1821.] Notices of Shakspeare by the succeeding Generation. himself as he ought. I leave it to the discression of Lord Howe whether any punishment less severe can be inflicted, or whether, if it cannot, he may not be pardoned, with some assurance that it is a determination in future not to remit the sentence, if a superior is struck by an inferior. "G. R. "When we pass suddenly from the broad light into a region of darkness, the power of discernment is not to be depended upon.-I am not aware whether this can apply to the case in question, but I rather think it will." N. B. The remark which follows the "G. R." was in the King's handwriting, but it was made in the envelope, and seemed to be the result of a further reflection, after the Note to Lord Howe was written. The name of the Offender was Edward Biddoe;-he was tried on board the Carnatic, and Captain Peregrine Bertie was President of the Court.The man was pardoned of course. Mr. URBAN, YOU July 14. YOU are no stranger to the 'grubbing research' employed to illustrate the life of Shakspeare with something new, that is to say, to the loss of time without producing any advantage. The biography of a deerstealer is of necessity meagre; but his editors, finding themselves in want of circumstance, have endeavoured to present the world with a history of the Poet's mind, assuming that Shakspeare wrote, thought, alluded, and meant, precisely what their fancy suggests. Not wishing to increase this lumber, yet unable to add any thing to the Life of the Bard, I offer a few passages, culled from the 'King's Pamphlets,' and other sources, towards forming some idea of the opinion which the succeeding generation held of our great Dramatist. The editor of Mercurius Britannicus,' speaking of his antagonist Aulicus, has the following passage, which I think really valuable, as it embraces so many authors, all of the same class with Shakspeare: "His braines have been wonderfully blasted of late, and plannet-strucke, and he is not now able to provoke the meanest Christian to laughter, but lies in a paire of foule sheets, a wofull spectacle $9 and object of dullnesse and tribulation, not to be recovered by the Protestant or Catholique liquor, either ale or strong beer, or sack, or claret, or Hippocras, or Muscadine, or Rosa Solis, which has been reputed formerly by his grandfather Ben Jonson, and his uncle Shakspeare, and his couzen germains Fletcher and Beaumont, and nose-lesse D'avenant, and Frier Sherley, the Poets, the onely blossoms for the brain, the restoratives for the wit, the bathing for the Nine Muses; but none of these are now able either to warme him into a quibble, or to inflame him into a sparkle of invention, and all this because he hath profaned the Sabbath by his pen." Did the writer think that he was dishonouring Aulicus by the association? The same journalist, alluding to a relation of the inhuman treatment of a Clergyman near Wantage by Haslerigge, exclaims, "He (Aulicus) says, he barbarously cut his bookes into pieces: those were only some Lady Psalters, and Cosin's Devotions, and Pocklington's Altar, and Shelford's Sermons, and Shakspeare's Workes, and such prelaticall trash as your Clergymen spend their canonicall houres on." This sentence is not very dissimilar to the remarks of a writer in the Eclectic Review,' and shews in what abhorrence the simple name of Shakspeare was held by the puritans and their panegyrists. That his plays were not approved of by way of reading, we learn from Cowley, who, satirizing a semi-gentleman of Westminster Hall, wishes that he may "Be by his father in his study took, At Shakspeare's Plays, instead of my Lord Coke." The later editors have uniformly ill-treated Ben Jonson for his malignant wish' with respect to the Dramatist's emendations; but let us hear his own words: "I remember the players have often mentioned it as an honour to Shakspeare, that in his writing (whatsoever he penn❜d) hee never blotted out [a] line. My answer hath beene, would he had blotted a thousand which they thought a malevo lent speech. I had not told posterity this, but for their ignorance, who chose that circumstance to commend their friend by, wherein he most faulted. And to justifie mine owne candor (for I lov'd the man, and doe honour his memory, on this side idolatry, as much as any). Hee was (indeed) honest, and of an open and free nature; -had an excellent phantsie, brave notions, 40 Religious Instruction of the Welsh recommended. [July, notions, and gentle expressions: wherein he flow'd with that facility, that sometime it was necessary he should be stopp'd. Sufflaminandus erat; as Augustus said of Haterius. His wit was in his owne power; would the rule of it had beene so too! have generally failed for want of cooperation among those interested. Allow me, therefore, to propose to the numerous natives of Wales which you number among your readers, the foundation of a general society for Many times hee fell into those things, the purpose of bestowing religious could not escape laughter: as when hee said in the person of Cæsar, one speaking to him, 'Cæsar, thou dost me wrong,' hee replyed, 'Cæsar did never wrong, but with just cause; and such like, which were ridiculous. But hee redeemed his vices with his vertues. There was ever more in him to be praysed, then to be pardoned." Jonson paid Shakspeare more real honour than any of his editorial com. mentators. We have 'Testimonia veterum in mention of the ancients; and why not apply the practice to the moderus Warburton has preserved an amusing cento of characters of Dryden and Pope, from the abuse of their contemporaries, after which period the subject would become uninteresting. Of the earlier writers, however, it is pleasing to see the opinions (however candid or biassed) of the times, and would prove highly useful, were it brought to any completion. Should these few notices of Shaks peare meet the eye of your well-informed Readers, I trust they will not neglect the hints I have thrown out in this Letter. P. S. In an anecdote of Shaks instruction upon those Welsh people who are now resident in parts of the Kingdom where they are deprived of the advantages of the performance of religious ordinances. The objects of the Society would be the erection of places of Worship, the support of the clergymen, and other necessary offices, and the education of the children of Welsh parents. If, in order to further this desirable object, those of your Correspondents who possess information on the subject will make it public through the medium of your Magazine, they will materially contribute towards the success of this projected Society. The points upon which information would be most useful, are,-1. the number of Welsh residents in any large town; 2. the probability of their affording assistance towards this object; and, 3. are there any dissenting or other places of worship already established, and how are they attended. AP RHYS AP HOWELL. MR. URBAN, July 16. NSWERS to the following enqui peare in your CENSOR, is the expres-Aries would greatly oblige me, and sion I'll give him a dozen Latia spoones, and thou shalt translate them.' Can you, Mr. Urban, or any of your Correspondents, expound this knotty passage? Yours, &c. MR. URBAN, TALPA. London, May 8. of Wales resident in the Metropolis, Several praiseworthy attempts have been made to remedy this evil, but contribute towards the accomplishment of a scientific object. 1. Is there any work which contains a regular account of the height of the Thermometer daily for a whole year* ? 2. Is there any existing account of the course and termination of the Rivers Ancover and Volta on the Gold Coast of Africa, as there a some your readers who have visited the Gold Coast. I should be glad to receive information of any kind respecting these Rivers, or the country, and European settlements in their neighbourhood; and I am persuaded that many of your readers would be gratified by its insertion in your Magazine. Yours, &c. R. P. *This new Correspondent seems to have overlooked our regular Monthly Thermometrical Observations by Mr. Cary. 1. REVIEW OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. The Antient History of Wiltshire. By Sir Richard Colt Hoare, Bart. Vol. II. Part II. Roman Era. 1821. Folio. pp. 134, and XXXIII Plates. Lackington and Co. AMONGST the Topographical va rieties of the day, we have the satisfaction to announce the termination of this splendid Work in two folio Volumes, embellished with numerous Views, Plans, &c. &c. and which the benevolent Author announces as the labour of 20 years. Though in vol. LXXXIX. ii. p. 329, we have noticed the First Part of the Second Volume, we will here give a brief account of the contents and nature of the entire Publication. The First Volume is confined to South Wiltshire, and to British Antiquities. The system of the antient mode of interment in barrows has been minutely investigated, and the different forms of tumuli described, together with their contents. All the numerous barrows, opened under the direction of the Author and his assistants, prove to a certainty that these mounds were raised either by the Celtic or Belgic Britons, previous to the arrival of the Romans in our island; which is ascertained by the circumstance of every urn that has yet been found, being of unbaked pottery, or unturned by the lath. Another very important discovery bas been made, and which the Author attributes to his predecessor, Mr. W. Cunnington of Heytesbury; viz. that of the numerous British settlements and habitations dispersed over the bleak and extensive downs of Wiltshire, and which throw a light upon the early inhabitants of our island. The First Volume also contains several plans, elevations, &c. of that interesting monument Stonehenge, which no passenger can view without wonder and admiration. On perusing this part of the Work, we cannot omit mentioning a circumstance attending the opening of a barrow near this fine retreat of antiquity; viz. that of finding chippings from the stones, intermixed with the mould which was heaped up over the mound: Gent. Mac. July, 1821. thus proving the tumulus to have been raised subsequent to the erection of the stone circle. The Second Volume commences with North Wiltshire; Part I. of which is confined to the British æra; and a full account, explained by accurate plans and views, is given of that wonderful Circle of Abury, which our Author considers of a much earlier date than Stonehenge. Part II. of the Second Volume (which is now presented to the Publick), is allotted to the Roman æra; and a very explicit survey of all the Roman roads which are at present known to have traversed the County of Wilts, is handed down to us, by well-executed Maps, in which the actual lines of the Causeway are marked by colour. We have, however, to lament that some earlier Antiquary had not taken this subject into consideration, before the improved system of agriculture had made such havock with the plough. This Volume is terminated by a description and plates of the various tessellated pavements which have at different times been discovered within the limits of the County. Such is a brief outline of these interesting Volumes; and we cannot conclude without doing justice in the first place to Mr. Philip Crocker, the draughtsman of all the Plates; and secondly, to Messrs. Basire, G. Cooke, George Hollis, and J. Cary, the engravers entployed in the execution of the numerous Plates which adorn and illustrate this Work. It is rather singular that one County should have produced matter for the formation of two large Volumes; but when we consider the numerous British settlements, and the variety of barrows, with which the downy regions of Wiltshire abound, and add to them the religious or civil circles of MARDEN, ABURY, and STONEHENGE,-our surprise at the extent of this Publication will cease: and we have only reason to rejoice that the subject has occupied the attention of an Author residing within the County, and who had both the zeal 42 REVIEW.-Queen Elizabeth's Progresses. zeal and means to render it worthy of the notice of his countrymen and the Publick. In the first Volume there is a Portrait of Mr. William Cunnington of Heytesbury; and in the second, an excellent Portrait of Sir Richard Colt Hoare, engraved by H. Meyer, from a drawing by the late lamented Mr. Edridge. We are happy to announce, that our Author is actively employed in collecting materials for a Modern History of his County, and that the first Hundred will shortly appear in print. 2. Queen Elizabeth's Progresses, Vol. IV. Part i.-The Queen's Entertainment by the Countess of Derby, at HarefieldPlace, Middlesex, in July 1602. With some Particulars relative to several earlier Visits at Loseley, Chichester, Southampton, Winchester, Sutton, Barn- elms, Kingston, and Putney; the princely Entertainments at Kenilworth, Coventry, Warwick, Lichfield, Stafford, Worcester, &c. and Extracts from the unpublished Letters of John Chamberlain, Esq. to Sir Dudley Carleton, relative to the Queen's Progresses, her Sickness, and Death. 4to. pp. 100. Nichols and Son. (Reviewed by an old Correspondent.) THERE are two sciences which many unthinking persons deem frivolous, Genealogy and Archæology but it forms the very character of a civilized state of society, to go beyond the humble necessaries of farm-house life; and though Genealogy may not be welcome or important in America, yet estates beyond number have been lost in Great Britain, because families keep no Pedigrees, and do not enter into their Bibles the births, marriages, and burials of themselves and their relatives. Thus, if they have property to claim or to sell, they cannot make out their titles, at least without infinite expense. As to Archæology, it forms a third Grace with Philosophy and History. When a subject of high moment, political or legal, is to be accurately investigated, documents, precedents, and testimonies, as the best modes of obtaining a satisfactory result, are carefully collected. In the same manner, without the accumulations of the patient Antiquary, accurate conclusions cannot be formed. Tacitus may with supreme felicity exhibit the workings of the mind and } [July, passions, in explanation of various actions; yet there are others which Archæology can alone elucidate. Collections, therefore, of the kind now before us are not only interesting and curious, but useful, in a scientific nation. For Hume has drawn the character of Elizabeth in a most masterly manner; but descriptions of Character are much like those of Beauty. They convey no precise ideas, and are therefore unsatisfactory. It is better to say, that she was a very wise Queen. Bred up in adversity, she ascended the throne, surrounded with enemies, foreign and domestic, whom she had either to subdue or conciliate. the former gentry, to let them know the real power of England, vigorous administration was indispensable; and for the latter, because conciliation of the people can never be effected but by success, every measure was founded upon caution, which infallibly introduces wisdom. Her execution of Mary is deemed infamous; perhaps is not to be abstractedly vindicated. But business cannot be conducted upon generous and feeling motives. It is, and ought to be, while mankind are what they are, a thing of cool calculating policy, consulting security only; otherwise it is only asking Mary was the innocent to suffer. weak and unprincipled (pudore amisso); and Elizabeth was sore, through endless cabals and conspiracies. Her heart was hardened into that of a police officer. Sovereigns can rarely be held captive without occasioning cabals and conspiracies for their liberation; and often their own destruction, through the intemperate or unwise measures of their adherents. These cabals did ensue; and Elizabeth might justly suspect that Mary disregarded the sacredness of the persons of Sovereigns. We have a right to think as we have written, because, if she did not spare the beloved Essex, even though his actions were palpably childish, who can believe her insincere in the following declaration: "Non adeo mentis sum inops, ut pericula mihi objecta non videamn, nec tantæ recordiæ ut ferrum ad me jugulandum exacuam, nec tam supinæ socordiæ, ut vitæ non caveam." (Camdeni Annales, p. 437.) Under the humane refinement of the present day, Mary and Essex might have been 1821.] REVIEW.Queen Elizabeth's Progresses. been secured in the State Prison of St. Helena: but, in the barbarism of the 16th Century, Treason reduced the greatest man from an animal to a vegetable, which was to be cut off like a thistle. Hume expresses a wish that more imperfection in her character, something like human softness, could be found. We rather wish that she had completely assimilated Alfred, who was her equal in high qualities, without her failings. 66 The subjects before us exhibit the Warrior out of armour; the Amazon becoming the woman; when she was parading about, snuffing in the fragrance of popularity, and sucking her glory, like a lozenge; dancing at seventy with manlings not of age; and poeticized as a rose of beauty" (p. 15); now tattling, now orationizing, now directing the ceremonies to astonished country-sheriffs and mayors in all the stilts of dignity (p. 22); then poissarding herself by spitting upon a gentleman's dress (Harrington's Nuga Antiquæ, ii. 211); and a variety of et ceteras; State-scolding and common-scolding, swearing, slapping faces, sulking, and loving; in which process she unwaringly imbibed the Italian slow poison of irrecoverable disease.-She suffered unutterable anguish for the death of Essex, but disdained to show it by language *. Tears and absence of mind alone betrayed her; and the real tragedy Queen, the sublime Elizabeth, became a mere effigies on a tomb, and died at 70, a martyr to Love. We shall now give some extracts. Her Majesty commends Hampshire, because the Gentry were not Squire Westerns. "Well inhabited by ancient gentlemen civilly educated." P. 21. "On May-day the Queen went a Maying." P. 25. Ambrose Coppinger, because he had been a Master of Arts, entertained her himself, with a Latin oration." P. 26. Carte is quoted (p. 32) as supposing that Elizabeth, by her visits and progresses, intended to impoverish the nobility by putting them to exorbi * Sir John Harrington acquaints us, that all the courtiers understood her Majesty's melancholy, some time before her death, to proceed from this cause; and that the mention of Essex would bring tears in her eyes. 43 tant expense, and extorting costly presents. Here appears the necessity of Archæological science, to the accurate comprehension of History. First as to Royal visits. As political science is with us precedential and deliberative, not projecting and innovating, we beg to observe, that the present Dynasty is the only one which has ever suffered the subject to consider a Royal visit as optional. The abbeys and baronies were considered, directly or indirectly, to derive their wealth and rank from Royal bounty; and hospitable reception formed a part of the preroga tive. Travelling was accompanied with immense retinues, and a journey was in fact a State procession. Noblemen demanded the same hospitality from their tenants, and gentlemen from their friends. It was as sacred as a clause in a lease, and agreements of interchangeable hospitality were made in a written legal formt. Matthew Paris is copious upon the oppressive visits of Henry III.; and the system to which Carte alludes began with Henry VII. In Secondly, as to the presents. the Golden Legend (fol. viii. a.) it is said, that" it was an auncient ordinance, that noo man sholde come to God ne to the Kyng with a voyde honde, but that he brought some gyfte." Presents were therefore matters of course. Surely her Majesty did not intend to depress "Charles Smyth, dustman," who gave her two boltes of Cambrick (p. 97). Besides she made returns in gilt plate. In p. 28 we find the Queen taking a miniature picture from Lady Derby, and tying it first upon her shoe, and Among the losses, advertised in the then removing it to her elbow. Mercurius Publicus, No. 30, Jul. 19 -26, 1660, is "a gold seal, being a coat of arms, cut in a piece of gold in the form of a lozenge, fastened to a black ribband, to tye about the wrist." This was the method of wearing seals, when it was deemed a highwayman's practice to carry a watch; and a similar custom pre vailed with miniatures; for in the Newes, No. 8. Jan. 28, 1663-4, we have, as lost, "a gold enamelled + Instances of this appear in Smyth's Lives of the Berkeleys; and, we presume, will be printed in Mr. Fosbroke's Extracts, now in the Press. bracelet, |