Billeder på siden
PDF
ePub

eye-brows, are reduced in plans; and every one who sees the picture only, would swear that his lordship is a very handsome man. The fact is, that one side of his lordship's face is much smaller than the other, and less deformed; this side thin, which some call the right side, is what the painter chose. Yet even here the artist could not avoid flattering his lordship, who esteems it a devilish good likeness; though a whole party on be ing asked to say who it was painted for, were unable even to guess; when his lordship broke out in an oath, Why, damme, it is me." A caricaturist, on see

[ocr errors]

ing the picture displayed at Somerset-house, framed a counterpart, taking care to double every deformitystrange to tell, every body knew for whom it was intended. The graceful exterior of his lordship being amply described, the interior was reserved for the Annual Biographer, for his lordship, by means of newspaper paragraphs, for which he pays at least three hundred a year, has acquired some degree of popularity-notoriety, I would say, Now behold the assiduity of Mr. Anonymous, in the first instance, he gives an outline sketch of his lordship, " from a painting by Mr. Parasite, R. A. in the possession of his lordship." He then proceeds to delineate his lordship's mind, where he discovers learning, wit, and genuine humour, a refined understanding, and a heart hereditary noble and munificent. His lordship's taste, (he says) is the standard of worth and genius, and his opinions the result of profound erudition, and an extensive knowledge of human nature. Mr. Anonymous has not informed us how much he received for this

string of compliments; but he certainly deserves a remuneration for concealing that his lordship was hung up by the thumbs in one coffee-house, caned in a second, and kicked out of a third, for defrauding the house of a couple of bottles of claret which he had drank. Why did he not expatiate on the same horsewhipping which his lordship received at Newmarket, and his being dismissed from the army for cowardice? Why did not the panegyrist tell us, that Lord Lugubre shot his best hunter because he was a bad horseman, and that while guardian of a public charity, he appropri ated the offerings of benevolence to his own avarice; that none but Lord Lugubre would have escaped the gallows for his crimes; and that wherever he goes, his vices and ugliness, which are in reality counterparts of each other, occasion him to be pointed out as a man to be hated, and as a monster to be shunned; but that was reserved probably for

"Your humble servant,

"QUIZ."

A Critique on the New Piece of Cinderella will be in the next Number.

THE

MAN IN THE MOON.

"Omnes ordines ad conservandam rempublicam, mente, voluntate, studio, virtute, voce,

[blocks in formation]

"I SHALL thank you to give the underwritten a place in your paper, it is a just tribute to the volunteers of the country."

«

"It has always been considered a memorable and glorious era in the political or moral history of a nation, when its citizens have cheerfully and voluntarily taken up arms in its defence. The most renowned periods of ancient times are those in which this virtue was most conspicuous, and there is such a natural and moral beauty in it, that it has not failed, whenever displayed, to win the applause of all succeeding ages. The most admired acts on record derive their charm from this source. We cannot separate the bravery of Leonidas and his three hundred Spartans from their patriotism, nor forget that they died in the protection of their country.

T

." And when I contemplate that voluntary and universal association for the national defence, which England at this moment exhibits, I am tempted to assert that it does not yield the palm to all antiquity, nor do the annals of the world furnish another instance of the kind, which, upon a review of concomitant relations and circumstances, is worthy of a comparison with it. Methinks it is the delineation of a new feature in the character of man. Whilst, however, we regard the volunteers of this kingdom only as a body of men, who have, on some sudden occasion, cast away the implements of agriculture, and the tools of mechanic art, to assume the profession of arms, we must remember that the states of Greece and Rome also could once boast the union of citizen and soldier in the same person amongst them, yet it will be remembered also, that in them it arose from the very nature of their governments, their education and early prejudices, which principally conspired to this single point; and that though contemporary nations looked on, and feared, yet the philosopher wept that this grand feature of national character was as often employed in the cause of ambition, rapacity, or revenge, as on the side of patriotism and justice. He admired the principle, but deplored the dreadful consequences of such an instrument, when not used in the service of virtue. But amongst us, this general association of men-this thirst of armsthis iron front of war, is called forth by the voice of our country, which cries for aid, and by the sudden inspiration of that principle alone, which is called the LOVE OF IT. The states of Greece and Rome

from nations of soldiers might at any time call up their armies, already formed by vast labour and severe discipline; for the most powerful stimulatives actuated the willing, and the fear of perpetual infamy goaded on the tardy. The whole machine already existed, and needed but a hand to set it in motion. Nor do we even now wonder at the vast muster-roll of France, when we see it inscribed with the names of the vile and indigent, the criminals and fugitives of all nations, eager to share in the general plunder, and of conscripts for whose fidelity the lives and fortunes of their parents and friends are responsible. But, however such soldiers may swell the numbers of an army, or even add to its power; however martial their atchievements, or splendid their victories may be, they do not receive the applause of the virtuous, or live in the memory of mankind. For the most part they flourish only to be forgotten; and, having blazed forth with momentary glare to mark the bloody path of murderous war, they sink into eternal gloom with the world's execration upon them. But amongst us is exhibited an object grander and more sublime in itself, and infinitely worthy in its end. We behold a blaze of military ardor suddenly break forth in a nation of traders-a peaceful and commercial people; we behold the flame of patriotism in one breast kindle the fire in another, and the generous enthusiasm extend itself through all classes of men; we see them voluntarily rise up into an army of soldiers, in general, accoutred and maintained at their own charge, and exhibiting, as it were, the birth of a

« ForrigeFortsæt »