Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1856-10-04
CHE polpuesiau.
From the Leisure-H -Hcur.l
The Man OF r oss.
+" Rise, Honest Muse and sing the Man Of Ross %

The Man Of Ross.
Z" Rise, Honest Muse! and sing the Man of Ross ~
The true history and character of the individual
to whom the Muse of Pope, thus invoked, arose
and gave Immortality in song, are but little known
TO the world at large, although every reader of the
poets lines must have felt an interest in being
so noble as the Man of Ross was there Represented
to be. John kyrle was the proper appellatiOn Of
the person whom local circumstances, as will be
explained in the sequel caused to bear the title of
the Man of Ross He was a native Of the parish
of Dymock, in the county of Gloucester and was
born on the 22d of May, 1887. He was descended
from a respectable family, once possessed of con-
siderable estates the borders of Gloucester and
Hereford shres, and one of his immediate progeni-
tors filled the Office of high-sherif of the latter
county. The paternal grandmother and great
grandmother of the subject of our memoir were
both personages of distinguished extraction-the
former being the sister of Waller the poet while
the other stood in the same degree of relationship
to John Hampden the patriot. Though the pat
rimOnial property of the Kyrles-or Crulls, or
Curls, as they had occasionally been named-had
greatly decreased in extent previously to the time
of John Kyrle, his father yet in a comfortable
position In society, and able to give the son q
most liberal training and every educational advan-
tage which the country and time could afford. Be-
ing intended for the bar, young Kyrle was entered
a commoner of Baliol College, Oxford, on the 2lst
q
piece of plate to the College, in the form Of tank
ard. promising to enlarge this donation when any
other person gave better. Apparently, such an
event really happened since the plate, which
weighed originally little more than eighteen ounces
was increased, in or before the year 1870, to de-
gree of gravity exceeding sixty-one ounces. The
tankard is understood to be still In use in Balio
College.
At the decease of his father John Kyrle, who
was the elder of two sOns found himself inheritor
of little more than the family dwelling-house in
the town of Ross, in Herefordshire, together with
few patches of land in the neighborhood. But
these possessions seem to have been quite sufficient
to maintain him respectfully, as he did not follow
up the profession of the law, but permanently
took up his residence in the district of mis- nativity
In truth his frugal way of le as well as his econ
omical and judicious mode of managing his proper
ty, soon placed him in the most easy circumstances,
and enabled him to make repeated aecessions by
purchase to the patrimony that had descended to
him. But, though frugal in his habits, the sub
ect of this notice was far, very far indeed, from
exhibiting at any period of his career q spirit of
avarice or money boarding, On the contrary, he
was endowed with one of the most generous hearts
that ever fell to the lot of man, and hence the i'm
mortality of his name the Man of Ross 1t
was as q most extensive and unostentatious bene-
factor of his species that Pope enshrined John
lKVrle in undying verso, and gave his name to all
coming time. Before quoting the poets lines. we
NAV briefly describe to the reader the personal ap
pearance and habits of Mr.. Kyrle, as far as any
records on these points permit US to do
The portraits Of the Man of Ross display a regu-
lar, well-formed countenance, rather square in
general outline, and strikingly expressive of mild
Icheerfulness and beneyolence. The brow is open
and expansive. In person Mr.. Kyrle was tall,
thin, and well-shaped, and during his whole life
his usual attire suit OF brown, after the
10 II .,a1 L,.l Al l.
regular exercise from his youth upwards, turning
his own hands to service in his avorite pursuits Of
horticulture and planting. A spade and a water
ing pot were usually seen in his grasp, as he pass
ed backwards and forwards between his dwelling
and his fields. Having speedily increased his
means as we have said, and made his income res
pectable be lived well, and enjoyed himself fire.
auently with his friends, though much company
was not agreeable to him. 1t was his practice, as
his habits became fixed, to entertain party of his
acuuaintances on every market-day, and on every
! fair-day, in the town Of Ross. Nine, eleven, or
thirteen-he- seemed partial to odd numbers
were the usual sum of the guests at his invitation
dinners, including himself and a kinswoman, Miss
Bubb. His dishes were plain and good, and the
only beverages which appeared on his table were
Imait-liouor and cider. At ordinary times, more
over he loved dearly to see his neighbors dropping
in upon him in the evening, was cheerful always
with them, enjoyed pleasant tale, and was uni
! formly discompOsed and sad when time brought
round the parting hour.
| Such were the personal peculiarities and the
merely personal habits of the Man of Ross. Let
us now depict him in his character of a member
of society," and display his conduct in his relations
to his neighbOrs, 10 the poor around him, and to
his fellOw-creatures at large Did that conduct
Justify these high concentrations of the poet
Pope;
p Bat all our praises why should lords engross!
Rise. honest Muse and sing the Man OF Rossi
Pleased Vaga echoes through her winding bounds,
| And rapid Severn hoarse applause rssounds
Who hung with woods yon mountains sultry brow!
From the dry rock who bade the water dow /!
MOI TO the skies inu seess columns tost,
Or in proud falls magni6cently lost,
But clear and arIless. pouring through the PLAIN
Health to the sick, and solace 10 the swain
Whose caHseway parts the vale with shady rows!
Whose S the weary traveller repose!
Who tang that heaven- directed spire 10 rise!
g.. Tar Mas OF Ross,o each lispng babe replies!
Rehnla be r1arket place with poor o'erspread-