The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-07-15 00:00:00

ziltßAßr GLEANINGs.

Hoc mit had one failing in common with most people,
who attain wealth and eminence without the aid of liberal
education. He affected to despise every kind of knowledge
which he did not 'lessees. Having established his fame'
with little or no obligation to literature, he either conceived
it to be needless, or decried it because it lay out of his
reach. His sentiments, in short, resembled those of Jack
Cade, who pronounced sentence on the clerk of Chatham,
because he could write and read. Till, in evil hour, this
celebrated artist commenced an author, and was obliged to!
employ his friends to correct his Analysis of Beauty, he
did not teem to have discovered that even spelling was a
neceseary qualification ; and yet he had ventured to ridi-
cule the late Mr. Rich's deficiency as to this particular, in
a note which lies before the Rake, whose play is refused
while be remains in confinement for debt. Previous to the
time of which we are now speaking, one of our artist's
common topics of declamation, was the uselessness of books
to a man of his profession. In Beer-street, among other
volumes consigned by him to the pastry-cook, we find
'Turnbull on Ancient Painting, a treatise which Ilogarth
should hate been able to understand, before he ventured
to condemn. Garrick himself, however, was not more duc-
tile to flattery. A word in favour of Sigismunda 'night
have cemmanded a ptoof print, or forced an original sketch
out of ow artist's hands. The furuisher of this remark
owes one of his scarcest performances to the success of a
I compliment, which might have stuck even in Sir Godfrey
Kneller's th-oat. With Dr. Madly, the late worthy
Chancellor of Winchester, Mr. Hogarth was always on
terms of the strictest friendship, anti frequently visited him
at Winchester, St. Cross, and Alreeford, It is well known I
; that Dr. Hoadly's fetidness for theatrical exhibitions was so
great, that no visitors were ever long in his house before
they were solicited to accept a part in some interlude or
!other. Ile himself, with Garrick and Hogarth, once per.
I formed a laughable parody on the scene in Julius Grsar, I
where the Ghost appears to Brutus. flogarth personated'
the spectre; but so unretentive was his memory, that,
although his speech consisted only of two lines, he was
unable to get them by heart. At last they hit on the fol-
lowing expedient in his favour. The verses he was to de-
liver were written in such large letters, on the outside of an
illuminated peper-lantern, that lie could read them when
he entered with it in his hand ou the stage. Hogarth
painted a scene on this occasion, representing a sutling
t booth, with the Duck of Cumberland's head by way of j
;sign. He also prepared the play-bill with characteristic
ornaments. The original drawing is still preserved, and I
we essuld wish it were engraved, as the slightest sketch from
the design of so grotesque a painter would be welcome to
the collectors of his works. lloearth was also the most
absent of men. At table he would sometimes turn round
his chair as if he had finished eating, and as suddenly
would return it, and fall to his meal again. I may add,
that he mice directed a letter to Dr. Iloadly, thus,---" To
the Doctor at Chelsea."—This epistle, however, by good
luck, did not miscarry, and was preserved by the late
Chancellor of Winchester, as a pleasant memorial of his
friend's extraordinary inattention.—Nicheison's Anecdotes
Sts Cu Risror nen 11-nese—This eminent mathema-
tician and philosopher, al well as architect, executed many
of the finest building,- in London and other parts of Eng-
land, in the inoilern style. St. Paul's Cathedral, inferior
to none but St. Peter a in point of magnitude, and un-
doubtedly superior even to that both in skilful construc-
tion and design, will perpetuate his name to the latest pos-
terity. The exterior cupola of St. Paul's is constructed of
oak timber, and is sustained by a cone of eighteen inch
brick=work, which has a course of stone, the whole thick-
ness, every five feet ; and the intermediate parts are two
bricks ii: length in thickness. This cupola was turned
upon a centre, which supported itself without any standard
from below. From the inclined positicn of its supporting
walls it has little or no transverse pressure • yet, for greater
security, it is hooped with iron at the bottom. Ot the
great English masters who flourished about this period,
Jones was grand but unequal ; as may be seen in his cele-
brated work, the Chapel at IVliitelhall, the conception of
which, as a part, and but a small part, of an immense
palace, is certainly noble ; its primary divisions fewland
simple, its openings large and handsome, but it is unequal
in composition and in style. The play of light and shade
produced by the breaks over each column is in a minute
taste, the very opposite to grand. The lonic specimen is
one of the worst and most impure he could bora chasten ;
the trsodillions ; not belosig to the order and approach too
nearly to those of the Corinthian. If one order upon
another be admissible, at all events the Corinthian should
not have been excltuled for the purpose of introducing the
Composite. Wren was more equal and consistent than
Jones ; was possessed of more mathematical and general
knowlege ; was a man of a more expanded mind ; hut less
of an architect by education, and had, generally speaking,
less taste. Perhaps nothing of Wren's is equal in taste to
Jones's tenter-gate of 1,4. k-buildings, and nothing of
Jonee's equals in scientific construction any thing of
Wren's. Jones's Gothic, as shown in Lincoln's Inn Ilall
and Chapel, is decidedly bad : Wren's in St. Mary Alder-
mars, Bow-lane, is bold, if not quite pure; in the tower
and pinnacles of St. Michael's, Cornhill, still better ; and
in the spire of St. Dunstan's in the East, unexceptionably
fine ; perhaps this is the finest thing of its kind in Europe.
St. Stephen's, IValbrook, has, I Clink, been extolled
Ix yond its merits ; although novel in principle it is faulty
both in construction and taste. His spire of Bow would
; alone immortalize any man ; so beautiful is it in form, so
novel in design, and so dexerous in construction.—Eintes's
Lectures on Architccturc.

LAST MOMENTS or Mn. Fox.—The first seeds of
his disorder commenced about the beginning of last
winter (1803). In tj month of December last, Mr.
Fox was on a country visit with the Earl of A—. Mr.
Fox found his constitution rapidly giving way. Ile
was able neither to take the same exercise or the
same diversions as formerly. He laid aside his habit
of early rising, and frequently slept after dinner. His
friends observed the change with a presentiment of the
consequence. Mr. Fox himself was not blind to his ad-
vancing weakness. The seeds of his disease began daily
to develope themselves, and Mr. Fox was himself con-
scious that lie would not live long.—"My life has been
active beyond my strength, I had almost mid my duty. 11
I hare not acted mach, you will allow that I hare spoken
much, and I hare felt morc than I have either acted or
spoken. llfy constitution has sank under it. I find myself
unequal to the business on which you have written : it must
be left loyouncer men. I think, moreover, that it will be
a thankless labour. I expect nothing from --.—. 'Ti, a
sword of state which is borne in procession on solemn days,
but is sever allowed to he employed; it is too old and rusto
to cat. This is what 11.—.--- said at Lord ----'s, and
I perfectly agree with him."
hlr. Fox was confined to his bed many days during
December, and was once very seriously indisposed, his
leg§ swelled, and he took largely of decoction of the
woods, under the impression that he was suffering under
the scurvy.
It was peculiar to Mr. Fox, that he had formed in his
own mind a kind of philosophic theory of medicine. He
referred every thing to two causes, impurity of blood, and
the habit of the stomach. He seldom, therefore, consulted
a physician ; for the most part prescribing to himself, and
even mixing his own medicines. Paytherus, in Eon&
street, was his ellymist, and his annual bills for drugs, &c.
amounted to a very considerable sum ; rhubarb and rept-
able decoctions were his favourite medicines. I have heard
him,• however, say, that the but purgative in the Materia
Medica was fruit with thin skins, currants, raspberries, &c.
He had no suspicion that he was droPsical, and perhaps
by this error contributed to confirm and aggravate his dis-
ease. Ile entered on • course of medicine as if for the
scurvy ; and feeling very early in the period of his com-
plaint an uncommon weakness of stomach, be imputed it
to an insufficient disgestion. This erroneous management
had certainly very had effects.
Ile was in this state when he returned to town early in
January. Political affairs.—Tlie situation of his partY be-
gan to wear an important aspect. Mr. Pitt was declared
irrecoverable so early as the beginning of January, and in
a consultation about the 10th, it was announced that his
death might be daily expected.
The necessary activity of such a time banished from
Mr. Fox every so: se of his weakness; he exerted himself
in a manner which of itself would have ruined his consti-
tution. Once, and once alone, he employed a very re-
markable expression ; " PITT has died in January—pre-'
thaps I may go ..s" before June." Mr. Fox said this walk-.'

. • .
big up Pall-mall, as ho clitcred the door of Nichols the
(bookseller.
A gentleman who was with him, Mr. 'l'—,
1 slid something in reply. Nay, said Mr. Fox again, I be.
gin to think that my complaint is not unlike Pitt's, my
'stomach has been long discomposed, I feel my constitution
dirsoiriv.
His disease, however, was not publicly declared to be
the dropsy before the month of .duly, The symptoms
were then no longer doubtful ' • the lethargy was alarming,
the tumors daily increasing. All efforts to enable the yes.
owls to discharge the water by natural process failed ; the
former weakness of the stomach was the gradual decay of,
'all its powers. It was now generally agreed amongst the i
attendant physicians, that there was little hope of any fa-
vourable termination.

On the 99dt of July a consultation Was held, when it
was generally agreed to try the operation of another pow-
erful medicine, and if it failed of, an immediate diuretic
effect, that he should be tapped. Ito alternative remained
but this last resource.

The medicine failed, the poweia of the absorbent ves-
sels were extinguished, and the physicians resolved upon
the immediate execution of the last resource.
On Thursday. Aug. 7, the operation of tapping was per-
formed ; about five gallons were takettfrom him. The weak,
ness immediately consequent on it was such as to excite a
general alarm that he would not long survive it. He *as for
a long time speechless, and this at a moment when the
newspapers of the day announced "that he was In most!
excellent spirits, and laughed and talked with Mrs. Fox ;
and several others, after the operation." In spirits indeed !;
—he was prostrate on the bed, and with scarcely an ap,-;
pearance of life. His eye was half closed, and the light
lof life as it were extinguiahel. These were his spirits,
I and gayety, and conversation.
Lord said, that he had matte a party for Christ-
mas, in the country, and had taken the liberty to include
Mr. Fox in it, without his knowledge. But it will be a
new scene, Sir, added he, and I think you will approve of
' it. I shall indeed be in a new scene by Christmas next,
said Mr. Fox. " My Lord, what da you think of the state
of the soul after death ?" toed --essatefoutleel I believe
by the unexpected turn which Mr. Fux had given to the
conversation), made no reply. Mr. Fox continued—
" That it is Immortal lam convinced. The existence of
the Deity is a proof that spirit exists; why not therefore
the soul of mass ? and if such an essence as the soul exists,
by its nature it may exist for ever. I should have believed
iin the immortality of the soul though Christianity had
never existed ; but how it acts as separated from the body,
lis beyond my capacity of judgment. This, however, I
shall know by next Christmas." Mrs. Fox here took his
hand and wept. Mr. Fox was much moved—" I am
happy," said he, "full of confidence, I may say of
certainty."
Mr. Fox had so far recovered from the operation of the
seventh, that he was declared in no immediate danger
from the effect of it. This opinion of the physicians was
strangely mistaken, as referring to the disease itself, and
not to the operation. I can take upon myself to say, that
the physicians had by this time given up all hopes of his
recovery.
On the Sunday evening his physicians recognised the
symptoms of approaching dissolution. Mr. Fox had en-
treated them to give hint previous notice. The physicians,
however, did not consider it their duty to speak as yet. It
was notified, however, to Lord Holland, and Mrs. fox was
not informed of it till the following clay.
On Monday the symptoms had so auguiented,thc return-
ing swelling, longer intervals of lethargy, and the languor
of the pulse, that after a consultation it was decided to in-
form Mr. Fox, that he would most probably norsurvive
twenty-four hours, and that his recovery, or that the con-
tinuance of his life fourteen days longer, was not within
the possibility of things. The communication was ac-
cordingly made to him in those words. Mr. Fox replied,
God's will be done, I have lived enough, and shall die
happy ;" he then turned his head on his pillow, closed his
eyes for about half a minute, and Lord Holland having
entered in the mean time, he opened the palm of his hand
as a sign for Lord Holland to give him his hand. Lord
Holland took the hand of his uncle, but was unable to
repress his tears. "My deaf, my beloved mishear," said
Mr. Fox, much moved. Mrs. Fox, supported by Lady
Hollard, and Lady E. Forster, the latter, however, only
coming to the door of the apartment, now entered ; every
one but the physicians anti the family now left the room ;
the scene of distress was past description.
On Friday, early iu the morning,_ all appearances of
amendment minished. The fatal syThputfins of Monday
and Wednesday returned, and it was a third time an-
nounced to Mr. Fox, that be could not survive many
hours. His friends were again permitted to take leave of
him ; but when they were about to leave the apartment,
Mr. Fox waved them back again, and expressed signs of
impatience, when the physicians advised them to with-
draw. Mr. Fox was able to speak at intervals. Lord
Henry Petty approached his bed. Mr. Fox said, " this
is all in the course of nature. I am happy—your labour
is difficult, do not despair."—Mr. Fox would have said
more, but Lord Henry Petty, unable to repress his emo-
tions, and by the desire of the physicians, retired to ano-
ther part of the room. Mrs. Fox was fixed motionless
with grief. A sudden burst of tears defeated all her pre-
sution. Mr. Fox who had hold of her hand, looked pi-
teously at her ; his back was turned, and he had to raise
his head. "Do not, do not," said he to Mrs. Fox. He
was now evidently much exhausted; the physicians in-
sisted that every one should leave the room, and were
obeyed. Mr. Fox fell into a kind of stupor.
In the evening his friends were again admitted. Lord
Holland and Mrs. Fox seemed almost wholly to occupy
the attention of Mr. Fox ; he talked to them at intervals,
and finding himself exhausted, put Mr.. Fox's hand into
that of Lord Holland, and then solemnly imposed, as it
were, a silent blessing, by raising his own, and suffering
it to fall gently on the united hands of his wife and nephew.
Mr. Fox passed the night restless and alternately in a
stupor. In the morning he was evidently approaching
nearer to his end. Ile again solicited by signs and half
words the presence of his friends, who were in the apart-
ment, but beyond his view : they approached his bed
about noon, he made a sign for the bands of Mrs. Fox!
and Lord Holland, they were given him, he again united!
them, and silently blessed them with the same slow de-I
of his hand as on the preceding day ; this he re-
peated three times. He then endeavoured to turn himself,
his back being still towards them, and his head only bent
; forwards ; he was too weak, however, for this effort. Mrs.
Fox and Lord Holland went round to the other side of the
bed ; it was then he pronounced the last words he was able
to speak: " God bless you—bless you—and you all. I die
happy. I pity you."
fie sunk again into a stupor, recovered about three
o'clock, became weaker, looked for a moment fully upon
all in the room, hung upon the countenances of Lord Hol-
land and Mn.s Fox, closed Isis eyes, and opened them not
again.—Cireemstantial Details (1 the long illness and last
Moments of Mr. For.
I -

A private letter from Paris, dated Tuesday, states that
Madame Catalani is seriously indisposed, and that conse-
quently her concert, which was fixed for to-morrow, is
postponed for an indeterminate period.
It is known that the recent discovery of the Miltonian
MS. in the State Paper Office, attracted the notice of his
Majesty, under whose auspices the work so long lost to the
world is about to be published. We understand, in con-
sequence of this and other interesting discoveries, made
within the last few years, in the same quarter, his Ma-
jesty has been pleased to appoint a Commission to examine
the documents in that valuable depositary of the records of
former times, with a view to printing the most important
of them. The Commissioners named are, the Speaker of
the House of Commons, Mr. Secretary Peel, Mr. C. W.
Wynn, Mr. Croker, and Mr. Hobhouse. Mr. Lemon,
the Deputy Keeper of the State Paper Office (by whom the
MS. above mentioned was found) has been appointed Se-
cretary to the Commission.

Napoleon, by the author of Traverley,is certainly said to
be forthcoming. Many, however, consider it as only a
work or the same class with the l'Hernals, by the
very reverend divine of St. Ronan's. There is no joke as',
to the Napoleon. In four volumes, the master-hand will,'
we hear, really condense anti illuminate the materials of
an unrivalled career. There will be a preliminary volume,'
bringing down the history of the Revolution until the day'
when Napoleon first appeared upon the theatre of blood
and ambition. Strange but true, that as yet we should
have no intelligible sketch of that eventful period !—Ediu-
burgh Observer.

.111DLANb

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