1823.] REVIEW.-Miss Hawkins's Anecdotes. Thomas Davies, Paul Whitehead, Thomas Warton, and the Rev. George Costard, whose library Miss H. describes as a counterpart in appearance to that of Sidrophel in one of Hogarth's plates of Hudibras. The anecdotes of musical men are, perhaps, the best parts of the volume, particularly those of Handel, the blind Stanley, Bartleman, and Dr. Cooke, of Westminster Abbey. Many other friends are mentioned; amongst whom occurs George Steevens, whose intimacy terminated, as usually it did, in a quarrel; in which we shall not here enlarge, as a further account is promised in a future volume. In the next Edition, it is hoped the hacknied story of Pharaoh and the Red Sea (which is more than a century old, and which was attributed to Hogarth in 1781, by a wicked wit still living) will be expunged. Nor is there much occasion for the Marchioness of Tweedale's warming-pan, and a few other episodes not less edifying. We will not, however, seek for slight blemishes when there is really much to commend; but look forward with pleasure to the perusal of the promised continuation of these agreeable anecdotes; and shall select a few detached articles for the amusement of our Readers: "The Twining family ought not to have been thus long postponed. They were, by hereditary succession, of high worth, and have produced scholars and men of elegant tastes; a distinction which does not seem likely to fail. Were I to enter on their biography, I could quote as exemplary, their affluence without ostentation, and their dignified independence, which ranks them high amongst those who form the pillars of a commercial country." "The homeliness of Dr. Farmer's external disappointed me, who, from what I heard, expected to see him in little less than lawn sleeves. He delighted me at my father's table, when the report was alluded to that Sir Joshua Reynolds shared the gains of his man Ralph in showing his pictures, by quoting the lines from Hudibras, 'A squire he had whose name was Ralph, Who in th' adventure went his half.' "Davies, better known by the sociable name of Tom Davies, was a character not without features. Every body knows he had been an actor, and afterwards set up a bookseller's shop in Russell-street, Covent Garden, which was frequented, as Payne's was when he lived at the Mews-gate, by the lite 139 rary corps of the Metropolis, and amongst them my father. "Whether this or any desire to benefit or oblige, influenced my father I know not, but it was at first designed that he should publish the History of Music. It is necessary, in the progress of such a coalition, that an author and a publisher should sometimes meet. The author's views in this instance, I can aver, were not avaricious; for I have heard my father laughingly declare, that if he got the price of a pair of carriagehorses by his fifteen years' labour, he should think himself fortunate. On the other side, I have heard Payne say, when by Davies's defalcation the contract devolved on him, that he should lay by his profits for his daughters." it I may "The memoir of Garrick almost introduces the little I could say, that has not alwould, if pursued here, bring me down ready been far better said, of Johnson; but too low in point of time. The same say of Steevens. Neither of them shall be forgotten; but at present, to proceed not quite in an outrageously disorderly manner, I must descend to less interesting detail, and take slight notice of those neighbours with whom, as I have said, I found my father,' when I first began to know what was meant by society." A Silhouette of Sir John Hawkins fronts the Volume, which commences with a Dedication to the present worthy Chamberlain of London; and concludes with some "Poetic Trifles by Henry Hawkins." A neat engraving of Twickenham Common includes the houses of Sir John Hawkins and the Marchioness of Tweedale. 18. Historic Facts relative to the Sea Port and Market Town of Ravenspurne in Holderness. [By Thomas Thompson, Esq. F.S.A.] 8vo. pp. 270. WE had very lately occasion to notice Mr. Thompson's "Observations on the antient State of Holderness,' (see vol. xcII. ii. 529); and we are happy so soon to meet with him again. It is a prospective benefit, arising from the rapid improvement of Topography, that we shall in the end know the real manners of our ancestors, with which, whatever may have been published, we have at present only a superficial acquaintance. Unfortunately, from the necessity of costly engravings, and the narrowness of sale, such works are too expensive for general circulation; but could they be issued in octavo volumes, like the present, we are satisfied that the public benefit would be 140 REVIEW.-Thompson's History of Ravenspurne. be greatly augmented. At present, barbarians violate our places of worship and funeral monuments, by an ignorance and carelessness which a proper Antiquarian feeling would prevent; and pretended philosophical historians ascribe institutions and manners which merely grow out of circumstances, to metaphysical principles, which never did or could exist in the actual and genuine history of man. The consequence is, that party and faction are perpetually harassing Government with absolute nonsense. They plate iron ages, and gild silver ones, in allusions to periods of our history, when it is known that neither life, property, nor freedom of action. could be secured by law. A remarkable instance of the ex traordinary mistakes of Englishmen, concerning the main facts of their history, is exhibited in the book before us. Alfred has been eulogized in an extraordinary manner for establishing so efficient a Police, that a traveller might one day hang his purse upon a tree on the road side, and find it there untouched on the next; a circumstance which in the present day would be very unlikely to happen. We know manors, however, where the game is so strictly preserved, that the natives would not pick up a hare, pheasant, or partridge, if it lay dead at their feet, as they walked along a foot path. The method by which Alfred effected his reform was, Sir Richard Colt Hoare informs us, by the extensive power of Courts Leet; to which we may add, Hundred Courts, Feudal Sovereignty, and other modes of legalized tyranny. That these said modes, and the espionage of the Courts Leet, were absolutely as intolerant and vexatious and oppressive as the farfamed Inquisition of Spain, every Antiquary knows. Circumstances called upon the great and wise King to establish measures for the security of the subject; but in the form of those measures he introduced a disgusting annoyance, a slavery of the most cruel kind, a subjection to any neighbour's caballing, gossipping, and defamatory temper. We could quote instances, where the Courts Leet absolutely compelled mothers to remove their sons, without solid reasons for such a demand, from their residences, and many other acts equally iniquitous. In these Courts were practised full as many abuses as [Feb. these mentioned in our author, in regard to the fines levied by the Crown. "Many persons were amerced for making foolish speeches, or returning foolish answers, or for being ignorant of things which they could not possibly know. Stephen de Mereflet or Marfleet was amerced two marks pro stulto responso; Ernald, the Priest, one mark, pro stulto dicto; Henry, the Dean, five marks, pro stulto loquio. The Hundred of Grensted was amerced pro ignorantia nominis cujusdam hominis occisi." P. 146. Now, though we by no means think that fines and amerciaments grew out of the famous Police measure of Alfred, yet we believe that the application of them to matters of purely private life actually did; and that such an application retarded the liberty of the subject for a very considerable period of our history. Another clamour of the day, upon the same " pejor fit ætas" principle, is the waste and injury to the public from the property of Ecclesiastics, as if it could possibly be any other than commutation, whether a landed proprietor was a professional or unemployed man. The fact is, that more than one-third of the lands of this kingdom would have been profitless wastes, if it had not been for the Clergy; that the King supported his Ministers by Church benefices; that the people were exonerated from Poor-rates by means of the lands bestowed upon this learned body; and moreover, that the chief Lords burdens, to which they were themlaid upon their shoulders much of the selves subject. This last fact is stated in the following strong words: "Ye are very much distressed daily by taxations, exactions, and various contributions, which are made by religious men in these days (anno 1346), more than has been usual, and also in keeping hospitality, constructing buildings, and maintaining ditches against the sea in your manors and the rest of your places." P. 171. Even hermits, often mere impostors and vagabonds, became, in consequence of the ecclesiastical profession, which they assumed, disposed to acts of charity and philanthropy. "The hermit of the Chapel of Ravensersporne, Richard Reedlarowe, whose name ought to be known, had the compassion to begin this tower, for the preservation of the lives and property of Christian people, who should navigate the Humber. The tower was a signal by day, and a light was placed 1823.] REVIEW. Langdale's Dictionary of Yorkshire. in it for the direction of mariners by night." P. 192. Among other curious matters, which our limits will not permit us to notice, we find the following. There is an island in the Humber, called the Sunk Island. In a letter concerning it, written in 1711, is the following passage relating to the rats, by which the island was infested in great numbers: "The present proprietor of the island has dressed these rats for food, but could never persuade his workmen to feed on them, though they might have had plenty of them for nothing." P. 265. It is well known that payments were made in churches and church-yards for the sake of publicity on certain days. It seems that "John de Collingham, the Rector of Easington, a little before the destruction of Odd near Ravenser, used to sit on a tombstone in Easington Church-yard, and there receive of fifty inhabitants 50l. pro decimis quadragesimalibus; that is, for Easter of ferings." P. 270. Here we take our leave with sincere respect for the author, who has recovered much of the antient history of an eminent sea-port; a port to which a most extraordinary circumstance is attached, namely, that though it was eminent only a few centuries back, no public record is known to exist of the period, when it was swallowed up by the sea. (P. 203.) 19. A Topographical Dictionary of Yorkshire, containing the Names of all the Towns, Villages, Hamlets, eminent Persons, &c. &c. By Thomas Langdale. 8vo. pp. 446. Longman and Co. WE are happy to see a new edition of this useful Work, which has been re-written and carefully examined by its Compiler, who has personally visited the greatest part of the County. Much valuable information has been obtained by correspondence with the resident Clergy. To relieve the dull tedium of detail, many historical and biographical notices are introduced. Of these we shall give a specimen or two, selected at random: "Appletons, East and West, a township, in the parish of Catterick, wapentake of Hang-East; 2 miles from Catterick, 5 from Bedale. Population, 87. "Here died in 1673, that facetious and eccentric genius, Drunken Barnaby or Barnaby Harrington, but whose real name ap 141 pears to have been Richard Braithwaite, native of Burneshead, in the county of Westmorland, leaving behind him, says Wood, the character of a well-bred gentleman and a good neighbour.' He was author of many popular pieces, as well as of the "Journal." The following monumental inscription to his memory appears in Catterick Church : Juxta sitæ sunt Richardi Braithwaite "Duncombe Park (the seat of Charles Duncombe, esq.) in the township of Rievalx, and parish of Helmsley; a mile from Helmsley. "This noble seat of the Duncombe fa mily was built from a design of Sir John Vanburgh. The character of the building is Doric, the East front is rather heavy, but the West presents a good specimen of that order. Here is a noble terrace, terminated by two handsome circular temples, from which is a most beautiful prospect. Embosomed in trees appears the noble tower of Helmsley Castle*, and near it, occasionally peeps forth part of the town; and deep beneath is seen a beautiful valley, with the river Rye winding among hanging woods. On entering the hall the spectator is struck with the general air of greatness it conveys; here is a fine piece of sculpture called the Dog of Alcibiades, said to be the work of Myron; Dallaway in his description of statuary and sculpture, says it was discovered at Monte Cagnuolo, and procured by Henry Constantine Jennings, esq. who brought it to England, and from whom it was transferred to Mr. Duncombe for a thousand guineas. It ranks among the five famous dogs of antiquity.' Here is also the famous statue called Discobulus, which, says Gilpin, is esteemed the first statue in England. It exhibits on every side the justest propor tions, and the most pleasing attitudes.' Notwithstanding the prejudice and illiberal language often used against the fame of Sir contrived to give an air of grandeur to his John Vanburgh as a builder, he certainly structures, rarely to be met with. The saloon here (now library) may be adduced among others in proof of the assertion, it possessing an uncommon air of magnificence. * Engraved in vol. LXXVIII. p. 201. 142 REVIEW. Langdale's Dictionary of Yorkshire. It is 87 feet long, and 20 broad, thrown in- Attend my Muse, inspire the artless strains, Indulge no more the Poet's rapt'rous theme, stream; Twickenham's cool grot, or Chiswick's shady Hill; Here Art and Nature join their friendly aid, coarse, With all Palladio's ease, and Vanburgh's force; Within whose walls immortal Shakspeare shines, In Garrick's action, and in Hogarth's lines; And all the savage tyrant stands confest: The celebrated picture of Garrick in [Feb. Extensive groves, that, rising by degrees, trees; Whilst thro' the vale the serpentizing flood Falls in cascades, and murmurs thro' the wood: Scenes such as these, not Poussin could design, Nor Wotton's genius form with rule, or line; No muse could fancy, nor no pencil trace; He who'erst liv'd in Charles's careless Court, Lull'd in the softness of that age of ease; Here seems to mourn in sympathy of song; These seats of solitude and calm repose; Amuse your leisure, and employ your taste; At the end of most of the articles the authorities are very properly given, that the reader, who might want a + George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham. Rievalx Abbey.-See it engraved in vol. LXXIV. 613; LXXXII. i. 105; xcI. i. 297; and well described by W. Gray, esq. in vol. LXXX. i. 105. more -1823.] Worthington's Sermons. Prefixed to the work is a good map of the County; and a curious table of computed distances of the towns of Yorkshire from London, and from each other. When the amazing extent of this County is considered, containing about 3,698,380 acres of land, with a population of 1,173,187 persons; and the immense mass of minute particulars here collected, which are well condensed within a moderate-sized volume, at an easy price, we think the Editor entitled to much commendation; and we hope his countrymen will properly reward his industry. 20. Sermons delivered at Salters' Hall, between the years 1800 and 1810. By the late Rev. Hugh Worthington. 8vo. pp. 525. Holdsworth. THE circumstances under which this Volume is offered to the public, are as remarkable as the Sermons are themselves excellent. "They were taken entirely from memory, without the assistance of notes, by a Lady, who was long a member of the late Mr. Worthington's congregation. They have been considered, by many competent judges, as correct specimens of his style of preaching; as such, they are now printed, for private circulation. The writer of this Preface, who can answer for their correctness, has long prized them, not only for their intrinsic excellence, but as a pleasing memorial of the uncommonly retentive memory of a much-endeared relative and friend. Though not given as complete discourses, they may still be perused with advantage, particularly by the young, with whom Mr. Worthington was always a favourite preacher. The above statement, it is hoped, while it bespeaks candour, will disarm criticism." The writer of the present article, though not an attendant on Mr. Worthington's ministry, was in the habits of personal intimacy with him, a slight acquaintance with his very learned father; and in some former pages of our Obituary, vol. LXVII. p. 985, and vol. LXXXVII. ii. p. 188, contributed his mite towards doing justice to the memory of both. Once, and only once, he was induced, from the celebrity of the younger Mr. Worthington's name, to attend at Salters' Hall; and though the particular subject of that day's discourse is not recollected, a sufficient 143 impression of it remains to justify the assertion that he was a pleasing and energetic preacher. Far removed from the ravings of an enthusiast, though his voice was sonorous, his manner was mild and persuasive, and his matter that of a pious and serious Christian Divine. The Discourses now published may be perused with instruction by Christians of every denomination. They are XXXVI.; and if the words of the Preacher are not precisely preserved, his sentiments certainly are; and the language not deteriorated in passing through the memory of the highly accomplished Perpetuator of his fair fame. We have only room to add the contents of the several Sermons. 1. On Religious Prejudices.-2. On the Excellence of our Saviour's Teaching.3. On the Responsibility attached to all humutability of the Kingdom of Heaven.-5. man Talents and Privileges.-4. On the ImFaith in an unseen Saviour.-6. Our Saviour's Dying Prayer for his Persecutors.→→ 7. The Thief on the Cross.-8. On the Restoration of the Jews.-9. On a Future State.-10. On the future Happiness of the Righteous.-11. Character of David.12. On the Conduct of Christ prior to his public Ministry.—13, 14, 15, 16, 17. Five Lectures on the Acts of the Apostles.— 18. Character of Esther.-19. The Connexion between the Abrahamic and Christian Covenants.-20, 21. On the Reverence due to our Saviour.-22. The Goodness of God in the moral world.-23. The Mode of the Christian Dispensation best suited to the state of Man.-24. The Suffi ciency of Scripture Evidence.-25. Compa-` rative View of the Offices of Christ.-26. On the Wisdom of our Saviour's Parables.27. Raising the Widow's Son.-28. Causes of the Rejection of Christ by the Jews.29. The Duty of Thanksgiving.-30. Elisha and the Widow of Sarepta.-31. On the Lord's Supper.-32, 33. Rules for studying the Epistles. -34. The Gospel a hidden Treasure.-35. Ingratitude for a benevolent Miracle.-36. The Blessings of Peace." |