Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-09-28
MANOR of Lord Macaulay.

essayist, and historian, Thomas baoinSton
Lord Macaulay, was born at Rothiey Tenn
pie. III the county Of Leicester, on the 2oth
Of October, 1900. lie is grandson OF the
Rev. John Macaulay, \. NJ. Presbyterian
Minister Of lnverary and son OF the ceie-
brated philanthropist, Zachary Macauiay'
whose great exertions to amellurate the COD
dition of the African race, and unceaslng Ia
bors to effect the suppression OF the slave
trade, won for him an enduring fame and
monument in Westminster Abbey. One OF
the sisters of the eminent man just named,
married Mr.. Thomas Darlington, a rich Eng
lish merchant, and the name OF Thomas
Darlington" was bestowed upon the nephew
the subject of our present memoir: Ear
" iii life he was sent to Trinity College,
Cambridge, where his career was one OF hiSn
distinction Before he had reached ms nne.
teenth year, he won the Chancellor's medal
for Il poem, entitled "Polupei;' two years
afterwards he gained the same Chancellors
medal for another poetic work. entitled
Evening" These poems were both pub
lished and they served to bring the author
promptly into notice. Soon after the issue
Of evening" he was elected to the Craven
Scholarship, and in $500, he graduated
Bachelor of Arts, and was elected Fellow of
Trinity College. In 1875, he obtained his
Master Of Arts degree, and, adopting the
law as his future profession, he underwent
the usual course of study, and was called TO
the bar, at Lincoln's Inn, in February. lS2O.
In the meantime the young student began
to develop taste for literary pursuits. lie
commenced by contributing essays and bal
lads to periodical of limited circulation,
called Knights Quarterly Magazine his pa
pers, always looked for with much interest,
speedily became the attraction Of the Maya
zine Principally from the tone and weight
Of Macauay's contributions, this review was
looked upon as work of considerable lite
rary Importance. Professor Wilson used to
say that its four or five volumes (heyond
which the work did not extendl cquallcd in
talent any other four or five IN the compass
of periodical literature. But Macauay ;
genius soon found wider field. In August,
ISIS, some six months before his call to the
bar Of linr"ln's Inn. and while still under
twenty-five Years of are. he contributed TO
the Edinburgh Review his famous essay on
Milton" This was the first "f that long
series of brilliant essays, with which, dur
the pages of the Review.
The Wing party, then in power. were not
slow to recognise the merits OF tn" Son OF
Zachary Mucaulay. They gave him lucra-
tive appointment IA Commissionershp in
Bankruptcy and i'll $50 introduced HIM m
TO the House of Commons. by placing the
ckct-horough" Of Calnc. at his disposal
As member of the legislative body, Mr..
Macaulay distinguished himself by Jealous
devotion tn the business ana debates ol the
time. lie became secretary 10 the board OF
Control, and figured prominently III the pro-
tractcd Parliamentary discussions on the
Reform bill. Mr. Macaulay'S speech on this
question created degree of interest suh-
cient to warrant its republication III the form
Of pamphlet. In December, Isl, he was
returned to the first Reformed Parliament as
member for the borough Of Leeds. He con
tnucr to represent the constituency Of this
important borough until February, 1871,
when he resigned his seat and his appoint
ment at the Beard Of Control, to 20 out to
India as Il member Of and legal adviser to,
the Supreme Council OF Calcutta. lie re-
manned in the Fast about three years; dur
ing his stay hc acquired handsome lnic-
tendency by the lucrative nature OF his
office and at the same time ne continued to
perform his duties as one of the Edinburgh
Review staff. Some of his most elaborate
articles, we are told were then written and
sent over from Calcutta. On his return to
England, Mr. Macaulay turned his acquain-
lance with the affairs of India, to account IN
his brilliant essays on Lord Give ana
"Warren Hastings"
In the year 1889, Mr.. Macauay again ac-
cepted Office under government. lie became
Secretary at War, and was soon afterwards
elected Member Of Parliament for the city
Of Edinburgh. The right honorable gentle
man retained this position III the u1vcrli-
ment until September, ISL, when the NhiS
ministry in which he served, gave way to the
second Cabinet of Sir Robert Peel, and tie
Mr.. Macaulay) was consequently deprived
Of Office The general election, which ioi-
lowed Immediately afterwards, did not dls'
turb Mr. Macaulay in the possession OF his
seat for Edinburgh. He was reelected, and
continued to sit for that city. During the
whole time of Sir Robert Pccl's rule, ne was
conspicuous rs an active member oil the
Wing Opposition. and as consistent adV'-
cate of frcc trade and other liberal mea-
surcs. In 1916. Sir Robert, having carried
his great measure of Commercial Reform,
succumbcd Ia the unccasmg attacks oil me
country party" and made way ior the r.
turn Of the Wings. under Lord John Rus
sell. Mr.. Macaulay resumed office III t'iis
administration rs Paymaster-'eneral Of the
Forces, with seat in the Cabinet; ana lir
fulfilled the duties of the position until
1917, when he unexpectedly lost his seat III
Parliament. The majority of the c"nsti-
tuents Of the Scottish capital disagreed with
the right honorable gentleman on the sub
icct Of the Maynuuth grant and took inc
opportunity Of the general election TO "ust
him in favor Of Mr.. Cowan, a citizen. whose
theological bias and ecclesiastical views were
much more in fayur The rejection oil $"
distinguished a man, under such circuh-
stances, caused great surprise, ana was
warmly discussed all over the country. ne
grct at so untoward an event was So gene
rally expressed that Mr. Macaulay might
easily have found another constituency anXl-
Gus for his services, but he preferred avail
ing himself Of the opportunity thus preScn-
ted, of withdrawing altogether from the
duties of Parliament. At the next general
election, the citizens of Edinburgh recover
ed their credit by replacing MIR. Macaulay
in his former position, although the riSh'
honorable gentleman declined TO come Tor
ward 10 canvass, or in any way TO solicit the
1. 4 n h,r - a.