The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-07-30

might have passed for a miser, who had ventured
to spend trife for suit of secondhand CLONES IN
Monmouth street, and was determined TO snow
them of to the best advantage.
| In conversation with Campbell, was an indlvidu-
al whose countenance directly the opposite OF
the poets in point of expression. IL was round'
ruddy, and remarkably vivacious. II had the true
Milesan cast and was radiant with genius ana good
humor. This was Maginn, "the Doctor"o OF fraser 3
Magazine, and one of the most versatile geniuses oil
the day Maginn was never, as has been said, the
editor of Fraser; he was merely contributor, ana
! had nothing whatever to do with the management
Most of the articles illustrative of the clever Por-
traits in the Magazine, were from his pen; ana the
reader will remember that il was in consequence OF
his slashing review of Grantley Berkey's novel OF
Sandron Hall, that the novelist and M. r. made that
fierce personal attack on Mr.. Fraser, the publisher
of the periodical which indirectly caused his death
After the assault, Maginn sent to Berkeley, acknowl-
edging his being the author OF the crltlque, ana
duel was the consequence.
Maginn was PROFESSIONALLY one of the most bril-
liant men of his day, and his Homeric hymns will
| ever remain monument of his genius. Ills pen
was wonderfully facile and as lingust he scarcely
left his equal Should this slight notice of him ever
fall under the eye of any who have enjoyed the
pleasure of his society they will not fail to remem-
Der sundry foctes hotel not far from Covent Gar
den of which Maginn the life and soul. Like
Hook he possessed to an extraordinary degree, the
faculty Of extemporaneous verse-makng; but Ma
even that Of his brother wit, inasmuch as he turned
off Latin, Greek, German, French, or Spanish
songs, with as much and grace those of his
own tongue. His humor really seemed to be mex
haustbe; but unfortunately he lived too fast to live
long. Courted by all circles his habits of dsspa-
ton became radically conhrmed and he died, at a
comparatively early age like Sheridan, in state of
almost desttuon. A number of anecdotes were,
when saw him, current, as to his attachment to
celebrated deceased poetess, and Scandal made her
self very busy with the names OF both. One night
it was said that Magnn was found lying in the road
which led to his home, after party, in state Of
helpless intoxication The Waterman searched his
pockets to discover, if possible, who he was; and
acquired the necessary information by the address
on letter, which he found in his pocket-book.
On leaving him at his residence, the guardian
handed the epstle to Mrs Magnn, and it was said
to be one from the authoress limited at, of too
affectonate nature to be pleasing to the partner of
the gentleman to whom 1t was addressed. Some
little time AFTER when Maginn made his appearance at
his house, in similar helpless condition, acting on
the hint she had received, Mrs. M. searched her
husbands pockets, and found letter from him
to the lady, unsealed and yet unsent, requesting
her. his wife suspected correspondence, to direct
her letters, for the future, to him. at some given
post office. Now, whether any other than patonlc
regard existed between the Doctor and his fair friend,
it is not for to say; but as he succeeded in ma
king his wife believe that that lady and himself,
having had literary dispute respecting the style of
love letters, had agreed to pen such epistes, to
exhibit their ideas of what they ought to be, and for
other earthly reason, we should, in all charity
incline to the belief that there nothing mprop-
er in the matter. Certain it is, that Maginn was
very attached friend of the lady referred to, and
that her death was such shock to him, that he did
not speak for many hours after he heard of her
melancholy fate.
To return to Campbell Having been introduced
to him, he made few commonplace remarks; and
learning that should be some time in the metrop-
oils, invited me to call on him, at his lodgings IN
Lncons Inn Fields. l promised to avail myself
of his kind request, but circumstances Tor some
time prevented my waiting on him. and next met
him at soi,ee given by Sir Henry Ellis, in his pri
vate rooms at the British Museum, of which mag
nifcent establishment Sir Henry is the principal
librarian. II was perfect crush-room of literary
men and artists. On the tables were displayed
choice drawings Of some recent curiosities, which
had been added to the museum, together with va
rious objects of interest. Ii was quite free-and-
easy affair." and the absence of all ceremony lent the
principal charm to the entertainment. The visters,
after greeting Sir Henry, passed their time as they
chose and left without any formalties, whenever
they felt so disposed. While stroling about the
| rooms, | encountered Campbell, who Immediately
recognised me, and, drawing me aside, we sat near
table covered with Pompeiian relics. He kindly
pointed out to me many Of the strangers who were
present, and whose appearance he thought might M
terest me.
Campbes voice very unmusical, and strong
" marked with the Scotch brogue. While speak
ing he was perpetually fdgetting about, and CLAN
cling his quick suspicious eyes around In all direc-
tons. The set of his wig seemed, thought, some
what to annoy him. for he was continually twitch-
ing it one side and another-and very fine and
smart wig il was much too dandyish for Campbell,
whose wrnked parchment visage it by no means
displayed to advantage. ! know not why 1t was,
but Campbell seemed annoyed about something
that evening" and left early; but, before he quilted,
promised would call on him the following morn
ing, he having offered to be my cicerone to the
Adelphi, to see the paintings of Barry whose GEM
us he professed to hold in high admiration.
| At the hour appointed, proceeded to his cham
and found the poet still in his easy chair, at the
breakfast table. The apartment was snug, and
comfortably furnshed-some pictures by Stothard
hung on the walls, and books were placed wherever
space could be found for them. After he had fin
shed his meal and the breakfast things were cleared
away by little girl, his only attendant, he took a
pipe from corner of the room, and observing that
he was devoted lover OF the weed, began to puff
away prodigiously. He had received that morn
ing, note from Rogers, and the circumstance led to
conversation respecting the author of the "Pleas-
ures of Memory Campbell said that he would
never have been appreciated so highly, had it not
been for his wealth and his breakfast parties; but
admitted that his taste, especially in works of art,
was almost faultess. The conversation then turned
on Coleridge. 81 cannot make him out" said
|
he met me, ratbsr-was in this room | was sit
| ting, one morning, smoking as am now, when
heard knock at my door; and, on opening it, an
elderly gentleman accosted me by name, and ex-
pressed the great pleasure he felt at seeing me.
asked him in, not knowing who he was, and he
commenced talking at once about my 'Hohenn-
| den' | soon found out that it must be Colcridge;
but could not get in word edgeway-nor, indeed,
did wish to- for he talked the finest poetry to which
/ | ever listened. The worst Of it was, he was never
conservatives his images were all magnificent, but
too much like unfinished pictures Just as one be-
gan TO appreciate the beauty of his figures, he shift
ed the kaleidoscope, and new combinations of
i thought the result"
4 After other desultory remarks the poet re-
signed his pipe; and, having attired himself with
some care, and selected from whole host of wigs,
one which seemed TO suit him. we sailed forth. Ii
was now nearly o'clock and when we reached the
Strand, Campbell proposed, that before we visited
the pictures, we should take pot of porter at a
neighboring tavern, to which we accordingly repair
ed 1t was one of the sumptuous gin palaces SO
common in London and the meet who seeuoed IN