On settling at Hatton, Dr. Parr found, in his immediate neighbourhood, some agreeable society, especially in the family of the Brees, who have been seated, it is said, almost from the time of the Conquest, in the adjacent hamlet of Beausale, where they still possess a family-house, and a small estate.
But, among his parishioners, there was one, who soon attracted, in a
particular manner, his notice, and who afterwards obtained a high place in his esteem and
his friendly regards. This was a young female, Miss Hannah
Wilson, the daughter of a respectable farmer, handsome in person, engaging
in manners; possessing more than a common share of vivacity and vigour of understanding. To
the mental and moral improvement of this “interesting young person,” as
Dr. Parr often described her, his cares were
studiously directed; and he was accustomed to speak, with pride and pleasure, of the
progress of her mind, and the opening excellencies of her character. He took delight in
guiding the course of her reading; and in communicating useful information, and calling
forth
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At one time, he designed her, in his thoughts and wishes, for the wife of a celebrated professor, and the fellow of a college at Oxford, who was one of her admirers. But, in this instance, the impulse of affection would not obey the dictation of friendship, nor listen even to the suggestions of ambition, which might have been sufficiently gratified by an alliance with a man, high in literary fame, and rising prosperously in ecclesiastical wealth and dignity. She was afterwards married to Mr. Bellamy, a substantial yeoman, living at Hazeley House, in the neighbouring parish; and, at a subsequent period, some years after his death, she was a second time married, to John Edwards, Esq., of Stank Hill, near Warwick, and one of the aldermen of that borough.
In her house, at Hazeley, Dr. Parr always found the comforts of another home, and, in herself, the kind attentions of an affectionate friend. By her opinion he was often influenced; by her conversation he was always cheered and enlivened; and though in some of his later years she was divided
1 This lady often describes, with great pleasure and animation, her first introduction, by Dr. Parr, to some of those great men who have enlightened, adorned, and benefited the world. As thus: “Here, Mrs. Bellamy!” said Dr. Parr, “Mr. Porson; incomparably the first scholar on the earth! shake hands with him!” Thus again: “Here! I introduce to you Mr. Bentham: look at the greatest man, you ever saw! and shake hands with him!” |
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Within the distance of two miles from Hatton-parsonage is Grove Park, the seat of the noble family of the Dormers, with whom Dr. Parr was always on terms of friendly and neighbourly intimacy. They were a Catholic family; yet his esteem was increased, rather than lessened by that faithful adherence to the religion of their forefathers, for which the injustice of British law, and the jealousy of Protestant ascendency have doomed them to perpetual exclusion from some of the dearest rights of Englishmen and English peers. At their venerable mansion, known even so long ago as the reign of Edward III. by the name of “La Grave,” Dr. Parr was a frequent guest. Indeed he went thither, without any previous notice, in his ordinary costume, as often as he wished for the enlivening influence of a little cheering conversation; and he freely used the privilege of a neighbour, in borrowing books, pamphlets, and newspapers, whenever they were desired or wanted.
Charles, the eighth Lord Dormer, who died in
1 To this lady the writer has already acknowledged much obligation for many valuable communications on the subject of these Memoirs; and the reader may, perhaps, peruse them with greater confidence when he is told, that almost every page, especially of the second volume, has been compared with her vivid recollections; and by them, for the most part, corrected or confirmed. |
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At Wootton-Wawen, about four miles from Hatton, long lived, and, in a good
old age, died, the Rev. Daniel Gaches, for
thirty-eight years vicar of that parish. His father, having somewhat extravagantly
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Though somewhat stern in his manner, and severe in his reproaches, when he thought reproach deserved, Mr. Gaches was a kind friend, a hospitable neighbour, and an instructive and agreeable companion. Among his intimate associates were the late Sir Vicary Gibbs and Sir James Mansfield. In the general intercourse of society he appeared the polished gentleman; and in the discharge of his official duties, he approved himself the exemplary clergyman. For many years he was an able and active magistrate of the county: clear in discerning the nicest distinctions between right and wrong; prompt in explaining, and impartial in applying the maxims and rules of law, in all cases submitted to his decision.
Among classical scholars, Mr. Gaches
might have claimed a place in the first rank; and a retentive memory, well fraught with all
that the Grecian and Roman writers could teach, was accom-
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Mr. Gaches had brought with him a vast accumulation
of Grecian and Roman lore, from Eton and from Cambridge, into the rural village of Wootton;
where it was too often suffered to gather rust from disuse. In about the thirtieth year of
his secluded life, Dr. Parr first settled at Hatton;
and, in no long time, hastened to pay him a visit. The pleasure of two great scholars
meeting together, under such circumstances, may easily be conceived. They shook hands, and
without loss of time, began to engage in a sort of literary contest:
Parr, with the aid of smoking, and Gaches,
who never smoked, without it. “When Greek meets Greek, then comes the tug of
war.” English was almost despised; even Latin was lightly regarded; Greek was
all the talk. Greek they spoke, and Greek they quoted, one passage in succession after
another; so that if Lord Monboddo had been present, he
might have fancied himself transported to his own beloved Athens. In this emulative display
of their literary hoards, the generous strife was kept up with great spirit, and with
various success, to a very late hour;
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σύγε βάρβαρος; Ειθεν γενοιμην αύτος, ουτος βάρβαρος. |
It was a subject of no small regret to their mutual friends, that these two great scholars, living so near together, and so remote from other learned associates, were too frequently divided from each other, not by literary rivalry, but by those little disputes on local and other trivial subjects, on which meaner mortals so often, and sometimes so fiercely, engage. Dr. Parr always, however, held the talents, the attainments, and the moral worth of his learned neighbour in due estimation; and on Mr. Gaches’ death, in 1805, he expressed his sense of them in an elegant Latin epitaph, inscribed on a monumental tablet, in Wootton-Wawen Church, where Mr. Gaches was buried.1
Among the neighbouring clergy whom Dr. Parr greatly esteemed, was the Rev. Edward Willes, son of the Right Hon. Edward Willes, Chief Baron of the Court of Exchequer, and one of his Majesty’s Privy-Council in Ireland. Possessed of an ample
1 App. No. II. |
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At Wellsbourn, about eight miles from Hatton, is still living, at an advanced age, the Rev. J. H. Williams, forty years vicar of that parish, who may justly claim a distinguished place among the most enlightened and liberal clergymen of his time. He is honourably known to the public, by three admirable sermons, published during the earlier periods of the late war; in which a solemn protest, ably supported by the united powers of argument and eloquence, is delivered against the shameless but too frequent abuse of war-fasts, to the purposes of exciting or promoting, at home, suspicion and intolerance, and abroad, the mad ambition of conquest, and the wicked thirst of blood. Of a man, who united in himself so much of the great and the good, of which cultivated and improved humanity is capable, Dr. Parr could not but entertain a high opinion, and he often spoke of him in terms of fervent admiration and esteem.
The writer, an enthusiastic admirer of that liberality of spirit in others
which he endeavours to cultivate in himself, cannot forbear to record the following
anecdote, worthy to grace more important pages than his own. At the time when the fiery
zeal of Birmingham-bigotry was raging in all
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At the same pleasant village of Wellsbourn, is the seat of the late
Court Dewes, Esq., whom Dr. Parr was always
proud to name amongst the num-
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But of all the friends living in the surrounding neighbourhood, there was none, by whose friendship Dr. Parr thought himself more honoured than that of Bertie Greatheed, of Guy’s Cliff, Esq. Rarely, indeed, in so elevated a station, have so many great and good qualities, raising and adorning the human character, met, in one rich assemblage, as in him. Of noble descent, with a majestic person, and pleasing and polished manners, he possessed strong powers of mind, well cultivated by early education, and improved by
1 “Auteurs déguisez sous des noms étrangers, &c. The gift of my very accomplished and worthy neighbour, Court Dewes, Esq., Oct. 26, 1791. S. P.”—Bibl. Parr. p. 275. 2 See another extract from the same letter, p. 157. |
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Mr. Greatheed married his cousin, Miss Greatheed; a lady older than himself, but admirably
qualified to insure and promote his happiness, by participating largely with him, in the
same religious and moral feelings, in the same taste for the pure and simple pleasures of
life, and the same delight in all the generous exertions of a benevolent spirit: and these
qualities, possessed in common, were accompanied in her with a gay vivacity of temper and
an engaging sprightliness of manner, peculiarly her own. Never, perhaps, was there, in the
married state, a more perfect union of minds; and their great enjoyment through life seemed
to be in each other’s society. They could not bear long separation; and from the day
of their marriage, it is said, they were never afterwards, for many days together,
separated. Thus united in life, they were scarcely divided in death. Mr.
Greatheed, who had long enjoyed the reward of
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That son was their only child,
deservedly their pride and their joy; whose opening character gave the fairest promise of
virtuous excellence; and who, in the numerous and beautiful, and some even splendid,
paintings, adorning the mansion of which he was once the heir, exhibited an extraordinary
display of premature genius. Alas! at the age of twenty-two, to the inexpressible and
inconsolable grief of his parents, and to the deep regret of all who knew him, he died,
after a few days’ illness, at Vicenza, in Italy, Oct. 8, 1804. He left one daughter, the solace at first, and afterwards the delight
of those who had lost in her father almost the love of life. She has since become the wife
of the Hon. C. Bertie Percy, sixth son of the
Earl of Beverley; and is now the inheritor of her
grandfather’s fortune, and the possessor of Guy’s Cliff—so much admired for the
pleasing and picturesque charms of its situation, and so long celebrated by the fame of its
ancient inhabitant. To this lady, Dr. Parr
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Mr. Greatheed’s paternal inheritance, which was not large, consisted principally of West Indian estates, of uncertain produce. By great failure in his rental, and sometimes by the want of prudent economy, he was more than once reduced to considerable difficulties. But there was even, then, no unmanly depression of spirits in himself; and no mean servility with the hope of patronage from others. He contracted his expenses, and preserved his independence. He was nephew of the last Duke of Ancaster; on whose decease, in 1809, he had reason to expect some accession of fortune. But to his surprise and disappointment, he found the only provision made by the Duke’s will in his favour, was, the reversion of a very large sum, indeed, but entirely contingent on the death of a young man, then about eighteen, before attaining the age of twenty-five. Singular to relate, this young man, —— Collier, Esq., travelling in Italy with a party of friends, was attacked by banditti, plundered, beaten, threatened with death, detained many hours in dreadful suspense; and being afterwards released, on his arrival at Rome, whither he went, was taken ill of a fever, which terminated fatally. He died at the age of twenty-three; and thus Mr. Greatheed came into the possession of 7000l. a year.
Early in life, Mr. Greatheed aspired
to the distinction of a writer, in the highest department of
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1 He was also a poet, as appears from the following notice: “Florence Miscellany; a Collection of Poems. The gift of my enlightened friend, Bertie Greatheed, Esq., who contributed to this publication. S. P.”—Bibl. Parr. p. 518. |
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As a member of the state—with all due reverence for the monarchy and aristocracy, Mr. Greatheed was fervently attached to the popular part of our constitution; and he thought the power of the crown and the influence of the peers so dangerously increased, as to require vigorous counteraction, by watchful and jealous care, directed to the preservation and extension of the rights and liberties of the people. Whenever, therefore, the spirit of the town, or the county, in which he lived, was roused to the consideration of any great question of national interest, he was always found in the ranks of those who, whilst ready to support the just and necessary measures of government, are equally determined to oppose all unjust, arbitrary, and oppressive measures, from whatever quarter proceeding, and under whatever pretence, disguised or defended.
As a member of the church—though firm and devoted in his adherence to it,
he was by no means indiscriminate in his admiration of it. Most of its mysterious dogmas he
openly discarded; and all its uncharitable anathemas he utterly abjured. He thought that
some reforms, in its present state, were absolutely required; and that some improvements,
suited to more improved times, might be wisely admitted. But with a decided opinion in
favour of the national establishment, he acknow-
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And here some grateful feelings arise, in the mind of the writer, in giving expression to which, he hopes to be pardoned. When, early in life, he was himself an object of persecution to some intolerant clergymen, he found a shield of powerful protection in the candour and the rectitude, and in the great name and authority, of Mr. Greatheed. When they falsely accused, he defended; when they unjustly reproached, he applauded; when they cruelly threatened, he encouraged. The publications, which the writer thought it necessary to send forth from the press in his own vindication, were all of them revised, corrected, and approved by Mr. Greatheed. Thus, like the figure of Justice, blind to what may be thought natural partialities, and regardful of nothing but holding with an even hand the great balance of truth and right, he stood on the side of the persecuted, though of another church, and opposed and condemned a persecuting spirit, even in the members of his own.
One of the earliest and most intimate of Dr. Parr’s friends in
Warwickshire, was the late John Parry, Esq., for
many years an eminent solicitor of Warwick, and for some years coroner for the county. He
was a man of considerable powers of mind, well cultivated by early education; and
afterwards exercised and improved by some reading, and by much observation of men and
things, both in the discharge of professional duty, and in the general intercourse of
society. Sincerity and
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Among the earlier friends, whose acquaintance Dr. Parr cultivated during his residence at Hatton, honourable mention is
due to the Rev. Mr. Morley, John Tomes, Esq., and Mr.
William and Mr. John Parkes. The
first, during the time when he was curate of Hampton-Lucy, was devoted in his attachment,
and unceasing in his attentions to Dr. Parr; visiting him often, and
rendering all the useful services of a literary assistant, and especially of an amanuensis.
It was he who wrote the spirited sketch of
the life and character of his illustrious friend, partly from his own dictation, given in
the second volume of “Public
Characters,” which appeared in 1810. For many years, distance of residence
had prevented much personal intercourse;
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In Mr. Tomes of Warwick, Dr. Parr always admired the vigorous understanding and useful activity, by which he is distinguished in private life; and he applauded the consistency and integrity of his public conduct; guided, as it has ever been, by large and enlightened views on all great questions, connected with the wise policy, the just rights and liberties, and the true prosperity and glory of the country. This gentleman has since been raised, by the almost unanimous suffrage of his fellow-townsmen, to the honour of being one of their representatives in parliament; and thus they have borne a high testimony of their respect for his public and private character, and of their gratitude for his exertions, so constantly directed to the local improvements, political freedom, and general welfare of their town.
Within the whole circle of his acquaintance, there were few persons of whom
Dr. Parr entertained a higher opinion, or for
whom he cherished a more sincere and affectionate regard, than for the late Mr. William Parkes, and his brother, Mr. John Parkes, who still survives. At one or other of
their houses, in Warwick, he was in the habit of visiting frequently, and always with great
satisfaction to himself. With them, he delighted to converse; to them, he was accustomed to
disclose every secret of his heart; to them, he intrusted, for many years, with implicit
confidence, the ma-
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It was within a few years after his settlement at Hatton, that Dr. Parr’s acquaintance began with the Rev. Robert Fellowes, who was afterwards admitted into the number of his most inti-
1 Nullus dies temere intercessit, quo non ad eum scriberet; adeo ut accuratè ille quid ageret, quid legeret, quid curæ sibi haberet, quibusque in locis, et quamdiu esset moraturus, certiorem faceret.—Vita Attici. |
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“He is curate of Harbury in Warwickshire, where I have often seen him employed among a well-chosen collection of books, and have been pleased with his conversation upon many interesting points of ethics, literature, and divinity. Now, in consequence of some reproaches thrown upon his character, I am bounden to say that I am acquainted with no clergyman in this or any neighbouring county, who is more respectable than Mr. Fellowes, for diligence in his studies, for acuteness in his understanding, for purity in his principles, for regularity and exactness in the discharge of his clerical duties, or integrity in the whole tenour of his life. He possesses only a scanty income, and has no prospect, I believe, of ecclesiastical preferment. But he administers medicine to the sick; he gives alms to the needy; he offers instruction to the ignorant; he visits the fatherless and the widow in their affliction; and keeps himself, in no common degree, unspotted from the world. He has sense enough to be a Christian without bigotry, and virtue enough to be a philosopher without profaneness. He professes Christianity from conviction; he explains it with perspicuity; he defends it with ardour; and he comments upon the temper and the actions of its blessed Author with reverence the most profound, and eloquence the most impressive.”1
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1 Spital Sermon, notes, p. 81. |
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Among the frequent visitants at Hatton, during this early period, several distinguished members of that profession, which Dr. Parr ever held most in honour, remain to be mentioned.
Of these, the first was Dr. Taylor of Caithness, of whom, in a recent publication, Dr. Parr thus speaks: “He was a scholar, a philosopher, an acute physician—and my friend—while living, scarcely noticed at Warwick.”1 Of the few, however, the writer has the satisfaction to recollect that he was one, by whom Dr. Taylor was not only noticed, but highly regarded; and who derived much pleasure and improvement from cultivating his acquaintance. Similarity of opinion drew closer between them the ties of friendly intimacy. They entertained the same views of religious and Christian truth, and worshipped together in the same temple; and their thoughts were completely in unison on all the great subjects, connected with all the great interests of moral and social beings.
A second distinguished name to be mentioned, is that of Dr. Lambe, author of several important medical publications; of whom Dr. Parr thus expresses his high opinion: “He is a man of learning, a man of science, a man of genius, a man of distinguished integrity and honour, and my highly valued friend.”2 Favoured by the kind attention of such a man during his residence at Warwick, the writer may be pardoned for recording, in these pages, the honour and the happiness he could not
1 Bibl. Parr. p. 477. 2 Ibid, p. 471 |
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Nor can the writer refuse himself the gratification of offering a tribute of respectful remembrance to another member of the same profession, now no more, whom Dr. Parr numbered among his visitors and friends. This was Dr. Winthrop; who, after practising some time at Warwick, removed first to London, and then to Tunbridge, where, early in life, he died. The writer had the happiness to receive from him many proofs of friendly regards, in the intercourse of private life; and even in his public religious service, though of a different church, he was always encouraged by his approbation, and often animated by his presence. In Dr. Winthrop, all the qualities constituting the able physician and the estimable man, were accompanied and consecrated by a more than ordinary portion of devotional sentiment; and were crowned by a large share of that candour and liberality of spirit, which ennobles human character, and promotes so greatly the happiness of social life.
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