The glories of the painter, we see in the canvass, which his art has adorned with the forms and the colours of nature; those of the sculptor, we behold in the marble or the bronze, which his hand has modelled into the shape, and almost inspired with the life, of breathing and animated existence; and where are we to look for the honours of the instructor, but in the minds, which he has cultivated and improved, or in the characters, which he has contributed to form to excellence, moral and intellectual? As the clarissimum sui monumentum, this and the few remaining pages are devoted to short biographical notices of those pupils of Dr. Parr, who have reflected lustre on his name, as their preceptor, by their talents or their learning; by the distinguished reputation they have acquired, or by the elevated stations to which they have attained.
Commencing with the “worthies of Stanmore:” pre-eminent among
these, was William
Julius; of whom it is high praise to say that he was captain of the school,
at a time, when that honour could have been won only by extraordinary deserts and
extraordinary exertions. “He was a most excel-
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Of the high-minded, richly-endowed, but most ill-fated Joseph Gerrald, the second in the scale of merit, the melancholy story has already been told.1 Here, therefore, it is only necessary to add that, while at Stanmore, he shone, a star of splendour, amidst a constellation of young men, of whom some were eminently distinguished by their intellectual powers and attainments. Mr. Maurice pronounces him to have been “an incomparable scholar;” and mentions, as no small proof of his proficiency in Greek learning, that in the representation of the Œdipus Tyrannus of Sophocles, “he went eloquently through a part of eight or nine hundred lines, without a pause or a blunder!”
Another name, which stood high in the scale of honourable distinction at Stanmore, was that of Walter Pollard; who, like the friend of Sir Philip Sidney, wished above all to be known to posterity, as the intimate and beloved associate of
1 Vol. i. chap. 22. |
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But amidst the delights of interesting study and dignified society, at the
end of the third year, he was painfully surprised, and almost overwhelmed, by intelligence
of the entire destruction of his fathers estate, and the total ruin of the family fortunes,
by one of those dreadful hurricanes, so frequent in the West Indies. Obliged immediately
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On his arrival in his native country, he was received with sincere welcome by his two noble friends, Lords Hardwicke and Abercorn; and, in no long time, chiefly by their influence, he obtained from Mr. Pitt the appointment of Comptroller of the Exchequer. Thus placed in a situation exactly suited to his wishes, he passed the remainder of his days, in the enjoyment of ease united with dignity, in the pleasing interchange of active duty and retired study; and in the possession of those greatest and purest of delights, which virtuous friendship affords. He closed an honourable course, remarkably chequered with the good and the evil of life, towards the end of the year 1818.1
Thomas Maurice, a name so often referred to in the earlier parts of these volumes, received the first part of his education at Christ’s Hospital. But on the death of his father, many years master of the school, belonging to the same foundation at Hertford, the son was removed to Mr. Wesley’s seminary at Kingswood, near Bristol, by the direc-
1 “Stephani Ciceronianum Lexicon. Exdono juvenis optimi doctissimique G. Pollard 7. Cal. April, 1783. S. P.”—Bibl. Parr. p. 266. |
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Thus released from unjust controul, though with the loss of almost all his paternal inheritance, Mr. Maurice left Kingswood; and having fixed his choice on the clerical profession, it was at length determined by his friends to send him for the completion of his education to Stanmore School. Of his first introduction to Dr. Parr, he has himself given the following account:—
“When, according to previous appointment, we met, I was neither terrified by his quick, penetrating glance, nor dismayed by the awful magnitude of his wide, overshadowing wig. I felt, however, degraded in the presence of so great a scholar. I repeated the tale of my early calamities, and ingenuously confessed my profound ignorance. His answers were, in a high degree, candid and consoling; and having been shown some specimens of my poetic talent, he honoured them with a gratifying but guarded eulogy.”2
Almost from his first arrival at Stanmore, Mr. Maurice had the good fortune to engage the particular notice of Dr. Parr; by whom, not only were
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From Stanmore, at the age of nineteen, Mr. Maurice removed to Oxford; and by the direction of Dr. Parr, was entered of University College, and placed under the tuition of Mr. Scott, now Lord Stowell. But though removed from the immediate inspection, Mr. Maurice was not withdrawn from the kind and almost paternal cares, of his late preceptor; who still watched and guided him, in his conduct; still directed and animated him, in his studies; and still continued to impart, out of no abundant resources, the pecuniary aid, which his necessities called for. Thus Dr. Parr writes to him in a letter, dated Stanmore, Feb. 10, 1775.
“Maurice—Among your
numerous well-wishers, there is not one who thinks of you more favourably, or feels for
your interests a greater anxiety, than myself. You have now an opportunity of pursuing
your studies vigorously, under the arrange
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At Oxford, Mr. Maurice proceeded to
his degree of B.A.; and being soon afterwards ordained by Bishop Lowth, he entered upon the duties of the sacred office, as curate of
Woodford, in Essex. Though his literary labours were immense; and though his zeal in the
cause of high-orthodoxy and ultra-loyalty was ardent and active; yet the rewards, he
received, were scarcely commensurate with his fair and reasonable expectations. The most
auspicious period of his life was about the year 1800; when he obtained the vicarage of
Worm Leighton, in Warwickshire, the office of assistant librarian to the British Museum,
and the governmental pension, which had been formerly bestowed on the poet Cowper. The latter portion of his life was grievously
embittered by a
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Mr. Maurice’s publications were numerous. As a
poet, he obtained considerable applause in his day. But he is chiefly known to the present
public as the author of “Indian
Antiquities,” in 7 vols, and the “History of Hindostan,” in 6 vols. In these works
vast labours and wide research are every where conspicuous; and the composition, in
general, is powerful and splendid; but not often chaste or elegant. The author has brought
together a rich variety and abundance of materials; but in the art of compression, and in
the skill of arrangement, he is extremely deficient. In his pages, fanciful conjecture too
often takes the place of historical fact; rhetoric is too much employed instead of
reasoning; large conclusions are drawn from scanty premises; and the strength of assertion
far exceeds the weight of evidence. But the greatest fault of all is, the avowed adoption
of a pre-conceived system, and the determined adherence to it, from the commencement,
through the whole progress of the work: since, in such a case, the danger is extreme, of
perverting language, of distorting appearances, and misrepresenting facts, in order to
support a favourite theory. Perhaps a more lamentable instance of learning and genius,
bewildered and lost in the deceitful mazes of hypothesis, has been rarely seen than in the
“Indian
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Of Mr. Maurice, as a man and an author, the opinion entertained by his preceptor was upon the whole favourable: and gratifying indeed to the pupil, if he had survived, would have been the testimony which Dr. Parr placed among the sacred records of his Last Will; and expressed in these terms—“I have long admired him for his fertile and lively imagination; for his various, and many of them profound researches; and for his open and generous heart.” On his part, Mr. Maurice has recorded his sentiments of esteem and gratitude towards one of his first and best friends, in several of his publications: and amongst other instances, may be noticed, the following inscription on one of the plates in the “Indian Antiquities:”—“To the Rev. S. Parr, LL.D., my preceptor in youth, my firm friend in more advanced life, this plate, in grateful testimony of science acquired and talents improved, is respectfully inscribed by T. M.”
But a favourable opinion of the author, and, to a certain extent, of the
works on which his literary fame principally rests, did not prevent Dr. Parr from perceiving all their great and glaring
defects. Besides the want of order and method, of which all Mr.
Maurice’s readers complain, Dr. Parr could not
approve of the hypothetical principles on which so much of his principal work is written;
and he thought that in his main object the author had entirely failed. Like Sir William Jones, he could not but gaze with wonder, or
smile in derision, at the idea of seeking support for the great leading
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In recording, among the pupils of Dr. Parr at Stanmore, the name of William Beloe, what has been before alluded to must now be distinctly told;3 and told it cannot be without shame and grief, that the last act of his life was an unworthy act of injustice and ingratitude. In his “Sexagenarian,” printed in his lifetime, but published after his death,4 he has put forth, in too many of its pages, insinuations of spleen and tales of scandal, tending to wound the feelings, or to sully the fame, of many honourable and virtuous men; and among these he has rudely and wrongfully assailed the character of one of his earliest and one of his best friends, Dr. Parr. To him, coming from such a hand, cruel, indeed, was such a blow. For “what would be slighted from an enemy, and then
1 Letter from Bishop Horsley to Mr. Maurice. Mem. part ii. p. 178. 2 “Elements of Theology,” vol. ii. p. 74. 3 Vol. i. p. 75. 4 “Beloe’s Sexagenarian, or the Recollections of a Literary Life,” 2 vols. |
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In this unhappy publication, Mr. Beloe holds out, under the offensive name of “Orbilius,” the most unfavourable representations of that distinguished master, “under whose care,” he yet acknowledges, “that he became a good scholar,”1 and, “by whose exertions the foundations of his literary character were laid.”1 Sometimes by sly insinuation, at others by open assertion, Mr. Beloe imputes to him shameful capriciousness and cruelty in the exercise of his authority; though in direct contradiction to the uniform testimony of his pupils; scarcely excepting Mr. Beloe himself, whom the force of truth compels thus to speak:—“I cannot say that he was ill-humoured.”3 But besides general invective, there is one specific charge, which may seem to require particular notice.
It appears that some “very reprehensible act of indelicacy had been perpetrated in the school;” and that Mr. Beloe was unjustly suspected of being the guilty person; though, as he himself adds, when questioned, “he was so perplexed and agitated that he must have appeared guilty to every one but the real culprit.”4 This unfounded suspicion, however, according to his own statement, was accompanied with no direct charge, and was followed by no threatened or inflicted punishment; full justice was afterwards done to him; and honourable atonement was offered and accepted.
1 Shakspeare. 2 Beloe’s Sex. vol. i. p. 19. 3 Ibid. p. 25. 4 Ibid. vol. i. p. 23. |
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It is not easy to conceive a more palpable case of “complaint without reason,” or “malice without cause,” than that which Mr. Beloe has here made out against himself. The true secret, however, of this mighty and immortal hate, may probably be discovered in the following statement of a fact, which he has thought proper to conceal: but which, in an article written by Archdeacon Butler,2 has since been revealed.
Whilst at Stanmore School, so much was young Beloe the object of general dislike, amounting even to abhorrence, that “a deputation from the fifth and sixth forms waited on the master to represent the general wish of the school that this boy should be removed.” After listening to facts, and weighing consequences, Dr. Parr, in a private communication with the boy’s father, advised him “to withdraw his son from a situation, in which it was evidently impossible he should continue.” This, in all probability, was the real injury, “in-
1 Odium in longum jaciens. 2 Monthly Review, February, 1818. |
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Soon after leaving Stanmore, under these discreditable circumstances, Mr. Beloe went to Cambridge, and was admitted at Bennet College. But, even here, so great were the faults of his temper, that, as he himself relates, in no long time he was proscribed from all friendly intercourse with his fellow-collegians; or, to use his own expressive words, “he was avoided as a dangerous malignant.”1 Thus, left in a great measure to himself,
1 Beloe’s Sexagenarian, vol. i. p. 34. |
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Early in 1800, Mr. Beloe was chosen assistant teacher, under Dr. Parr, of Norwich School. Here he continued three years, “steadily performing the duties of his office:” and, with a look of complacency, and a manner of civility, but with no heart of love, holding daily communications with one, “to whom,” as he says, “the greatest scholars of the day bowed their heads; whose learning was alike various and profound; whose intellectual powers were bounded by no ordinary limits; whose conversation could not fail to be instructive; and whose friendship was by many considered as synonymous with patronage.”1—In that friendship, Mr. Beloe, at least, found patronage: and his present appointment as the first-fruits of it, he owed to the kind intercessions of one, whom living he hated, and dying he defamed.
In 1803 Mr. Beloe removed to London; and, within the space of a few years, he obtained the
1 Sexagenarian, vol. i. p. 169. |
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Mr Beloe’s works are, a “Translation of Herodotus,” 4
vols. 8vo.—“A Translation of Aulus
Gellius,” of which the long and the learned preface was furnished by
Dr. Parr: and this is another instance of that
kindness, which Mr. Beloe received without gratitude; or at least with
gratitude, not powerful enough to subdue the resentful feelings, which he concealed and
cherished in his mind, to the last moment of life. He was also one of the original
projectors of the “British
Critic;” and, in conjunction with Archdeacon
Nares, conducted it to its forty-second number, when he resigned it to
others. Here, also, he obtained much valuable assistance from Dr.
Parr. “Anecdotes of
Literature and Scarce Books,” was another considerable work; in which,
however, Mr. Beloe promised more than he performed: and the public
expectation was consequently much disappointed. To this catalogue remains to be added
Mr. Beloe’s last work, “The Sexagenarian:” concerning which
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If the account in the preceding paragraphs could not be written, without strong feelings of regret—it is with unalloyed sentiments of pleasure, that the writer proceeds to record, among the pupils of Dr. Parr, the honourable names of Nathaniel and Henry Alexander, and their cousin Monsey Alexander, nephew of James Dupré
1 “Beloe’s Sexagenarian.—Dr. Parr is compelled to record the name of Beloe as an ingrate and a slanderer. The worthy and enlightened Archdeacon Nares disdained to have any concern in this infamous work. The Rev. Mr. Rennel, of Kensington, could know but little of Beloe. But having read his slanderous book, Mr. Rennel, who is a sound scholar, an orthodox clergyman, and a most animated writer, would have done well not to have written a sort of postscript. From motives of regard and respect for Beloe’s amiable widow, Dr. Parr abstained from refuting Beloe’s wicked falsehoods; but Dr. Butler of Shrewsbury repelled them very ably in the Monthly Review. S. P.—Bibl. Parr. p. 393. 2 Monthly Review, February, 1818. |
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Among the Stanmorian scholars, deserving of honourable mention, were the
three sons of the
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Two names of great respectability next occur, in those of Charles and James Graham, sons of the late excellent Dr. Graham, of Netherby, in Cumberland—whose ample fortune was devoted, in no scanty portion, to the noblest purposes of diminishing the ills of life, and increasing the sum of human happiness. He died early in 1782; and was followed to his grave, within only a few days, by the elder of his accomplished sons, just after his marriage, and at the moment of his accession to one of the largest estates in his native country. The survivor is the present Sir James R. Graham, Bart., the present member for Carlisle.
Martin Madan is another
name, not unworthy to be recorded among the distinguished scholars of Stanmore. He was the
son of the celebrated preacher at the Lock Hospital
in London, who is
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Of Dr. Thomas
Monro, one of his highly-respected pupils, the learned preceptor has
himself expressed all he thought, in a public discourse, delivered on one of the most
interesting and important occasions of public charity, which occur in the metropolis.
Having spoken of mental disease, as one of the most awful visitations of Providence, and,
therefore, as one of the justest objects of human compassion, he thus proceeds,
“Pardon me, my hearers, if, speaking upon this subject, I give vent to my
feelings; and pay a just tribute of praise to the learning, wisdom, integrity, and
humanity of that excellent person, who was once my scholar, and is now physician of
your hospital.” On leaving Stanmore, at the end of 1776, Dr.
Monro went to Oxford, and entered of Oriel College. Here, under the
direction of his tutor, the late Provost, the Rev. Dr.
Eveleigh, of whom he reverently speaks as a most excellent man, he pursued
his studies with a view to the profession which he had chosen. Thence he removed to London,
where he fixed his residence; and where, for the long space of forty
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Three names next occur in the list, with which the writer has been furnished, worthy to be respectfully noticed among the Stanmorian scholars. The first is that of John Wright, whom Dr. Parr designates as “his learned and highly-esteemed pupil,” and who is the author of a volume of Latin poetry; the second, that of William Cuninghame, now of Enterkine, in North Britain, and the author of a work entitled the “Principles of the Constitution of Government;” and the third, that of Adam Askew, son of the celebrated Dr. Askew; to whom, as one of his earliest and best friends and patrons, Dr. Parr ever felt and acknowledged the most important obligations.
The catalogue of distinguished Stanmorian names is not yet closed. The
following still remain to be added—alas! that the whole addition should be in the
melancholy form of an obituary! Thomas
Charles Fountayne, son of the Dean of
York, who died, whilst pursuing his studies at Cambridge—George Downing, afterwards a
conveyancer of eminence in London, who died from over-exertion, in discharging his duty as
one of the Light-Horse Volunteers—Richard Birch, who held an honourable post at
Bengal, where he died, a victim to the climate—Thomas Norbury Kirby, afterwards president of the
council in his native island of Antigua; where he died full of honours,
| 412 | MEMOIRS OF THE |
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