RECQLLECTIONS. * , THESE recollections of a veteran journalist - and litteratenr norai-
-nally go back tothe last century. • Their interest-commences with the latter end of 1805, when the writer, on his own road to London to seek his fortune, saw William Pitt, at Bath,- -Ills reminiscences of London and provincial notabilities' :lei the next If* years, • Fifty Years' Recollections, Literary and Personal; with Obreiiita'aelS-on Nen and Things. By Cyrus Beadier - reihree volumesrrablished by Skeet. during which he was engaged on " The Pilot" evening newspaper and a provincial journal, Mainly owe their value to the tradi- tional repute of the persons, and the manners of the day, so oppo- site to ours though. So , little removed in point of time, rather than to anything important in the Majority of the perions or remtirkable in the aneadotes theniaellies. Wida the peace Mr. Redding went to France, and settled in Paris as editor of " dalignani'S Mes- senger." As a matter Of Course, he saw the various celebrities and nationalities which the Allied Occupation had brought to- gether, and made a good niany angular acquaintances. His .
notices of *en and things often curious will be useful to any one wishing te write an accoilt of the period or form a picture of it for himself. The Persons with whom Mr. Redding was familiar are too historically obscure, and his observation of public events is too distant* strike the attention of the general reader, though they are agreeable and informine.. On his return to England, Mr. Red- ding became connected with Campbell and the late Mr. Colburn, as sub-editor in the vivification of ' " The New Monthly Maga- zine " ; the whole weight of which; he intiMates, fell upon him- self, for Campbell did little or nothing beyond attending to his Own centributions and the poetry. The eight or ten years he was Connected with this periodical fermi- the most ample and varied portion of . the Recollections, from his close relations with Campbell, and the number ' of remarkable persons he came in contact With. The trading influence brought to bear,-- he a.1 le.ges, upon the magazine; and the interference of Others permitted by the proprietor, at last beearne unbearable : Mr. Redding irithL. drew and he was followed by Campbell. They then undertook " The Metropolitan." On the publisher's bankruptcy, the copy- right .passed. into the hands -of Marryat; who took the post of principal editor to hiraself, and soon parted. with Our author. He thus depicts the great sea novelist as an editor and a man- , " The Metropolitan was now Maigned to Captain Martyat, who had pure/lased it: The Captain iinagined he could thltkpars8 everything with it; full of the idea that a good 'novel-writer must be an accomplished man - for such a purpose. He had a gireatileal of that ambition which Sydney Smith aecribed to Leid John Russell, when lie said that Lord Jelin Russell would take the command of the Channel fleet, iftt were offered to him.. Ile had, it. is true, seen much of the world, knew a little of a good many things, and was versatile. The characters in his writing* were excellent,: though Ins works had no plot. We ' had some hard words aboUt certain remarks Of Mine an a translatiou of Juvenal., of which he affected to be 4 judge; but of which he knew _really so- more than of Tinibucteo. Ile wier of an kxerbearing, selfish temper, unjust where his ambition or interest in- _ fered, and did not always ge to work straightforward. I once promised visit him at Langham: I did not go down, for there was ever to me ething distasteful about him; it was irnpossible to be cordial." ' Mr. Redding's subsequent career, from about 1832, has been varied. Re wrote a w.ell-known work on Wines: he published S.- few other books ; and he translated seven ninnies of :Thiers's History. For the larger part of his time, however, he was occu- pied as a journalist:geaerally in the province's. . Daring is public life, Mr. Redding was connected with ninny limn and many matters. Some of the greatest personages-he saw at a distance,—as Pitt at Bath, Fox, Sheridan, and others, in Parliament ; many in little more than passing ; but with several he had a closer relation or intimacy,—as Woleot [Peter Pindar], Precfirford,-Parr Cainpbell; trgo Foseolo. The portraits of such *Ma often exhibit a good deal of close observation, though the kidgment appears to be somewhat biassed by the feelings of the author: many . of, the anecdotes are curious and charaeteristio. The, attraction of the hook, however, consists in the long and in- teresting period over which the narrative extends,- and great number of pohlic characiers brong.ht before the `reader, although the publicity of many was of 4. loeal'or temporary kind. kind.. ' - When the opportunities Of the author are considered, it cannot be denied that a more substantial - and • critical book might have been expected. MT. Redding seems' to have looked at .men so all daily, that with some few exceptions he gives TM rather ha than character ; or - it May be 'that, writing as he appedis lgt:dci from memory; his hppreasiena are not so vivid us they were at the time. This offhand mode 44 eomposition, presenting things they arise in-theimincl;:,kaa,alswintrodueed a good deal of Chia. nologieal aonfasioiCiditl: sonic obvious errors of fart: • perhaps some hearsay Stories thatlind better have been omitted. Aneedfitig, . o:r incidents belonging one ..pgipa are often inserted in a later, um which may anielead a young reader and puzzleevea a coal- temporary. The Recollections would have been betty... for. °Waded-, sation i dirt onlY is- the`-7warratiee '-.6ften too diffuser but it is eon- finnally stopped b reflectione-r-_probably .just, and even tOriekl, ii*, b.n.t. 941-4* 87=19c9keti.F9n-: 4; _. PI ”f urfitWegis nela .f.: nt,9;991. ,4.re-: filf1141969Y,Es !.:4.9 914n.119 , .1". PCT nc. PurnalrAtalin:gerilAil- ye fig9T1-954e4 ;'n inaPP-9.ntrTz ,!9:-WI : Mk° loatre to doubt", potiediyies giat the ty.inters were,* rm.; 0i9 'nun _mqs. 4 e -9 ,-,Y,Fs.,;i.)L. .. '1.44aPR A • 4.eFR .ellA nn.w...99.4.09.1 R.,* .ag.e. ...,: 4 : • - 7 S,or. . --,.; --I:" : . , TAini. in9.t,19-it aotaragement of . les of ; • , e • oniell'ie4.94w-i4.4 it111414 A9 9 ilAtxtneailit I .1 .1 j I ri+.6,Pl'e ;_ .(11.111.0 both TkAliP _ J /1,q YJ:PNA471ePFF . ..,.. : - 4 is Etaid,--Paklaq.liPaTkieft4N-AuitTo.N94%-i cause the mind,- fresh. and undistraeted, throws itse tently, int044.94§erTa;tiqr91.,./.14: Af-11441greieg-9eJli %IT 4t33014F t4 149*(dhat4c4i.IPM1Pgjn7 the 1??4.. i, t9g. tr444,44gige4,46.41741#9.„__ u)4PW-Ovihaq .4;itAq. , 4 . l'N r,q‘471,,e;%;.k.)ii4EILs 413111'90a; to ffeq114.t then j en . 5,A0w414.390wo. ormi ti'e: r4gY.1 . MainPitt via pie -more. "Among many distinguished individuals then in Bath were William Pitt and the overshadowed Lord Melville; the latter under the cloud of his
impeachment. Pitt Was rapidly sinking: * • - *
" The eight of Pitt's person was not calculated to strengthen his cause with his youthful advocate, for such I was then. , His countenance; forbid- dia.* and arrogant, was repellant of affection and not made to be loved, full of disdain, of self-will, and as a whole destitute of massiveness; his fore- head alone was lofty pad good. He walked With his nose elevated in the air; premature age was stamped upon his haggHiard features.' It was said, he had no affection for the female sex; whence e joke, He loved Wine, but not a ethienbine.' As Irecollect, he seemed nearly as tall as inYzelf—in flesh the merest 'Scarecrow, which perhaps made him agem faller than he really was, having by theuse of alcohol attenuated the muscular fibre.- • * * "The legs of the Minister were mere ramrods; just fit, as one Of our comedians said of those of a friend, to clean out a German flute. He soon Went back to town,' leaning Lord Melville behind: Pitt's-figure is yet be- fore my eyes; his legs cased in brown-topped boots, at that time the fashion; the boots sustained by a strap behind from a knee-band of the greenish- coloured cloth breeches, which were Secured by a buckle to the hoot-top, showing the White cotton -stocking, conspicuous on Walking behind the statesman, or any one dressed in the prevalent lode. He Wore powder, and showed marks- of fhebleness. As he pawed; all eyes Were directed towards him; Solitary; destitute of sympathy with his kind-with every- thing. This was not wonderful; final hour avaanapidly'apniOaching. The- aim of his ambitious spirit was frustrated; he might even at that mo- ment have had a prescience of its approach ;- who shall say he had not, re-
served as he was in disposition to all the ? " • -
Here is the portrait of another statesman; taken from -closer ob- servation' than could be given to Pitt : it .ndist have been drawn in 1812, "Among others, at Beltran), [Lord Boringdon's seat,] I met, for the first time, Canning, then in the prime of life, just 'before his departure for the eleetion. at Liverpool. In private society he fully sustained that supe- riority which he showed in the House of Commons, but WO inclined to be more taciturn than I expected. Neat in dress, and not like Fox,—of whom an Opposition paper, I ;remember; once said, Fox came into the Howe last night with a clean waistcoat on,'—Canning had nothing of the itiffnees, arroganee„or.ordinary person of Pitt. He exhibited no . extremes; His evening dress was hi the plainer fashion of the time. _ There seemed tome about him, §oo,,sornething of. the character of hill elosinence; classical, taste- ful, ..candicl, and conscious at innate power, A handsome man in feature, compact in person., Moulded beta-pen activity 'Mid- strength, although I fan- cied, even then, he eihibited marks of what-care-and ambition had done for His--eountenameis indicated -firmness of character, With a goodnatured cast over all. Ile was bald as the first Cresar,' his forehead laity, his eyes not remarkably lively, his features expreasing genius with vigour. In the diningroom or drawmgroont little of that theatrical manner was visible which was perceptible in the deliveryof his Parliamentary speeches. His gait,,aadie paced the man, I avennow see,- :his well-fitted blue tithed silk stockings, end breeettee with knee -lifeldesohe: fashion- of the-day, closet fitting well-turned limbs; his action.easy and .micon,strained, and not that of the late Sir Robert Peel, Who peeinod soniktinies not. tO know what to do With his arms. ' He spoke with a full -elearnitonation-anliabeeriee of affectation. Bight or nine years ;after, -*lien returned from- the Cent- . nest; this iminent statesman had :changed :much in -appearanee. What marvel, under the wear and tear. of political hopes and fears, and that adai.• phy of maiden which so surely destroys. Breakfast at Saltineu used to be 'found prepared for the guests 14 ilia order they chanted to descend from their bedrooms. I found, one morning, that Mr. -Canning had Just-preceded- me, together with MY. Henry Canning; a Merchant at Plymouth, • the Ministor'irconsin, who died a few years ago; Bridal?, Cranal at Hamburg. lie was it-member, otfour.Deefsteak Ciab. The conversation turned uponthose beings of human fears the. &actors:. Zonis jokes passed about their remedies, which neither killed nor eared. tinned' the joke in Eppriellit's Letters- &vitt curing a surfeit' feok'pating hare by gining -the-patient -greyhound-broth.-Mr. Canning lseed 'not, tei have read the Letters, which was Singular,. and was Much tickled at the joke."
In- the 'course .of his provincial journalism, : Mr. _ Redding was a goodreletil, mixed up:with eleetioar:mattersi,..irad.herdidwaeon4e elusions frora:!his experience i not :altogether.: complimentaziy to many electors., !1This- is the: reminiscent's judgment upon a -certain class of : . , "It iS bingaati irt1 a trait for which I cannot account, that the eaae-iinfl; polished Miippe.rs. of the academia? displease a. certain class , ,na of, persons trade,andea:genui Of politicians is,coi*d:Otirely ofh be thonght that 'amenity. ef. Manner, 'and' shritilting sense' af-ntit, bi-' d° to these arokiiid -§e feelin gediailte tither litc-Applauded. 'I datibti 'i4heth , our Manchester politicians :111M stavellsbitcl gentlemanly Masi. 4 4.0etiSt012441 teebtudners,; and %hese arta! whith,rdospite tbinii4,-reaniar.tim :mind callous t°_,.(leitgOMP01401941ri43e,nt.vlelkai,Fg Pili*IFiePref9xePe*,ef:gain: liffty eelnigs. meet. .with Wee. pnleurwardh klieg-term' gres ess' Of . Mental -standard- fa to 111i4 been hatitilited land ifedeat Wiwi& iv. is- Me:vim:1,4dt bnirei we -find title/haste, ; togetit ofteitHegenerates intri'kiets.of .liairtInitteUerdstaken it til#13411.11 „eneet on It tiitia
_..
CO4/4404,144ii :flyfil*tffsii mi.p, 139, firp., 11-7r Law , flk..G1C 445# Alripale-9,,44 a.nrRaz . iYfl*IMA .■411.yRerAue. 9*.fies9, r ,:r.nr1:44.1win9:49349i0T.9 .1lert1ar,:94-i9fl*-,..9PnTnrEn 99r fini:efiri/F4 Antliiff ;TPA tci tea 14: CPXTR'49,POr4 9 E lo )o ;,,a,;%3 bars noras regfflimut , gthan: t}.iii, . ; the worstg 7 *ari that Miey o therp .ti dieys all kind of lanyi''"I'Not the alf, taffi I might have had their masters.' " Pgiti weikr616aietygitlhee4 81aver1nitt' as CerineilM, 4)614 Pei+ 'WON *Aeiattifute,pagmiciiitimabtioli ',04tfh tiird4V tar, at appliodbi tdsh conininnib&tal*a. fatOrna:a table, Madam, a tablWY said "Parr to ja-Ifehi t)it Atom fit *Aupperio UtittnAirion.: to t419.411*; faFifkWilIfij .tf .etigg.tAfei.9f449114iVA ; a-67riMPTzViri,xtituvwt.tilim, 9#5ribriu/rii/ Teti .ST.J7k e 1,•,•■ Pitti do..4-113 iTti%1:ii:rhuoo • •soia .1.e'.1 Itoiers on.11-rnkipp,— TRiking one day. atter &Ian r the necaseaty Itorney. ' eiettieeel -oatttOrtieyWyk kligue0t-plid Wife' fifi 140 000, 4Pcdiq, teoteitiVr 31,) ' 41111-"I Tra'/•110Lul.,ita . ifilrrw* . k .
"tate at • feeling and delicacy ; and :laid tee .sente fts, at
cannot repeat here:. remarked that Lord Chatham declared the King to be capable of the greatest duplicity. He then related a eenverrintion of the
King with Officer of the Guards, who had fired on the nieb in the City riots, lie heard it take place. The King came out of his 'closet, and, first seeing the officer in question, , abruptly said to him—' Peppered them well, I hope—peppered them well r' Everybody near was struek with the un- feeling coarseness of the speech ; while the offiber to i.srliont it Was addressed, and whose name I forget—but I think it was Howard—said, with great gravity, perceiving the nature of the remark, 'hope sour 'Majesty's troops will always do their duty A ',Party of Wits.—" I renminber dining with him, [Horace Smitha and a set of wits, among whom I felt like. a tish out of water. Theodore Hook, James Sniith,._ Charles :Mathews, ;Horace Wwiss. Jelin Wilson Croker, and myself, were invited, Croker Was prevented,: by soineaceiclent, from making his appearance. I never passed a duller evening among ineiLof disuse- guiahe wit. Horaoe VCiSS $cemed as little inclined to be forced to laugh SS myself. tren :IV)* was dull, James Smith, whose after-dinner say- ings were generally effective, cut the best figure of the party. When men eit down to feree wft,.`1Fuocli as you may there is often nobody at home,' and by intending to look like something we look like nothing. Even Mathews, so entertaining in general,, seethed under an incubus' and Hook strained himself so much to exhibit that he fairly. dislocated. his wit. There are times when humour gets rusty, do what its owner will. It is the 'Monte- Deity of the. thing.that gives it the real value.", How 27WIliary,of is .Physician' was lost to 1se New Monthty.--'‘ It hap- pened. that I received a note from a moat- able -writer, Mr. Warren , of the Temple, the year before I qaitted.the magazine, lie wrote me to -offer the Diary of a Physician ' for.onr pages. I reneived it, saw its. merits, and sent it off to the printer, seAled and directed as usual. Not having a mes- senger piing to the City, I tent it froth my house; as I had sent articles often before, that Colburn's porter might take it with him when he next took anything to the City. It will scarcely be credited, but it is a fact, that the packet was opened, Mr. Warren's paper canvassed amorig Colburn'a em- ploys, represented to him as not worth eirpenee,- and returned to Mr. War- ren, Without my knowledge, until the number for the month appeared' when I imagined; till -I inquired about it/that the paper had not come to me in prOof from there being much matter in the printer's hand. This specimen of interference- was decisive. The intercepted paper came out af- terwards in Blackwood,' and it was followed by others equally good. Colburn then apologized,, and said how sorry he was for it. His regret was the greater that .Blackwood' should have had it in his pages." '
'In addition to its character as a memorial of past or passing times, the lecollections have interest as the narrative of a literary life, and that of a kind which Would not have been given, to the public in a direct shape.
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