Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-11-10
MIR. CANNING's BUSINESS ROOM.

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We copy the following description Of Mr..
Canning's Business Room, from London pa
per, because We are inclined to think. that what
ever relates 10 SO distinguished an individual
may be acceptable to tho general reader:
"At the desk which he usually sat, on the
! right hand side, were the handles Of FIVE dis
tinct bells, with the names of the five Secreta-
ries respectively upon the plates. Here also,
over the chimney piece, hangs o fine three
quarter portrait Of Mr.. Pitt, the politician, "in
whose grave" said Mr.. Canning once at L;v-
crpool, "my political allegiance lies buried"
There is also at one end Of this room q hand
some open book case, containing principally
works Of reference, such as the Annual Regis
tcr-the Parliamentary Reports-the Poets
the Edinburgh Review-Johnson's Work.
Voltaire's Works-SwiQ's Works, &c. Tho
door Of this apartment in the interior side, 10
fitted up arifcaly, SO as that when closed, it
appears to form a continuation Of the shelves
of the bookcase. A stranger would not easily
get over the illusion, and would be at some
loss, when once within TO find his way cut
again. In the neighboring room, which was
prepared for the reception Of the noblernen
and gentlemen attending the funeral, the stran-
ger is at once struck with a painting which
hangs over the mantlc-pisce. This is picture
of Mrs. Canning and tho Duchess Of Portland.
her sister. There appears to he a gncat dis
parity Of age between the figures, the Duchess
being on the canvass much the less youthful Of
tho two. The latter is represented 10 be lean
ing towards her sister, and in the act Of affec-
tiona,cly caressing her. This attitude il is
said, was chosen by the painter at the express
solicitation Of the Duchess. and the motives
are too honorable to the two sisters not to be-
The father Of the ladies' was Gem
erol Scot, we'll known in the fashionable cir
clcs for a great many innocent eccentricities.
He made a singular will, for it is in that, the
mos, solemn instrument Of their lives, that men
seem TO concentrate all their whims and oddi-
ties. General Scott aniassed an immense sum
in ready money; be divided 6 200, 900 between
his two daughters; but having, during his life
lime, contracted a strong dislike for the aris-
ocracy, he devised the sum in question TO his
upon the condition that il the eide
est married a nobleman, her portion Of tho
,eoucst should devolvs to her youngest sister,
md rice persa. But il so turned out, that tho
,lic. sister did resolve to unite herself to
member of the aristocracy. the Duke OF Port
and. when Mss Joan, with generosity that
li1 her credit, declined taking advantage OF
he clause in the fathers will. and allowed
,cr sister TO have the full enjoyment Of the
money, as though she had not forfeited il by
cr ambitious marriage. Such 10 the story
hat forms the key to the aforementioned
icture:
RgMAnxs.-The interesting anecdote hero
latcd Of Mrs. Canning, and tho recital oftbe
agnanimity which she displayed towards her
s,er. the Duchess Of Portland, bear honor
dc and lasting testimony to the goodness Of
~ hart and the nobleness Of hcr mind
Though such conduct should be srpeetsd
,m every one, and each and oil should bs
by the same noble and virtuous Pr'n'
pies, still how rarely is il the osss' that 70