ページの画像
PDF
ePub
[ocr errors]

ISA

EUROPEAN MAGAZINE,

AND

LONDON REVIEW,

FOR FEBRUARY 1807.

AN ACCOUNT OF ISAAC REED, ESQ.
[WITH A PORTRAIT.]

SAAC REED, Esq., F.S.A., was born the 1st of January, 1741-2, in Stewart-street, Old Artillery Ground, in the liberty of his Majesty's Tower of Lotidon, of a family highly respectable, and of considerable antiquity. His father in particular, though engaged in the humble occupation of a baker, was a man of education and abilities very superior to his apparent condition, and both capable and desirous of bestowing these advantages upon his son. Being of a constitution exceedingly delicate, the subject of this Memoir during his earliest years remained with his parents; from whom he was at length removed to an academy at Streatham. One of his schoolfellows was the present Principal of Staple Inn; whose intimacy with Mr. R. was unabated till his death, and who cherishes an affectionate regard to his memory. Mr. R. still continued in a state of great bodily weakness, and for many years of his life was threatened with consumptive symptoms...

In the year 1757 he became an articled Clerk to Messrs. Perrot and Hodgson, then eminent attornies in London. When his clerkship was concluded, he engaged himself as assistant to Mr. Hoskins, of Lincoln's-inn, an eminent Barrister and Conveyancer. In this situation Mr. R. remained for about a year; when he took chambers in Gray's-inn, and began to practise as a Conveyancer on his own account.

Independently, however, of his application to the laborious duties of his profession, Mr. R., previous to this period, had acquired great proficiency in general knowledge, and in particular a decided taste for Old Engfish literature, and an intimate acquaintance with old English authors. Retired and simple in his manners, strict and unbending in his integrity, and without any prepossession for the law, of which he has been heard to say "the practice was intolerable," he made it his principal care to obtain a fundamental knowledge of the jurisprudence of his country; and having succeeded to this exteut, he sacrificed without reluctance his expectations of professional advancement, and gave his chief attention to

pursuits more agreeable to his accus tomed habits, and better suited to his peculiar turn of mind.

Perhaps, of literary characters, very few had read, and fewer still had remem bered, so much as Isaac Reed. His knowledge of ancient English writers was almost unbounded, and his memory tenacious and exact to a very extraordinary degree; and hence his publications (though from extreme modesty, and a diffidence scarcely less extraordinary than his me rit, he seldom appeared before the public otherwise than as an Editor,) are stamped with a value peculiarly their own. The same remarkable delicacy and reserve which characterised him even among his most intimate acquaintances, render it extremely difficult to enumerate all his productions; but the following list may be considered as tolerably accurate :

[ocr errors]

So early as the year 1768, he collected into one volume the poetical works of the Hon. Lady Mary Wortley Montague. In 1778 he printed a few copies of Middleton's curious unpublished play, called "The Witch, a Tragi-Coomodie;" which were only circulated privately among his friends. In the same year appeared a sixth volume of Dr. Young's Works. It is remarkable, that when he was requested to suffer his name, or his initials, to appear in the title-page, or advertisement, he made answer, (so great was his dread on that occasion,) he believed he should prefer the pillory itself, if it were proposed as an alternative." In 1773 Mr. R. collected and published the Cambridge Seatonian Prize Poems, from their institution in 1750. From 1773 to about 1780 he was a valuable and constant contributor to the Westminster Magazine, more particularly in the biographi cal department. He was also an occasional contributor to The Gentleman's Magazine; but of late years, The European Magazine, of which, till within a few months past, he was both Editor and a Proprietor, was honoured with his immediate and particular care and superintendance. In 1775 appeared Pearch's Collection of Poems, 4 vols.; which has been erroneously ascribed to Geo,

In

Keate, Esq. In 1777, an account of the
Life and Writings of the late Rev. Dr.
Dodd. The Biographia Dramatica,
2 vols. 8vo, founded upon "Baker's
Companion to the Play-house," was a
favourite work of Mr. Reed's, and may
be considered as one of his most ori-
ginal productions. Since its publication,
in 1782, Mr. R. had continually inte-
rested himself in arranging and collect-
ing materials for an improved edition;
but about two years since, finding him-
self unequal to continue his exertions,
the property of this work was transfer-
red to Messrs. Longman and Rees; and,
on Mr. Reed's strongest recommenda
tion, the completion of it was under-
taken by Mr. Stephen Jones, in whose
hands it will not fail to appear before
the public with every advantage.
1780 appeared an improved edition of
Dodsley's Old Plays, in 12 vols.; the
original title-pages of which were found
among Mr. Reed's papers, having been
cancelled, on account of the Publisher's
having inserted the name of the Editor:
a circumstance, as before observed,
highly repugnant to his feelings. In
1782, a new edition of Dodsley's Collec-
tion of Poems, with biographical notes,
6 vols., 8vo. To these we may add
two supplemental volumes, athirteenth
and fourteenth, to Dr. Johnson's Works,
1188; a Select Collection of Fugitive
Pieces of Wit and Humour, in Prose
and Verse, under the title of the Repo-
sitory, 4 vols., Svo, 1777-1783; the
Life of Dr. Goldsmith, prefixed to the
second volume of his Essays, collected
and published in 3 vols., by Mr. Wright,
the printer, 1798; and a concise, but
masterly, delineation of his friend, Dr.
Farmer, communicated by Mr. R. to
William Seward, Esq., and printed in
his Biographiana.

To the generality of readers, however, the name of Mr. Reed is most familiar as an annotator on Shakspeare. It is by no means necessary to enter upon a subject so difficult and abstruse as the original text of Shakspeare; but the character of Mr. Reed under this head may be summed up with equal truth and brevity under the four following elegant lines addressed to him by an anonymous author:

To pompous, labour'd, confident, refin'd,
Most annotations on our Bard appear;
Thine trace with modest care his mighty
mind,

fclear, And, like thy Ffe, are simple, just, and The first edition of Shakspeare in which Mr. R. was engaged was that of 1785, in 10 veis, This he undertook at the particular request of his friend, Mr.

Steevens, with whom Mr. R. was joint
Editor in the subsequent edition of
1793, in 15 vols. It is worthy of
record, that during the time when this
edition was in the press, Mr. Steevens
walked from Hampstead every morning,
in all seasons, and frequently before
day-light, to Mr. Reed's apartments,
which were now in Staple-inn, Holborn,
rather than want the advantage of Mr.
R.'s opinion; and his respect for Mr.
Reed's judgment was so great, that he
would not suffer a single sheet to be put
to the press till it had first been submit-
ted to his inspection and revisal. Mr. S.
feeling himself deeply indebted for Mr.
R.'s persevering attention and valuable
assistance, bequeathed to him his own
corrected copy of Shakspeare; from
which was published, in 1803, Mr. Reed's
last splendid edition of Shakspeare, in
21 vols., 8vo. To this edition his name
was formally prefixed; and perhaps it
is not too much to say, that it will
supersede the labours of future com-
mentators; though Mr. Reed's mo-
desty would not suffer him by any
means to imagine, that all the sources
of elucidating his favourite author were
exhausted.

But all these, though no inconsiderable proofs of his industry and zeal, are far from comprising the sum total of his labours; indeed, they give a very inadequate idea of his literary usefulness. The works which have passed through his hands to the public are exceedingly numerous, and the occasions on which he has given his assistance in difficult points of literature almost beyond calculation. Mr. Nichols in particular, one of his earliest friends, and Editor of Dr. King's Works and the Supplement to Swift in 1776, and of Anecdotes of Mr. Bowyer in 1782, gratefully acknowledges the assistance he derived at that early period in those publications, from the judicious observations of Mr. Reed. Many similar pleasing memorials of the obligations expressed to Mr. R. by authors of the first rank and eminence, remain in the possession of his friends, and are creditable in the highest. degree to his talents; and many valuable testimonies of this description are already before the public. So ample, indeed, was his collection of scarce books, so thoroughly was he conversant in their contents, and withal so liberal and generous, on all occasions, in communicating literary information and assistance to others, that, to use the words of one of the most amiable of his eulogists, (Mr. Seward,) his friends were at a loss which to admire most, his

power, or his inclination to assist them."

Mr. Reed's moral character was wholly unexceptionable, and without reproach. His private life was retired, and his general conduct and appearance singularly unobtrusive and unpresuming; but he was ever accessible when he had the power or the prospect of being useful. He was never married; and his health, though the strength of his constitution finally prevailed against the threatened appearances of consumption (a disorder which proved fatal to his father), was generally uncertain, and frequently interrupted by severe attacks of illness. In his latter years he suffered repeatedly, and finally almost uninterruptedly, from paralytic affections; which gradually, but painfully, prepared the way for his dissolution. As a son, he never lost sight of the important duties of that relation; and it was one of the last and most solemn actions of his life, to record, and remunerate, some marks of attentive kindness shown many years before, to his mother. Though his habits were usually retired, yet at different periods of his life he had made three excursions to the Continent; and on another occasion, with Major Pearson, himself also an eminent collector, he almost made the tour of England, in search of rare books and curiosities of literature. Till within the few last years, he was always an early riser; and till increasing indisposition and infirmity rendered it impossible, exercise was to him both a source of health and of pleasure. Though he never intruded himself upon the notice of any, yet he numbered among his particular friends some of the most respectable characters of the metropolis. We have already mentioned Dr. Farmer, the learned Master of Emanuel College, Cambridge; Mr. Nichols; and Mr. Seward, the author of Anecdotes of Distinguished Persons, &c. : but there have been few literary characters of any eminence, from the present period for the last thirty years, not excepting the great Dr. Samuel Johnson, who have not desired the acquaintance of Mr. Reed, and been benefited by the accumulated stores of his recollection and knowledge. He always derived great entertainment from dramatic exhibi, tions, and was well acquainted with the most respectable meinbers of that profession, particularly with the celebrated David Garrick, and the prescut Mr. J, P. Kemble, &c.

With Daniel Braithwaite, Esq.,for→ merly of the Post Office, the oldest and most intimate, perhaps, of all his friends, a gentleman well known to the literary world by his zeal in the cause of literature and the arts, and endeared during a long life to many friends by his general virtues and unwearied benevolence, Mr. R. has at different times passed a part of the summer season at Amwell, Hertfordshire, in the cottage formerly inhabited by Mr. Hoole, the translator of Ariosto and Metastasio, and in the village celebrated by the descriptive poetry of Scott; and so strong was the attachment which he had formed to that place, and so genuine and unalterable his humility, that he made it a particular request in his will to be buried at Amwell, and that his funeral should be as private as possible; desiring, at the same time, that the sum of ten guineas might be distributed, to the poor on the day of his burial, When his health would permit, Mr. Reed was also a constant visitor at Mr. Braithwaite's house in London; and here it was, on the 1st of January last, only four days before his death, that his last visit was paid. On that day he com-. plained of severe indisposition, but was able, with assistance, to walk home: nothing, indeed, but extreme necessity, could have obliged him to use any other conveyance. On the Saturday following he was materially better, and said, he had not felt himself so well for years. On Sunday he was exceedingly ill; and on Monday morning, the 5th of January, 1807, about eleven o'clock, he expired with the meekness and resignation of a Christian, retaining his recollection to the last, and returning a grateful smile to an attentive friend who was exerting herself to alleviate his parting anguish. His remains were interred at Amwell, agreeably to his own request, on Tuesday, the 18th of January, attended by Mr. Braithwaite, Thomas Greene, Esq., and George Ni-* col, Esq., and his relations, Mr. Aubrey Joseph Lum and Mr. Robert Lum.

Me.. Reed was in possession of several autographs of eminent public characters, and has left a large accumulation of curious MSS., and an extensive and valuable library, which he has directed to be sold by auction; and the superintendance of which he has entrusted" to another of his friends, the Rev. H. J. Todd, the learned-Editor of Spenser and Milton. The library of Mr. Reed is particularly valuable, be

cause many of the books are enriched with his own MS. notes and observations. His books, with the bulk of his property, he has bequeathed to a female relation, with whose family he had long been upon terms of the strictest intimacy and friendship.

This last tribute of gratitude, due on every account to the memory of one who for many years maintained the character and respectability of The European Magazine, is offered on the part of the present Proprie tor, with sentiments of mingled satisfaction and regrets and if it might be permitted the writer, he would close this memorial with another feeble testimony to Mr. Reed's character, in the form of an inscription for his tomb :Harmless and humble, diffident, approv'd, Here Reed reposes, near the spot he lov'd. Unpromising his front, and outward mien; But deep and vast the treasures lodg'd with

in:

Reserv'd, but not uncaudió, nor severe;
Silent and grave-but grateful and sincere ;
Honour'd, regretted, by the chosen few
Who knew his worth-and all his virtues
knew.

Meekly he suffer'd, though severely tried,
And uncomplaining liv'd, and calmly died.
He died, unaw'd in Nature's darkest hour;
He lives, where Truth and Virue die no
more!
J. B.

To the Editor of the European Magazine.

SIR,

[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

De navibus ad Trojam appulsuris prædicit Cassandra-Prylis, stirpe Trojana sati, fraudem—Priami, qui He¬ cuba & Paridi pepercerat, timorem deflet-spretis insomniis, quorum se Esacus egerat interpretem.

Video, et dudum, catenam sulcantium
malorum

Trahentem salo, et obstrepentem patriæ
Graves minas et igne-ardentes noxas.
Utinam non te Cadmus in circumfluâ
Quartum ex Atlante misero semen,
Issâ genuisset hostium pedissequum, 5
Consanguineorum subversorem, Prylin;
Propheta, ad optima verissime.

Nuseful to the Public, I request nam nec Esacais meus pater
TOT doubting your inclination to be

you will insert this in your Magazine.

In most places of India, it was long a very difficult matter to keep the ground floors of houses so dry as to be habitable. But some years past, some person of science discovered a kind of mortar, or cement, with which if a course or two of bricks were laid, and another course of good tiles were laid, no damp or moisture came up through them. Formerly the damp went up the walls for several feet; but where two or three courses of the foundation were laid with that sort of mortar, the walls continued perfectly dry. In this country, where it is common to have kitchens and cellars under ground, such mortar must be of great advantage. Any person who knows the composition of it, and will publish it in this Magazine, will confer a benefit on the public.

1 am, bir,

Your most humble servant,
JOHN MILLER.

Liverpool, Jan. 30, 1807.

rorcs,

10

Ab-oraculis abegisset noctivagos ter-
Uno autem texisset duos pro patriâ
Fato, in-cineres redigeus membra Lem-
nio igne

Non tantorum fluctus inundâsset malo

rum.

NOT.

1. - ὀλκαίων-] Legunt alii ὁλκάδων. Sed persona convenientior est fierata dictio ὁλκαίων κακῶν, φuam simplex ὁλκάδων. Μαία, a navium tractu et appulsu urbi minitantia. 4. Kádμos-] Mercurius; idem qui, v. 162. Kaduixos, unus e Cabiris Samothracibus. Pott. m loc. et Boch. Geogr. Nee prætermittenda sunt quæ doctissimè disseruit

Faber de Cub, mysteriis.

5. -loop- Insula Lesbos Isse nomine olim innotuit.

8. Tómov-] Tomurus Dodona mons; cui adja et Dodonai Jovis templum, oraculo insignitum cujus sacerdotes, oi rò un v ὁρῶντες μαντικῶς,τόμουροι appellantur. Eustath. Hesych.

SECT. 13.

Cassandra foretells the arrival of the

[ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small]

train

their way,

to Greece.

I see, and long have seen a lengthening [main; Of snaky mischiefs, dragging thro' the Which, towards my country as they point [vey. Dire threats and desolating flames conOh! Hermes, ne'er had Issa's sea-girt earth [birth; Given thy base son, the faithless Prylis, Subverter of his Trojan kindred's peace, And, tho' from Atlas sprung, a friend [hostile ear; Prophet! whose warnings sooth the To foes too sure a guide, too true a [clin'd Oh! never had my doubting sire in To drive those nightly terrours from his mind, [conceal'd, Whose mystic meaning, from our sight His son prophetic Esacus reveal'd: Had he with patriot-zeal the pyre begun, And sunk in flames the mother and her [her date, Troy, still triumphant, had prolong'd Nor had this flood of woes o'erwhelm'd the state.

seer!

son,

NOTES.

2. snaky mischiefs-] Cassandra antici pates the approach of the Grecian navy, and the calamities to which her country would soon be exposed. It may be observed, that the three first Greek lines are descriptive of serpents hastening towards the shore: under which image the poet expresses the approach of the Grecian ships towards Troy. This image was probably suggested by the recollection of Laocoon's serpents; which, steering their course, as Quintus Calaber speaks, Taw anos, avria Teoins, strangled the father and hus sons. Virg. .Es. L. 2. Q. Cal. L. 12. An allusion to this inauspicious event, which was prophetic of Troy's future misfortunes, was sure to find a place in Cassandra's narrative. v. 347. maido¤p~ToS TÓJNEWS.

6. Prylis] A native of Lesbos and son of Mercury, was the fourth in descent from Atlas, whence Dardanus sprung. He was therefore of Trojan extraction. Yet, when the Greeks landed at Lesbos, he treacherously disclosed to them the means, by which Troy must be taken.

14. -Alsacus-] Hecuba had dreamed, that she should bring forth a torch. This torch the seer Esacus, Priam's son, had interpreted to mean Paris. He toretold that on the destruction of Hecuba and this her son the preservation of Troy depended. But from the obvious interpretation of the dream the father's affections revolted. Priam, anxious to save his wife amb son, was willag tu poutthe destruction, which this dream por felded, against bis concubine and her miant.

To the Editor of the European Magazine.

91R,

N the 69th page of your Magazine

you mention a very pathetic letter written by the Queen when young, and a Princess of Mecklenburgh, addressed to the Great Frederick, imploring relief from the oppressions of the military then quartered on the Mecklenburgh territory. With which letter, it is said, the King was so pleased, that he recommended her to our Sovereign; and from this circumstance alone she became Queen of England."

Whether the concluding passage is correct, or otherwise, I will not pretend to say; but being possessed of a copy of the letter referred to, I thought it might prove acceptable to your readers, and have therefore transcribed it for your use. It is so much to her Majesty's honour, and such an illustration of the wisdom of his Majesty's choice, that I think it is worthy of being presented to the Public; especially as it affords a confirmation of the moral sentiment, that " blessings ever wait on virtuous deeds.” I remain, Sir,

Your obedient servant,
BRITANNICUS.

Feb. 4, 1807..

TRANSLATION of a LETTER said to have been written by a certain great PRINCE6S to the KING of PRUSSIA †.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY,

I AM at a loss whether I should congratulate or condole with you on your fate victory; since the same suceess which has covered you with laurels has overspread the country of Mecklenburgh with desolation. I know, Sire, that it seems unbecoming my sex, in this age of vicious refinement, to feel for one's country, to lament the horrors of war, or wish for the return of peace. I know you may think it more properly my province to study the arts of pleasing, or to inspect subjects of a more domestic nature. But however uubecoming it may be in me, I cannot resist the desire of interceding for this unhappy people.

it was but a very few years ago • that this territory wore the most pleas ing appearance. The country was cul

[blocks in formation]
« 前へ次へ »