Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-10-02
COMMUNICATION.
THOUGHTS AND REMINIscENcEs.-No. VI.

Won look from Richmond Hill, (about six miles from
The metropolis is one Of the most charming in
ENGLAND. As the river flows gently and with mirror
lie clearness through extended meadows, fine
Growth of trees adorn its margin, and almost, by
their wide-spreading branches, conceal it in some
places from sight, while the whole landscape exhi-
bits the evidences of English taste and cultivation
Here and there the stately swan white as snow, is
seen sitting proudly upon the stream, as though
conscious he is under royal protection and that his
only duty is 10 show his beauty and enjoy himself.
Pores VILLA though the grounds around 1t ap-
peared somewhat neglected, remains very much as
when inhabited by the poet, and the grotto, (Which
is small apartment, connected with the wall OF
the garden, arched over with small rough stones
among which were some crystals of quartz, and
which is open towards the Thames, flowing at the
foot of the handsome lawn, few rods below,) is
entire but containing nothing OF special interest but
bust of Pope and some fragments OF the famous
willow which formerly stood near it. monument
erected by lhe poet to his mother stands alone and
unprotected in an open field in the rear of the house,
seeming to lament that the hand which reared it has
now no power to defend it from neglect and decay.
THE PoEr CAMPBELL.
The rooms occupied by this great poet, when
saw him, were at number 81 Lincoln-lnn-Fields,
on the second Tor what we should call the third
floor where the apartment in which we dined was
surrounded on all sides with books, which, how
Jer he observed, were but a part OF his library
The party consisted of the poets particular friend
Dr. BEATTIE Mr.. SHoBERL Editor of the Forget
me-not and Mr.. LAcKaAN, young Prusslan gen.
teman, who had but lately arrived from the Contl-
nent after having translated the Poems of Campbell
.nto German. The poet appeared to be about sixty
wears of age, and, though suffering from rheumatism,
seemed to enjoy much the society of his friends.
His countennce, though pale, was intellectual, his
manners polite but unceremonious, and his fine
blue poetic eye though apparently careless in its
glances might be suspected by close observer o.
seeing every thing. He said he would give hun
dred guneas to recall speech which he had just
made before the anti-slavery convention, in which
he had done injustice to American poets, but that
in truth he had committed the error under the in
fuence of feelings produced by the circumstance
that an American had the previous evening inflicted
an antslavery poem Of four hundred lines upon
him. He should have confined his remarks to our
ant-slavery poets. Of BRYANT he spoke in high
terms he had read his I" Thanatopss'' before the
Society of Arts, of which he was President, and it
was received with decided applause. lie express
ed the warmest interest in America, and said he
should delight 10 visit it. He was evidently much
gratifed in pointing to fine print Of her Majesty,
from the picture by CHAoN,) with her autograph
upon it, gift from herself. He had presented to
leT MS WOThs, WileH III udy OF TWO lney were
turned with request for his name III them. When
he had offered his works through the Private Sec
rotary of the Queen, that gentleman had expressed
doubts whether she would receive them, nasmuch /
something in return in such cases ordinarily |
expected. Mr. CAMPBELL wrote that he erpected .
and Canfed nothing within the touch of her
Sceptre. He spoke of the delicacy of the present
he had received, upon which he obviously set great
value. He spoke of once having dined with BY .
RON, ScoTT, CRABBE, and ROGERS. BYRON was
very natural, particularly brilliant in converse
ton-no special mark of genius 10 be so. COLE
RIDGE seemed to be no favorte with him-of his
powers of conversation he observed that he took
both halves 10 himself. lie regretted that Moore
should be engaged on a History of Ireland, a work
unfortunate he thought for man of so brilliant
a genius. He thought his work on Religion learn
ed, but bearing title too light for so grave subject
Mr. CAMPBELL was very attentive and courteous
to his guests, and in more lively and agreeable
conversation than that which prevailed at his table
have seldom shared. CRABBE he described as a
very mild, quiet man, but of singular and minute
observation Humorous and facetous remarks oc-
casonay fall from the lips of the poet, and in
passing the wine to Mr.. LAcKMAN, he begged him
10 help himself and translate it," His nervous
system evidently impaired and the intelli-
gence OF his deoth some two years after did not
surprise me.
Miss JOANNA BAnIE
In the little village of Hampstead. about three
miles from London, in small and well-arranoed
house, lives this distinguished lady, and with her al
the time OF my visit a sister some wears older than
herself. Miss BAnIE was herself far advanced in
life, but retained great share of vivacitv. and
spoke with sensbiliy of Sir WALTER Scorr and
her other early friends in Scotland She named
with interest several American gentlemen whom
she had known, and was evidently familiar with
our best authors. In the manners of this LADY, and
her valuable sister dignity was blended with all
those Offices of civility and politeness which are
so exactly and gracefully performed by wellbred
and well-educated English women. Their remark
able affection for each other could not be hid from
strangers, and they shared each others happiness
as though animated by a common life.
Mas. HorFLAND.
Alas! that highly-gifted and excelentlady whose
numerous works have so delighted and instructed
the young is no longer among The living. Her
death is very recently announced She resided.
when saw her, at Hammersmith, about three miles
from London, in modest cottage, with her hus-
band who was a landscape painter OF merit A
note from her some three years since informed me
of his death. Mr.. IfoYrLAND enioyed the patron
age Of some English noblemen, and spent his sum-
mers in travelling and taking sketches Of scenes.
which he Dainted Lurpg tho ,,inta. IL b,J 49,,