Star.
London, England, 1831-05-05 00:00:00

_. ~.

THE LATE DUKE OF KENT.
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The following character of this Prince, whose memory
never will be forgotten, and who pleaded so powerfully the
interests of the benevolent institutions in this metropolis and
in othei parts—besides had used such indefatigable exertions
to propagate the British system of education, and teach a
rising generation in " the way they should go"-T-is thus
given : After adverting to a correspondence between Lady
Stanhope, at Sidon, on this subject, Mr. Wilson, mentioning,
the anxiety of his Royal Highness to promote it in the East,
where her Ladyship's interest is so extensive, it is said—
" The mind of this illustrious and most humane Prince, was
cast in a peculiar mould. He was endowed with a highly
vigorous on& rstanding, to which a lofty and fearless inde-
pendence of soul gave free scope ; and whatever his hand
found to do, it was pursued with an invincible ardour and per-
severance, and " with all his might" regardless of those taunts
and frowns which he had encountered from many who were
jealous of his superior talents, and growing popularity. It
cannot fail to be in the perfect recollection of all who have
heard him pleading in behalf of the circulation of the mighty
word r.f God, and for the wretched, which were always the
great objects of his deep solicitude, how much his heart was in
their cause. when his glowing eloquence was most rousing
and commanding, yet highly distinguished for sympathy,
which made the strongest impression on all around. No
man, indeed, stood on higher ground than the Duke, that is
to say, in the estimation of the thinking class of mankind,
or exhibited a brighter example to persons of all ranks. In
him there was nothing of duplicity, or worldly calculation,
but, on the contrary, an open urbane frankness and straight-
forwardness, characterized his deportment on every one
occasion.

To enter into particulars. The habits of hie Royal
Highness were most regular and systematical. He
was the very reverse of a Bon vivant or gourmand,
a gambler, or horse racer. Highly distinguished for
sobriety, after the example of bis father, and guarding
in his most convivial moments against the slightest degree
of excess ; so did he reprobate such vices when he found
diem practised by others. Never was it known that he lent
his countenance or company to profligates, or persons of
immoral character ; but, on the contrary he courted the so-
ciety of those who were useful in the world, and of " good
report." Indeed, I have the best access to know, that when
he was forming an intimacy with any man, the first question
he put to those who knew him was, if he was correct and
sober in his deportment ; and when he found him to be other-
wise, be would withdraw his attentions from him. Like
his venerable parent he rose at a very early hour, and was
at his desk laboriously occupied like any common clerk. For
punctuality of correspondence no Prince of the blood, nay
few men in any situation of life, could approach. His ac-
curacy in this respect was universally acknowledged to be al-
together unparalleled, indeed it was proverbial ; and althongb
the written dispatches his Royal Highness received daily,
were absolutely laid before him in heaps, an answer was
returned to each with a most marked punctuality. 'l'
mention merely one proof of his extraordinary activity,
during the year previous to his most lamented death, hi
wrote five hundred letters upon a multiplicity of topics, as,
for instance, his regiment, the benevolent institutions he pa.
tronizod both at home and abroad, and his own private
affairs, which were copied into a book with all the regularity
of a merchant. Never was there a more firm and sincere
friend, and it was one peculiarly distinguished trait in his
character, which bas been universally acknowledged—and
would his example were followed by others—that he never
deserted, under any circumstances, however adverse, those
whom he took by the hand, or befriended. Access to him
was at all times easy, and he was the freest of all men from
pride or conceit. In him there was none of that hauteur, or
air of superiority, and " vain glory" assumed but a kind-
ness that won the hearts of all who approached him. He
was strong in affection, never was the cause of the ruin a/
any one by a smile, his heart was warm, generous, and be.
nevolent ; most keenly did he feel for the sufferings of his
fellow-creatures, and be had " a hand open as day to melt.
ing charity." The streams indeed of the. Duke's benevo-
lence were poured forth into an infinite variety of channels,
for he had that " charity which is kind, and never faileth,"
and whose ear was ever open to those who were distressed
"in mind, body, or estate." In a word, he was the tried
friend of the lonely widow, whose heart he made to sing for
joy, of the miserable orphan, the stranger destitute of friends,
end the true British soldier.
Again his Royal Highness never " fashioned his doctrines
to the varying hour." but was steady to those political and
liberal principles, which on the very fullest conviction he
had embraced, and no pains or interest on earth could shake
or prevail on him to depart from for one moment. Where,
would ask, is there to be singled out, one benevolent in-
stitution in our metropolis, which he was solicited to pa-
tronize, that be did not support by all that eloquence and
influence he could command. He was the great main-
t.pring that set every thing in rapid motion, nay the very
J.fe and soul of them ; and those affecting and powerful
:addresses he gave when presiding at their meetings, never
felled to opea wide the purse of all who heard him A Mere
lecapitulation, indeed, of those acts of mercy and compas-
sion which the Duke of Kent performed, would form a hi's-
tory of itself,—and in a word, it may be said, that "
rarer spirit never did steer humanity."
Now, in making tl:ree nl,Trvri•iona. I speak not the lan-
guage of flattery, but of •• auti soliernes.," n-q 1 I trust
there are thousands who can vouch for the authenticity of
ibis imperfect sketch of one of the first Princes of the blood
of Great Britain, whose noble example still speaketh from
the tomb to persons of his own exalted rank, as well as to
others to "go and do likewise." To imitate indeed his
Royal Highnesses virtues, will be the best proof of remem-
benug them. But alas, his sun instead of performing the
usual course, set in its meridian ; for in the mysterious visit et
the Almighty, quickly was he snatched from us in the midst
of his benevolent career in the vineyard of hie Lord. But
independent of the living, thousands and millions unborn
will lisp his praise for those laborious exertions he made in
the great cause of universal education, ever keeping in view
the command of his Divine Master : " Suffer little children
to come unto me, and forbid them not." And those re-
marks of his venerable father, who patronized that peculiar
plan and expressed a wish " that every child in his do-
minions might be taught to read his Bible." Shade of the
wise and the good, receive this most humble tribute
justly due to thee ! It is the testimony of one who per-
sonally and long knew thy virtues, and by whom thy me-
mory wilt ever be held most dear. Thine ashes will be
tholetened with the tears of our country, and thy exalted
name be embalmed in the recollection of a grateful` posterity,
along with those of the other enlightened and distinguished
benefactor* of their species, amidst associations of the most
endearing hature :

• Perpetuus sopor
Urguet ! cut pudor et justitte soror,
lncrarupts fides, nudsque verbs*.
Quando ullum inreniet parem ?
Mullis ille bonis fiebiEs wait.
• Rut Wilsoa's Travels in the Holy Land.
'The term Boroughniongrrr was first applied bxSir F. Bur-
dett, about twenty years since, to the Parliamentary Pha-
lanx, or Regiment, as he called it. When first broached,
it was laughed at, but at length it is an epitbet which makes
its isletsts laugh on the other side their mouths.