William, the son of this worthy, and public spirited ecclesiastic, being intended for the church, was sent to the University at a proper age, where he attained the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Having afterwards become Deacon, and Priest in succession, in 1792, we find him succeeding to his father's living, having inducted himself into the rectory of Church-Langton, on his own presentation, being both patron and impropriator of the same. In addition to his parochial duties, he exerted himself also, as a magistrate, in his division of the county; and died, whilst still young, in the month of March, 1817.

No. XL.

THOMAS SHERIDAN, Esq.

THIS HIS gentleman was the only son of the late Right Hon. Richard Brinsley Sheridan, by his first wife, the accomplished Eliza Linley, who died in 1792. Mr. Thomas Sheridan was educated under the immediate inspection, for he resided in the family, of the celebrated Dr. Parr, and it is not a little remarkable, that this sole surviving member of the Grecian triumvirate* should have been the instructor of his father nearly half a century before, while under-master at Harrow-school. Young Sheridan next repaired to Cambridge, where he was entered a gentleman-commoner. Notwithstanding these initiatory studies, and the example of the elder Mr. Sheridan, who had distinguished himself both by his writings and his eloquence, young Sheridan's destination proved to be the army, by his own particular choice.. He accordingly obtained a commission, and Lord Moira, a friend of the family, happening to be then Commander-in-chief in Scotland, appointed him one of his Aides-de-camp. In this capacity he accordingly resided in the splendid mansion † of his patron: and as he was unluckily accustomed to keep bad hours, the noble Earl determined to expose the impropriety of such conduct in the gentlest, but most effectual way possible. Accordingly one evening he sent all the servants to bed, and sat up himself until four or five in the morning, when this, who happened to be the junior officer on his staff, returned in high spirits from a ball. He was not permitted to knock long, for his illustrious commander obeyed the first summons with the utmost promptitude, and

* Mr. Porson, Dr. Burney, and Dr. Parr.

going down with a couple of candles, ceremoniously lighted the astonished subaltern to his bed -chamber!

It was from the northern part of the island that Mr. Thomas Sheridan selected a wife; a handsome, fine young lady, of a very ancient family, who survives him. Miss Callendar was descended originally from the stock of the Earls of Callendar, but more immediately from a baronet of the same name and family; and by her he has had several children.

His father, to whom this alliance was unknown, at length acceded, with some degree of reluctance, to the match, which, with an exception in point of fortune alone, appears to have been highly eligible in every other respect.

Soon after this, Mr. T. Sheridan became a candidate for a seat in parliament, but failed: so that although we are well acquainted with his wit, it remains to be conjectured whether his eloquence was also hereditary. The borough of Leskeard, so famous in the annals of Cornish electioneering, was the place for which he stood in 1806, when the Whigs were again in power. On this occasion, the Hon. William Eliot, son of Lord Eliot, appeared first on the poll: but in respect to the two other candidates, viz. William Huskisson and Thomas Sheridan, Esqrs., as there was a keen contest, and a double return, a reference was made to a committee of the House of Commons, and the question on this occasion chiefly turned on the nature of the franchises claimed by the votes for the respective parties. By the decision which finally took place, Mr. Huskisson was found to be "duly elected," and it was at the same time declared, "that the right of election was in the mayor and burgesses." Thus was the subject of this notice finally discomfited, not only here, but afterwards at Stafford, which were the only attempts ever made by him to obtain a seat in parliament.

Soon after this, Mr. Thomas Sheridan found it necessary to repair to the island of Madeira, in consequence of a pulmonary affection, and thither he was accompanied by his wife. On that occasion, such was the res angusta domi, that two

noble families (Northumberland and Devonshire) are said to have subscribed 1000l. each towards the equipment. *

At length this branch of the Sheridans returned once more to England, where he acted for a short time as manager of Drury Lane: but it was found not only convenient but highly desirable, on account of the climate, to accept the office of colonial paymaster at the Cape of Good Hope, the salary of which has been estimated at 12007. sterling. His health, however, continued to decline, and he fell a martyr to disease at this settlement on September the 12th, 1817. His body has been since transferred to England.

Thus perished at an early age, Mr. Thomas Sheridan, but a short time after the demise of his father, and a few months antecedent to that of his mother-in-law; in short, all three died within twelve months of each other. He has left a widow and several children wholly unprovided for, to deplore his premature fate; for his wit, his humour, and his repartees produced nothing but barren applause; and as for his convivial talents, by attracting company, and producing late hours, although they served to embellish, they at the same time shortened life.

* It has been recently stated, in Vol. i. p. 492. of the " Memoirs of the Right Hon. R. B. Sheridan, that "a subscription, amounting to 10,000l. was raised by several of the royal family, and principal nobility," for Mr. T. Sheridan, "on account of his loss at the theatre, (by the conflagration of Drury Lane,) and to enable him to visit a warmer climate for his health.”

THE REV. SIR ADAM GORDON, BART. M. A.

PREBENDARY OF BRISTOL. &c.

T HE ancestors of this Baronet came originally from France, and were first known by the appellation of De Gurdon.

The

eldest branch of the family, called "the Muckle Gordons," seated themselves in the south of Scotland; another attained ducal honours on the banks of the Spey, while a third, settling in Ireland, one of its members procured a Baronetcy in 1764. Sir Adam Gordon was born in 1745, a year not a little memorable both to England and Scotland. After receiving a liberal education, and attaining the degrees of B. A. and M. A., he closely addicted himself to the study of divinity, and became first a deacon, and then a priest of the Church of England, to which he was afterwards an ornament, by his example, his talents, and his writings.

If we mistake not, long after entering into holy orders, he officiated for some time as a curate to the populous and opulent parish of St. Mary-le-Bone, which now possesses a splendid chapel, in addition to the small place of worship which then only existed. Soon after this he married*, and retired into the country. In respect to benefices, Sir Adam obtained in succession, the rectory of Hinchworth in Hertfordshire, a prebendal stall in the cathedral of Durham, and the living of West Tilbury in the county of Essex. In these several capacities, he distinguished himself by an earnest and unvarying attention to his various duties : and, accordingly, we find him not only preaching to all, but also catechising and

* Lady Gordon died but a short time before her husband, who entertained so high a respect for her memory, that he left a very considerable legacy to a lady who lived with her as a friend and companion, and resided afterwards with himself, until his demise. Notwithstanding his numerous and extensive charities, Sir Adam appears to have died