| 266 | AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY. |
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“Quorum pars * * * fui.*”
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From personal sketching, I shall alternate to a glance at public affairs, in which the “Gazette” took a prominent interest, and to which I devoted myself with much assiduity. With Mr. Vigors, in the establishment of the Zoological Society, I co-operated zealously, and was rewarded with the compliment of a perpetual ivory ticket, which I still retain, though I can very seldom use it. To this succeeded the formation of the Royal Geographical Society, the merit of originating which I claim for the “Literary Gazette” and its Editor.
The first idea and suggestion ever breathed for such an institution appeared in the “Literary Gazette” of the 24th of May, 1828, when, in answer to a correspondent, I wrote and published the following paragraph:—
“With regard to the hint that a Geographical Society
* A word illegible. It seems something like mag! Perhaps magna.—Quære, by Printer. |
| ORIGIN OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY. | 267 |
From the egg thus dropt, the Royal Geographical Society was hatched; though a little time was spent in the incubation; for it was not until four months after, viz., the 20th of September, that the following appeared in No. 609 of the “Gazette”:—
“After your favourable mention in the ‘Literary Gazette’ of the 24th of May, of the hint relating to the establishment of a Geographical Society, I confidently expected that some of your correspondents would immediately discuss the formation of such an institution. My expectations having, however, been disappointed, and fearing that the answer to your correspondent may have escaped the notice of those who feel desirous of promoting geographical knowledge, I request you will spare me a small portion of your columns to direct or recall attention to this important subject.
“No country is so deeply interested as England in the
acquisition of a correct knowledge of the physical, moral, and political
geography of every part of the world; yet, while we have societies for the
cultivation of almost every other branch of knowledge, we have none for the
cultivation
| 268 | AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY. |
“The non-existence of a geographical society in England cannot, I am certain, be traced to the want of persons to institute it: for no nation abounds so much as this country in voyagers and travellers; and the reading public generally considers the study of geography not less agreeable than instructive. Neither can its absence arise from the want of means for effectually executing the purposes, for we have active and intelligent countrymen either constantly visiting or residing in almost every part of the habitable globe.
“As we enjoy the benefit and pleasure derived from geography, and are better circumstanced, in reference to its cultivation than any other European nation, it may be inquired why a geographical society has not long since been established in England? It is simply because no person possessing influence and energy has proposed its establishment. If the formation of a geographical society was proposed, or zealously patronised by a few distinguished individuals, there is no doubt that a society, which would unite the suffrages of the politician, the man of letters, and the merchant, would rapidly become eminent for its numbers and utility.
“It would be easy to enumerate the objects to which a geographical society would direct its attention, and the means by which they might be obtained; but I will limit myself by stating, that I think statistics, the topography of the British empire, and history, so far as it is intimately connected with geography, should be included among its objects; and that furnishing travellers with topics of inquiry connected with the countries they visit, and encouraging them by conferring honorary distinctions, or pecuniary rewards, and by the publication of their observations, should be employed as means of increasing our geographical knowledge.
| FOUNDATION OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY. | 269 |
“In conclusion, I take the liberty of stating my conviction of the strong probability that geography, through being honoured and patronised, would be more generally and deeply studied, and thereby attain the rank of a science, which it should, but does not at present possess in England.
Still, after thus moving the matter in various likely quarters, and stimulating and negotiating, more than a year was spent before Mr. Huttmann, of the Asiatic Society, the writer of the foregoing letter, Mr. Britton, and one or two other individuals favourable to the project, with myself, and canvassed by him, viz., Captain (now Admiral) Smyth, Francis Baily, Lieut. Stratford, Colonel Colby, &c, succeeded in procuring the required co-operation. In consequence of a communication from Mr. Britton, with the first uncorrected proof of a Prospectus on the 8th of May, 1830 (“L. G.,” No. 694), I promulgated the following notice:—
“We are very glad to have received the prospectus of a plan for
forming a London Geographical Society, which we have long considered to be a great
desideratum among our learned and useful national institutions. The Geographical
Society of Paris has contributed, and is always contributing, much valuable information
to the world; and assuredly this maritime country, with colonies in every corner of the
earth, the most enterprising seamen, and the most zealous travellers, ought not to be
in the rear, where it has the means of being at the head of such interesting inquiries.
The prospectus for the establishment of the London Geographical Institution, after
remarking on the paramount consequence of geographical science, and the want of any
encouragement to its cultivation in England (of all the countries in the
| 270 | AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY. |
I made some corrections and alterations in this prospectus, and it was
immediately printed and circulated among parties thought likely to approve of and promote
the design. The result was all that could be wished. The original suggestions of the
“Gazette” were adopted and
acted upon. The hints, if they did not immediately fructify, took root; and, at last, in
the summer of 1830, a meeting of the Raleigh
| GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY. | 271 |
It is only justice to observe, that the parties who had stirred the business to this public demonstration, enjoying the prospect of a fruitful issue to their labours, displayed no petty jealousy on the occasion, but cordially joined, and gave their best support to the distinguished band which had, at length, embarked in the cause, and launched it with a wet sheet and a flowing sail on so bright a sea.* The
* Appendix K. |
| 272 | AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY. |
Frequent meetings were now convened, the proceedings at which I had great pleasure in making public, and in consequence of which above five hundred adhesions were announced of noblemen and gentlemen of distinction in life and literature, such as I never knew combined before at the commencement of any undertaking of any kind. Mr. Barrow in an admirable address took a comprehensive view of the objects contemplated, and the ample means which a nation like England possessed, with its vast colonies and fleets covering every sea, to accomplish them all in a splendid manner. Before the end of the season Lord Goderich (Earl of Ripon) was elected President, and the Society entered fairly and fully upon the career of its imperial usefulness. There have been periods of comparative languor since, but feeling, as I think I have a right to do, somewhat in loco parentis, I take a papa’s pride in believing that it is at the present day in as flourishing and beneficial a condition as ever it was at any preceding date.
In this year I was, as previously told, one of the half-dozen founders of
the Melodists’ Club; but had a far more busy time of it in making preparations for
the issue of a new periodical, which required immense correspondence,
| STAFF &c., OF FOREIGN LITERARY GAZETTE. | 273 |
Our Adjutant-General was Mr. H. Smith, an assistant
of
| 274 | AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY. |
An imposing field was chalked out and a flattering vista opened. Messrs. Longmans and Mr. Colburn for a considerable time debated on taking £500 interests each, but I believe it occurred to them that the task of editing would distract me too much from the “Literary Gazette” (then a very lucrative investment) and they threw cold water on the Novelty, from its concoction to its finale; to the need for which latter end their discountenance, in great measure, contributed. Mr. Murray did not coquette with my proposal to him to join forces, and his note in answer is so characteristic, that—here it is—
“I have not been so inattentive to your former
applications respecting the ‘Foreign Literary Gazette,’ as it may have appeared to you;
for upon every occasion
| FOREIGN LITERARY GAZETTE. | 275 |
“I decline joining in the ‘Foreign Literary Gazette,’ for no other reason than the thorough knowledge of myself—that I should be a restless and teasing partner—and indeed I can absolutely do nothing when I am obliged to act with others.
“With most sincere thanks for your very kind offer, and with the warmest wishes for the success of the undertaking (of which I have not the smallest doubt),
It was, however, the stamp which defeated us. Some of the arrangements
are of literary curiosity enough to be mentioned. In Paris, Captain Williams found it expedient to salary a literary agent, to visit
all the booksellers’ shops from week to week, and collect the budgets they professed
themselves ready and desirous to forward for notice to England. The secretaries and
reporters of the literary and scientific societies engaged to send regular reports of their
proceedings. An eminent “hand” undertook the fine arts. A prospectus in French
was published with Galignani’s name at the
foot of it; as was another in Italian, for circulation in Italy, with the address of
Signor W. Jackson, of Rome, and recommended to the classics of
that Carbonari country by “suoi devotiss. Servitori i Redattori della Foreign Literary Gazette!”
In short Captain Williams’ Parisian arrangements were upon a
perfect scale, to secure
| 276 | AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY. |
Mr. Smith was equally assiduous and successful in his mission, and in all the considerable places he visited, made engagements with such writers for instance as De Reiffenberg and Quetelet, at Brussels; Dr. Blume, at the Hague; got the assurance of my friend, Mr. Bosworth’s best services; and at Berlin, Copenhagen, Leipzig, Breslau, Dresden, Gottingen, Darmstadt, he, &c., &c., secured the co-operation of first-rate celebrities.
I look back on the excitement of this affair with astonishment. The paper was announced to be produced, but how? with already as much, or more on my head than I could do justice to, the brain-seething of the plans and details did not allow me to take into consideration. But it came out, with great novelty of information for English readers, and a very pleasing and instructive Miscellany it was. It would require more room than I can afford to attempt even a slight notice of its more important contents, but I rescue from its sad oblivion a few anecdotes of Talleyrand, which may not have crept out of it elsewhere.
“[Very many are the anecdotes recounted of the celebrated Talleyrand; we do not remember a tithe of those we have heard and read, which, like Lord Norbury’s, sparkle and are partially forgotten; but the following will, we trust, be found to be original, and pregnant enough for a half-page of relievo in the ‘Foreign Literary Gazette.’]
“Shortly after the affair of Pichegru and
Moreau, a banker who had been introduced to
Talleyrand, and
| ANECDOTES OF TALLEYRAND. | 277 |
“Madame Flamelin one day reproached M. de Moutrou with his attachment to Talleyrand. ‘Good God! madam,’ replied M. de Moutrou, with naïveté, ‘who could help liking him, he is so wicked!’
“Talleyrand, speaking of the members of the French Academy, observed—‘after all, it is possible they may one day or other do something remarkable. A flock of geese once saved the Capitol of Rome.’
“On a certain occasion, a friend was conversing with Talleyrand on the subject of Mademoiselle Duchenois, the French actress and another lady, neither of them remarkable for beauty. The first happens to have peculiarly bad teeth, the latter none at all. ‘If Madame S——,’ said Talleyrand, ‘only had teeth she would be as ugly as Mademoiselle Duchenois.’
| 278 | AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY. |
“A distinguished personage once remarked to Talleyrand, ‘in the upper Chamber at least are to be found men possessed of consciences.’ ‘Consciences,’ replied Talleyrand, ‘to be sure: I know many a peer who has got two.’
“Madame de Staël, speaking of Talleyrand, illustrates his character in the following happy and familiar manner:—‘The good Maurice is not unlike the mannikins with which children play—dolls with heads of cork and legs of lead: throw them up which way you please, they are sure to fall on their feet.’
“Talleyrand had a confidential servant excessively devoted to his interests, but withal superlatively inquisitive. Having one day intrusted him with a letter, the prince watched his faithful valet from the window of his apartment, and with some surprise saw him reading the letter en route. On the next day a similar commission was confided to the servant, and to the second letter was added a postscript, couched in the following terms:—‘You may send a verbal answer by the bearer; he is perfectly acquainted with the whole affair, having taken the precaution to read this previously to its delivery!’ Such a postscript must have been more effective than the severest reproaches.”
But neither able reviews, interesting original papers, accounts of
important scientific discoveries, nor lighter matter and amusing anecdotes, could prevail
upon John Bull to disburse two shillings a week for two
literary journals (the Foreign was published every Wednesday), yet the circulation was
satisfactory, but the expenses (including considerable sums for expeditious translations
from several languages) were consuming, and the advertisements did not come in flush (my
partners in the “ould” L. G.
setting the example of retentiveness); and thus, in spite of gallant exertions, we found it
prudent to give up our arduous work
| BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS. | 279 |
Thus we closed our well-intended labours, after thirteen weeks’ incessant application, building on foundations expensively as well as extensively laid down; and my friend and myself, on counting up our comforts, found that we had lost, as nearly as possible, a hundred pounds per week on our foreign whistle.
Though losses and crosses Be lessons right severe, There’s wit there, ye’ll get there, Ye’ll find nae other where. |
So singeth the Ayrshire bard, but whether I learnt anything worth while or not from this experiment, I always flatter myself that it was the best, and ultimately the most beneficial and productive lesson my esteemed colleague ever learnt.
| 280 | AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY. |
The nature of my occupation, and the manifold connections to which it led, brought me into contact with all the schemes that arose, from time to time, for material and social improvement, or ameliorating the condition of such sections of the community as were suffering distress or wrong from the constitution of our revolving system, ever causing mutations, which, on the progress of events and the consequent prosperity of individuals and classes, irresistibly tend to the misfortunes and adversity of others. The general level is, no doubt, maintained; but, in preserving it, it is the fate of some to rise and some to fall, by the certain force of circumstances, and neither by error nor fault of their own. Works and efforts for the common good are almost invariably attended by partial, and frequently by wide-spread, injuries.
The feeling conviction of this law, and the hardships which it inflicts, is the origin of most of the benevolent institutions and charities which reflect so much honour on British humanity, and especially abound in the metropolis of the Empire. A number of these sprung up in my active time, and it is a source of heartfelt consolation to me that my humble exertions were never withheld from their aid to the utmost of my power. I can conscientiously lay the unction to my soul, that I was not one of the kind so poignantly anathematised by my friend Martin Tupper:—
Oh, but ’tis war to the knife man, Selfish and desperate strife, man, * * * * What do they care for your cares, man, Nobody heeds How the heart bleeds, Nor how a poor fellow fares, man. |
On the contrary, I ever took a lively interest even in the minor
propositions and processes devised for beneficial ends,
| IMPROVEMENTS. | 281 |
“In your first two volumes of amusing autobiography, on referring to your editorial labours in the ‘Literary Gazette,’ you, with great truth, take credit for its influence on public opinion, as evinced by many of the hints scattered through its columns having been seized and acted on. You name some instances; you might have taken credit for more.
“I was for some years, though at distant intervals, an occasional contributor to its pages. The few prose compositions you may call to mind were all headed ‘A Few Queries;’ many of these related to architectural subjects. They were all accepted, and to one paper was assigned the post of honour, the first page. I have not a copy of each by me, but I can recall them to your recollection by a transcript of one, which I herewith enclose, and therein you will see the articles alluded to.
“I think, too, it was in one of these papers that the monstrous superstructure then overhanging the Mansion House, in the City, and since removed, was first brought into notice.
| 282 | AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY. |
“It was there, too, that attention was first directed to the utterly neglected condition of the Parks, particularly Hyde Park,* now become undoubtedly one of the completest and finest promenades in Europe.
“You will make such use of these hints as you may think proper, and, with the best wishes for the success of your work,
“Whether Mr. M. A. Taylor, who undertook by his late bill to make steam-engines consume their own smoke, would have any objection to stand any day, a little before he dined, just for five minutes, on London Bridge, particularly on the western side? and whether, if he did so, ho might not by the operation save himself the expense of a dinner, deducting only the necessary charge for a dose of physic, to clean out his inside after the treat?
“Whether it is quite fair to be always reproaching our Continental neighbours for commencing buildings which they never finish, while we exhibit Somerset House (the finest and most central object of our metropolis) with an entire wing yet unbuilt, and thus left for the best part of a century?
“For how many years is it to happen in this ‘great nation,’ as we delight to call it, that whilst other capitals boast of superb palaces for their national pictures, a foreigner shall be directed, when inquiring for ours, to a paltry little house, No. 100, Pall Mall, where he will find them disposed
* I remember a ridiculous con. at the time. “Why are the three parks like single men?—Because, if taken in, they are done for!” |
| IMPROVEMENTS. | 283 |
“Whether, in these refining times, when a cowkeeper has named his cow-shed a Lactearium, the old-fashioned name of the City-road, leading to it, might not be considered obsolete, and changed to that of the Via Lactea?
“Why the great western door of St. Paul’s, affording so fine a vista to the cupola, is never opened? Whether the Dean and Chapter are afraid that, by letting in so much light and air to the church, all the damp and mildew would be excluded? or whether it is intended for the benefit of the bun trade, the little door opened being built close against the pastry-cook’s shop?
“Why the numbers of the pictures at our annual exhibition are so ingeniously placed as to make up just one-half of the fatigue of the day, in finding them out? whether there is any joke in the thing? and where the gist lies?
“When the opening into Lincoln’s-inn Fields, begun twenty years ago, by the way of Pickett Place, shall be completed? and whether, whenever that event shall occur, it would not be a great treat to mark the astonishment of many of the neighbouring inhabitants at first sight of that terra incognita? many thousands having, from its always having been so carefully shut up, never so much as dreamed of its existence!
“What can possibly be the reason that this, the
finest square in England (perhaps in Europe), should be so sedulously shut
up from all observation, as a thing to be ashamed of; and, although within
a few yards on each side of the two greatest thoroughfares of the
metropolis, no access let into it but by by-ways and alleys? Whether any
very atrocious act, any very horrible murder, has brought upon its
precincts this heavy doom, or whether the
| 284 | AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY. |
“Whether the taste for music is not sufficiently spread to allow of the Italian Opera being thrown open to the public, at something like the prices at which it is enjoyed in other capitals? and, as under the present system of exclusion all who have anything to do in its management have been invariably ruined, whether it might not (just by way of experiment) be as well to try, in place of the patronage of the great, what might be done by the admission of the many?
“Why, as we seem at length awakened in this, ‘the first capital of Europe,’ to the propriety of a few statues here and there, one or two might not, just by way of change, be exhibited of marble? and whether, through the smoke which prevails always, and the fog which prevails often, those of bronze do not, at a very few feet distance, look wonderfully like huge heaps of mud?
“Why, amongst the many improvements for regaining land from the water, that great marsh within view of the Royal Palace, called the Parade, in St. James’s Park, might not be advantageously attempted? or whether, as among the numerous Government offices which surround it, so many persons are presumed to be cooling their heels in attendance within, it is deemed but fair and equitable that the crowd should he allowed to cool their heels without?”
These and many other suggestions of a similar kind were perseveringly
enforced in the page of the “Literary
Gazette,” and among others there was no design in which (as I have already
noticed) I took a more zealous concern than in the proposal to prohibit intra-mural burial,
and provide cemeteries in fitting adjacent localities, where the dead might repose amid
beauties of external nature,
| CEMETERY ON PRIMROSE HILL. | 285 |
But death and life, sadness and mirth sojourn next door to each other:
Festinat enim de currere velox Fiosculus angustte miserseque brevissima vitæ Portio; dum bibimus, dum serta, unguenta, puellas Poscimus, obstrepit non intellects senectus. |
| 286 | AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY. |
I think the next matter that occupied my attention was the formation of the Garrick Club. Accidentally meeting Lord Mulgrave in the street (having missed the subjoined and preceding notes*) he told me he was going to join a small party of friends and lovers of the drama at Mr. Winston’s, in Charles-street, Covent Garden, in order to concert the initiation of a club for the promotion of dramatic and general interest of the stage. His Lordship at once put the imaginary shilling into my hand, and no recruit was ever a heartier volunteer than I was. I accompanied him, and 150 eligible members were associated on the broad principle that they would combine all the essentials of a club, limited to 200, with the advantages of literary society, by bringing together the patrons of the drama, actors, and dramatic authors, and gentlemen who were most eminent in their respective circles, and entertaining opinions congenial to the objects in view. The list of 200 was immediately filled up, the Duke of Sussex elected patron, the Earl of Mulgrave, president, and Sir George Warrender, vice-president. Committee, sub-committee, trustees, auditors, &c., were appointed, and the limitation of members extended to 300. Many suggestions of ways ‘and means were offered, but finally everything was left to the discretion of the committee, which was composed of noble
| THE WINE COMMITTEE. | 287 |
Samples were sent in from various quarters, either recommended by friends of the parties or ordered by the wine committee; and it so happened that Grove House was the most convenient place to try and pronounce judgment on these candidates for the Garrick custom. My coadjutors consequently did me the pleasure of dining several times at Brompton, and the specialties of the occasion induced much merriment, and relished the more on account of its difference from the formalities of set entertainments. The floor of one side of the dining-room would be studded with an array of phials, vessels such as anchovy-sauce or catsup are sold in, and bottles such as the parson stigmatised;
Ye gods avert from eyes divine, Such eyesores as a pint of wine. |
| 288 | AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY. |
“1. Light old Port; 2. Stouter ditto; 3. Pale Sherry; 4. Brown ditto; 5. West India Madeira; 6. East India ditto; 7. Hock; 8. ditto, red; 9. East India Bucellas; 10. Sauterne; 11. Pale Champagne; 12. ditto, Brown; 13. Claret; 14. ditto; 15. Whisky; 16. Pale Brandy; 17. Maraschino; 18. Noyeau Rouge; 19. ditto, Blanc; 20. Curacao; and 21. Gold water”—the sum total of which caused my eyes to water (after my mouth had), and a certain exchange of gold to pass from my pocket into that of the acute dealer, who had not, unluckily for me, been deemed deserving of any commission.
It must have been an inspiration of such revels that I bore off the bell,
in a close competition, and linked my fame with that of the Garrick for ever, by devising
the symbol under which it flourishes, viz., the globe and legend in a garter, “All
the world’s a stage.” This was adopted
| 289 |
| 290 | AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY. |
To finish this chapter agreeably to the spirit of its later pages, I have only to add a jeu d’ esprit in which the initial letters stand for James Smith and John Robinson Planché.
|
THE ALPHABET TO MADAME VESTRIS.
Though not with lace bedizened o’er
From James’s and from Howell’s,
Ah! don’t despise us twenty-four
Poor consonants and vowels.
|
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Though critics may your powers discuss,
Your charms applauding men see,
Remember you from four of us
Derive your X. L. N. C—J. S.
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VESTRIS’S ANSWER TO THE ALPHABET.
Dear Friends! although no more a dunce
Than many of my betters,
I’m puzzled to reply at once
To four and twenty letters.
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Perhaps you’ll think that may not he
So hard a thing to do,
For what is difficult to me,
Is A. B. C. to you.
|
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However, pray dismiss your fears,
Nor fancy you have lost me,
Though many many bitter tears
Our first acquaintance cost me.
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Believe me, till existence ends,
Whatever ill beset you,
My oldest literary friends,
I never can forget you.—J. R.
P.
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