The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-10-21


No contrast could be more vivid than
that presented by the relations Of each to
the Literature they both loved; one divining
its Utmost essences. plucking Out the heart
OF its mysteries, shedding light on its dim.
NEST recesses; the other devoted with equal
assiduity to exiernals. Books, TO Dyer,
were real world, both pure and good;
among them he passed, unconscious Of
time, from youth 10 extreme age, vegetating !
on their dates and forms, and "trivial fond |
records" in the learned air Of great libra. |
ries, or the dusty confusion Of his own, with
the least possible apprehension Of any hu.
man interest vital in their pages, or Of any
spirit of wit or fancy glancing across them.
His life was an Academic Pastoral. Me-
thinks see his gaunl, awkward form, set
of by rowsers too short, like those out
grown by gawky lad, and a rusty coat as
much too large for the wearer, hanging
about him like those garments which the
aristocratic Milesian Peasantry prefer 10 the
most comfortable rustic dress; his long head
silvered over with short wet struggling hair.
and dark eyes glistening with faith and
wonder, as Lamb satisfies the curiosity
which has gently disturbed his studies as to
the authorship Of the Waverley Novels, by
telling him, in the strictest confidence, that
they are the works OF Lord Castlereagh,
ust returned from the Congress Of Sove-
reigns, Of Vienna: OF he runs with ami
mated stride and stumbling enthusiasm, nor
stops till he reaches MAZDA Hall, and
breathes his news into the ear Of Leigh
Hunt, who, 'as public writer" ought to
be possessed Of the great fact with which
George is laden! Or shall endeavor to re-
vive the bewiidered look with which, Just
after he had been announced one Of Lord
Stanhope's executors and residuary lega-
tees, he received Lambs grave inquiry,
l"Whether it was true, as commonly report
ed that he was 10 be made lord!' 30
dear, no. MIR. Lamb" responded he with
earnest seriousness, but not without a mo-
ment's quivering vanity, al could not think
Of such Thing; it is not true, assure you.
81 thought not, said Lamb, "and con
tradict it wherever 60; but the Govern
nent will not ask your CONSENT they may
raise you TO the peerage without your ever
knowing it" 81 hope not, MIR. Lamb; in
deed, indeed, | hope not; il would not SUI
me at all" responded Dyer, and went hi.
way, musing on the possibility Of strang,
honor descending on his reluctant brow
Or shall ! recall the visible presentiment O
, his bland Inconsistencies Of evil when hi.
sportive friend taxed it to the utmost, b,
Suddenly asking what he thought Of tn,
murderer Williams, who, after destroyin,
two families in Radcliffe Highway had bro
ken prison by suicide, and whose body hat
, ust before been conveyed in shocking pro
: cession to its cross-road gravel The des
perate attempt to compel the gentle optim
] ist to speak i'll Of mortal creature produ
oed no happier success than the answer
j. "why, | should think, Mr.. Lamb, he mus
have been rather an eccentric character.
, This simplicity Of nature not only IN
3 spotted by the world. but almost abstracte,
D from it, will seem the more remarkable
! when it is known that il was subjected, a
the entrance Of life, TO a hard battle witt
1 fortune. Dyer was the son of very poo
a parents, residing in the eastern isuburb o
London, StePney or Bethnel- greenward
T where be attracted the attention Of two ell
: derby ladies as serious child, with an ex
, traordinary love for books. They obtaine,
for him presentation TO Christ's Hospital
which he entered at seven years of age
, fought his way through its sturdy ranks L
its head; and, at nineteen, Quilted it fo
Cambridge, with only an exhibition anc
his scholarly accomplishments to help him
On he went, however, placid if not reioic
ling, through the difficulties of life illus
trated only BY scholarship; encounterin.
tremendous labors unresting, yet serene
until at eighty five he breathed out the mos
blameless Of lives, which began in strug
gle to end in learned acknowledgement;
Of Lamb. and Sketches of his Compan
ions; bu T. ~ Tdlfourd.