I had purposed, notwithstanding what I have elsewhere said about the Literary Fund, to have entered into some farther details of my connexion with it, and my strenuous exertions for a number of years to augment its resources and extend its benefits; but on arriving at this point of my undertaking, I find that it may not (at the present) be. I must content myself with the briefest possible notice of a few, as I think, curious or interesting particulars, which belong to byegone times. On my joining the supporters of the “Charity,” the late Mr. James Christie, was first my leader, and then my warmest coadjutor in every effort suggested for its benefit. We recruited stewards, we solicited and obtained subscriptions, and we suggested plans of improvements together. Two-and-thirty years ago we endeavoured to accomplish for the anniversary, a recitation by Macready of a poem by Hookham Frere (then in Malta); and about the same time I joined the club, so advantageously presided over by Sir B. House, with the soul of humanity incarnated in the massive frame of the Rev. Dr. Yates, the treasurer, and his constant V. P.* I was also elected on the general committee. Of Fitzgerald’s annual recitations, however well meant, Mr. Christie was no admirer; and I remember his endeavours
* My practice in transferring to the fund any monies mistakenly forwarded to the Gazette as a remuneration for supposed favours, helped somewhat to gratify the longings of the worthy treasurer. |
| 402 | APPENDIX. |
On the election of a successor to the office, a very eligible candidate, in the person of Mr. T. K. Hervey, had thoughts of standing; but the previous canvas, on behalf of a gentleman who has since raised himself to merited public distinction, and whose pretensions I cordially supported, had confirmed the general opinion in favour of his fitting qualifications, and secured his being chosen; and consequently no contest ensued. He was elected accordingly, and filled, while he occupied it, the station much to his own honour and the advantage of the fund—need I name Mr. (now Sir) C. P. Roney. I fancy the greatest shock he received in the discharge of his duties was when I cut Soane’s portrait into ribbands, and carried the slip of canvas with the eyes on it to show him at the Opera, where I knew he was; and which drove him in dismay from a ballet that no young Irishman could dream of leaving except under very violent pressure indeed. I was menaced with heaven knows what vengeance for committing this atrocious (and I confess half-crazy) deed, but the impulse was defensible, and the annexed squib, at the time, set it in its true light.
“The feud between Sir John Soane and the Literary Fund has at length ‘in hollow murmurs died away;’ the talented but too zealous perpetrator of the mutilation has been gently rebuked, and there the matter ends—unless, indeed, the suggestion given below be acted upon, which we scarcely anticipate:—
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(Dr. T. loquitur.)
Ochone! Ochone!
For the portrait of Soane!
Jerdan! you ought to have let it alone,
Don’t you see that instead of “removing the bone
Of contention,” the apple of discord you’ve thrown?
One general moan,
Like a tragedy groan,
Bursts forth when the picturecide deed became known.
When the story got blown,
From the Thames to the Rhone,
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| THE LITERARY FUND. | 403 |
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Folks were calling for ether and Eau de Cologne,
All shocked at the want of discretion you’ve shown.
If your heart’s not a stone,
You will forthwith atone,
The best way to do that is to ask Mr. Rone—
—y to sew up the slits; the Committee you’ll
own,
When it’s once stitched together, must see that it’s Soane.*
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Of other zealous co-adjutors I shall merely mention Mr. Gent, in conjunction with whom at one anniversary, we brought a larger sum of subscription into the treasury, than all the other members and stewards put together (1823). But my annual efforts were (as I have stated) incessant and very productive. Another name I ought to record with eulogy, is that of Mr. William Tooke, still an ardent friend to the Institution; and another, Mr. John Britton, who has retired from his active and beneficial labours—so effective for many years—in the cause. Sir Henry Ellis, and Mr. B. Cabbell, were also prominent and important contributors in the benevolent design; and one of my later acts in the concern was to form the third party with them, as a deputation to the Duke of Somerset to obtain his Grace’s assent to accept the Presidency of the Fund. Later still I performed a similar duty in the application to the Marquis of Lansdowne, now so auspiciously at its head.
I continue to take a sincere interest in its good management and faithful administration; and am therefore glad to learn that a proposition is on foot to give up its present unnecessarily expensive house establishment, and obtain more appropriate and less costly accommodations in a more convenient locality. Of old, economy at home, and liberality to the unfortunate, were the rigid principles upon which the Literary Fund was established and governed.
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Qu. Sewn?—Print. Dev. |
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