174 | AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY. |
I’ve often wish’d that I could write a book,
Such as all English people might peruse;
I never should regret the pains it took;—
That’s just the sort of fame that I should choose.
|
Arrived, at length, upon my own green ground, I feel more at home with my readers, and more safe in addressing them in that familiar style which I was soon encouraged to adopt by the favour shown to my writings, and which generated the friendly intercourse between me and the public which lasted more than thirty years. In fact, the dignity and stilts of authorship never suited me. If I tried to write grand or fine I was sure to fail; and therefore I was obliged to rely on the colloquial and unstudied, as much from heart as head, and I have reason to think generally acknowledged as a natural consequence, to possess the useful qualities of clearness and obvious intelligibility. On the rumour of this arrangement I received the following note from my ever kind friend Mr. Freeling:—
“I only received your note late yesterday afternoon. I
am sorry to say that a plate engraved on a
THE “LITERARY GAZETTE.” | 175 |
“I was vexed that I missed you when you called, as I should have been very glad to have shaken you by the hand, and to have heard (what I sincerely hope is the case) that you have found some pursuit congenial to your wishes, and advantageous to yourself, unaccompanied with those spots which dimmed the ‘Sun.’
The “Literary
Gazette” was commenced on the 25th of January, 1817, by Mr. Colburn, and to his enterprise and example in this
instance, the country and its literature are indebted not only for the entire class of
direct imitations which have sprung out of this experiment, but for the introduction, more
or less, into all other journals, of the topics now for the first time brought forward and
discussed by the periodical press. It was printed in two columns, sixteen pages, by
A. J. Valpy, published by
Colburn, 159, Strand, and the price one shilling. The plan
embraced Original Correspondence, foreign and domestic; Critical Analyses of New
Publications; Varieties on all subjects connected with Polite Literature, such as
Discoveries and Improvements, Philosophical Researches, Scientific Inventions, Sketches of
Society, Proceedings of Public Bodies; Biographical Memoirs of distinguished persons;
Original Letters and Anecdotes of remarkable personages; Essays and Critiques on the Fine
Arts; and Miscellaneous Articles on the Drama, Music, and Literary Intelligence: so as to
form, at the end of the year, a clear and instructive picture
176 | AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY. |
The design was novel and unquestionably meritorious; the Prince Regent was the first subscriber,* and success seemed to depend upon the execution. The early numbers, to which William Carey was the chief contributor, contained the plan of the Abbé Gregoire, ex-Bishop of Blois, for the general association of learned and scientific men and artists of all nations for accelerating the enlightenment of mankind—a consummation a thousand times desired and proposed, but never yet systematised or effected. There were also some original letters of David Hume, followed, a number of years later, with some interesting correspondence of that eminent historian. At this period the dramatic world was illuminated by the Kembles, Siddons, Young, O’Neil, Kean, Braham, Pasta, Fodor, Camporese, Naldi, Ambrogetti, and other brilliant stars. Haydon produced his grand picture of Christ riding into Jerusalem, and other artists as well as he were copying the cartoons. Brockedon made his favourable débût with the “Judgment of Daniel,” and inter alia, Mr. Pettigrew published his Life of Dr. I. Lettsom, of whom it was written as a prescription,—
If any patient comes to I, I physics, bleeds, and sweats ’em; If, after that, they chance to die, What’s that to I?—I. Lettsom. |
At this period the satirical novel called “Six Weeks at Long’s,” in the doing of which, as formerly stated, I had a hand with Michael Nugent, (a few years before a fellow-
* A complete set, in beautiful condition, and with a few complimentary annotations, was sold among the library of the late Princess Sophia. |
THE “LITERARY GAZETTE.” | 177 |
On the appearance of its tenth number, the “Literary Gazette” changed its form into three columns on
the page, which it continued till the close of my editing. It also gave brief notices of
parliamentary proceedings and remarks on politics. At the twenty-fifth number appeared my
first contribution, a critique on “Zuma, ou
la Découverte de Quinquina,” by Madame de
Genlis; and on the following week I became the editor. It was a stirring
time, and in literature, as in many other relations, exhibited a very marked difference
from the aspects of the present day; the Crystal Palace excitement excepted. Within a few
preceding weeks, Moore’s “Lalla Rookh,” Byron’s “Manfred,” Croly’s
“Paris in 1815,”
Lewis’s “Adelgitha,” Miss
Edgworth’s “Patronage,” and Jane
Porter’s “Pastor’s Fireside,” were published; Shiel’s “Apostate,” and Maturin’s
“Manuel,” to succeed his
“Bertram,” performed;
Talfourd began his literary career with a law
book; Waterloo Bridge was finished and opened
178 | AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY. |
The publication had not made great way, though, besides its original features, most of them well-chosen or treated, there were some exceedingly clever criticisms on Scott, Byron, Campbell, Southey, Coleridge, and other living poets, by a correspondent of no mean discrimination and talent; but, without boast, my accession seemed to put a little heart into it, and if it were up-hill work for a long while, still it was Up, and but for a few incidental or accidental crosses, would have been Up-per. I found the laborious Lloyd, of the Foreign Post Office, a diligent collector and translator of continental intelligence, Professor Boettiger, and (soon after) other German scholars, valuable correspondents; Miss Ross (a daughter of William Ross, an early newspaper reporter, a tremendous democrat in the Corresponding Society, and withal a very worthy man,) another ready and excellent translator; and the machinery altogether, for so young a concern, in very fair order.
I consulted my friend Mr. Canning, who thought well of the project and said, “Avoid politics and polemics,” an
* It was first exemplified in England about the beginning of the century, by a Mr. Andrée of Offenbach, in its rude state; but had slept till now, when Mr. Ackermann took it up, and showed of what it was capable. |
THE “LITERARY GAZETTE.” | 179 |
In my capacity I was omnivorous—at all in the ring—and produced hebdomadally, Reviews, Criticisms on the Arts and Drama, jeux d’esprit in prose and in verse; and in truth, played every part, as Bottom, the weaver, wished to do; and it might be only from the good luck of having, in reality, several able coadjutors (though I announced publicly I had them), that the paper did not sink under my manning, in addition to my pilotage.
With my taking this leading part, the publication was removed to No. 267,
in the Strand, now a cook-shop, affronting the vestibule of St. Clement’s Church, the
monotonous chimes of which made me so often so dull and melancholy that I could almost have
put the rope about my neck to suspend the want of animation. This had been my own house,
bought, together with the copyright of the Satirist, published there, and as queer a bargain as any which literary folks
are in the habit of making. Mr. Manners, a gentleman
of truth and honour, sold me the concern, as the saying is, “in a lump,” I was
apprised of the state of the publication, and assured of the “sponsible”
character of the sub-tenants, videlicet an agent
for a newly-discovered rich metallic mine in Cornwall (neither companies nor metals so rife
then), having beautiful specimens of the ore to display in the window below; and on the
first floor a most respectable and honest-looking mantua-maker of the middle (or it might
literally be first floor), age, with five or six
180 | AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY. |
The future history of my house-owning was not much out of keeping. I sold
it for what I gave, to Mr. Pinnock, taking bills for
the purchase money, of and on the Newbury
THE “LITERARY GAZETTE.” | 181 |
182 | AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY. |
But at the time of which I am speaking, matters were all in order; and Pinnock’s and Maunder’s connection with Education, and travelling throughout the country, rendered them very eligible allies for the new paper. Either at first, or immediately after, they were admitted as co-partners with Mr. Colburn and myself, and the circulation reaped a benefit from their provincial agencies and general co-operation. One evil infected the arrangement; the accounts were irregular, partly from the nature of the pushing steps which were taken, and partly from the character of Pinnock, who had no idea of details. This led to a dissolution in about three years. But I will not anticipate.
In No. 28 of the “Literary
Gazette,” my third number, I wrote a review of Beloe’s “Sexagenarian, or, Recollections of a Literary Life,” on which looking
back I feel strangely admonished and affected. Beloe framed his
autobiography in the third person, in order to avoid egotism; and made the supposition that
after his death, the imagined friend had found and put the materials together. He died in
the midst of his task; and what he had invented as an imagination was realised. His plan
was prophetic, and his deathbed its fulfilment. A friend completed his memoirs; and his
life, chequered by various prosperous and unfortunate events, was finished by another hand.
The postscript says: “He was suddenly called from an existence of much pain and
suffering. In the paths of literature his exertions had been attended with the most
gratifying success. He had moved in the first circles of life; he had been fostered by
the great, and rewarded by the good. As a friend he was respected and beloved; among
his acquaintance, indeed, his good humour was proverbial. His open and generous nature
was too often a dupe to the treacherous, and a prey to the designing. His latter days
were spent in retirement
THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON. | 183 |
My friend William Mudford’s
“Historical Account of the
Battle of Waterloo,” with splendid illustrations by Mr. James
Rouse, was published at this time; but its cost, six guineas, operated
against its popularity. The Duke declined furnishing
any information, but in a note, I think, stated that he had never met Blucher at La Belle
Alliance, though some wiseacres, presuming on the truth of that
report, had gone so far as to impose the name on the battle, instead of Waterloo, where it
was fought. On a later occasion, indeed, many years after, I had an opportunity of learning
some more of his Grace’s remarks connected with this glorious day. It was mooted
whether the action to be imparted to his statue should not represent the moment when his
cry “Up boys! and at ’em!” roused his troops to their last irresistible
and victorious charge. “‘Up boys! and at em!’ replied the Duke,
“I never could have said any such thing. I remember very well that I caused
them to lie down for shelter behind a rising ground, and by that means saved
184 | AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY. |
At the same interview he mentioned that he was aware of the Prussian advance, and of their foremost light troops having got into communication with the farthest outposts of his left wing, long before he announced the fact to his staff. This was in answer to a reminiscence of Lord Hill, that the illustrious commander had alighted from his horse, and was reconnoitering through his glass laid across its shoulder, the distant quarter where the Prussians were expected to appear when the clock of the Hougemont struck twelve. The Duke seemed to fancy the statement a little at variance with what he had expressed, and replied, as above, that he was quite aware of the fact long before he mentioned it.
His Grace’s off-handedness, and blunt as well as quaint modes of
expressing himself, are very characteristic; and many an anecdote might be told of them.
Entering a gallery where the visitors were requested to sign their names, in a book
prepared for the purpose, on being asked by the doorkeeper, “Would your Grace have
the goodness to put your name in the book?” he took the pen and wrote
“Dr. Wellesley.” He does not seem to be prone to
furnish autographs, nor to be seen disturbed or in dishabille, if the following be true, as
I had from a likely authority. One of his brother marshals called at Apsley House on a day
when he was confined to his room by a cold, and had given orders to be denied. The visitor,
however, told the servant that he came on some particular business, and he was sure the
Duke would see him! The groom could not gainsay so important a personage, but went upstairs
to deliver the message, closely followed by the gallant officer. On opening the chamber
door the Duke was seen with his back to it, and
MR. CANNING. | 185 |
One of my extra little literary matters near this period was to take notes of Mr. Canning’s famous Lisbon speech, from which that splendid oration was published. Although his corrections were manifold, and curiously fastidious, I nevertheless received the following kindly acknowledgment of my slight service:—
“One of the first subjects that occurred to Mr. Canning’s recollection upon the cessation of the laborious and unintermitting business of the session, was his omission to acknowledge the report of his Lisbon speech, for which he is indebted to you. Can you make it convenient to call at Gloucester Lodge some morning (not Thursday next) before or about eleven o’clock, upon that subject?
“In the mean time I send to you by his direction a few copies of the publication which owes so much to your valuable notes.
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