The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-11-03
FOREIGN SKETCHES.
MEN AND MANNERS.

MEN AND MANNERS.
AT the great public dinner given to EARL GREY,
in Edinburgh, during his memorable visit 10
Scotland in 1884, many Of the most distinguish
ed statesmen and orators Of Great Britain were
among the guests
/ The following extracts are from a series of
letters written at the time to the friends of the
author in this country After some remarks on
the unparalleled GATHERING" within the pa
vilion erected for the festival, the writer pro-
ceeds to sketch some of the principal char
acters
| LORD cocKBURN.
The ''perfervidum ngenium,n which Blu
chanan ascribed TO his countrymen, appears to
me to require good deal Of excitement, in or
der TO shine out with full lustre and effect. The
circumstances of this meeting could not fail to
suggest many joyous and animating assoca-
tons; and the company were exactly in the con-
dition which fitted them to feel these with vivid
ness and rapture. was so fortunate as to find
myself surrounded by half dozen of the finest
fellows among the junior wing advocates. at a
table Of which Mr.. Cockburn* had the charge
| have already told you Of the delightful social
qualities Of this gentleman. He has no equal at
the bar--and no one can approach him in presid-
ing over party of Scotchmen at dinner-table
His eloquence on such an occasion has the same
| simplicity and enforced earnestness which give
h m such sway over the minds of a jury; but
is impregnated with more feeling and sentiment
He has also a fund Of quiet and quaint humor
the effect Of which is exceedingly heightened by
the broad Scottish tone in which he speaks, and
the old-fashioned air which characterizes his
whole appearance and department. AT the bar
too, he wears huge wig, which impairs the
impression he produces when free from that APP
pendage. His forehead is Of the finest possible
form-high and ample-the eyes large, dark, and
of exceeding lustrc. Your attention is arrested
by the manifest truth and sincerity imprinted on
every feature; and when you have listened
awhile to the tones of his voice, which, like his
expressive eyes, adapt themselves with admira-
BILE consonancy to all the emotions and passions
he knows so well how to call up and command,
you do not wonder that he invariably carries the
finest sensibties of his auditors along with him.
He had honored me with his friendship, and
paid me many valuable attentions, and when
| entered the pavilion near his table, his voice
gushed out in glad and cheering tones Of well
come. Uwns lucky haA s.uch a cicerone, who
knew every thing and every body and, before
half an hour was over, had picked up great
deal of important and interesting information in
the most pleasant way possible
EARL GREY.
| The Chairman Hord Roseberry) performed
his duties admirably. His speech in proposing
the health Of Lord Grey was much above the
common standard of panegyrical eloquence
Somewhat loose and Irregular but Astounding
with just thought and strong feeling. When
Lord GREY rose to reply, the applause was
scarcely less than that which followed the annun-
citation of the kings health; and he stood await
in, the cessation Of acclamations, could not
help recalling the commentator Byron bestow-
ed upon the exceeding nobleness Of his appear
ance and department His figure is tall, and
possesses a great deal of manly beauty, being
well proportional, and even at his advanced age,
indicative Of great strength and activity. His
countenance is one of the noblest in the world
the forehead high and expansive--the eyes large
and full, and of that variable hue which puts you
IN doubt whether to call them blue or gray--with
the eyebrows bending over them in a perfect
arch. But what feature is the mouth! What
strength and boldness oil character is written in
every line that curls around Ill And then the
determination of purpose-the firm resolve, the
compressed lips tell you of! On the short upper
lip there is at all times, something like slight
curl and the whole face wears a look Of severi-
ty, approaching to haughtiness and disdain-but
affording warrant that the possessor never loses
sight of his high breeding He IS indeed the
very impersonation of the spirit Of gentle
low, no small vanity, no mean consciousness,
no unworthy caviling, could ever drop from those
| lips. Severe and indignant as Lord Grey fire.
quently is, he never INDUCES in personality.
Even his sarcasm, which he occasionally EN-
ploys with great effect has something refined
and subdued about it, and is entirely different
from the bitter, blasting, and somewhat ferocious
character of Brougham's. As a speaker, con-
slider him far superior to any one in the house
oflords and Sir Robert Peel is the only one in the
commons whom would think of placing beside
him. Their styles are in some respects not dis
similar--being both smooth, harmonious, and
plausible to high degree. But there is d.
rectness and straightforward simplicity about the
oratory Of Lord Grey, for which Peel is not so
nenty graceful as well as energetic; but the ele-
gance and dignity of the former appear to spring
from nature, while the corresponding qualities in
the latter seem the result of art.
| Grey was very deeply affected by his recep-
ton and his voice trembled with emotion dur
ing the delivery ofthe first few sentences; but as
he proceeded, il soon acquired all its native firm
ness and force; and he became truly eloquent both
IN manner and matter. His tribute OF admiration
and respect to the city of Edinburgh, and the
character Of the people for love of liberty, gem
eral intelligence, cultivation Of science, Gtera-
ture, and the arts, and that sound practical sense
which, without abatng the energies of popular
feeling, directs it by peaceable and quiet means,
to the attainment Of safe and legitimate ends
was one of the most powerful bursts of enco
mastic fervor" that ever fell upon my ears. 1t
was impossible not be touched by his illusions
to his resignation and 20 the circumstances
which might well be an additional source Of
pride, that these honors were paid to "a minis
ter who had descended will not say fallen
from his high estate" His manner of pronoun-
cling the word 'fallen" particularly, produced an
extraordinary effect. II was quite electric. "No
no" was shouted from all parts Of the pavilion,
and the admiration and sympathy of the assem-
bly, were expressed in loud and long continued
cheers. The remainder of his speech was in his
and rround Glen rig tho did