1875, Jan. 30. Rev. Edward C. Guild, (1801-1803, 1805-1807) UNDER the title of " Public Characters,” to convey such an idea of the eminent or remarkable men among us, as might satisfy curiosity without gratifying malevolence, was the fair and honest object that originally gave birth to this Work. The first volume was published in 1798, and an annual one has since made its appearance, in a regular and uninterrupted series. As to the question of merit, it would be highly indecorous in the Editors even to express a hint; it is no more than justice, however, to remark, that if public approbation can be inferred either from the eagerness with which this work has been perused, or the demand for new editions, its reception can no longer be considered as equivocal. In the present volume will be found names of acknowledged celebrity; of these, a few have lately presided in high and important official stations, and one is still at the head of public affairs. Some of them have fought the battles of their country; others have adorned it by cultivating the arts of peace. London, January 1, 1804 Memoirs Memoirs contained in the First Volume of this Work. The Earl of Moira The Earl of Liverpool Mr. Abraham Newland Mr. Pitt Dr. Darwin Lord Hood Mr. Jackson, of Exeter The Bishop of Landaff Sir G. L. Staunton Mr. Justice Grose Miss Seward The Lord Chancellor of Mr. Cumberland Sir Archibald Macdonald The Bishop of Salisbury The Duke of Norfolk Lord Thurlow The Marquis Cornwallis Mr. Alderman Boydell Mr. D'Israeli Mr. David Williams Mr. Gilbert Wakefield Mr. Opie Lord Rokeby Lord Nelson In the Second Volume. The Earl of St. Vincent Sir John Parnell Mr. Sheridan The Rev. Dr. Parr Mr. Saurin Dr. Samuel Arnold Mr. Southey Mr. George Ponsonby The Duke of Grafton The Rev. Mr. Greaves The Marquis of Lansdown (Sir George Yonge M. Matthew Boulton Professor Porson Dr. Garnett Dr. Harrington The Duchess of Gordon Miss Linwood Mr. William Cowper Mr. Hastings The Duke of Bedford In the Third Volume. Mr. Wilberforce Lord Hobart Mr. Bidlake Lord Loughborough Lord Grenville Dr. William Hawes Mr. Edmund Randolph Mr. George Colman OF 1801-2. THE RIGHT HON. HENRY ADDINGTON, A CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER, &c. SUDDEN and unexpected elevation naturally attracts the notice and even the wonder of mankind. We are eager to ask what are the merits, the talents, and the qualifications that lead to unexampled success? We are desirous of being acquainted with the road that conducts her favourite votary to the shrine of Fortune; and we pant with expectation to become acquainted with the life, the education, the friendships, and the pursuits of such a man, hoping from these to deduce the motives by which his conduct has been actuated, and the secret by which he has been enabled to attain the summit of ambition. Mr. Addington is the son of a physician of some eminence, who died about thirteen years since*, after * Dr. Addington died March 21, 1790. He was educated at Trinity College, Oxford, where he took the degrees of M. A. May 13, 1740, B. M. February 5, 1740-41, and D. M. January 24. 1744. He was admitted of the College of Physicians in Lon don 1756, wrote a pamphlet on the Scurvy, and another concerning a negociation with Lord Bute. 1801-2. B having having practised with equal celebrity and success. That gentleman, during the whole of his life, appears to have been a great politician*, and to have studied with equal attention, the constitution of a patient and the constitution of the state. Dr. Addington started originally at Reading, where he kept a private madhouse, and married a Miss Hiley, the daughter of an eminent schoolmaster of that place, with whom he obtained a fortune of 15,000l. On this he came to London, set up an equipage, and suddenly attained great practice, he and the late Dr. Heberden being then the two physicians most in vogue in the capital. Having obtained a considerable addition to his wealth Dr. A. retired to Berkshire, and spent the remainder of his life there. Henry Addington, the present Chancellor of the Exchequer, was born in or about the year 1756. * Dr. Addington was sent for by a gentleman, whose son was supposed to be at the point of death. While the Doctor was in the sick room, the family assembled below in anxious expectation, and, after a long and painful pause, a near relation of the patient hurried out of the room, to inquire the reason of his delay. On the stairs he found the Physician and Apothecary, who was a Foxite, involved in a dispute about the India-bill. "Dear Sir," said the young man, labouring with fraternal affection, and angry with the physician, "there is no one in this house denies the transcendent merits of the heroes of Burton Pynsent (alluding to Lord Chatham's family), but my poor brother will, I fear, be dead before you get through the India Bill." The medical practitioner felt the hint, went in and prescribed.—Anecd, and Biog. p. 5. + The Rev. Haviland John Hiley, M. A. of Baliol College, Oxford. He is said to have retired with 100,000l. |