A second edition of Italy in two volumes octavo had been put into the press as early as August of the preceding year, but the publication had, for trade reasons, been delayed. It came out in January, 1822; Colburn going to immense expense in advertising it. During her sojourn in Italy, Lady Morgan had become enthusiastic about Salvator Rosa, both as a hero and an artist, and had collected many materials for writing the history of his life and times. The work on Italy had to be completed before she began any other work; but no sooner was Italy through the press than she was busy with Salvator Rosa. After a long correspondence Colburn agreed to her terms for the copyright of this new work. He engaged to give her five hundred pounds, and entreated her to get on with it as quickly as possible.
With liberal good sense he sent her as a present all the books that he
conceived would be useful to her in the course of her work. He also pathetically entreated
| LIFE AND TIMES OF SALVATOR ROSA. | 153 |
In addition to her swarm of Spanish and Italian refugees, Lady Morgan had, at this time, an Irishman on her hands: a man of genius, and as difficult to help as all the rest put together. It was the Reverend Charles Robert Maturin. This gentleman was the author of a tragedy, called Bertram, in which Kean had appeared at Drury Lane, and of a romance called Melmoth, which had made a sensation, and for which he had received five hundred pounds. He was not an unsuccessful author, for Colburn, writing to Sir Charles Morgan, in 1818, says, “Maturin’s tragedy has run through many editions, and has certainly made him a great name.” Maturin had, since that time, fallen into great distress; he had written another tragedy and another novel, which neither managers nor publishers would take; and he wrote quires of letters to Lady Morgan entreating her to use her influence with Kean and Elliston to take the tragedy, and with Colburn to bring out his new novel. To those asking assistance and patronage, it seems very hard that they who have succeeded for themselves should fail in their attempt to help others; but neither the success nor the qualities that earn success can be transferred. On the contrary, the ill fortune seems to re-act on those who try to help them.
The difference between the position of Maturin and that of Lady Morgan was the
result of the difference in their characters. That fetish of Ireland “good
| 154 | LADY MORGAN'S MEMOIR. |
Once, when Mrs. Maturin was confined, Lady Morgan called to enquire after her and the baby—the Irish servant who opened the door took the enquiry to her master, and returned with the message, “Plaze, my Lady, the masther says, ‘My angel is better, but my cherub has flown!’”—a piece of “good luck” for the cherub.
Melmoth the Wanderer, and another romance called Woman, or Pour et Contre, had each a success in its day. A search in any old circulating library would disinter them, and they would repay perusal. Isidore, in Melmoth, and Eva, in Pour et Contre, are female characters which deserve to be recollected amongst the ideal women who inhabit the pages of romance. A man who had made such a success ought not to have required any further help.
Maturin subsequently wrote a tragedy which was
accepted at Drury Lane—called Manuel—Kean
taking the part of the hero. Its success was not equal to that of Bertram—which is still
played occasionally. After Manuel, he
wrote another tragedy, which was played at Covent Garden, called Fridolfo. We remember to
| LIFE AND TIMES OF SALVATOR ROSA. | 155 |
He died in great poverty, feeling resentment equally against those who helped him and those who had not.
In December 21, 1821, Colburn wrote a formal proposal to Lady Morgan, offering two thousand pounds if she and Sir Charles would write a work on Germany, similar in design to her books on France and Italy. This proposition, however, never came to anything, Lady Morgan being at that time engrossed with her Life and Times of Salvator Rosa.
If Colburn’s letters and memoirs were published, they would form a chapter in the secret history of English literature. His letters to Sir Charles and Lady Morgan abound in curious details of his method of making “his authors,” as he always styled them, and their books successful. After Sir Richard Phillips, Colburn was the person most connected with Lady Morgan’s literary life; and he was as much fascinated by her wit and grace as a woman, as Sir Richard Phillips had been; but, like Sir Richard, he was afraid of letting his admiration interfere with a good bargain. Lady Morgan, on her side, was perfectly indifferent to all flattery from her publishers which did not tend to profit.
Here is a note from Lord Erskine, who, in his turn, had been flattered by Lady Morgan’s compliment on his style.
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A long time ago, in one of your excellent works (all of which I have read with great satisfaction), I remember your having expressed your approbation of my style of writing, and a wish that I would lose no occasion of rendering it useful. I wish I could agree with your Ladyship in your kind and partial opinion; but as there never was an occasion in which it can be more useful to excite popular feeling than in the cause of the Greeks, I send your Ladyship a copy of the second edition, published a few days ago.
In her search after materials for her Life of Salvator Rosa, Lady Morgan applied to Lord Darnley, who was known to possess a number of the painter’s noblest works. Lord Darnley at once replied to her request for information as follows:—
Lord Darnley presents his compliments to
Lady Morgan, and loses no time in
returning an answer
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The Death of Regulus, by Salvator Rosa, is, and has been for some years, in Lord Darnley’s possession, having been purchased by him, together with another very fine picture by Guido, from an Italian of the name of Bonelli, who had brought them from Rome, where they were both in the Colonna Palace, till the Prince was compelled to sell them (as Lord Darnley has been informed) to enable him to pay the contribution levied by the French. The Regulus was always esteemed. It is believed to be Salvator’s finest work. The exact price paid for it Lord Darnley cannot ascertain, as there are other things included in the bargain. It was certainly very large, but not so much as generally supposed.
There is also in Lord Darnley’s collection at Cobham Hall, another Salvator Rosa, inferior in merit only to the Regulus, representing Pythagoras teaching his doctrine to Fishermen.
There is an etching of the Regulus, by Salvator himself, which Lord Darnley believes may easily be obtained, and which will give a much better idea of the picture than any description can afford.
Whenever Lady Morgan again visits the Continent, she will find these pictures exactly in her way; and Lord Darnley hopes she will take the opportunity of convincing herself of their merit, and that their common friend, Mr. Porri, will be her cicerone.
Lord Darnley is rather surprised that
Lady Morgan should have heard nothing of
the Regulus in Italy, as
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A letter from an old Irish gentleman who had “registered a vow;” marks the spirit of the times, and may wind up the letters of this year.
I think it necessary to inform you that when the Union Act passed, a few patriots, with myself, invoked the most solemn imprecations on our heads if we should ever attend levee, ball, or dinner, at the Castle until its repeal should take place!!! I have great respect for Lord Wellesley. I admire his liberality. I did all I could, leaving my ticket at the Park at Woodstock. You will explain this, if agreeable to the gentlemen of the household. With compliments to Lady Morgan,
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