The Sun.
London, England, 1836-08-10 00:00:00

DINNER TO THOMAS CAMPBELL,
AT EDINBURGH.

On Friday a public dinner was given in the Hopetoun
Rooms to the Author of the " Pleasures of Hope," &c., at
which about 25C gentlemen were present. Professor Wil-
son was in the chair, supported on the right by the Bard of
Hope, Baiilia Macfarlan, Dr. Lee, Bailie Veitch, &c. ; on
the left by Adam White, Esq., Provost of Leith, Professor
Trail, Baillie Donaldson, Dr. Beilby, Professor Furman, of
South Carolina, Professor Alison, &c.
After the usual preliminary toasts had been drank,
The CHAIRMAN, who was received with loud and con-
tinued cheers, said, in the absence of one who on every
account--from his high character—from his reputation—
from the universal esteem in which he was held by his
countrymen—from his long and uninterrupted friendship
with their distinguished guest, was more worthy of the situa-
tion than himself—he meant Lord Jeffrey—(Cheers)—in his
absence he was called upon to take the chair. And yet
he did not feel as if be were guilty of presumption in occu-
pying that place. In devoted love to that art of which their
guest had proved himself a mighty master—in a personal
friendship now of many years standing—in admiration of
the genius, and pride of the works which his country had
produced, he yielded to no man—(Cheers)--and therefore
he could speak even fearlessly on that occasion, under the
assurance that there was no need of eloquence ; that as the
warmest form of words would prove inadequate to express
to their distinguished guest the sentiments they felt towards
him, so words even the coldest could scarcely fail to strike
a chord in their hearts, which would show to him that in
the admiration of his genius they were a band of brothers.
—(Loud cheers.) Honours, lately, as heretofore, had been
paid to him by the people of the west—by that noble city
which was his birth-place, and at whose University he had
commenced his bright career, where the scenery of the
Cart and the Clyde had first inspired his muse, and his
imagination was kindled by the far distant majesty of the
Highland hills, lochs, and bays, where, to use his own
beautiful language,
" The hunter of deer and the warrior strode
To his hills that encircle the sea."—(Cheers.)
He came to this place, which witnessed the dawn of his
genius—a dawn equal to the meridian day of any other.
Here he gave the finishing touches—here, he might also say,
for others had said it, here he brought to perfection that
beautiful poem which at once placed him in the highest
rank of poets, and ranged him among the immortals.—
(Cheers.) There were many there who remembered that
poem when it was first produced ; there were not a few who
felt thenoble aspirations of their own youth strengthened and
invigorated by the sentiments that were displayed in those
animated pictures, and delineated with that-vividness which
only genius can produce. True it is that time sanctifies the
works of the poets—true that it sheds a mellowing lustre
on their immortal productions ; but it is also true that there
is a delight and a charm which encircles, as with a halo,
the brows of a living poet, when, in the energy of youth
and prodigal of genius, in " thoughts that breathe, and
words that burn," he appeals to all the noble aspirations of
humanity, with the depth and force of some lofty instrument
of music.—(Cheers.) It has been said, and truly said, by
a beautiful poet, Beattie, that it is difficult to climb
" The steep where Fame's proud temple shines afar."
Many faint and falter in the attempt ; many are cut off in
youth before the bright promise of their genius is fulfilled ;
many have their laurels withered even by the blast of envy ;
but not so was it with him, who with all the enthusiasm of
youth, combined all the powers of manhood, and whose first
work could only be eclipsed by a greater work of his own.
—(Cheers.) He (Professor Wilson) was not one of those
who thought that the darker and fiercer passions of huma-
nity were the best and noblest materials for poetry ; he did
not think that the darkest and fiercest passions were the
strongest ; but love, pity, grief, joy, fidelity, and self-devo-
tion—all that made private life lovely and public life useful
to mankind—these were the noblest materials for poetry,
and they were spread through " The Pleasures of Hope."
—(Cheers.) [Here the Professor entered into a succinct
and eloquent criticism of that poem.] The true poet, he
continued, is a lover of peace, but, when the times arise
when the sword is drawn in the cause of liberty and truth,
then he appears under the aspect of a patriot, and his
magic and terrible glance confronts the oppressor, and
seems as if they were enough to dissolve those fetters,
which the tyrant, in vain, would wreath around the limbs
of the slave. These sentiments their guest had beauti-
fully expressed, when, in strains that would never die, he
exclaimed,
" Departed spirits of the mighty dead !
Ye who at Marathon and Leuctra bled ;
Friends of the world, restore your swords to man,
Fight in his sacred cause and lead the van ;
Yet for Sarmatia's tears of blood atone,
And make her arm puissant as your own."—(Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN then alluded to the other poetic compo-
sitions of their distinguished guest, and referring to the ad-
vances that were now making in science and general im-
provement, he continued :—" But let us trust that, amidst
this splendid career of social improvement, poetry shall ne-
ver die—that the inspiration which sheds new charms on
our nature—that the inspiration which, coming from such a
man as Burns, made the peasant prouder of his lot than the
Peer could ever be of his ; let us trust that poetry whether
expressed in the fine arts or in song, will still go hand in
hand with what is called the severer sciences ; and that the
Statesman will look on that as an art which makes po-
litics more pure, which makes religion more sacred, and
which adds to the strength of the country in inspiring its
sons with heroic enterprise. I feel a noble confirmation of
the truth of these sentiments in this company, composed of
men of so many different pursuits and different opinions,
but of men who all strive for the happiness of their country,
but who may differ as to the means, politically speaking, of
acquiring that end, But they each prove worthy of their
own creed ; when they assemble here, every distinction laid
aside, and every heart leaping in every bosom at the pre-
sence of genius, which shows that the many touches of na-
ture with which his poems abound, make us all brothers at
heart. 1 beg to give the health of Campbell."—(Loud
and continued cheering.)
Mr. CAMPBELL said—When I look round this meeting,
and find that it contains some, nay, many of the most
distinguished characters of one of the most intellec-
tual cities in the world, I feel that philosophical eyes
are upon me, and I should be peculiarly sorry and ashamed
if I were betrayed before such discerning witnesses, into
the weakness of showing that I am a man who cannot
bear with equanimity even this load of honour which you
have conferred on me. The very height to which your dis-
tinguished hospitality raises me, places me in the most try-
ing light with regard to the answer which I ought to give
to this expression of your favour. It places me in the
most difficult position into which, perhaps, a man can come,
that of speaking for himself when he is not accused.--
(Laughter and cheers.) When a man is-highly compli-
mented by those whom he deeply respects, to say the least
of it, he is assailed on his weak side. If he is a vain man
he finds it difficult to conceal his vanity ; if he is a man
of a lively temperament, he is in danger, in the warmth of
his gratitude, of betraying a burst of self-complacency,
which may be simple and natural enough in itself, but
which may not be so suitable on reflection.—(Hear, hear,
hear, and great laughter.) Nevertheless, though I
should be sorry to be betrayed into this extreme sensibility
even on the present occasion, I should be still more loath to
seem that frigid piece of humanity, which could affect in-
difference, under the manifestation of your kindness. Your
first Magistrate sent me a letter, inviting me to this enter-
tainment, in the name of his fellow-citizens. The invita-
tion was equivalent to a command of Royalty ; for it came
in name of the Sovereignty of the people—(Laughter and
cheers)—and all the more gratifying, as it included a notice
that politics and every thing else which would not insure
the harmony of the meeting was to be banished. If that is
not hospitality, I know not what the word means.—(Loud
cheers.) I have known men, who were not in themselves
insincere, and who yet, when placed in the circumstances in
which I stand, betray a species of insincerity, from embar-
rassment more than from affectation, who, in receiving a
compliment, reply that they are wholly unworthy of it, and
become plaintiff against their own poor merits.---(Laugh-
ter.) Such language I have no intention to imitate. If
you think that your talented and eloquent
.Chairman has
done my merits no more than justice, I am in your Court,
and at your mercy ; and it is no business of mine to put in
a disclaimer.—( Cheers.) I came to Edinburgh a young
adventurer, and I think it was happy for me, and has
contributed to my happiness at the present moment,
that I came without wealth.—(Hear.) There, I certainly
attracted the benevolent attention of the first spirits of the
age. But allow me here to vindicate myself from the sus-
picion of accepting any obligation which might compromise
my most fastidious feelings.—(Her.) I lived by my ho-
nest industry ; but at the same time I excited a benevo-
lent interest, for I had the reputation of being not over
wealthy, and not over abounding in worldly wisdom. These
men were Dugald Stewart---I can only enumerate the most
distinguished_Malcolm Laing, Mr. Allison, the Man of
Taste—(Cheers)—Dr. Gregory, and Henry Mackenzie,
the Man of Feeling. These men communicated their par-
tial opinion of me to the then generation ; and that has
transmitted it to the present, so that I am happy to find
myself still tolerated among you.—(Laughter and cheers.)
But why have I omitted to mention the glory of his age,
and the delight of the world, Sir Walter Scott—that good
man, who never spoke slightingly of any poetry but his
own ; that great man, who conquered the soul of Europe
more widely and permanently than Napoleon conquered its
soil.--(Cheers.) (During these latter sentences Mr. C.
was evidently much affected, and here made an apology for
the warmth of his feelings.) He stated—The day on which
I received your Provost's invitation, I looked at it with
some interest, when I perceived that it. arrived on the anni-
versary of my birth-day.—(Cheers.) That day to a gentle-
man of my years, is apt to bring with it serious reflections ;
but, in spite of those serious reflections, I could not help

13. That the names of the pannel so taken be circulated
with the votes, together with notice of the day on which it is
appointed to attend.
14. That if any Member, whose name is left on any pannel,
shall die or vacate his seat, and be succeeded by another Mem-
ber, the name of such last Member shall, after fourteen days
from his return, unless he be petitioned against, be substituted
in the place of the former, and he shall be liable to be called
on to serve as such former would have been.
15. That on such day the pannel be called over; that no
excuses be received except " leave of absence granted by the
House," " voted at the election," or such other as shall ap-
pear to the House an unavoidable cause of absence, or of ina-
bility to serve.
16. That if a Member shall not answer to his name, and the
excuse made for him shall not be allowed, the House do order
the Sergeant-at-Arms to take such Member into custody.
17. That the House do not give leave of absence to any
Member extending to the day on which the pannel containing
his name is ordered to attend, except under very special cir-
cumstances.

..y 18. That from the Members of the pannel then present,
names to compose each Committee be drawn by ballot ; and
peremptory challenge, to the number of five being allowed to
each party, the first five names drawn, and passing unchal-
lenged, do form the Committee.

19. That the Committe shall abate by reason of the death
or absence of more than two of its Members.
20. That if at any time during a session it shall be found
that each pannel has taken its turn of service, the Speaker
shall state the fact to the House, arid the House shall appoint
a day for the formation of a fresh general committee list,
which shall be formed as abovementiOned, except that, in ad-
dition to the excuses to be received on such occasion as afore-
said, the names of all Members who shall have served on any
election committee during the session, be also expunged from
the list; and that from such fresh general committee list the
new pannels be formed, and the committee finally appointed
for each petition, and struck as aforesaid.
21. That under such regulations, as the House may adopt,
members be allovved to exchange from one pannel to another.
22. That every Election Committee have power by an una-
nimous vote, to sit during the sittings of the House, unless the
House shall command the attendance of its members.
23. That whenever a division shall take place in the com-
mittee, the names of the members voting for or against any
resolution shall be entered in the minutes, and publicly read by
the chairman, when announcing the decision of the Committee.
24. That in all cases which there shall, on a division, be an
equal number for or against any resolution, the same do not pass.
25. That the reports of the Committee be presented to the
House by such one of its Members as shall be•selected by the
Committee for that purpose.
2G. That the Committee shall in all cases allow or appor-
tion the costs, without its being necessary for it to declare
whether the petition or defence be or be not frivolous or vexa-
tions.

27. That the assessor, who presided at the trial of the peti-
tion, be one of the taxers, instead of the clerk of the House.
28. That the three chairmen shall from time to time, and at
such times as they shall appoint, sit as a Court of Appeal, to
hear and decide appeals from revising barristers on circuits,
by way of spccial case, on questions of law alone. ( See Re-
gistration Bill, as amended on second re-commitment,
clause 10.)
29. That no such appeal be entertained unless lodged within
after the date of such decision, and

brought to hearing within
period.—( Ibid. clause 11.)
30. That the registers be amended in pursuance of such de-
cison.—( Ibid. clause 12.)
31. That the provisions of clauses 13, 14, 15 of that Bill be
adopted for this Court, so composed of the throe chairmen.

after the same

e
materials forming the interior of the old Star
Chamber, in the ancient Palace of Westminster, were, at the
recent sale, purchased by the proprietors of the Leasowes
Hotel, on the Cheshire coast, near Liverpool, where, having
been arranged into an apartment, it forms no inconsiderable
object of attraction to antiquarian visitors.