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the different corps. Neither was the church neglected; for besides much attention to individuals of character and respect in that order, and a strict performance of all the outward forms of religion, she proved her zeal and devotion, by working, with her own hands, as the priests believed or asserted, the most magnificent vestments, for the use of the principal ecclesiastics of her empire, when they cele brated public worship on any important festival. She had a number of personal favourites, to whom she was very liberal. She was particularly attached to Landskoi, and attended him personally during his sickness, like a wife. She was, for some time, as inconsolable for him as Elizabeth of England was for Essex. It is said, that he was the handsomest man that could be seen; but naturally of so weak a constitution, that he was unable to support the life of a courtier. Potemkim made the quickest of all possible journeys from the Crimea, in order to console her. He came in a kibicki, or common cart, the whole way. Rushing into her apartment, he said, "What is the matter with my empres?" and when she answered that she was weeping for the death of Landskoi, he replied, “ Why, he was a fool!"—“Ah!" said the empress, "but he had an honest heart." To her ministers she was very liberal, and in general followed their advice, except when she chose to let them feel, that there were times when she preferred being both her own and their mis. tress. When left entirely to herself, and compelled to determine on matters of importance, it is said that she was apt to betray some versatility and weakness. When I visited her court, she was puffed up, beyond all bounds, by the success of her reign, and the consideration in which she was held by every power in Europe. She certainly in her heart preferred the English to the French, and the Danes to the Swedes. In regard to the Germans, it was more from personal attachment to the emperor, and their joint views upon Turkey, than from a full conviction of the policy of the measure, that she preferred the Austrian to the Prussian alliance.

MADAME DE STAEL.

In January 1788, I took an excursion to Paris, and, in the employment of my time there, endeavoured to combine useful and agreeable occupations. With that view, I was accustomed to spend my mornings with the learned; to dine with the Count de Vergennes, M. Necker, and the other distinguished statesmen which France then possessed and to dedicate the evening to VOL. VI. 2 R

the society of the gay, Being a member of the British Parliament, and known, from my History of the Revenue," as an author, I everywhere met with a most friendly reception. Having received an invitation to a family dinner with Monsieur Necker, I went early, and had the pleasure of finding the ladies occupied in

a

for

manner peculiarly gratifying to the national feelings of a Scotchman; Madame Necker was reading "Blair's Sermons," and Mademoiselle Necker playing“ Lochaber no more," on the piano. Monsieur Necker, overwhelmed by the pressure of public business, did not appear till immediately before dinner; and even before the cloth was removed, he received · two or three letters, which he seemed to peruse with considerable interest. Madame Necker said, that they probably related to the great political contest, which he was then carrying on with Monsieur de Calonne, and which ultimately terminated in the removal of that minister from the helm.

When preparing for my return to London, I sent a note to Madame Necker, containg many grateful acknowledgments for the attention paid me by her family, and a promise, at the same time, to send her daughter (afterwards so celebrated as Madame de Stael) some Scotch music, the beauties of which, I hoped, would induce her to honour Scotland with a visit. Though young, the answer she sent is expressed with that vivacity and elegance which distinguished her future writings.+

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as an independent corporation. In the space of eighteen years, he raised the value of the stock from one hundred and eighteen and a half, to two hundred and fourteen, or ninety-three and a half of additional price per 1001. stock; and by his means some of the ablest and most dis tinguished characters in the kingdom were sent to India, under whose auspices the territorial possessions of the company became an immense empire, producing a great revenue, and containing above sixty millions of inhabitants. He also brought the affairs of the company into so high a degree of order, that he was enabled for the first time, to lay before parliament, "An Indian Budget." He was afterwards appointed Secretary of State for the War Department; and by his means a martial spirit was spread over the whole country, and a military force accumulated, which secured the nation from any risk of being conquered, should an invasion be attempted. His talents were next directed, first as Treasurer of the navy, and afterwards as first Lord of the Admiralty, to the improvement of our naval re. sources; and impartial observers have justly considered him as the best friend the navy ever had. If Lord Melville, however, had done nothing else but planned and executed the expedition to Egypt, his fame would have been esta blished as one of the greatest benefactors to his country. Who can think of the battle of the Nile, or the victory of Alexandria, without gratitude to that great minister, by whom those achievements were planned, and without whose exertions and genius they could never have been successfully executed? These mag nificent events first roused the different nations of Europe secretly to indulge the hope of emancipation from the yoke of France. They proved the immense resources of the British empire-tite talents of those who governed the country-the valour of its sailors-and the superior skill and ability of those by whom they were commanded.

Lord Melville when he first became a member of the House of Cominons, never thought of entering into the field of politics; he was considered merely as an able Scots lawyer. It appears, indeed, from the subjoined letter, that the ministers at the time had no idea of availing them selves of the great talents he possessed, as an orator and champion in the House.

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the 11th. It is only your partiality which overvalues the importance of my presence in Parliament, for no person whatever has made any request to me to attend.

"Indeed it would be most disagreeable and inconvenient for me to come before Christmas; but I am so little accustomed to put my own convenience in competition with the wishes, or the interests, of my friends, that I volunteered in offering to come, if there was any anxiety about it; but there is none, for I have never received any answer to my letter. I am with great regard, dear sir, your's sincerely,

" HENRY DUNDAS.

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But he whose presence in Parliament was not requested by the Minister, and for whose attendance no anxiety was felt by any one, soon afterwards burst forth a great political meteor, and became the chief prop of the party whose interests he had espoused. I have often heard him, however, lament his having abandoned his original profession as a Scotch lawyer. "Had I remained," he said," at the Scotch bar, I must soon have reached one of the highest judicial offices in Scotland, - and might have spent a life of comfort and independence. In the important capacity of a judge, I might have been of use to my native country; whereas, by entering os the career of politics, I have been exposed to much obloquy, and have latterly experienced the basest ingratitude.”

My private intercourse with Lord Melville led to some events which it may be proper here to detail.

In December, 1801, I happened to meet with the noble Lord at St. James's, when he said to me, "It is a long time, Sir John since you have been at Wimbledon. Name any time when you can spend a day with us, and we shall be most happy to see you." By accident I fixed upon the last day of that year. Upon reaching Wimbledon to dinner, I found Mr. Pitt there. Lady Melville, and the beautiful Miss Duncan, (afterwards Lady Dalrymple Hamilton,) were the only ladies present. We spent the evening principally in conversation, but also played a short time at cards ; and about eleven we went to bed. soon as I got up next morning, I proceeded to Mr. Dundas's library, where I found him reading a long paper on the importance of conquering the Cape of Good Hope, to add to the security of our Indian possessions. I said to him on entering,' "I come, Mr. Dundas,to wish you a good new year, and many happy returns of it." His answer I shall never forget; "I hope that this year will be happier than the last, for I scarcely recollect having spent one

As

the

ANECDOTE OF LORD NORTH.

happy day in the whole of it." On this remark, the following reflections naturally occurred: "Here I am living in the same The following anecdote will give some house with the two men the most looked idea of Lord Northi's happiness of allusion, up to, and the most envied of any in this and playfulness of mind. He was often country. I have just heard the declara-led into a profound sleep by the somnition of the one, and I am convinced that ferous oratory of some of the parliamentary the feelings of the other are not materially speakers. Sir Grey Cooper (one of the different. Can any thing more strongly secretaries of the Treasury) meanwhile prove the miscries attending political took notes of the principal arguments of pursuits?" After breakfast Mr. Pitt asked his opponents, which, by glancing his eye me to return to London in his carriage, over the paper, Lord North was enabled when he immediately commenced a politi- tion, a member thought proper to give an immediately to answer. On a naval quescal coversation. fie said, that finances of the country were getting into historical detail of the origin and progress a state of great disorder, from the enor of ship-building, which he deduced from mous expenses of the war; and he was Noah's ark, and, in regular order, brought apprehensive that it would be extremely down to the Spanish Armada. Sir Grey difficult to raise the necessary supplies for inadvertantly awoke his lordship at this carrying it on much longer. He then period; who asked, to what era the hoadded," As you have attended so much to nourable gentleman had arrived? Being those subjects, and have written the his told, "to the reign of Queen Elizabeth," he tory of our finances, I should be glad to instantly replied, "Dear Sir Grey, why have your opinion as to the measures that did you not let me sleep a century or two ought to be pursued at such a crisis." I suggested the idea of a loyalty lean, and that individual should be called every upon, in proportion to his income, to lend a sum of money to Government, at a fair interest, according to the rate at the time. He entered at once into the idea. It was subsequently carried into effect, and ultimately produced those taxes on income and property which enabled us to carry on the war, and to bring it to so happy a conclusion.

ANECDOTES OF LORD ERSKINE.

Lord Erskine was the youngest of three brothers, all of whom were remarkable for their wit and powers of conversation. The learned lord was particularly addicted to punning, of which I recollect the following instance: I happened accidentally to inform him, that a female rela

tion of his was unwell. He asked me

what was the nature of her complaint. My answer was "Water in her chest.""If that is the case," he replied, "she is not much to be pitied. It is very lucky, in these hard times, to have any thing in

one's chest."

Lord Erskine used frequently to compose short epigrams, which often contained much point and humour. As a specimen, may be mentioned four lines he wrote on hearing that the spurs of Napoleon had been found in the imperial carriage after the battle of Waterloo. Lord Erskine

said, they ought to be presented to the
prince Regent, with this inscription :—

"These Napoleon left behind,
Flying swifter than the wind;
Needless to him when buckleil on,
Wanting no spur but Wellington."

more?"

MISS JOANNA BAILLIE.

There is no dramatist of modern times more distinguished for splendour of genius, or poetic powers,than Miss Joanna Baillie. In her style of composition, she often resembles Shakspeare. It was much to be lamented, therefore, that her plays, though fitted to make a powerful impression in the closet, were less adapted for representation on the stage; and that she had taken a particular prejudice against the London theatres, in consequence of a play written by her, though possessed of great merit, not having succeeded. From respect

to her great talents, and desire to see them successfully employed, I took the liberty of suggesting to her the composition of a tragedy, more adapted for stage effect; and, as an inducement to undertake the task, proposed that she should dedicate the profits of the play to a specific charitable purpose. I had sketched ont the plan of a tragedy," On the Fall of Darius," which seemed to me an excellent subject; and had sent the plan to Dr.

Baillie, to be communicated to his sister. The following is the reply she sent to her brother to be forwarded to me:

"Hampstead, October 19, 1805.

"My Dear Brother, I have considered the proposal, contained in Sir John Sinclair's letter, and the ingenious sketch for a tragedy that accompanies it, with the attention they deserve; and very much regret it is not in my power to make the good use of them which he does me the honour to suppose I might, and which I

should have so much pleasure in attempt ing. You may well know I am so circum stanced, that I cannot possibly offer any play for representation to either DruryLane or Covent-Garden, nor suffer one of my writing to be offered to either of those theatres through any medium whatever. To give up all idea, however, of being useful to a worthy family, on whom bad fortune has borne so hard, is very painful to me; and, therefore, though I cannot undertake what Sir John has pointed out, there is another way in which I might attempt to serve them; and if it should meet with his approbation, and be at the same time perfectly agreeable to Mr. and his family, I shall set myfelf to work in it most cheerfully; that is, to write a tragedy upon some interesting, but more private and domestic story than that of Darius, which appears to me only fitted for the splendour of a large theatre, and to put it into Sir John's hands, to be offered to the Edinburgh theatre, or any theatre in the United Kingdom he may think proper, those of London excepted. If the piece should prove successful, though it might not bring in a large sum from representation, yet it might be published afterwards, in any way that should be thought most advantageous for Mr. and his family, (whose property I should completely consider it as having become,) and produce something considerable.

“I beg you will communicate this proposal to Sir John Sinclair, along with my acknowledgments for the obliging expressions on my account contained in his letter, and for the pleasure I have received in reading his outline of a tragedy, which, if properly filled up, would no doubt make a striking spectacle in a grand theatre such as Drury Lane.

"When he has considered it, I hope he will have the gooodness to let you know his opinion, without loss of time; and if it is favourable, no exertion in my power shall be wanting to complete the work."

The play having been composed, was represented on the Edinburgh stage. I was not present, but received from a correspondent there, the following account of the reception it met with:

"Miss Baillie's play went on with loud applause. The house was very fall, and it is to be repeated every night this week. Henry Mackenzie furnished an excellent epilogue. Some of the critics here, think the inferior characters have too much to do, as they were very badly sustained here; but that objection would be obviated in a London theatre."

of receiving the following communication from her :

"Miss J. Baillie presents her compli ments and thanks to Sir John Sinclair, for the honour of his obliging note, and the extract of a letter which accompanied it. Nothing can be more highly gratifying to her, than the very favourable reception her Highland play has met with from her countrymen at Edinburgh, and the kind interest her friends every where have taken in its success; and it is an addition to her satisfaction to think, that it may still, in one way or other, be made of some small use to the family, for whose benefit it was originally designed, if such assistance should still be wanted.†

"Hampstead, Feb. 7, 1810."

SINGULAR NAVAL ANECDOTE.

In the year 1807, I happened to pay a visit at Thoresby Park, in Nottinghamshire, the seat of my friend Lord Manvers, who had been bred to the sea, and who recollected, when young, the following singular anecdote of Captain, afterwards Admiral Swanton:

"Captain Swanton happened to command a seventy gun ship, the Vanguard, (we had then no seventy-four's in our ser vice); and was cruizing with Admiral Hawke, off the coast of France, in the hope of intercepting a French Fleet from Louisburgh, when his ship was so damaged in a gale, that he was ordered home to refit; and in his way to Portsmouth, he most unfortunately came within sight of the very fleet that Hawke was in expectation of intercepting. The French, seeing an English ship of war so much disabled, and apparently quite alone, thought it would be an easy conquest; but to insure its immediate surrender, the Admiral, by a signal, detached an eighty gun ship, and a seventy-four to take possession. The officers of the Vanguard, knowing the state of their own vessel, and seeing such a superior force coming against them, gavė themselves up for lost, and said to the Captain, It is impossible to stand against such fearful odds; we must make up our minds to see Brest.'-' No, gentlemen,' said Captain Swanton, a ship of this force must not be surrendered by a British

In the Scotch Magazine for February, 1810, there is a critical analysis of Miss Baillie's play, to which she had given the name of "The Family Legend." Its appearance, it is said, ought to be considered as forming an era in the literary history of Edinburgh; for, since Douglas," no tragedy had made its first appearance ou the Edinburgh stage, or at least had attracted general attention. Upon sending this account of the reThe beauties of the "Family Legend" indeed ale ception her play bad met with at Edin-ch, as to establish its claim to be ranked as a popular and pleasing addition to our stock of acting burgh, to Miss Baillie, I had the pleasure plays.

No

erew, whilst there is any hope of safety. Go to your quarters, prepare for action, and let us fight it out to the last!' situation could apparently be more completely desp rate. The French eighty gun ship came vapouring down, gave the Englishman a broadside, but was surprised to find, that instead of striking, it returned the fire with great spirit and effect. The seventy-four, when it approached, met with the same reception. This astonished not only those two ships, but the French Admiral, and his whole fleet. They began to conjecture, that the disabled ship was merely a decoy, and that Hawke must be near, otherwise no officer in his senses, would have made any resistance against so great a superiority: and apprehending, if the action continued, that their ships might receive so much injury as to be an easy prey, if Hawke actually should appear, the French Admiral was induced to recall the two ships, and Captain Swanton, by his spirited and judicious conduct, was thus enabled, after beating off so great a force, to rescue himself from his desperate situation, and to bring his ship triumphantly into Portsmouth."

I'M NOT A SINGLE MAN!

WELL, I confess, I did not guess
A simple marriage vow
Would make me find all womenkind
Such unkind women now!

They need not, sure, as distant be
As Java or Japan-

Yet every miss reminds me this-
I'm not a single man!

Once they made choice of my bass voice
To share in each duet;

So well I danced, I somehow chanced
To stand in every set:

They now declare I cannot sing,

And dance on Bruin's plan;

Me diaw-me paint!-me any thing!
I'm not a single man!

Once I was ask'd advice, and task'd
What works to buy or not,

And "would I read that passage out
I so admired in Scott?"

They then could bear to hear me read,

But if I now began,

How they would saub "my pretty page"

I'm not a single inan!

One used to siitch a collar then,

Another henned a fiill;

I had more puises netted then
Than I could hope to fill.

I once could get a button on,
But now I Lever cau-
My buttons then were bachelor's
I'm not a single man!

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