the Kev. D. Jones himself in the follow- 
 ing letter : — 
 
 An Interview mth Br. Parr. 
 
 'BM.,13tliH'ovr., 1793. 
 'Dear Sir, — Do not be surprised by the trouble I 
 now give you. Perhaps you recollect a part of our con- 
 versation which turned upon Dr. Parr, and your advising 
 me to introduce myself to him. This advice I took the 
 first opportunity of putting in practice. The next Sat- 
 urday after seeing you I set out for Warwick. Hatton, 
 the Doctor's residence, lies in the way. I arrived at 
 the place, fastened ray horse to the gate, knocked at the 
 door, inquired for the Doctor, and learned that he was at 
 dinner. I told the servant I would wait while he dined, 
 when I should be glad to speak to him. I was turned 
 into a parlor where was the Doctor's picture ; it set him 
 ofE to the best advantage. Here I waited half an hour, 
 contemplating the oddness of the adventure. The door 
 
182 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGEKS. 
 
 opens, I prepare to make -my bow and my speech — 
 behold, it is a servant girl come to ask my name ! Pres- 
 ently again the handle of the door moves, I make the 
 same preparations — behold, it is a young lady whom I 
 took to be Miss Parr, and who proved to be her ! She 
 requests me to walk into the parlor. This I decline, 
 statiag that I had not the honor of being known to the 
 Doctor, but that when he was perfectly at leisure I 
 should be glad to speak a few words with him. I judged 
 it better to introduce myself to him alone than before 
 company. The young lady soon left me, and she had 
 hardly been gone any time before the great man ushered 
 himself in. I was cool and composed. I approached 
 him and thus accosted him : " I hope, sir, I have not 
 interrupted your dinner; I begged that I might wait 
 till you were perfectly at leisure ? " " Not at all, sir." 
 " My name is Jones ; I am a Dissenting minister at 
 Birmingham. Being on my road to Warwick I could 
 not resist the inclination I felt to pay my respects to 
 Dr. Parr." I had hardly uttered these words but the 
 Doctor's eyes glistened. He took me by the hand, squeez- 
 ing it heartily, leading me round the room, and asking 
 me several times how I did. He begged I would stay 
 the evening with him, and offered to send to Warwick to 
 apprise my friends of it. I closed with the offer, as I 
 was not expected at Warwick. He then introduced me 
 to Mrs. and Miss Parr as a man of piety, sense, etc. ; to 
 another lady and gentleman as "a thorough Whig, no 
 Tory, but one who had successfully opposed them in his 
 writings." This was about four o'clock, and the Doctor 
 entertained me till one in the morning. I was highly 
 pleased with him. He possesses first-rate conversational 
 powers. He speaks of Dr. Priestley in the highest terms. 
 " Ma'am," said he to a lady there, " he has done more 
 to promote human knowledge than any man in Europe." 
 I have since written to him, and received a very friendly 
 
BEISSOT AND HIS PAETY. 183 
 
 reply, and have a general invitation to his house, of 
 which I mean to avail myself. 
 
 ' I think not very highly of Brissot and his party, but 
 there was no necessity for putting so many people to 
 death. The account shocked me greatly. I do not mean 
 to try to draw you into a correspondence, but if you 
 could let me know, in a few words, how I am to conceive 
 of that event it would oblige me much. I do not urge 
 this, as it will not be long ere I see you. I thought that 
 the relation of this adventure, suggested by yourself, may 
 amuse you. Excuse the freedom, and believe me with 
 unfeigned esteem to be sincerely yours, 
 
 'D. Jones. 
 ' Samitel Rogers, Esq., 
 ' Newington Green.' 
 
CHAPTEE VIL 
 
 ' The Pleasures of Memory.' — Letter of Criticism from Dr. Parr ; 
 Notes. — Letter of Gilpin. — Hayward'a Criticism. — Estimate of 
 the Poem. 
 
 Mes. Barbauld's rebuke to Eogers for being away in 
 Wales, ' far from Freedom's Jubilee,' on the second anni- 
 versary of the capture of the Bastille need not be held to 
 indicate any want of sympathy on his part with the great 
 Liberal movements of the time. His nephew Samuel 
 Sharpe reminds us that 'poetry was the uppermost 
 thought in his mind ; ' and he was at that time just 
 bringing his chief poem to completion. He had been 
 occupied with it for more than six years. It was begun 
 in 1785, as soon as the ' Ode to Superstition ' was com- 
 plete, and in the summer of 1791 he was just sending it 
 to the press. It had been written in the same manner 
 as his earlier poems. It was literally the recreation of 
 a man of business, his 'leisure's best resource,' as he 
 calls it in the lines prefixed to the fifth edition. With 
 the exception of his holidays, which the state of his 
 health made somewhat more frequent than they might 
 otherwise have been, his whole life during these years 
 was that of a junior partner in the bank. He went into 
 the City in the morning, spent the day there, dined early 
 with the other partners at the banking-house, and rode 
 or walked home when business was over. He had, of 
 late years, been more away from home in the evening, 
 going with Dr. Kippis to literary parties or to some 
 literary club, or to the Hampstead Assemblies, or follow- 
 ing up his acquaintance with Mrs. Barbauld or the 
 
'THE PLEASURES OF MEMORY.' 185 
 
 Baillies, the Piozzis, the Williamses, or Dr. Moore. But 
 as a rule his evenings were spent in diligent reading or 
 in equally diligent composition. The only verses which 
 he published during these years seem to have been the 
 little poem ' On a Tear,' which in his works bears the 
 date of 1791. It was apparently printed in Este's jour- 
 nal, ' The World,' and reissued in 1791 in a 12mo volume 
 ' entitled ' The Poetry of The World,' and published by 
 Eidgeway. In a review of two of these volumes in the 
 ' Monthly Eeview ' for September, 1791, the managers of 
 the paper are thanked 'for the exertions which they 
 have made to rescue newspaper poetry from disgrace by 
 inviting some acknowledged favorites of the Muses to 
 decorate their pages.' The favorites whose names are 
 mentioned are Mr. Sheridan, Mr. Merry, Mrs. Cowley, 
 Mr. Andrews, Mr. Jerningham, Mr. Colman, Mrs. Eob- 
 inson, Captain Broome, and Captain Topham. Most of 
 these belonged to the Delia Cruscan school, and all but 
 Sheridan are forgotten. But the critic quotes none of 
 them. He deprecates criticism as 'breaking butterflies 
 on the wheel,' and adds, ' instead of assisting our readers 
 to detect little faults we will tempt them to admire by 
 transcribing the following beautiful stanzas.' He then 
 quotes the six verses 'On a Tear,' which have almost 
 ever since kept their place in collections of popular 
 poetry. 
 
 'The Pleasures of Memory' was published by Mr. 
 Cadell early in 1792. It was described as by the author of 
 the ' Ode to Superstition.' Only two hundred and fifty 
 copies were printed, and they were disposed of at once. A 
 long review of the poem appeared in the ' Critical Eeview ' 
 for April, 1792, in which it was rather severely criticised, 
 though with the admission that its defects were over- 
 powered by its beauties. ' The flame of genius,' said the 
 critic, ' which pervaded, and so brightly glowed in the 
 " Ode to Superstition," demanded our applause, which we 
 
186 EARLY LIFK OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 shall not ■withhold from the present poem, though exhib- 
 iting less splendid marks of poetical inspiration ; more 
 argumentative and metaphysical.' In June the ' Monthly 
 Eeview ' made the poem the subject of its first article, and 
 spoke of it with unstinted praise. ' If the author of this 
 poem be thought happy in the choice of a copious and 
 fertile theme, which has yet by no means been exhaustedj 
 he is equally so in the manner in which he has treated it. 
 Correctness of thought, delicacy of sentiment, variety of 
 imagery, and harmony of versification are the characters 
 which distinguish this beautiful poem in a degree that 
 cannot fail to insure its success.' This is a perfectly 
 just account of the poem, and does not need the 
 slightest change at the end of nearly a hundred years. 
 In the same month in which it appeared the 'Critical 
 Review ' in a short notice said that though neither the 
 fiery stream of passion nor the electric sparks of fancy 
 burn along the lines, yet a mellow tasteful tint shed over 
 it renders many of the sentiments interesting and the 
 whole soothing. These two views are curiously blended 
 by Mr. Hayward in the article written sixty-four years 
 later in the ' Edinburgh Eeview.' He there said of Eogers 
 that ' from the moment he discovered that he was des- 
 tined to excel by grace, elegance, subdued sentiment, and 
 chastened fancy — not by fervid passion, lofty imagina- 
 tion or deep feeling — his poetic fortune was made.'* 
 Sir Egerton Brydges, who had just published a little 
 volume of sonnets and poems, records in his 'Autobiog- 
 raphy ' that a year or two after he entered the lists ' came 
 out Eogers's "Pleasures of Memory," which instantly 
 became popular, especially among the ladies. The lines 
 have something of a cast between Tickell, Shenstone, 
 and Goldsmith.'* The popularity of the poem was 
 
 1 Edinburgh Review, July, 1856. 
 '^ Autobiography, vol. i. p. 87. 
 
'THE PLEASURES OF MEMORY.' 187 
 
 by no means confined to ladies. Critics, authors, philo- 
 sophers, and statesmen united in its praise. The first 
 editions seem to have been sold as soon as they were 
 published. Eogers's early friend, William Maltby, writes 
 to him while he was travelling in the south of England 
 in July, telling him that he had called at Cadell's and 
 learned from Lawless that the whole impressioli was 
 sold before the 'Monthly Eeview' came out, and adding 
 'he lamented that two hundred and fifty copies only were 
 printed, as twice the number might have been sold.' 
 This may possibly refer to a second edition, as the work 
 was out, and copies were sent to the author's friends 
 early in January. Kobert Merry, the almost forgotten 
 author of ' Lorenzo ' and ' Fenelon,' writes to Eogers 
 from 35 Gerrard Street on the 18th of January, 1792, 
 thanking him for a copy of the poem, telling him that 
 he had gone to Mr. Cadell and found oat the author, 
 and urging him to put his name to it at once. During 
 the first twelve or fourteen months after its issue four 
 editions of the poem, probably of two hundred and fifty 
 copies each, were disposed of, and its popularity and 
 success were already established. In May, 1793, a fifth 
 edition was published, and it was thought wise to venture 
 on printing a thousand copies. These were all dis- 
 tributed in the course of the year. This fifth edition 
 was a duodecimo of a hundred and twenty-four pages, 
 and was published at six shillings. It was prefaced by 
 the introductory lines which have ever since stood as 
 the preface to all editions of his poems. 
 
 It is only fair to Eogers that I should point out how 
 completely these lines embody the spirit and express 
 the motive of his poetry. He could not have sat at 
 Dr. Price's feet, or been Priestley's friend, or breathed 
 for thirty years the moral and spiritual atmosphere of 
 blended Puritanism and latitudinarianism which per- 
 vaded his Stoke Newington home, without learning to 
 
188 EARLY LIPE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 feel a high sense of moral responsibility for what he 
 wrote. 
 
 ' Oh, could my mind, unfolded in my page, 
 Enlighten climes and mould a future age ; 
 There as it glowed, with noblest frenzy fraught, 
 Dispense the treasures of exalted thought; 
 To Virtue wake the pulses of the heart, 
 And bid the tear of emulation start I 
 Oh, could it still, through each succeeding year. 
 My life, my manners, and my name endear, 
 And, when the poet sleeps in silent dust. 
 Still hold communion with the wise and just 1 — 
 Yet should this Verse, my leisure's best resource. 
 When through the world it steals its secret course, 
 Revive but once a generous wish supprest, 
 Chase but a sigh, or charm a care to rest ; 
 In one good deed a fleeting hour employ. 
 Or flush one faded cheek with honest joy, — 
 Blest were my lines, though limited their sphere, 
 Though short their date as his who traced them here.' 
 
 In this last line he gives expression to the feeling his 
 frail health produced. He had less expectation and less 
 reason for the expectation of long life than young men 
 usually have. These lines were published before he had 
 completed his thirtieth year, and he lived for nearly 
 sixty-three years after they were written. He lived to 
 know that ' The Pleasures of Memory ' had taken its place 
 as an English classic. The fifth edition, to which this 
 preface was af&xed, was illustrated with a couple of 
 whole-page woodcuts from drawings by T. Stothard : the 
 first a group of children to illustrate the line — 
 
 ' 'T was here we chas'd the slipper by its sound ; ' 
 
 and the second, the Shipwreck, with the ' faint and faded 
 Julia,' in her lover's arms on the shore, and the father 
 kneeling behind, his white hairs strewed in the wind. 
 This edition contained the ' Ode to Superstition,' and five 
 
LARGE SALE OF HIS POEMS. 189 
 
 small poems which like the ' Ode ' had been previously 
 published. These were, * The Sailor,' ' Verses oq a Tear,' 
 ' Sketch of the Alps at Daybreak.' ' A Wish,' and ' An 
 Italian Song.' The 'Ode' was illustrated by two wood- 
 cuts from pictures by E. Westall : the first, of the Fates 
 ' wrapt in clouds, in tempests tost ; ' and the second to 
 illustrate the lines — 
 
 ' In cloistered solitude she sits and sighs, 
 While from each shrine still small responses rise.' 
 
 Each engraving bears the words ' Published May 29th, 
 1793, by T. Cadell, Strand.' The world has been so 
 often told that Rogers got his poems beautifully illus- 
 trated because they had ceased to sell, that it is needful 
 to point out how early he began to associate his poetry 
 with the best examples of the engraver's art. Nearly 
 all the editions of his poems contained engravings, if it 
 were only, as in the edition of 1816, pretty vignettes by 
 Stothard, engraved by Clenuell, to fill blank pages and 
 the spaces at the beginning and end of a poem. The popu- 
 larity of ' The Pleasures of Memory,' shown by the issue 
 of the fifth edition within sixteen months, continued to 
 increase year by year. He did not put his name on the 
 titlepage even of the fifth edition, but he signed the 
 prefatory lines with his initials, and the binder labelled 
 the volume on the back 'Kogers's Poems.' From this 
 time, therefore, he was known, and wherever he went was 
 acknowledged as the popular poet of ' The Pleasures of 
 Memory.' In 1794 a sixth and a seventh edition, each 
 of a thousand copies, were published. In 1797 appeared 
 the eighth edition, also of a thousand ; a ninth in 1798, 
 and a tenth and eleventh in 1799. In 1801 a twelfth 
 edition was called for, and the number printed was raised 
 to fifteen hundred, in addition to which a hundred copies 
 were printed on large paper ; in 1802 the , thirteenth 
 edition, also of fifteen hundred, was issued. On the 
 
190 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 fourteenth edition being called for in 1803 the number 
 printed was raised to two thousand; in 1806 the fif- 
 teenth edition was printed, also of two thousand. The 
 sale continued at much the same rate, and the edition of 
 1816, already mentioned, was the nineteenth. Omitting 
 the sales of the first four editions, of which no clear 
 record is preserved, but which consisted of very small 
 numbers, and including the large paper copies, of which 
 a hundred were printed in 1801 and two hundred and 
 fifty in 1810, the total issue of the work — from the pub- 
 lication of the fifth edition in 1793 to the nineteenth in 
 1816 — was 22,350 copies. This was one of the greatest 
 literary successes of the time. When we recollect how 
 small the educated and reading world then was, and to 
 how narrow an audience a poem of culture and not of 
 passion was addressed, the steady and increasing demand 
 for ' The Pleasures of Memory ' is a remarkable sign of 
 the poetical taste of the period, and of Rogers's success 
 in meeting and satisfying it. These large numbers may 
 be compared with the small sale of Wordsworth's ' Ex- 
 cursion,' of which the first edition, published in 1814, 
 consisted of only five hundred copies and sufficed for six 
 years, when another edition of the same number was 
 issued, and lasted seven years. The favor with which 
 Eogers's poem was received was, moreover, not that of the 
 unreflecting multitude. The letters published in these 
 volumes, and similar letters and notices which are scat- 
 tered all through the biographies of Eogers's eminent 
 contemporaries, show the universal appreciation in which 
 his 'Pleasures of Memory' was held by men of taste 
 and culture. It was totally unlike anything that was 
 appearing at the time. The period had just passed of 
 which Macaulay speaks when he says that ' poetry had 
 fallen into such decay that Mr. Hayley was considered a 
 great poet.' Cowper, whose Life is the work by which 
 Hayley best deserves to be remembered, had already pub- 
 
HIS POETICAL CONTEMPORARIES. 191 
 
 lished most of his poems ; and his translation of Homer, 
 in which Rogers delighted as Thomas Campbell also did, 
 had come out in the year before. 'The Task,' which 
 had been the most popular of his poems, had appeared 
 in 1785 ; but large and rapid as its sale had been, — so 
 large that Johnson the publisher told Eogers he had 
 been induced to make a handsome present to its author, — 
 it did not by any means reach the success of ' The Pleas- 
 iires of Memory.' Hayley's popularity had already faded 
 away before that of Cowper, and the sentimental school 
 to which he belonged, and of which he had been the 
 foremost representative, had disappeared in the new 
 love of simplicity and naturalness which Cowper had 
 awakened. The Delia Cruscans were the degenerate 
 descendants of the sentimental school, and were only 
 waiting for Gifford's rough heel to crush them finally. 
 Other poets were still in embryo. Tom Moore, then a 
 boy of fourteen, though, as he calls himself, ' a deter- 
 mined rhymester,' had not sent his first rhymes to the 
 * Anthologia Hibernica,' in which magazine he first read 
 Rogers's poem in the numbers for January and February, 
 1793, — little dreaming, he says in his memoirs of himself, 
 that he should one day become the intimate friend of the 
 author ; ' and such an impression did it then make on 
 me,' he adds, ' that the particular type in which it is 
 there printed, and the very color of the paper are asso- 
 ciated with every line of it in my memory.' Byron was 
 a child just four years old. Wordsworth was in France 
 looking on at the Revolution, riveted to the spot, as his 
 biographer tells us, by a mysterious spell, longing to re- 
 main in Paris, but obliged by circumstances to return, or, 
 as he says in ' The Prelude,' — 
 
 ' Dragged by a chain of harsh necessity, 
 So seemed it — now I thankfully acknowledge 
 Forced by the gracious Providence of Heaven ' — 
 
192 EAELY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 and thus escaping the proscription which swept away his 
 friends the Brissotins, with whom he says he should 
 have made common cause, and — 
 
 • . . . haply perished, too, 
 A poor mistaken and bewildered offering. 
 Should to the breast of Nature have gone back 
 With all my resolutions, all my hopes, 
 A Poet only to myself.' 
 
 Wordsworth's first little volume of ' Descriptive Sketches ' 
 came out in the year after ' The Pleasures of Memory.' 
 Coleridge was at Cambridge, where he had just gained 
 the medal for a Greek ode, and where he was regarded 
 only as the revolutionist in politics and the heretic in 
 religion. Southey had not yet entered at Balliol, where 
 he was afterwards regarded in precisely the same light 
 as that in which Coleridge stood at Cambridge. Of those 
 who may properly be described as his contemporaries, 
 Rogers was, therefore, some years in advance. He had 
 come to fame before any one of them had been heard of, 
 and he survived them all. 
 
 The published criticisms on ' The Pleasures of Mem- 
 ory' in the periodicals of the day have already been 
 spoken of. The chief objection urged was that of the 
 ' Critical Review,' which discovered bad grammar in the 
 eight lines, now only six, which describe ' the intrepid 
 Swiss that guards a foreign shore ; ' and strongly ob- 
 jected to the lines, — 
 
 ♦ That hall where once in antiquated state 
 The chair of justice held the grave debate ; ' 
 
 on the ground that figuratively speaking the chair of 
 justice might hear, but could not ' hold, the debate.' 
 Rogers, however, appears to have taken the same view 
 of the recommendations of critics which was taken by 
 Burns. 
 
DR. PARR'S CRITICISMS. 193 
 
 When Mr. Ramsay of Ochtertyre asked Burns wliether 
 the literary men of Edinburgh had improved his poems 
 by their criticisms, 'Sir,' said the poet, 'these gen- 
 tlemen remind me of some spinsters i'n my countiy 
 who spin their thread so fine that it is neither fit for 
 weft nor woof.' He said he had not cnanged a word, 
 except one to please Dr. Blair. Rogers probably changed 
 a few words, — not to please Dr. Parr, but in consequence 
 of Dr. Parr's criticisms. He sent the Doctor an illus- 
 trated edition of the poem in 1796, and received the 
 following characteristic letter of acknowledgment and 
 criticism : — -^ 
 
 Br. Parr to S. Sogers. 
 
 • Hatton, June 14, 1796. 
 ' Dear Sie, — With pleasure — no, it was often with 
 delight, it was sometimes even with ecstasy, it was with 
 approbation almost always, that I have read your poem 
 on Memory. The topics are, indeed, chosen most per- 
 tinently and even happily. The imagery is rich and 
 varied, the versification is near perfection, — and so near 
 that I must entreat you with a little revisal and a little 
 effort to make it quite perfect. Your Muse is so gay 
 without levity, and so serious without gloominess, that 
 she would have tamed the surly genius of Johnson him- 
 self. She holds, and has a right to hold, converse with 
 the spirits of Shenstone and Goldsmith and Gray. Be- 
 lieve me, dear sir, when I tell you that my mind, jaded 
 as it has been even to indifference and insensibility 
 upon the common objects of poetry when treated of by 
 common minds, was roused and refreshed by the uncom- 
 mon excellencies of your most charming poem. I love 
 the work and I love the artist so well that without fur- 
 ther preamble I will tell him of the passages which do 
 not satisfy me. 
 
 13 
 
194 EAKLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 ' Page 15 : " resigned " is surely a feeble epithet to 
 happiness, nay, it is an improper one. Resignation 
 may make us happy, but happiness does not make us 
 resigned.^ 
 
 ' Page 17." What do you mean by " the Sibyl's mut- 
 tered call," and who is the Sibyl ? And by " muttered " 
 call do you mean a call that was given in a muttering 
 tone ? To me this is quite enigmatical. 
 
 ' In the same page — 
 
 " To learn the color of my future years." 
 
 Does the word " learn " quite harmonize with the word 
 " color " ? Each expression is good by itself, but they 
 are not well joined together here, and the transition is 
 too violent from a dignified literal word " learn " to the 
 vivid metaphorical word " color." 
 
 1 ' As when in ocean sinks the orb of day. 
 Long on the wave reflected lustres play ; 
 Thy tempered gleams of happiness resigned 
 Glance on the darkened mirror of the mind.' 
 
 * ' Down by yon hazel copse, at evening, blazed 
 The Gypsy's fagot ; there we stood and gazed, — 
 Gazed on her sunburnt face with silent awe, 
 Her tattered mantle, and her hood of straw ; 
 Her moving lips, her caldron brimming o'er ; 
 The drowsy brood .that on her back she bore. 
 Imps, in the bam with mousing owlet bred. 
 From rifled roost at nightly revel fed ; 
 Whose dark eyes flashed through locks of blackest shade, 
 When in the breeze the distant watcb-dog bayed: — 
 And heroes fled the Sibyl's muttered call, 
 Whose elfin-prowess scaled the orchard-wall. 
 As o'er my palm the silver piece she drew. 
 And traced the line of life with searching view, 
 How throbbed my fluttering pulse with hopes and fears, 
 To learn the color of my future years ! ' 
 
DE. PAKE'S CEITICISMS. 195 
 
 ' Page 18: — 
 
 " Unconscious of the kindred earth 
 That faintly echoed to the voice of mirth."* 
 
 I really do not know what you mean by " the kindred 
 eai-th " which faintly echoes, etc. 
 ' Page 19: — 
 
 "... whose every word enlightened." ' 
 
 The use of " every " is rather too pretty ; and, indeed, is 
 the only prettyism I have seen, and therefore it strikes 
 the more, as being more contrary to the general purity 
 and elegance of the style. 
 ' Page 21: — 
 
 "... yet all with magic art 
 Control the latent fibres of the heart." * 
 
 1 ' On yon gray stone, tliat fronts the ohancel door, 
 Worn smooth by busy feet now seen no more, 
 Each eve we shot the marble through the ring, 
 "When the heart danced, and life was in its spring ; 
 Alas ! unconscious of the kindred eai-th. 
 That faintly echoed to the voice of mirth.' 
 
 ' ' Guides of my life ! Instructors of my youth ! 
 Who first unveiled the hallowed form of Tmth ! 
 Whose every word enlightened and endeared. 
 In age beloved, in poverty revered. 
 In Friendship's silent register ye live, 
 Nor ask the vain memorial Art can give.' 
 
 ' ' Lulled in the countless chambers of the brain. 
 Our thoughts are linked by many a hidden chain. 
 Awake but one, and lo, what myriads rise I 
 Each stamps its image as the other flies. 
 Each, as the various avenues of sense 
 Delight or sorrow to the soul dispense, 
 Brightens or fades ; fet all with magic art 
 Control the latent fibres of the heart' 
 
196 EAELY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 The philosophy is here better than the poetry; each 
 thought " stamps its image," each " brightens or fades." 
 Here we have imagery, very just and distinct and yet 
 varied. But is not the imagery rather too remote from 
 that which precedes, when we are told that thoughts 
 " control the latent fibres " ? My friend, you do not 
 lead my fancy, but you drag it after you here. Perhaps, 
 too, I am not quite pleased with the word " dispense " 
 as applied to the " varied avenues of sense ; " avenues do 
 not dispense. 
 ' Page 24 : — 
 
 " Ail touched the talisman's resistless spring." ^ 
 
 This line, though intelligible, is obscure. I have many 
 objections, and will state them to you. In the two pre- 
 ceding lines we have ornamental description, and ornar 
 ment, too, which throws over the mind many strong 
 images, well adapted to the scenery, as it affects the 
 senses ; but, my friend, is there not danger of confusion, 
 when, having recalled such images so pleasing to the 
 senses, you proceed in bold metaphor to speak of the 
 operations of the mind ? To me it is quite enigmatical. 
 And consider, too, after the metaphor of the talisman we 
 have another metaphor of "busy tribes" that are "on 
 the wing," and do you think that touching a spring leads 
 us to think of beings on the wing ? I think these meta- 
 phors do not follow one another well, and when two 
 metaphors immediately succeed such vivid description of 
 natural scenery I feel my mind confounded and fatigued. 
 
 1 ' So Scotia's Queen, as slowly dawned the day. 
 Rose on her conch, and gazed her soul away. 
 Her eyes had hlessed the beacon's glimmering height, 
 That faintly tipped the feathery surge with light ; 
 But now the morn with Orient hues portrayed 
 Each castled cliflf and brown monastic shade ; 
 All touched the talisman's resistless spring. 
 And lo, what busy tribes were instant on the wing ! ' 
 
DK. PARR'S CRITICISMS. 197 
 
 'Page 26: — 
 
 " When at his feet . . . the sage . . - reposed." i 
 
 If you use " when " it should be when Tully found him 
 reposing ; if you put " where " the passage will be right. 
 Perhaps you were frightened by seeing the word " where " 
 follow so close in the next sentence. I am not quite 
 satisfied with the line where you say that "his youth iu 
 sweet delusion hung." ^ To hang in delusion is at least 
 unusual, and though it be a fact that this happened 
 when Cicero was young, yet the circumstance of youth 
 does not add to the effect ; therefore I would have 
 avoided the word "youth," and have endeavored to 
 express it in a plainer way as that which happened 
 while he was young. His mind felt the charming 
 delusion when he was young. 
 ' Page 27: — 
 
 " What though the fiend's torpedo-touch arrest 1 " 
 
 Dear sir, this line shocked me. The character of a 
 fiend is accompanied by an idea of violence with which 
 " torpedo-touch " ill accords ; and again I do not like 
 the word " arrest " as joined to " torpedo-touch ; " for 
 surely to arrest suggests some notion of vehemence and 
 force which is very ill-connected with the touch of a 
 torpedo. No touch can arrest, so far as touch is a slight 
 operation ; and then a torpedo-touch conveys to me, as I 
 
 1 ' . . . As now at Virgil's tomb 
 
 We bless the shade, and bid the verdure bloom ; 
 So Tully paused, amid the wrecks of Time, 
 On the rude stone to trace the truth sublime ; 
 When at his feet, in honored dust disclosed, 
 The immoi'tal Sage of Syracuse reposed.' 
 
 ^ The line was altered. It now reads — 
 
 ' And as he long in sweet delusion hung.' 
 
1&8 EAKLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 told you before, an idea of benumbing properties ^ rather 
 than of those which arrest or seize, and by seizing stop 
 the motions of the mind. I know you can say that a 
 torpor seizes, but I should not say the touch of a tor^ 
 por seizes, nor should I choose to say that this act of 
 seizing had checked any preceding emotion, whether 
 habitual or not. When we so use the word " seize," we 
 mean to express the suddenness of the effect, rather than 
 the vehemence of the cause. Again, in the same page 
 I do not find the word " erase " very appropriate to the 
 word "school," though it agrees well enough with the 
 epithet " iron." ^ Still, my friend, you must not have 
 the properties of the subject merged in the properties of 
 the adjunct ; and wishing the subject were better adapted 
 to the action of erasing, I must beg leave to express my 
 doubt on the propriety of the epithet " iron " as applied 
 under any circumstances to the subject " school." I 
 cannot admit the transposition of " iron school of war " 
 for the " school of iron war," except in dithyrambic, 
 nonsensical, meteoric odes. 
 ' Page 30 : — 
 
 " And win each wavering purpose to relent 
 With warmth so mild, so gently violent." 
 
 I don't understand these two lines. We generally say 
 that a stubborn, not a wavering, purpose relents; and 
 
 1 It may be desirable to remind a younger generation of readers that 
 the torpedo of their grandfathers is an electrical ray-fish (yorpctto vul- 
 garis), commonly called ' the cramp fish.' 
 
 ' The lines here criticised are — 
 
 ' What though the iron school of War erase 
 Each milder virtue and each softer grace ; 
 What though the fiend's torpedo-touch arrest 
 Each gentler, purer impulse of the breast ; 
 Still shall this active principle preside, 
 And wake the tear to Pity's self denied.' 
 
DR. PARR'S CRITICISMS. 199 
 
 pray what do you mean by " witli warmtli so mild, so 
 gently violent " ? I am all confusion about it. 
 ' Page 31: — 
 
 " These, when to guard Misfortune's sacred grave, 
 Will firm Fidelity exult to brave." 
 
 The first line is obscure. You mean to say when em- 
 ployed, or when designing, to guard the grave, but you 
 have not said it ; and after not finding your meaning in the 
 first line we expect to find it in the second, and expect- 
 ing to find it [not finding it, is clearly the meaning] in 
 the second we are driven back to the first, and even there 
 we cannot find it without an effort, — without supplying 
 something which is not expressed. This effort is made 
 more painful from the structure of the second line, which 
 is very artificial. " These, will firm Fidelity exult to 
 brave," I could understand pretty well, if the other con- 
 struction, "when to guard Misfortune's sacred grave," 
 did not intervene. But the passage so intervening makes 
 me look for aid from the second, which aid is not fur- 
 nished ; and the second, where the ideas are thrown at 
 a distance from the subject to which it relates, finds em- 
 barrassment upon embarrassment, — embarrassment from 
 the intervening passage, and embarrassment from its own 
 inverted position in tracing its way back to that which 
 Fidelity exults to brave. Besides, my friend, I do not 
 relish the personification of Fidelity, nor do I much ad- 
 mire the epithet " firm," nor do I much approve of the 
 word " exult." Do you think that exultation is a very 
 obvious property of fidelity ? And if it is not obvious 
 what are the circumstances which make it proper on this 
 occasion ? I see none. Pray reconsider the lines.* 
 
 ' It may be well to quote the whole passage, to the last two lines of 
 which this criticism applies : — 
 
 ' Recall the traveller, whose altered form 
 Has borue the buffet of the mountain storm : 
 
200 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 ' Page 45: — 
 
 "... presumes its base control." 
 
 Is this quite accurate ? I think otherwise. * 
 < Page 50: — 
 
 " So richly cultured, every native grace 
 Its scanty limits he forgets to trace." 
 
 My ear is hurt with its scanty limits, and my under- 
 standing is totally at a loss to conjecture what you mean." 
 
 " Time's sombrous touches soon correct the piece, 
 Mellow each tint, and bid each discord cease ; 
 A softer tone of light pervades the whole. 
 And breathes a pensive languor o'er the soul." 
 
 My mind, I am sure, feels here a very strange discord 
 indeed. Again and again I have had occasion to tell 
 authors that one metaphor never can be worked into an- 
 other. I remember in a famous speech of Lord Mans- 
 iield's about Wilkes he was guilty of confounding two 
 metaphors. He spoke of " the color of his life," and so 
 far was well. But he added to the word "color" some 
 
 And who will first his fond Impatience meet V 
 
 His faithful dog 's already at his feet! 
 
 Yes, though the porter spurn him from the door, 
 
 Tho' all that knew him, know his face no more. 
 
 His faithful dog shall tell his joy to each. 
 
 With that mute eloquence which passes speech. — 
 
 And see, the master but returns to die ! 
 
 Yet who shall bid the watchful servant fly ? 
 
 The blasts of heaven, the drenching dews of earth, 
 
 The wanton insults of unfeeling mirth, 
 
 These, when to guard Misfortune's sacred grave. 
 
 Will firm Fidelity exult to brave.' 
 
 1 The line is altered to — ' assumes its base control.' 
 
 ^ The lines now read, — 
 
 'So rich the culture, tho' so small the space, 
 Its scanty limits he forgets to trace.' 
 
BR. PAER'S CRITICISMS. 201 
 
 other metaphorical term, completely heterogeneous. I 
 forget what it was, and am a dunce for forgetting it, 
 though at this moment I remember a stupid attempt of 
 a stupid antiquarian to vindicate the learned judge by- 
 supposing that he alluded to Heraldry. Lord Mansfield's 
 speech was for a time admired, and when I attacked it, 
 I never found a man of sense undertake its defence. 
 Having fetched, like Parson Adams, a stride across the 
 room, and brandished my pipe, I suddenly experience 
 the " Pleasures of Memory." Lord Mansfield's word was 
 " armed " — " has armed the color of my life." His life 
 might be armed, but the color of it could not be. I 
 return from Lord Mansfield to a better man and a better 
 writer. My friend, you pass too quickly from painting to 
 music ; from the sense of seeing to the sense of hear- 
 ing. There are, it is true, some words which, belonging 
 originally to one sense, are without violence transferred 
 to another. So, sweet, from taste, is applied to sound, 
 and even to the features of a countenance ; so, soft, from 
 feeling, is applied both to notes and pictures. I allow 
 much to the laws and even caprices of association ; I 
 allow much to the authority of custom, which predomi- 
 nates not only in the eases just now mentioned, but in 
 many other metaphorical words, which having originally 
 a mere literal sense are also used in a metaphorical sense 
 with such frequency that we hardly perceive them to be 
 metaphorical. But none of these concessions will avail 
 towards your justification. My concessions go to single 
 words. But in your poem we have more than single 
 words : we have a train of images, we have a succession 
 of metaphors ; and when the first metaphor has been 
 preserved pure, many of its appropriate terms are inter- 
 mingled with a second, and a distinct and quite hetero- 
 geneous metaphor. I cannot bear the expression of "a 
 tone of light." A soft tone can, but a soft light cannot, 
 " breathe a pensive languor." Well, but even supposing 
 
202 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 that you had preserved the second metaphor from sound 
 from all mixture of terms borrowed from music, still I 
 should say that to pass so suddenly from one metaphor 
 to another, from the effects of one sense to the eifects of 
 another sense, would be a faulty accumulation of imagery : 
 for you will observe that you are not speaking literally 
 of sound or literally of colors, but of both metaphori- 
 cally, and according to my judgment metaphors so 
 remote ought not to succeed each other so closely, more 
 especially they ought not, because they are applied to 
 one and the same subject, — the mind; and because in 
 truth they are describing one and the same operation 
 or affection of that mind. Take either of them away, 
 leave the picture and remove the music, or leave the mu- 
 sic and remove the picture, and in either case you will 
 have sufficiently expressed your meaning. I see what 
 it was which produced this confusion. The unlucky 
 word "discord" has produced all this discord. My 
 friend, I have observed in poets, and indeed in all 
 speakers, that the mention of one metaphorical word 
 leads the writer or speaker into the expansion of the corre- 
 spondent metaphor at full. Thus in "Cymbeline," — 
 
 " Second Gentleman. You speak him far. 
 
 First Gentleman. — I do extend him, sir, within himself, 
 Crush him together rather than unfold 
 His measure duly." 
 
 So in Horace, Sat. i. — 
 
 " Dum ex parvo nobis tantundem haurire relinqnas, 
 Cur tua plus laudes cumeris granaria nostris ? " 
 
 Having dropped the word haurire he goes on with the 
 metaphor suggested by it at full, — 
 
 " TJt, tibi si sit opus liquidi non amplius umd, 
 Vel cyatho, et dicas ; Magno dejlumine mallem 
 Quam ex hoc Jbnticulo tantundem sumere." 
 
DTI. PARR'S CRITICISMS. 203 
 
 I could quote you several other instances, but these 
 are enough for my purpose, and will show you the train 
 of your owu ideas. What you have in common with 
 Shakspeare and Horace is that one metaphorical term 
 led you on to a complete metaphor. A difference between 
 you is that they preserve the metaphor well, and that 
 you have not preserved it. You run on from discordant 
 tints to discordant sounds, to both of which you meant 
 to apply the correction of time, and unfortunately when 
 you got to the sounds you mingled with them the terms 
 which belonged to the tints.* 
 
 'Page 54: "As the stern" and "as when" in the 
 third line afterwards, seem to me unfinished writing.'' 
 
 'Page 59: "Tenderer tints." The comparative here 
 is very harsh to my ear, and surely it is unusual.* 
 
 ' The close of the tale of Florio is admirably to your 
 purpose, and is well told ; but the introduction to it is far 
 too long and too much encumbered with circumstantial 
 description. Morio, by accident as it afterwards appears, 
 meets the lady. But what was he doing before ? Was 
 he merely wandering? So it should seem. But wliy, 
 then, so much description lavished on the scenery ? There 
 
 * The line was altered, and now reads — 
 
 ' And steals a pensive languor o'er the soul.' 
 
 2 This, too, was altered, and the lines now read — 
 
 ' As the stern grandeur of a Gothic tower 
 Awes us less deeply in its morning hour. 
 Than when the shades of Time serenely fall, 
 On every broken arch and ivied wall.' 
 
 ' The lines are — 
 
 ' Fair was her form ; but who can hope to trace 
 The pensive softness of her angel face? 
 Can Virgil's verse, can Raphael's touch, impart 
 Those finer features of the feeling heart, 
 Those tenderer tints that shun the careless eye. 
 And in the world's contagious climate die ? ' 
 
204 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 is no interest awakened about Florio for near two pages, 
 because we do not see any purpose he had in view. It is 
 a charming tale ; pray reconsider the introductory parts. 
 ' Page 67: — 
 
 " Each ready flight at Mercy's call Divine 
 To distant worlds that undiscovered shine." 
 
 What is the meaning of " each ready flight " ? To me it 
 is nearly unintelligible. The structure, too, displeases me. 
 My friend, let us suppose this passage right. Every par- 
 ticular introduced by the word " each " has certain effects 
 separately assigned to it. Very well ! But when you come 
 to the last line to describe their joint effects my mind is 
 not sufficiently severed from the particular cause and ef- 
 fects immediately preceding, on which you have bestowed 
 three lines. (On looking again I suspect " undiscovered 
 shine " refers to " worlds." Be it so. What is a " ready 
 flight," and how does a flight " fling its living rays " ? My 
 mistake is a proof that you have not written clearly.)^ 
 Where the particulars in detail are so fully detailed you 
 
 1 The passage referred to in the ahove criticism is as follows. Speak- 
 ing of ' the enchantress Memory ' the poet says : — 
 
 ' !^ut is her magic only felt below? 
 Sa3' thro' what brighter realms she bids it flow? 
 To what pare beings, in a nobler sphere, 
 She yields delight but faintly imaged here: 
 AH that till now their rapt researches knew, 
 Not called in slow succession to review; 
 But, as a landscape meets the eye of day. 
 At once presented to their glad survey ! 
 
 ' Each scene of bliss revealed, since chaos fled. 
 And dawning light its dazzling glories spread; 
 Each chain of wonders that sublimety glowed, 
 Since first Creation's choral anthem flowed ; 
 Each ready flight, at Mercy's call Divine 
 ■Po distant worlds that undiscovered shine; 
 Full on her tablet flings its living rays. 
 And all, combined, with blest effulgence blaze.' 
 
LETTER iUiOM WILLIAM GILPIN. 205 
 
 should not have included under the same couplet a part 
 of one particular effect and the aggregate effect of all 
 the preceding particulars. There is something awkward 
 in this. And so much by way of stricture, were I to put 
 my commendations on paper they would fill six sheets. 
 
 'Not knowing your address I write to you at Dr. 
 Bancroft's, and pray present my best respects to him. 
 ' I am, most sincerely yours, 
 
 'S. Pake.' 
 
 Another letter from one of the best known men of 
 his time seems to have been called forth by a present 
 from Rogers similar to that sent to Dr. Parr. The E,ev. 
 William Gilpin writes : — 
 
 ' ViCAKSHiLL, July 23, 1796. 
 
 ' I received, my dear sir, your agreeable packet, and 
 return you many thanks for it, both as it was a token 
 of your esteem and as it was the vehicle of much real 
 pleasure and amusement. I am a great lover of nature, 
 and find it is an instrument on which you have the art of 
 playing many a pleasant tune. 
 
 ' But now, my dear sir, you must not call my taste in 
 question for not having read your poem before. Heard 
 of it I often have. But as I rarely go out of my own 
 parish, and live in a neighborhood which, though a very 
 agreeable one, is not very literary, I have seldom the 
 opportunity of seeing anything new but what I purchase 
 myself ; and I have been so often disappointed with new 
 publications that I have at length learned a frugal les- 
 son, — that of bridling my curiosity, which, though often 
 the handmaid of science, is as often the companion of 
 folly. From the little acquaintance, however, I had with 
 you, I conceived I should not be disappointed in the 
 present case, and therefore sent for a copy, which I 
 received the day after I got yours. 
 
206 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 'Scaleby Castle came often into my mind as I read 
 it ; which, though in some degree faded, is still a ■well- 
 colored picture in my memory. The old mansion frown- 
 ing through the trees — once the calm scene oftnany a simple 
 sport — the hollow tower — the hospitable hall — the dusky 
 furniture — the garden's desert path — the martin's old 
 hereditary nest — are all ideas familiar to me : starting to 
 life and whispering of the past. 
 
 ' I believe I did not tell you why Mrs. Gilpin's recol- 
 lection and mine presented Scaleby Castle to us in such 
 different colors. It was equally familiar to us both in 
 our youth. But I knew it chiefly in its cheerful days. 
 She was a witness of its distressed state, when an uncle 
 of ours, the possessor of it, through mere imprudence 
 ( cause enough, you will say) but without any vicious 
 propensity, became an unhappy, embarrassed man, and 
 was obliged to sell it. 
 
 ' I cannot conclude my letter without saying I think 
 the artist who has adorned your volume is a very con- 
 siderable master both of picturesque composition and 
 expression. 
 
 ' Mrs. Gilpin desires me to add her best respects to 
 those of, dear sir, 
 
 ' Your most obedient and obliged humble servant, 
 
 'Will. Gilpin.' 
 
 One criticism on the poem which gave Eogers unfail- 
 ing amusement appeared in the 'English Review,' in the 
 notice of the fifth edition. The writer quotes the lines 
 describing the Gypsy, beginning 'Down by yon hazel 
 copse at evening blazed,' with the approving statement 
 that ' Cowper's Gypsy is not portrayed in livelier colors.' 
 He then marks the alliterations in the passage, and adds : 
 ' We have no objection to alliteration, but this writer is 
 too fond of it.' In a note on this subject of alliteration 
 
QUOTABLE LINES IN HIS POEMS. 207 
 
 the reviewer says : * The second part opens with these 
 lines, — 
 
 " Sweet Memory, wafted by thy gentle gale 
 Oft up the (ide of dme I iurn my sail." 
 
 Allured by the alliteration we are almost tempted to tarn 
 our ^il.' 
 
 The extracts I have given from the poem in the notes 
 to Dr. Parr's letter will sufficiently exhibit its character 
 to readers who may as yet be unfamiliar with it. Mr. 
 Hay ward, one of the most genial and generous of Rogers's 
 later critics, thinks there is no reason for surprise at its 
 immediate success. It struck, he says, into the happy 
 medium between the precise and conventional style and 
 the free and natural one. Rogers's only formidable 
 competitor was Cowper. Crabbe's fame was then limited, 
 Darwin never had much, and Burns was little known. 
 Mr. Hayward points out with great force the absence 
 from the poem of any passages which cling to the 
 memory, which haunt and startle and waylay. Although 
 it has long taken its place as an English classic, he says, 
 none of its mellifluous verses or polished images are 
 freshly remembered like the 'coming events cast their 
 shadows before ' of Campbell, or Scott's ' Oh, woman, in 
 our hours of ease!' or Moore's 'Oh, ever thus from 
 childhood's hour ! ' or Byron's ' He who hath bent him 
 o'er the dead,' or Wordsworth's — 
 
 ' . . . creature not too bright or good 
 For human nature's daily food.' 
 
 In spite, however, of this shrewd and just criticism, I 
 must point out that there are many expressions borrowed 
 from Rogers's ' Pleasures of Memory ' which have passed 
 into literature, though their original source may be 
 forgotten. The 'treasured tales of legendary lore,' the 
 ' dreams of innocent repose,' the admirable line — 
 
 ' And the heart promised what the fancy drew ; ' 
 
208 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL KOGEKS. 
 
 and the further line — 
 
 ' And breathe the soul of inspiration round ; ' 
 
 are illustrations from the first page or two of expressions 
 which have passed into common use. The lines — 151 to 
 156 — which commemorate the virtues of Dr. Price and 
 other of Kogers's early teachers have a familiar sound 
 to readers who know not whence they come : — 
 
 ' Guides of my life I Instructors of my youth 1 
 Who first unveiled the hallowed form of Truth 1 
 Whose every word enlightened and endeared ; 
 In age beloved, in poverty revered ; 
 In Friendship's silent register ye live, 
 Nor ask the vain memorial Art can give.' 
 
 Mr. Hayward says that in the passage beginning, — 
 
 ' So Scotia's Queen, as slowly dawned the day, 
 Rose on her couch and gazed her soul away ' — 
 
 Rogers has never been excelled in the art of blending 
 fancy and feeling with historic incident and philosophi- 
 cal reflection. Mackintosh thought the closing lines of 
 ' The Pleasures of Memory ' equal to those of ' The Dun- 
 ciad,' which Mr. Hayward says is like comparing Virgil's 
 ' Apostrophe to Marcellus ' with Homer's ' Battle of the 
 Gods.' He Quotes the lines : — 
 
 ' Ah I who can tell the triumphs of the mind 
 By truth illumined, and by taste refined ? 
 When age has quenched the eye, and closed the ear. 
 Still nerved for action in her native sphere, 
 Oft will she rise — with searching glance pursue 
 Some long-loved image vanished from her view ; 
 Dart thro' the deep recesses of the Past, 
 O'er dusky forms in chains of slumber cast ; 
 With giant-grasp fling back the folds of night, 
 And snatch the faithless fugitive to light. 
 
POPULARITY OF HIS POEMS. 209 
 
 So through the grove the impatient mother flies, 
 Each sunless glade, each secret pathway tries ; 
 Till the thin leaves the truant boy disclose, 
 Long on the wood-moss stretched in sweet repose.' 
 
 He aska why verses like these have failed to lay fast 
 and durable hold of the public imagination, and thinks 
 the answer is that the linked sweetness is too long and 
 elaborately drawn out, and that the very symmetry and 
 artistic finish of a production may militate against its 
 general popularity. But this criticism begs the question. 
 Mr. Hayward did not know how largely ' The Pleasures 
 of Memory ' was circulated in the generation to which it 
 was first addressed. It did attain general popularity. 
 It is now a classic ; and classics are almost always for 
 the few. Eogers's poems are poems of taste and culture. 
 They are adapted rather to smooth the raven down of 
 darkness till it smiles, than to stir the blood and nerve 
 the arm and set the soul on fire. Madame d'Arblay acci- 
 dentally uses the fit expression with respect to 'The 
 Pleasures of Memory ' when she describes it as ' that 
 most sweet poem.' It rendered literature, as Mr. Hay- 
 ward says, an ' invaluable service by its purity of 
 language and chasteness of tone — which immediately 
 became the objects of improving imitation and elevating 
 rivalry.' 
 
 14 
 
CHAPTEE VIIL 
 
 Diary of literary visits, parties, etc. — Dinners with Parr, Cumber- 
 land. — Fox, Sheridan, and Pamela, at Stone's. — E. Sharp.— 
 Summer Journey to New Forest, etc. — Gilpin. — Meetings of 
 Club. — Cooper, Priestley, Tuffin, Stothard, Franklin, etc. — Eu- 
 melean Club, — Arthur Murphy. — His stories of Foote and 
 Garrick. 
 
 The success of ' The Pleasures of Memory ' gave Eogers 
 at once a high position in the literary society of the time. 
 He soon begins to be spoken of by contemporaries as 
 ' the poet Kogers,' or as ' Mr. Rogers, the admired poet.' 
 His society was sought ; and wherever he went he was 
 pointed out as the author of the poem everybody was 
 reading. This was just the kind of fame for which he 
 longed. He had found the direction in which his strength 
 lay. It was not in the noise and hurry of dithyrambic 
 odes, but in smooth and polished versification; not in 
 bursts of passion or in great flights of bold imagination, 
 but in graceful elegance of movement and restrained 
 feeling, that he was able to excel his contemporaries. 
 The time, moreover, was singularly fortunate. The most 
 barren era of English poetry was just drawing to its 
 close. The laureateship which Spenser had adorned in 
 the sixteenth century, and Ben Jonson and Dryden in 
 the seventeenth, had fallen in the eighteenth to CoUey 
 Cibber and William "Whitehead and Henry James Pye, 
 and through the whole century never rose above the 
 level of Pye's immediate predecessor, the Rev. Thomas 
 Warton, who had just succeeded to Whitehead when 
 Eogers's first poem came out. It was true that Gray 
 had declined it in 1757 and Mason in 1785 ; as Eogers 
 
THE BUSINESS MAN AND THE POET. 211 
 
 himself was destined to do in 1850. But Gray had 
 been in his grave in Stoke Poges churchyard for more 
 than twenty years, and Mason was chiefly known as 
 his biographer, when * The Pleasures of Memory ' ap- 
 peared. Cowper — who divides with Rogers the true 
 poetical chieftainship of the times, but whose popularity 
 was never as great among the cultivated classes as that 
 of Rogers — was out of society, cowering in the gloom of 
 religious melancholy. It is only possible to understand 
 the high position which the success of this comparatively 
 short poem gave to Rogers when we recollect that he 
 was educated in the eighteenth century, but in the midst 
 of the men by whom and the influences by which the 
 nineteenth century was moulded ; and that he wrote the 
 poem by which he was best known in later times before 
 the Lake School had risen, or Scott had been heard of, 
 or Tennyson was born. 
 
 It is quite possible that the title of the poem — ' The 
 Pleasures of Memory' — was suggested by Akenside's 
 'Pleasures of Imagination; ' and it is quite certain that 
 the success of Rogers's poem suggested to Campbell his 
 'Pleasures of Hope.' There were the usual inquiries 
 as to its authorship, and in those days it was a surprise 
 to be told that the new poet was a young banker in the 
 City. When Lord Eldon, then Sir John Scott, was told 
 of it, he exclaimed : ' If Old Gozzy [head of the firm of 
 Goslings, with whom he banked] even so much as says 
 a good thing, let alone writing, I will close my account 
 with him the next morning.' Neither the partners nor 
 the customers of the firm of which Rogers was the 
 youngest member had this feeling. His father's letters 
 are full of matters of business, all of which he seems to 
 have intrusted to his poetic son without the least fear 
 that his pursuit of poetry, as the happy occupation of his 
 well-earned leisure, would in any way interfere with his 
 application to business. The best business man is per- 
 
212 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 haps the one who thinks least about it, and gets farthest 
 away from it when business is over. 
 
 In these early days of his fame he kept a diary of 
 his occasional visits to literary people and conversations 
 with them. The habit was unfortunately not continued 
 long; but as in the records of his Edinburgh visit, 
 and his conversation at Miss Williams's, so in the diary 
 for 1792 and 1793 we catch glimpses of interesting and 
 sometimes of eminent persons. 
 
 '1792. — Paid two visits at Streatham this winter. 
 Walked back to London the first time with Lysons, who 
 said Lord Orford, would never go to Houghton, as it 
 would remind him of the sale of the pictures. The last 
 time saw Miss Harriet Lee and Mr. Ray, a very sensible 
 and engaging man. Danced a blind minuet with Cecilia, 
 and footed another with her mother. Mrs. Piozzi read 
 me an opera called "The Fountains" in blank verse in- 
 terspersed with songs. Scene Dovedale. It contained 
 some touching sentiments, particularly a line in a 
 woman's mouth — 
 
 " For independent only means forlorn." 
 
 ' In January dined at Billy's with Parr, Cumberland, 
 Hoole, Eeed, Priestley, etc. 
 
 ' Parr : " 1 have written a Latin epitaph for Johnson,, 
 and the knowing ones will be taken in. They expect 
 it to be pompous, as it is written for Pompqso, and by 
 Pomposo the Second." He mentioned tangere as un- 
 classically used in Goldsmith's epitaph, and thundered 
 against the round-robin addressed to Johnson to per- 
 suade him to write it in English. He was shocked to see 
 Tom Warton's name in so Gothic a business. Speaking 
 of a lie against Watson's charge: "It was begot by 
 Prejudice on Ignorance, and Malice was its godfather." 
 He spoke very contemptuously of Dr. Ash. 
 
DR. PARR IN A RAGE. 213 
 
 ' Cumberland spoke of his grandfather Bentley as 
 gentle and fond of children. He would never count 
 money, but desired it always to be placed in piles of 
 twenty guineas on the table, and he would run his hand 
 over them to feel that they were all of a height. When a 
 thief was arrested in his pantry, he (Bentley) said : " You 
 see you can't succeed in this trade ; go and try a better." 
 When remonstrated with for dismissing him, he said 
 mildly: "What more should be done with the fellow? 
 He has failed so egregiously in this instance he will never 
 think of thieving again." Just before he died, his wife 
 said : " I wish you had harassed yourself less with criti- 
 cism and controversy, and written more on other sub- 
 jects." He sat musing for a little while, and then burst 
 into tears. 
 
 ' Somebody mentioned Griffiths, editor of the " Monthly 
 Review." Cumberland said he did not envy him his 
 place, it was like the keeper of a bridewell. Cumberland 
 has often found it a House of Correction. Tweddell said 
 if he had a new comedy he should sit in the pit. "No," 
 said Cumberland, " sit in the green-room, and now and 
 then take a peep between the scenes to feel the pulse of 
 the house. If it is in good humor, well; if not — why, 
 take a walk ! " 
 
 'Parr was afterwards in a rage with Cumberland. 
 " Why did Dilly ask me to meet such a scoundrel ? He 
 shall tell me who I am to meet next time. To tell 
 Priestley that to attack him was to attack philosophy, 
 and when his back was turned to abuse him as a fire- 
 brand, an innovator, and a disturber ! Did the fellow 
 think I should forget his words ? And then to bring up 
 his Epic Poem. How could I tell it was his ? I might 
 have found fault with every line of it." * 
 
 1 William Maltby was at this party, and Dr. Parr met him a few 
 days afterwards and let off his anger at Cumberland's treatment of 
 Priestley in similar terms to those recorded by Rogers. ' Only to think 
 
214 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 'I desired Dilly afterwards to give Hoole and Cumber- 
 land my poem. Hoole wrote a civil note.* Cumberland 
 called to thank me and tell me of its faults — faults 
 which he himself had committed, and which he hoped I 
 would hear from an old writer — " too rich, and too much 
 alliteration," and "the story too obscure." He after- 
 wards sent me "Calvary." 
 
 ' At Tuffln's, in the winter, met E.omney, Home Tooke, 
 and Priestley. Eomney very animated at times. Speak- 
 ing of Pitt — "That man," said he, "has a nose turned 
 up at all mankind." Of Home Tooke he said: "His 
 brain has starved his nose." Spoke of Hayley's agitation 
 at the acting of Eudoxa. " I thought I should have sunk," 
 said he ; "I did not dare to look at him." 
 
 'The next day with Sharpe and Tuffln; saw Banks's 
 statues, called at Koraney's and saw him, and also saw 
 Townley's collection ; and dined at the Grecian. 
 
 ' In the autumn of last year Dr. Priestley, Dr. Kippis, 
 Dr. Moore, Mr. Merry, Captain Brown, Major Montfort, 
 Mr. Sharpe, and Captain Moore dined with me. When I 
 published my poem Merry wrote me a very flattering 
 letter, and I dined with him and his wife. He is Count 
 of the Holy Roman Empire, which the Abb^ Grenet 
 procured for him. It cost ten guineas, and his patent of 
 creation hangs in a frame in his parlor. He mentioned 
 Sir James Murray, who by twelve questions could get at 
 your thoughts. 
 
 ' In February, passed the evening at Stone's with Fox, 
 
 of Mr. Cumberland, that he should have presumed to talk before me, 
 before me, sir, in such terms of my friend Dr. Priestley. Pray, sir, let 
 Mr. Dilly know my opinion of Mr. Cumberland, — that his ignorance is 
 only equalled by his impertinence, and that both are exceeded by his 
 malice. ' — Mr. Dyce's Porsoniana, p. 314. 
 
 1 The note is among Rogers's letters. It is dated from 28 Pall Mall, 
 and expresses ' the great pleasure he has received from the perusal of 
 his elegant performance, which has given pleasure to all Mr. Hoole's 
 friends who have seen it.' 
 
CHARLES FOX AND PAMELA. 215 
 
 Sheridan, O'Brien, the Bishop of Autun, Madame de 
 Sillery, Pamela, — supposed to be her daughter, — Adele 
 Princess of Orleans, and Henriette, her niece. Fox said : 
 " All titles are equally ridiculous. I believe Hume wrote 
 up the Stuarts from a spirit of opposition, because it was 
 the fashion to write them down." He spoke French 
 fluently ; said his son (who is dumb) had ideas before he 
 had words, talked to him with his fingers, and when he 
 first entered the room flew to receive him with the most 
 lively pleasure. In conversation his (Fox's) countenance 
 brightens, and his voice assumes a pleasant tone. Dr. 
 Priestley said afterwards he was improved in manners 
 since he saw him at Shelburne House ten years ago, 
 when he spat on the carpet and hurt Lord Shelburne, 
 who is a man of great neatness. " Charles," said Sheri- 
 dan, " have you read Parr's letter ? " "I read it last 
 week," said Fox. " Charles," said Sheridan, " received a 
 long letter from Parr, to dissuade him from moving for 
 the repeal of the Test Act. But as he began with not 
 requiring him to answer it, Charles thought he would go 
 a step farther and not read it." 
 
 ' Madame de Sillery has an air of vivacity. She said 
 Marmontel was an aifected writer, of no taste or genius, 
 but cried up by a set of admirers in Paris. I mentioned 
 this afterwards to Blanchisserie, secretary to the Embassy, 
 an aristocrat. " Tell her," said he, " to write as well. Her 
 best works are her daughters." They are fine women. 
 He owned afterwards that he thought himself slighted 
 by her. He has bought Sir Isaac Newton's house in 
 St. Martin's Lane, and intends to ornament the front. 
 Pamela excited Sheridan's notice. (Mirabeau used to be 
 at her feet.) She has fine black eyes, and her skin is of 
 a dazzling whiteness, but Adele struck me more, having 
 more softness in look and manner. Her fine light hair 
 descended below her knees. She plays delightfully on 
 the harp. Pamela draws. Saw them afterwards at the 
 
216 EARLY LIFE GF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 exhibition. Dr. Priestley said afterwards that he had 
 often heard Marmontel read his tales at Madame de 
 [? Seran's] at Paris, where the literati met every Wednes- 
 day evening, and that his action was so violent he was 
 afraid of sitting near him. It was there also he heard 
 D'Alembert deliver his famous eloge on Voltaire. 
 
 'In March Dr. Aikin called upon me. On the 20th 
 of April dined with Paine at William Morgan's, a silent 
 man, but very strong and emphatic in his language. 
 The memory of Joshua was given as a toast. " I would 
 not treat kings like Joshua," ^ said Paine : " I 'm of the 
 Scotch parson's opinion when he prayed against Louis 
 XIV., — ' Lord, shake him over the mouth of hell, but 
 don't let him drop ! ' " He gave in his turn " The Ee- 
 public of the World," — a sublime idea. 
 
 'On the 23d dined with the Antiquarian Society. 
 Nothing occurred of moment. Sat by Lysons, and con- 
 versed with Marsh on Shakspeare. Townley, Daines 
 BarringtoD,^ and Dr. Douglas, the bishop,' were there. 
 
 ' On the 24th dined at Sharpe's with Porson, who read 
 Will Whiston's trial with some humor. On the 26th 
 with Lord Dacre at Edison's, and attended the " Friends 
 of the People " at Freemasons' Hall. On the 27th with 
 Dr. Aikin and Dr. Priestley at College dinner ; Dr. A. 
 thinks Moliere far superior to any comic writer in this 
 country. 
 
 'On the 28th of May dined with Dr. Bates and 
 Mai'sden and Major Montfort at Mr. Eaper's. Marsden 
 thinks our words derived from the Latin at second hand 
 through the French. Dr. Bates said that the fish caught 
 
 1 See Joshua, chaps, x., xi., xii. 
 
 ^ The Hon. Daines Barrington, fonrth son of the first Lord Bar- 
 rington, a lawyer and an antiquary. He died in 1800. 
 
 ' Dr. John Douglas, then in his seventy-first year. He was made 
 hishop of Carlisle in 1787, translated to Salisbury in June, 1791, and 
 died in 1807. 
 
SUTTON SHAKPE. 217 
 
 in the Italian seas were often boiled by being dropped 
 into the current of a warm spring some fathoms below 
 the surface, and mentioned a curious sacrifice to a saint 
 in Sicily. 
 
 ' In June, dined at home with the Barbaulds and Dr. 
 Bates. Dr. B. had heard a celebrated singer sing an 
 ode of Anacreon at Angelica Kauffman's at Eome. In 
 Sicily a lover must write an ode to his mistress before 
 she will listen to him. 
 
 'June 21. — Set off for Salisbury Cathedral, Stone- 
 henge, Wilton, Bryanston, Portland Quarries, Lulworth 
 Castle, Lulworth Cove, Corfe Castle, etc. ; and met Sharp 
 at Southampton.' 
 
 This is the first clear mention of Eichard Sharp. 
 The Sharpe named in the earlier portions of the diary 
 is Sutton Sharpe, of Nottingham Place, who afterwards 
 married Maria Rogers. Sutton Sharpe was then a 
 widower, living with his only daughter, Catharine Sharpe, 
 the heroic story of whose after-life I have told in another 
 volume,'' in which also Sutton Sharpe's melancholy his- 
 tory is briefly narrated. He was a man of much taste 
 and culture, and at this time of considerable wealth 
 as a brewer. He had studied drawing at the Eoyal 
 Academy, and lived on terms of intimate friendship with 
 Opie, Shee, Stothard, Maxman, Bewick, HoUoway, and 
 others. At his house Eogers made the acquaintance of 
 these eminent artists, and learned that love of art which 
 distinguished him in after-life. Boddington, Eichard 
 Sharp's partner, once remarked to Eogers in the hearing 
 of William Maltby : ' You know, Eogers, we owe all these 
 tastes to Sutton Sharpe ; ' and Eogers himself, speaking 
 to Sutton Sharpe's fourth son, the late Mr. William 
 Sharpe, said, 'William, all I know of art I learned from 
 your father.' A pencil drawing by Flaxman shows 
 
 1 Samuel Sharpe ; Egyptologist and Translator of the Bible. 
 
218 EAULY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 Sutton Sharpe to have been a person of singularly noble 
 presence, though perhaps with more taste and sensibility 
 than resolution or energy. He was an intimate friend of 
 Person, and among his frequent visitors were William 
 Maltby, Samuel Boddington, Eichard Sharp, and Home 
 Tooke. 
 
 The journey which is summarized in the last entry 
 taken from Eogers's diary, is more fully described in 
 another of his journals, and the account is worth repro- 
 ducing as a sketch of southern England in the early 
 days of the French Revolution, and before the Napoleonic 
 wars. 
 
 'June 21, 1792. — "Went in a post-coach from London 
 to Salisbury. The Cathedral is the lightest and most 
 elegant piece of Gothic extant. It is, indeed, so light as 
 to lose in some degree that grandeur which is attached 
 to magnitude. The spectator at first sight thinlcs he 
 could almost "hang it to his watch." Not that the 
 masonry is so very curiously wrought, for in rich fila- 
 gree work York Minster and the Cathedral at Amiens 
 far excel it ; but the style of its architecture is so beau- 
 tiful, and the whole is so happily put together and so 
 neatly finished, that for a moment we forget the sub- 
 lime simplicity of the Grecian school and pronounce it 
 to be perfection itself. When viewed from several parts 
 of the close, it has a very pleasing and picturesque effect 
 through the trees. 
 
 '22d. — Eode nine miles across Salisbury Plain to 
 Stonehenge. At the sixth stone, or soon afterwards, it 
 presents itself on a small elevation. As we approach it 
 it becomes an object of importance, and is indeed most 
 interesting to a contemplative mind. When we consider 
 its great antiquity and the inexplicable mystery in which 
 its story is involved — its many barbarous purposes, among 
 which was most probably the sacrifice of human beings, 
 
STONEHENGE, WILTON, RIDGWAY. 219 
 
 the sacrifice of Eomans ; the shapeless masses that com- 
 pose it, their gigantic size and rude arrangement ; and, 
 to close all, its solitary station in the desert, which unites 
 on all sides with the sky — we must acknowledge it to be 
 a very sublime and imposing piece of scenery. Proceeded 
 to Wilton. What I thought there most admirable were : 
 a Venus extracting a thorn from her foot — her half- 
 closed eyelids are strikingly expressive of acute pain ; 
 the busts of Hannibal and Brutus — the last is evidently 
 a likeness, and its lineaments are sufficient alone to tell 
 his history, the face of a man who could stab his friend 
 to save his country ; a statue of Bacchus with a cup in 
 his hand and poppies hanging from his shoulders ; and 
 a bust of Sappho which is exquisitely beautiful. The 
 " Assumption of the Virgin " by Raphael, and a Madonna 
 by Carlo Dolci (her veil colored with ultra-marine) equal 
 to any piece of that master, even to Domenichino's por- 
 trait of his mistress, or the picture of " Christ Blessing 
 the Elements " at Burleigh. Continued through an open 
 and hilly country to Dorchester. Mr. Portman's walk 
 at Bryanston, near Blandford, gave me, however, some 
 relief. It was along a very high green bank, near a 
 mile in length, in many parts perpendicular and hung 
 with noble firs and forest trees. The Stour winds below 
 it through the soft lawns of the Park, and then, skirting 
 the uplands on the opposite side, makes its exit with 
 the accompaniment of a little rock scenery. JDorchester 
 is nearly encircled with a pleasant sycamore walk. Its 
 foundations are an inexhaustible mine of Roman anti- 
 quities. I left it in the evening, and soon ascending 
 Ridgway Hill (so called from a village that shelters 
 itself under it), was agreeably surprised at its summib 
 with a beautiful view of Weymouth Bay, and the Isle of 
 Portland rising with its mountainous ridge near the 
 entrance of it. 
 
 ' 2Ath. — Went to church, and heard a rustic band of 
 
220 EAKLT LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGEES. 
 
 singers accompanied by the bassoon. In the evening 
 rode on the sands, the Corse of Weymouth ; and after- 
 wards, from tlie brow of a little eminence that overlooks 
 Weymouth, saw Portland and the windings of the coast 
 as far as Lyme to great advantage. It is an evening 
 view, and the setting sun had shed its richest hues 
 over it. 
 
 ' 27th. — Eode to TJpwey, a retired village near Eidg- 
 way, to visit a friend who had just chosen it as a retreat 
 from the bustle and glitter of Paris. It was there that 
 I saw him last, and the contrast of the present scene 
 struck me forcibly. At dinner, however, he regaled 
 me with soup houilli and an omelette ; and his parrot 
 Jacquant, his dog Azor, and an old French horse on 
 which he exercised in the Bois de Boulogne are still his 
 favorite companions. Eode with him along a noble ter- 
 race near a mile in length, and commanding the sea, and 
 the adjacent downs pastured with sheep and swelling 
 everywhere into tumuli. Within a few yards of his gar- 
 den, under a green hill and overshadowed with aged 
 trees, is the fountain-head of the river Wey. 
 
 ' 2?)th. — Passed the ruins of Sandford Castle, which 
 are situated on the edge of a cliff, and when viewed from 
 a low point make a good picture. Ferried over to Port- 
 land, ascended through several villages, crossed the 
 island, and came to a very romantic scene. The cliffs 
 were here .very lofty, and formed a small semicircular 
 recess. Towards their summits they were partly hewn 
 into quarries, the white diagonal strata of which con- 
 trasted with the gray and rugged crags interspersed 
 among them. It was a busy scene. A team of horses 
 were continually ascending and descending by an almost 
 perpendicular path, and a boat was employed in convey- 
 ing the stone to a small vessel that lay moored at the 
 entrance. Above, on the extreme verge of the precipice, 
 were the ruins of an old church and of a still older castle. 
 
LULWORTH AND COErE CASTLES. 221 
 
 '29th. — Eode to East Lul worth, through a well- 
 cultivated country, the beauties of which were blurred 
 and almost blotted out by a wet mist that overspread 
 them. Lulworth Castle is very ancient and has an air of 
 great dignity. It consists of a quadrangle, with a round 
 tower at each corner, and the gray hue of its stone finely 
 chastens the fresh green of the trees in the park around 
 it. The village church has a very handsome tower, and 
 stands just beside it. The effect of the whole is beau- 
 tiful, but some of the parts offend. A Grecian portico 
 with Ionic pillars forms a singular entrance to an old 
 castle. The balustrade that runs round it, and the Gre- 
 cian portico are modern additions, and correspond but ill 
 with the sullen grandeur of the old structure. Proceeded 
 to East Lulworth Cove, a small basin nearly encircled 
 with high cliffs, which aifords a secure asylum to 
 the little coasting vessels that frequent it, and is, in- 
 deed, a very singular and romantic scene. Proceeded 
 over hills whitened with sheep to Corfe Castle, the 
 situation of which is high and commanding. Two draw- 
 bridges and as many gateways lead to the citadel, and 
 its extensive walls give ample testimony to its ancient 
 consequence. One of its round towers is fearfully in- 
 clined from its base and overhangs a road that is already 
 strewed with tremendous fragments. A girl assured me 
 that from her infancy she had never passed it but at full 
 speed. From hence to Wimborne there is a chain of 
 black and melancholy heaths. Here and there, indeed, 
 we were relieved with a little woodland scenery, and ou 
 the left we had an almost uninterrupted view of Poole 
 Harbor stretching across the country like some mag- 
 nificent river ; the sea-gulls were flying over it, and its 
 banks were bare and desolate. Slept at Wimborne, and 
 saw the Minster, which has two square towers and is 
 very ancient. Entered the New Forest, which is at first 
 dreary and black with furze, but improves beyond Ring- 
 
222 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL KOGEES. 
 
 wood, and at Stony Cross presents some grand distances. 
 The wood increased as we approached Southampton, and 
 the deer and other forest cattle enlivened the scenery. 
 
 'In the evening rowed down to Netley Abbey. The 
 ground on which it stands is finely formed ; and ivied 
 windows and fractured arches, and the daw and the owl, 
 excited nameless sensations. A door in a dark passage 
 half-intimidated my fellow-travellers. Returned by moon- 
 light, through its old woods catching delicious views of 
 the river ; ferried over the Itchen. 
 
 ' July 1. — Sailed down the river by a fine breeze to 
 Cowes, breakfasted and proceeded in a chaise to Newport. 
 Went in another to Ashey Down,* whence we saw the 
 Channel from the mouth of the Beaulieu River to Ports- 
 mouth and along the Arundel coast. To Nunwell Down, 
 commanding Brading Haven, running up the island (now 
 at low water). Shanklin Chine and village, the first a 
 rocky romantic glen that opens to the sea and affords 
 shelter to some hanging cottages, — the last a most re- 
 tired rural spot, the ground charmingly tumbled about 
 and varied with little woods and dingles. Passed John 
 Wilkes's, and dined at Steeple. The shore is here finely 
 broken and shut in by a semicircular range of gray rocks 
 that not very boldly but very picturesquely overhang the 
 village. Returned by Sir Rd. Worsley's, and from the 
 Obelisk hill in the park commanded nearly the whole 
 island. The general face of the country was rich, varied 
 with little hills and woods and villages. 
 
 'July 2. — Had a pleasant view from a hill above 
 Newport commanding the course of the river towards the 
 sea. Walked along the banks to Hurst Stake, its bold 
 and beautiful twin. The succession of close wood and 
 high meadow, the cattle near the brink, the sails gliding 
 
 1 This part of the journey was taken in company with Richard 
 Sharp, whom he had met at Southampton. 
 
AFTON DOWN, YARMOUTH, VICAR'S HILL. 223 
 
 round the hills, the soft uplands on the opposite side, 
 and Newport church tower among the trees, — these 
 were its principal beauties. Proceeded round Carisbrook 
 Castle, which rises on an elevated bank, and has some 
 dignity; had several grand reaches of the channel, 
 crossed Afton Down and from a field near Freshwater 
 had a foreshortened view of Yarmouth Eiver ; it was 
 low water. Sailed from Yarmouth to Lymington in 
 forty minutes, the prospect of the island and the main- 
 land very amusing. Lymington falls to the river; the 
 church-window that looks down it, and the green mead- 
 ows that rise directly in front, make the perspective of 
 its street beautiful. From the Angel yard the river is 
 seen winding among the trees in the valley below, and 
 losing itself in the forest. On the opposite side of the 
 street there runs a pleasant lime-walk, commanding the 
 Isle of Wight and the Needles. The path to the baths 
 has the same view, and lies through the fields. 
 
 ' 3d. — Kode to Hordle, and had a distant view of Lord 
 Bute's. The coast here forms a grand semicircle in full 
 view of the Needles, but it is bare and desolate. 
 
 ' Ath. — Eode to Eope Hill and had a foreshortened view 
 of the river in its course through a rich valley to the sea ; 
 a fine grove of trees formed the foreground. Proceeded 
 to Mr. Morant's, and from the front of his house were 
 enchanted. Passed through Whitley Eidge woods which 
 are very fine, and crossing Heathy Dilton, returned by 
 Vicar's Hill, from which we saw a very fine and well- 
 wooded bank of Sir H. Burrard's. 
 
 ' 5th. — Passed Vicar's Hill, and soon afterwards by 
 turning a little to the right saw a beautiful lake of Sir H. 
 Burrard's, fringed with wood. Passed Doyley Park and 
 Pilewall ; not a thing worth mentioning except the neat 
 cottage of a clergyman's widow, shaded with willow-trees 
 and hung with jessamine ; and proceeded to Sooley (or 
 Sowley) Pond — that from the farthest end presents a fine 
 
224 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGEES. 
 
 reach — but here the Channel on the right, and the moun- 
 tainous ridge of the Isle of Wight softened down by dis- 
 tance, very maliciously arrested our attention. Returned 
 through Norley Wood, full of encroaching cottages and 
 now nearly felled, and descended to Boldre Bridge that 
 commands a beautiful home view of the river now re- 
 duced to a humble brook and winding among the sedges. 
 Came home by Eope Hill. 
 
 ' QtJi, — Followed the same track to Sowley Pond. 
 Passed a slitting-mill, and at Bucklershard had a most 
 magnificent view of Beaulieu Eiver sweeping boldly round 
 hanging woods, with the busy scene of a dockyard on its' 
 shore. Dined at Beaulieu ; it was high water, and the 
 lake above and below the bridge and the walk among old 
 oaks on the abbey side of the river detained us two 
 hours. Proceeded by the Fighting Cocks and through 
 the wild wood scenes ; passed over Culverley Heath, com- 
 manding a circular sweep of forest, very grand and ex- 
 tensive ; of Denny Walk, a very rich and secluded scene, 
 to the Lyndhurst road, which we entered at the sixth 
 stone, — in the grand avenue that extends to Brocken- 
 hurst. Followed the turnpike road by Eope Hill to 
 Lymington. 
 
 ' 7th. — From Lymington turnpike, turned directly 
 through a gate on the left, and after having ridden a 
 little among some woody scenes, traversed a cheerless 
 heath for many miles, leaving Wilverley Lodge, a lonely 
 and melancholy object, on the left, the Isle of Wight 
 visible on the horizon. At last from Burley Hill saw a 
 cultivated valley skirted with a chain of hanging woods. 
 Turned through a long narrow tract of shrubwood, and 
 crossing Markway bottom flat and marshy, in which the 
 cattle were well grouped near some water, ascended to 
 Ehinefield Lodge, which is seated among old oaks on 
 a circular knoll and commands noble views over the 
 wooded scenes of the forest. It is less rich and exten- 
 
ROPE HILL, LYNDHURST. 225 
 
 sive than the Burley view, less grand and simple than 
 Morant's, but formed a noble station for a forest lodge. 
 The buckhounds sallied out at our approach, and one of 
 the under-keepers led us into the Brockeuhurst road ; 
 over a heath we proceeded to that village, and there en- 
 tered the turnpike road from Lyndhurst to Lymington. 
 From Eope Hill there is a delightful mile, commanding 
 the river in the valley with Vicar's Hill, and Sir H. Bur- 
 rard's plantations on the opposite heights ; the Channel 
 and the Isle of Wight in the distance. 
 
 ' 8th. — Eode by Rope Hill and over Boldre Bridge to 
 Boldre Church, which is seated on a hill and commands 
 pleasant views round it. Gilpin read the service and 
 preached : " Commune with your own hearts." His 
 manner was familiar and unaffected ; his language sim- 
 ple and correct. " But, you say, it is now your custom to 
 swear ; you may soon make it your custom not to swear." 
 His figure apostolical, his head bald, a short man. Sev- 
 eral fine heads in the church, and the band of singers 
 full of rough harmony. Eeturned by Mr. Morant's and 
 Brockenhurst and Battramsley. 
 
 ' In the front of Mr. Morant's the lawn is skirted with 
 aged osfks, and falls with a fine swell into a wide unculti- 
 vated valley, beyond which rise the dark woods of the 
 forest, extending like a magnificent curtain to right and 
 left as far as the eye can reach. 
 
 ' July 9. — Rode by Boldre churchyard, in which are 
 two inscriptions written by the vicar. 
 
 'July 10. — Went in a chaise through a beautiful 
 country to Lyndhurst. Proceeded on horseback by Min- 
 stead, and through several woods full of lawns and 
 sudden declivities to Bramble Hill Lodge, seated on a 
 green hill, — on the brow of which a herd of deer was 
 assembled. A long ridge runs far above it which com- 
 mands Mr. Gilpin's celebrated view. The foreground 
 falls with a fine sweep, and discovers a grand extent of 
 
 15 
 
226 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 forest-wood below, with Southampton and its river, in 
 which the mouth of the Itchen was very visible, and the 
 Channel and the Isle of Wight in the distance. 
 
 •'At Lyndhurst is the King's Lodge, and here gen- 
 erally resides the Sanger. His table is often during the 
 venison season furnished with twelve haunches that are 
 served up in succession; such are the refinements of 
 luxury. In a lawn near Whitley Eidge Lodge I saw a for- 
 est girl with some lettuces in a basket. When dressed with 
 verjuice, — the fermented juice of the crab-apple, — they 
 were to furnish a dinner to a family with the humble ad- 
 dition of oat-bread. It was only on a Sunday that they 
 could indulge themselves with meat ! What a contrast ! 
 
 ' July 11. — E.ain. 
 
 '12i/i.— Eain. 
 
 ' ISth. — The waters of the river above the bridge 
 were out, and it now presented the appearance of a noble 
 lake, fringed on every side with the trees that skirt the 
 uplands. Eode by Walhampton and Vicar's Hill, and 
 returned over Boldre Bridge, where there was a ferry 
 for foot-passengers. 
 
 ' 14:th. — Eode in a chaise to Beaulieu, and proceeded 
 through Exbury woods, commanding a catch of the river 
 and Bucklershard, and a noble view of its course from 
 the sea into the forest. Its shores were wild and well- 
 wooded, and gave the idea of an unexplored and un- 
 inhabited country. Eode along the sea-shore opposite 
 the Isle of Wight and turned off to Cadlands : the lawn 
 beautiful, the garden towards the river very inferior, 
 but the situation and ground admirable. From hence to 
 Dibden, exquisitely fine. Stobland Common and Butt's 
 Ash Farm particularly delightful. At Dibden met the 
 chaise and returned by Totton along the Lyndhurst road. 
 
 ' lUh. — Eode to Boldre and heard Gilpin. " There- 
 fore, my beloved brethren, cleanse yourselves from all 
 filtliiness," etc. 
 
PORTSMOUTH, CHICHESTER. 227 
 
 '16th. — Proceeded through the forest to Southamp- 
 ton ; a sultry day, concluded with a, thunder-storm. 
 
 'nth. — Came by Botley, Titchfield, and Fareham to 
 Gosport, twenty-five miles. The country rich and well- 
 wooded, exhibiting several beautiful distances on the 
 left, and on the right once or twice a noble catch of 
 Southampton Water. Titchfield Abbey is a venerable, 
 square, castle-like mansion, with an octagon tower at 
 each corner. Its offices and gateways are in a similar 
 style, and its elevated position, when viewed from some 
 points, gives it an air of dignity. From Fareham Common 
 had a lengthened and broken view of the Channel and its 
 shipping, with the Isle of Wight beyond it. The fore- 
 ground was rich and woody, and the multitude of masts 
 that rose in some parts above the trees had a singular 
 eilect. Ferried over and walked on Portsmouth ramparts, 
 which nearly encircle the town, commanding the Isle of 
 Wight, here variegated with woods. Walked there again 
 in the evening. The green and leafy island in front, and 
 the busy vessels in the ofiing, were finely made out by 
 the evening sun. On the left, seated on the extreme edge 
 of a promontory, lay a castle, the whole of which was in 
 shadow, and the outline of its turrets and battlements 
 was distinctly marked. The general character of the 
 scene was softened, but now and then a transient gleam 
 of sunshine caught a white sail and called it out into the 
 landscape. It was the annual fair, and all was mirth 
 and mummery. 
 
 ' 18th. — Through a rich country, with woody distances 
 on the left and frequent searviews on the right, pro- 
 ceeded to Chichester. The spire is almost equal to that 
 at Salisbury in point of elegance and lightness. Passed 
 through a beautiful country, the Goodwood plantations 
 festooning the woods on the left, and village spires 
 among the trees on the right. I turned aside to Ea?t- 
 ham, a very pleasant and retired village. In the church- 
 
228 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGERS. 
 
 yard, which commands fields and woody hills, are three 
 epitaphs of Hayley's. His shrubbery runs beside it, and 
 he has a walk that looks down into a deep and woody 
 valley, glen soon afterwards, and commands the rich 
 wealds of Sussex. Eode among woods to Arundel. 
 Passed a cricket match, — the country people, in scarlet 
 cloaks and white wagoner's frocks, forming an amusing 
 line along the field in which it was played. Saw Arundel 
 Castle, the deep fosse, now a romantic glen full of trees ; 
 the round tower, a fragment mantled with a grand mass 
 of ivy ; the castle-yard, skirted on one side by the vener- 
 able gallery, etc., and on the other by the shell of the 
 chapel. In the chapel a fine head of Eubens, by himself. 
 The church ancient, with some old ivied walls behind it. 
 'Rode among woods and over downs with frequent 
 views of the sea on the right to Worthing.' 
 
 When this pleasant summer journey was taken, 'The 
 Pleasures of Memory ' was just beginning to receive that 
 public recognition which soon made its author famous. 
 He speaks of Gilpin and Hayley, but he had not yet 
 made the personal acquaintance of either of them. Gil- 
 pin was then old. He had been the guide of a whole gen- 
 eration to the picturesque scenery of their own country, 
 and Rogers had probably travelled through the New 
 Eorest with his volume in his hand. Hayley, too, was 
 then in the full enjoyment of his evanescent fame, and 
 Rogers had not yet heard through Mr. Cadell of that 
 approval which gave him so much pleasure and pride. 
 On his return to London — which was always early, in 
 order that his father might get away on his own long 
 summer holiday — he naturally found himself the object 
 of increased interest. People were talking about him, 
 and his poem was being praised in the reviews and was 
 selling fast. He did not allow himself to be much more 
 tempted into society, but continued as usual to spend 
 
DR. PRIESTLEY'S OPINIONS. 229 
 
 his days in the city, and his evenings chiefly in his Stoke 
 Newington home. He was already contemplating his 
 next poem, or at least laying up the material for it. A 
 few pages of his diary record his social experiences 
 during the next eighteen months. 
 
 'August 11. — Eode to Sevenoaks with Sharp and 
 Cooper ; saw Knole and worshipped a statue of Demos- 
 thenes. West told Sharp: "I never showed a young 
 artist a picture he liked, but he asked me where I bought 
 my colors ; and Sir Joshua said a picture never pleased 
 him till after he had labored at it again and again." 
 
 ' August 13. — Dined at Tuffin's with Cooper, Tooke, 
 Dr. Priestley, Dr. Crawford, etc. Politics. Whether man 
 has any natural right to property, and a free government 
 is friendly to the Arts ; decided in the aflrmative. 
 
 ' August 15. — Dr. Priestley, Dr. Aikin, Cooper, Fell, 
 etc., dined at the Green. Dr. Priestley said De Luc, 
 when in London, said he knew it better than Priestley 
 (though Priestley lived there) and he would be his guide. 
 " He took me,'' said Priestley, " to the Old Bailey, the 
 only time I was ever there, and bade me observe the 
 criminals at the bar. 'Did you ever,' said he, 'meet 
 elsewhere with the same lines of character ? An English 
 blackguard is not to be found out of England : insolent 
 and brutal — with a trait of generosity. I was once 
 walking in the street with Mr. Howard, when a baker 
 dropped some pies and he damned their souls to eter- 
 nity ! ' " Mentioned a singular escape he had in his 
 laboratory at Warrington, and another he experienced 
 that very mcning. The American Indians must be ex- 
 terminated; cannot be civilized. America not peopled 
 a thousand years ago. Man created long after other 
 animals, — few human bones in a fossil state; many 
 animal bones. Coal is vegetable in a decayed state, and 
 must be exhausted in time. Cooper said America was 
 
230 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 not in being a thousand years ago. Aikin and Priestley- 
 said it must have been. Cooper replied that an island 
 might be raised in a night with a mountain on it. 
 Priestley : " But not with the Andes on it ! " Cooper 
 said: "Those are European experiments — America 
 works on a grander scale." 
 
 ' Novernher 6. — Pirst meeting of the Club. Argument 
 between Aikin and Sharpe on the principles of Beauty. 
 A. maintained that the Greeks were inferior in their 
 combinations to nature. S. said that statuary could 
 soar above her by selecting and proportioning her best 
 features. 
 
 ' November 13. — Dined at Sharpe's and met Bodding- 
 tou and Stothard. Stothard said : " If the Pantheon were 
 in London I think I should be a happier man. I often 
 take an evening walk in the park in summer to observe 
 the figures, and at a distance they portion themselves 
 into those bold simple forms that were the delight of the 
 Grecian artists." 
 
 ' November 19. — Drank tea at Dr. Garshore's. Pres- 
 ent : Dr. Gillies, Dr. Bates, Mr. Planta, Dr. Kippis, Mr. 
 Parsons, Major Eennell, Mr. Marsden, etc. Talked poli- 
 tics with Gillies, who said he should publish Aristotle's 
 political works with a commentary. 
 
 ' November 24. — Dined at W. Vaughan's, with Priest- 
 ley, B. Vaughan, Aikin, Christie, etc. A. gave a good 
 motto for a Peerage Book, — 
 
 " The air hath bubbles as the water hath, 
 And these are of them." 
 
 '27th. — Second meeting of Club. Dispute respecting 
 Capital Punishments. The objects of punishment are to 
 deter by example, to reform the offender, and contrive 
 that he should make reparation to society for the injury 
 he has done her. The last two cannot be attained by 
 capital punishments. 
 
AT THE CLUBS. 231 
 
 '"A case occurs," says Sharp, "in which the first — 
 and most important — cannot be accomplished without 
 them : A soldier runs away ; the influence of fear in that 
 man is irresistible — it overcomes the sense of shame. 
 As you cannot restrain it you must make it subservient 
 to your own purposes. He flies to escape the chance of 
 dying : make certainty of death the consequence of his 
 flight." 
 
 'December 2. — Rode to Streatham and slept there. 
 Present : Mr. and Mrs. Broadhead. 
 
 '7th. — Dined at the Athenaeum Club. Introduced by 
 Sharp. Present : Murphy, Carr, Ogle, Blake, Parsons, 
 etc. Murphy very rancorous on politics. Said the 
 old English writers had great strength, such as Hooker,, 
 etc. — but they all wrote according to the Latin Syntax. 
 Then came a new set — Temple, Dryden, etc. — who 
 were grounded on the English Syntax. Dr. Johnson 
 returned to the Latin, and so did the Scotch except 
 Robertson. Spoke with enthusiasm of Garrick. " Were 
 he to act to-night none of you would have been here ! " 
 said he. " He had his faults as a man, but on the stage 
 he was a demigod. Prior and Swift would have made 
 a Fontaine between them. Swift approached near to 
 him." 
 
 '18th. — ThixA night of the Club. Was at Paine's 
 trial, and heard Erskine. 
 
 ' 19th. — Saw Stothard at Sharpe's, who said Dr. Bates 
 had tried to purchase the Temple at Tivoli and trans- 
 port it to England. 
 
 ' 29th. — At Parndon met James Martin and Jackson 
 Barwis. Mrs. Martin had met and conversed with 
 Mrs. Armstead (Eox's chere amie, and originally Mrs. 
 Abbington's maid) unknowingly at Hastings's trial, and 
 thought her a charming woman. Said that Boehm, 
 the traveller, once left his hat as a pledge at a barrier in 
 Sweden in consequence of a wrangle about a fee, and 
 
232 EAELY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 that he walked without a hat through the country, re- 
 solving not to purchase another where he had been so 
 imposed upon. 
 
 . 1793, ' January 14. — Dined at McMurdo's, with 
 Hinkley and Dr. Priestley. The dialogue turned on 
 distressing situations. Dr. Priestley remarked that Dr. 
 Franklin said of Dibbs : " If that man is not damned, 
 the devil 's kept for nothing ! " 
 
 ' January 15. — Mr. Eaper dined at Newington Green. 
 Said that the Jesuits at Macao, when they took their 
 siesta after dinner, held an ivory ball in their hands and 
 a brass basin between their feet; that the instant the 
 ball dropped the noise wakened them, that they then 
 knew they had slept, and held one wink of sleep to be 
 sufficient refreshment ; that when a European visited a 
 great man at Canton he often walked in in his waistcoat— 
 a servant carrying behind him his coat, hat, and sword ; 
 and that was considered a visit of ceremony. 
 
 'February!. — Went to the Club and met Priestley, 
 Cooper, etc. Cooper, speaking of Louis's execution, said 
 he died well enough. 
 
 'February 9; Sunday. — Went with Sharp, Cooper, 
 Tuffln, and Weston to Stothard's, and afterwards to 
 Eomney's. Saw him and 'his statues and pictures; a 
 warm democrat, and his gallery full of beauty, — Mrs. 
 Tickell, Lady E. Eitzgerald, Mrs. Siddons, Lady Hamil- 
 ton, etc. Afterwards walked to the Park and saw the 
 line of carriages. Sharpe told Lady Hamilton's hibtory — 
 Joseph Boydell's cook, afterwards Greville's mistress — 
 the masquerade scene: "What's the matter, Greville ? 
 Not well ? I know what it is ; " threw the dress on the 
 fire ; her vow to Sir William not to be his wife till he had 
 educated her. Dined at the Grecian : Politics, the arts, 
 travelling, picturesque beauty, etc. 
 
 ' . . . Dined at Sharpe's. Dr. Aikin said that when 
 a Hungarian officer came to London with a letter of 
 
PRIESTLEY AND FRANKLIN. 233 
 
 recommendation to Mr. Howard, Howard walked the 
 streets with him ; and his tirst exclamation on seeing the 
 wealth and comfort around him was: "What a fine city 
 to plunder ! " 
 
 ' May 3. — Danced at Smith's ball. 
 
 ' May 6. — Was introduced by Dr. Gillies to the 
 Athenian. Present : Dr. Bancroft, Dr. Gillies, Dr. Grif- 
 fiths, Dr. Franklin's grandson, and myself. Dr. Franklin 
 used to say that when a tradesman was tired of business, 
 he left off and went into the country to retire. 
 
 'December 9. — Dr. Priestley at the Hackney Club: 
 " When I was dining at Paris, fifteen years ago, at Turgot's 
 table, M. de Chatelleux, — author of ' Travels through 
 America,' — in answer to an inquiry, said that the two 
 gentlemen opposite to me were the Bishop of Aix and 
 the Archbishop of Toulouse; 'but,' said he, 'they are no 
 more believers than you or I.' * I assured him I was a 
 believer, but he would not believe me ; and Le Roi, the 
 philosopher, told me that I was the only man of sense he 
 knew that was a Christian. A young man of family called 
 upon me and said, with tears of joy in his eyes, that he 
 heard I was a believer. ' Yes,' said I ; ' but I am a great 
 heretic, not such a believer as you.' ' Still,' said he, ' you 
 are a believer.' " 
 
 'Dr. Franklin's receipt for a verdict in your favor: 
 " Have reason on your side, procure an eloquent attorney 
 to state it, an impartial judge to try it ; and then, if you 
 have great luck, you may gain your cause." Franklin 
 said a man once came into the country where he lived 
 who asked : " What ! do you bury lawyers ? We place 
 them in an arm-chair at the top of the stairs, and they are 
 always gone before morning — the devil takes them." 
 
 'A Spanish judge satisfied everybody with his sen- 
 
 1 The story is told in Mr. Dyce's ' Table Talk,' but the fact that the 
 two gentlemen were eminent ecclesiastics — the point of the stoiy — is 
 omitted. 
 
234 EARLY LIFE OP SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 tences : his son who succeeded him satisfied nobody. 
 " What did you do, father ? I read their cases with all 
 possible care." " I did no such thing. I received their 
 papers till each party was tired of sending them in. I 
 then piled them in my pair of scales, and the heaviest 
 scale had it." (Franklin.) 
 
 '"When I [Priestley] was at Bowood the last Lord 
 Lyttelton, son of the author, called on me and was sur- 
 prised to find me a believer. ' You ascribe all things to a 
 cause,' said he ; 'so far is reasonable, but what produced 
 that cause ? Why not sit down with things as we find 
 them ? ' " 
 
 'An inn in Yorkshire had this sign: On one side a 
 smart young man with this inscription — " I am going to 
 law." On the other side the young man in rags — "I 've 
 gained my cause." 
 
 'There was a sect at Philadelphia, Franklin says, 
 which believed that a violent death was a sure passport 
 to heaven, and many of them committed murder in order 
 to be hanged. One of these enthusiasts set off into the 
 fields early one morning with a determination to shoot 
 the first man he met. It proved to be a Quaker, who 
 saluted him so civilly that it disarmed him. He met 
 nobody else ; and, returning into the town, turned into 
 a billiard-room where some persons were at play. There 
 he stood for some time resting on his gun. At last one 
 of the players struck the ball into the pocket : " That was 
 a good aim,'' said his antagonist. " But this is a better," 
 said the enthusiast, as he raised his gun and shot him 
 dead. The astonishment of the company was great, as 
 you may imagine. " Poor man ! " said the enthusiast, 
 taking the dead man by the hand, "I meant you no 
 harm." He declared his motive triumphantly, and was 
 hanged. "And what steps did the Government take?" 
 I asked Dr. Franklin. " Why," said he, " the sect was 
 very small, and it was thought better to hang them up as 
 
ARTHUR MUKPHY. 235 
 
 they committed such crimes than to interfere publicly to 
 crush them." 
 
 'Dec. [no date]. — Dined at Billy's with Eeid, Pincker- 
 ton, Butler, Thomson, Boswell, Sharpe,* aud Tuffin. 
 
 ' Dec. 19. — Dined at the Eumelean. Murphy pre- 
 ferred Swift's verses on his own death to all his other 
 poems and his polite conversation. Sa,id that the theatres 
 charged an author one hundred and forty guineas for the 
 expenses of his night, and he was never charged in Gar- 
 rick's time (when there were actors) more than seventy. 
 Said Johnson recited well, and would often at night 
 leave the house at Streatham, and, seating himself on 
 one of the garden seats and turning it on its pivot from 
 the storm, would roar and bellow Latin hexameters and 
 English heroics for the hour together ; that he would do 
 the same at Brighton in one of the machines, and could 
 be heard at Thrale's on the cliff. Said the "Confed- 
 eracy " was translated from a dull French play ; that he 
 and Tooke one summer evening, after they had dined 
 together, walked along Oxford Street, and ordering a pot 
 of porter at a small alehouse they sat down on the bench 
 before the door. " This is the grandeur of human life. 
 Those scoundrels in their carriages have no taste for 
 happiness." Wrote Johnson's " Life " at the '•' Dog " ale- 
 house, near Richmond Bridge, where I kept close for a 
 month, and hardly ever put on my shoes.' 
 
 Arthur Murphy, the biographer of Fielding and Gar- 
 rick, the friend and first biographer of Johnson, — to 
 whose 'talents, literature, and gentleman-lik'^ manners' 
 Boswell bears witness, — formed with Rogers, as he had 
 previously done with Johnson, a friendship which was 
 never broken. Rogers had first met him at the house of 
 the Piozzis. Murphy was then in poverty. He had spent 
 the wealth his popular plays — such as the ' Upholster- 
 
 1 Sharpe is, in all cases, Sutton Sharpe ; Shai-p is Richard Sharp. 
 
236 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 ers,' 'All in the Wrong,' the 'Grecian Daughter,' and 
 'Know your own Mind' — had brought him, and was 
 living by miscellaneous literary work. He was in debt 
 everywhere. Like Cumberland and others he soon began 
 to borrow money of Rogers, for which Rogers got noth- 
 ing but dishonored bills. He had once lent him two 
 hundred pounds ; and asking Murphy when he meant to 
 repay him, Murphy went back with him to his chambers 
 in the Temple and used all his persuasive arts to induce 
 Rogers to lend him more. At a later time he assigned 
 the stock and copyrights of his works as security for a 
 loan, when they had been already sold to the bookseller. 
 But he had no desire to deceive, and made so humble an 
 apology that he was easily forgiven. In 1803 a pension 
 was given him, and he died in 1806, at the age of seventy- 
 eight. Rogers always spoke kindly of him, repeated his 
 7iiot that the theatres were a fourth estate of the realm ; 
 and told to his credit that when an actress with whom he 
 had lived left him her money, he gave it all up to her 
 relations. 
 
 A few further scraps of Murphy's conversation are 
 recorded by Rogers in his Commonplace Book : — 
 
 ' " I should like to use that story of yours, Sheridan," 
 said Lord Lauderdale. " Would you ? " said Sheridan. 
 " Then I must be on my guard in future, for a joke in 
 your hands is no laughing matter." Murphy considers 
 Cowley as Addison's model. Thinks "Boadicea," by 
 Glover, is, in point of style, the best tragedy since 
 Shakspeare. It has a bad fifth act. The opening of 
 the "Alchemist" is a model of dramatic writing for 
 effect, though never followed. Close your acts well, and 
 have a good fifth act, and your play must succeed. Also, 
 always give a counter turn, a surprise in the fifth, so 
 that nobody shall foresee the conclusion. Was first 
 struck by Dryden's criticisms on the " Silent Woman " 
 
FOOTE, ACTOR AND DRAMATIST. 237 
 
 in his preface to his plays, and afterwards read it care- 
 fully with the play. Had not then thought of the stage. 
 Afterwards read Eicciboni on Moliere, D'Alembevt's 
 " Life of Des Touches," etc. Used to compose walking 
 about Bagnigge Wells and New River Head, and then 
 call in at an alehouse to write down a thought. Used to 
 «make three or four chairs pass for his people on the 
 stage, and would say " that chair has continued too long 
 silent." Kept a memorandum book for good things. 
 When French died without leaving him anything he 
 said to himself : " I have got by him, however," — 
 having put him into "Sir Bashful Constant" and the 
 " Citizen." 
 
 ' Murphy had two inscriptions on the collar of his 
 dog: — 
 
 " My name is Prince, of honest fame : 
 Let other Prinues say the same." 
 
 " My name is Prince, from vice and debts I 'm free ; 
 I want no Parliament to pay for me." 
 
 ' " Am T not in Heaven ? " said a girl at High Mass. 
 "No, my dear," said Murphy, "there are not so many 
 bishops in Heaven." ' 
 
 Murphy was full of stories of Foote, some of which 
 Rogers has written down in his early memorandum 
 book : — 
 
 ' " Great as Foote was on the stage," said Murphy, 
 " he was greater in the green-room, and there I loved 
 to attend him. One night when I was there the last 
 Duke of Cumberland hurried in, saying : ' I come every 
 night to swallow all your good things.' ' Do you ? ' said 
 Foote ; ' you must have a damned good digestion, for you 
 never bring them up again.' " 
 
 ' In his cause before Lord Mansfield, when Lord 
 Mansfield, who had continued firm on his side through- 
 
238 EAKLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 out, was at last brought over to his opponent : " Damn 
 the trial," says he to Murphy, " what a crane-necked turn 
 it has taken ! It has been tried twenty times at Caen 
 Wood, and gained the verdict in my favor." 
 
 ' When Foote proposed a venison feast at the " Crown 
 and Anchor" to Murphy and Garrick, Dr. Schonberg 
 and two other lawyers were engaged to it. None came ^ 
 but Foote, Murphy, and Garrick. The bill came to three 
 guineas a head, and Foote wrote to the absentees for 
 their shares. When Foote paid his, the waiter said: 
 " This is a bad shilling, sir." " Is it ? " replied Foote, 
 " look at it, Davy." Garrick, who was half-tipsy, said it 
 was and threw it away. " Do you change it for him," 
 said Foote, " you can make it go as far as anybody ! " 
 
 ' When a collection for the poor players was proposed, 
 all but Garrick attended the meeting. •' He did set out," 
 says Foote, " but as he turned the corner of the Adelphi 
 he met the ghost of a shilling." 
 
 ' When L , who had been sentenced to the pillory, 
 
 saw Foote in the pump-room at Bath, whither he had 
 been ordered for the jaundice, " Your looks mend," says 
 
 L . "Yes," says Foote, "I am washing the eggs 
 
 from my face." 
 
 ' Murphy said : " I meant Foote in my character of 
 Dashwold, where I have used his bon-mot to the Duke 
 of Cumberland." 
 
 ' Murphy met Costello at Lord Camden's. " My wife 
 and I," said Costello, "quarrelled, and we agreed to 
 divide. I said to her — 'I will take one side of the 
 house and you the other.' I took the inside and she 
 took the outside." ' 
 
CHAPTEE IX. 
 
 Death of Rogers's Father. — Eichard Sharp. — Rogers deciding on a 
 West-end life. — R. Cumberland, R. Merry, T. Cooper. — Priest- 
 ley's exile. — Home Tooke's Trial. — William Stone's Trial. — 
 Mrs. Siildons and her Epilogue. — Dr. Moore. — Early Corre- 
 spondence with Richard Sharp. — Rogers's Commonplace Book. — 
 Dr. Johnson and Dr. Priestley. — 'My Club.' — Rogers and 
 Polwhele. 
 
 The turning-point in Kogers's life had now come. At 
 the beginning of his thirtieth year he had found himself 
 recognized as a popular poet, and had begun to enjoy 
 the kind of fame for which he longed. But no thought 
 of the social celebrity he was afterwards to attain had 
 as yet come into his mind. He was still the junior part- 
 ner in the bank, and day by day was occupied with its 
 business. He was on the unpopular side both in politics 
 and in religion, and his prospects of wealth were remote. 
 * While his father lived,' says Samuel Sharpe, ' Mr. Rog- 
 ers's friends had been as much chosen for their politics 
 as for their literature,' and in the diary quoted in the 
 previous chapter we find him frequently in the company 
 of some of the chief Liberal politicians of that exciting 
 and agitated time. The house at Stoke Newington 
 was one in which Liberal politicians and Liberal divines 
 — Whigs, latitudinarians, and Unitarians — found them- 
 selves at home. The elder Rogers was, in words which 
 came into use at a later day, 'a Whig and something 
 more.' Among the signatures to the celebrated Declara- 
 tion of the ' Society instituted for the purpose of obtain- 
 ing a Parliamentary Reform ' under the title of ' Friends 
 
240 EARLY LITE OF SAMUEL EOGERS. 
 
 of the People,' that of Thomas Eogers comes imme- 
 diately before that of the Hou. Thomas Erskine, M.P., 
 and Samuel Rogers directly follows on the Eight Hon. 
 Lord John Russell, M.P. The names of John Towgood, 
 who had married Samuel Eogers's eldest sister Martha, 
 and of his friends Dr. Kippis and Richard Sharp, also 
 appear with those of Grey and Larabton and Sheridan 
 and Mackintosh and Whitbread, among the hundred 
 which constitute this illustrious catalogue. Dr. Priestley 
 had come to London in the autumn of 1791; and the 
 elder Rogers first, and his son afterwards, opened the 
 house at Newington Green to the persecuted philosopher 
 and divine. Thomas Rogers in one of his last letters to 
 his son expresses constant sympathy with the French, 
 but writing on the 13th of September, 1792, about the sub- 
 scription for France which Home Tooke and his friends 
 were getting up, he reasons conclusively against it, and 
 tells his son : ' I would wish you not to have anything 
 to do with it. It is of a piece with the rest of Home 
 Tooke's politics, which are more of the bravado than the 
 man of true wisdom.' This is not the criticism of an 
 opponent, but of a friend. It need not be taken to indi- 
 cate any difference between father and son. In politics, 
 as in religion and business, there seems to have been to 
 the last the fullest confidence and sympathy between 
 Thomas Rogers and his son Samuel. The beginning 
 of the year 1793, to which part of the diary given in 
 the previous chapter belongs, found Samuel Rogers still 
 living at Stoke Newington with his father, sisters, and 
 younger brother, without any thought of change or any 
 desire for it on his part or theirs. 
 
 This state of things might to all appearance have 
 lasted many years longer, and had it done so the world 
 might never have known Samuel Rogers as the munifi- 
 cent patron of art and literature he afterwards became. 
 But in the spring of 1793 his father was seized with a 
 
DEATH OF HIS FATHER. 241 
 
 fatal illness, and died on the 1st of June. Thomas 
 Kogers had not been a strong man, but his death in his 
 fifty-eighth year was premature. There are no references 
 to it in his son's diaries," nor in the family letters. It 
 .was the custom of the family to be silent on such events. 
 There are, however, in the poems two stanzas headed 
 ' Written in a Sick Chamber,' and dated 1793, which 
 give the only account of his illness. 
 
 ' There in that bed so closely curtained round, 
 Worn to a shade, and wan with slow decay, 
 A father sleeps. Oh, hushed be every sound, 
 Soft may we breathe the midnight hours away 1 
 
 He stirs — yet still he sleeps. May heavenly dreams 
 Long o'er his smooth and settled pillow rise — 
 Nor fly, till morning through the shutter streams. 
 And on the hearth the gUmmering rushUght dies 1 ' 
 
 It is a remarkable testimony to Samuel Rogers's 
 business faculty that so excellent a man of business as 
 his father should have left him his own share in the bank 
 and his estates. Thomas Eogers's will practically dis- 
 inherited his eldest son Daniel in favor of his third son 
 Samuel, who thus became head of the banking firm, and 
 practically head of the family. He now found himself 
 in possession of about five thousand a year, partly derived 
 from estates and investments, but chiefly from the bank 
 in Freeman's Court. This was a considerable fortune in 
 1793, and gave Eogers the opportunity which probably 
 woke the desire to live in the society of London. He 
 soon felt that its possession set him free to follow the 
 career to which — as he was not long in discovering — his 
 inclination, his social talents, and his ambition led him. 
 He had formed no definite plan. He probably found 
 that the residence at Stoke Newington was a hindrance 
 to the cultivation of the literary society in which he 
 delighted, and therefore, without breaking away from the 
 
 16 
 
242 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUKL ROGEKS. 
 
 old home on the Green, he took chambers in Paper Build- 
 ings. The rooms had been previously occupied by Lord 
 Ellenborough, and the range of buildings in which they 
 stood has since been pulled down and a new one erected 
 on the site. Kogers lived in these chambers between- 
 six and seven years. During this period he became inti- 
 mate with many well-known persons, and particularly 
 with four men, of different types of character, who prob- 
 ably exerted the greatest influence on his life. These 
 were Fox, Sheridan, Tooke, and Eichard Sharp. Eogers 
 not only belonged to Fox's school in politics, but was a 
 devoted admirer of the great Whig statesman and orator. 
 His ' Recollections ' of Fox are among the most interest- 
 ing and valuable of the treasures his tenacious memory 
 has allowed him to preserve from oblivion and to hand 
 down to posterity. His intimate association with the 
 Whig leaders for the first fifty years of this century 
 was begun by his acquaintance with Fox, if it may not 
 be said to have arisen out of it. With Sheridan his 
 connection was of another kind. The great orator and 
 dramatist became the recipient of much assistance from 
 the poet, who stood by him to the last when the great 
 world had left him to die in poverty and neglect. Eich- 
 ard Sharp was destined to become Eogers's closest and 
 most intimate friend. He had much to do in making 
 Rogers's life what it afterwards became, and had more 
 influence on his poetry, as well as on his character, than 
 any other of the friends of his maturer years. This 
 admirable and popular person was already widely known 
 among men of letters for that critical force which made 
 Mackintosh call him the best critic he knew, and for 
 those remarkable conversational powers to which he 
 afterwards owed his chief authority and fame. He was 
 born in Newfoundland in 1759, and was therefore about 
 four years older than Rogers. He had written in 1784 a 
 very able essay on English style as a preface to a gram- 
 
FRIENDSHIP WITH RICHARD SHARP. 243 
 
 mar published by his old schoolmaster, the Rev. John 
 Tell. He had been the intimate friend of Henderson, the 
 actor, and at his request had gone in 1785 — the year in 
 which Henderson died — to see the new ' Hamlet,' whose 
 provincial fame had preceded him to London. In 1787 
 he read an admirable paper before the Manchester Soci- 
 ety, ' On the Nature and Utility of Eloquence.' He was 
 a strong advocate of a simple style as opposed to the 
 prevalent Johnsonian pedantry. ' Johnsonism,' he said, 
 'has become almost a general disease;' and he laughed 
 at ' Mr. B. and Dr. P. strutting about in Johnson's bulky 
 clothes, as if a couple of Liliputians had bought their 
 great-coats at a rag-fair in Brobdingnag.' He contem- 
 plated, at a later period, the writing of a history of the 
 establishment of ' American Independence,' and was en- 
 couraged to do so by his intimate friend, Mr. Adams, 
 afterwards President of the United States. He had fixed 
 on the period between 1775 and 1783, but Mr. Adams 
 assured him that those were ' by no means the most im- 
 portant nor the most interesting eight years of the Revo- 
 lution, which had in fact been effected, so far as the 
 minds of the people were concerned, in the period from 
 1761 to 1775.' The design of the history was abandoned, 
 and Mr. Sharp is only known to literature by a small 
 volume of ' Letters and Essays in Prose and Verse,' * 
 which he published towards the close of his long and 
 interesting life. 
 
 The acquaintance between Rogers and Richard Sharp 
 began in the spring of 1792. They were introduced to 
 each other by William Maltbj', and soon became close 
 friends. Rogers always said that he did not know Rich- 
 ard Sharp till after ' The Pleasures of Memory ' was pub- 
 lished, but in the July of the year in which the poem 
 
 1 This book was made the subject of a very laudatoiy article in the 
 ' Quarterly Review ' in 1834, vol. li. 
 
244 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGERS. 
 
 appeared they travelled together in the Isle of Wight. 
 Eichard Sharp's first letter to Eogers is one acknowledg- 
 ing the gift of the volume, and recommending Eogers to 
 read one of his favorite books, Usher's ' Clio.' It is the 
 letter of a comparative stranger. Eogers wrote to Maltby 
 during their stay in the Isle of Wight in praise of his 
 new friend; and Maltby, writing a letter of literary 
 gossip ^ on the 13th of July, 1792, concludes by asking to 
 be remembered to Sharp, ' who deserves everything you 
 say of him, and can never be praised too much.' This 
 was not merely the enthusiastic expression of an ad- 
 miring friend. It was a simple statement of the impres- 
 sion Eichard Sharp produced on his contemporaries. 
 Mackintosh's biographer speaks of Eichard Sharp as a 
 friend whose good opinion Sir James Mackintosh always 
 considered a suf&cient counterbalance to any amount of 
 general misrepresentation, and Mackintosh himself said 
 that he never quitted him without feeling himself better, 
 and in better humor with the world. ' I owe much to 
 your society,' says Mackintosh in a letter to Sharp in 
 January, 1804. ' Your conversation has not only pleased 
 and instructed me, but it has most materially contributed 
 to refine my taste, to multiply my innocent and indepen- 
 dent pleasures, and to make my mind more tranquil and 
 reasonable. I think you have produced more effect on 
 my character than any man with whom I have lived.' ' 
 Francis Horner, writing to Lady Mackintosh in 1806, 
 says : ' Sharp I respect and love more and more every 
 day ; he has every day new talents and new virtues to 
 show.' ' Sydney Smith, in a letter to Allen in 1809, says : 
 'Let the child learn principles from Dumont, Sharp 
 
 1 One item of the news is ' that Mr. Gibbon is coming to England, 
 and brings with him a work prepared for the press ; the subject of it is 
 not yet Isnown.' 
 
 2 Life of Sir James Mackintosh, vol. i. p. 196. 
 * Life of Francis Horner, vol. i. p. 297. 
 
FRIENDSHIP WITH RICHARD SHARP. 245 
 
 shall teach him ease and nature ; ' ' and Miss Caroline 
 Fox records in her diaiy in 1840 that John Mill spoke 
 with much interest of ' Conversation ' Sharp, and said : 
 ' It was a fine thing for me to hear him and my father 
 converse.' These testimonies to his character and genius 
 are borne out by the letters and statements of all his 
 friends, — and his friends included nearly every distin- 
 guished author, statesman, and man of society for forty 
 years. His life has not been written, but his name is 
 prominent in most of the memoirs of men who lived in 
 the first thirty-five years of the present century. It is 
 an honor to Eogers that such a man should have been his 
 fast friend till death divided them. 
 
 At the time this friendship was first formed Richard 
 Sharp was in business in the City, and the letters to 
 him bear the address of Fish-street Hill. He was al- 
 ready a figure in society, where his great conversational 
 powers and his unbounded goodness of heart made him 
 universallj' welcome. His judgment was trusted by all 
 who knew him, and in later years statesmen went to him 
 for counsel and advice. It would scarcely be too much 
 to say that he was the most popular man in London 
 society in his time. His familiar sobriquet of ' Conver- 
 sation ' Sharp indicated only his most striking faculty ; 
 but his power of sympathy, his insight, his large reading 
 and culture, more forcibly impressed themselves on his 
 friends than even his conversational powers. He soon 
 perceived the social faculty of his friend Eogers, and 
 when the death of his father left Eogers master of a 
 fortune, urged him to leave the distant suburb of Stoke 
 !N"ewington, and to establish himself in London. Eogers 
 felt the force of his friend's reasoning, enforced as it was 
 by that friend's example. There was an evident struggle 
 in his mind between the love of home and the love of 
 society, and he turned it into poetry as a poet should. 
 
 • Letters of Sydney Smith, p. 63, 
 
246 EAKLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 It was the origin of his next poem, 'An Epistle to a 
 Friend.' But while writing this, which many regard as 
 the most finished and beautiful of his productions, he 
 took up his abode more and more in London. The 
 ' Epistle to a Eriend ' was the mental protest with which 
 he yielded to the social forces which pressed him to take 
 advantage of his fame ; and he had done his six years' 
 work upon it, completed it and published it, before he 
 finally gave up Stoke Newington, and made a solitary 
 home, first in his chambers in Paper Buildings, after- 
 wards in lodgings in Prince's Stre'et, Hanover Square, 
 and finally in the well-known house in St. James's 
 Place. 
 
 Some of Eogers's literary friends had already discov- 
 ered his amiable willingness to help them by counsel, 
 or personal service, or money. There is an enthusiastic 
 letter from Richard Cumberland which, though without 
 date, may be mentioned here. It is written in the large 
 bold hand which well became Cumberland's character. 
 Eogers had given him some pecuniary assistance, and the 
 old dramatist, in writing his thanks, finds it dilficult to 
 moderate his gratitude. ' Your bounty surprised me,' he 
 says ; ' I hurried back on discovering its amount, resolved 
 for the moment to entreat you to moderate your benefac- 
 tion.' On second thoughts, however, he kept the money, 
 lest his motive in returning it should be misunderstood^ 
 and he declares his uniform and unalterable esteem 
 and love for his generous friend. The declaration was 
 no doubt sincere, and the esteem was mutual. Eogers 
 always spoke of Cumberland as a pleasant companion 
 and an excellent and entertaining talker. He was full of 
 recollections of the stage, epecially of Garrick, whose 
 ' Lear ' Cumberland regarded as the greatest piece of 
 acting he had seen. Eogers records that he linked with 
 this high praise Henderson's * Falstaff ' and Cooke's ' lago.' 
 Garrick said of Cumberland that he was a man without 
 
HIS GENEROSITY TO FRIENDS. 247 
 
 a skin. Cumberland used to repeat Garrick's advice to 
 him : ' Make your hero expected with impatience.' He 
 told the story, too, of Garrick playing the water wagtail 
 on the lawn at Hampton, to the great delight of Cum- 
 berland's children, 'as they stood round him one year 
 under another.' Another of Cumberland's remarks, put 
 on record in Eogers's Commonplace Book, was of the 
 greatest possible benefit to Sogers : ' I hope it will be put 
 on my tomb,' said Cumberland, ' " Patron of the Mesh- 
 brush." I have not caught cold since I used it.' Eogers 
 took the hint and acted on it. In his later years he 
 spoke of the use of the ilesh-brush as the art of living 
 forever, and said he had learned it from Cumberland. 
 The old playwright thus amply repaid Eogers's kind- 
 ness to him. He had led a life of immense variety 
 and adventure, but had a grievance against the Gov- 
 ernment, and became something of a sycophant in his 
 latter days. 
 
 There is a letter of this period from a friend of Eobert 
 Merry's, who, though utterly unknown to Eogers, makes 
 a pathetic appeal for help. Eogers sent him the money 
 he asked for. Eobert Merry himself seems to have 
 been under similar obligations. It is, indeed, a striking 
 feature in the correspondence between Eogers and his 
 political and literary friends of three generations that 
 his readiness to do them all kinds of service is con- 
 stantly assumed and acted upon. Criticism of manu- 
 scripts, negotiations with publishers, advice on business 
 or travel, advances of money, are forms of help constantly 
 asked and as constantly given. There are several letters 
 from Eobert Merry in the autumn of 1793 which show 
 both Eogers's helpfulness and his political associations. 
 Merry left London in September to go to Geneva with 
 his wife and Charles Pigott, — another of the men who 
 got pecuniary assistance from Eogers. At Harwich, 
 however, they heard so mucli of the diificultics and dnn- 
 
248 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 gers of travel in Holland and on the Ehine that they 
 turned back ; and Merry went to Scarborough, whence he 
 ■writes to Rogers on the 17th of October. He is as quiet 
 there, he says, as if he had gone among the Alps. He 
 has an excellent ready-furnished abode, 'looking boldly 
 and bleakly to the sea,' for little more than a guinea a 
 week, though in the summer it lets for from ten to four- 
 teen. He promises Eogers, if he will go down by the 
 Scarborough mail, ' a good bed, a good fire, and capital 
 Yorkshire stingo.' He is finishing his novel, and will 
 send it to Eogers for approval and to arrange with 
 Cadell, or any other bookseller, to bring it out. He 
 asks for all the news. ' What is the situation of Toulon, 
 Lyons, La Vendee, Mauberge, and the Duke of York's 
 army ? ' He has had but two letters since he left Lon- 
 don, and both of them had been opened, so he is to be 
 addressed under cover to somebody else. Eogers is to 
 tell nobody that he is still in England. As no answer 
 came at once he wrote again, fearing that his letter had 
 been seized in the Post Office. In a third letter on the 
 8th of December he makes a political reference written 
 for the edification of Pitt's Post Of&ee spies : ' It is with 
 much sorrow that I find those licentious and abandoned 
 regicides, the French, have been of late successful. God 
 grant that the justice of our endeavors may meet with 
 its due reward ! ' He is also ' much afflicted to discover 
 that even here a turbulent democratic spirit too much 
 prevails.' On the 12th of December he writes again, to 
 enclose a little theatrical piece for Mr. Harris, of Covent 
 Garden theatre. He conceals his name as author — ' not 
 to be exposed to Aristocratic Malice.' He further de- 
 scribes the piece as the French play of ' Fenelon,' reduced 
 to three acts. He urges Eogers to get it published if 
 Harris will not take it, but not to let the name of the 
 translator be known — 'as the name of a Eepublican 
 would damn any performance at this time.' 'If Hayley 
 
FRIENDSHIP WITH ROBERT MEREY. 249 
 
 is a furious democrat,' he asks, ' what must be the scale 
 of patriotism in this country ? ' This letter had begun in 
 Delia Cruscan style : ' If you knew the pleasure I receive 
 in reading your letters you would not be sparing of them. 
 They allure me from a boisterous sea of Politics to the 
 mild abode of Poetry and Peace. It is in solitude alone 
 we learn properly to estimate our comforts, and prove 
 how sweetly the voice of friendship breathing instruc- 
 tion and delight affects the soul. I, here, am tolerably 
 secluded from the world, and scarcely view a living crea- 
 ture except the hovering sea-gull or the lonely cormorant 
 traversing the distant waves. Yet still am I troubled by 
 the Eevolutionary Struggle ; the great object of human 
 happiness is never long removed from my sight. Oh 
 that I could sleep for two centuries like the youths of 
 Ephesus and then awake to a new order of things ! But 
 alas ! our existence must be passed amidst the storm ; 
 the fair season will be for posterity.' Ten months later, 
 on the 11th of October, 1794, he writes in London — but 
 giving his address as Post Office, Norwich — regretting 
 to have missed a talk with Eogers 'on the existing 
 circumstances which seem to me,' he says, 'to be ad- 
 vancing to some great catastrophe.' As things stood he 
 felt some inclination to go with Mrs. Merry to America, 
 asks Eogers to put him in the way how to proceed, and 
 promises to call shortly to replace a few pounds he 
 feared he had overdrawn at the bank. He and his wife 
 afterwards went to America, where he died in 1798. 
 Gifford's 'Baviad,' published in 1794, may have had 
 something to do with this resolution; but the 'aristo- 
 cratic malice ' to which he referred in the year before its 
 issue — meaning by that the disfavor and unpopularity 
 of advanced Liberal views in those days, and the personal 
 danger to those who held them — was the predisposing 
 cause of his exile. 
 
 Two letters from Priestley's friend, Thomas Cooper, 
 
250 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 further illustrate the political characteristics of the times 
 and Kogers's relation to political movements. Cooper 
 was a Manchester man who seems to have thought it 
 necessary to go where the expression of opinion was 
 freer than it was at that time in England. He had 
 dined with Rogers at the Stock Exchange just before 
 leaving London, and wrote to him from Deal about a 
 commission of Priestley's ' that he had forgotten. The 
 letter is dated Sunday, August the 24th, 1793, 5 o'clock ; 
 and he says : ' I am not yet on board, but you may con- 
 clude that the receipt of this letter at your house insures 
 to you my safe delivery on board ship.' On the 14th of 
 December he writes from Philadelphia : ' I will be at 
 your house in February or March : incog, .like other great 
 men. Mention this, with strong injunctions of secrecy, 
 to Tuffin and Sharp. I wish the enclosed letters to be 
 duly and safely conveyed, and having to write to you to 
 send Eussell his letter, I do not write to Tuffin or Sharp. 
 Russell, Priestley, and T. Walker (not R. Walker nor 
 any other of my friends or my family) know of my inten- 
 tion. I hope to come over with a sufficient inducement 
 for others to return with me.' This inducement was a 
 scheme which had been got up by Joseph Priestley, 
 Cooper himself, and some other English emigrants for 
 an English settlement in Pennsylvania, near the head of 
 the Susquehanna River. As there seemed to be some 
 likelihood that his sons might fix themselves there, Dr. 
 Priestley himself, on his arrival in the United States, 
 went on from New York to Philadelphia, and thence a 
 hundred and thirty miles up the country to Northumber- 
 land. This was a small town at the confluence of the 
 east and west branches of the Susquehanna, and fifty 
 miles from the proposed settlement. The scheme had to 
 
 1 Prohalily .Joseph Pricstle.v, son of the philosopher, who with his 
 two brolhers was al ready settled in Aiiiciica. 
 
PRIESTLEY'S DEPAETURE FOR AMERICA. 251 
 
 be abandoned ; but Dr. Priestley remained at Northum- 
 berland, where he died on the 6th of February, 1804. 
 
 Merry's opened letters and Cooper's secrecy illustrate 
 the dangers of that niartyr age of lieform. Dr. Priestley 
 himself left London in April, 1794, urged to do so by 
 numerous friends, who felt that he might at any moment 
 be seized as the next victim under the White Terror 
 which the frightful doings in France had conjured up in 
 England. Dr. Price had died in April, 1791 ; and Dr. 
 Priestley had succeeded him as preacher at Hackney at 
 the close of the year. Some account of conversations in 
 which Dr. Priestley, Cooper, and other Liberals took 
 part in the few years of his residence in London, has 
 already been given in extracts from Rogers's diary in the 
 preceding chapter. After the iniquitous sentence of 
 seven years' transportation which had been passed on 
 the Kev. Thomas Fyshe Palmer, a Unitarian minister in 
 Dundee, it was felt that no Liberal was safe. A few 
 poor men in that town, imitating the influential body in 
 London, had formed a society of Friends of the People. 
 They prepared an address to tlieir fellow-citizens to 
 which Mr. Palmer had given literary form. It is most 
 moderate in tone and just in sentiment ; but Mr. Palmer 
 was prosecuted for sedition, and at a trial in which the 
 judge allowed his religious opinions to be urged as 
 grounds for his condemnation on a political charge, was 
 found guilty and sentenced, and the sentence was rigor- 
 ously carried out. Dr. Priestley's friends were naturally 
 alarmed lest he should fall a victim to the same malevo- 
 lent tyranny, and it seems probable that he was not too 
 early in placing himself beyond King George's beneficent 
 sway. It was one of Eogers's boasts that the exiled 
 philosopher and divine spent his last night in England 
 under his roof. 
 
 Dr. Priestley had scarcely been gone six weeks when 
 two of Rogers's intimate friends were arrested for high 
 
252 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 treason. On the 14th of May, Mr. William Stone was 
 arrested, and after various examinations, was committed 
 to Newgate. Home Tooke was carried to the Tower under 
 circumstances which he has himself put on record in a 
 memorandum in a volume he afterwards gave to Kogers. 
 This memorandum is published as a note to Rogers's 
 ' EecoUections ' ^ of his friend. ' ' I was apprehended,' 
 says Home Tooke, 'at Wimbledon, Friday, May 16, 
 conducted to the Tower, Monday, May 19, 1794, with- 
 out any charge ; nor can I conjecture their pretence of 
 charge. Mr. Dundas, Secretary of State, told me in the 
 Privy Council that " It was conceived that I was guilty of 
 treasonable practices." He refused to tell me by whom 
 it was conceived.' Home Tooke was tried in November, 
 and Rogers was present. He often told the story in 
 later days, especially dwelling on Erskine's incomparable 
 pantomime.^ The attorney-general. Sir John Scott, in 
 replying for the Crown, used arguments for which Erskine 
 was not prepared, and to which he would have no oppor- 
 tunity of reply. Erskine drew the attention of the jury 
 to himself, and by shrugs of the shoulders, shakings of 
 the head, and other significant gestures conveyed to 
 them his sense of the astonishing audacity and worthless- 
 ness of his opponent's statements. Home Tooke was 
 acquitted ; and as he left the court a lady, who described 
 herself as a daughter of one of the jurymen, came up and 
 asked to be introduced to him. He shook her warmly 
 by the hand and said: 'Then give me leave, madam, 
 to call you sister, for your father has just given me 
 life.' Juries like that which acquitted Home Tooke, 
 not only saved the lives of the men they refused to con- 
 
 1 Rogers's 'Recollections,' p. 140. 
 
 ^ Mr. Hay ward (Ed. Rev. July, 1856) quotes Mr. Dyce's account of 
 Rogers telling the story, as an illustration of the carelessness by which 
 Mr. Dyce 'has repeatedly made Rogers use phraseology he notoriously 
 disliked, and fall into errors of which he would have been ashamed.' 
 
WILLIAM STONE'S TRIAL. 253 
 
 vict, but saved the country itself from being compelled 
 to choose between despotism and revolution. Rogers 
 heartily sympathized with his persecuted political friends. 
 Twenty years later — when Home Tooke had been some 
 time dead, and Rogers had seen much of him in that 
 quiet old age in which Rogers afterwards said his man- 
 ners and conversation reminded him of a calm sunset in 
 October — he turned the circumstances of the trial into 
 poetry. Home Tooke was evidently in his mind when 
 he wrote his ' Human Life.' 
 
 It was more than a year before Rogers's friend, Mr. 
 William Stone, at whose house at Hackney he had met 
 Paine, and who had introduced him to Fox, was brought 
 up for trial. One day in January, 1796, Rogers read 
 in the morning paper at breakfast that a summons had 
 been issued to bring him before the Privy Council. His 
 horse was ready to take him as usual to the bank, and 
 he rode at once into town and then drove in a coach to 
 Downing Street. He asked for Mr. Dundas, and was 
 shown into the presence of that Minister. He inquired 
 with some nervousness what was the meaning of the 
 announcement he had seen in the papers. Dundas re- 
 plied by asking what conveyance he had with him, and 
 learning that it was a hackney coach proposed to go 
 with him to the Home Office. There Rogers was told 
 that he was required as a witness in the trial of William 
 Stone for high treason. In March, 1794, Stone had met 
 him in the Strand, and told him a gentleman had applied 
 to him to learn the sentiments of the people of England 
 as to an invasion from France. 'I rather declined 
 the conversation,' said Rogers in his evidence. 'I was 
 in a hurry, and I told him I had no wish to take part 
 in any political transactions at that time. It was a 
 time of general alarm, and I wished to shun even the 
 shadow of an imputation, — as I knew when the minds 
 of men were agitated, as I thought they then were, the 
 
254 EAKLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 most innocent intentions were liable to misconstruction.' 
 In reply to further questions he said that Stone had 
 afterwards called on him with a paper, in which it was 
 shown that, however the English people might differ 
 among themselves, they would unite to repel an invasion ; 
 and he had expressed the opinion that he should do his 
 duty if by stating this, which he believed to be true, he 
 could save his country from invasion. Mr. Stone was 
 acquitted, but one result of the trial was that Eogers — 
 who, though always an ardent Liberal, had no passion for 
 politics — was less inclined than ever to take any active 
 part in the political agitations of a time when the Habeas 
 Corpus Act was suspended and there was a reign of 
 terror in England. ' You will infect me like the plague,' 
 he had said to his friend Stone during the conversation 
 which was the subject of his evidence ; and he avoided 
 the infection, though not by keeping away from his 
 friends. The political danger may have been one cause 
 of the discontinuance of the diary which recorded the 
 conversation at their dinner-tables. The brief record of 
 the toasts drunk at Mr. Morgan's table,' and of Paine's 
 remarks on kings, might have been made evidence against 
 him had the Ministers of the day known that it was in 
 existence. 
 
 It is pleasant to turn from the gloomy aspect of 
 public affairs in those miserable times to the brighter 
 world of poetry in which Eogers loved to dwell, and to 
 the social intercourse with pleasant people he diligently 
 cultivated. As we look back to those years we can 
 scarcely wonder that Wordsworth gave up some of his 
 earlier aspirations, or that Southey went over to the 
 reactionary side. It is to Eogers's lasting credit that 
 he never forsook his political friends. Poetry, and not 
 politics, was his pursuit ; but he kept to the Liberal side 
 through all the wearj' years of its depression and dis- 
 
 1 Chap. VIII. p. 216. 
 
HIS 'EPISTLE TO A FRIEND.' 25o 
 
 couragement. Wordsworth in the most beautiful of liis 
 early poems * speaks of the ' tranquil restoration ' which 
 the dim recollection of Nature's beauties had brought ; 
 and of — 
 
 ' . . . that blessed mood 
 
 In which the burden and the mystery, 
 
 In which the heavy and the weary weight 
 
 Of all this unintelligible world, 
 
 Is lightened ' — 
 
 which contact with Nature produced. Rogers felt the 
 same tranquil restoration in talk with authors and 
 literary men on the literary topics of the time, and in 
 poetry itself. He was writing his ' Epistle to a Friend,' 
 and in this year wrote the lines — which were published 
 in the earlier editions, but were afterwards omitted — in 
 which he pays his first tribute to Fox, and speaks of 
 Home Tooke, who had just been defeated in his second 
 candidature for Westminster, with a reverence that in 
 those days few would have paid him : — 
 
 ' Hail, sweet Society ! in crowds unknown, 
 Though the vain world would claim thee for its own. 
 Still where thy small and cheerful converse flows 
 Be mine to enter, ere the circle close. 
 When in retreat Fox lays his thunder by, 
 And Wit and Taste their mingled charms supply ; 
 When Siddons, born to melt and freeze the heart, 
 J'erforms at home her more endearing part ; 
 When he, who best interprets to mankind 
 The wingfed messengers from mind to mind, 
 Leans on his spade, and playful as profound 
 His genius sheds its evening sunshine round ; 
 Be mine to listen, pleased yet not elate. 
 Ever too modest or too proud to rate 
 Myself by my companions ; self-compelled 
 To earn the station that in life I held.' 
 
 1 Tintern Abbey. 
 
256 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 He was often with Home Tooke at Wimbledon in these 
 years, and the talks with him in his garden, as he leaned 
 iipon his spade, supplied some of the material of the 
 ' Eecolleetions.' An illustration of Fox laying his thun- 
 der by has been given in the preceding chapter in the ex- 
 tract from the diary which records the evening spent with 
 Fox and Sheridan at the house of Mr. Stone. There 
 are many other examples of the great orator's familiar 
 moods in the 'Eecolleetions,' which, as Eogers himself 
 says, ' show his playfulness, his love of letters, and his 
 good nature in unbending himself to a young man.' 
 
 Eogers had long known Mrs. Siddons where she per- 
 formed ' her more endearing part,' and in the year before 
 the lines in the 'Epistle' were written she had asked 
 him to write an epilogue to be spoken by her on her 
 beneiit night. The ' Epilogue ' as published in the 
 Poems is said in a note to have been spoken by Mrs. 
 Siddons ' after a tragedy performed for her benefit at 
 the Theatre Eoyal, Drury Lane, April 27, 1795.' The 
 stanzas are printed as they were written, not as they 
 were spoken. Mrs. Siddons made some changes and ab- 
 breviations in them, for which she apologizes in the fol- 
 lowing letter : — 
 
 Mrs. Siddons to S. Rogers. 
 
 ' My dear Me. Eogbks, — I know your goodness will 
 pardon the liberties I have taken of curtailing and a little 
 altering the "Epilogue," and tho' my having two long 
 parts to perform upon *my benefit night will make it 
 painful to me to speak more of it, yet as you will probably 
 let that appear among your other elegant productions, 
 you will unquestionably print it as it was originally 
 written. I 'm afraid my friends will think they have too 
 much of a good thing, for I am desired by those whom I 
 must not refuse to play Emmeline in " Edgar and Emme- 
 
MRS. SIDDONS. 257 
 
 line " (a fairy tale) and to speak the epilogue to it ; so I 
 think they will have enough of me, and all this (beside 
 jny part in the play which is quite new to me) I have 
 got to learn. Pity and pardon and believe me, my dear 
 sir, 
 
 ' Your very much obliged 
 
 ' And affectionate humble servant, 
 
 'S. SiDDONS. 
 
 ' I send you the original " Epilogue " to compare with 
 the copy ; and as I think the trifling alterations I have, 
 presuming on your kindness, made, will have a rather 
 better stage effect, I hope they will not be disagreeable to 
 you. Pray have the goodness to return it immediately, 
 for, as Mr. S. Lysons would say : " I must begin and study 
 like a dragon ! " ' 
 
 Another letter from the great actress, written on an 
 ample sheet of the old-fashioned letter paper, contains a 
 ticket bearing the words : ' Mrs. Siddons's Night, Theatre 
 Koyal Drury Lane Company.' It bears her monogram 
 and her written initials, for Box No. 664 : — 
 
 'With Mrs. Siddons' comps. & thanks to Mr. Rogers. 
 With respect to the Verses — 
 
 " Never let your noble courage be cast down. " 
 
 'AprU25, 1795." 
 
 He did not let his Hoble courage be cast down, though 
 he was free from the conceit which buoys up the spirits 
 of many inferior men, and was never quite content with 
 what he had written. The 'Epilogue' is certainly none 
 the worse for the absence of that careful elaboration 
 which he gave to some of his poems, and it associated 
 his name with one of the greatest reputations of the time. 
 Mrs. Siddons spoke it after the play of ' Mahomet the Im- 
 postor,' in which she acted the part of Palmyra. Speak- 
 
 17 
 
258 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 ing of the ' Occasional Address ' which followed the play, 
 the ' True Britoa ' said : ' We know not which most to 
 praise, its poetical merits or her delivery of it.' The 
 changes made by Mrs. Siddons are recorded in Eogers's 
 Commonplace Book. They are simply such as make it 
 more personal and direct. 
 
 ' I wake, I breathe and am myself again,' 
 
 becomes — 
 
 ' I wake, I breathe, I am myseK again.' 
 
 And — 
 
 ' Ah no ! she scorns the trappings of her Art, 
 No theme but truth, no prompter but the heart ! ' 
 
 became — 
 
 ' Oh no, I scorn the trappings of my Art, 
 My theme is truth, my prompter is my heart.' 
 
 The two lines — 
 
 ' Thus Woman makes her entrance and her exit, 
 Not least an actress when she least suspects it ; ' 
 
 were delivered — 
 
 ' Yes, fair ones, you've your entrance and your exit. 
 And most you 're acting when you least suspect it.' 
 
 And the last four — 
 
 ' Thus, from her mind all artifice she flings. 
 All skill, all practice — now unmeaning things. 
 To you, unchecked, each genuine feeling flows, 
 For all that life endears to you she owes ; ' 
 
 were delivered — 
 
 ' No I from her heart all artifice she flings. 
 All skill, all practice, now unmeaning things. 
 Unbounded now each genuine feeling flows 
 For all that life endears — to vou she owes.' 
 
A LIFE OF CULTIVATED EASE. 259 
 
 The cordial reception accorded to this ' Epilogue ' was 
 rightly regarded by its author as a sign that his literary 
 position was already fully established. 'His society,' 
 says his nephew, ' was eagerly sought for by ladies of 
 fashion as well as by men of letters. His father when 
 young, and living in Worcestershire, had mixed with the 
 men of rank in his own neighborhood. He had been 
 intimate with the Earl of Stamford and Warrington and 
 that excellent man the first Lord Lyttelton, the poet, 
 and his son-in-law Lord Valentia, the father of the trav- 
 eller. But though such society had been cultivated by 
 the grandfather at " The Hill," it was by no means to the 
 father's taste. On settling in Newington Green he was 
 glad to drop his titled acquaintance ; and he gave his son 
 the strong advice : " Never go near them, Sam ! " Eut 
 their doors were now open to the young and wealthy poet, 
 and he did not refuse to enter.' At this period he was 
 just beginning to shake himself free from business. His 
 brother Henry came of age in the summer of 1795, and 
 was at once made a partner in the bank, and gradually 
 intrusted with its management. He proved to be an 
 excellent man of business, and the elder brother soon saw 
 that he could with the utmost confidence leave everything 
 in his hands. Thus year by year the way seemed to be 
 opening to Samuel Kogers into the life of cultivated ease, 
 of literary and artistic friendships, and of social celebrity 
 and success of which he had only dimly dreamed in earlier 
 days. ' We never go so far,' says Guizot, ' as when we 
 know not whither we are going ; ' and Eogers exemplified 
 the axiom. He was gradually detaching himself from 
 business on the one hand, and from the home at Stoke 
 Newington on the other ; and circumstances concurred 
 in a striking manner to urge him forward in the course 
 to which his tastes inclined him, but with which his old 
 associations were in conflict. The home at Stoke New- 
 ington was breaking up. Mary Worthington, the 'Milly' 
 
260 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 of the family letters, who had lived with Thomas Eogers 
 and his wife, and had always been the oldest of the 
 familiar faces in the Stoke Newington home, died in 
 November, 1795. Samuel Eogers had entered her name 
 in his own hand in the family Bible, under the family 
 list : ' Mary Worthington, born November 27, 1716, 
 died 2d of November, 1796.' In the same year his sis- 
 ter Maria had been married to his friend Sutton Sharpe. 
 There remained at hopae only his brother Henry, 
 his sister Sarah, and Miss Mitchell, who, as has been 
 previously stated, lived with the family till her death 
 in 1812. 
 
 Among the few relics of a large correspondence with 
 literary and other friends at this period are, a very char- 
 acteristic letter from Dr. Moore to Eogers, and one from 
 Eogers to his friend Eichard Sharp. The two letters 
 curiously exhibit the relations in which he stood towards 
 these very different men. The author of ' Zeluco ' had 
 sent Eogers a manuscript to read and criticise; and 
 Eogers, as was his wont even then, had kept it so long 
 that the author became anxious for its safety. The man- 
 uscript was, in all probability, that of Dr. Moore's work 
 published in the next year under the title of ' A View 
 of the Causes and Progress of the French Eevolution.' 
 
 'Clifford Street, Sept. 17, 1794. 
 
 ,'Deae Sib, — Your letter of the 16th gave me great 
 pleasure, because I really thought some mischief had 
 come on the manuscript, not one page of which could I 
 have ever renewed. I am now easy, and I beg you will 
 not put yourself to the least hurry, as I can now wait 
 with patience and tranquillity till it is convenient for 
 you. 
 
 'As for your verbal criticisms I would not give a damn 
 for them, because I have always been subject to forget 
 
DR. MOORE AND R. SHARP. 261 
 
 ■words and letters in writing; and I am more careless 
 in what goes to the press than in a letter to a friend, 
 because my compositor is the most accurate man on 
 earth. "What I expect from you are alterations of more 
 importance, which affect the truth and justness of the 
 observations and the spirit of the composition. If I did 
 not value your judgment in those particulars I should 
 not have troubled you on the subject, and if you do not 
 think I am able to bear the severest remark that you can 
 make with good humor, you do me injustice. Although 
 I might think your remarks ill-founded it would not de- 
 stroy my friendship for you, — which is founded on another 
 unalterable basis besides my opinion of your taste in 
 works of literature. 
 
 'Yours sincerely, 
 
 'J. MOOEE. 
 
 'P.S. — Do not show the MS.' 
 
 The letter to Eichard Sharp is a year later. It is 
 the earliest part of the correspondence between these two 
 friends which has been preserved ; but it must not be 
 regarded as indicating the full nature of their intercourse. 
 They had common political relations, such as letters 
 from other persons have already indicated, and large 
 correspondence on literary topics. But they were both 
 young and both unmarried, and yet neither of them had 
 given up the intention of matrimony, — though Rogers, at 
 least, was not engaged. He was, of course, regarded as 
 an eligible person, he had much of the susceptibility of 
 the poet, and there is evidence in this letter, as well as 
 in others, that he had been more than once in love. He 
 would naturally tell the story of his social successes to 
 the friend who was most in his confidence, — and that 
 friend was Eichard Sharp. 
 
262 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 S. Sogers to Richard Sharp. 
 
 ' Margate [Oct. 15, 1795], 
 
 ' My dear Shabp, — Surely I am the most miserable 
 dog alive, the most dependent on the opinion of others, 
 in heaven to-day, sent ad inferos to-morrow, — now sleep- 
 less from ecstasy, now from despondency. I will live so 
 no longer. Badinage apart, I have been making experi- 
 ments on my own heart in this great laboratory by the 
 sea-side. I dropped it into the crucible, and when I 
 looked for it again, it was — shall I say not there ? No, 
 but it was not so sound as I left it. I have been fooling 
 away a fortnight, and am neither better nor happier for 
 it. Yet how long is the retrospect! In this foolish 
 place every day is a little drama. My first week was 
 almost entirely spent in the company of a girl whose face 
 you know, whose beauty you must have felt, — at least I 
 did. She seemed sinking, and I could have wept when I 
 looked at her ; but she left Margate, and I looked about 
 for somebody else. My second has passed miscellane- 
 ously. Mrs. Gillies has some beauty from Dover Street, 
 and I have been flattered, amused, and tortured succes- 
 sively beyond description. On Saturday when I dined 
 there it was actual war, and I did not mean to open my 
 lips to her High Mightiness again ; but to-day she made 
 me go with her to the painter's to make my criticisms on 
 her miniature. The white flag has resumed its place, 
 and I think will hardly be taken down again. She goes 
 to-morrow with Dr.^ and Mrs. G[illies]. 
 
 ' But what will you say when I tell you that I was at 
 the last ball introduced, by her own desire and previous 
 arrangement, to a girl whose face distracted me at the 
 opera concert last winter, but whose name I did not 
 know, and whose face and fortune together have turned 
 
 1 Dr. John Gillies, the historian of Greece and translator of Aristotle. 
 
LOVE AFFAIRS. 263 
 
 all the heads in the island ? To-day, though I had not 
 exchanged three ■words with her, she walked several 
 yards up to me at a review, and conversed half an hour, 
 as I sat on horseback, by the clock of St. Peter's. She 
 is, indeed, the most touching girl now left in the island, 
 but I fear she amuses herself at the expense of other 
 people, and therefore stand on the defensive. Roger 
 Palmer has been giving her dinners innumerable at Peg- 
 well, and Miles P. Andrews,* who has been driving about 
 his four horses, has been making love to her these six 
 weeks, and has made me the confidant of his hopes and 
 fears. But the last is just gone, full of love and hope. 
 These, you will say, are neither of them very formidable 
 rivals, nor, I believe, has the first any thought of it. 
 When I have reconnoitred the ground a little you shall 
 know more. 
 
 ' Mrs. Cowley ^ is here, and is really a very agreeable 
 woman. Reynolds the dramatist is also here, and is a 
 very good-humored fellow, though a little out of spirits 
 from having singed his wings at the flame above- 
 mentioned. Colonel Barre ° is here, and Mackintosh is 
 at Broadstairs, so that I find tolerable society. I live 
 alone in a small cottage, with a vine over the front and 
 benches at the door, very cheerfully looking into a field, 
 
 1 Mr. Miles Peter Andrews was a member of the celebrated firm of 
 gunpowder manufacturers at Dartford. He entered Parliament as 
 Member for Bewdley in 1790, and was re-elected without opposition in 
 1796, 1802, 1806, and 1807. He had been an intimate friend of Garrick 
 and Foote, and of the ' wicked Lord Lyttelton, ' who left him a bequest 
 in his will. He was the author of a number of comedies and some 
 operas. His ' Mysteries of the Castle ; a Dramatic Tale in three Acts,' 
 had been performed at Covent Garden Theatre with a strong cast 
 in the January before Rogers met him at Margate. He bought Lord 
 Grenville's house and became a prominent man of fashion. He died 
 in 1814. 
 
 2 Mrs. Cowley, the Delia Cruscan poetess. 
 
 ' Colonel Barr^ had been a personal and political friend of Dr. Price. 
 
264 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL BO GEES. 
 
 and furnishing more room than I -want at a guinea per 
 week. Parsons is not here, nor do I now expect him. 
 Weston was here for a day or two, but caught the spleen 
 and vanished before I came. My Muse is neither asleep 
 nor awake, she is very stupid. I thank you most sin- 
 cerely for your good wishes, but am sorry to say they 
 are not yet fulfilled. I shall, however, return with such 
 a magazine of female freaks and follies as will serve 
 to furnish many a sublime speculation when we sit in 
 council together. Adieu! You wrote me a charming 
 letter about myself, and I blush to think that I have 
 confined myself to the same subject. If ever you should 
 pass near the precincts of the Temple, will you visit my 
 nutshell and take a peep at our architectural experi- 
 ments ? The sublime dreams of a Piranesi vanish before 
 them. 
 
 ' Yours at all times and in all places, 
 
 'S. R. 
 
 ' Wednesday morning.' 
 
 The reply to this letter has not been preserved, and 
 here, for a couple of years, the correspondence ceases. 
 The intercourse between the friends was constant, and 
 was necessarily greatlj-- facilitated by Rogers's removal 
 from his remote suburban home to chambers in the 
 Temple. Among the friends he made in this period of his 
 life was Mackintosh. The brilliant author of ' Vindieiae 
 Gallicse ' had been eating his way to the bar, to which he 
 was called in 1795. He and Richard Sharp were in the 
 habit of meeting each other at Rogers's lodgings, where, 
 as he told Mr. Dyce, they would stay for hours talking 
 metaphysics. Rogers made no secret of his dislike of 
 the subject, though he was far from indifferent to some 
 of the most fascinating themes of transcendental specu- 
 lation. The only two occasions of offence between him 
 and Sharp arose out of Sharp's fondness for metaphysics. 
 
ANECDOTES OF R. SHARP. 265 
 
 One day at Eogers's chambers, Mackintosh and Sharp 
 were so intent on the abstract considerations into which 
 he did not care to plunge that he went out, paid a visit, 
 and returned to find them still so absorbed that they did 
 not know he had been away. He was angry, and sat 
 down to write his letters. On a later occasion Sharp and 
 Eogers were together at Ulleswater, and Eogers made 
 a remark on the favorite topic of his friend. ' There are 
 only two men in England with whom I ever talk on meta- 
 physics,' said Sharp. Eogers took no offence, though his 
 sister Sarah, who was at the Lakes with him, said he 
 should have left him at once. 
 
 The friendship of these two men was not to be broken 
 off by so paltry a misunderstanding. If they could not 
 talk metaphysics together, they talked of everything 
 else, politics and theology included. Eogers, however, 
 knew but little of his friend's early history. He used 
 to tell a story of a curious meeting at Glencoe between 
 Eichard Sharp and a friend of his father's. Sharp and 
 a friend had found the inn crammed, and had been sent 
 by the landlord to the house of a laird who was willing 
 to give hospitality to travellers. They were cordially 
 received, and in the evening talked with their host of 
 people and places they knew. The host mentioned 
 Newfoundland. ' Have you been there ? ' asked his 
 guest. 'I spent some time there when I was in the 
 army,' answered the host, ' and the dearest friend I ever 
 had was a gentleman I knew there of the name of 
 Sharp.' ' I am his son,' said Sharp with much emotion ; 
 at which the laird embraced him with a warmth which 
 found expression in tears. 
 
 There are about this date some entries in Eogers's 
 Commonplace Book which give glimpses of the talk of 
 his numerous literary friends. 
 
 Dr. Price was told by Mr. Hume that when Rousseau came 
 with him to England he suspected that he was seduced over to 
 
266 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 be poisoned ; and on the way one night, as they lay in separate 
 rooms divided by a single partition, Rousseau heard Mr. Hume 
 cry out in his sleep : ' I 've got you, Rousseau ; I 've got you ! ' 
 Rousseau left him and went ofE into Derbyshire, where he took it 
 into his head that the people of England had entered into a con- 
 spiracy against him, and wrote.up to the Minister for a guard to 
 escort him out of the kingdom. Hume, with much difficulty, pre- 
 vailed on the king to grant Rousseau a pension of £lOO a year; 
 but when he was informed of it, he spurned it as an affront. He 
 stayed here two years. Voltaire said of him that he believed half 
 the world were employed in raising a statue to him and the other 
 half in beating it down again. 
 
 The Duke of Bedford regretted to leave his steward's house 
 by the park-side where he had resided while his fortune was at 
 
 nurse : in parvis maxima voluptas. 
 
 Du Tens, the writer, possesses an invaluable copy of Madame 
 du Barry's ' Memoirs.' She says she was caught by a shower in 
 the garden at Versailles when walking with the king, and that 
 they were wet through. The Duke of Richelieu has in this copy 
 written this marginal note — 'That is not true, for I was with 
 them and held an umbrella over her.' 
 
 Mackintosh has just paid a visit of two days at Beaconsfield, 
 and was well received. M. acknowledged that, when be wrote 
 his book, he was misinformed as to the facts. 
 
 Burke often complained of the discord and intractability of our 
 
 [Asked] Is he an important man, Warton [answered] ' I never 
 knew anything in an important man.' 
 
 CoUins's first performance at school contained this line — 'And 
 every grammar clapt its leathern wings.' Warton admired Sheri- 
 dan's parliamentary speeches, not his ' School for Scandal,' first 
 written in two acts — a number of people met together, uncon- 
 nected, and not aiding the plot. Johnson always abused ' Para- 
 dise Lost,' and said, ' None of you can read it ; ' afterwards did 
 not dare to attack the public opinion. ' Comus ' perhaps his finest 
 piece. Fuseli thought the passage, ' And from his horrid hair 
 
NOTES FROM HIS COMMONPLACE BOOK. 267 
 
 shakes pestilence and war ' worth all ' Comus.'^ Warton thought 
 Johnson's criticisms would soon lose all weight. Talked with 
 great affection and good humor of his brother (dead). Thought 
 the philosophical Dyer wrote ' Junius,' and Mason certainly wrote 
 the ' Heroic Epistle.' ^ February, 1795. 
 
 Collins, says Warton, is very fine in ' Who shall wake the 
 Spartan Fife?' Armstrong thought little of him, as he com- 
 plained to Warton. Not generally admired. 
 
 These contemporary criticisms stand in curious con- 
 trast to the verdicts of posterity. Fuseli's preference 
 of the account of Satan's conflict with the ' grisly Terror ' 
 to the whole of 'Comus' is characteristic of his gloomy 
 genius. It is a striking instance of unconscious self- 
 revelation. Warton's criticism on Sheridan's ' School for 
 Scandal,' may be compared with that of Jekyll, who, on 
 seeing the piece, said, ' Why don't all these people leave 
 off talking and let the play begin ; ' and both are instruc- 
 tive instances of the weakness and shallowness of con- 
 temporary judgments. Armstrong thinking little of 
 Collins will suggest to many in these days the question 
 who Armstrong was. Millions who read with admira- 
 tion CoUins's 'Ode to the Passions' have never heard 
 of the author of 'The Art of Preserving Health,' and 
 would probably expect to find under that title a medi- 
 cal treatise rather than a didactic poem. Collins is better 
 known now than Warton, and is more generally admired 
 than he was a century ago. 
 
 ' Inc.ens'd with indignation, Satan stood 
 Unterrified, and like a comet burn'd, 
 That fires the length of Ophiuohus huge 
 In th' arctic sky, and from his horrid hair 
 Shakes pestilence and war. — Paradise Lost, Book ii. 
 
 2 ' An Heroic Epistle to Sir William Chambers, Knight, 1773, by 
 Malcolm Macgregor.' It was afterwards acknowledged by Mason. 
 
268 EAELY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGERS. 
 
 Here are some further recollections : — 
 
 Dr. Parr. — I heard Horsley at St. Margaret's Clmrch. He 
 saw me as he went up into the pulpit. He sat down and 
 sweated. I darted my eye at him, aud through the whole of 
 his sermon there was a most entertaining contest between his 
 fury and his fears. I was never near enough to Mr. Pitt, but 
 I always dart my eye at him. He has often bullied and abused 
 me, but he could never look me in the face. At Nando's, 
 19th April, '96. 
 
 In walking up Hampstead Hill I was solicited by a beggar 
 woman with some fine children for alms, and I had only a 
 bad sixpence. I told her so ; she said she would pass it in the 
 night. What should I have done ? I said to myself, ' Society 
 are her aggressors,' and I gave it to her. Mr. Smith and Mr. 
 Barbauld thought I was wrong. Dr. Parr thought I acted 
 right, and said the man who could have done otherwise would 
 have kept it to pass it himself. 19th Octr. '96. 
 
 I asked Sir George Staunton when ' The Embassy ' ^ would 
 be published. He did not seem to know, and therefore I would 
 not ask him again. I never ask a great man a question which 
 he cannot answer. He never forgives you for it. — Dr. Gillies, 
 24 Oc. '96. 
 
 ' God bless your voice ! ' said an old blind man when I answered 
 a question concerning the way this morning. 25 Octr. '96. 
 
 Some other entries in the Commonplace Book, to 
 which no date is attached, but which evidently belong to 
 a comparatively early period of Eogers's life, may be 
 conveniently added here. Some of them are curious 
 as showing the remuneration which was given to some 
 well-known people who edited or contributed to the 
 literary periodicals of the time. 
 
 In ' The Adventurer' A was Bonnel Thornton, Z was Warton 
 according to Mr. Kyland, Dr. Hawkesworth's brother. H. had 
 
 1 ' The Authentic Account of the Embassy of Lord Macartney and 
 Sir George Staunton to China in 1792,' was published in 1797. It was 
 in two volumes quarto. 
 
NOTES FROM HIS COMMONPLACE BOOK. 269 
 
 £2 2s. for each ' Adventurer.' Moore had £3 Ss. for each ' World.' 
 A coaUtion was attempted by Mr. K., but nothing could be done 
 but printing on different days. Hill had 7s. Sd. for each ' In- 
 spector.' Dr. Hawkesworth was incapable of reading the mottoes 
 prefixed to ' The Adventurer ; ' they were chosen for him. 
 
 In an anonymous preface to the edition of 'The 
 Adventurer' published in 1823, we are told that Dr. 
 Richard Bathurst, who was one of the members of 
 Dr. Johnson's Ivy Lane Club, is said to have written 
 the eight papers marked ' A.' Dr. Joseph Warton wrote 
 twenty-four papers, and Dr. Johnson is known to have 
 written twenty-nine. Rogers's statement about Dr. 
 Hawkesworth is rendered probable by the fact that 
 his degree was a Lambeth one, conferred by Archbishop 
 Herring, and that he was a man of no early education. 
 It is difficult nowadays to understand the esteem in 
 which ' The Adventurer ' was held. Home Tooke told 
 Rogers that he could never forget the pleasure he felt 
 in retiring to read it at the age of seventeen ; and Dr. 
 Burney tells us that in his day it was in every one's 
 library. The scale of remuneration for it belongs to the 
 day of small things for periodical literature. 
 
 Here are other items bearing on the same subject : — 
 
 Griffiths has 42s. per sheet (printed) for the authorship of 
 the ' Monthly Review.' — Dr. Gillies. 
 
 Millar gave £100 for ' Joseph Andrews,' Fielding's first 
 novel. — Cadell. 
 
 Warburton wrote the preface to the first edition of ' Clarissa.' 
 
 Warton wrote the essay ' On the Use and Abuse of Poetry,' 
 quoted in ' Essay on Pope,' vol. i. 
 
 Colman read the ' School for Scandal ' before it was acted to 
 Burke, Reynolds, Windham, etc. — Windham. 
 
 Sheridan of Pitt : His is a brain that never works but when 
 his tongue is set a-going, like some machines that are set in 
 motion by a pendulum or some such thing. 
 
270 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGEES. 
 
 Gray made NichoUs promise before he went abroad that he 
 ■would not call upon Voltaire. — NichoUs. Lord Hampden's 
 father did the same. — Ld. H. 
 
 When Sir C. Wren's plan for rebuilding London after the fire 
 was rejected — ' A set of blockheads,' he exclaimed ; ' they don't 
 deserve to have their city burnt.' — Priestley. 
 
 Lord Chesterfield willing away £50,000 to the Dean and 
 Chapter of Westminster (with whom he had had a lawsuit) In 
 case his nephew could be proved to have ever been in Italy or at 
 Newmarket. 
 
 Garrick and Reynolds entering Rome — the first out on the 
 coach-box, the last unable to sit up or look out of the window. 
 
 When Wilkes's windows were broken he smiled and said: 
 ' Some of my own journeymen set up for themselves.' 
 
 Lord Chesterfield in person compared to a stunted giant. 
 When driving out slowly in the Park in his old age said he was 
 rehearsing. 
 
 Mrs. Warburton, provoked by the bishop's silence, once threw 
 a book at his head — ' If you won't answer me vou '11 answer a 
 book.' 
 
 Dr. Douglas in the bishop's palace at Salisbury said to the 
 archbishop of Narbonne : ' Your Grace should not be discouraged 
 when you recollect that the house in which you now are, was for 
 fourteen years a public inn ' [during the Commonwealth]. 
 
 Dr. Franklin had a mirror obliquely fixed near his window by 
 which he could see the person that knocked at his door, and 
 deny himself or not accordingly. — Este. 
 
 Florence is so pretty a town it should be only seen on a Sun- 
 day. — Un Franfois. 
 
 A young man who is undazzled and unattracted by the glitter 
 of life is either above or below the common level, and he is 
 generally below it. Such a man was the Duke of Hamilton. 
 We may call it a love of ease, but it generally shows a want of 
 energy. — A ikin. 
 
NOTES FROM HIS COMMONPLACE BOOK. 271 
 
 A regiment in France had a great regard for the memory of 
 their old Colonel, and when asked why, replied : ' He said, 
 " AUons, mes amis 1 " the present says, " Allez, mes amis 1 " ' 
 
 Barwell lost an election hy canvassing with his gloves on. 
 
 Boswell drunk at Lord Falmouth's in Cornwall, kicking about 
 his bed at midnight, swearing at the house in which he said there 
 was no bed to lie on, and no wine to drink. 
 
 Of papers the old duke of Cumberland said : ' D — n them, 
 they breed I ' 
 
 When Sheridan is writing he requires a great many lights. 
 — Spencer. 
 
 I will make you a Baronet. Baron, if you please. The net at 
 the end is a net only to catch fools with. 
 
 His forte was fancy — his foible was ignorance. — Burke on 
 Lord Chatham. Graltan. 
 
 The following appear to be Eogers's own reflections f 
 some of them recur in his poems, and some in letters to 
 his friends : — 
 
 Plant nettles on the grave of a satirist — stinging nettles. 
 
 We cannot compare places, we only compare impressions. 
 'T is thus we deceive ourselves. 
 
 Mountains, like fine ladies, are subject to vapors. 
 
 Close to the earth there is a refreshing fragrance — lost when 
 you elevate yourself. Remark in a clover field. 
 
 I More ennui in society than out of it. 
 
 Men of fashion are mannerists, and all manner is bad ; a nat- 
 ural character, manners ever varying with the thoughts and 
 feelings, how superior to that uniform and monotonous thin" 
 called high breeding ! 
 
 Women are ever ready to make confidants of each other in 
 everything but love. 
 
272 EAELY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 Poets the best prose writers : Shakspeare, Cowley, Milton, 
 Dryden, Pope, Gray, and Addison. Burke and Rousseau began 
 with poetry, as did also Voltaire. 
 
 The heart, like a musical instrument, has a thousand rich 
 melodies, which may slumber there forever if not called forth 
 by the various offices and duties of social and domestic life ; 
 each of which excites its peculiar set of feelings and sympathies. 
 
 The soul of music slumbers in the shell 
 
 Till waked to rapture by the master's spell ; 
 
 And thy young heart, when rightly touched, shall pour 
 
 A thousand melodies unheard before. 
 
 A few items of chat, attributed to Eichard Sharp 
 will appropriately conclude the extracts from the Com- 
 monplace Book : — 
 
 Sir Joshua Reynolds told Sharp that he never painted a 
 picture, or part of a picture, well till he had done it several 
 times. 
 
 Hoppner drew the waterfall at Melincourt, near Neath, and 
 slept at a miller's near the spot. At night through a crevice of 
 his chamber he saw his host breaking o£E a piece of his chalk, 
 which he had left with his sketch below, and slyly treasuring it up 
 in his bureau. 
 
 Terror is a powerful engine, but when overstrained is the 
 weakest of all. Inspire a man with fear and you are his master ; 
 with despair, and he is yours. 
 
 A nation in a state of despotism is like a giant asleep, with his 
 arms intrusted to a dwarf. 
 
 In the spring of 1795 Dr. Parr called public atten- 
 tion to a misstatement of Boswell's as to the interview 
 which Dr. Johnson and Dr. Priestley had with each 
 other at the house of Mr. Paradise.i Boswell in a 
 note to a new edition of his third volume declared his 
 firm belief that the two men never met. He based this 
 
 ^ Mr. Paradise was a member of Johnson's evening club at the 
 'Essex Head.' 
 
DR. JOHNSON AND DR. PRIESTLEY. 273 
 
 conviction on two circumstances : firstly, that his ' illus- 
 trious friend was particularly resolute in not giving 
 countenance to men whose writings he considered as 
 pernicious to society ; ' and secondly, that when one 
 day at Oxford Dr. Price came into a room where John- 
 son was, Johnson instantly left the room. Dr. Parr 
 thereupon wrote to Dr. E. Johnstone of Birmingham, 
 where in 1790 he had heard Priestley speak of the inter- 
 view, and Dr. Johnstone at once wrote to say that he 
 remembered Dr. Priestley's statement that he met John- 
 son under the idea that Johnson had sought the interview 
 and that it was mutually satisfactory. Mr. Bearcroft 
 wrote from Francis Street that he had only in April 
 or May, 1794, heard Dr. Priestley remind Mr. Paradise 
 of the particular civility with which Dr. Johnson had 
 behaved towards him when they dined together at 
 Mr. Paradise's house. Mr. Bearcroft adds that ' having 
 mentioned the subject this afternoon to Mr. Paradise, 
 he told me that, though he did not clearly recollect 
 the motive by which he had been induced to bring Dr. 
 Johnson and Dr. Priestley together, he very well remem- 
 bered Dr. Johnson having been previously informed that 
 Dr. Priestley would be one of the company, and his hav- 
 ing manifested great civility to the latter on that occa- 
 sion.' To this testimony Eogers was able to add his own 
 in the following letter — 
 
 S. Bogers to Dr. Parr. 
 
 'Newington Gkebn, February 23, 1795. 
 ' Dear Sie, — I can answer your several questions dis- 
 tinctly. I heard of the interview between Dr. Johnson 
 and Dr. Priestley from Dr. Priestley himself. I have 
 heard it mentioned more than once. I understood that 
 it was not solicited by Dr. Priestley, and that if any 
 overture was made for that purpose it came from Dr. 
 
 18 
 
274 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGBES. 
 
 Johnson. I found that Dr. Priestley thought Dr. John- 
 son's behavior such as it ought to have been from one 
 man of letters to another. Johnson was very civil. 
 
 'I hope that I have written satisfactorily, and am 
 happy in the opportunity which you have given me of 
 assuring you with what respect 
 
 ' I am, dear Sir, 
 
 ' Your most obedient servant, 
 
 ' Samuel Eogbbs.' 
 
 There were various signs in the periodicals of 1794, 
 1795, and 1796 of the esteem in which the author of 
 'The Pleasures of Memory' was already held by his 
 literary contemporaries. A poem on his poem appeared 
 in the ' European Magazine,' which contained the lines — 
 
 ' With more attractive charm the verse appears 
 Whose magic power calls back our fleeting years, 
 And binds with Memory's tenacious chain 
 The airy forms of pleasure and of pain.' 
 
 In another of the magazines appeared a poem in Spen- 
 serian language 'on his ordering a great-coat called a 
 Spenser.' One of the verses ran — 
 
 ' O precious Impe of Fame, Sam Rogers Mght, 
 
 Who chauntest Memorie in dulcett straine, 
 Filling our eares and harts with such delight 
 
 Entraunced we Uve past pleasaunce o'er againe ; 
 This amplest theine, by others minc'd in vaine, 
 
 Was by the sacred sisters nyne withheld, 
 Immortal guerdon for thy hrowes to gaine. 
 
 Certes old Humber's Bard, and he who dwei'd 
 Whylome in daintie Leasowes, are by thee excel'd.' 
 
 The last references are to Mason's and Shenstone's 
 Odes to Memory. A more amusing reference to him 
 and to a number of his friends is contained in a short 
 
POETICAT. PERSONALITIES. 275 
 
 poem entitled ' My Club,' which appeared in the ' Euro- 
 pean Magazine ' in July, 1795 : — 
 
 ' With M[arsden] I would trust my life, 
 With L[awrence] all my civil strife, 
 And steal him from Justinian's code 
 To make him sport another ode ; 
 With B . . . . write in purest Latin 
 From classic Celsus to Guy Patin ; 
 From B . . . . catch some emendation 
 Of Aristotle or of Tatian. 
 Impromptu P[arsons] shall rehearse 
 With ready pen in easy verse, 
 While R[ennell] tells how Agamemnon, 
 Diomede and Ajax Telamon, 
 Forced out from Holland and from Flanders 
 The Dutch and English Alexanders. 
 S[harp], too, the subtle and acute, 
 Shall quickly settle the dispute, 
 And mightiest Stagirites among, 
 Leave hia opponents in the wrong. 
 Meek R[ogers], whom the Muses love, 
 Unites the serpent and the dove ; 
 In business, as in rhyming terse. 
 Can talk of agio or of verse. 
 S[eward], of anecdotes a storehouse. 
 Lays gratis all he hears before us, 
 And tells the whole long ere 't is seen 
 In th' " European Magazine ; " 
 B[erdmore], no common poUtician, 
 At once is chymist and physician ; 
 And of the Roman as was said, 
 He knows his art but not his trade. 
 R. C . . . , whose active mind ne'er still is, 
 Loves Greek, we 're sure, but not Uke G[illies] ; 
 Tom Warton, merry wight — ah, no 1 
 Death envied us, but left us Jo.' 
 
 Another very satisfactory sign of the recognized place 
 he had taken in literature was given in the reception 
 
276 EAELY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGBES. 
 
 accorded by the critics to tlie Eev. E. Polwhele's dull 
 poem called 'The Influence of Local Attachment with 
 Respect to Home.' So much was said by the reviewers 
 of the similarity of this poem in some parts to the beau- 
 tiful poem, as they all called it, ' The Pleasures of Mem- 
 ory,' that Mr. Polwhele was obliged to come forward 
 with a labored vindication. His apology was in the 
 form of a tu quoque. He had been accused of copying 
 some of Eogers's notes verbatim, and he admitted that 
 he had written his own notes hastily with Eogers's before 
 him. But as to plagiarism, had not Eogers borrowed from 
 him ? He had written an ' Epistle to a College Friend,' 
 which he was almost inclined to consider as the proto- 
 type of the first part of 'The Pleasures of Memory.' 
 Only one of his com^parisons need be given. He had 
 written in his ' Epistle to a College Friend ' — 
 
 ' While yet 't is mine to trace the feeling hour, 
 And win young Fancy from the Muse's bower 
 Ere pressing cares, too numerous, intervene 
 To disenchant the bosom-soothing scene, 
 Come, nor too soon, alas! to memory fade. 
 Ye views fast fainting into sombre shade 1 ' 
 
 The passage with which Polwhele compares this — which 
 he intimates was suggested by it — is this : speaking of 
 childhood's loved group revisiting every scene, ' the tan- 
 gled wood-walk and the tufted green,' Eogers proceeds — 
 
 ' Indulgent Memory wakes, and lo, they live 1 
 Clothed with far softer hues than Light can give. 
 Thou first, best friend that Heaven assigns below, 
 To soothe and sweeten all the cares we know ; 
 Whose glad suggestions still each vain alarm 
 When Nature fades and life forgets to charm ; 
 Thee would the Muse invoke ! to thee belong 
 The sage's precept and the poet's song. 
 What softened views thy magic glass reveals, 
 When o'er the landscape Time's meek twilight steals I ' 
 
CHARGE OF PLAGIARISM. 277 
 
 The comparison of these passages — and they are put 
 in juxtaposition by Mr. Polwhele himself — not only 
 shows the ridiculous nature of his suggestion of pla- 
 giarism, but conclusively and suflciently exhibits the 
 immense superiority of Eogers's poem to the boasted 
 productions of the poetasters of the time. 
 
CHAPTER X, 
 
 State of the Country in 1795-96. — Reaction in Parliament. — "West- 
 minster Election, 1796. — Dr. Moore and his sous. — Rogers's 
 Domestic Relations. — Correspondence with R. Sharp. — Brighton 
 in 1797. — Lady Jersey. — A Romance without a denouement. — 
 Brighton in 1798. — Sarah Rogers. 
 
 There are but few signs at this period of that lively 
 interest in public affairs which characterized Eogers 
 in earlier days. Many of his first friends were gone. 
 Dr. Price was dead ; Dr. Priestley was in exile ; William 
 Stone had only lately been acquitted on a charge of high 
 treason for which he had lain two years in Newgate 
 untried; Home Tooke was cultivating his garden at 
 Wimbledon, after his defeat in the Westminster elec- 
 tion; and Fox, though he had headed the poll in the 
 same election, was in a state of discouragement at the 
 gloomy aspect of public affairs ; Sheridan was enjoying 
 the temporary relief from pecuniary troubles which his 
 new wife's five thousand pounds had given him ; and 
 Sharp, Mackintosh, and others of his political friends 
 and acquaintances were keeping comparatively quiet in 
 the vain hope of better days. In the autumn of 1795 
 there had been a great agitation in the country for 
 reform in Parliament and peace with France. This 
 agitation had been purely political, but there had gone 
 on side by side with it a social movement which had 
 serious results. There was almost a famine in the land, 
 and the utmost distress prevailed among the laboring 
 classes. The papers contained frequent reports of death 
 
PUBLIC AFFAIRS IN 1795-96. 279 
 
 by starvation, and the populace, with just instinct, re- 
 garded the war as the chief cause of their sufferings. 
 There had been a great meeting on Copenhagen Fields 
 on the 26th of October, 1795, when a remonstrance to 
 the king had been resolved on, complaining of the 
 neglect and contempt his ministers had shown for an 
 address presented to them some time before. On the 
 29th an unparalleled multitude, estimated at two hundred 
 thousand, ten times as great, it was said, as had ever 
 been seen before, assembled to see the king go to the 
 House of Lords to open Parliament, which had been 
 called together earlier than usual in consequence of the 
 prevailing distress. While waiting for the king the 
 crowd hissed Lord Chatham and the Duke of Gloucester 
 as they passed, hooted the Duke of Portland, and made 
 hostile demonstrations against other well-known mem- 
 bers of the House of Lords. When the king's carriage 
 appeared a storm of hisses and groans broke forth, min- 
 gled with loud cries of ' Bread, bread ! ' ' Peace, peace ! ' 
 and ' Down with Pitt ! ' Opposite the Ordnance Office a 
 stone struck one of the windows of the state carriage and 
 broke it, and the king thought he had been fired at. 
 When the king arrived at the House of Lords he ex- 
 claimed to the Lord Chancellor : ' My Lord, I have been 
 shot at.' Later in the afternoon Lord Westmoreland 
 informed the House of Lords that the king had been 
 treated with insult and outrage by the mob, and that the 
 glass of the carriage had been broken by a shot fired 
 from an air-gun from the bow window of a house adjoin- 
 ing the Ordnance Office, with the object of assassinating 
 his majesty. 
 
 These events had most painful results. The fears of 
 the sovereign and his advisers had magnified a bread riot 
 into a rebellion, as Louis XVI. had mistaken a revolution 
 for an emeute. The meeting in Copenhagen Pields on 
 Monday was associated with the riot of the following 
 
280 EAELY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 Thursday, and proclamations were issued offering re- 
 wards for the apprehension of the ringleaders of the riot, 
 and urging well-affected people to assist in putting down 
 such gatherings as that of Monday, and in preventing the 
 dissemination of 'seditious writings.' The Marquis of 
 Lansdowne courageously accused the Ministry of intend- 
 ing to seize the opportunity to work on the fears of the 
 public in order to get repressive laws passed, and to in- 
 crease their own power at the expense of freedom. Two 
 bills were brought in and passed, one entitled ' An Act 
 for the safety and preservation of his majesty^s person 
 and government against treasonable and seditious prac- 
 tices and attempts ; ' and the other ' for the more effect- 
 ually preventing seditious meetings and assemblies.' The 
 Whig leaders protested against these Acts, but did not 
 even succeed in shortening their duration, which extended 
 in the first case to the whole life of the king, and in the 
 second to three years. The Duke of Norfolk declared 
 that the family of Brunswick owed its possession of the 
 throne to the principle of resistance ; the Duke of Bed- 
 ford said the measures constituted a direct attack on 
 the liberty of Englishmen ; and Mr. Fox maintained that 
 the bills totally annihilated liberty. They were passed, 
 however, and they were not allowed to remain as a dead 
 letter on the statute-book. The first result was to render 
 the Government intensely unpopular, and the second was 
 to discourage all Liberal political action and movement. 
 To these two measures, and to the prosecutions which 
 followed on them, we may attribute the temporary sus- 
 pension of political action on the part of Eogers and his 
 friends, though the complete discontinuation of his 
 diary, so far as political persons and movements are con- 
 cerned, dates from a time just previous to the arrest of 
 his friend William Stone on the charge of high treason, 
 in May, 1794. 
 His ' EecoUections of Fox ' in the volume edited by 
 
EECOLLECTIONS OF FOX. 281 
 
 Mr. William Sharps begin with a dinner at Mr. William 
 Smith's on the 19th of March, 1796. There was a great 
 gathering of Whigs : Tierney, Courtenay, Sir Francis 
 Baring, Dr. Aikin, Mackintosh, Sir Philip Francis, and 
 Dr. Parr, but the talk seems to have been of everything 
 but politics. At Sergeant Heywood's on the 10th of 
 December, Lord Derby, Lord Stanley, Lord Lauderdale, 
 Lambton, Aikin, Smith, and Brogden were present with 
 Fox, and still the talk seems to have been chiefly literary. 
 It is significant, however, that what Fox is reported by 
 Eogers to have said bearing on the politics of the time 
 was pitched in a key of the most profound despondency. 
 *I always say, and always think,' said Fox to Eogers, 
 'that of all the countries in Europe, England wUl be 
 the last to be free. Eussia will be free before England.' 
 A bad prophecy, but a good indication of the feeling of 
 the time. On the same evening Lord Lauderdale said : 
 ' I wish I was Member for Westminster.' ' And I wish 
 I was a Scotch Peer,' answered Fox. ' Why so ? ' he 
 was asked. 'I should then be disqualified,' replied 
 Fox. This was said just six months after his trium- 
 phant return for Westminster at the head of the poll. 
 That election was the last in which Eogers gave a 
 vote for two-and-twenty years ; and he gave it not only 
 on the Whig but on what may be described as the 
 Eadical side.'' Eogers voted for Home Tooke, who 
 was seconded on the hustings by his brother-in-law, 
 Sutton Sharpe. Eogers also voted for Mr. Fox. In an 
 edition of the speeches delivered by Home Tooke at 
 this election, which had come into Eogers's hands, there 
 is a note in Home Tooke's handwriting giving the 
 number of days he had been in prison. I copy it pre- 
 cisely as it stands : — 
 
 1 The poll closed on Monday the 13th of June, the fifteenth day of 
 the polling, and the numbers were: Fox 5,160; Sir Alan Gardner 4,814 ; 
 Home Tooke 2,819. 
 
282 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGEES. 
 
 1774 
 
 H. of Commons 
 
 2 days 
 
 1777-1778 
 
 K.'s Bench 
 
 336 « 
 
 1794 
 
 Privy Council 
 
 3 « 
 
 « 
 
 Tower 
 
 148 « 
 
 ic 
 
 Newgate 
 
 In Prison . 
 
 SO " 
 
 
 . 519 days 
 
 There is a curious reckoning, too, in Home Tooke's 
 writing, which shows that he had spoken from three and 
 a half to four hours during the fifteen days, and that he 
 had made two hundred and twenty-seven points against 
 the government, or about one point every minute. The 
 pamphlet further contains the speech made by Mr. Fox 
 to the electors at the close of the poll on Saturday the 
 11th of June, the fourteenth day of the voting. Mr. Fox 
 spoke quite as strongly as Home Tooke. ' The law that 
 was passed in the last session of Parliament,' said Fox, 
 ' has made it impossible for more than fifty persons to 
 meet without being subject to the interference of a mag- 
 istrate. If you take my advice the law will not disturb 
 your meeting. Meet ! Meet ! Act in obedience to the 
 law, which does not forbid your meeting, it only empow- 
 ers the magistrate to commit you if you act improperly. 
 Meet, then, I say ; conduct yourselves with propriety, and 
 see whether any one will dare to oppose you.' This 
 advice was received with great cheering. Mr. Fox con- 
 cluded by saying : ' Gentlemen, I have spoken plainly 
 and openly to you, and I will conclude by repeating that 
 in my conscience I believe that [the character of the] 
 Government has been by none exaggerated. A more 
 detestable one never existed in British history ; and not 
 to detain you any longer I will sura up its character in 
 two words. This Government has destroyed more human 
 beings in its foreign wars than Louis XIV., and at- 
 tempted the lives of more innocent men at home than 
 Henry VIII.' In these words Fox expressed a feeling 
 
GLOOMY POLITICS. 283 
 
 which Eogers and his friends fully shared, and to which 
 Eogers frequently gave expression in later and happier 
 times. 
 
 The Westminster election probably left some soreness 
 behind it, for at one of William Smith's dinner parties, 
 at which Eogers was present with Fox and Tooke, he 
 noticed, with much pain, that Fox tried to ignore Tooke. 
 At another of these dinners, Tierney and others were 
 speaking disparagingly of Pitt, and declaring that he 
 was not in earnest about the slave-trade, when Fox 
 rebuked them. Wilberforce had just at this time 
 brought himself into much unpopularity by voting for 
 the ministerial measures for the suspension of freedom. 
 The Liberals were profoundly depressed. They seemed 
 conscious that' they were just entering on their long 
 journey through the wilderness. There was none of the 
 buoyant confidence which distinguished them in the 
 halcyon days when the French Eevolution was young. 
 The shadow of the Terror had already rolled away from 
 France, but it had settled down on England. 
 
 Unpopular as the war was, it necessarily created an 
 interest of its own. Dr. Moore, for example, was one of 
 its opponents, but he naturally felt, as every patriotic 
 man feels, a certaiji pride in the successes of his country- 
 men, even when the country is in the wrong. This 
 feeling spread. Dislike of a struggle which multitudes 
 of the best Englishmen regarded as needless and wicked, 
 conflicted in the public mind with pride in their country's 
 prowess, and that pride eventually came uppermost. 
 Dr. Moore had personal and family, interests in the war. 
 He had two heroic sons actively engaged, each destined 
 to win honors, and one immortal fame. In the following 
 letter he refers both to his own literary work, and to the 
 success of one of his sons. 
 
284 EARLT LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGEES. 
 
 JDr. Moore to S. Sogers. 
 
 ' Monday. 
 
 'Mt dear Eogees, — I will be happy to accompany 
 you to Mr. Smith's on the first Monday in Christmas, 
 provided my son Graham does not come to town at that 
 time. You will see by last night's " Gazette " that he has 
 brought a fine French corvette to Spithead. Mrs. Moore 
 and I have scarcely had a fortnight of him since the war. 
 He is the most delightful fellow alive, and I cannot lose a 
 day of him, but I will know when he is to come and inform 
 you. The " Melampus " needs repair. 
 
 ' I am glad you like Edward. I am told he is thought 
 too much of a common man for a hero. Though I tried 
 to make him something of a man of this world and not 
 quite an ideal being, yet I heartily wish that heroes 
 as well as common men were more like him. I am not 
 much of a misanthrope, but I have a notion that all men 
 of humanity are a little so. That you should think all 
 Edward's conduct very natural does not surprise me; 
 that some who rank him with common men should think 
 so, does. 
 
 ' Adieu ! 
 
 , 'J. MOOEE. 
 
 ' Do you ever see my Charles ? ' 
 
 Edward was the hero of Dr. Moore's second novel, 
 which Mrs. Barbauld regards as much inferior to 'Zel- 
 uco' but as having many amusing conversation pieces. 
 Charles was the youngest of his five sons. Graham was 
 the third. He was a year younger than Eogers, had 
 joined the navy in 1777, had been made a post-captain 
 in 1794, and in 1795 had succeeded Sir Eichard Strachan 
 in the ' Melampus.' In this vessel he served for five years 
 with great distinction, and then came home invalided 
 to his father's house, where the Peace of Amiens found 
 
FAMILY LETTERS. 285 
 
 him. When the wax broke out again he was appointed 
 to the ' Indefatigable/ and after twelve years of active 
 service was made a K.C.B. Other deserved honors 
 followed, and in 1837 he was promoted to the rank of 
 admiral. He died at Chobham, in November, 1843. 
 A brief memoir of him was written in 1844, by Major- 
 General Sir Robert Gardiner. 
 
 The kind of life Eogers was living at this period 
 when his greatness was ripening is shown in some 
 family letters. The first is from his sister Sarah. She 
 was visiting Mrs. Eogers at Whitehall near Stourbridge, 
 and wrote to him on the 28th of November, 1796 : — 
 
 ' Here I am at such a distance from all of you that I 
 seem quite in another world, and want very much to 
 know what you are doing in yours. . . . Your time is, I 
 suppose, entirely taken up with engagements, attending 
 clubs, reading papers of which I have heard, etc., while 
 I have little to do but to watch for the time of the post 
 coming in that I may hear a little of what you are 
 about. . . . Wherever I go I hear a great deal about you. 
 We drank tea a few nights ago at "The Hill." Miss 
 Hopkins was there ; she looked very handsome, and if 
 you had heard her conversation, you would have thought 
 her still more so. But I shall make you too vain if I go 
 on and repeat to you what she said ; for though you are 
 suflB.ciently used to compliments, yet, coming from the 
 mouth of so pretty a woman, I don't know what the 
 efEect might be.' 
 
 In a letter from Nottingham Place on the 10th of 
 December, 1796, Mrs. Sharpe tells her sister Sarah : 
 
 ' On Sunday Sam called, and with him Mr. Hoppner, 
 who took Mr. Sharpe to see a collection of pictures of a 
 Mr. des Enfans,^ where there were some fine ones. . . . 
 
 1 This is the collection which now forms the Dulwich Gallery. 
 
286 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL KOGERS. 
 
 On Thursday Sam engaged to dine here, so Mr. Sharps 
 got some other gentlemen, Mr. Tuffin, Mr. Cline, Mr. S. 
 Boddington, W. Maltby, and Stothard. . . . Yesterday 
 Mr. Sharpe dined at Mr. Cline's, where were Home Tooke 
 and a party of gentlemen. He was not home till past 
 twelve, so late are parties now.' 
 
 The men named in this letter were all celebrities in 
 their time. Mr. Tuffin is now forgotten, but for many 
 years he was one of the liveliest and most interesting 
 talkers of a circle of men who made conversation a study 
 and an art. An octogenarian friend of mine stUl re- 
 members his white head and his amusing talk, and the 
 story he told that his hair had turned white in a single 
 night in which he had been shut up by accident in one 
 of the vaults at Windsor. Hoppner was the well-known 
 artist already mentioned in an extract from Rogers's Com- 
 monplace Book ; Cline was the celebrated surgeon who 
 afterwards tapped Fox for the dropsy, and was consulted 
 by Windham respecting the tumor which cost that states- 
 man his life. Of the others it is needless to speak. 
 Sutton Sharpe had married Rogers's sister Maria in 1795, 
 and the result of this closer connection between him 
 and Rogers was, as I have already said, that Rogers was 
 brought into more frequent and familiar intercourse with 
 the chief artists of the time. It was this intercourse, 
 together with Sutton Sharpe's own direct instructions 
 and influence, which gave Rogers the knowledge of art 
 which made him eventually the chief authority of his 
 time on questions of taste. 
 
 These letters show, not only what his private and 
 family life was at this period, but the very affectionate 
 relations he maintained with the members of his family. 
 These relations are further Ulustrated by a letter to his 
 sister Sarah : — 
 
LETTER TO HIS SISTEE SAEAH. 287 
 
 Samuel Rogers to Sarah Rogers. 
 
 'Temple, 10 March, 1797. 
 
 ' Mt dear Saeah, — Surely the wildest dream of Mad 
 Bess herself must have been dull and insipid when com- 
 pared to what is passing in this planet of ours ! At 
 present things are indeed a little too interesting, and I 
 am not yet half recovered from the stunning blow we 
 received last week. I hint this by way of apology ; you 
 will shake your head at it and pronounce it a lame one, 
 but I have been really so harassed for the last month or 
 two that I have even wanted spirits for a pun. Of you, 
 however, I often think, and again and again have I 
 begun an invocation to your friendly but fugitive spirit 
 (when will you take your flight to us ?) but in vain. A 
 thousand cares and follies have interposed to prevent 
 me. But how shall I answer you in your own style ? 
 Eeally, child, you have an admirable way of charming 
 people out of their senses ; you must surely have dipped 
 your pen, not into ink, but into some sweet intoxicating 
 spirit, prepared no doubt (for they abound in it) from 
 the old family receipt book at Cheadle. But what are 
 you about ? Are you indoctrinating yourself into the 
 sublime mysteries of a cotton mill ? Or, like Bonaparte's 
 cannon, are you dealing havoc among the beaux of the 
 north ? Some sylph or sylphid has indeed whispered 
 strange things ; what she said I dare not say, but her 
 voice was so musical that we " think her still speaking, 
 still stand fixed to hear." 
 
 ' This morning I had a visitor to breakfast with me, 
 a noble stranger whom I long to introduce to your 
 acquaintance. Elegant, animated, and modest, with a 
 look of sentiment, a fine form, and the coiffure grec, in 
 short, another Imogene, — the dear brother of Clementina, 
 and of as noble a family, his father being Doge of 
 Genoa. What do you say? and yet I should not like 
 
288 EAKLY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGEES. 
 
 to lose you neither. But do answer, child : ■would you 
 like to sport a veil and a train, and receive incense as 
 her Serenissima the Marchesa Brignola among tables of 
 massive gold and curtains of crimson velvet ? In your 
 next pray say yes or no. I cannot finish this subject 
 without hinting that he talks of visiting Manchester. 
 Perhaps he may suit somebody's taste at Cheadle. With 
 regard to our domestic annals you are in correspondence 
 with those who are far better qualified than I am to in- 
 form you on that subject. The petites Mstoires of Char- 
 lotte Street and Nottingham Place are in better hands. 
 My own memoirs are dull enough, and have no preten- 
 sions even to furnish a little light summer reading for 
 a cit's daughter at a watering-place. I feel, my dearest 
 Sarah, that your mind will be in a very unfit state for 
 the stuff I have just scrawled, when you hear what I 
 have just heard while I was writing, that Patty has this 
 morning lost her little boy. A few days ago he had a 
 slight relapse, but no great danger was apprehended. 
 The poor little object of all their anxieties is now, how- 
 ever, no more. I have not yet heard the particulars ; 
 you will, I suppose, by this post receive them from Maria 
 or Mr. T[owgood]. Pray remember me very particularly 
 to all the family at Cheadle. To two of that family I 
 am at a loss how to express myself. I have deposited 
 the little epistle in lavender, and shall often turn to it 
 with pride and pleasure. It is some consolation to a 
 man as he advances in life that he sometimes receives 
 expressions of kindness and friendship from the young 
 and the lovely, which are withheld, or at least concealed, 
 from the gayer and younger candidates for their favor. 
 Pray give my sincere and unalterable love to the fair 
 personage above alluded to. Adieu, my dear girl, 
 ' And believe me, ever, 
 
 ' Most affectionately yours, 
 
 'S. E. 
 
CORRESPONDENCE WITH R. SHARP. 289 
 
 'A thousand inquiries were made about you at the 
 last City assembly. Miss Edison said she should have 
 called upon you, but she heard you were gone to the 
 north of Europe.' 
 
 In the correspondence with Richard Sharp which 
 took place during Eogers's absence from town in the 
 autumn of this year, there are references which throw 
 light on some parts of the life of both the writers. It is 
 incomplete, of course, for it only fills a gap in that per- 
 sonal intercourse which at this period was constant and 
 intimate, and by its constancy and intimacy escaped all 
 such record. In October, 1797, Eogers was at Brighton, 
 and Eiohard Sharp replies to an urgent invitation to 
 get out of business for a time and pay his friend a visit. 
 Eichard Sharp pleads his mother's illness, the approach- 
 ing death of a friend who he fears has left him as execu- 
 tor, and a fortnight's laborious employment that a West 
 India merchant has sent him, which, he says, ' will occupy 
 the last two months of this distressing year.' The letter 
 continues : — 
 
 'I never knew before the full value of a taste for 
 reading. During the last twelve months I have had no 
 opportunity of gratifying myself in any other amuse- 
 ment. Books are always at hand, and though I never 
 meddle with them before night, yet then they transport 
 me from unpleasant scenes into other worlds, and inter- 
 pose a pleasant hour between the insipid or painful occu- 
 pations of the day. Johnson would have burned this 
 letter before he had read the first page; for he hated 
 complaining people. Your querulous fellow is always 
 selfish, and generally finds more delight in talking of his 
 own pains than in sympathizing with the pleasures of 
 others. I am not so far gone as to have lost my relish 
 for your occupations, and am sincerely rejoiced when I 
 
 19 
 
290 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 think Low completely the sea air seems to have restored 
 to you both your health and your spirit. Seize the 
 precious moment ; consult your solid interest by increas- 
 ing your present name. Publish as soon as you can, that 
 you may run round the only circles where you can now 
 wish to move, and that you may be able early in life to 
 enjoy the highest possible of all intellectual pleasures, — 
 that of living with the few friends you may have se- 
 lected from every class and every rank. For a delicate 
 and discriminating man it is necessary that he should 
 see all, to select, alas ! a very few.' 
 
 This letter appropriately illustrates the influence 
 which Eichard Sharp exerted on his friend. He had a 
 high opinion of Eogers's literary powers, and shows a 
 constant anxiety that those powers should not rust in 
 him unused. He was constantly urging him along the 
 road which his faculties and his ambition marked out, 
 but which ill-health, a too fastidious taste, and a great 
 love of social intercourse, threatened to block. Eogers 
 owed him much in the way of stimulus and encourage- 
 ment; he probably owed him almost as much in the 
 way of suggestion and criticism. There must have been 
 another letter from Eichard Sharp, announcing the 
 death of his friend, and telling Eogers something of his 
 own troubles and difficulties, as is shown in Eogers's 
 reply. 
 
 Samuel Sogers to Richard Sharp. 
 
 'Surely, my dear friend, you must have conceived a 
 very sublime idea of my philosophy to think it equal to 
 such trials. But, not to reproach where no reproach is 
 due, let me express my great concern, not at my disap- 
 pointment, but at the events which have occasioned it, 
 and let me hope that you will not suffer your spirits to 
 sink under such an accumulation of troubles. 
 
CORRESPONDENCE WITH R. SHARP. 291 
 
 'The loss of such a friend as the last, from whom 
 you had experienced such an uninterrupted succession 
 of good and kind offices, must indeed have greatly 
 affected you. After all, there is nothing so attaching as 
 kindness ; indeed, nothing else is worth living for in this 
 world. 
 
 'That friend has, indeed, left you in a very delicate 
 and embarrassing situation, and of the motives for his 
 doing so there can be no doubt. You will, of course, 
 take no step till after you have maturely weighed it, and 
 then, whatever it is, I am sure it must be right. 
 
 ' With regard to myself, I live on here stupidly 
 enough, knowing nobody and not wishing to know any- 
 body. My taste, as you well know, has been too fas- 
 tidious for my happiness, and it has now become more 
 so than ever. Aikin^ was a great comfort while he 
 stayed. He began his operations with great spirit ; the 
 weather was delightful, our situation no less so, and 
 indeed the whole scene was sufficient to intoxicate even 
 a man of his complexion. He over-fatigued himself 
 presently, a hemorrhage came on, and he left me (though 
 not sooner than he first intended) in a very melancholy 
 state indeed. I never knew half his value before. Hoole 
 and his son live within a mile of me, and are a very 
 pleasant acquisition. Mathias ^ has also given me great 
 pleasure, and Gr. Morgan ° made two days pass very 
 , smoothly. But the translator of " Ariosto " is now ill, and 
 the last two have vanished. The Prince and his little 
 court left us on Monday for the season. The place is 
 
 ^ Dr. Aikin's health, as Lncy Aikin tells us, had visibly declined 
 all this year. He was writing the first Tolume of ' General Biography,' 
 and editing the 'Monthly Magazine.' On the day this letter was 
 T\Titten, Aikin's friend. Dr. Enfield, died. His painful illness had 
 exerted a very depressing effect on Aikin's spirits. 
 
 * T. J. Mathias, author of ' The Pursuits of Literature.' 
 " George Morgan, nephew of Dr. Price and brother of "William 
 Morgan, who wrote Dr. Price's life. 
 
292 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGEES. 
 
 now joyless and deserted, and the Steyne, which was 
 lately crowded with the young and the gay, is now re- 
 signed to the nets of the fishermen. In the mean time 
 I bustle about, and my regimen consists of large 
 draughts every morning of a certain pure ether, to be 
 taken ouly on the South Downs, and which is sweetened 
 by the effluvia that escape from the wild thyme now 
 in full blow. I had flattered myself that you would 
 have shared it with me, mais n'importe. I must bear it 
 as I can. Give me leave to hope that the alarm was a 
 false one, and that your mother is gradually advancing 
 to be what you wish her. 
 
 ' Adieu ! and believe me to be, ever, 
 
 ' Yours very affectionately, 
 
 'S. E. 
 ' Briohton, Friday, Novr. 3, 1797.' 
 
 Eichard Sharp's answer to this letter is dated the 
 10th of November, 1797. A great crisis had occurred in 
 his life, the outline of which can only be dimly traced 
 in his correspondence with Eogers, but which seems to 
 . have been as important as that which gave Eogers him- 
 self the wealth he was now enjoying. In this letter he 
 announces .the change. His friend was dead, and had 
 left him as one of his executors and he had assumed the 
 trust. After speaking of some private matters which 
 throw no light on his personal history and have no 
 public interest, Eichard Sharp says : — 
 
 ' It turns out that my deceased friend, as well as the 
 living brother, have always wished that I should be the 
 representative in this world of themselves and all their 
 immense property. This I never supposed, though I 
 had reasons undoubtedly to think so. Their conduct 
 has been so singularly affectionate and so unspeakably 
 respectful to me in this matter, that I should be the 
 
CORRESPONDENCE WITH R. SHARP. 293 
 
 most ungrateful of the human race if I did not do what- 
 ever they have desired I should do. Two men, who 
 have desired to unite me to their only child and to more 
 than £150,000 are entitled to command me, and all that 
 is mine, in every case and to every possible extent. I 
 shall, however, have but little employment in the trust at 
 present, nor will it be ever complicated or difficult. . . . 
 Last night I read a paper at our Society, ' On the 
 Sublime and Beautiful in External Objects,' in sounds, 
 colors, forms, and language. We were a full Club, 
 which is rather uncommon on the first night of the 
 season. 
 
 ' Boddington extols your situation at Brighton ; but 
 your picture of the Steyne and of the Downs interested 
 me more than his panegyrics. I hope you write, as well 
 as ride and read. I hope, too, yet I know the perils of 
 the wish, that you have found stronger inducements to 
 stay by the sea than the desire of health or amusement. 
 Are you determined (without my excuses) to waste your 
 youth as I have done ? With all that can invite and 
 satisfy in manners, fortune, and character, will you defer 
 the chief scene of life till you must perform it under 
 many disadvantages ? Eemember your own illustra- 
 tion, — the rivulet that became a river, and the river 
 that widened into a sea. 
 
 'I have not been in my place either in the Strand or 
 in Bond Street. Favell gave me a dull dinner with 
 Home Tooke on Monday. He was never kinder, but the 
 spring of this curious machine seems to have lost its 
 elasticity. ... I have learned from you, I suppose, to be 
 very jocose and entertaining " dum angor intus, et ipse 
 meum cor edens incedo." If I go on for another year 
 thus, I shall eclipse you in gayety by mere dint of melan- 
 choly, and shall be as sentimental and as interesting as 
 the most inspired poet can desire. If you do not mean 
 to envy as well as admire me, you must come soon to 
 
294 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 Town, and, by cheering me with your presence, bring me 
 back again to the natural stupidity and serenity of my 
 character.' 
 
 Eogers's reply to this letter, written from Brighton on 
 the 14th of JSTovember, 1797, contained the following 
 passage : — , 
 
 'Yes, my dear friend, I am indeed of your opinion 
 (though I fear you were not aware of the full meaning 
 of your words) that you would be very blamable if you 
 did not do whatever they have desired you to do. I 
 believe I have delicacy, I know I have pride, and yet, 
 were such an alternative placed before me, I think I 
 should not hesitate. But why should I say anything ? 
 I was once more than pleased with her. I could again, 
 I am persuaded, love her better than ever ; and if I 
 have sometimes affected to resent the little sallies of a 
 lively and open temper, it was in order to disguise them 
 to my own vanity as the effects of a pique at the discon- 
 tinuance of attentions which I am now convinced she 
 never cared for, and has entirely forgotten. If she were 
 to become the wife of my friend I am very sure we 
 should fall desperately in love with each other in a 
 fortnight. So, beware ! ' 
 
 The self-revelation of this passage makes it an im- 
 portant contribution to Eogers's early history. It shows, 
 at least, that he did not deliberately lay out his life from 
 the first on the plan of bachelor freedom. He makes no 
 further reply to Richard Sharp's hint as to deferring 
 ' the chief scene of life,' unless indeed the tone of the 
 rest of the letter, especially the reference to his flirtation, 
 may be regarded as a kind of escape from a subject which 
 had unwelcome associations. He continues, — 
 
 ' I have nothing to send you but a diary of the weather 
 and a chronicle of visits ; I am reading French novels 
 
CORRESPONDENCE WITH E. SHARP. 295 
 
 with relentless fury, and thoiigh I am not, like you, the 
 hero of a romance, I am often acting a part in one, 
 though a very subordinate part. 
 
 ' Did I tell you of my flirtation with a very celebrated 
 countess ? . . . How I dined alone with her, rode alone 
 with her, spent an evening alone with her, the last she 
 spent in Brighton, and how I was domesticated with 
 her daughters ? And such daughters — but n'importe ! I 
 shall only observe en ■passant ShiA if you think you have 
 any notion of what perfection a woman can attain to you 
 are quite mistaken, and should be punished for your pre- 
 sumption. I hope the Prince is jealous of me, for I am 
 most furiously so of him. 
 
 ' The Hooles dined with me yesterday, and beg to be 
 remembered to you. 
 
 'We have had the most delicious weather, — an Italian 
 sky, and the air clear as crystal from sunrise to sun- 
 set. Deserted as we are, we are still cheerful, tho' we 
 make no effort to be gay. A regiment-band plays twice 
 a day under my window ; and we form the pleasantest 
 little supper-parties imaginable, a melange of cards and 
 conversation, music and macaroni. Last night it was 
 held ehsz the Thompsons ; to-night Mrs. Hope opens 
 her rooms ; and to-morrow night Mrs. Dawson, a lady 
 of great beauty and accomplishments, who cost Erskine 
 a duel some years ago. To tell you a secret, I am in 
 fashion just now, — arrangements are made to see me, 
 and the favor will last three days. The great P^trie is 
 here (a Parisian acquaintance), and his wife, who trails 
 about in her equipage of four horses, has invited me to 
 Gatton ; so I shall call in my transit to town. But I 
 have played the egotist long enough, and shall only add 
 that you are in no present danger of losing the picture ; 
 my pulse beats very temperately. 
 
 'I am sorry I was not present the other night. Why 
 did not you send an express for me ? The Society will 
 
296 EAELY LITE OF SAMUEL EOGEKS. 
 
 recover itself in my opinion; if it discovers a little 
 respect for us, I shall require no more. 
 ' Adieu, my dear Friend ! 
 
 ' Ever yours, 
 
 'S. E.' 
 
 The countess to whom he 'thus humorously alludes 
 was Lady Jersey i whose acquaintance he had made 
 during this visit, and whom he continued to visit in after 
 years. Her intimacy with the Prince of Wales was 
 one of the Court scandals of the time. It need only be 
 referred to here by way of annotation on Rogers's letter. 
 It was about this time that he wrote the lines to Lady 
 Jersey's youngest daughter Harriet. Her elder sister 
 was about to be married, and the younger sister had 
 written some lines on the coming event. Eogers remon- 
 strates in the following stanzas : — 
 
 ' Ah I -why with tell-tale tongue reveal 
 What most her blushes would conceal? 
 Why lift that modest veil to trace 
 The seraph sweetness of her face? 
 Some fairer, better sport prefer, 
 And feel for us, if not for her. 
 For this presumption, soon or late, 
 Know thine shall be a kindred fate. 
 Another shall in vengeance rise. 
 Sing Harriet's cheeks, and Harriet's eyes ; 
 And, echoing back her woodnotes wild, 
 Trace all the mother in the child.' 
 
 It was to Lady Jersey that Eogers once expressed 
 his regret that he was not married, — a regret that he 
 
 1 Frances Twysden, daughter and heiress of the bishop of Eaphoe 
 ■wife of the fourth earl of Jersey, whom she married in 1770. She was 
 therefore much older than Rogers. Miss Frampton (Journal, p. 84) de- 
 scribes her as ' clever and unprincipled, hut beautiful and fascinating. 
 
REGRETS HIS BACHELORHOOD. 297 
 
 often felt and expressed, especially in his later years. 
 ' If I had a wife,' he said, ' I should have somebody to 
 care about me.' ' How could you be sure,' asked Lady 
 Jersey in reply, 'that your wife would not care more 
 about somebody else than about you ? ' Why he never 
 married is not known. Lady Morgan, some time after 
 his death, published a statement that he had made 'a 
 formal proposition for the hand and fortune ' of Cecilia 
 Thrale before she had attained her fifteenth year. She 
 tells the story in order to support the ridiculous false- 
 hood that Rogers resented his refusal and consequently 
 accused Mrs. Thrale's daughters of neglecting her after 
 her marriage with Piozzi. There is not the slightest 
 foundation for Lady Morgan's story in any documents 
 Eogers has left behind. He made the acquaintance of 
 Cecilia Thrale at Edinburgh in 1789, and expresses sur- 
 prise at finding her to be only twelve years old. He 
 did not become acquainted with the other daughters till 
 January, 1801, as will be seen by a letter to his sister in 
 the next chapter, which letter he writes 'after dining 
 with Mrs. Mostyn (my old friend Cecilia Thrale).' The 
 whole of the references to the Piozzis in the diaries 
 already given disprove the insinuation that Rogers stood 
 in any such relations with them as a scornful rejection 
 by Cecilia Thrale in her girlhood would have brought 
 about. The only traces of a susceptible period in his 
 life are those which occur in his correspondence with 
 Richard Sharp, in the years between 1795 and 1801. 
 
 To the letter which contains the hint of love and dis- 
 appointment Richard Sharp replies in a long confiden- 
 tial epistle, further continuing his own romantic story. 
 Of this romance there is no continuation. In Richard 
 Sharp's next letter he says his life 'for the last eight 
 days has been a stagnant pool, after tumbling down 
 cataracts and making a furious noise to very little pur- 
 pose.' He continues : — 
 
298 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 'My romance will not finish, I apprehend, either in 
 a church or in a churchyard, as all others do, but will 
 terminate in some poor vapid conclusion, or break off 
 suddenly, yet not before there is evidence enough of a 
 want of ability and resources to carry it on to any in- 
 teresting end. If men and women, too, insist upon it 
 that I must play an old part before I have run the round 
 of younger characters, why I must submit — unless I 
 choose to be hissed off the scene — to perform what 
 others may approve, how much soever it may be against 
 my own inclination. The town would not hear even 
 Garrick in "Eomeo," but called him to be the merry 
 bachelor " Mercutio," or the melancholy and sententious 
 " Hamlet." If I am not to be the happy man in a regu- 
 lar comedy, I hope still to retain the old fellow in a 
 farce, or the clown in a pantomime. Tragedy is not to 
 my taste.' 
 
 There the romance ends, and we hear no more of it. 
 He had recovered his spirits, and turned at once to give 
 his friend that excellent advice for which he was distin- 
 guished all his life. He says : ' Flirting with countesses 
 is sadly anti-matrimonial. The French opera spoils the 
 taste for Moliere or Eacine. ... I do not like this regu- 
 larity of your pulse, except as it is a proof that your 
 blood is not to be warmed by the brilliancy of fashion or 
 the fever of dissipation.' There is a curious hint, too, in 
 this letter, that even at this early period Rogers had 
 thought of ' Columbus ' as the subject of a poem. ' Ah 1 ' 
 writes Richard Sharp, 'I hear nothing of the "Epistle." 
 The watering-place obliterates the happy valley's picture. 
 You are so busy in discovering new worlds at home that 
 " Columbus " is forgotten.' ' Columbus ' was not finished 
 till many years later. It was printed in 1810 and pub- 
 lished in 1812. The 'Epistle' was very familiar to 
 Richard Sharp. He had been consulted as to many of 
 
GOSSIP ABOUT MARRYING. 299 
 
 its lines, and was an approving critic. Samuel Sharpe 
 tells us that when Rogers showed it to his friend from 
 time to time he would say: 'Let it alone, it can't be 
 better.' But Mr. Eogers was not so easily satisfied, and 
 continued to recast and to mend the rugged lines, and 
 when he again showed it to his critic, Sharp would say : 
 ' It is quite another thing.' 
 
 In this early correspondence with Eichard Sharp there 
 are further hints which show that, at this period, when 
 he was between the ages of thirty and thirty-five, Eogers 
 contemplated matrimony, not only as a distant possi- 
 bility, but as a near and probable event. I have pointed 
 out some of these hints in letters already given ; but if 
 we go forward another year, there is what amounts almost 
 to the statement that he was actually engaged. Mr. 
 Hay ward, in his affectionate and appreciative memorial 
 article on Eogers in the 'Edinburgh Eeview,' says that 
 'his own version of his nearest approximation to the 
 nuptial tie was that when a young man he admired and 
 sedulously sought the society of the most beautiful girl 
 he then and still thought he had ever seen. At the end 
 of the London season she said to him at a ball : "I go to- 
 morrow to Worthing. Are you coming there ? " He did 
 not go. Some mouths afterwards being at Eanelagh he 
 saw that the attention of every one was drawn towards 
 a large party that had just entered, in the centre of 
 which was a lady leaning on the arm of her husband. 
 Stepping forward to see this wonderful beauty, he found 
 it was his love. She merely said : " You never came to 
 Worthing." ' This story rests on the sole authority of 
 Mr. Hayward. Whether it was 'his nearest approxi- 
 mation to the nuptial tie ' seems a little doubtful when 
 we read some of his confidential communications on the 
 subject to his friend Eichard Sharp. In the autumn of 
 1798 he was again at Brighton, and his letters to his 
 sister Sarah and to his friend Sharp give a vivid picture 
 
300 EAELr LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGEES. 
 
 of a Brighton season at the close of the eighteenth cen- 
 tury, at the same time that they throw further light on 
 the personal history both of Sharp and Rogers. 
 
 S. Bogers to Bichard Sharp. 
 
 ' Mt dear Teien-d, — I have nothing to send to you ; 
 but having said I should write, I shall keep my promise 
 by reminding you of yours. On my arrival here I threw 
 myself into a temporary lodging, and then flew to Worth- 
 ing, where I spent three very pleasant days with the 
 EUises. On my return I found Parsons in full cry after 
 me, and by him was persuaded to adopt a plan of life 
 which I relished little, though it has turned out toler- 
 ably well. We have taken a house on the cliff, every 
 room of which is like the cabin of an Indiaman, com- 
 manding nothing but blue sea, and there we dwell a la 
 Gibbon, having separate parlors, and breakfasting separ 
 rately, but dining together when we have neither of us 
 any engagement. This you will imagine occurs not very 
 frequently. When it does we generally invite a friend 
 or two. Mr. Matthew, a most elegant and accomplished 
 man of family (I use the language of the world), Mr. 
 Walpole, our minister at Munich, and Mr. Gray, the 
 Resident at Dresden, of whom I must have spoken to 
 you, have been our occasional guests. With the com- 
 pany I have mixed but little, not wishing to open my 
 campaign seriously till your arrival, and I have nothing 
 to relate, though I have had a dinner with Francis, a 
 conversation with Jekyll, and a most sumptuous enter- 
 tainment with some Cognoscenti at Concannon's. In the 
 morning I walk on the Steyne to military music, and 
 afterwards take a gallop with the hounds or the ladies. 
 At three there is a full promenade, and the evening 
 takes care of itself. When may I expect you to join 
 us ? We have a bed reserved for you, and you must be 
 
LETTERS TO R. SHARP. 301 
 
 my guest. Indeed, you were uppermost in my thoughts 
 ■when the house was taken. When will you come that 
 we may make our criticisms together on the beauties 
 of the Steyne, and afterwards steal away along the cliff 
 to open our hearts and minds to each other, and form 
 schemes of happiness out of the materials before us ? 
 Schemes, did I say? Are we still scheming? Little 
 did we think, when we first entered the world and 
 ranked ourselves as men, that twenty years afterwards 
 we should be still only planning how to live, and busy- 
 ing ourselves with projects of happiness. Come, my 
 dear friend ; lose no time, for my sake and your own. 
 Come and find me as ever, 
 
 ' Your most faithful friend, 
 
 'S. E. 
 ' Brighton, Octr. 26, 1798. 
 
 ' No. 8 Marine Parade. 
 
 'Parsons desires me to say everything for him.' 
 
 S. Rogers to B. Sharp. 
 
 ' Bmghton, 5 Novr. 1798. 
 
 ' Mt dear Feiend, — A thousand thanks for your kind 
 
 letters. L 's demands are indeed exorbitant ! Had 
 
 he asked £350 we might have listened to him. Our rent 
 would even then for the first 13 years be £40- — the sum 
 he was contented to receive for it in its best state from 
 a casual tenant while the furniture was comparatively 
 new, which together with the house will grow worse and 
 worse as the rent increases. I resign my claim to our 
 
 friend Tuffin, but should he also decline it, and L 
 
 continue firm, we may at least solicit to become yearly 
 tenants or for a short lease. Could you procure me a 
 sight of it on my way to town ? ^ 
 
 1 They seem to have contemplated taking a house together near 
 Mlokleham in ' our valley ' as he calls it in this letter on page 303. 
 
302 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 'Your first letter gave me concern; I will not say 
 disappointment, for you have long taught me not to be 
 sanguine. I lament exceedingly the very delicate and 
 embarrassing situation in which you are placed, but 
 doubt not that you will extricate yourself even to your 
 own satisfaction. Remember the first break of day on 
 our return out of the cavern at Castleton. What a 
 recompense for our labors ! I wish I could tantalize you 
 with a description, of the life I lead here, of Mrs. Schol- 
 let's evening parties, where the young and the gay as- 
 semble nightly, to laugh, and to sing, and to play at 
 " my lady's toilet," and where I have more than once 
 found myself alone among six or seven beautiful girls, 
 who paint, and play on the hVp divinely, who devour 
 the books you recommend to them, and who accost you 
 with that voice, cette voix argentee de la jeunesse — mais 
 n'importe ; nor will I describe their form tres mignonne 
 et tres formee, ce qui est pour une fiUe le plus beau 
 moment. SufBce it to say that I have been charmed out 
 of my senses, and I have made one acquaintance which, 
 I hope, will last for life. Interpret this last expression 
 as you please. Oh that I had you here ! 
 
 'I have read a novel which has enchanted me: 
 " Clara" [by] Du Plessis. Have you ? If not, pray do. 
 I have also read the " Confessions," against which I had 
 conceived a prejudice, I don't know why. I now rave 
 about them, to the astonishment of Parsons, who says he 
 has Eousseau by heart, but never could like him. But 
 is he right ? Different minds find different things in 
 the same book. The same letters and syllables pass in 
 review before the eye, but what different feelings and 
 associations are excited. In what a different sense is it 
 often confidently said in company, "I have read that 
 book." What a charming frankness runs through the 
 " Confessions " ! How admirably he describes his silence 
 before those he loved, his suffering " un gros butor de 
 
READS EOUSSEAU'S 'CONFESSIONS.' 303 
 
 valet " to pick up Mme. de Breil's glove, his first and last 
 interview with JVEme. de Warens, and above all his day's 
 adventure with the two girls at Toune ; his want of words, 
 yet his rage for talking ; his journeys on foot, " le grand 
 air, le grand appetit," though I could never enter into 
 " la liberte du cabaret ; " his night spent in the open air 
 near Lyons — what a heavenly climate ! — his notion of a 
 iine country " des torrens, des precipices," not that I ever 
 loved to " contempler au fond, et gagner des vertiges 
 tout k mon aise ; " his castle-building on the Lake of 
 Geneva, "absolument au bord de ce lac et non pas d'un 
 autre." Cannot we say the same of our valley ? " Son 
 gout vif pour les dejeunes " [sic'}- Oh that he had been 
 a Templar ! His portraits, particularly that of Venture, 
 his whole employment at Paris "S. y chercher des res- 
 sources pour se mettre en ^tat d'en vivre eloigne." But 
 enough, I must have worn you out. I have a thousand 
 things to say, a thousand stories to tell, among others 
 that of our fair hostesses at Llangollen, but adieu ! the 
 sun shines, the music plays, and a lady has sent her 
 groom to say that she is already on horseback. 
 
 ' Yours most affect^, 
 
 'S. E. 
 
 ' The ladies, I see, have dismounted for five minutes 
 at Lady Lucan's, and I may proceed. I wish you joy 
 of your correspondent. May the conversion be mutual ! 
 Poor Morgan ! he will certainly die of some experiment. 
 When you see Boddington tell him I hope to see him. 
 Who but Cumberland could write an epic at a public 
 place ? Apropos of Miss C, she has written a play and 
 is writing a novel in concert with another girl. Who 
 could have thought it ? But your coy girls are up to 
 anything. I wish you could see Matthew. He answers 
 Parsons's idea of a perfect man of fashion, and indeed he 
 deserves it. No attitudes, no conceit, very simple and 
 
304 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGEES. 
 
 very easy ; but after all, men of fashion are mannerists, 
 and all manner is bad. A natural character, manners 
 forever varying with the thoughts and feelings, how 
 superior to that uniform and monotonous thing called 
 high breeding ! You will say I am growing sensible, and 
 that it comes from living with P. I can assure you 
 1 never knew before that I was so unlike him, though I 
 must confess that I sometimes envy him, and indeed 
 a thousand others who elbow their way on in the world. 
 A hard nature frequently imposes itself on the world 
 for a superior nature. Its confidence seems to confirm 
 its claims, and its insensibility to place it above (and 
 not below) the reach of sufferings by which a feeling 
 and shrinking nature is continually harassed and ob- 
 structed in the commerce of life. I never made this 
 stale remark so feelingly to myself as I have done since 
 I came here. I must away, to ride with two pretty 
 women, and then dress for Mr. Hope's dinner and Lord 
 Carrington's ball. You will think me very gay, but I 
 have long found that there is at least as much if not 
 more ennui in society than out of it.' 
 
 A letter to his sister, written four days later, continues 
 the description of the gayeties of Brighton in 1798 : — 
 
 Samvsl Rogers to Sarah Rogers. 
 
 ' Brighton, 9th Novr. 1798. 
 ' No, he has not forgotten her, nor ever will cease to 
 remember her, he can truly say, with pride and pleasure. 
 In all his castles (and night and day he is building them) 
 she still has a place ; and when all his wanderings are 
 over (as they soon will be) he hopes and trusts that she 
 will not shut her heart against him, but will welcome 
 back one who is ever the same, and whose regard for 
 her is, if possible, increased, not lessened, by absence. 
 
FOLLIES AND FEMALES OF BRIGHTON. 305 
 
 Yes, my dear Sarah, you are indeed often in my thoughts, 
 and whenever I shall have a home let me hope you will 
 sometimes at least deign to grace it. Its door will 
 always fly open to welcome you. Here — though per- 
 haps you will smile when I say so — I feel alone in a 
 crowd, as a thousand gay images are passing continually 
 by me ; but, like the ombres chinoises, they leave no trace, 
 nothing for the heart to fix upon, or the mind to recall 
 with any real satisfaction to itself. Yet as you wish me 
 to send you a register of the follies of the place, I must 
 obey ; though, were I to do them justice, I should exhaust 
 reams of paper, and ruin you in postage. But where 
 shall I begin ? With Concannon's supper-parties, where 
 there is charming music, which you are not compelled 
 to listen to, where French dishes are served up on silver 
 chiffbirs, and where champagne goes round with glees 
 and bon mots to an early hour ; or with Mrs. Schollet's 
 humbler though merrier meetings, where there is more 
 beauty though less fashion, and where " my lady's toilet " 
 and a thousand whimseys fill the room with noise 
 and disorder ; or with Miss Haldimaud's eonversationes, 
 where I was introduced on the first evening blindfold, 
 and where Miss Cleaver, a relation of the Huttons, plays 
 divinely on the harp, and looks as divinely ; or with Lord 
 Carrington's ball, where I spent last night among Lady 
 Marys and Lady Bettys, where the supper shone most 
 splendidly with youth and beauty, and jellied meats and 
 grapes and pine-apples ? No, my dear Sarah, I will begin 
 with a list of the dramatis personce here, and leave my 
 whereabouts for another chapter. Here is Mrs. Ann- 
 stead (Fox is pheasant-shooting in Norfolk), who lives in 
 a small cabin with a man and a maid, and who is read- 
 ing " Emily Montagu " for the third time ; Mrs. Bristow, 
 who still dances a I'opera, but is now in a little disguise, 
 having last winter got rid of a dropsy in a remarkable 
 manner ; Mrs. Horsley, who looks very dull and rather 
 
 20 
 
306 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 old ; a Miss Grant, who is seldom seen, but who, without 
 entering into these gayeties, looks very cheerful and very 
 well, and makes many kind inquiries after her friends ; 
 Miss Hunt, who was once to have been married to Lord 
 Wycombe, and who has three mines in Cornwall with 
 3,000 lamps burning night and day in each of them; 
 Tommy Onslow, who is one instant seen in his phaeton 
 and six, and the very next on a docktail pony, with 
 his skirts pinned up, and his hat in his hand, bumping 
 along the London road at the rate of twelve miles an 
 hour; General Manners, who follows the hounds in a 
 low chair, which he says he gave eight guineas for 
 twelve years ago, and which is dragged up and down 
 the hills by a tall white coach-horse ; Miss White, a 
 most charming and elegant woman about thirty-five, 
 who, after having long excited the admiration of the 
 Pump Room by her wit and her talents, shut herself up 
 in her father's sick-room for two long years, but he is 
 now dead, and she lives at present in Sir J. Reynolds's 
 house at Richmond on an independency of £1,200 per 
 annum — you must know her ; Lady Lucan, who is illu- 
 minating a Shakspeare with her beautiful drawings, 
 and who sleeps every night in her little steel travelling- 
 bed, lest she should feel any difference between at home 
 and abroad; and Mrs. Hope, who turns up her nose 
 alike at English peeresses and English [customs], and 
 whose little girls come in regularly with the dessert 
 after dinner, with earrings, and necklaces, and white 
 gloves. But I could continue my list till Christmas, and 
 shall conclude with Mr. Spencer, who is a nephew of the 
 Duke of Marlboro', who translated " Leonora," and who 
 married rather oddly. When he was at Heidelberg, a 
 mutual attachment took place between him and the wife 
 of an ex-German nobleman, who became uneasy at it, 
 and Mr. S. left the place. She was an Englishwoman 
 born there. On his departure she solicited leave of her 
 
BRIGHTON GOSSIP. 307 
 
 husband to hear once a year from Mr. S. The Baron 
 consented, and immediately wrote to Mr. S. to meet 
 him at an inn on the road. Mr. S. came and found him 
 dead ; he had shot himself, and had left a letter on the 
 table, recommending his wife as a most amiable and 
 excellent woman to the regard and protection of Mr. 
 Spencer. Mrs. S., who has nothing remarkable about 
 her, is just here. A propos, I have just received a letter 
 from Brignola; he is well, but low in spirits, at Florence, 
 and desires his homage to you. Parsons and myself 
 are here on the edge of old Ocean, who has been taken 
 rather fractious lately. The spray wets our windows, 
 and the wind rocks our beds, and the door sometimes 
 requires three men to shut it. We live like Gibbon and 
 Deyverdun (in only one respect, I fear), breakfasting 
 separately and dining together, when disengaged. We 
 then sometimes indulge ourselves with a partie carree ; 
 and Mr. Walpole, the Munich minister, and Mr. Gray, 
 our Eesident at Dresden, have formed it frequently with 
 us. We have a decent cook, and P.'s Frenchman is 
 just equal to an omelette or a fricassee. P. bathes most 
 furiously, and parades along the cliff in a flannel robe 
 and pantaloons. By some he is taken for the Pope, who 
 has emigrated ; by others for a Carthusian friar. Your 
 More returns her best thanks for kind inquiries. She 
 still excites a little notice, and is forever scampering 
 with the hounds or the ladies. But adieu ! my dear 
 Sarah. I must prepare myself for Lady Clark's sup- 
 per, where there is to be a general insurrection this 
 evening. Kemember me to everybody at Aspleyns and 
 Amersham. 
 
 'Affectionately yours, 
 
 'S.E.' 
 
CHAPTER XI. 
 
 'An Epistle to a Friend.' — Letters from Dr. Warton. — "W. Gilpin. 
 
 Criticisms and changes in the poem. — Mr. Hayward's criticism. 
 
 Rogers and Fox, Erskine. • — Political Warfare. — The Fox Banquet, 
 1798. — The Duke of Norfolk. — Prosecution of Gilbert Wakefield. 
 — PaiT and Mackintosh. 
 
 The 'Epistle to a Friend' was already finished when, in 
 the autumn of 1797, Eichard Sharp inquired about it. 
 It had in all probability originated in conversations with 
 him, and it may be regarded as a poetical reply to the 
 arguments he had used to induce Eogers to leave his 
 suburban home and plunge into the social life of the 
 West End of London. Hiskuephew, Samuel Sharpe, 
 speaks of it as ' a picture of his mind at the age of thirty- 
 five, as " The Pleasures of Memory " shows his mind at 
 the age of twenty- nine. The "Epistle to a Friend" 
 describes his views of life and his feelings on Art, on 
 Literature, and on Society, as one who valued cheap 
 pleasures, who had lived out of town, and was separated 
 from London's round of gayety and glitter.' Headers of 
 my account of Eogers's early days will have no difficulty 
 in understanding the truth of this statement. I have 
 previously said that there was a struggle in his own 
 mind which he turned into poetry. This praise of 
 country life from the point of view of a dweller in the 
 town is an old theme. So Horace wrote to Fuscus and 
 Petrarch to Colonna. Dr. Aikin, as S. Sharpe points out, 
 had just translated the 'Epistle of Frascatorius ' in praise 
 of a country life. It is the object of 'An Epistle to a 
 Friend.' Yet the life at Stoke Newington had scarcely 
 
HIS 'EPISTLE TO A FRIEND.' 309 
 
 been country life. It was life on the verge of Loudon, 
 with many opportunities of mingling in the whirl. 
 Eogers had seen true country life, such, for example, as 
 Gilpin lived it at Vicar's Hill, only as a spectator, or at 
 the very most as a visitor, but that may only make his 
 praise of it the more sincere. He had not failed to read 
 Cowper, the true poet of country life, and he could not 
 read him without' feeling a profound sense of the quiet 
 which a close and constant communion with Nature 
 brings into the mind. He appreciated what Cowper 
 
 calls — 
 
 < as unambitious mind, content 
 In the low vale of life ; ' 
 
 yet said to his soul — 
 
 ' Be thine to blend — nor thine a vulgar aim — 
 Kepose with dignity ; with Quiet fame.' 
 
 There is a good deal in the poem to indicate what his 
 early home had been. The partial pencil, which, as he 
 
 says, must — 
 
 ' love to dwell 
 On the home prospects of my hermit cell,' 
 
 needed the guidance of the poet's fancy, though he prob- 
 ably drew the picture from recollections of Gilpin's par- 
 sonage at Vicar's Hill. But the library demanded no 
 flight of imagination. It is the very place where on 
 many an evening he had sat amid the studious silence of 
 brothers and sisters, reading ancient books and dreaming 
 inspiring dreams. 
 
 ' Selected shelves shall claim thy studious hours ; 
 There shall thy ranging mind be fed on flowers I * 
 
 1 Eogers's note on this line is as follows : — 
 
 . . . apis Matinaa 
 More modoque 
 Grata carpeutis thyraa. — Hor. 
 
310 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGEES. 
 
 There, while the shaded lamp's mild lustre streams, 
 Read ancient books or dream inspiring dreams ; 
 And, when a sage's bust arrests thee there. 
 Pause, and his features with his thoughts compare. 
 — Ah, most that art my grateful rapture calls, 
 Which breathes a soul into the silent walls ; 
 AVhich gathers round the Wise of every Tongue, 
 All on whose words departed nations hung 
 Still prompt to charm with many a converse sweet ; 
 Guides in the world, companions in retreat.' 
 
 There are other home touches. He had spoken in 'The 
 Pleasures of Memory ' of the family portraits — 
 
 ' Those once loved forms still breathing through their dust, 
 Still from the frame in mould gigantic cast, 
 Starting to life — all whisper of the past.' 
 
 In the new poem the thought is again taken up and 
 further expanded : — 
 
 But could thine erring friend so long forget 
 (Sweet source of pensive joy and fond regret) 
 That here its warmest hues the pencil flings, 
 Lo, here the lost restores, the absent brings ; 
 And still the Few best loved and most revered 
 Rise round the board their social smile endeared.' 
 
 His nephew points out that whereas in the earlier 
 poem the family portraits are the only works of art spo- 
 ken of, and were ' almost the only works of art known 
 in his father's house/ in the later poem we find that he 
 ' had gained a knowledge and love of art of the highest 
 class, and understood the beauties of Greek sculpture 
 and Italian painting.' He had imbibed this love of art, 
 as has been already said, from his sister's husband, Sut- 
 ton Sharpe, but he had not yet dreamed of indulging it 
 as a rich man may. The villa in the ' Epistle ' is a small 
 country house, plainly and economically furnished. 
 
HIS 'EPISTLE TO A FRIEND.' 311 
 
 ' Here no state chambers in long line unfold, 
 Bright with broad mirrors, rough with fretted gold ; 
 Yet modest ornament, with use combined, 
 Attracts the eye. to exercise the mind 1 
 Small change of scene, small space his home requires, 
 Who leads a life of satisfied desires.' 
 
 The very object of the 'Epistle,' as he says in his 
 ' Preface,' is to show how little True Taste requires to 
 secure ' not only the comforts, but even the elegancies of 
 life.' ' True Taste,' he says, ' is an excellent Economist. 
 She confines her choice to few objects, and delights in 
 producing great effects by small means ; while Ealse 
 Taste is forever sighing for the new and rare, and re- 
 minds us, in her works, of the Scholar of Apelles, who 
 not being able to paint his Helen beautiful, determined 
 to make her fine.' Hence, in the imaginary villa, where 
 the aim was to blend — 
 
 ' Repose with dignity ; with Quiet fame,' 
 
 a severe economy reigned. 
 
 ' What the' no marble breathes, no canvas glows 
 From every point a ray of genius flows. 
 Be mine to bless the more mechanic skill 
 That stamps, renews, and multiplies at will ; 
 And cheaply circulates, thro' distant climes. 
 The fairest relics of the purest times. 
 Here from the mould to conscious being start 
 Those finer forms, the miracles of art ; 
 Here chosen gems, imprest on sulphur, shine, 
 That slept for ages in a second mine ; 
 And here the faithful graver dares to trace 
 A Michael's grandeur and a Raphael's grace I 
 Thy gallery, Florence, gilds my humble walls ; 
 And my low roof the Vatican recalls ! ' 
 
 In pursuance of his habit of taking counsel with his 
 friends on his works before they were published, Rogers 
 
312 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 sent the unfinished manuscript of this poem to Dr. 
 Joseph Warton,^ and afterwards in its completed state 
 to the Eev. William Gilpin. Dr. Warton returned it 
 with the following letter : — 
 
 Br. J. Warton to Samuel Bogers. 
 
 • April 9, 1797. 
 
 'Mt dear Sik, — I should ill deserve the friendship I 
 hope to cultivate with you if I wrote you a letter of 
 mere compliment on the poem you have so obligingly 
 sent to me. I must assure you, with strict truth, that 
 I like it much. There is in it uncommon elegance and 
 simplicity both of style and sentiment, and the notes 
 are very pertinent and proper. It is more to show you 
 that I have read it with attention than to wish you to 
 alter a word or two, that I venture to carp a little at the 
 following words : Page 1, " unvalued hours," " amhush 'd 
 gate," a good image certainly, but the word seems harsh.^ 
 Page 7, " Vowitam flings." ° Page 8, " tvoo dreams," why 
 not wait ? 9, " unfelt," the idea is excellent, and I cannot 
 suggest another word, yet doubt of unfelt. I lay no sort 
 of stress on these seeming blemishes, nor think them of 
 much consequence. I cannot forbear adding that I am 
 extremely struck with the concluding lines as well as 
 with the Plan and Design of the whole, and hope you 
 will finish it immediately. Own, my dear sir, that I 
 
 ' 'Warton had just then finished his edition of Pope, on which it is 
 said he had been engaged for sixteen years. He was in his old age. 
 He had resigned the head mastership of Winchester School in 1793, and 
 was living at Wiclcham, of which parish he was rector, where he died in 
 February, 1800. 
 
 ^ It now reads ' the sheltered gate.' 
 
 * There is now no such expression in the poem. The line is — 
 ' That here its warmest hues the pencil Sings.' 
 
THE REV. WILLIAM GILPIN. 313 
 
 have treated you with the freedom you are pleased to 
 desire, and believe me, 
 
 ' Very faithfully and sincerely yours, 
 
 'J. Waeton.' 
 
 Eogers did right in retaining both the ' unvalued hours ' 
 and the 'unfelt current.' The latter is compared to 
 
 life — 
 
 ' which still as we survey. 
 Seems motionless, yet ever glides away ! ' 
 
 Mr. Gilpin's criticisms were more important than 
 those of Dr. Warton, and more influential. As Rogers 
 had spent his own life chiefly in the immediate neigh- 
 borhood of London, he probably felt some difB.dence in 
 describing country life, and passing a eulogy upon it with- 
 out taking counsel of some authority. He therefore 
 sent the manuscript of the ' Epistle ' to the Eev. William 
 Gilpin, inviting him to make free remarks and criticisms 
 upon it. Mr. Gilpin, like Dr. Warton, was then drawing 
 towards the close of a lengthened life. He was uni- 
 versally known as the great authority on Picturesque 
 Beauty. Eogers has already described him in his diary 
 of a journey in the south of England in 1792. He 
 speaks there of 'Mr. Gilpin's celebrated view.' Mr. 
 Gilpin was a lineal descendant of Bernard Gilpin, ' the 
 Northern Apostle,' whose life he wrote and published ten 
 years before Eogers was born. He had long been known 
 as a faithful country clergym.an and a writer of religious 
 and biographical books when, in 1790, he published his 
 ' Observations on Picturesque Beauty.' A series of 
 works from his pen on the same subject followed in 
 rapid succession, and before the close of the century 
 Mr. Gilpin had been universally acknowledged as the 
 great modern authority on the Picturesque. In Mr. 
 Green's pleasant ' Diary of a Lover of Literature ' there 
 is a glimpse of his parsonage in 1798 which is in har- 
 
314 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 mony with the sketch of the 'Villa' in Eogers's poem. 
 'Crossed the river by a causeway, and pursued its 
 course by an agreeable walk along its banks up to 
 Boldre, and returning by the upper road, struck down 
 into a woody dell at the back of Vicar's Hill, Mr. Gil- 
 pin's parsonage, the object of our pilgrimage ; shrouded, 
 together with its gardens, in thick foliage. Contem- 
 plated, with much interest, the residence of a gentleman 
 by whose pen and by whose pencil I have been almost 
 equally delighted, and who, with an originality that al- 
 most always accompanies true genius, may be considered 
 as having opened a new sense of enjoyment in survey- 
 ing the works of Nature.' It is more than likely that 
 Rogers in writing the ' Epistle ' had Mr. Gilpin and his 
 parsonage, with the forest scenery around it, present to 
 his memory. He had been in the neighborhood, and 
 he had written a diary of his visit, just as he was be- 
 ginning to write the poem ; and he probably sent the 
 manuscript to Mr. Gilpin because of his personal con- 
 nection with it. Mr. Gilpin's letter, in sending it back, 
 is interesting in itself, and is still more so as indicating 
 Rogers's willingness to take the advice of so experienced 
 an observer of Nature. 
 
 Bev. W. Gilpin to Samuel Rogers. 
 
 ' Vioae's Hill, July 7, 1797. 
 
 ' Deab Sik, — I have read your little poem two or three 
 times over, with great pleasure : I should say with in- 
 creased pleasure, for that is the truth. I have seldom 
 met with, in so short a space, so many beautiful lines. 
 But though you check criticism in a printed work, it is 
 expected you should treat a manuscript with more free- 
 dom. I '11 tell you, therefore, frankly, all that occurred 
 to me. 
 
 ' With regard to the whole, you seem to me (what 
 
GILPIN'S CRITICISM OF THE 'EPISTLE.' 315 
 
 is certainly a fault, if it be one, on the better side) too 
 concise. I think your subject would not only have 
 allowed more, but disappoints us in not having more, 
 — particularly in the description of the cottage and the 
 library. In describing your cottage, instead of alluring 
 us by its near and distant scenery, you give us only a 
 view of the fides and footpath. If it be a picture taken 
 from the life, and have no distant scenery, you might 
 perhaps (if you did not choose to raise the idea, by 
 telling us what it had not) give us a few reflections on 
 the advantages of a cottage entirely sequestered. I 
 think, too, you might have dwelt a little more on the 
 worthies that adorn the study ; and as a poet might have 
 specified a few poets. A friend told me, the other day, he 
 had paid a visit to Lord Muncaster in the north ; and that 
 he had adorned, or intended to adorn, a room with one of 
 the chief worthies of every profession. I thought the 
 idea a pleasing one. Lastly, I was not quite pleased with 
 the conclusion of your poem. I thought it might have 
 ended better with a few pertinent moral reflections. 
 
 ' So much for the whole. With regard to the parts, 
 I have not much to say. Most of the lines, I think, 
 are unexceptionably beautiful. Point out the green lane 
 appears to me rather prosaic ; and I do not think you 
 have chosen picturesque figures to adorn your footpath. 
 The panniered ass I allow. But the pedler is injured by 
 his profession. The satchelled schoolboy is neither a 
 novel nor a pleasing idea. The red-hooded maid is less 
 so : and the cry of cresses has too much of London in it. 
 Perhaps a man of studious hours would not be contented 
 to feed on flowers, if he were in a place, as I suppose he 
 was, which afforded more solid nutriment. Some of the 
 lines, too, on the ice-house I think are rather too heroic. 
 
 ' But now, my dear sir, I must inform you that Mason 
 used to tell me I was among the worst poetical critics 
 he consulted ; and I believe he was very right. But 
 
316 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 as it is not my end at present to display my critical abili- 
 ties, but to show my sincerity, I have no donbt but your 
 candor will accept what I have said in good part ; and 
 that you will believe me to be on this, and every other 
 Occasion, 
 
 ' Your very sincere and most obedt. humble servant, 
 
 'Will. Gilpin.' 
 
 Some of the lines and expressions here objected to 
 did not appear in the published poem, and some of 
 the omissions noted are supplied. There is now the 
 full recognition of distant scenery which Mr. Gilpin 
 suggests — 
 
 ' Far to the south a mountain vale retires, 
 Rich in its groves, and glens, and village spires, 
 Its upland lawns, and cliffs with foliage hung, 
 Its wizard stream, nor nameless nor unsung. 
 And through the various year, the various day, 
 What scenes of glory burst and melt away ! ' 
 
 But there is no pedler now in the poem, no satchelled 
 schoolboy, the red-hooded maid becomes ' in her kerchief 
 blue, the cottage maid ; ' and the cry of cresses — which 
 as Mr. Gilpin truly says has too much of London in it 
 — has given place to the 'brimming pitcher from the 
 shadowy glade.' The lines about the ice-house were re- 
 tained in the earlier editions, but they were afterwards 
 excised and placed in the notes, and every reader will 
 agree with Mr. Gilpin's criticism that they 'are rather 
 too heroic' When the poem had been published it was 
 sent to Mr. Gilpin, who returned the following letter — 
 
 Bev. William Gilpin to Samuel Rogers. 
 
 Vicar's Hill, Ap. 16, 1798. 
 ' Deak Sie, — At the time I received your first letter, 
 and long after, I was so ill that few things in any degree 
 attracted my attention. I was so ill that, to tell you the 
 
LETTER FROM MR. GILPIN. 317 
 
 truth, I was not overjoyed at the idea of having all the 
 suffering I had undergone, or something like it, to under- 
 go again at some future period. It hath pleased God, 
 however, to give me a wonderful restoration, which I 
 should wish to return with a greater degree of religious 
 gratitude than I fear the conlirmed habits of old age will 
 in general allow. I am still, however, far from being 
 well; though I am as well as I ever expect to be, un- 
 less, on the return of the zephyrs and swallows I may 
 now and then perhaps be enabled to breathe a little more 
 freely. 
 
 'Having thus talked of myself through a page, it is 
 now time to come to your villa, for the sight of which I 
 am much obliged to you. I entered your gate impressed 
 with those just sentiments which you had so justly 
 raised. I admired the view from your windows — I 
 thought you had collected your prints with great judg- 
 ment. Many of your sulphur-gems I had never seen 
 before. Your portraits and books I thought the hap- 
 piest appendages of the place. I then sat down with 
 you to your elegant closet-supper. Of all kinds of food, 
 the dapes inemptce please me most : and, as it fortunately 
 happened I am now ordered to drink wine (which I al- 
 most never before tasted), I drank two bumpers of your 
 excellent Falernian. In short, you have entertained me 
 like a prince, and I once more return you many thanks. 
 I must not forget that, as I left your villa, I met a 
 bride going to church, whose beautiful simplicity and 
 varied sensibilities were very interesting. " There," said 
 I, " is Nature in its pleasing innocence ; " and I could 
 not help thinking what a happy subject it would have 
 been for you. We painters very sparingly, if ever, in- 
 troduce the mixed passions into the same face ; but you 
 would have had the advantage of us, and might have 
 introduced a thousand varieties of delicate emotions al- 
 most at once. 
 
318 EAELY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 ' Cadell has in hand one of my books of picturesque 
 travels. I sell him the copy, tho' our bargain is not yet 
 struck. The money is to be funded, as the beginning of 
 a fund for the posthumous use of my school ; so that 
 they who do not purchase from a motive of choice may 
 please themselves with purchasing from a motive of 
 charity. With Mrs. G.'s best respects, 
 ' Believe me, dear Sir, 
 
 'Very sincerely and cordially yours, 
 
 'Will Gilpin.' 
 
 The bride whom Gilpin met going to church was in 
 Eogers's volume in the short poem, ' To a Friend on his 
 Marriage.' It is dated 1798. There were two other short 
 poems in the volume : the lines ' To a Gnat,' and the five 
 verses, written in 1797, entitled ' A Farewell.' 
 
 It might, perhaps, not be altogether impossible to 
 construct out of the slight materials furnished by these 
 two poems — the ' Farewell ' and the ' Lines to a Friend 
 on his Marriage ' — taken together with the hint in his 
 letter to his friend Eichard Sharp,^ a romantic episode 
 in Eogers's life. But beyond those vague hints and the 
 story told by the ' Edinburgh Eeview ' " there are no fur- 
 ther traces of his having really experienced the feelings 
 the 'Farewell' expresses. It is only the most prosaic 
 criticism which essays to trace the events of a man's life 
 in his imaginative writings. One of the chief marks of 
 the true poet is the possession of the power of realizing 
 situations in which he was never personally placed, and 
 of giving expression to feelings which he never seriously 
 experienced. It has not been proved that Shakspeare's 
 mental history is to be found, as some tell us, in his 
 sonnets ; nor that Sidney, though he looked into his 
 heart and wrote, really passed through all the feelings 
 so exquisitely described in his 'Astrophel and Stella' 
 
 1 Chap. X. p. 302. ^ Page 299. 
 
A BOOK BY MR. GILPIN. 319 
 
 sonnets. It was probably never literally true of him 
 
 that, — 
 
 ' the race 
 Of all my thoughts had neither stop nor start. 
 But only Stella's eyes and Stella's heart ; ' 
 
 nor of his friend Fulke Greville that he wrote in 
 'Caelica' the romance of his own life. There is, of 
 course, no such passion in Rogers's few lines as these great 
 Elizabethan writers express. It is only the imaginative 
 experience which is the same, and that is the essence of 
 such poetry. He was never engaged to be married^ and 
 there is no evidence that he ever made any woman an 
 offer of marriage.' The nearest approach, in any of his 
 letters, to the utterance of any feeling of disappoint- 
 ment is in those from Margate and Brighton already 
 quoted ; and it is just worthy of notice that the last of 
 these was written in the same year as the ' Earewell.' 
 
 It is not to be wondered at, however, if some of his 
 friends suspected that these little poems had an autobio- 
 graphic character. The Eev. William Gilpin expresses 
 this suspicion in a very characteristic letter. He had 
 returned the compliment Rogers had paid him in con- 
 sulting him about the 'Epistle to a Friend,' by sending 
 to Rogers the manuscript of a work on North Wales 
 for his criticism and remarks. Rogers kept it so long 
 that Gilpin became anxious about it and wrote to in- 
 quire whether he had asked his friend, after reading it, 
 to send it to Cadell and Davies. Rogers, whom Gilpin 
 had described as ' such an ubiquitarian that I know not 
 where to find you ' wrote from Exmouth apologizing for 
 the delay, and promising to send the manuscript forth- 
 with. Mr. Gilpin then sent him the following letter : 
 
 1 I have already discussed the ridiculous statement of Lady Mor- 
 gan with respect to Cecilia Thrale, which is exactly on a par with her 
 hint as to a similar offer to her niece in the days when Rogers's memory 
 had failed him. 
 
320 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL KOGERS. 
 
 Bev. William Gilpin to Samuel Rogers. 
 
 'Vicar's Hill, Nov. 29, 1799. 
 
 'I hope, my dear sir, you read my letter in the 
 same honest, sincere spirit in which it was written. I 
 certainly neither wanted my papers, nor in the least 
 doubted your care. But I had entirely forgotten whether 
 I had desired you to leave theiu at any place, and under 
 that forgetfulness might have suffered them to lie I 
 knew not where, nor how long. You gratified me much 
 with what you said of them ; but I should have been 
 more gratified if you had made any remarks that would 
 have led to amendment. I shall, however, I doubt not, 
 when I receive the papers, find a few remarks bundled 
 up with them. If not, do not again hypocritically call 
 me friend. It has always been my chief endeavor, in 
 all my picturesque exhibitions, to bring the objects I 
 describe, as much as I can, before the eye of my reader ; 
 remembering our old friend's remark that things brought 
 before the eye affect us more than things only described. 
 How far I have succeeded I am not the person to judge. 
 There is, I think, another great criterion of excellence in 
 works of fancy ; and that is the power of exciting feel- 
 ings. But this belongs rather to animate than inanimate 
 objects. Gray's "Elegy" will he felt when Dr. John- 
 son's cold criticisms on words and syllables are neglected. 
 I have often read with much pleasure, among other 
 pieces which pleased me, a little poem on the " Marriage 
 of a Friend." It is wonderfully wrought up with that 
 sort of sensibility which excites feeling ; and to me, who . 
 have so often, as my duty led, seen it realized, it appears 
 an admirable portrait from the life. It is followed so 
 immediately by another poem, called the "Farewell" 
 (which also I like much), that I cannot help thinking 
 there is some connection between them. If you are 
 
THE 'EPISTLE' SHARPLY CRITICISED. 321 
 
 acquainted with the author perhaps you can tell me 
 whether any history belongs to them. By the way, I 
 think the Marriage Service in our Liturgy is not quite 
 so delicate as it might be. I see no reason for entering 
 so minutely into the causes of matrimony : and I think 
 I should rather have spared the young lady her hesitat- 
 ing speech. Her coming to the altar with her friends 
 and signing her name seem sufficient. But the other 
 parts of the Service (except one prayer) I think ex- 
 tremely fine. You write cheerfully, and I hope you are 
 well ; but I want to know why you have been sent to 
 Exmouth ; and your saying so significantly that you are 
 sorry your sister is not with you seems to have a mean- 
 ing. Let me hear. With regard to myself, a degree of 
 health is a blessing at the age of 76, and I have great 
 reason to bless God for it. Coughs and a few other in- 
 firmities summon me to a change, which I would gladly 
 persuade myself I do not regret. God bless you ! 
 ' And believe me to be 
 
 'Your affect, and sincere 
 
 ' Will Gilpin. 
 ' Mrs. G.'s best respects.' 
 
 ' An Epistle to a Friend ' was published in the spring 
 of 1798, a year and a half before the above letter of 
 Gilpin's was written. It had occupied Rogers, with the 
 notes, half-a-dozen years, and had undergone, as these 
 letters show, much patient elaboration and critical re- 
 view before it took its final shape. It seems to have 
 been received with some differences of opinion among 
 Eogers's friends. Soon after it was published he wrote 
 to Eiehard Sharp in apparent despair : — 
 
 Samuel Rogers to Bichard Sharp. 
 
 ' Mt dear Friend, — I am in a peck of troubles. My 
 "Epistle" is universally found fault with for its crude- 
 
 21 
 
322 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGEES. 
 
 ness and obscurity. Twiss says he shall try to read it 
 again, not having Goldsmith to refer to. The simile of 
 the floating beehives was lost upon him ; and as to the 
 verses to Lady 's daughter they are, as he and Par- 
 sons agreed, perfectly unintelligible. 
 
 ' What am I to do ? I stand still in horror, and dare 
 not advance a step. Pray console your unhappy friend ! 
 
 'S. K. 
 
 'P. S. — I shall expect you on Saturday at half-past 
 four.' 
 
 Richard Sharp's response to this appeal is not extant. 
 The simile of the floating beehives is in the following 
 lines, and it is now explained in a note to be ' an allusion 
 to the floating beehouse, or barge laden with beehives, 
 which is seen in some parts of France and Piedmont.' 
 
 ' So, thro' the vales of Loire the beehives glide, 
 The light raft dropping with the silent tide ; 
 So, till the laughing scenes are lost in night, 
 The busy people wing their various flight, 
 Culling unnumbered sweets from nameless flowers 
 That scent the vineyard in its purple hours.' 
 
 The note not only makes the simile perfectly intelligible 
 but renders it impossible for the dullest not to see its 
 appropriateness and beauty. The note to the verses to 
 Lady Jersey's daughter Harriet makes them also intel- 
 ligible by simply explaining the circumstances in which 
 they were addressed to her. The ' Epistle ' fully justifies 
 in its present shape the long labor spent upon it. It con- 
 sists of only two hundred and twenty-two lines, but no 
 reader can fail to perceive, as he reads it, that an unusual 
 number of the lines have a strangely familiar sound. As 
 I said of ' The Pleasures of Memory ' so, to a larger ex- 
 tent, it may be said of this much shorter poem that it has 
 many expressions which have passed into literature and 
 
QUOTABLE PASSAGES IN THE 'EPISTLE.' 323 
 
 have become, as it were, familiar forms of speech. ' The 
 insect tribes of human kind,' the contrast of home's 
 'simple comforts and domestic rites' with the season's 
 ' annual round of glitter and perfume ; ' the line — 
 
 ' Each fleeting charm that bids the landscape live ; ' 
 the couplet — 
 
 ' There let her practise from herself to steal, 
 And look the happiness she does not feel ; ' 
 
 and other lines such as — 
 
 ' Guides in the world, companions in retreat ; ' 
 or — 
 
 ' The cheap amusements of a mind at ease ; ' 
 
 are surely most felicitously expressed, and have lingered 
 in the recollection of readers and writers who have repro- 
 duced them without remembering their origin. 'The 
 clear mirror of his moral page/ and — 
 
 ' Scorned the false lustre of licentious thought,' 
 
 are happy phrases from those concluding lines which 
 every reader will admit to be entirely worthy of Dr. 
 Warton's praise. 
 
 Like his other poems -'An Epistle to a Eriend' was 
 well received by the critics. The 'Monthly Eeview' 
 prided itself that on the first anonymous appearance of 
 the writer it did justice to his talents, and that when 
 after a considerable interval he came before the world 
 again, it was again forward to pay its tribute of applause 
 to his taste and genius. The 'Epistle' it regarded as 
 'of a more masculine character, without falling below 
 his other compositions in elegance or in feeling. It is 
 at once correct and spirited, classic and original.' The 
 reviewer quotes with approval some original and happy 
 
324 EAKLY LIFE OF SAMUEL KOGERS. 
 
 epithets : ' His spangling shower when frost the wizard 
 flings;' 'the arrowy North;' 'the mMrmMHM^r market- 
 place.' 
 
 Mr. Hayward in the ' Edinburgh Eeview,' fifty-eight 
 years later, speaks of the description of winter in the 
 'Epistle,' as 'marked by the same delicate fancy which 
 is displayed in the "Eape of the Lock" on a dilferent 
 class of phenomena : ' — 
 
 ' When Christmas revels in a world of snow, 
 And bids her berries blush, her carols flow : 
 His spangling shower when Frost the wizard flings ; 
 Or, borne in ether blue, on viewless wings. 
 O'er the white pane his silvery foliage weaves. 
 And gems with icicles the sheltering eaves ; 
 — Thy muffled friend his nectarine wall pursues.' 
 
 Mr. Hayward adds : ' There is no disputing the eye for 
 Nature which fixed and carried off the image of the 
 silvery foliage woven on the white pane. At one of his 
 Sunday breakfasts Eogers had quoted with decided 
 commendation Leigh Hunt's couplet on a fountain (in 
 Eimini) — also selected by Byron as one of the most po- 
 etical descriptions of a natural object he was acquainted 
 with : — 
 
 " Clear and compact, till at its height o'errun 
 It shakes its loosening silver in the sun.'' 
 
 "I give my vote," said one of the guests, "for — 
 
 ' O'er the white pane his silvery foliage weaves ; ' " 
 
 and Eogers looked for a moment as if he were about to 
 re-enact Parr's reception of the flattering visitor from 
 Birmingham.' 
 
 In the admirable and appreciative article from which 
 this criticism and its illustrative story are taken, Mr. 
 Hayward speaks of the poem, as a whole, 'as conveying 
 
HAYWARD'S CEITICISM OF THE 'EPISTLE.' 325 
 
 after the manner of Horace and (in parts) of Pope the 
 writer's notions of social comfort and. happiness, as de- 
 pendent upon, or influenced by, the choice of residence, 
 furniture, books, pictures, and companions, — subjects on 
 all of which he was admirably qualified to speak.' But Mr. 
 Hayward and those to whom, like Mrs. Norton and Lady 
 Dufferin, he applied for information, were in absolute 
 ignorance of the circumstances out of which the poem 
 had sprung, and of the training which had so admirably 
 qualified the poet to speak on the topics he introduces. 
 He interprets Eogers's feelings in those early days, not 
 by the struggle which called them forth, of which he 
 knew nothing and suspected nothing, but by the altered 
 circumstances of Eogers's later life. Knowing him for 
 many years as the centre of the most brilliant society of 
 the time, Mr. Hayward could not imagine him as he was 
 when the poem was written, standing with the open door 
 before him, considering for a moment whether it was best 
 to enter and mingle with the crowd, or whether he should 
 say to his soul, — 
 
 ' Be thine to meditate a humbler flight, 
 When morning fills the fields with rosy light : 
 Be thine to blend — nor thine a vulgar aim — 
 Kepose with dignity ; with Quiet fame.' 
 
 His actual mental attitude was probably that of one 
 who was conscious that he should go forward, yet who 
 cherished an unaffected admiration for much that he 
 should leave behind, and who puts on permanent record 
 his resolution — amid 
 
 ' the joyous glare, the maddening strife 
 And all the dull impertinence of life ' — 
 
 to keep his early faith in ' simple comforts and domestic 
 rites.' Mr. Hayward, however, speaks of his praise of 
 modesty, simplicity, and retirement as being made 'with 
 
326 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 about the same amount of practical earnestness as Grat- 
 tan when he declared he could be content in a small neat 
 house with cold meat, bread, and beer and plenty of 
 claret.' Grattan never made any such declaration. The 
 story is one of Eogers's own, and is told in the ' Recol- 
 lections : " ' What a slavery is office ! ' said Grattan in 
 one of his talks with Eogers, at Fredley Farm, at Tuu- 
 bridge Wells, or at St. James's Place ; ' to be subject to 
 the whims of those above you, and the persecutions of 
 those beneath you ; to dance attendance on the great ; 
 to be no longer your own master. No, give me a cot- 
 tage and a crust — plain fare and quiet, and small beer 
 and — ' he added, lowering his voice and smiling with his 
 usual archness — ' claret ! ' The contrast between these 
 two versions of Grattan's words is a fair illustration of 
 the difference between Eogers's stories as he told them 
 himself, and the same stories as they were afterwards 
 recounted from the imperfect memories of his auditors. 
 To compare this expression of Grattan's with the tone of 
 Eogers's poem is absurd. The one was half a joke, — the 
 other was the expression of serious thoughts. Eogers 
 had not dreamed, as yet, of the exquisite home in St. 
 James's Place where for fifty years his friends saw him, 
 like a picture in its appropriate frame and placed in fit 
 surroundings, and regarded him as the impersonated 
 spirit of the scene. ' He cultivated art as yet ' — says 
 his nephew — ' only as a student and with economy. He 
 had not begun to form his own valuable collection; and 
 the works of art therein recommended to our purchase 
 are not pictures and marbles, but copies from the antique 
 in plaster and sulphur, and engravings after Italian 
 painters.' He was, in fact, just setting out on his career 
 of art patronage and social success. He had two homes, 
 — one at Stoke Newington, the other in chambers in 
 Paper Buildings, and he was gradually deciding between 
 ' Page 104, second edition. 
 
LEAVING THE' OLD HOME. 32T 
 
 them. The last lines of the ' Epistle ' are a record of his 
 experience in the five years before it was published : — 
 
 ' One fair asylum from the world he knew, 
 Who boasts of more (believe the serious strain) 
 Sighs for a home, and sighs, alas ! in vain. 
 Through each he roves, the tenant of a day. 
 And, with the swallow, wings the year away.' 
 
 About this period he wrote in his Commonplace Book the 
 sentence which was incorporated in his last note to the 
 poem : ' The master of many houses has no home.' 
 
 The decision was probably taken during or after his 
 autumn visit to Brighton and the formation of his friend- 
 ship with Lady Jersey in 1797. In the following June, 
 after the ' Epistle ' had been published in the spring, he 
 finally gave up the home on Newington Green, and lived 
 in his chambers, alone. His brother Henry had already 
 taken a house at Highbury Terrace, with his sister Sarah ; 
 and his sister Maria Sharpe, who had taken her children 
 there for a summer holiday in 1798, speaks of Highbury 
 Terrace at that time as ' quite a gay place, more like the 
 seaside than anything else.' The old house at Newing- 
 ton Green was put into the hands of an auctioneer for 
 sale, and Eogers's fastidious taste was greatly annoyed 
 by the advertised description of the place. 'I should 
 never have known it,' writes Maria Sharpe to her sister 
 Sarah, 'if the place had not been mentioned. I read it 
 to Mr. Sharpe and Catharine without their at all making 
 it out. I am sorry they have dressed an old friend in 
 borrowed ornaments.' In these letters there are frequent 
 glimpses of Sam, as he is always called. ' His room is 
 much improved since you saw it,' she tells her sister in 
 May, 1797. He is often at Sutton Sharpe's ; and I'lax- 
 man and Opie and Stothard are spoken of with Richard 
 Sharp and the Barbaulds, the Boddingtons, and the fami- 
 lies of the Towgoods and Mallets. One day there is a 
 
328 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 party at Eichmond to whicli Sam has invited them. He 
 and E. Sharp, who is present, are very fond of Eichmond, 
 but E. Sharp monopolizes the poet, and Maria complains 
 that he deserted them. Another time she remarks to her 
 sister Sarah: 'What very pretty presents he makes to 
 you ! Is it not well to be the single sister ? ' The ques- 
 tion is asked in 1800, and for fifty years after it Miss 
 Eogers had every reason to answer yes. 
 
 It was Eogers's custom in these years to get his friends 
 together pretty frequently to dinner and evening parties 
 in his chambers, and the meal or refreshments were sent 
 in from the 'Mitre,' — still a well-known tavern in a court 
 out of Meet Street. Among the stories he told in later 
 years Mr. Hayward has preserved one which relates to 
 one of these dinners. Eogers had invited Fox, Sheridan, 
 Erskine, Perry (of the ' Morning Chronicle '), and other 
 Whig notables to dinner, and as usual had ordered it at 
 the ' Mitre.' These dinners usually came in by instal- 
 ments, — as Sydney Smith reminds us, when, arriving 
 just as some portion of the repast was being delivered, 
 he exclaimed: 'I knew I was in time, for though the 
 turtle had the start of me I fairly headed the turbot.' 
 The guests on this occasion, however, had the start of 
 the turtle. The dinner-hour came, the guests were in the 
 drawing-room, but there was no dinner. ' I quietly stole 
 out,' said Eogers, ' and hurried to the " Mitre." " What 
 has become of my dinner ? " I asked. " Your dinner, sir ? 
 Your dinner is for to-morrow ! " I stood aghast, and for 
 a moment plans of suicidal desperation crossed my brain, 
 when the tavern-keeper relieved me from my perplexity 
 by saying that he had so many dinners on hand that mine, 
 if ever ordered, had escaped his recollection altogether. 
 " Many dinners on hand, have you ? Then if you will 
 send me the best dish from each of them I will pay you 
 double ; and if you won't you shall never see my face 
 again." As I was a good customer he chose the more 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF FOX. 329 
 
 prudent and profitable alternative, and after an hour's 
 waiting my guests were seated and served.' ' And how 
 did the dinner go off ? ' ' Oh, very well ! They got a 
 bad dinner, but they got a good story to tell against me.' 
 
 He had already begun to make those notes of his con- 
 versations with eminent and celebrated men which gave 
 so much pleasure to his guests in later years. In the 
 charming volume of ' Recollections,' edited in 1859 by his 
 nephew Mr. William Sharpe, the first conversation with 
 Fox which is recorded took place on the 19th of March, 
 1796. He had met Fox before, but this time he seems 
 to have engaged in conversation with the great states- 
 man. The first occasion illustrated the ' playfulness ' 
 which Eogers in his prefatory note attributes to Fox. 
 The latter exhibits — to quote Eogers's words — ' his 
 love of letters and his good nature in unbending himself 
 to a young man.' The conversation took place at the 
 dinner table of William Smith, the well-known Unitarian 
 member for Norwich, and the champion in the House of 
 Commons of the rights of Dissenters in the days when 
 the Test and Corporation Acts and other oppressive 
 measures remained unrepealed. There were present, 
 besides Fox and Eogers, Dr. Parr, George Tierney, John 
 Courtenay, Sir Francis Baring, Dr. Aikin (the eminent 
 brother of Mrs. Barbauld), Mackintosh, and Sir Philip 
 Francis. Sheridan sent an excuse. Eogers dined with 
 Fox again at Serjeant Heywood's on the 10th of Decem- 
 ber, 1796, when Lord Derby, Lord Stanley, Lord Lauder- 
 dale, Lambton (the member for Durham), and Brogden 
 constituted the party. On another day he puts on record 
 his meeting Fox in June, 1798, at the Park Gate at Pens- 
 hurst. He was mounted on a pony, and dressed in a 
 fustian shooting-jacket and a white hat. Mrs. Armstead 
 was in a whisky. This was a kind of light carriage, so 
 called because it was built for rapid motion, and whisked 
 along. Its familiar name was a tim-whisky. The eon- 
 
330 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 versation on these occasions is made by the 'Eecollee- 
 tions' familiar to every reader. There is a glimpse of 
 Fox in a letter from Thomas Erskine, afterwards Lord 
 Erskine, to Eogers, published in the Notes to the ' Rec- 
 ollections ' (page 11). It is dated the 17th of July, 1798 : 
 * I called yesterday on Fox at St. Anne's, and found hiin 
 drawing a pond to please an Eton boy, a son of the 
 Bishop of Down. I told him he was committing a double 
 crime, killing the poor fish and ruining Goss, — for Coss 
 has a perpetual holiday there. He left off, and we had 
 some talk on the times. He has no hope.' There is 
 another short letter from Erskine without date, but 
 written on paper bearing the water-mark 1799, and ad- 
 dressed to Eogers at Paper Buildings. It shows that at 
 this period Eogers and Erskine had not yet established 
 the close intimacy which marked their later years. 
 
 Thomas Erskine to Samuel Rogers. 
 
 ' Dear Sik, — The little, foolish, and too ill-natured 
 epigram which I gave you was incorrect ; it should have 
 been as below : — 
 
 " Some newspapers to blot the fame 
 That waits on Fox's patriot name, 
 
 By misreporting damn his praise. 
 But then in far more bitter spite 
 Against a hapless courtly wight 
 
 They truly print what M — d says 1 " 
 
 'Yours ever, 
 
 'T. E.' 
 
 There is no difficulty in identifying the name of the 
 'courtly wight.' He was Sir John Mitford, Attorney- 
 General in 1799, Speaker of the House of Commons 
 in 1801, and afterwards Lord Eedesdale. The epigram 
 brings out one of the methods of political warfare which 
 
POLITICAL WARFARE IN 1799. 331 
 
 were adopted in those early days of the press, but which 
 have been happily altogether outgrown. One of the hap- 
 piest features of political controversy in these days is 
 the fulness and fairness with which the chief newspapers 
 of all shades of politics report the political speeches of 
 their leading opponents. In these dark closing years" of 
 the eighteenth century political passion ran high in this 
 country, stirred by the violent movement in France. It 
 •was quite common to accuse prominent politicians of 
 being in communication with the enemy, and the usual 
 explanation given by the supporters of the Government 
 for Fox's opposition to the war, was, that he was in the 
 pay of France. Walpole in one of his letters had made the 
 accusation against Wilkes, and it seems to have become 
 a common weapon of political warfare, Walpole said 
 that he was as sure that Wilkes was in the pay of France 
 as of any fact he knew; and there were a thousand 
 lesser Walpoles in the last decade of the eighteenth 
 century who werer not only sure of it with respect to 
 Fox, but who professed to know the exact amount he 
 received, the time it was paid, and the persons who 
 condacted the transaction. Writing to Lord Webb Sey- 
 mour so late as the 26th of December, 1805, Francis 
 Horner says : ' I could name to you gentlemen with good 
 coats on, and good sense in their own affairs, who believe 
 that Fox did actually send information to the enemy 
 in America, and is actually in the pay of France.' ^ In 
 the days of the ' Anti-Jacobin ' " this charge was con- 
 stantly urged against the journals and the statesmen 
 that opposed the Government. The ' Anti-Jacobin ' insin- 
 uates it against the 'Morning Chronicle,' which, with 
 the ' Morning Post,' were the leading journals of ' Jaco- 
 binism.' The spirit of the time when Erskine wrote to 
 
 1 Homer's ' Memoirs and Correspondence,' vol. i. p. 323. 
 
 2 The ' Anti-Jacobin ' issued its first number on the 20th November, 
 1797, and the last — the 36th — on July 9th, 1798. 
 
332 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 Eogers that Fox had no hope, is forcibly illustrated by an 
 event in which many of Rogers's personal friends, and 
 in all probability Eogers himself, took part ; and which 
 may have tended to produce the despondency Fox felt 
 in that gloomy year. There was a great gathering at the 
 ' Cfown and Anchor ' on Fox's birthday, the 24th of Jan- 
 uary, 1798. Two thousand people were present, among 
 them the Duke of Bedford, Lord Lauderdale, Lord 
 Oxford, Sheridan, Tierney, Erskine, and Home Tooke. 
 Lord John Eussell* was one of the stewards, and pre- 
 sided in one of the rooms. After the health of Fox had 
 been drunk, the Duke of Norfolk, as chairman, gave 
 several other toasts. These were : ' The Eights of the 
 People ; ' ' Constitutional Eedress of the Wrongs of the 
 People ; ' 'A speedy and effectual Eef orm of the Eepre- 
 sentation of the People in Parliament ; ' ' The Genuine 
 Principles of the British Constitution ; ' ' The People of 
 Ireland : may they be speedily restored to the Blessings 
 of Law and Liberty ! ' 'The Cause of Liberty all over the 
 World ; ' and ' The Freedom of the Press, and Trial by 
 Jury.' A chronicler of the time says that the seditious 
 and daring tendency of these toasts had not passed un- 
 noticed. The ' Anti-Jacobin ' which published a caricature 
 report of the proceedings, reminded the Duke that, under 
 another Sovereign than the Sovereign people, ' he now 
 holds the lieutenancy of the West Eiding of the County 
 of York and the command of a regiment of militia.' 
 From both these offices the Duke was immediately 
 dismissed. 
 
 The dangers of the times, however, came more imme- 
 diately home to Eogers and his friends by the prosecu- 
 tion of the Eev. Gilbert Wakefield for a pamphlet on the 
 Income Tax, in reply to the Bishop of Llandaff. Wake- 
 field had been a friend of Eogers's father, who speaks of 
 
 ' Afterwards the sixth Duke of Bedford ; father of the Lord John 
 Russell of the Reform Bill era. 
 
GILBERT WAKEFIELD'S PEOSECUTION. 333 
 
 him in a letter in a preceding chapter. He had come 
 to London from Nottingham in 1790 to undertake the 
 duties of the classical professorship in the college then 
 just established at Hackney, of which Thomas Rogers was 
 chairman. He failed to agree with his colleagues, and 
 left the college in 1791. He continued, however, to be 
 one of the friends of the Eogers family, and was regarded 
 by Samuel Eogers as one of those — 
 
 ' Guides of my life, Instructors of my youth, 
 Who first unveiled the hallowed form of truth ; ' 
 
 whom he apostrophizes in the first part of ' The Pleas- 
 ures of Memory.' Gilbert Wakefield's pamphlet was as 
 mild as the toasts at the Fox dinner, but it seems to 
 have been thought that the time had come for the pro- 
 secution of some person whose position would make his 
 condemnation strike terror into others ; or, as Dr. Aikin 
 says : ' A victim to the liberty of the press, of name and 
 character to inspire a wide alarm, was really desired.' 
 Gilbert Wakefield was therefore selected for the sacrifice, 
 and no pains was spared to secure his conviction. He 
 was not attacked at once. Johnson and Jordan, the 
 booksellers who sold the pamphlet, were first tried, and 
 sentenced, — the former to a fine of fifty pounds and six 
 months' imprisonment ; the latter to a year's confine- 
 ment. Mr. Cuthell, the publisher, was also punished; 
 and then the blow fell on the gentle scholar and divine. 
 He was tried, found guilty, and sentenced to two years' 
 imprisonment in Dorchester jail. This fierce blow at 
 freedom of discussion created almost a panic. Gilbert 
 Wakefield's friends did all that could be done to modify 
 the rigor of his confinement, and Fox kept up with him 
 that learned correspondence which had been begun in 
 happier circumstances, and which was afterwards pub- 
 lished. Many of the Whigs made Wakefield's prison 
 cell the object of a pious pilgrimage ; and Eogers and 
 
334 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGEES. 
 
 his sister Sarah were among them. The utmost con- 
 sideration was shown to Wakefield by his jailers, but the 
 imprisonment shortened his life, and he died less than 
 four months after his liberation in 1801. To the end of 
 his life Eogers never failed to speak of him with affec- 
 tion and regard, and of his prosecution and sentence as 
 infamous. It brought home in the strongest way to him 
 and to his friends the full nature of the oppression 
 which they held to justify the Whigs for seceding for 
 a time from a House of Commons which kept such a 
 , Government in power. 
 
 In his ' EecoUections ' of Fox, Eogers tells the story, as 
 repeated by Fox in 1805, of an apparently discourteous 
 reply of Dr. Parr to Mackintosh. The same story is also 
 told in Mr. Dyce's book. Mr. Dyce reports Eogers as 
 saying that when he read to Parr the account of 
 O'Quigley's death — who had been hanged on Penenden 
 Heath for a traitorous correspondence with France — 
 the tears rolled down his cheeks. His reply to Mackin- 
 tosh arose out of a conversation on the subject at a 
 party at which many Whigs were present. Parr said 
 O'Quigley was no impostor, that he died in the conviction 
 that the cause in which he intrigued and suffered was 
 a good one. ' I am hurt,' rejoined Mackintosh, ' to hear 
 Dr. Parr employing his great talents in defence of such 
 a wretch as O'Quigley, who was as bad a man as could 
 possibly be.' ' No, no, Jamie,' responded Dr. Parr ; ' not 
 so bad a man as could possibly be : for recollect O'Quigley 
 was a priest, — he might have been a lawyer ; he was an 
 Irishman, — he might have been a Scotchman ; he was 
 consistent, Jamie, — he might have been an apostate.' I 
 tell the story as it is given by the Eev. C. Colton in the 
 notes to his satire, 'Hypocrisy.' It has no meaning, 
 however, apart from the explanation Colton gives and 
 Eogers omits, that Parr and many of Mackintosh's 
 friends were greatly pained at what some of them re- 
 
TRUE TO HIS WHIG PEINCIPLES. 335 
 
 garded as Mackintosh's political apostasy. Eogers has 
 himself recorded that Mackintosh had confessed to 
 Burke some change of view ; and at a later period he 
 tells us that Fox resented Mackintosh's acceptance of 
 the recordership of Bombay from the then existing 
 Government. 
 
 The slight indications all these circumstances give of 
 Eogers's political position in the closing years of the 
 century combine together to prove that he and his circle 
 of intimate friends held firmly to their Whig principles, 
 and that though he took little part in public movements, 
 he heartily concurred with them in holding aloof from 
 all contact or sympathy with a Government which was, 
 as they held, betraying constitutional freedom in the 
 house of its friends. 
 
CHAPTER XIL 
 
 'The Pursuits of Literature.' — A winter at Exmouth. — Classical 
 reading. — George Steevens. — Jackson of Exeter. — Letters to 
 Bichard Sharp. — Dr. Moore's 'Mordaunt.' — Dr. Moore's death. 
 — Richard Sharp and Fredley. — Brighton in 1801. 
 
 The contrast presented by the beginning and the end 
 of the last chapter, which opened with poetry and the 
 praise of country life, and closed with political persecu- 
 tion and danger, aptly illustrates Eogers's life during 
 these gloomy years. How completely he was able to 
 live in his poetry, is shown by the entire absence from 
 it of any allusion to the outer world of politics. The 
 chief literary excitement of this period was caused by 
 the publication of the satirical poem, ' The Pursuits of 
 Literature,' which appeared in parts, the first in 1794, 
 the second and third in 1796, and the fourth in 1797. 
 There was nothing in the poem itself to call attention to 
 it. It is a feeble imitation of Gifford. But it was made 
 the vehicle of an immense bundle of Notes, full of 
 personal attacks on all the chief Liberals of the time. 
 The first part of the poem has only two hundred and 
 fifty lines ; but there are many pages which contain but 
 one line or two, and all the rest of the page is ' notes.' 
 In this way the first part swelled to a volume of more 
 than a hundred pages. The authorship of the poem was 
 at first a mystery, and the magazines were full of spec- 
 ulations about it. It was at last discovered to be by 
 T. J. Mathias. He was a friend of Eogers, though of 
 different politics, and Sogers had a good deal of inter- 
 course with him in succeeding years. It is a testimony 
 
MATHIAS'S 'PURSUITS OF LITEEATUKE.' 337 
 
 to Rogers's literary position that tlie political satirists 
 of the period usually let him alone. One of the persons 
 attacked in the notes was Dr. Joseph Warton, whose 
 'Life of Pope ' was described as ' A Commonplace Book 
 upon Pope.' He was himself spoken of as 'drivelling 
 on the page of Pope ; ' and a dozen pages of notes were 
 devoted, with all the capitals and italics by which feeble 
 writers attempt to make their sentences emphatic, to 
 what was intended to be a very severe assault upon him 
 as a poet, a critic, and a biographer. Warton wrote to 
 Eogers about it, speaking of Mathias as his ' pious critic,' 
 but Rogers agreed with some of the criticism, as Warton 
 had printed some things — such as the ' Imitation of the 
 Second Satire of the First Book of Horace ' — which Pope 
 had never publicly acknowledged as his own. Nothing in 
 later times has created quite such an excitement and hub- 
 bub among literary men as this book. It was an early 
 product of the reaction the French Revolution had pro- 
 duced. Scarcely a single writer who was on the Liberal 
 side escaped, and gross personalities were used in an 
 attempt to throw discredit on them. Rogers, who knew 
 Steevens, used to say that Steevens had said to Mathias : 
 'Well, since you deny the authorship of " The Pursuits of 
 Literature," I need have no hesitation in telling you that 
 the person who wrote it is a liar and a blackguard ! ' 
 Eogers one day asked Mathias whether he had written 
 it, and Mathias replied : ' Can you suppose that I am the 
 author of the poem when you are not mentioned in it ? ' 
 But some time after this Lord Bessborough, who was 
 getting up an illustrated edition with portraits, asked 
 Rogers for his portrait for the purpose. Rogers said : 
 'Why — there is no mention in it of me !' Lord Bess- 
 borough, however, turned to the note in which the ob- 
 servation is made that, * Time was when bankers were 
 as stupid as their guineas could make them ; ' but now 
 Mr. Dent is a speaker, ' Sir Robert has his pencil and 
 
 22 
 
338 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGEES. 
 
 his canvas, and Mr. Eogers dreams on Parnassus, and if 
 I am rightly informed there is a great demand among 
 his brethren for " The Pleasures of Memory." ' 
 
 After the publication of 'An Epistle to a Friend' 
 Eogers seems to have devoted himself to a general course 
 of reading and to the careful study of the principles of 
 art as applied to household furnishing. He was thinking 
 in these years of the ' one fair asylum from the world,' 
 the ' one chosen seat that charms with various view ; ' of 
 
 ' this calm recess, so richly fraught 
 With mental light and luxury of thought; ' 
 
 in which the life of the hero of the ' Epistle ' ' steals on ; ' 
 of the humble walls which, thanks to 'the faithful 
 graver,' 'thy gallery Florence gilds,' and the low roof 
 which ' the Vatican recalls.' His first step, however, was 
 the taking of a course of classical literature. His health 
 at this time was very precarious, and he seems to have 
 suffered a good deal mentally from the gloomy aspect of 
 the times. In London he must necessarily live among 
 men who were absorbed in the great struggle which the 
 Whigs were carrying on against the war and the Gov- 
 ernment. But away from London, whether he was at 
 Margate, or at Brighton, or travelling, he put all these 
 anxieties aside and, as his letters show, plunged into 
 the social gayeties of the place and of the season. This, 
 however, was not the case in the winter of 1799. In 
 the autumn of that year his health was so delicate that 
 Dr. Moore insisted that he should spend the winter in 
 Devonshire. There was no obstacle to his doing so. The 
 business in Freeman's Court was falling more and more 
 under the management of his brother Henry, whose 
 ability Samuel Eogers was able to trust implicitly. 
 Henry Eogers was now five-and-twenty, and with the 
 other partners had relieved his brother of all concern 
 for the bank when it was needful for him to go away. 
 
VIEWS OF HEBODOTUS AND THUCYDIDES. 339 
 
 He therefore took Dr. Moore's advice, and went to winter 
 at Exmouth in 1799-1800. 
 
 He made this enforced stay on the Devonshire coast 
 a kind of studious exile. He had left school compara- 
 tively early, and had not done much classical reading. 
 He knew a good deal of Latin, and something of Greek, 
 but he had formed the desire to make himself acquainted 
 with the gTeat writers of antiquity. He could not now 
 rub up his classics sufficiently to enable him to read 
 them in the original, and he consequently furnished 
 himself with the best English and French translations. 
 These translations he read with the utmost care, making 
 elaborate notes and criticisms upon them as he went 
 along. There are two volumes of a diary of his readings 
 which show that almost every day had its task, and that 
 the task was well and patiently done. Three or four 
 months thus spent were felt to be well spent. They 
 made a great addition to his knowledge, and the vantage- 
 ground thus gained he never permitted himself to lose. 
 There is no need to reproduce these diaries. One of his 
 notes, however, I may extract as illustrating his views. 
 Eecording the completion of his reading of Herodotus, 
 Kogers writes : — 
 
 'It is with regret that I take leave of this pleasant 
 old man. Of his accuracy as a naturalist Boerhaave has 
 remarked that daily observation has confirmed almost 
 all he has said, and every page shows his diligence in 
 collecting materials. Less severe than Thucydides, he 
 delights in little circumstances not closely connected 
 with his subject, and is fond of expressing on all occa- 
 sions his own thoughts and feelings. Less frequent and 
 prolix in his speeches, he sometimes rises into grandeur, 
 and particularly in the discourse of Xerxes at the Hel- 
 lespont. In one respect he has greatly the advantage. 
 Thucydides has followed the order of times, Herodotus 
 
340 EARLY LIFE OF SAMDEL ROGERS. 
 
 that of things. Perhaps his history is too much scattered, 
 but it is written with a charming simplicity. His was 
 the vast design of a universal history, and the Greek 
 and the Barbarian have equal favor in his eyes. He 
 has given us nothing, perhaps, like the oration of Peri- 
 cles, or the closing scene at the siege of Syracuse ; but 
 the invasion of Scythia by Darius is incomparably sim- 
 ple and sublime, and perhaps no passage in any his- 
 torian is so interesting as his account of the defence at 
 Thermopylae. The slow approach of the Persian army 
 and that stillness of despair with which the Greeks await 
 its arrival, make an impression on the mind which must 
 last for life.' 
 
 Another aspect of this Exmouth life is given in the 
 following letters : — 
 
 Samuel Rogers to Henry Rogers. 
 
 Exmouth, 23 Kovr. '99. 
 ' Mt dear Henry, — I answered your letter by return 
 of post, and hope you received mine. I presume the 
 business is in train, and that everything goes on to your 
 satisfaction. If I am in the least wanted let me know, 
 and I shall think little of the journey, — not that I am 
 yet tired of being here, though my friend Maltby says I 
 shall soon be. I have never, indeed, in my life spent so 
 many solitary hours, yet perhaps have never been so busy, 
 and can truly say I have been less alone than I have often 
 been in the midst of society. I have read Xenophon's 
 " Memorabilia " and history, and am now half-way on my 
 journey through Larcher's Herodotus ; and have, indeed, 
 a course of reading for six months before me, even in my 
 present state of life. As to my health, I think it cer- 
 tainly as good as at Tunbridge, though my breast at times 
 is very painful ; but I eat and sleep and enjoy myself. 
 
RECRUITING FOR HEALTH. 341 
 
 My breatli is rather shorter than it was, and I am a little 
 out of humor with the roads of this country, which are 
 very stony and admit of no pace safely but a jog-trot, 
 which jars me. I have, however, a little bit of sandy 
 common between me and the river, under the bank on 
 which I live, and on that I exercise in still weather. 
 The walk along the sands is very delightful, and con- 
 tinues at low water for miles under very romantic 
 rocks. The shore is strewed with weeds and pebbles, 
 which afford much more amusement, particularly the 
 last, than I had apprehended. Lord Eolle's hounds 
 are within three miles of me ; I met them this morn- 
 ing on the Sidmouth Eoad, but the distance is too great 
 for me to derive any amusement even in my way from 
 them. 
 
 ' I am much obliged to you for the newspapers, which 
 come regularly. Indeed, I am very luxurious in that 
 article of news, being furnished with the three evening 
 papers regularly after sunset from the libraries. What 
 a strange world we live in ! These consuls (how they 
 must laugh in their sleeves !) will not immediately de- 
 velop their plan, whatever it may be ; but it will be 
 amusing to see what two such men, such a head and such 
 a hand, will do if left to themselves in Europe. Before 
 I left town I sent Maria the receipt for bread sauce. 
 I hope Sarah has it. I have put up a few Piranesis in 
 my room, and they please me every hour. It is odd 
 enough that I should find two drawings hung up there of 
 Stothard's. Upon examining them I find they are copies 
 of two of mine by a young lady. They look very well, 
 and I am glad to find they make such good furniture. 
 If John should apply to you again, may I trouble you 
 to say, as from me, to anybody, that I believe him to be 
 sober and diligent, and in every respect qualified to make 
 a good servant ? My present man pleases me very much ; 
 he is cheerful and obliging, and much more attentive 
 
342 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 than John. I am glad to find that Dan has settled some- 
 where, though I wish it had been nearer town. I hope 
 it will improve upon him. I suppose Bretell has ac- 
 knowledged the receipt of the writings I sent him. Mr. 
 Jackson speaks with great respect of Mr. Towgood's 
 grandfather, and inquired much after his father. He 
 says the picture is the best Opie ever painted. I have 
 not yet called upon Mrs. Towgood, but certainly shall 
 very soon. The Exeter Theatre opened last Monday 
 with Keicher, the rope-dancer from Sadler's Wells. Ev- 
 erybody goes to see him. How long I shall stay here 
 I don't know. I have taken my lodgings for a month. 
 It is not, I think, impossible that I may fidget for a 
 short time a little farther westward. . . . Adieu, my 
 dear Henry. 
 
 ' Believe me, ever yours, 
 
 'Saml. Eogers.' 
 
 The interval between this letter and the next was one 
 of studious industry. The diary of his reading for these 
 two months fills a considerable volume. There is no 
 reference in it to himself nor to the society he found at 
 Exmouth ; nothing but a careful analysis of his reading 
 in Xenophon, Herodotus, and Euripides, with a plunge 
 into ^schylus, of whom, however, he remarks: 'To me 
 not half so rich or forcible as Euripides. I return to him 
 with great pleasure.' 
 
 The new year found him still in exile, and he writes to 
 his sister Sarah on the 3d of January, 1800 : — 
 
 ' You fear Exmouth is dull. It is very quiet, and I 
 can almost persuade myself I like quiet. You, perhaps, 
 may like to see the dramatis personce. Here are Mr. 
 and Mrs. Stoughton from the Vale of Usk, — neighbors 
 of the Waddingtons, very good sort of people, with whom 
 I have dined more than once. If you were to ask how 
 
EXMOUTH SOCIETY. 343 
 
 we became acquainted, we none of us know. On the 
 first day we stared at one another, on the second we 
 looked sociably, on the third ditto, on the fourth ditto, 
 on the fifth we bowed, on the sixth spoke. This is the 
 history of an Exmouth acquaintance, and indeed, what 
 else can we do ? We meet from the four quarters, and, 
 as our object is the same, a general sympathy leads to a 
 general acquaintance. Last week, on the underwalk, a 
 very stately old lady, with a nod and a simper, asked me 
 how I did, and we are now very thick : a Mrs. Chantrey, 
 the very Plutarch of family biography, well versed in 
 Leicestershire anecdotes, and very full of Jack Simpson's 
 wedding, which takes place this week. Some time be- 
 fore, on the sands, a gentleman introduced himself to 
 ine as having seen me in town. I have no recollection of 
 him, but he is a great acquisition, — has travelled much, 
 and lived many years in Italy. His wife. Lady Char- 
 lotte Carr, is a very pleasing, sensible young woman, — 
 one of the Errolls. By the means of a sedan chair I 
 have ventured out in an evening to them. With the 
 Barings, a mile off, I have often dined, but my great com- 
 fort is within a door of me, by Mrs. Labouchere's fire- 
 side, where I generally find myself when my eyes ache 
 in an evening. Her cousin. Miss Stone (whose father 
 Mr. Eaper knows as a brother director), is a very pretty 
 girl, and has accompanied Dolly, in the heroism of 
 friendship, to pass her winter in this retreat. They 
 decline all acquaintance, and I believe I am the only 
 person they see here, though they frequently visit among 
 the Barings. I was invited to revel out my Christmas 
 week at Cowley with the whole clan, but I did not ven- 
 ture, and rather chose (a symptom of age and dulness, 
 you will say) to take my flight in the sunshine of an 
 October morning to Plymouth, where I expected to see 
 some fine scenery, and, indeed, I now pronounce it the 
 finest thing I have seen in Devonshire. There is a walk 
 
344 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 under a stone quarry over against Mount Edgecumbe and 
 ■winding along tlie sea-shore towards Lord Boringdon's 
 wMch is divine.' 
 
 The next letter relates to another crisis in the history 
 of his closest friend. 
 
 S. Rogers to Bichard Sharp. 
 
 'ExMOUTH, Jan. 26, 1800. 
 
 * What you sent me, my dear friend, I cannot tell ; but 
 it has done more than all your prescriptions. A few 
 repetitions will complete the cure, and Darwin shall 
 make a case of it. 
 
 'Your news had been, in some degree, anticipated. 
 I had not forgot you, and I knew that the bank, by their 
 decision, had, at all events, most effectually stepped in 
 between you and calamity. But forgive me if I had 
 from the first no very great faith in your predictions. I 
 know when your courage leaves you. " Man but a rush 
 against Othello's breast," etc. The fury of the tempest 
 has gone over you, but it has not left you as it found 
 you. Your consequence as a house is now more than 
 ever established in the world ; and your own individual 
 importance is felt and acknowledged where it should be. 
 B. admired you before, — he will now cling to you as the 
 man who may be truly said to have given him all he pos- 
 sesses ; and your sensations, even on that account, must 
 be very enviable. 
 
 ' A thousand thanks for your kind inquiries. I think 
 myself much better, and mean to return among you the 
 Stentor of clubs and the terror of all quiet people. 
 ' Yours most affectionately, 
 
 ' Saml. Eggees. 
 
 ' P. S. So the outlaw is at last dead in his den ! How 
 has he left his books ? ' 
 
GEORGE STEEVENS. 345 
 
 This reference in the postscript is to George Steevens, 
 the editor of Shakspeare, who had died at his house at 
 Hampstead on the 22d of January. He had been living 
 for some years a very eccentric life, as his biographer in 
 the ' Gentleman's Magazine ' said — ' in nn visitable re- 
 tirement, and seldom mixed with society, but in book- 
 sellers' shops, or the Shakspeare Gallery, or the morning 
 conversazione of Sir Joseph Banks.' Eogers and Sharp, 
 however, met him occasionally there or elsewhere, and 
 profited by his amusing conversation. He was one of 
 those veterans of the literary profession to whom younger 
 aspirants for fame look up, and whose talk of the great 
 men among whom they lived has the most lively interest 
 to the men who are following them along the toilsome 
 way. One of Steevens's eccentricities was to go down 
 to his printers at one in the morning and in the cham- 
 bers of Isaac Eeed, which were kept open for him, to 
 read his proofs and get all his corrections ready while 
 the compositors were asleep. He left his books, with one 
 or two special exceptions, to his niece, Miss Steevens. 
 
 Eichard Sharp's reply to this letter is lost. The next 
 is from Eogers. 
 
 Samuel Rogers to Richard Sharp. 
 
 'ExMOTJTH, 18 Feby. [1800]. 
 
 'Mtdeae Friend, — Your last letter gave me great 
 pleasure. It was not, indeed, emblazoned like Bona- 
 parte's, nor like Lady J.'s scented with odor of roses, 
 but it whispered of health and leisure and peace of 
 mind. With a permit from his Mais''' Comm" I would 
 send you a few bottles of our Exmouth Elixir, — for an 
 idea of its effects consult Saint Leon, an authentic narrar 
 tive far better conceived than executed. Moore's novel 
 has not yet arrived here, though hourly expected. It 
 travels, I fear, with the rapidity of a flying wagon. 
 
346 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 'Our sun is not mucli obliged to you for your sus- 
 picions. He descends, I can assure you, every evening 
 into the groves of Mamhead. 
 
 'Exmouth, I fancy, is no longer the Exmouth you 
 saw. The walk on Chapel Hill is still the same. The 
 other to the bench round a tree has walked itself off. I 
 am sorry to hear you have had no vigor to write. Have 
 you imbibed Gray's notion of that faculty ? ^ I fear he 
 was right. A sight of your old papers, however, will 
 surely awake it. As to myself, I expect soon to be 
 exhibited as a most extraordinary vegetable. I have 
 once or twice attempted to flower. You never have. 
 Por an account of my last effort and of yours, see the 
 "Anti-Jacobin Eeview" for January, under the article 
 of "Eeviewers Reviewed." Mr. Polwhele is the writer. 
 I have also much to say of Larcher : Homer I defer 
 till I can procure a French translation of which I have 
 a high idea. The three tragedians I have just done, — 
 and done well ; as for Euripides, he has turned my head. 
 I wonder whether anybody ever read him before. I 
 fancy not. 
 
 ' Mr. Jackson is gone to Bath. He desired to be men- 
 tioned particularly to you before he went. He is so 
 altered that my servant was shocked when he saw him 
 last week. The last lines he wrote me are very charac- 
 teristic. Will they be the last? He says so, but I will 
 not look that way. 
 
 ' My verse is neither idle nor active. Jackson threw 
 a slur upon it some,weeks ago, and it roused me to in- 
 
 1 Rogers probably refers to what Gray says in a letter to Dr. Whar- 
 ton : '1 by no means pretend to inspiration, but yet I affirm that the 
 faculty in question is by no means voluntary. It is the result (I 
 suppose) of a certain disposition of mind, which does not depend on 
 one's self, and which I have not felt this long time. You that are a 
 witness h»w seldom this spirit has moved me in my life may easily 
 give credit to what I say.' 
 
CLASSICS AND SOCIETY AT EXMOUTH. 347 
 
 credible exertions for four-and-twenty hours ; b;it the fit 
 went off and left me languid and listless. In solitude I 
 can conceive, but I cannot execute, I cannot finish. 
 
 'The life I have led among those old Fograms — the 
 Grecians — has thrown me into a singular state of mind, 
 not altogether unpleasing but very ill-suited to that 
 gallipot style of painting which I have been accustomed 
 to, and which I fear the public require. 
 
 ' When you see G. P. — you are now, I suppose, prop- 
 erly purified and are not to be burned by Act of Parlia- 
 ment like the ships from Mogador ^ — pray thank him in 
 my name for an act of friendship he has lately done me. 
 I think myself particularly obliged to him, not so much 
 for the thing itself, though that was something, as for 
 the manner in which he did it, — a circumstance which I 
 am persuaded is always the case with him. 
 
 'By the way, of Manchester, Mr. Baring, who called 
 upon me yesterday, says Jackson talks of going on to 
 Manchester to consult Ferriar," if the Bath waters should 
 not relieve him. 
 
 ' I have not seen one of the Exeter wits, though I have 
 received an indirect application to become an honorary 
 member of their club, — a thing which I rather like, and 
 have consented to. Polwhele has been expelled from it. 
 Adieu, -my dear friend. 
 
 ' In return for these salt-water effusions I shall expect 
 
 1 The ships — the 'Aurora,' the 'Mentor' and the 'Lark' — were 
 not humed by Act of Parliament, but by an Order in Council. The goods 
 on board were regarded as likely to communicate infection, and the 
 vessels and cargoes were destroyed. This proceeding was the subject 
 of a royal message to the House of Commons in February, 1800, which 
 was referred to a Select Committee, and £41,400 was voted, on the 
 Report of that committee, as compensation. 
 
 ^ John Ferriar, M.D., was an eminent physician in Manchester, 
 who wrote several medical books, besides ' Illustrations of Sterne,' and 
 'An Essay towards a Theorj' of Apparitions.' He died in 1815, at the 
 age of fifty-one. 
 
348 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGERS. 
 
 a long and succinct narrative of all your whereabouts 
 from his Majesty the King of Clubs," to the dirty drap 
 in Covent Garden. I am inclined to think very favor- 
 ably of myself just now, though I dare not yet think of 
 returning to you. 
 
 ' Ever yours, 
 
 'S. R. 
 
 ' P. S. The door opens, and " Mordaunt " enters. 
 
 Moore has written me a long letter to prove that "Pi- 
 
 zarro" is Sherry's chef-d'oeuvre. I shall draw my pen 
 
 against him in a day or two.' 
 
 It would be interesting to have Rogers's reply to 
 Dr. Moore's absurd contention that ' Pizarro ' — a mere 
 translation and adaptation from Kotzebue — was Sheri- 
 dan's chef-d'oeuvre. It was produced at Drury Lane in 
 1799, and had considerable success. Dr. Moore himself 
 was falling into the feebleness of age. ' Mordaunt,' 
 which arrived in Rogers's room as he was penning his 
 postscript, was the old novelist's last work. Mrs. Bar- 
 bauld describes it as a very languid production. Moore 
 asked Rogers for criticism, and Rogers had dif&culty in 
 evading the necessity of giving it. Meanwhile he writes 
 again to Richard Sharp : — 
 
 8. Bogers to Bichard Sharp. 
 
 'ExMOUTH, Feb, 5, 1800. 
 'Mt deae Peiend, — Your kind and entertg,ining let- 
 ter was dropped by some sylph or sylphid upon my pil- 
 low this morning. You and they have my best thanks. 
 Your account of yourself I don't like, but hope you are 
 by this time able to visit the den at Hampstead. Pray 
 let me know if it is yet unbarred, as I shall certainly 
 
 1 The celebrated Club bearing this name waa founded at the house 
 of Mackintosh in 1801. See next chapter. 
 
EAST WIND AND BLUE DEVILS. 349 
 
 set off if it is. Now its tenant is dead we may see it in 
 safety. The nondescript in his nest, hard by, drew his 
 visage, I believe. Moore is, indeed, very severe upon me. 
 I should like to give him a taste of my banishment. I 
 hope you have spent your winter pleasantly. As for me, 
 I leave my time to spend itself, and often for the hour 
 together watch the ferry-boat under my windows, think- 
 ing of nothing less than the oxen and sheep and farmer's 
 wives that are in it. For the first six weeks the east 
 wind was here, and I can assure you tolerably venomous, 
 though I flatter myself less mortal in his bite than with 
 you. I was literally in a state of siege, the air was so 
 full of blue devils I could distinguish nothing, and my 
 world was contracted to the size of the carpet. At that 
 time, I fear, my health greatly suffered. I read for once 
 in my life, and though I felt no great inconvenience 
 at the time I have declined almost ever since. I am 
 now, however, rallying a little. The sun shines, and the 
 sky and sea contend which is the bluest. This morning 
 the wind serves, and our little fleet of coasting vessels is 
 dropping out to sea. The air is warm as summer, and 
 yet that Inquisitor in the Welsh wig sits coolly down in 
 the bustle of Bond Street and condemns me to linger on 
 till May. The very thought is frightful. I did hope to 
 return by the Ides of March. 
 
 'Jackson is, I fear, in a bad way. For the first two 
 months I spent half my time with him, and his kindness 
 has affected me not a little. Among other proofs of his 
 regard he has requested me to take charge of his papers, 
 and I shall not soon forget the manner in which he put 
 out his hand on the occasion. Ever since I came into 
 this country he has faded very visibly. In a letter which 
 I have this instant received from him he says : '' I can- 
 not walk a hundred yards, nor speak half as many words 
 without fatigue. Sleep and I are upon such bad terms 
 that three successive nights I have passed without clos- 
 
350 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 ing my eyes for a single moment. This state of affairs 
 cannot last long, and I wish for a speedy change one way 
 or other." I do, indeed, fear that my trust will soon 
 devolve to me, — a trust which he had the kindness to 
 say he had long wished to leave to me. You can easily 
 conceive how interesting he is at this moment. His 
 faculties are unimpaired, but his countenance has lost 
 its youthful character. Adieu ! The annals of Exmouth 
 1 must reserve for my next. 
 
 'Ever yours, 
 
 'S. E. 
 
 ' Shall I send you this bunch of primroses ? I gath- 
 ered them out of the hedge just now. How sweet they 
 are ! My best regards to B. My imagination already 
 feasts on the splendors of the Villa Boddingtonini.' 
 
 The Jackson spoken of in the above letters was the 
 eminent composer of Church music. One of the memo- 
 rable events of this long winter exile at Exmouth was 
 that Eogers made the acquaintance of this interesting 
 and remarkable musician. He probably carried with 
 him an introduction to Jackson from Sheridan or his 
 wife. Jackson was then seventy years of age, and was 
 in ill-health. He was fond of talking about his early 
 days, and Rogers has made in his Commonplace Book 
 a sketch of Jackson's life with extracts from his diary. 
 Jackson was the son of an Exeter tradesman. At seven- 
 teen he went to London, riding on horseback as far as to 
 Winchester, and from thence in the Winchester stage, 
 in which he was robbed. Arrived at the Belle Sauvage 
 in the dark, he followed the porter through Ludgate to 
 the Saracen's Head in Friday Street — a Devonshire 
 house — where he had a wet bed in the attic. In the 
 morning he called on a tradesman in Watling Street with 
 a letter of credit from his father. The tradesman was 
 
JACKSON THE COMPOSER. 351 
 
 collecting orders in the country, and was not expected 
 home for three months ; but Jackson was accommodated 
 with two guineas by another person, to whom he was 
 afterwards able to show his gratitude. He studied 
 music under Dr. Travers, of the Chapel Eoyal. One of 
 his recollections was of seeing the rebel lads executed 
 on Tower Hill. He returned to Exeter to teach music, 
 and was engaged as organist at the Cathedral. His 
 compositions were popular, and he became famous. He 
 composed his music, as he told Eogers, in the organ loft 
 'during the intervals of the music,' as he characteris- 
 tically called all the other parts of the service. In these 
 ' intervals of the music,' when less musical mortals were 
 praying, or listening to the lessons or the sermon, Jack- 
 son occupied himself in writing original music with a 
 pencil. He also composed at home for an hour after 
 his family were in bed at night. He told Eogers some 
 curious stories which give further musical views of the 
 relation of music to the service. A man came on foot 
 from Honiton to request him to play ' They that in 
 Ships,' having heard it in the church there. Unable to 
 refuse him, and ashamed to play it himself, as he had 
 played it so often, Jackson left the church and got 
 another to play it. The man came again and again; 
 Jackson did not know him, but he always played ' They 
 that in Ships ' whenever this auditor was there. 'It is 
 ■ for those people,' said he, ' that we compose and play, 
 and they must have their way.' He was once struck 
 with the fixed attitude of a wagoner's boy at church. 
 One day an unknown person grasped his arm at the 
 entrance of Willis's concert room and whispered 'But 
 a leaf in a whirlwind.' Jackson was a great admirer of 
 Defoe, and Eogers thought his imitation of him, 'The 
 Eoyalist,' full of invention and written with a charming 
 simplicity. Jackson was an intimate friend of the 
 Sheridans. He had known Mrs. Sheridan before her 
 
352 EARLY LIFE OE SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 marriage. He spoke of Mrs. Sheridan's countenance 
 when singing as like nothing earthly. When he called 
 on her in town after her marriage she entreated him to 
 sing and play with her, and he did so for three hours. 
 It was so unlike anything she had known for so long a 
 time that she was exceedingly grateful. Sheridan had 
 no ear or soul for music. His son Tom flourishing over 
 a quire of paper before breakfast, and burning it sheet 
 by sheet, drinking the cream and throwing wet wafers 
 against the wall, was the picture, Jackson said, of a spoiled 
 child. Jackson wished Kogers to remember that he 
 looked forward with great composure to his end, though 
 he could have wished for eleven years more, which would 
 about suffice for finishing what he had in hand. ' Sitting 
 with him one day on the castle walls he drew a fresh 
 elm-leaf from his purse and said he had every year 
 renewed it from a tree near Bristol,' which had for him 
 some tender associations. Jackson died in July, 1803, 
 and, as a token of his regard for Eogers, left to him his 
 copies of the first edition of ' Paradise Lost,' and of the 
 ' Faerie Queen.' 
 
 The further story of this visit to Exmouth with 
 pleasant sketches of society at the close of the last 
 century is contained in letters to Richard Sharp, the 
 first of which bears witness to the revived buoyancy of 
 Eogers's spirits in prospect of spring. 
 
 Samuel Bogers to Bichard Sharp. 
 
 'Exmouth, March 2 [1800]. 
 ' My dear Fkiend, — Your gossiping letter possessed 
 in my eyes the elegance of a Pliny and the grace of a 
 Sevign^. I do not so much wish you " to turn a period 
 as to tell the news." But what have I in return to give 
 you ? Alas, the annals of Exmouth are scanty indeed ! 
 Never has it known so dull a winter. But something 
 
MEN AND WOMEN AT EXMOUTH. 353 
 
 must be done for its credit, and shall I describe the 
 evening parties where scandal and egg-wine circulate 
 hissing hot, or shall I provoke your envy by describing 
 myself "on the yellow sands," with a girl under each 
 arm, a blonde and a brunette, the last lively and pretty, 
 a daughter of your banker Stone, the first pronounced 
 and very truly by Lavater an angel on earth, a daughter 
 of Charles Baring, unseen by your profane eyes? No, 
 I will shift the scene, and describe the men who assem- 
 ble almost every day. Mr. Acland, the uncle of Lady 
 Harriet, the heroine in Burgoyne's expedition, an old 
 man with very amiable and elegant manners, who enter- 
 tains us continually in his own beautiful little cottage cov- 
 ered with myrtles, the lion of Exmouth. Mr. Ducarell, 
 the oracle and friend of Francis in the east, a most 
 entertaining fellow, the LucuUus of the village. His 
 chauffoir and silver dishes eclipse us all. Mr. Ander- 
 son, the friend and fellow-traveller of George Matthew, 
 a very accomplished man, of whom I had heard much. 
 He is generally in my house every day. These with an 
 old General and Admiral who have both seen service, 
 and a Colonel Oakes, an invalid from India whom An- 
 derson calls " The Impregnable," having never, he says, 
 laughed but once in his life, at some joke of mine, — 
 these make up our little party. Who should be my next- 
 door neighbor but an old flame of mine, a daughter of 
 Sir Fras. Baring's ! Her husband, a partner in Hope's 
 house, is in the West Indies. She is here in a very 
 retired state with two beautiful little children, and 
 her friend and coz.. Miss Stone, and when my eyes are 
 weary I generally find myself in an evening by her fire- 
 side. The last Bulletin from Bath is favorable, but I 
 have great fears. On Thursday I am to be exhibited 
 at the Exeter Club. My whole length over the door, as 
 it is market day, will, of course, attract numbers. Sir 
 Jno. Kennaway has written from Bath to express his 
 
 23 
 
354 EAELY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 regret that he cannot be there ! But it is to be a full 
 day. You will not forget to pray for me ; I fear it will 
 bring on a relapse. As to my health, I am certainly 
 better, and begin to build castles, — a good symptom you 
 will say. But I fear I am condemned to a vagabond life, 
 and if not soon re-established shall apply to the Privy 
 Council for leave to visit Lisbon or Madeira. Under 
 which of my titles I shall travel I cannot yet say, but I 
 shall certainly go incog. In any of your evening circuits 
 (for you are now a thoroughbred rout-man) have you 
 met with the King and Queen ? Did they look in at 
 Will Smith's the evening you were there ? As they 
 have begun with Lady Cardigan, I shall expect to pop 
 upon them and the girls two or three times at least in the 
 course of an evening. 
 
 'Pray write, and have no scruples on the head of 
 expense, as we have no taxes to pay this year. 
 
 ' Ever yours, 
 
 'S. EOGEES.' 
 
 Rogers had meanwhile written to Dr. Moore about 
 ' Mordaunt,' and had made a rather feeble effort to escape 
 the necessity of expressing to his choleric friend and 
 physician his opinion of the book. Other people, ladies, 
 had wanted to read it, and he had been obliged to let it 
 go before he had done more than read the first volume. 
 The doctor saw through the friendly subterfuge, and 
 wrote angrily : — 
 
 ' 'Woodstock St., March 3, 1800. 
 
 ' If you had written to me that Lady Errol, etc., had all 
 been applying to you for " Mordaunt " but without effect 
 until you had finished him yourself, it would have been 
 more flattering than that you had yielded him entirely 
 up, and allowed those females to have their wicked will 
 of him when you yourself had only labored through 
 
STILL EXILED AT EXMOUTH. 355 
 
 the first volume. You do not deal so with the works of 
 Lady Jersey. When you write poetry you can praise the 
 author from the works, and the works from the author, — 
 e. g. Lady Jersey and her daughters. Well ! since you 
 have begun without flattery, pray continue in the same 
 style, and let me have your real notion of the whole. 
 Don't be afraid of finding fault; as your friend Dr. 
 Fretful > says, — " I like it." 
 
 ' . . . remain quietly in Devonshire till the month of 
 May, and then come quietly to London, where we shall be 
 very happy to find you in far better case than when you 
 left us. 
 
 ' Another expedition is going forward. What interests 
 me more, I am sure my son will be of it. I am kept 
 very uneasy about that young man ; they continually pick 
 him out for new dangers. 
 
 ' The story of the Russians not being recalled, proves 
 not to be true. I am assured they are on their march 
 back. I have a suspicion that Bonaparte spread the 
 rumor of their being to act against France merely to 
 promote his vast requisition of men and money for the 
 next campaign.' 
 
 The order to remain at Exmouth till May reduced 
 Eogers almost to despair. In the next letter to Eichard 
 Sharp there is a further glimpse of Jackson : — 
 
 ' ExMotJTH, March 28, 1800. 
 'Mt deae Feie'nd, — If you had read my letter atten- 
 tively (it must long ago have experienced the fate of 
 the Alexandrian Library) you might perhaps have seen 
 something which might have led you to suspect that I 
 did enjoy the pleasure of looking into a smiling and 
 open face. But your eyes were dazzled by the long and 
 
 1 Richard Cumberland, the Sir Fretful Plagiary of Sheridan's 
 'Critic.' 
 
356 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 splendid list of " Admirals, Generals, Colonels, Baronets, 
 and Clubs," — a list which makes me think it was you 
 who gave rise to the report of poor Horatia Clifford's 
 hunting with men. It may relieve you in some degree 
 to learn — that the Club I have never attended, the Baro- 
 net I have never seen, the Colonel is sick, the General 
 gone, and the Admiral dead. 
 
 'Jackson came home last week to die. His legs are 
 swelled to a dreadful size, and his dearest friends are 
 denied access to him. I rode over to Exeter the other 
 day, and near the Cathedral met a chair curtained close, 
 followed by a lady in a veil. On my way back (I had 
 spent five melancholy minutes with his poor wife) I 
 looked up and saw his tall and ghastly figure on the 
 lawn before Mount Eadford, whither he had been carried 
 once more to look on sunshine and verdure. 
 
 'I pushed my horse on, and rode home to pass my 
 solitary evening as gayly as I could. Indeed, I do not 
 deserve your envy, and could you have seen me under 
 all my infirmities of mind and body, you would not have 
 written the letter you did. I pass days and days with 
 no human intercourse. But I need not describe my life 
 — you cannot, I hope, conceive it — you have never sat 
 over your melancholy embers as a winter's evening drew 
 on, and heard the gun of distress fired in the offing, and 
 reverberated among the dismal moors and hills which 
 abound in this country. 
 
 ' One gleam of pleasure, however, I did experience 
 last week. I owed it to the circuit, nor will I ever for- 
 get my obligation to him who paid me the visit, even 
 tho' he should become a Secretary of State. 
 
 'I am much obliged to you for your verses; but if 
 they had been better, I think I should have preferred a 
 little more of your own prose. 
 
 'I rejoice to hear of Combe's escape from his cell. 
 He will now see more of his friends. If you should visit 
 
LAST LETTER FROM DR. MOORE. 357 
 
 him again, pray remember me very particularly to him. 
 His name stands very high in this country.^ 
 
 ' Adieu, my dear friend ! In a few weeks when / 
 also proem my enlargement, I shall certainly visit you 
 in your Apollo, and criticise your viands and liquors. 
 In the mean time believe me to be, 
 
 ' Yours most affect'y., 
 
 'S. E. 
 
 ' " The Ghost-seer " has greatly disappointed me. We 
 had already read the best part of it.' 
 
 A day or two after this another letter from Dr. Moore 
 brought his long correspondence with one of his oldest 
 and earliest literary friends to its close. 
 
 'Woodstock St., April 2, 1800. 
 
 'I dined a few days since at your friend Bodding- 
 
 ton's; Sharp was there, and Tuffln, and Johnson the 
 
 banker, — all men who mingle knowledge of business 
 
 and of the world with extensive reading. Men who 
 
 1 ■William Comte, the author of the ' Diaholiad ' and afterwards of 
 ' The Tour of Dr. Syntax in Search of the Picturesque, was frequently 
 in prison for debt. In his earlier days he moved in good society, and 
 was recognized as a literary man of brilliant powers and promise. He 
 was one day visiting Uvedale Price at Foxley, when Mr. St. John 
 (author of a play called ' Mary Queen of Scots ' in which Mrs. Siddons 
 used to act), who was also staying in the house, missed some money. 
 Uvedale Price suspected Combe of taking it and gave him a hint to 
 cut short his visit. Combe took the hint, and asked whether they 
 were thenceforth to be friends or acquaintances. 'Acquaintances,' 
 said Price, and Combe went away. Long afterwards he met Price and 
 Rogers together in Leicester Square. They both spoke to Combe, but 
 from that time he avoided Rogers. He wrote the ' Letters of the late 
 Lord Lyttelton,'- which were published after Lord Lyttelton's death; 
 and the ' Letters supposed to have passed between Sterne and Eliza ' 
 were by him. He told Rogers that it was with him, and not with 
 Sterne, that Eliza was in love, and that he once had an intrigue with 
 her at Brighton. He died in 1823. 
 
358 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 derive their knowledge from books alone are more apt 
 to speak pedantically, and argue arrogantly, and often 
 absurdly. I never before was in company with Bryan 
 Edwards.^ I thought him a very sensible and entertain- 
 ing man ; but there is an acumen in Sharp's observations 
 which pierces every topic he handles. He showed me a 
 letter from you ; it was a little on the plaintive : to re- 
 move the impression this made on him, I assured him 
 that you sometimes assumed that style because you 
 know how to be pathetic even when in good spirits, 
 and that when you were in the most cheerful mood, I 
 was certain you could write a delightful poem on the 
 pleasures of melancholy.^ 
 
 ' Your having lost no ground during a winter so prevar 
 lent in east winds, forms a strong presumption in my 
 mind, that on the whole you are better, and that this 
 will be apparent to all your friends and even to yourself, 
 who are not always your own friend, in the course of 
 this summer. . . . 
 
 ' A rumor prevails that the French and Spanish fleet 
 with a considerable number of troops are ready to sail 
 from Brest, — perhaps this may be done merely to retard 
 our expedition ; it seems already to have had the effect. 
 But if the enemy's fleet actually escape from Brest, the 
 troops we had destined for the Mediterranean will prob- 
 
 1 Bryan Edwards, M. P. He died in July, 1800. 
 
 2 Is this the origin of the lines which have been sometimes attrihr 
 uted to Byron, and which appear in Eogers's poems under the heading 
 ' To ' ? 
 
 'Go, — you may call it madness, folly; 
 
 Tou shall not chase my gloom away. 
 There 'a such a charm in melancholy 
 
 I would not, if I could, be gay. 
 
 ' Oh, if you knew the pensive pleasure 
 
 That fills my bosom when I sigh, 
 Tou would not rob me of a treasure 
 
 Mouarcbs are too poor to buy ! ' 
 
DEATH OF DR. MOORE. 359 
 
 ably be ordered to Ireland. My son might have gone in 
 a most advantageous situation to the East Indies, — he 
 has no taste for voluptuous living, and, what is still 
 rarer, none for making a fortune. When he understood 
 that Sir Charles Stewart had expressed a strong inclina- 
 tion to have him on the expedition which he is to com- 
 mand, he preferred that. For my part I heartily wish 
 they had allowed him to remain in England during this 
 summer, which will *be a most anxious one to Mrs. 
 Moore and me. My son cannot add to his military 
 reputation in any subordinate command. If ever he be 
 intrusted with a supreme command he may. . . . 
 
 ' I now conclude with a truth, which I hope will afford 
 me pleasure to the end of my life : I am with great 
 esteem, 
 
 ' Your affectionate friend, 
 
 'J. MOOEE.' 
 
 The end of Dr. Moore's energetic life was not far off 
 when this letter was written. He did not live to see his 
 eldest son, Sir John Moore, the hero of Corunna, in- 
 trusted with the supreme command in which, as Dr. 
 Moore expected, he added to his military reputation. 
 Dr. Moore's health was declining, and he retired to a 
 house at Eichmond, conscious that his work was done. 
 He sank gradually, and died on the 21st January, 1802, 
 in the 73d year of his age. This is the date given in 
 the memoir by Dr. Anderson prefixed to the collected 
 edition of Dr. Moore's works, published in 1820. But a 
 letter from his son James to Eogers dated the 23d of 
 February announces that his father's death took place 
 on the previous Sunday, which would be the 21st of 
 February. He left behind him two comedies, with the 
 direction that they should be submitted to Eogers and 
 Sharp, and that their opinion should be taken as to the 
 propriety of making them public or suppressing them. 
 
360 EAULY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 'My father,' says Mr. James Moore, 'entertained tlie 
 highest opinion of your taste, and in giving your judg- 
 ment on the -works, you must only consider his fame.' 
 The comedies were never published. 
 
 Here is one of Mr. Gilpin's letters received in this 
 spring : — 
 
 Bev. William Gilpin to S. Rogers. 
 
 'From my Couch, the 13th of April, 1800. 
 
 *I left you, my dear sir, contemplating from the 
 shores of Devonshire the beautiful moving pictures of 
 the Channel. What hath since become of you I know 
 not ; and am obliged to my friend Cadell to direct these 
 my inquiries after you. Indeed, I have not thought of 
 my friends these several months so much as I ought, 
 having concentrated my thoughts perhaps too much 
 within myself. Some months ago I hurt one of my legs, 
 which hath given me a good deal of trouble. Both my 
 legs are ve^y old ; but one, I think, is more crazy than 
 the other, and this was the leg to which I gave offence 
 by neglecting a small scratch which it received just in 
 the part where the great Achilles was wounded. This 
 example, together with that of my friend Mason, might 
 have instructed me better, but I was stout, and contin- 
 ued walking about till the pain became more than I 
 could well bear. I was then obliged to call in a surgeon, 
 who threw me immediately on my couch, and told me if 
 I had walked about much longer he could not have an- 
 swered for the consequence. He then crammed me with 
 bark and drenched me with wine, and by the help of 
 poultices, bandages, and other surgical means, he hath 
 at length (by the goodness of God) set me upon my 
 legs — but without the permission to use them. In a 
 few days, however, he promises me the use of them. In 
 the mean time I would have you to know that — altho' 
 
WILLIAM GILPIN IN OLD AGE. 361 
 
 I was never imprisoned in like manner before, so far as 
 I remember, in my whole life — I have behaved, I hope, 
 very well under my confinement. I have always spoken 
 kindly to my wife and pleasantly to my servants ; and 
 hope, indeed, upon the whole, I have gotten some credit 
 in my family for my behavior. 
 
 ' Now I know you have been criticising all this egotis- 
 tical narrative, but I beg you to consider how unjustly. 
 When you go to a shop, and inquire for a piece of home- 
 spun, and they ask you for it the price of the finest 
 broadcloth, you have reason to complain ; but when you 
 are charged only the price of homespun you ought to be 
 content. Now I ask you as the price of my egotistical 
 narrative only another egotistical narrative in return. 
 What have you then to complain of ? Go to, then, and 
 pay me honestly the price I set on my goods. Let me 
 know where you have been, what you have been about, 
 and how you do since I left you on the coast of Devon- 
 shire. I had, however, one more reason for my egotis- 
 tical narrative, but I throw it into the bargain, as I 
 conceive you will not purchase it, but with the levity of 
 other young men will throw it behind you. It is to 
 conjure you, when you come to the age of 76, to pay 
 great attention to any hurt, however slight, you may 
 receive upon your legs. Whether it be scratch, titter, 
 pimple, itching, gnat-bite, pin-prick, cut, bruise, or what- 
 ever it is, never lose sight of it till it is fairly gone. 
 Now this piece of experience, which has cost me several 
 pounds, I give you for nothing ; and yet I fear you will 
 hardly even return me thanks for it. Tell me whether 
 you have anything on the anvil. You can never put 
 me into such a distressful circumstance as I was lately 
 placed in. A friend sent me some of his verses to look 
 over. I did not like his verses so well as I liked himself, 
 but as I know poets are an irritable race I durst not tell 
 him so. I gently told him he had put them into very 
 
362 EARLY LIFK OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 unfortunate hands, for the Muses and I had not been on 
 visiting terms these many years. I have not yet vented 
 my wrath at not finding any remarks of yours among my 
 papers; but I apprehend, if I pressed the matter, you 
 would give me some such answer as I gave my friend. 
 Mrs. Gilpin joins with me in our best respects ; and to 
 your sister, if she is with you. 
 
 ' Your very affectionate 
 
 'Will. Gilpin.' 
 
 Eogers came back to London after his stay at Exmouth 
 greatly improved in health and spirits. He had added 
 something to his store of knowledge as well as to his 
 fund of health and energy. The two short pieces en- 
 titled ' From Euripides,' in his poems, are signs of the 
 mingled influences of his love of that poet and of the 
 exquisite country in which he read him : — 
 
 ' There is a streamlet issuing from a rock. 
 The village girls, singing wild madrigals, 
 Dip their white vestments in its waters clear, 
 And hang them to the sun. There first I saw her. 
 Her dark and eloquent eyes, mild, full of fire, 
 'T was heaven to look upon ; and her sweet voice. 
 As tunable as harp of many strings. 
 At once spoke joy and sadness to my soul.' 
 
 ' Dear is that valley to the murmuring bees. 
 The small birds build there ; and, at summer noon, 
 Oft have I heard a child, gay among flowers. 
 As in the shining grass she sat concealed. 
 Sing to herself.' 
 
 Eichard Sharp was at this time settling in that lovely 
 district of Kent which is now forever associated with his 
 name. It is not certain when he acquired Fredley Farm, 
 where he so often in later days entertained statesmen 
 and orators, poets and dramatists, and the chief of human 
 
"WANDERING. 363 
 
 kind ; but in this year he was at least looking forward 
 to the purchase. Here is a short letter from Eogers, 
 which illustrates his mood at this period as well as the 
 close coimection between the two friends : — 
 
 ;Si. Rogers to Richard Sharp. 
 
 ' 8 Aug., 1800. 
 
 ' In the hurry of pleasure, alas, my dear friend, how 
 we speak by rote ! At least I do, for I am never so 
 inclined to be serious or melancholy as at a party of 
 pleasure. But to the purpose : I shall be very glad once 
 more to attend you to Mickleham, and will be at the 
 foot of London Bridge to-morrow at one o'clock with my 
 leathern trunk. Whether curricle or gig or chaise will be 
 there in waiting I care not, so as you do not fail me. 
 ' Ever yours, 
 
 'S. R.' 
 
 The next letter seems to indicate that the purchase 
 had been made. 
 
 S. Rogers to Richard Sharp. 
 
 'Buxton, Sepr. 11, 1800. 
 'Let me wish you joy, my dear friend. The work 
 has been yours, but you shall not keep the reward to 
 yourself. I will also participate in the pleasure, though 
 but an idle spectator of another's exertions. You are 
 indeed to be envied. In a picturesque view the grandest 
 approach to the metropolis will now excite new sensa- 
 tions in your breast ; and, should you ever, like Combe, 
 visit the chapel, the evening hymn will lose none of its 
 sweetness by the recollection of having added a voice to 
 the choir. As for myself, I have been wandering, like a 
 perturbed spirit, from place to place, and in less than a 
 fortnight shall return whence I came. You ask me if I 
 
364 EAKLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 am already fascinated. I have been, more than once, 
 since we parted, but the ladies, alas ! were preoccupied. 
 At Matlock, where I waited in vain for the travellers 
 from the North Pole, I passed several pleasant hours 
 with Burgh, the friend of Mason. I am now waiting 
 for letters at a place which, like the caravanserai in the 
 desert, derives much of its beauty from the surrounding 
 desolation. ... I was much concerned to see in the 
 papers the loss Mrs. S. has sustained. 
 
 ' Adieu ! and believe me ever yours, 
 
 'S. E. 
 
 'Pray tell Maltby that my Lord A., an old friend of 
 his and mine, did him the honor to make many inquiries 
 after him yesterday.' 
 
 In the autumn he was again at Brighton, but mean- 
 while he had written to Gilpin giving an account of 
 himself to which his venerable friend sent a charac- 
 teristic answer. 
 
 Bev. W. Gilpin to S. Rogers. 
 
 'Vioak's Hill, Jan. 23, 1801. 
 ' And so, my dear sir, you now think you have made 
 an honorable amends for all the trouble you have given 
 me. I heard last of you from the coast of Devonshire ; 
 and hearing nothing of you for months afterwards, I 
 wrote to Cadell. Cadell knew nothing of you. I desired 
 Mrs. Oviatt to inquire of some of her correspondents in 
 London about you. I could learn nothing : nor, in fact, 
 had heard a syllable, till a few days ago you came dancing 
 in, with all the festive confidence of a man who had 
 done nothing amiss. " I have been in the North — I 
 have been in Wales — and I am now at Brighton." And 
 pray, why could you not have told me this, or a part of 
 it, a year ago ? I have another quarrel with you. When 
 
LETTER FROM WILLIAM GILPIN. 365 
 
 you write a letter in answer to one you have received a 
 year or two before, never refer to any part of that letter 
 unless you know the writer keeps a copy of it ; but write 
 de novo. For want of this caution I have been puzzled 
 with several passages in your letter referring to things 
 now totally forgotten. Pray, did I ever break your 
 shins ? You seem to allude to some transaction of that 
 kind ; but I. remember nothing about it. If I did, it must 
 certainly come under the head of casualties. But my 
 wrath is now appeased. I shake hands with you ; and 
 all is well. 
 
 ' Your epic, which you mention so enigmatically that 
 I hardly know whether you are in jest or earnest, re- 
 minds me of an anecdote of Dr. Brown, author of the 
 famous " Estimate ; " though I think I have seen it in 
 some memoirs of him in print. Bishop Warburton 
 (whose practice, I have heard, it was, to write civil let- 
 ters, and do civil things, to ingenious young men to 'list 
 them into his service) put into Brown's hands an epic 
 poem which had been planned by Pope. The story, I 
 think, was the discovery of Britain by one of the heroes 
 who had escaped from Troy. Brown ^finished three or 
 four books. He was very intimate with my father, though 
 but an unpleasant man to live with ; and I remember he 
 showed me his first book when I was a lad at Oxford. At 
 the pillars of Hercules his hero makes a pause on entering 
 the great ocean. But alas ! there his muse, like yours, 
 forsook him. So that, it seems, the Atlantic is the gulf 
 of epic poetry. Homer prudently kept snug in the 
 ^gean, and Virgil in the Mediterranean. If they had 
 ventured through the Straits, they had probably been 
 drowned, like Brown and you. 
 
 ' In return for your very affecting story of the poor 
 girl who was killed by the fall of a wall, I '11 tell you one 
 which has lately given me much pleasure. In this parish 
 lives a man of the name of Harnett. He lives by fishing 
 
366 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL KOGEES. 
 
 and dragging for oysters. His son, a lad under age, used 
 to assist him. As they were fishing out at sea, about 7 
 or 8 years ago, a man-of-war's boat rowed briskly up to 
 them, and carried off the lad. He was very affectionate, 
 and, of course, disconsolate. However, finding there was 
 no remedy, he took the press-money, and it was some 
 comfort to him that he could send his poor parents a 
 guinea out of it. In the mean time he bestirred himself, 
 and became one of the best seamen in the ship; insomuch 
 that the captain took notice of him, made him first his 
 cockswain, and afterwards raised him to be master's 
 mate. He had a little ambition to climb on ; but, unfor- 
 tunately, he had no friend to whom he could apply but 
 the old minister of his parish. With him he had made 
 a great interest ; for he had been continually sending 
 money out of his own little stock to his poor parents, — 
 not less, I believe, on the whole, than £30, for a good part 
 of it passed through my hands. I was much disposed, 
 therefore, to serve him ; and was more fortunate than I 
 expected. I have a slight acquaintance with Sir Andrew 
 Hammond, Controller of the Navy, to whom I wrote in 
 favor of my friend. Sir Andrew immediately sent for 
 him to be examined, and being pleased, I suppose, with 
 the young man's sense, modesty, and skill in his profes- 
 sion, sent him back to Spithead ; and almost before he 
 got there sent him a commission to be master of the 
 " Harpy," sloop-of-war, in which situation he tells me he 
 is quite happy. He sent me a letter of thanks, and I 
 sent him a letter of good advice. About a fortnight ago 
 the " Harpy," lying at the mouth of our river, waiting to 
 convoy a Lisbon fleet, Mr. Harnett came on shore to visit 
 his parents. He visited me also ; and instead of coming 
 to the kitchen door with a thrum-capon, a basket of 
 oysters on his shoulder, and a pair of shoes which were 
 neither akin to each other nor to his feet, he was intro- 
 duced into the parlor — dressed in a handsome uniform. 
 
LETTER TO HIS SISTER SARAH. 367 
 
 and with a hat cocked as bravely as the best of them. 
 You don't mention your health. The book I have not 
 heard of. Mrs. Gilpin joins in kind remembrance to 
 your sister and you : 
 
 'With, dear Sir, 
 
 ' Your sincere and affect* 
 
 'Will. Gilpin.' 
 
 A letter from Eogers to his sister gives an account 
 of what he was doing at Brighton in the first few weeks 
 of the nineteenth century. 
 
 Samuel Sogers to Sarah Rogers. 
 
 'Brighton, 19 Jany., 1801. 
 'By an unfortunate mistake at the Post Office I did 
 not get my dear Sarah's letter till this morning. After 
 dining with Mrs. Mostyn (my old friend Cecilia Thrale) 
 I have resisted the temptation of an assembly at Lord 
 Tankerville's, and have come home to converse a few- 
 minutes with her who, I may almost say, is to rae more 
 out of sight and less out of mind than anybody I know 
 in this world. I am now, however, happy to think that 
 I shall very soon see her and hear her, and can even 
 number the days of my absence from her. Brighton is, 
 as you imagine, my dear Sarah, still very gay, and you 
 will believe it'when I tell you that I have for this very 
 day four dinner and three evening invitations. Indeed, 
 I am in great danger of being spoiled ; and by nobody 
 so much as yourself, in which you would be particularly 
 blamable, if you had not yourself basked in that kind 
 of sunshine without injuring your complexion by it, the 
 complexion of your mind, I mean. Yesterday I spent the 
 day very pleasantly with a large family of the Gasama- 
 jors, who form a concert by themselves, — the girls and 
 their brothers ranging round the harpsichord and singing 
 glees and anthems with a decorum and a harmony which 
 
368 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 would delight you. The eldest son officiated at Peters- 
 burg for Lord Whitworth with great credit to himself. 
 As to Mrs. Figou, who is my great patroness here, she is 
 delightful. I must introduce her to you. Not less so 
 are two of Lady Tankerville's daughters, tho' almost 
 children, whose ambition it is to retire into some cottage 
 and enjoy each other's society for life, — a la mode de 
 Llangollen. Here is also one of Mrs. Maltby's sisters 
 who was always a great favorite of mine. She is now, 
 alas ! married to a man of large fortune, but who is well 
 worthy of her. The ladies here are in general above par, 
 but the men as much below it. The Ellises are here,i 
 but live very privately. I am their only guest. Here 
 are also the Miss Thrales, Mrs. Piozzi's daughters. Prom 
 some accident I have never been acquainted with them, 
 though they accuse me of having shunned them. They 
 are very elegant, sensible women, and are a great ad- 
 dition to the society here. Mrs. Pigou, the Thrales, 
 the Tankervilles, and two or three others meet at one 
 another's houses every day — I should say every evening 
 — and the harp and piano generally mingle their voices 
 
 1 George Ellis, F. R. S., F. S. A.; died 10 April, 1815, aged seventy; 
 wrote in ' The EoUiad' the invective against Pitt: — 
 
 ' Pert without fire, without experience sage.' 
 
 In 1790 published ' Specimens of Early English Poetry.' Wrote on the 
 formation and progress of the English language. Went to Lille with 
 Lord Malmesbury in 1797; changed his politics and joined the 'Anti- 
 Jacobin. He was much beloved by his friends. Scott addresses him 
 in the introduction to the fifth canto of Marmion: — 
 
 ' Thou who canst give to lightest lay 
 An unpedautic moral gay, 
 Nor less the dullest theme bid flit 
 On wings of unexpected wit; 
 In letters as in life approved, 
 Example honored and beloved, 
 Dear Ellis ! to the bard impart 
 A lesson of thy magic art.' 
 
BRIGHTON GOSSIP. 369 
 
 with ours in the conversation, and make it very pleasant. 
 I should not omit General Forbes, the General of this dis- 
 trict, a very amiable, pleasant old man who has seen a 
 great deal of service in both hemispheres. He goes up to 
 town this week to kiss hands on his promotion, and I 
 believe I shall accompany him on Wednesday. Adieu, 
 my dear Sarah ! Give my love to all, and believe me, 
 
 ' Ever yours, 
 
 'S. R. 
 
 ' Among the persons of the drama I must not omit my 
 old friend NichoUs i (the M. P.), who is here with his 
 family. They have retired into the country, and two 
 months here are given them in lieu of a journey to Lon- 
 don ! ! ! With regard to the christening, I do believe I 
 should have been present if it had come to me in time. 
 You will shake your head and say I am much obliged to 
 the Post Ofilce for saving me from a dilemma. I wrote 
 to Mr. Gilpin last week, and mentioned you particularly 
 in it. Indeed, I could not do otherwise in answer to 
 your inquiries. Pray tell Maria that I deserved more 
 than an intention to write a postscript from her. I am 
 glad Mr. Eaper has dismissed his doctors. With regard 
 to the tragedy I can only tell you it rests on newspaper 
 authority. I must have written it in my sleep ; and what 
 has become of it I cannot tell. If it should be found 
 under the pillow, you shall have the first sight of it, a 
 perusal I am sure you would not endure. I am sorry to 
 hear such tidings of Quarry Bank. I am sure I should 
 soon die there of a nervous fever.' 
 
 1 Mr. NichoUs was member for Tregony. 
 
 24 
 
CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 ' The King of Clubs.' — ' The Bachelor.' — Rogers Building. — Paris in 
 1802. — Letters to Henry Rogera, Maria Sharpe, Mrs. Greg. — Fox 
 and Rogers in Paris. — Fox and Mackintosh. — Rogers's new House. 
 — His final Settlement in St. James's Place. 
 
 ' The King of Clubs ' referred to in the letter to Richard 
 Sharp was not actually established till the first year of 
 the nineteenth century. It was founded by a group of 
 friends who were in the habit of meeting at Mackintosh's 
 house : Rogers, Richard Sharp, Scarlett, Robert Smith, 
 and John Allen. Scarlett, afterwards Lord Abinger, tells 
 us that the chief figures in its social intercourse were, in 
 addition to those already mentioned, Romilly, Dumont, 
 Tennant, and the Rev. Sydney Smith. To these were 
 added Lord Lansdowne, Lord Holland, Brougham, Lord 
 Cowper, Lord King, Person, Payne Knight, Horner, 
 Bryan Edwards, Jeffrey, Smithson, Whishaw, Alexander 
 Baring, Luttrell, Blake, Hallam, Ricardo, and Hoppner. 
 Francis Horner speaking of visits made to the club in 
 the spring of 1802 mentions that he met there Aber- 
 cromby, Tom Wedgwood, and Maltby, and that the con- 
 versation consisted of literary reminiscences, anecdotes 
 of authors, and criticisms of books. The Club met 
 monthly at dinner at the old ' Crown and Anchor ' in the 
 Strand, where the Whig Club met for some years on 
 Tuesday evenings. ' The King of Clubs ' was one of those, 
 conversation clubs which had superseded the coffee- 
 houses and the taverns in which Addison and Johnson 
 had spent so much of every day in pleasant talk. In 
 those times men prepared their observations beforehand, 
 
'THE IQNG OF CLUBS.' 371 
 
 and so led the talk as to bring them in. There is a story 
 of Eichard Sharp having one day seen on the desk the 
 notes of the conversation in which his partner Bodding- 
 ton was to join in the evening. Sharp was to be of the 
 party, and he committed to memory the prepared im- 
 promptus of his friend, assisted him to lead the conver- 
 sation in the right direction, and then forestalled him 
 with his stories and clever things. There was nothing 
 unusual in Boddington's preparations. Men read books, 
 recorded good stories, and reserved criticisms on men 
 and things for the evening talk. The two most brilliant 
 talkers in 'The King of Clubs' were Mackintosh and Syd- 
 ney Smith. Sydney Smith said of Mackintosh that his 
 conversation was more brilliant and instructive than that 
 of any human being he ever had the good fortune to 
 be acquainted with. But Rogers, a still more intimate 
 friend of Mackintosh, said that he sacrificed himself to 
 conversation, read for it, thought for it, and gave up 
 future fame for it ; ' and Mackintosh is not the only man 
 in this brilliant group of whom the observation may be 
 made. 
 
 There was at one time a prospect that much of the 
 wit and learning poured into these conversations would 
 take permanent form. Rogers and his friends proposed 
 to establish a literary paper, to be called ' The Bachelor,' 
 and published twice a week. Mackintosh tells us that 
 this paper would probably have imitated the aim, even 
 if it had not equalled the execution, of the essayists of 
 the reign of Queen Anne. The men to be associated in 
 the enterprise were : Rogers, Mackintosh, Robert Smith, 
 Scarlett, and Richard Sharp. The execution of the pro- 
 ject was frustrated at the moment, and never resumed. 
 Rogers has left in his Commonplace Book an outline 
 of the kind of contributions the paper was intended to 
 contain. This sketch is amusing. It is clearly Rogers's 
 
 1 Moore's ' Diaiy,' vol. ri. p. 292. 
 
372 ' EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGEES. 
 
 own, particularly the motto from Gray, and the outline 
 of the ' History of a Voice.' 
 
 Periodical Paper — The Bachelor. 
 
 Poor Moralist, and what art thou ? — Gray. 
 
 First — His history : his attachments and adventures. 
 Last — His marriage concludes the paper. 
 
 1. On War. 2. On Courtship. 3. History of an old house. 
 
 4. History of a voice, a musical cry in his cradle, cries wild 
 
 lavender and matches, frightens the birds from the corn ; 
 a ballad-singer, sings with the miners in Castleton Cave, 
 with the singers at the parish church, catches cold, a 
 deputy crier, a chorister in a cathedral, sings at concerts, 
 marries a rich deaf dowager, and sells his voice in 
 Parliament. 
 
 5. Letters. Cairo flea. An antiquarian's conjecture in the 
 
 next century, 1895, on a board lately dug up inscribed 
 ' Man Traps.' Lord Stanhope's Reasoning Machine. 
 A Christmas in the country. A husband's threat to a 
 wife : ' I '11 wear a wig.' History of a Talker and Listener. 
 Eloge upon SnufE. 
 
 Eogers, however, had at this period another occupa- 
 tion for his leisure. He was designing the dwelling 
 which for more than half a century was to be the ad- 
 miration and the envy of his contemporaries. We may 
 take it for granted that he had by this time given up 
 all thought of marrying, and settled down to the life 
 of a bachelor. His house, if not actually planned as a 
 bachelor dwelling, scarcely contemplated family uses. 
 He and Sir John Lubbock bought a house of the Duke 
 of St. Albans, in St. James's Place, and made two houses 
 of it. The reconstruction thus rendered needful gave 
 Eogers an opportunity of making for himself a home in 
 accordance with his tastes, and he devoted himself to 
 the agreeable task with the most striking success. 
 
PAKIS IN 1802. 373 
 
 The summer and autumn of 1802 offered him an un- 
 usual opportunity for the study of art, and he went into 
 it as systematically as he had gone into classical reading 
 during his Devonshire exile. 
 
 The Peace of Amiens opened Paris to Englishmen, and 
 there was an immense outflow of visitors from this coun- 
 try to the republican capital. It had been practically 
 sealed from about the time of Eogers's visit in 1791 ; for 
 the horrors of the Terror had closed it as much as war. 
 In 1802, therefore, there was the greatest curiosity to see 
 the city over which the revolutionary storm had swept, 
 and which had since been enriched with the spoils of 
 Europe. The Louvre contained at that time the most 
 splendid collection of pictures and statues that had ever 
 been brought together, and artists and men of taste took 
 occasion of the brief gleam of peace to rush over and 
 feast their eyes on the unexampled sight. Eogers's 
 brother-in-law, Sutton Sharpe, had gone over early in 
 September, and found himself in a crowd of artist 
 friends: Elaxman and Ms wife, Mr. and Mrs. Opie, 
 Fuseli, then at the height of his fame, and Earrington, 
 R. A., who was his companion in the journey ; Benjamin 
 West, president of the Eoyal Academy, and his son 
 Eaphael West, then expected to attain an eminence he 
 never reached; Shee, afterwards Sir Martin Shee, and 
 President of the Eoyal Academy ; Hoppner and his wife, 
 and others less known to fame. Erskine and his son, 
 and Travers the surgeon, also occupy a prominent place 
 in Sutton Sharpe's letters. In a visit which Boddington, 
 the two Erskines, Eogers, and Sutton Sharpe made to- 
 gether to Versailles, Sutton Sharpe says : ' Erskine was 
 in the most prodigious spirits. Half-mad with joy he 
 walked about the gardens, exclaiming : " What a de- 
 lightful place, — but it won't keep people's heads on their 
 shoulders ! " Erskine was introduced to the First Consul 
 as an "avocat," but Bonaparte did not understand his 
 
374 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 rank and eminence, and took no notice of him.' Mill- 
 ingen the antiquary, Townley, and Champernowne, the 
 •well-known collectors of objects of art, with Dr. Carrick 
 Moore, brother of Sir John Moore, were also in Paris at 
 this period, and formed part of the wide circle of friends 
 and acquaintances in which Sogers found himself as soon 
 as he joined his brother-in-law. His old friend Gilpin, 
 in a characteristic letter, which, like all Gilpin's letters, 
 is worth reproducing for" its own sake, gave him a com- 
 mission based on doubts which were widely prevalent at 
 the time. 
 
 Bev. Wm. Gilpin to S. Sogers. 
 
 ' Mt deae Sie, — I write immediately, not to answer 
 your letter, but, as you are going to France, to give you 
 a commission to the Belvidere Apollo. With my com- 
 pliments beg to know whether he is the real Apollo, or 
 a fictitious one ? 
 
 'About a month ago a gentleman, the Dean of Ely, 
 called upon me and informed me that Mr. Wyatt (whom 
 also — as you are now so united by brick and mortar — you 
 may have an opportunity of consulting) told him that the 
 king had sent him to Paris, to inquire about the Italian 
 statues ; that he had formerly been intimately acquainted 
 with the Apollo in Italy, and that he was certain the 
 Apollo at Paris was fictitious. Now I do not assert that 
 Mr. Wyatt iold this to the Dean, but that the Dean had 
 been well informed, at least, that Mr. Wyatt had said 
 this. I shall wait, with great impatience, to hear from 
 you on your return, — not only to satisfy me on the point 
 in question, but to hear you relate all the wonders you 
 have seen ; and to tell me whether you think the crying 
 or the laughing philosopher would meet with more game ? 
 For myself, though I do not exclude Paris and France 
 from the last circling rim of my benevolence, yet, con- 
 
REVISITS PARIS. 375 
 
 sidering the woi'ld as one great State, the French are 
 certainly placed by Providence in one of the most igno- 
 minious offices in it, that of presiding over gibbets and 
 whippiug-posts. 
 
 After all, I think it more than probable you may not 
 go to France at all, but may conclude your journey 
 there as you did that to America. If you go, may 
 heaven defend you, and preserve you safe out of the 
 den of the European Cacus ! 
 
 'Yours, truly sincere, 
 
 'W. G. 
 
 'V. H., Sep'. 8, 1802.' 
 
 Eogers's letters to Gilpin have not been preserved. 
 The following letters, addressed to members of his family, 
 tell the story of this visit to Republican Paris. 
 
 Samuel Rogers to Maria Sharpe. 
 
 'Calais, Wednesday. 
 
 [Postmark 16 Sepr. 1802.1 
 
 ' Mt dear Maeia, — After a passage of three hours I 
 sit down to fill up the interval before dinner. We had 
 above forty people of both sexes on board, among whom 
 were Mr. and Mrs. Howard. The lady sat in the body 
 of her chaise on deck. Everybody was ill except my- 
 self, who made use of the recipe you recommended to 
 me — a diachylon plaster — with great success, and I 
 now write particularly to thank you for it. My fellow- 
 traveller is delighted with the novelty of the scene, but 
 anxious to proceed. We are, however, detained for the 
 passport, and must console ourselves with the Comddie, 
 which begins at half-past five. I need not describe 
 Calais to you. The people are just as we saw them ; the 
 military cocked hats are enormous ; the women's heads 
 are as large as ever ; and six little children, not bigger 
 
376 EAKLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 than Sutton,^-or very little bigger, were dancing together 
 a cotillon in the street just now, the boys with long tails, 
 to a passing tambourine. We had a delightful journey 
 yesterday. Lord Whitworth did not make his appear- 
 ance, but we met on the road innumerable parties of 
 gypsies, bag and baggage. 
 
 'After a grand entertainment of soup, cutlets, fish, 
 fowl, partridges, etc., we went to the Comedie. The 
 Municipalite sat under a very handsome canopy in a kind 
 of state box. The drop-scene between the acts was in- 
 scribed with the names of Eustache, St. Pierre, etc., the 
 six heroes of Calais when besieged by Edward III. ; and 
 the orchestra consisted of above twenty performers, as 
 close as they could sit, who, together with the actors, 
 made as much noise as they could. The acting was far 
 from bad. There again we saw your neighbors, Mr. 
 Howard and his wife. In a very handsome retiring- 
 room they served you with raspberry vinegar and other 
 refreshments. Adieu, my dear Maria! Give my love 
 to Henry when you see him, and also Sarah and Mrs. 
 
 M , not forgetting the children all. 
 
 ' Ever yours, 
 
 'S. E. 
 
 'We have engaged a very old chaise to Paris a la 
 Yoriek. We pay 6/ 6/ ! ! ! To-morrow hope to sleep at 
 Abbeville.' 
 
 Samuel Rogers to Henry Rogers. 
 
 ' Hotel Maeigny, 13 Octr. 1802. 
 
 ' My dear Henet, — By two kind letters from Maria 
 
 and Sarah I rejoice to think you are all assembled, first 
 
 on your own account and next on my own, as I hope 
 
 soon to rejoin you, though perhaps at this moment you 
 
 1 Sutton Sharpe, his eldest nephew, afterwards the eminent Queen's 
 Counsel, whose premature death in 1843 disappointed many hopes. 
 
BONAPARTE AT A REVIEW". 377 
 
 may be scattered over the world again. As for me, uiy 
 life is a little better regulated and my mind more col- 
 lected, though every day is a scene of dissipation. At 
 iirst I was worn out before it was half spent ; but my 
 spirits are now less hurried, and the impressions I re- 
 ceive less violent and frequent : in short, I begin to be 
 in my sober senses. Mr. Sharpe must have described a 
 fete when the garden front of the' Tuileries was illumi- 
 nated, and when, with other consuls, B. sat uncovered 
 for above twenty minutes in a balcony in the centre, 
 while an orchestra of above a hundred persons was 
 playing a concert below in the open air. On Thursday 
 last I was present at a very different spectacle, — the 
 monthly review of the troops which were drawn up, 
 horse and foot, before the Tuileries to the amount of 
 about 6,000. At eleven an old-looking plain yellow 
 coach, drawn by six blood bay horses, the coachman and 
 postilion in large cocked hats, attended by many guards, 
 brought up Bonaparte at a great rate to the door of the 
 palace from St. Cloud ; and a few minutes afterwards, 
 an English post-chaise and four of the same color, the 
 boys with silver-laced caps, brought Madame Bonaparte. 
 At twelve, in a plain blue coat with gold epaulets, he 
 mounted his white horse (given to him by the Emperor) 
 most richly caparisoned with crimson and black and 
 gold, and attended by generals and mamelouks, whose 
 rich and grotesque habits heightened the splendor, rode 
 in a kind of managed pace up and down the several illes 
 of foot and horse, which were so long and numerous that 
 he must have ridden about a mile. He then returned 
 to the centre within a few yards of me (for I was at the 
 palace window next the door) and the troops marched 
 by in succession before him. It was no sooner over 
 than six or seven well-dressed women (as indeed had 
 been the case whenever he had stopped before) pressed 
 round him with petitions in their hands, which he re- 
 
378 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 ceived, saying something to most of them. He then 
 alighted, and on the staircase stopped several times to 
 speak to the officers. I was there alone among the sen- 
 tinels. His profile is very strong, and his face one dead 
 tint of yellow, but not disagreeable. His eyes are of 
 light gray, and his eyebrows scarcely distinguishable. 
 His head has been said by a celebrated portrait-painter 
 here to be une tete' morte, but his countenance has a 
 cheerful easy character, and exhibited, when I saw him, 
 no very remarkable degree of thought or animation, 
 though very capable of expressing both. His manners 
 are very simple and unaffected, and he took snuff and 
 scratched his head all day. It was a very noisy and 
 splendid scene, and the windows and roofs of houses 
 were crowded with spectators. Fox and Erskine dined 
 afterwards at a public dinner with him, and he had a 
 long conversation with both. The troops were very fine 
 men, and the dresses of the different corps were more 
 varied and picturesque than among us. The music was 
 very loud and unaffecting. 
 
 Last Sunday I paid a visit to Mad° le Brun, the 
 painter, and admired the floor inlaid with precious 
 woods. In the evening I went with Boddington to 
 Mad' Cabarus, who lives in a most superb house, and 
 who received us in a bedchamber, not less elegant, 
 tho' less rich, than Madame Eecamier's. Her beauty 
 extinguished Lady Oxford who was there, and she gave 
 me an invitation to dinner every day with her while I 
 stayed at Paris. I was introduced, I suspect, as a friend 
 of Lady Jersey, and the similarity of her life and his- 
 tory to that of her ladyship may have rendered her 
 civil to her friends. Last night we were again at the 
 Opera, and Vestris outdid himself. Surely the troop of 
 French dancers are more like gay creatures of the 
 element than mortals like ourselves. Mr. Salmon and 
 Mr. Mallet are very busy and very happy everywhere. 
 
LETTERS FROM PARIS. 379 
 
 On Tuesday we dined with Tallien, who was the first 
 man in Paris for many months. I afterwards saw 
 Mdlle. Duchesnois in Andromaque, and it was the only 
 thing like acting I have seen in Paris. Adieu, my dear 
 Henry ! In a day or two I shall write to Maria. Give 
 my love to Mrs. M. and also to M. and S., and thank 
 them for their kind letters. I am sorry you think you 
 are disturbing my imagination full of pictures, when 
 you write to me. 
 
 ' Ever yours, 
 
 'S. E. 
 
 ' Boddington talks of leaving here on Saturday. Par- 
 sons, who is sitting by me and who is come to Paris, 
 desires to be remembered to you. Remember me to 
 Sharpe.' 
 
 iSi. Mogers to Maria Sharpe. 
 
 'Nov. 2, 1802. 
 
 ' Mt deae Maeia, — I am happy to learn from your- 
 self that you are all assembled on the searshore. Pray 
 stay if you can till I arrive, which will now, I hope, be 
 in three weeks at farthest. Thank Sarah for her kind 
 letter. In writing to one, I write to the other, for in 
 my mind you are inseparable ; and distance produces 
 only one effect upon me, to attach me still more strongly 
 to those I love. I know there are different opinions 
 upon that subject, and I have sometimes fancied them 
 just with regard to those who maintain them ; certainly 
 not so with regard to myself. 1 could say a great deal 
 on this subject, but I know you will expect other things 
 from me. I forget where I left off last. Mr. Earring- 
 ton gave you a full account of our good fortune, — how 
 we stood on the same stone step with him, Bonaparte ; 
 how he looked at us face to face ; and of the various 
 events of that eventful day. Henry is also in possession 
 of a despatch on that subject. On the next, 8th, I went 
 
380 EAKLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 to the Abbe Sicard's lecture, and was very agreeably 
 disappointed ; the ingenious and expressive countenances 
 of the boys would have interested me for a whole day 
 together. In the evening saw Tamerlane ; the old 
 Greek practice of dancing to a chorus is very delightful 
 and affecting to me. I had proceeded so far when I 
 was told that Mr. Fox's carriage was waiting for me ; 
 so away I went with him and Fitzpatrick and Mrs. 
 Fox, etc., to the Luxembourg, which Fox had a great 
 desire to see. The next day we saw the Gobelins, the 
 garden of plants, and I afterwards dined with thein, 
 where I met my old acquaintance Lafayette, — once a 
 sprightly, petit maitrish Frenchman, now mellowed in- 
 to a most amiable man, still very handsome, but silent, 
 thoughtful, and melancholy. Mr. Fox has finished his 
 historical researches, and is now seeing the sights. This 
 morning, the Consul being on a progress, I saw St. Cloud, 
 a most princely residence on the Seine, here a noble 
 river. The rooms are very numerous and furnished in 
 the most costly manner with silk and velvet, porphyry, 
 bronze, and gold, but they were more gaudy than rich, a 
 style aifected in their country houses. There, behind a 
 door, and among some bad pictures, hangs the Madonna 
 della Sedia, — in very fine preservation and surpassing, 
 indeed, all prints and copies of it. It was not brilliant, 
 but very sweet, and the little elbows and shoulders of 
 the children were painted in a way I had no conception 
 of before. The mother's countenance rather fell short 
 of my hopes, which had been raised extravagantly ; but I 
 was hurried along with many others who had never heard 
 of such a picture, and I hope to see it again. Mr. Lam- 
 bert is arrived here, and not alone. He is on his way to 
 Italy. Mr. NichoUs and his two daughters have also 
 spent a week here on their way to the South of France. 
 They had lived in my h6tel four days before I found 
 them out. The Concannons are here, and give grand 
 
CANOVA, DAVID, AND KOSCIUSKO. 381 
 
 parties every week, to which I have been invited, but I 
 have not been. They have Morgan the stock-jobber's 
 daughters with them ! Mad° Cabarus also opens her 
 house to-night in great splendor, but I rather preferred 
 Vestris and the Opera. Here also has arrived, on his 
 way from Kome, Mr. Champernowne, son of 3Irs. Har- 
 rington of Clent, and as he proposes to set off in ten 
 days I have partly agreed to accompany him. Mr. Bod- 
 dington left me last Wednesday in company with Mr. 
 and Mrs. Mackintosh, with whom I was to have returned. 
 I have heard from them twice on the road, as at every 
 stage they all remembered something undone. I have 
 now the whole apartment to myself, and his servant 
 Gerard has fallen to me by inheritance. 
 
 ' The galleries are still inexhaustible, but the pain- 
 ters are a great loss, for no human being enters into 
 one's feelings now. Parsons has been there twice 
 since he left England, and Fox only three times ! I am 
 generally a kind of cicerone to the new-comers, being 
 almost always there. At first sight it seems delightful 
 to introduce others for the first time to such things, but 
 you would be soon sick of it. The Miss Morgans mis- 
 took the Transfiguration for some new picture, and their 
 remarks eclipsed those in " Evelina " on the pictures at 
 Vauxhall. I have spent an evening with Canova, who 
 is come to take a likeness of Bonaparte for a colossal 
 statue to be placed in the grand square of Milan. I was 
 much pleased with him ; David and Kosciusko were also 
 there, as was also Le Grand, the architect who built 
 the Cornhall, — since burned ! He fondled a little pug 
 whelp in his breast the whole time, and seemed a great 
 coxcomb. In my walk one evening I was attacked by 
 a sharper who led me about to see a billiard match be- 
 tween Clotilde the opera dancer in men's clothes and 
 an Englishman. He wearied my poor legs while he was 
 extolling the symmetry of her form ; but at last we 
 
382 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 met a man on the staircase 3'ho said it was put off till 
 the morning. His intention was, it seems, to draw me 
 to the gaming-table, — for he has since attacked Parsons 
 and Fitzpatrick : the last the coolest gamester in Europe, 
 and the first not likely to risk his money. Surely he 
 must be very green to attack sutsh men ! I have twice 
 seen the English taken off on the stage, and I was sorry 
 to hear the actor talk very much like ourselves. Bod- 
 dington, who could not deny it, said the actor was a 
 bad mimic and could riot talk ill; but the immoderate 
 laughter of the audience convinced him of the contrary. 
 I have seen " Puss in Boots," and am told " Cinderella " 
 had a great run last year. 
 
 ' Adieu, my dear Maria ! Pray give my love to all, and 
 a kiss sent across the ocean to four. Give my kind love 
 to Patty and hers. 
 
 ' To prevent a mistake I shall direct to you in town. ' 
 ' Ever, ever yours, 
 
 'S. R. 
 
 ' Mr. De Grave desires to be remembered to you all. 
 Lusignan lives in very elegant apartments near the 
 Palais Koyal, and is a very gay man ; I have not yet 
 seen him. The English here are still innumerable, Paris 
 being now thin of fashion ; at the theatres every word 
 you overhear is English.' 
 
 Samuel Rogers to Henry Rogers. 
 
 • Paeis, Dec. 4, 1802. 
 ' Mt dear Henky, — ... I have now fixed my day 
 of departure. On Friday next, the 11th Dec'., I shall 
 turn my back on the gayeties of Paris, — with some re- 
 gret, but with more pleasure. In the galleries I shall 
 often wander in imagination, but the days are now so 
 dark and sad, with such little intermission, that I have 
 lately found but little enjoyment there. I have paid a 
 
A DINNER WITH M. DE LILLE. 383 
 
 morning visit to Mad° du Port. I was introduced by 
 De Grave, and received with great civility as lier hus- 
 band's friend, under which name I was introduced by 
 her to her daughter, a very pretty girl of 16. I was 
 afterwards told that to see the daughter is considered 
 a very great compliment, and indeed so she thought by 
 the very marked manner in which she promised me 
 that pleasui'e when she stepped out for her. After a 
 few minutes she told her " she might retire." Mad" du 
 Port is certainly the most elegant and pleasing woman 
 I have seen in France, but then I have literally seen 
 nobody. She is about 35, and still very handsome. I 
 vmderstand that where she lives (near the Bastille, about 
 a league from me) there are above 150 families in obscurity 
 of the most accomplished and best bred people in France, 
 strict in their manners and life, even beyond our Eng- 
 lish notions of regularity. I have since paid a different 
 visit to M. de Lille — no longer Ahhe — now a married 
 man. He received me in a large room in an hotel once 
 belonging to the Duke of Richelieu. There were two 
 or three gentlemen with him. In a recess were two 
 beds side by side. The curtains of -the nearest were 
 drawn, and a young lady was frequently called to it by 
 whispers, for there in high health, at two o'clock, lay 
 Mad" de Lille ! I have since dined with them, and was 
 overwhelmed with her civilities. The dinner was very 
 ill-served, and lasted near two hours. Among other 
 dishes was a roast hare, which, as she told her French 
 friends, was given in compliment to me, it being a very 
 great rarity in England, and never but at great tables. 
 After dinner she threw about her some ugly and dirty 
 English doylies, which she also explained as the English 
 fashion, and of which I felt quite ashamed. ' She con- 
 cluded by making me swallow a dish of strong green tea, 
 to remind me of old England. I feel no desire to repeat 
 my visit, tho' I could now enjoy his conversation, which 
 
384 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 I had never done before. I have seen little of the Wm. 
 Smiths for the last fortnight. Their feelings are indeed 
 so little in unison with my own that I keep out of their 
 way. The same may be said of the Edgeworths, tho' 
 they are abundant in their civilities. I have lately looked 
 into several of the bals bourgeois, and with great pleasure. 
 The decorum and enjoyment I have seen there have 
 often sent me home to bed with very pleasant feelings. 
 Tom Boddiugton is returned to Paris, and enjoys himself 
 as much as so fastidious a gentleman will allow himself. 
 Last Monday I was led by fatal curiosity to hear High 
 Mass in honor of Ste. Cecilia, in the church of St. 
 Eustache. I departed before it was half over, but have 
 been confined, with intermissions, ever since. Mr. Cham- 
 pernowne has gone directly by Havre and Southampton 
 to Devonshire, and I shall now return home with Mr. 
 
 , a very friendly pleasant man, whom I have known 
 
 slightly for some years. Happy is the man who leaves 
 Paris first ! Mr. Boddington and Mr. Mackintosh sent 
 me commissions twice on the road, and Mr. Champer- 
 nowne has left me twenty legacies, to my utter horror 
 and dismay. Mr. Fox has also written from St. Anne's, 
 to desire -me, among other things, to bring Mrs. P. a 
 grate, shovel, and tongs ! I have just heard an unex- 
 pected piece of news, — Mr. Thomas Hope's death. It 
 comes in a letter from his brother Henry, who says a 
 merchant has written him word of it from Marseilles. 
 Adieu, my dear Henry ! Give my best love to all, and 
 believe me 
 
 ' Ever yours, 
 
 'S. R. 
 
 ' By way of P. S., I shall add a few lines to another 
 person. N. B. — It is here for the first time committed 
 to paper, and I don't half like it, now it is written, so 
 forgive faults. 
 
LINES ON A STATUE OF HERCULES. 385 
 
 ' To the Fragment of a Statue of Hercules called the Torso of the 
 Belvidere. 
 
 ' And dost thou stilT, thou mass of breathing stone 
 (Thy giant limbs to night and chaos hurl'd), 
 Still sit as on the fragment of a world, 
 Surviving all, majestic and alone? 
 What though the Spirits of the North, that swept 
 Rome from the earth, when in her pomp she slept. 
 Smote thee with fury, and thy headless trunk 
 Deep in the dust, 'mid tower and temple, sunk ; 
 Soon to subdue mankind 't was thine to rise. 
 Still, still unquench'd thy nobler energies 1 
 Exalted minds, with thee conversing, caught 
 Bright revelations of the Good they sought ; 
 By thee that long-lost spell in secret given, 
 To draw down Gods, and lift the soul to Heaven.' 
 
 These lines are dated 1808 in their published form. 
 The only change made in them in the interval "was the 
 substitution of * unquelled thy glorious energies ' for ' un- 
 quench'd thy nobler energies,' and ' aspiring minds ' for 
 'exalted minds.' The request from Fox to -which he 
 alludes, was conveyed in the following letter: — 
 
 C. J. Fox to S. Rogers. 
 
 Mv DEAE SiE, — Mrs. Fox says you would willingly 
 do any commission for her, and she has no scruple in 
 troubling you, 1st, to go to Fonciez's, the jeweller, Eue 
 St. Honore, and to buy for her two little carnelian 
 hearts, with little rings and chains to fasten them to 
 chains round the neck. Mme. Fonciez will recollect that 
 my wife looked at them and asked the price, it must not 
 be more than three louis 9^ each. 2dly, to go to the 
 Palais Eoyal, the first or second shop on the right (I 
 think) as you go in, to buy a pair of fire-dogs, tongs, arid 
 shovel, the price all together two louis. I meant to buy 
 
 25 
 
386 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 them, but said I would call again, and forgot it. If you 
 can bring these things yourself we shall be much obliged 
 to you ; if not, pray send the dogs, etc., to me at Quiliac 
 at Calais. The smaller things you will of course bring 
 yourself, or send by some friend. 
 
 ' If you will be so good as to pay for them I will settle 
 with you on your return or send an order to Perregaux ; 
 and for the interest of your money I know no way to 
 pay you but by insisting again on your reading " Isacco," 
 which, wheu you have done attentively, I trust you will 
 not think of comparing " Douglas " with it. 
 ' I am, with great regard, dear Sir, 
 
 ' Yours ever, 
 
 'C. J. Fox. 
 
 ' St. Anne's Hill, 
 ' 18 Nov., 1802.' 
 
 There is a further account of Eepublican Paris in a 
 letter to Mrs. Greg, wife of Mr. Samuel Greg of Man- 
 chester, mother of the late Mr. Samuel Greg of Boiling- 
 ton, and of Mr. William Eathbone Greg, author of 
 'The Creed of Christendom,' and grandmother of Mr. 
 William Eathbone, now M. P, for the northern division 
 of Carnarvonshire. 
 
 S. Bogers to Mrs. Ch'eg. 
 
 • Pakis, 5 Dec, 1802. 
 'Mt beae Mks. Geeg, — You may be surprised to 
 receive a letter from Paris, and yet from me perhaps it 
 will excite no wonder. Alas — I have no ties to fix me 
 anywhere ! Many ages ago, I forget in what Olympiad, 
 I received from Manchester what demands my best 
 thanks. Of the letter I will say nothing, for it deserves 
 everything. The present was most acceptable also — for 
 Gesner was a favorite with me in early life — nor has he 
 even yet lost his charm. The translation does honor 
 
IN THE LOUVRE. 387 
 
 to the writer, and the preface is worthy of the great 
 name you hint at. The embellishments are very elegant, 
 and you will think me sincere when I say so, for I have 
 long had some of the original drawings in my possession. 
 On the 13th of Sep' I set my foot in France. At least 
 so says my almanac, but my memory assures me it was 
 two thousand years ago, so busy have I been, though to 
 little purpose, since I came here. Not but that I was 
 disappointed at the little novelty I met with on the road. 
 The pedler on his ass and the wagoner with his team 
 wore the same huge cocked hat, and the postilion had 
 his ear-rings, his jack-boots, his tobacco-pipe, his long 
 queue, his harness of ropes, and a whip that smacked 
 through every note of the gamut. At Chantilly I wan- 
 dered alone till dusk along half-dismantled terraces and 
 among urns and lions fast covering with verdure. The 
 old chateau is no more, and the stables were occupied by . 
 a regiment of horse. The cathedral at Amiens had lost 
 little of its splendor, and many people were saying their 
 masses in various parts of it; but the abbey of St. Denis 
 was filled, when I saw it, with casks of American corn. 
 The royal monuments are removed to Paris. They are 
 ranged chronologically with a thousand others from dif- 
 ferent parts of France, in the convent of the little Augus- 
 tines ; and there in the garden among cypresses is the 
 tomb of Abelard and Eloisa. It was noon when I arrived 
 in Paris ; and wandering about in search of lodgings, I 
 found myself at the door of the Louvre. Who could 
 resist ? I entered with other people, and in an instant 
 stood mute in the presence of the Marbles of the Capi- 
 tol, the Laocoon, the Torso, and the Apollo Belvidere. I 
 need not describe to you what I felt at the sight of what 
 I had heard and dreamed of so long. I walked about — 
 neither asleep nor awake — and at last ascended a stair- 
 case, where a gallery without end opened itself before 
 me. It was, indeed, "the pomp and prodigality of 
 
388 EAELY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 Heaven." First came the pictures of France, then those 
 of Flanders and Holland, then those of Italy. Altar- 
 pieces, which singly gave celebrity to cathedrals and 
 little cities, now hang side by side, and in the multitude 
 are passed almost without a glance. I spend hours every 
 day there. Things of such excellence must be approached 
 by degrees ; and I can truly say that the more I look 
 the more I admire. Our artists, who certainly came with 
 no favorable prepossessions, were very agreeably sur- 
 prised at the excellent condition of the pictures; and 
 particularly of the Transfiguration and the St. Pietro 
 Martire of Titian. This morning I saw Eaphael's St. 
 Cecilia laid on its face, and about to receive a new 
 canvas. The worm-eaten board on which it was painted 
 has been cut away with the knife (what excellent nerves 
 there are in France !) and what I looked upon was actu- 
 ally the back of the thin coat of paint. It is a delightful 
 reflection that the colors of such a pencil can survive the 
 solid mass on which they were laid, and may be trans- 
 ferred from surface to surface while the world endures ! 
 The gallery is open to the public twice a week, — to 
 strangers every day, — and so also is the library, where 
 hundreds are sitting and reading constantly, at the tables 
 in the long suite of rooms, with the greatest silence and 
 decorum. When you enter you are struck with sur- 
 prise at the number, for from the stillness you expect 
 nobody. The bronze horses from Venice are placed over 
 the gates of the Tuileries. Bonaparte has twice exhib- 
 ited himself to the people since I came here. Once at 
 his monthly review in the Place du Carrousel, when, on 
 his white charger superbly caparisoned and surrounded 
 by tnamelouks and general officers, he rode up and down 
 the ranks of six thousand, horse and foot. At every 
 turn he received petitions, which were delivered into his 
 hand by many well-dressed people, some of whom he 
 questioned as he ran his eyes over the papers. And once 
 
PERSONAL APPEARAJSrCE OF BONAPAETE. 389 
 
 again, on the evening of a festival, when the garden 
 Ifront of the Tuileries was illuminated, and when, between 
 the two other consuls, he sat uncovered in a balcony in 
 the centre for above half an hour, taking snuff contin- 
 ually, while an orchestra of a hundred and fifty perform- 
 ers played and sang in the open air immediately under 
 him. At his levees he is more inclined to talk than to 
 listen, which is the case you will say with some other 
 great people ; but his manners are very simple and pleas- 
 ing. His profile is very striking and elegant, but his 
 eyes are of a light gray, and his eyebrows scarcely dis- 
 tinguishable ; and his face is overspread with one dead 
 yellow tint. His head, to use the expression of a cele- 
 brated painter here, is une tete de mort, — but it is the 
 head of a giant. He measures in height but five-feet- 
 five ; but his hat, when he has left it on the table, as I 
 have been assured by those about him, has moved round 
 the head of the tallest and most robust general in his 
 army. He lives entirely at St. Cloud, which overhangs 
 the Seine, and is fitted up most sumptuously with gold 
 and porphyry and bronze. He travels very fast, attended 
 by guards, in a plain old-fashioned yellow coach and six 
 blood horses, his servants wearing cocked hats ; but M° 
 B.'s carriage is a light chaise and four a la mode Angloise. 
 It is singular to see a postilion on a blood horse tinder 
 an immense cocked hat. I wish I could give you a 
 tableau de Paris. But where shall we begin ? with the 
 narrow streets, where the approach of a voiture, or of a 
 cabriolet with its tinkling belf, and its cry of " Garde ! 
 Garde ! " produces a flight and a rout ; or with the 
 squares and bridges, where an array of shoe-blacks, for- 
 midable in number and outcry, salute you with " Id on- 
 tond des chiens et coupe les oreilles aux chiens et chats ; " or 
 shall we walk in the Tuileries Gardens, where there are 
 more statues than trees ; or shall we look into the bah 
 bourgeois, where a hundred couples waltz nightly ; or are 
 
390 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGBRS. 
 
 you inclined for a spectacle? Will you see "Puss in 
 Boots" wash her whiskers with her paws, as she does 
 every evening on the Boulevards, to the delight of all 
 the grown children ; or shall I introduce you to Mdlle. 
 Duchesnois, who was crowned last night in Phgdre amidst 
 tears and acclamations ? No, rather come with me and 
 admire " those gay creatures of the element," the coi-ps de 
 ballet, who will enchant you with their delicate move- 
 ments, and with their beautiful groups in groves and 
 caverns and among the "plighted clouds." Vestris is 
 still himself, though his mistress, a celebrated dancer, 
 died last week — and was refused burial by the cure j 
 who, however, was suspended for it by the Archbishop of 
 Paris. Perhaps, most of all, I have wished for you in the 
 Abb(5 Sicard's " Academy of Deaf and Dumb." What in- 
 genuous and speaking countenances, and what triumph 
 in their eyes, when they catch and write on the wall the 
 ideas communicated to them! The furniture here is 
 very elegant, and your old friend Mad° Edcamier out- 
 shines the Consul himself. Her bath and bedchamber 
 are hung with silks of many colors, and lighted with 
 aromatic lamps and alabaster vases. Her bed is an 
 Etruscan couch, and every table is supported by cary- 
 atides in bronze and gold. But you must now wish to 
 return to England. What a sad variety of smells there 
 is in Paris ! Surely snuff -taking is an act of self-defence 
 here ; and what effluvia from the kitchens, morning, noon, 
 and night ! Who would refuse his assent here to the 
 definition that " man is a cooking animal " ? The paint- 
 ers and lawyers are returned to London, and are suc- 
 ceeded by a flight of fashionables from Spa. The Wm. 
 Smiths are here ; and also the Edgeworths ; but I fear I 
 am growing unfit for society, for I can find none whose 
 feelings are in unison with my own, and a solitary walk 
 along the Boulevards, and a tete-a-tete with the Apollo or 
 the Transfiguration, are my greatest consolations. Pray 
 
THE FRENCH AND PARIS. 391 
 
 remember me particularly to Mr. G., who will elucidate 
 any obscurities in this long letter ; and to each and to all 
 of your little society, not forgetting my dearest friend 
 Betsy. Tell her I have played the same part in Paris 
 which she played in London last spring, but with much 
 less eclat. In less than a fortnight I shall return to Lon- 
 don with much regret, but with more pleasure. The 
 French are a lively and clever people. Of their morals I 
 shall say nothing, though there are many noble excep- 
 tions. In the comforts of life they are many centuries 
 behind us, but in its elegancies they have no rivals ; and 
 in their liberality to strangers they are models for the 
 rest of the world. I have taken much pleasure in the en- 
 virons of Paris ; the little hills covered with vineyards 
 wear still the last red tint of autumn, and the sight of a 
 great city with no smoke over it is to an Englishman a 
 phenomenon. It is singular, too, that I recollect no wind 
 through the equinox here, — a turbulent visitor I could 
 well dispense with in our island. In the Palais Eoyal 
 the gaming yields immense sums to the revenue. There 
 are many tables open from 12 at noon till 8 in the morn- 
 ing, surrounded by young and old of both sexes. I hate 
 the sight of their illuminated windows as I return home 
 in an evening. In many of the coffee-houses there are 
 orchestras of music which continue playing and singing 
 with terrible fury from dusk till midnight. In the " Caf6 
 des Aveugles " there is a band, of blind men and women, 
 a melancholy spectacle, and in some of the caveaux, or 
 cellars, little dramas are acted to allure company. In 
 the theatres all now sit in the parterre, a change effected 
 by the Revolution ; nor could Yorick now address them 
 with " In England we sit more at our ease." Every 
 woman here carries her pocket-handkerchief on her arm 
 in a kind of work-bag ; and I have seen dirty nursery 
 girls with a tottering infant in one hand and their ridi- 
 cule in the other. The houses have no verandas, and 
 
392 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGEES. 
 
 the window curtains are of two different colors, crossing 
 each other, which have a very rich and lively effect. But 
 I have now exhausted my paper and your patience. 
 Adieu, once more ! You see I have not forgotten you, 
 though a sea lies between us, and many a province and 
 many a field of battle. 
 
 ' Your ever affectionate friend, 
 
 'Samuel Eogees. 
 
 'Mr. Fox has left us, to my great regret. He was 
 delighted beyond measure.' 
 
 Eogers was much with Fox during this visit to Paris, 
 when some of the conversations recorded in the ' Eeool- 
 lections ' ^ took place. Walking in the Louvre they one 
 day met Mackintosh, whom Fox passed with a nod and 
 the briefest of salutations, telling Eogers he was angry 
 with Mackintosh for accepting the place in India offered 
 him by a Tory Government. But General Eichard Fitz- 
 patrick, whom Eogers met at Fox's dinner-table, as well 
 as at the Luxembourg and the Gobelins, told Eogers that 
 their wives were at the bottom of the coolness. Fox had 
 lately publicly acknowledged Mrs. Armstead, to whom 
 he had been married privately in 1795, as his wife, and 
 Mrs. Mackintosh had not paid her a formal call. A fort- 
 night before Eogers arrived in Paris Fox had dined with 
 Bonaparte, when the First Consul had told him that some 
 persons thought Windham had assisted in the plot to 
 blow him up by an infernal machine. Fox told Eogers 
 that he had energetically protested that the suspicion 
 was a libel on Windham, and that no Englishman would 
 mix himself up in such a business. Eogers afterwards 
 told Windham what Fox had said in his vindication, 
 and Windham replied that he would have done the same 
 for Fox. 
 
 J Eeoollections, pp. 20-28, 35. 
 
PEEPAEmS HIS NEW HOME. 393 
 
 The next conversation -with Fox recorded in the 'Eecol- 
 lectious ' is dated January, 1803, and took place during a 
 visit of Eogers to Fox at St. Anne's, ' a small low white 
 house on the brow of a hill commanding a semicircular 
 sweep, rich and woody.' Eogers was then busily occupied 
 in preparing his new home, and he puts on record Fox's 
 remarks that a distance is essential to a house, and that 
 the Green Park is the best situation in London. 
 
 The bow windows of Eogers's new house looked over 
 the Green Pai'k. He was fitting it up with great care. 
 He had made notes of household arrangements he had 
 seen in houses in which he had visited ; had given much 
 study to questions of decoration and ornament ; and had 
 designed the furniture himself, with the assistance of 
 Hope's work on the subject. The mantel-piece in the 
 drawing-room was executed by Flaxman, who superin- 
 tended the general decoration of the walls and the 
 ceiling. Stothard designed a cabinet for antiquities, 
 ornamenting it with paintings by his own hand. By an 
 accident it happened that some of the wood-carving in 
 the dining-room was executed by Chantrey. Eogers only 
 knew this five-and-twenty years afterwards, when Chan- 
 trey had become famous. Much of the work was done 
 under Eogers's personal supervision; and with drawing 
 in hand he one day received a journeyman sent by a 
 wood-carver to execute some ornamentation on a side- 
 board in the dining-room. At dinner, long afterwards, 
 in the same room, Chantrey, pointing to the sideboard, 
 asked Rogers whether he remembered the circumstance, 
 and Eogers, who never forgot anything, recollected it 
 clearly. 'Well,' said Chantrey, 'I was that journeyman.' 
 The furniture and decoration followed the Greek models, 
 and one of the striking features of the house was its 
 large and beautiful collection of Greek vases. 'Eound 
 the staircase,' says his nephew, ' was added a frieze, taken 
 from the Panathenaio procession among the Elgin mar- 
 
394 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 bles.' Eogers's long studies in the Louvre in the pre- 
 vious autumu had done much to complete the formation 
 of that perfect taste which found expression in the fur- 
 niture aud decoration of his house. 
 
 A contemporary account of Eogers, of his house, and 
 of the company he gathered in it, is given by Dr. Burney 
 in his diary under the date of the 1st of May, 1804. 
 Dr. Burney says of Kogers that ' he is a good poet, has 
 a refined taste in all the arts, has a select library of the 
 best editions of the best authors in all languages, has 
 very fine pictures, very fine drawings, and the finest 
 collection of Etruscan vases I ever saw ; and moreover, 
 he gives the best dinners to the best company of men of 
 talents and genius I know ; the best served, and with the 
 best wines, liqueurs, etc. . . . His books of prints of the 
 greatest engravers from the greatest masters in history, 
 architecture, and antiquities, are of the first class. His 
 house in St. James's Place, looking into the Green Park, 
 is deliciously situated, and furnished with great taste.' 
 
 This account of Eogers's house and parties in 1804 
 may be compared with a description written by Charles 
 Sumner, the American Senator, in a letter to G. S. 
 Hillard, thirty-five years later, in January, 1839 : ' You 
 have often heard of Eogers's house. It is not large, 
 but the few rooms — two drawing-rooms and a dining- 
 room only — are filled with the most costly paintings, 
 all from some of the great galleries of Italy or elsewhere, 
 most of which cost five or ten thousand dollars apiece. 
 I should think there were about thirty in all ; perhaps 
 you will not see in the world another such collection in 
 so small a space. There was a little painting by Eaphael, 
 about a foot square, of the Saviour praying in the Gar- 
 den, brimful of thought and expression, which the old 
 man said he should like to have in his chamber when 
 dying. There were masterpieces by Titian, Correggio, 
 Caracci, Guido, Paul Veronese, Eubens, Barocchio, Giotto, 
 
•THE LIFE OF SATISFIED DESIRES.' 395 
 
 and Eeynolds. He pointed out the picture of an armed 
 knight, which Walter Scott always admired. His port- 
 folios were full of the most valuable original drawings. 
 There were all Maxman's illustrations of Homer and 
 the Tragedians, as they left the pencil of the great 
 artist. Indeed, he said that he could occupy me for 
 a month, and invited me to come and breakfast with 
 him any morning that I chose, sending him word the 
 night before.' 
 
 Eogers had now cut himself entirely free from busi- 
 ness. His youngest brother Henry had become the 
 active partner and working head of the banking firm, 
 and there was no occasion for the chief partner to 
 trouble himself with its concerns. His income, though 
 not large, was suificient for one who had only a bachelor's 
 establishment to maintain, and who led 'the life of 
 satisfied desires.' He had no expensive habits beyond 
 those which sprang from a determination to make his 
 house the ideal abode of the man of taste and the man 
 of letters. He had not even the ambition to become the 
 patron of poor authors, though circumstances were con- 
 tinually forcing that duty on him. His wish was to 
 surround himself with what was best, and he chose his 
 friends as he chose his pictures and his furniture, — for 
 their quality in this noblest sense. It soon became 
 known that the charming house in St. James's Place, 
 about which society was talking, was open to all who 
 had a claim to be regarded as men of letters, or artists, 
 or wits, or statesmen : though of the latter, it was chiefly 
 the Whigs who found themselves at home. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 ACLAND, Mr., 353. 
 ■^ Adams, John, 103, 243. 
 Ad61e, Princess, 215. 
 'Adventurer,' the, 268, 269. 
 Aikin, Dr., 69, 216, 229, 230, 232, 
 281, 291, 308, 329, 333. 
 
 Miss, 71. 
 
 Aix, Bishop of, 233. 
 Allen, John, 370. 
 Amiens, Peace of, 284, 373. 
 Amory, Rev. Dr., 18. 
 Amphlett, Mr., 40. 
 Anderson, Dr., 85, 359. 
 
 Mr., 353. 
 
 Andrews, Miles P., 263. 
 'Anti-Jacobin,' 331, 332. 
 'Anti-Jacobin Review,' 346. 
 'Antiquarian Society,' 216. 
 Armstead, Mrs., 231, 305, 329, 392. 
 Armstrong, 267. 
 Ash, Dr., 19, 212. 
 Ashburton, Lord, 31. 
 
 ' DACHELOR, The,' 371. 
 ■" Baillie, Joanna, 70, 71, 146. 
 
 Dr. M., 71, 147. 
 
 Ball, Hannah, 41. 
 Bancroft, Dr., 233. 
 Bank partnership, 71, 72. 
 Banks, Sir J., 214. 
 Barbauld, Mrs., 62, 63, 69, 70, 138, 
 177, 184, 268, 284, 348. 
 
 poetic appeal, 178. 
 
 Baring, Mr., 347, 370. 
 
 Baring, Sir F., 281, 329, 353. 
 Barker, Mrs., 12, 14. 
 Barnave, 114, 118, 120. 
 Barr^, Colonel, 28, 263. 
 Barrington, Daines, 216. 
 Barry, Madame du, 266. 
 Barwell, 271. 
 Barwis, Jackson, 231. 
 Bates, Dr., 216, 230, 231. 
 Bathurst, Dr. E., 269. 
 Bearcroft, 43, 273. 
 Beattie, Dr., 149. 
 Beattie's 'Edwin,' 51. 
 Bedford, Duchess of, 30. 
 
 Duke of, 266, 280. 
 
 Bennet, Major, 75. 
 
 Bentley, Dr., 213. 
 
 Berthon, Mrs., 20. 
 
 Bessborough, Lord, 337. 
 
 Bewick, 217. 
 
 Birches, the Miss, 16. 
 
 Birmingham riots, 176-181. 
 
 Black, Dr., 146. 
 
 Blair, Dr., 79, 81, 83, 84, 91, 147, 
 
 193. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs., 40. 
 
 Blake, 231. 
 
 Blanc (actor), 56. 
 
 Blanchisserie, 215. 
 
 Boddington, S., 106, 121, 144, 217, 
 
 218, 286, 293, 303, 357, 371, 378, 
 
 379, 381, 384. 
 Boehm, 231. 
 
 Bonaparte, 373, 377, 378, 388,»392. 
 Bosanquet, 20. 
 
398 
 
 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL ROGERS. 
 
 Boswell, 47, 148, 235, 271, 272. 
 Bouche de Fer, Society, 129. 
 Bowles, Martha, 71. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs., 15. 
 
 Boyd, 121. 
 
 Brignola, Marquis, 307. 
 
 Marohesa, 288. 
 
 Bristol election of 1781, 37, 38. 
 
 Bristow, Mrs., 305. 
 
 Broadhead, Mr. and Mrs., 231. 
 
 Brogden, 281, 329. 
 
 Brougham, 370. 
 
 Browne, Captain, 214. 
 
 Bruce, 85. 
 
 Brydges, Sir Egerton, 71, 186. 
 
 Bunlter Hill, hattle of, 29. 
 
 Burgh, 7, 9, 15, 16. 
 
 Burke, E., 100, 117, 152 re. 266, 209, 
 
 335. 
 Burney, Dr., 394. 
 Burns, Robert, 96, 97, 148, 193. 
 Burroughs, 18. 
 Butler, 235. 
 Byron, Lord, 138, 191, 207. 
 
 riABAEUS, Madame, 378, 381. 
 ^ Cadell, 30, 59, 147, 148, 185, 364. 
 Cadogan, Dr., 147. 
 Campbell, General, 121. 
 
 Thomas, 207, 211. 
 
 Canissy, Madame de, 119. 
 Canova, 381. 
 Cardigan, Lady, 354. 
 Carr, 231. 
 
 Lady C, 343. 
 
 Carrington, Lord, 304, 305. 
 Casamajor, 367. 
 Catloe, Rev. Mr., 95. 
 Chabot, 121, 122. 
 Champernowne, 374, 381, 384. 
 Chantrey, 393. 
 
 Mrs., 343. 
 
 Chapel ier, 122. 
 
 Chatelet, Due de, 116, 117, 121, 122, 
 129. 
 
 M., 122, 
 
 Chatekeux, de, 233. 
 Chatham, Lord, 271, 279. 
 
 Chesterfield, Lord, 270. 
 
 Christie, 230. 
 
 Clark, Lady, 307. 
 
 Cleaver, Miss, 305. 
 
 Clermont-Tonnerre, 114, 120. 
 
 Clifford, Lord, 93. 
 
 Clifton in 1791, 176. 
 
 Clifton, Sir Gervase, 74. 
 
 Cline, 286. 
 
 ' Club Monarchique,' 122. 127. 
 
 'Club, My,' 275. 
 
 'Club of 89,' 119, 122, 129. 
 
 Cockburn, 9, 16. 
 
 Coleridge, S. T., 60, 101, 192. 
 
 Collier, Joseph, 43. 
 
 Collins, W., 266, 267. 
 
 Colman, 269. 
 
 George, 56. 
 
 Colton, Rev. C, 334. 
 'Columbus,' 298. 
 Combe, W., 356, 357 n. 
 'Commonplace Book,' 327, 371. 
 Concannon, 300, 305, 380. 
 Condorcet, Madame de, 119, 123, 150. 
 
 M. de, 119, 120, 122. 
 
 'Conquerors of Bastille,' 127. 
 ' Convalescent de Quality,' 124. 
 Cooper, 229, 230, 232, 260, 251. 
 Copenhagen Fields meeting, 279. 
 Coquerel, Athanase, 69. 
 
 Ath., Jr., 69. 
 
 Corporation of London, 30. 
 Costello, 238. 
 Cottle, 60, 74. 
 Courtenay, 281, 329. 
 Coventry election, 35-39. 
 Cowley ,"Mrs., 185, 263. 
 Cowper, 52, 190, 191, 211, 309. 
 Coxe, Dr., 1. 
 
 W. (author), 1. 
 
 Coyte, Dr., 77. 
 
 Crabbe, Rev. 6., 207. 
 
 Crawford, Dr., 229. 
 
 Crisp, Miss, 12. 
 
 ' Critical Review,' 60, 185, 186. 
 
 Cruger, 38, 39. 
 
 Cumberland, Duke of, 31, 237, 271. 
 
 Richard, 212, 213, 246, 247,303, 
 
 355. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 399 
 
 DACEE, Lord, 216. 
 D'AIembert, 115, 216. 
 ' Dashwold,' 238. 
 Daubeny, 38, 39. 
 Day, G., 148. 
 DeGrave, 382. 
 
 Lille, 383. 
 
 Liniie, 74. 
 
 Delia Ciuscans, the, 153, 154, 191. 
 
 De Molvre, 28. 
 
 Derby, Lord, 281. 
 
 D&iles, 119. 
 
 Deyverdun, 307. 
 
 ' Diary of a Lover of Literature,' 313. 
 
 Dilly, 212, 213, 235. 
 
 Dorset, Lord, 93. 
 
 Douglas, Dr., 93, 216, 270. 
 
 Dryden, 42, 52. 
 
 Ducarell, 353. 
 
 DufEerin, Lady, 325. 
 
 Dumont, 244. 
 
 Dundas, 252, 253. 
 
 Dunning, 28. 
 
 Dupont, 117. 
 
 Du Port, Madame, 383. 
 
 Dyce, Rev. A., 21, 32, 48, 55, 56, 59, 
 
 66, 97, 142, 144 «., 181, 233 n., 
 
 252 re., 264; 334, 373. 
 Dyer, G., 267. 
 John, 163 n. 
 
 ■PARTHQUAKE in 1749, 3. 
 ^ Edgeworth, 44, 384, 390. 
 'Edinburgh Review,' 181, 186, 299, 
 
 318, 324. 
 Edison, 216. 
 
 Edwards, Brvan, 358, 370. 
 Eldon, Lord," 211. 
 Ellis, George, 368 n. 
 'Emily Montagu,' 305. 
 Enfield, Dr., 62, 291. 
 England, South of, in 1792, 218, 228. 
 'Epilogue,' 256-259. 
 'Epistle to a Friend,' 246, 255, 308- 
 
 312. 
 
 criticism on, 313-316. 
 
 Erskine, Lord, 102, 106, 231, 240, 
 
 252, 295, 328, 330, 332, 373, 378. 
 
 Este, 154, 185. 
 
 'Eumelean Club,' 235. 
 
 ' European Magazine,' 274, 275. 
 
 Ewer, 77. 
 
 Exmouth in 1800, 352-355. 
 
 FALMOUTH, Lord, 271. 
 ■*■ Farmer, Rev. Mr., 15. 
 Farrington, 373, 379. 
 Favell, 293. 
 F^nelon, 135. 
 'F^nelon,'248. 
 Ferriar, Dr., 347. 
 Field, Rev. W.,<18». 
 
 E. W., 18)1. 
 
 Fingal, grave of, 87. 
 Fitzgerald, Lady E., 232. 
 Fitzpatrick, General, 380, 382, 383, 
 
 392. 
 Flaxman, 217, 327, 373, 393. 
 Foote, 237, 238, 263. 
 Forbes, General, 369. 
 Fox, Caroline, 245. 
 C. J., 102, 214, 215, 242, 255, 
 
 278-283, 305, 329-3-32, 333, 335, 
 
 378, 380, 381, 385, 392. 
 Francis, Sir P., 102, 281, 329. 
 Franklin, Dr., 28, 118, 127, 232, 233, 
 
 234, 270. 
 Fredley Farm, 326, 362. 
 French Revolution, 101, 102. 
 
 English feeling about, 102. 
 
 ' Friends of the People,' 216, 239, 251. 
 'From Euripides,' 362. 
 Fuseli, 266, 267, 373. 
 
 ftARDINER, Sir R., 285. 
 
 ^ Garrick, D., 152, 231, 238, 246, 
 
 247, 263 n., 270. 
 Garshore, Dr., 230. 
 ' Gentleman's Magazine,' 46, 345. 
 Gibbon, 30, 83, 307. 
 GifEord, 153, 154, 191, 249, 330. 
 Gillies, Dr. John, 230, 233, 262, 275. 
 Gilpin, Rev. W., 81, 90, 205, 225, 
 
 226, 228, 309, 313-321, 360-362, 
 
 364, 369, 374. 
 
400 
 
 EAKLT LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGERS. 
 
 Glyn, Sir E., 16. 
 Goldsmith, 51, 52. 
 Gordon, Lord George, 121. 
 
 Riots, 33. 
 
 Gower, Lord, 115. 
 Grandison, Sir C, 150. 
 Grant, Dr., 13. 
 
 Miss, 306. 
 
 Grattan, H., 326. 
 
 Gray, Tliomas, 23, 51, 52, 81, 210, 
 
 270, 346. 
 Greg, Mrs., 386. 
 
 Samuel, 386. 
 
 W. Eathboiie, 386. 
 
 Grenet, Abb^, 113, 114, 214. 
 Grey, Charles, 102, 240. 
 Grieve, Dr., 13. 
 Griffiths, Dr., 213, 233, 269. 
 Guizot (quoted), 259. 
 
 HACKNEY College, 67, 74, 333. 
 Haldimand, Miss, 305. 
 Halifax, Sir T., 35, 37. 
 Hallam, H., 370. 
 Hamilton, Duke of, 270. 
 
 Lady, 232. 
 
 ' Single speech,' 83. 
 
 Hampden, Lord, 270. 
 Hampstead assemblies, 69, 70, 184. 
 Hanson, Mrs., 20. 
 Harnett, 417. 
 Harris, Mary, 1. 
 
 Samuel, 1. 
 
 Hawkesworth, Dr., 26'!, 269. 
 
 Hayley, W., 190, 214, 228. 
 
 Hay ward. A., 25, 49, 181, 186, 207, 
 
 208, 209, 252 n., 299, 324, 325, 
 
 328. 
 Henry, Rev. Philip, 2, 3 
 
 Rev. Matthew, 2, 3. 
 
 Herbert, Nicholas, 84. 
 'Heroic Epistle,' 267. 
 Heywood, Mrs., 95. 
 
 Serjeant, 281, 329. 
 
 'Hill, The,' Old Swinford, 4. 
 Hinkley, 232. 
 HoUoway, 217. 
 Holroyd", J. B., 35, 37. 
 
 Hoole, 212, 214, 291. 
 
 Hope, 304, 384. 
 
 Hoppner, J., 272, 285, 286, 370, 
 
 373. 
 Horner, Francis, 244, 331, 370. 
 Horsley, Bishop, 268. 
 
 Mrs., 305. 
 
 Hottingue, M., 116. 
 Howard, John, 233. 
 
 Mrs., 375, 376 
 
 Hoyle, Rev. Mr., 3. 
 Hulton, 8. 
 
 Hume, D., 84, 215, 265. 
 Hunt, Leigh, 324. 
 
 Miss, 306. 
 
 Hutton, Dr., 85. 
 
 TNCLEDON (the actor), 56. 
 -•■ 'Indefatigable,' the, 285. 
 Independence, Declaration of, 29. 
 
 JACKSON, W., 342, 346, 349-352, 
 ^ 356. 
 
 'Jacobin Club,' 122, 123, 127. 
 Jeffrey, F., 370. • 
 
 Jekyll, 267. 
 Jerningham, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 
 
 154. 
 Jersey, Lady, 296, 297, 327, 355. 
 Johnson (actor), 56. 
 Dr., 17, 46, 47, 146, 147, 149, 
 
 153, 266, 269, 272, 289. 
 Johnstone, Dr. E., 273. 
 ' Julia de Roubign^,' 98. 
 'Junius,' 83. 
 
 17EAY, 106, 116, 117, 119, 120, 127, 
 ^ 128, 129, 130, 131. 
 K^ralio, Mdlle. de, 115, 116 ». 
 
 M. de, 115. 
 
 King, Lord, 370. 
 
 ' King of Clubs,' the, 348, 370, 371. 
 
 Kippis, Rev. Dr., 67, 68, 78, 79, 80, 
 
 148, 150, 184, 240. 
 Knight, Richard, 5, 47. 
 R. Payne, 5, 370. 
 
 — Thomas Andrew, 5. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 401 
 
 LABOUCHfeEE, Mrs., 343. 
 Lafavette, 106, 116, 117, 118, 
 
 126, 129, 141, 380. 
 
 Madame de, 116, 117, 118. 
 
 'La Libert^ conquise,' 119. 
 
 'L'amant ferame de chambre,' 123. 
 
 Lamb, Charles, 6, 10. 
 
 Lambton, W. H., 240, 281, 329. 
 
 Lansdowne, Lord, 280. 
 
 La Rive (actor), 121. 
 
 Lauderdale, Lord, 236, 281, 329, 332. 
 
 Lawley, 75. 
 
 Lawrence, Sir Thomas, 66. 
 
 'Leasowes,' the, 5. 
 
 Le Breton, Mrs., 70. 
 
 ' Le Jaloux sans Amour,' 118. 
 
 Lenox, Colonel, 78. 
 
 Lexington, Battle of, 29. 
 
 Liancourt, Due de, 115, 122, 123. 
 
 Liudsey, Rev. Theophilus, 32, 41. 
 
 Lisle, 15. 
 
 Loughborough, Lord, 149. 
 
 Louis XVI., 125. 
 
 Loyd, Jones, 33. 
 
 Lubbock, Sir John, 372. 
 
 Lucan, Lady, 303, 306. 
 
 Lysons, S., 212, 216, 257. 
 
 Lyttclton, Mr., 13. 
 
 George, 5. 
 
 Lord, 19, 28, 234, 259, 263 7s., 
 
 357. 
 
 MACAULAT, Lord, 153, 190. 
 
 •"^ Mackenzie, Henry, 79, 82, 84, 
 
 96, 98, 99, 144-150. 
 
 Miss, 99. 
 
 Mackintosh, Sir J., 102, 103, 208, 
 
 240, 244, 263-265, 266, 278, 329, 
 
 334, 335, 370, 371, 381, 384, 392. 
 Mail coaches, 40, 41. 
 Mailly, Abb^, 129. 
 Maitland, 19. 
 Maltbv, William, 26, 43, 46. 62, 141, 
 
 387, 243, 253, 364, 370. 
 'Man of Feeling,' the, 79, 98. 
 'Man of the "World," the, 98. 
 Manners, General, 306. 
 Mansfield, Lord, 200, 201, 237. 
 
 26 
 
 Marie Antoinette, 125. 
 
 Marmontel, 114, 135, 216. 
 
 Marsden, 216, 230. 
 
 Marsh, 216. 
 
 Martin, James, 231. 
 
 Mason, 267, 274, 364. 
 
 Mathias, T. J., 291, 336, 337. 
 
 Matthew, 300, 303. 
 
 Maury, Abbd, 112, 115. 
 
 McGowan, 84. 
 
 McMurdo, 232. 
 
 ' Melampus, The,' 284. 
 
 Merry, Robert, 91, 147, 148, 150, 151, 
 
 153, 154, 187, 249, 251. 
 Mill, John, 245. 
 Millar, 269. 
 Millingen, 374. 
 
 Mirabeau, 106, 117, 118, 119, 215. 
 Mitchell, Mary, 13, 16, 18, 24, 260. 
 
 Paul, 24. 
 
 Mitford, Rev. John, 142. 
 
 Sir John, 330. 
 
 Monboddo, Lord, 147, 149, 150. 
 Monfort, Major, 214, 216. 
 Montagu, Mrs., 27, 152. 
 ' Monthly Review,' 60, 186, 269, 323. 
 Moore, Dr., 96, 97, 138-142, 148,151, 
 
 214, 260, 283, 284, 338, 357, 358, 
 
 369. 
 
 Dr. Carrick, 374. 
 
 Graham, 138, 214, 284. 
 
 James, 360. 
 
 Sir John, 23, 138, 359. 
 
 Tom, 191. 
 
 'Mordaunt,' 348,354. 
 Morgan, George, 291. 
 
 Lady, 297, 319. 
 
 William, 28, 181, 216, 254. 
 
 ' Morning Chronicle,' 328, 331. 
 
 'Morning Post,' 331. 
 
 Morris, 121. 
 
 Morton, Rev. C, 1. 
 
 Muir, 83, 84. 
 
 Murphy, Arthur, 231, 235, 237, 238. 
 
 IW'ANDO, 268. 
 
 ^^ Neal, Mrs., 21. 
 
 NichoUs, John, M.P., 369, 380. 
 
402 
 
 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGERS. 
 
 Norfolk, Duke of, 280, 332. 
 Norton, Mrs., 25, 325. 
 
 OAKES, Colonel, 353. 
 Ogle, 231. 
 Oglethorpe, General, 46. 
 Old Swinford, i, 5. 
 Olding, John, 65, 66, 72. 
 Onslow, T., 306. 
 Opie, 217, 327, 373. 
 O'Quigley, 334. 
 Overstone, Lord, 33. 
 Oxford, Lady, 378. 
 Lord, 332. 
 
 PAINE, Thomas, 103, 104, 152, 216, 
 231, 254. 
 Paley, Dr., 72. 
 Palmer, Rev. Fyshe, 251. 
 
 Koger, 263. 
 
 Pamela, 215. 
 Paradise, 272. 
 Paris in 1802, 374-392. 
 Parker, Captain John, 29. 
 
 Theodore, 29. 
 
 Parr, Dr., 181, 182, 188, 193, 212, 
 
 213, 215, 268, 272, 281, 329, 334 ; 
 
 interview with, 181 ; on ' Pleasures 
 
 of Memory,' 193-205. 
 Parsons, 91, 231, 264, 275, 300, 301, 
 
 303, 379, 381. 
 Peach, Mrs., 13, 19 ra. 
 Peerless Pool, 8, 10. 
 Pennant, Thomas, 17. 
 Perigord, 125, 126, 128. 
 Peri^gaux, 116. 
 Perry, 328. 
 
 P^trie, 114, 120, 121, 295. 
 Pickboume, Rev. J., 15, 26. 
 Pigou, Mrs., 368. 
 Pinckerton, 235. 
 
 Piozzi, 80, 81, 83, 85, 92, 148, 235. 
 Mrs., 80, 81, 82, 85, 91, 93, 
 
 152, 162, 212, 297, 368. 
 Pitt, William, 118, 214, 268, 269, 279. 
 ' Pizarro,' 348. 
 Playfair, Mr., 83. 
 
 ' Pleasures of Memory,' 185-209, 274- 
 276, 310. 
 
 Polwhele, Rev. R., 276, 277, 346, 
 347. 
 
 Pope, 52, 337. 
 
 Porson, 27, 216, 370. 
 
 Portland, Duke of, 279. 
 
 Price, Dr., 3, 7, 8, 15, 16, 18, 102, 
 104, 105, 251, 265, 273, 278, 291 n.; 
 his influence, 7, 31 ; his works, 8, 
 27-31 ; stories of, 7, 8, 30 ; habits 
 of, 8, 9 ; his white horse, 30 ; and 
 Turgot, 31 ; and the Corporation of 
 London, 30 ; and Congress, 31 ; and 
 France, 31; at Hackney, 31 j 'On 
 Love of Country,' 104 ; and Lafay- 
 ette, 117 ; his simplicity, 152. 
 
 Mrs., 12, 16. 
 
 Uvedale, 357 n. 
 
 Priestley, Dr., 7, 28, 102, 105, 176, 
 179, 180, 182, 212, 214, 215, 216, 
 229-234, 240, 250, 251, 272, 273, 
 274, 278. 
 
 Joseph, Jr., 250. 
 
 ' Pursuits of Literature,' the, 336-338. 
 
 pABAUD, M., 115, 179. 
 
 " Radford; Daniel, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 24. 
 
 Eleanor, 2. 
 
 Mary, 8, 6. 
 
 Samuel, 2. 
 
 Raikes, Robert, 41. 
 Raper, 11, 232, 343, 369. 
 
 Harry, 11. 
 
 Matthew, 11. 
 
 Miss, 11, 12. 
 
 Rathbone, W., M. P., 386. 
 Raynal, Abb^, 114. 
 Recamier, Madame, 378, 390. 
 'Recollections,' Rogers's, 144, 256, 
 
 280, 329, 334, 393. 
 Reed, Isaac, 212, 345. 
 Reid, 235. 
 
 Rennell, Major, 275. 
 Reynolds (dramatist), 263. 
 Sir J., 81, 100, 152, 229, 270, 
 
 272. 
 Ricardo, 370. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 403 
 
 Bichelieu, Due de, 84, 266. 
 
 Rickards, 13. 
 
 — Samuel, 13. 
 
 Kobertson, Dr., 79, 80, 81, 83, 86, 98. 
 
 Robinson, John, 38, 39. 
 
 Eochefoucauld, Due de la, 116, 118, 
 121, 123. 
 
 Duchesse de la, 117, 121, 141. 
 
 Roebuck, Dr., 145. 
 
 Rogers, Daniel, 6, 33, 35, 36, 71, 241, 
 342. 
 
 Henry, 6, 24, 74, 259, 260, 327, 
 
 338, 340, 376, 382, 395. 
 
 Maria, 6, 44, 260. 
 
 Martha, 6, 40, 240. 
 
 Mary, 6. 
 
 Mary R., 6. 
 
 Samuel, ancestors, 1, 2, 3, 4, 
 
 5, 6; birth, 6; first letter, 14; on 
 his mother, 22, 23; would be a 
 preacher, 32; boyish freak, 32; 
 goes to business, 34; and Wilkes, 
 35; at Margate, 42, 43; 'To the 
 Gnat,* 42; studious evenings, 44, 
 45 , first compositions, 46 ; ' The 
 Scribbler,' 47-50; calls on John- 
 son, 46; and Gray's poems, 51, 
 52; and Walpole's letters, 51; 
 'Of Myself,' 53, 54; 'a banker 
 poet,' 54, 55 ; devotion to business, 
 54; first poem, 55; 'Vintage of 
 Burgundy,' 56 ; ' Alps at Day- 
 break,' 57; 'Dear is my little 
 Native Vale,' 57, 58; 'To the 
 Nightingale,' 58; Love-song, 58; 
 method of composition, 59; 'Ode 
 to Superstition,' 59, 60, 61, 62; 
 'Captivity,' 63; stanzas at mid-' 
 night, 63 ; partnership, 65, 66 ; on 
 death of his brother, 73 ; journey to 
 north, 76-79 ; at Edinburgh, 79-96 ; 
 journey to Paris, 101-131; at Ca- 
 lais, 108; at Abbeville, 109; at 
 Amiens, 109; at Clermont, 111; 
 at Paris, 112 ; journey to Brussels, 
 134, 135; view of French Revolu- 
 tion, 137; conversation at Miss 
 Williams's, 144-154; journey in 
 South Wales, 155-175; letter to 
 
 his father, 162 ; ' On a Tear,' 
 185; ' The Pleasures of Memory,' 
 185-209; spoken of as 'the poet,' 
 10; Diary in 1792, 218-228; jour- 
 ney in South of England, 229-235 ; 
 Diary of 1792 and 1793, 229-238; 
 Commonplace Book, 236-239 ; turn- 
 ing-point, 239 ; death of his father, 
 240; left as the heir, 241; and E. 
 Sharp, 242; asked for money, 246, 
 247; and Dr. Priestley, 249; sum- 
 moned to Privy Council, 253; at 
 Stone's trial, 253, 254; writing 
 'Epistle,' 255; and Mrs. Siddons, 
 256-259; his father's advice, 259; 
 letter to R. Sharp, 262; at Mar- 
 gate, 262 ; Commonplace Book, 265; 
 letter to Dr. Parr, 273; verses on 
 him, 275; accused of plagiarism, 
 276; letter to Sarah, 287; letters 
 to R. Sharp, 290, 294, 295, 300, 
 301, 321, 344-357, 363; why never 
 married, 297-300; 'Epistle to a 
 Friend,' 310, 311; 'in a peck of 
 troubles,' 321; deciding on re- 
 moval, 327, 328; mentioned in 
 'Pursuits of Literature,' 337; and 
 the classics, 338-340 ; at Exmouth, 
 340-355; and W. Jackson, 349- 
 352; on Melancholy, 358 n.; visit 
 to Paris (1802), 373; letter to H. 
 Rogers, 376; letters to Maria 
 Sharpe, 376, 379; letter to Mrs. 
 Greg, 386 ; and Mr. and Mrs. Fox, 
 392, 393; his new home, 393-395. 
 
 Rogers, Sarah, 6, 17, 76, 77, 260, 285, 
 287, 288, 342, 376. 
 
 T. (grandfather), 4, 5, 22, 39. 
 
 Thomas (father), his marriage, 
 
 5 ; his businesses, 6, 7 ; his children, 
 6 ; his character, 9, 25, 26 ; journey 
 to Scotland, 17 ; his politics, 25, 
 240; Coventry election, 35-37; let- 
 ters, 45-47 ; partnership, 65, 66; 
 President of Hackney College; 67 ; 
 letters from Bath, 74, 75; letter 
 from Stourbridge, 179, 180; on 
 Dr. Priestley, 180; his death, 240; 
 advice to Sam, 259. 
 
404 
 
 EARLY LIFE OF SAMUEL EOGEES. 
 
 Rogers, Mrs. T. (mother), 9, 10; let- 
 ters, 10-21; Diary, 21; death, 23. 
 
 Thomas, Jr. (brother), 6, 11, 
 
 38, 39, 65, 66, 72, 73, 7i. 
 
 Roi, Le, 233. 
 
 Romilly, S., 370. 
 
 Romney, 214, 232. 
 
 Rougemont, M., 116. 
 
 Rousseau, 131, 151, 265, 302, 303. 
 
 Russell, Lord John, 240, 332. 
 
 Ryland, Dr., 268. 
 
 QADLER, Rev. Dr., 32 re., 69. 
 
 ^ Salm-Kirbourg, Prince de, 125 re. 
 
 Salmon, 378. 
 
 Scarlett, 370, 871. 
 
 SchoUet, Mrs., 302, 305. 
 
 ' School for Scandal,' 267, 269. 
 
 Scott, Sir W., 46, 98. 
 
 Seawell, 43. 
 
 Seward, 147, 148, 149-153, 275. 
 
 Seymour, Lord Webb, 331. 
 
 Sharp, Granville, 29. 
 
 Richard, 107, 141, 217, 222 re., 
 
 231, 240, 242, 243, 244, 245, 250, 
 
 260-265, 272, 278, 289-296, 297- 
 
 303, 318, 321, 322, 327, 344, 345, 
 
 348, 352, 355, 363, 371. 
 Sharpe, Catharine, 217. 
 Samuel, 25, 42, 50, 71, 74, 184, 
 
 239, 308, 310, 327. 
 Sutton, 214-218, 229, 232, 235, 
 
 260, 281, 286, 310, 373. 
 Mrs. Sutton, 285, 327, 375, 379, 
 
 382. 
 
 William, 144, 217, 281, 329. 
 
 Shee, 217, 373. 
 
 Shelburne, Lord, 18, 27, 215. 
 
 Shenstone, 5, 274. 
 
 Sheridan, R. B., 102, 215, 236, 240, 
 
 242, 256, 267, 269, 271, 278, 328, 
 
 348. 
 
 Mrs., 351, 352. 
 
 Sica'rd, Abb^, 380, 390. 
 
 Siddons, Mrs., 66, 151, 154, 232, 256- 
 
 258, 357; letters from, 256-258. 
 Sieyfea, Abb(!, 150. 
 Sillery, Madame de, 216. 
 
 Smith, Adam, 79, 81, 82, 83, 84, 97, 
 98, 123, 146, 147. 
 
 Robert, 370, 371. 
 
 Sydney, 244, 328, 371. 
 
 William, M.P., 233, 281, 283, 
 
 329, 354, 384, 390. 
 Smollett, Dr., 90, 97. 
 ' Soci^t^ des Amis de la Constitution,' 
 
 127. 
 Solly, Mrs., 21. 
 Southey, E., 102, 192, 254. 
 South Wales in 1791, 155-175. 
 Spencer, 271, 306. 
 Stamford, Lord, 5, 259. 
 Stanhope, Lord, 102, 104, 123. 
 Stanley, Lord, 329. ' 
 Staunton, Sir G., 268. 
 Steed, 16. 
 
 Steevens, George, 337, 345. 
 Stofee Newington, 1, 6. 
 
 Chapel, 1, 26. 
 
 Stone, Miss, 343, 353. 
 
 William, 214, 252-254, 256, 
 
 280. 
 Stothard, T., 189, 217, 230, 231, 232, 
 
 393. 
 Stourbridge, 4, 5, 41. 
 Strachan, Sir R., 284. 
 Sumner, Charles, 394. 
 Sunday Schools, 41. 
 Supping Club, 7. 
 Swift, Mr., 78. 
 
 TALLIEN, 379. 
 ■•• Tankerville, Lord, 367, 368. 
 Tann, 74. 
 
 Tenby in 1791, 165-167. 
 Tennant, 370. 
 Tens, du, 266. 
 Thomson, 235. 
 Thoresby, Rev. Mr., 7. 
 Thornton, Bonnel, 268. 
 Thrale, Cecilia, 85, 91, 92, 212, 297, 
 319, 367. 
 
 the Misses, 368. 
 
 Mrs., 297. 
 
 Tickell, Mrs., 232. 
 Ticknor, 99. 
 
INDEX 
 
 405 
 
 Tierney, 283, 329. 
 
 Tooke, Home, 214, 229, 235, 240, 242, 
 
 253, 255, 256, 269, 278, 281, 282, 
 
 286, 293, 332. 
 Topham, 154. 
 Torso, Lines to the, 385. 
 Toulouse, Archbishop of, 233. 
 Towers, Rev. Dr., 26. 
 Towgood, 240, 342. 
 Townley, 214. 
 Travers (surgeon), 373. 
 Tuffin, 214, 229, 232, 235, 250, 28G 
 
 301. 
 Turgot, 31, 84, 233. 
 Tweddie, 213. 
 
 yALENTIA, Lord, 19, 39, 40, 259 
 ' Vaughan, B., 230. 
 
 W., 230. 
 
 'Vindicise Gallicse,' 103, 264. 
 Voltaire, 84, 151, 266. 
 
 WAKEFIELD, Rev. Gilbert, 67, 
 '' 332, 833. 
 Walpole, 331. 
 Warburton, Bishop, 365. 
 
 Mrs., 270. 
 
 Warton, J., 266, 267, 268, 269, 312, 
 313, 337. 
 
 Thomas, 62, 210, 212. 
 
 Wedgwood, T., 370. 
 Welch, George, 6, 65. 
 
 Kemp, 65 n. 
 
 Thomas, 6, 11. 
 
 Welch and Rogers, 6. 
 
 Welsh peasantry in 1791, 170, 171. 
 
 Wesley lying in state, 143. 
 
 West, Benjamin, 229, 373. 
 
 West, Raphael, 373. 
 
 Westall, R., 189. 
 
 Westminster election, 281, 282. 
 
 Westmoreland, Lord, 279. 
 
 Weston, 232, 264. 
 
 Whitbread, 102, 240. 
 
 White, Miss, 306. 
 
 Whitworth, Lord, 368. 
 
 Wickes, John, 4. 
 
 Obadiah, 2, 4. 
 
 Wilberforce, 283. 
 
 Wilkes, John, 35, 123, 270, 331. 
 
 Wilkie (author of 'Epigoniad"), 145. 
 
 Williams, Cecilia, 69, 179. 
 
 Helen Maria, 68, 69, 138, 151, 
 
 179. 
 Wilson, Mr. and Mrs., 11. 
 Windham, W., 102, 286, 392. 
 Wollstonecraft, Mary, 26. 
 Wordsworth, W., 21, 51, 60, 101, 102, 
 
 137, 190, 191, 192, 207, 254, 255. 
 World, The,' 154, 185. 
 Worthington, Mary, 24, 259. 
 Wren, Sir C, 270. 
 Wyatt, 374. 
 
 7E0, E. R., 35, 37. 
 
 ' r^ELUCO,' 97, 138, 260. 
 
 University Press : John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. 
 
Cornell University Library 
 PR 5235.C62E2 
 
 The early life of Samuel Rogers, 
 
 3 1924 013 540 780