ill; and having heard the history of his ail- liam Almack, esq. of London, and a niece of ment, and an account of the remedies em

his preceptor, Dr. Culler, but had no issue. ployed, he entirely approved of what had She likewise survives him. His person was been done. At this time Dr. Baillie obser. tall and erect, but of late years rather thin ; ved no symptom which indicated danger. his countenance during youth was a model The disease becoming more violent in the of manly beauty, and even in advanced life course of the night, a considerable number was remarkably handsome. While a boy, of leeches were applied to the throat early in he was nored for possessing a grave and the morning. Dr. Baillie visited him at 11 manly manner, connected with much sweet.' o'clock in the forenoon. His countenance ness of disposition. These qualities, added was now sunk, his pulse feeble and unequal, to considerable bodily strength and courage, his breathing laborious, and his voice almost gave him great influence over his play-fellost, from the swollen state of the parts con- lows. But, though of a studious turn, he cerned in its formation. In this state he did not acquire knowledge at school as quickly wrote upon a piece of paper, that he conceiv. as some of his companions. His memory, ed his windpipe to be the principal seat of however, was strong, and his judgment the disease, and that this was the croup. sound; whatever, therefore, he learned was Mr. Home was also present; and it was retained, and well assorted; so that in time agreed that an attempt should be made to he excelled most of those who had once been give relief by wounding the tonsils. This regarded his superiors. His knowledge of was accordingly done ; some bloud issued, history and geography, from the strength of but nothing purulent. Bot! the patient, his meinory, was particularly accurate. Few however, and those about him, conceived

persons ever gained, without any direct effort that he had derived benefit from the opera. to this end, so extensive an 'acquaintance, tion. Dr. Baillie saw him again between with the various orders of society. His edu. four and five o'clock in the afternoon, and cation began at the largest school in Great thought his situation much improved; for Britain. He afterwards studied for several the pulse was now equal and more firm, and years at each of the great universities of his general appearance indicated less debility Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Cambridge, and and distress. Under this persuasion he left attended the principal lectures upon media him, having previously agreed to return at cine in London. While a young man in Lone 10 in the evening, when he was to meet in don, he lived with his uncle, who had many çorisaltation Mr. Honie, and another Physi- friends, and frequently entertained them at cian, who had long time been intimate with his louse. He resided many years in Lin, his patient. A little before Dr. Baillie had coln's Inn Fields; and, while there, associpaid the visit just mentioned, a slight drowsi- ated daily with gentlemen of the law. He ness had come on, and this symptom rather was early admitted a Fellow of the Royal increased after his departure. But nothing and Antiquarian Societies; and hence knew more remarkable occurred till near eight many learned men in addition to those of his o'clock, when the patient's breathing be. own profession. He was fond of country came suddenly more difficult. About 20 misports, and athletic games, particularly the nutes after this he died. The body was ex. Scottish one named Golf, which carried him amined the second day after his death by Mr. among other sets of men. He had a taste Home, Dr. Baillie, and Dr. Wells. The also for the Fine Arts; in consequence of threat and tongue were found much inflamed which, he hecame acquainted with many of and swollen. The inner membrane of the the professors of them; and his employ. windpipe was also found inflamed, but alto. ment as a physician in the largest Hospital gether free from that præternatural coating in the kingdom, and in private, made known which occurs in croup. The heart and lungs to him a very great number of persons of were entirely sound; but the great artery, every rank and description in lite. From close to its origin, was somewhat discased; such opportunities, and an original turn for sufficiently, perhaps, to occasion in a person the observation of character, be obtained a of an irritable frame an increased force in the most extensive knowledge of human nature, pulsation of the heart, though apparently nut and an infinite fund of stories and anecdotes, in such a degree as to affect the duration of which when at ease among his friends, he life. On the 25th, his corpse was deposited used to relate in the happiest way. None in a vault in the church of St. Bartholomew, of his stories, however, related to himself; near Smithfield, which contained the remains indeed, he scarcely ever spoke of himself tu of his father and uncle. Dr. D. Pitcairn had his most intimate friends ; no doubt, from a five brothers; one of them died young; three wish to avoid a fault he saw so frequently others, all of them officers in his Majesty's committed by others. In conversation be service, died after they were men; the young. shunned dispute. When he dissented from est, a counsellor at Law, survives him. He others, he either declared his opinion in had four sisters, all of whom have been mar- a few words, or remained altogether sim ried, and are alive. His mother also still lent. With literary men his value as Jives, and is in her 79th year. In 1781, he a companion' was, considerably increased married Elizabeth the only daughter of Wil. by his judgment in selecting, and lively

mode

1809.]

mode of repeating passages from new works
of taste, most of which he read immediately
after they were published. But, though he
had lived so much in society, he never en-
tirely lost a natural shyness of manner,
which was more observable at some times than
at others. This was often imputed by those
who did not know him to pride; though,
in truth, it seemed to arise from a diffidence
of his own merit. As he advanced in years,
his manners became less reserved to strang-
ers; for to his friends they had always been
frank and affectionate. His feelings were
warm, and he was sometimes betrayed by
them into little improprieties; but this disad-
vantage was greatly outweighed by the ener-
gy which was hence given to his character,
and the interest which he took in the hap-
piness of others. It may be regarded, per-
haps, as no inconsiderable title to praise, that
he behaved with the utmost kindness and
generosity towards his numerous relations.
But his endeavours to serve, were not con-
fined to these. He was ever ready to assist
his friends in their pursuits, not only by his
advice, but by his influence with others, and
the sacrifice of his time; to say nothing of
other aids which he frequently furnished.
Like other men of warm tempers, he was
apt to bestow upon his present pursuits more
chan their due importance; and, as increase of
years and professional employment, together
with great varieties in the state of his
health, necessarily produced alterations in
his views of life, he was hence thought by
some to be of a changeable disposition. But
this was never said, respecting his attach-
ment to persons. He continued to the last,
loving to his first friends, and was, in return,
most cordially beloved by them. His man-
ner as a physician, was simple, gentle, and
dignified, and always sufficiently chearful to
encourage hope, without offending by its in-
congruity with the scene about him. From
his kindness of heart, he was frequently led
to give more attention to his patients than
could well be demanded from a Physician;
and as this evidently sprung from no in-
terested motive, he often acquired consider-
able influence with those whom he had at-
tended during sickness. No physician, in-
deed, of his rank in London, perhaps, ever
exercised his profession to such a degree gra-
tuitously. His behaviour to other physicians
was highly candid and liberal, and he most
studiously avoided the slightest appearance of
interfering in their professional concerns.
Such conduct is no doubt, recommended by
its ultimate utility; but in him it arose from
a native sense of honour, that appeared in
every other transaction of his life. As he
attended very carefully to the symptoms of
diseases, in the order and degree in which
they occur in nature, he had, from this
source, and the excellence of his memory,
acquired great practical knowledge of his
He had, in consequence, also
profession.
made many original observations upon the

He

history and treatment of diseases. He was,
for instance, the first who took notice of
the connexion between Rheumatism of the
external parts of the body, and a certain af--
Since it was
fection of the heart, which he hence called
rheumatism of that organ.
mentioned by him numerous examples of it
have been seen by, others, which puts the
justness of the observation beyond doubt;
though no trace of it exists in any author
He never published any of
prior to Dr. Baillie, to whom he had com-
munica ed it.
his observations himself; but several, be-
sides that which has just been spoken of,
have been given to the world by others.
never long enjoyed very good health from
the time of his commencing to practise phy-
sick in London. For, not to repeat what
has already been said respecting his disorders,
he was, during many years of the first part
He twice laboured under
of his residence here, much subject to vio-
lent head-achs.
severe agues; and suffered several attacks of
inflammatory sure-throat. But none of his
ailments made any considerable permanent
impression upon his external appearance; for
immediately before his death no person would
have supposed, from seeing him, that his
health had ever been bad, or that he had at-
tained the age of nearly sixty years.

[Further particulars of Miss Anna Seward,
The liberal attainments of
whose death was announc d at p. 410 of our
last Number.
Miss Seward, and her devotion to the Muses,
long rendered her name celebrated in the
lettered world; whilst her amiable manners,
hospitality, and highly cultivated conver
sation, caused her to be universally sought
after, and respected. Perhaps no person ever
possessed in a greater degree, the colloquial
a minute and accurate acquaiatance with the
powers of pleasing, than Miss Seward. To
English classics, she added an inexhaustible
fund of local and literary anecdote. Natu-
rally eloquent, she communicated her know-
The animation of her coun-
ledge in the choicest, and most energetic
language.
tenance, and the brilliant lustre of her eye,
gave a most forcible expression of feeling
and intelligence to her words and actions.
Her mind and in-
Conscious of her ability she freely displayed
herself in a manner equally remote from ar-
rogance and affectation.
formation were accessible to all; and no
one ever parted from her dissatisfied with
visit. In familiar conversation she greatly
himself, or without the desire to renew his
excelled; and in reading, more particularly
Her doors were at all times open with
poetry, she was uncommonly spirited and cor-
liberal hospitality, and to diffuse chearfulness
and happiness over her domestic, and social
circles, was the endeavour of her life. Of
infant genius and merit, wherever she met
them, she was the warm encourager, and
zealous friend. Her hand was ever extended
in active benevolence towards the distressed,
and her heart most readily paid the tribute

rect.

of

of overflowing pity, to the tale of misery. In her intercourse with society no woman had less pride. At the table of the respecta ble tradesman, she was as easy, affable, and entertaining, as at the more sumptuous board of the nobleman. Politeness in her was an inherent quality, not an acquired habit; and her natural humanity was such as to prompt her to acts of kindness, even towards persons who had forfeited her esteem. Such, divest ed of the fulsome praise, which designing flatterers lavished upon her writings and genius, was the amiable and intelligent Miss Seward. Her merits were peculiarly her own; the spontaneous offspring of a good heart, and a liberally endowed mind. Her errors arose from a glowing imagination, joined to an excessive sensibility, cherished, instead of being repressed, by early habits and education. At the time Dr. Darwin came first to reside at Lichfield, Miss Seward was about thirteen or fourteen years of age. The circle which the doctor drew around him, for ten or twelve years from that period, was composed of young men of acknowledged talents, and of ardent speculative minds: whose spirits, too buoyant for the beaten track of knowledge, soared to explore the yet untrodden paths of science, and give new To turn systems to an astonished world. aside the smooth current of nature, and to despise established usages, were the principles upon which they conducted their researches. Their visionary pursuits were dignified with the application of philosophy; but were evidently more calculated to gratify their own passions and propensities, than to promote the improvement of mankind. Variety and originality were the objects of their adoration, to which they sacrificed without remorse, reason, and common sense. Among those persons were Mr. Day, (who from Miss Seward's own account of him, was à capricious wild enthusiast ;) Mr. Edgworth, and Sir Brooke Boothby.-Doctor Darwin promoted and encouraged their idie schemes, and gave consequence to their speculations, by the reputation of his genius, and the variety of his talents. In this coterie, Miss Seward's early impressions were formed. In the daily habit of hearing new, and ingenious hypothesis, she became enamoured of novelty, and sighed for the meed of fame; in which she was encouraged and flattered by the gallantry of her admirers. Possessed of an active and ductile mind, and a romantic disposition, she ted with avidity upon the in. tellectual variety thus placed before her. To poetry she had been fondly attached from her childhood, and her warm imagination naturally became emulous of distinction in her favourite pursuit. But Miss Seward's genius was not of a class to strike out new models of poetic excellence; and her natural good taste had been perverted. She was deficient in fertility of invention; and wanted new and forcible combinations of thought, to accomplish such a task. All her attempts

at originality evaporated in turgid obscurity,
and pompous inflation. We frequently meet
in her poetry with nervous lines, and some-
times with beautiful stanzas; but neither the
pleasing vein of easy flowing verse, nor the
more happy inspiration of graceful energy,
ever accompany her long. We seldom see
her thoughts clothed in the dignified simplicity
of nature, but usually find them loaded with
factitious and ill assorted ornaments. Her
prose bears pretty much the same character
with her poetic compositions. They abound
in sparkling sentences, poetical images, and
high sounding epithets; but want arrange-
ment and precision. It is understood that
she has left the whole of her works, as a
legacy, to Mr. Scott, the northern poet,
with a view to their publication in a collected
edition, with her life and posthumous pieces;
several of which the present writer has heard
her name.
But of all her works, her epis-
tolary correspondence must be the most de-
sirable. She had all her life an extensive
acquaintance, and especially with men of
literature.

Her talents and disposition pe-
culiarly fitted her for a species of writing free
from the trammels and constraints of regular
composition. It is from this source that the
nature of her genius, and the powers of her
mind, may be fairly appreciated; where, al-
though intermixed with much tinsel and
alloy, will doubtless be discovered no com-
mon portion of sterling metal. In her re-
marks upon the writings or her contempora-
ries, always a favourite topic of communica-
tion with her friends, she will be found to
display much acute and genuine criticism.
Her judgment in the selection of the poetic
beauties of others, was for the most part
chaste and correct; qualities which in her
own compositions seem to be sacrificed to
Had the taste,
empty sound and vain show.
and exquisite feeling, of this lady, been
reared and cultivated with care and prudence,
it is highly probable that she would have
ranked among the first favourites of the
Muses; instead of which, the candid and un-
prejudiced must acknowledge that her poetic
tame cannot long survive the remembrance
of her friends, and the partiality of her per
sonal admirers. That a mind formed like
Miss Seward's should be more liable to act
from the impulse of feeling, than from the
steady dictates of reason and principle, can-
not be matter of surprise. A woman inde-
pendent in fortune, and fascinating in man-
ners, is more likely to be surrounded by
flatterers than friends; and if the blandish-
ments of the former found too easy an ad-
mission to her heart, it is a weakness which
she shared with nine-tenths of the human

race.

And perhaps those who lamented the readiness with which she admitted the specious and designing to her friendship, will allow that, placed in her situation, few wo men would have conducted themselves with greater circumspection.]

PROVINCIAL

1809.]

PROVINCIAL OCCURRENCES,

WITH ALL THE MARRIAGES AND DEATHS,

Arranged geographically, or in the Order of the Counties, from North to South: ** Communications for this Department of the Monthly Magazine, properly an-thenticated, and sent free of Postage, are always thankfully received. Those are more particularly acceptable which describe the progress of Local Improvements of any kind, or which contain Biographical Anecdotes or Fucts relative to eminent or remarkable Characters recently deceased.

NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM.

On the 20th of April, was laid in Newcastle, the foundation stone of a new square at the head of Howard Street, to be called Northumberland Place.

Watson. Mr. John Davidson, one of the serjeants at Mace of this corporation.Mr. Alexander Wilson, 76.-Mrs. Ann late Mr. Joseph Hearn, of Preston, 14.Dixon, 84.--Miss Hearn, daughter of the. The new church at Wallsend, Newcastle, Mr. Calvert, Clapham, 67.-Mrs. Lowes, was consecrated for divine worship by Tho--Mr. Thomas Marshall, one of the oldest mas Burgess, D. D. Lord Bishop of St. David's, on the 27th of April. This neat edifice stands on a spot of ground nearly adjoining the line of redoubts continued from the end of the Roman Wall to Tyne mouth, and only about 800 yards from the Roman station called Seyedunum, where stood a Temple of Diana, as appears from the remains of antiquity found there.

At the late Ovingham fair, the Tyne
side Agricultural Society awarded the fol-
lowing prizes; viz. To Mr. John Rowell,
of Hollingball, for the best stallion for hun-
ters or road horses, 51. 5s. To Mr. George
Coxon, of Wall, for the best stallion for
coach horses, 51. 58. To Mr. John Turn-
bull, of Bywell, for the best stallion for
To Mr. Antony
draft horses, 51. 58.
Wailes, of Bearl, for the best bull, 101.108.
To Mr. Thomas Baites, of Haiton, for the
To Mr. William
next best bull, 51. 5s.

Johnson, of Brudhoe, for the best bull on a
farm not more than 11. per acre, 51. 5s.
To Mr. Antony Wailes, of Bearl, for the
To ditto, for
best pair of steers. 51. 58.
the best boar, 31. 3s. To Mr. William
Jobling, of Styford, for the next best boar,
21. 2s. The sweepstakes of 20 guineas
for heifers, was adjudged to Mr. Antony
Wailes, of Bearl.

Married.] At Croxdale, Durham, Wil-
Liam Blundell, esq. of Crosby Hall, Lan-
cashire to Miss Stanley, only daughter of
the late Sir Thomas Stanley Massey Stan-
ley, Baronet.

At Newcastle, Lieutenant Co'lin of the
West Kent militia to Miss Fearney.

At Houghton le Spring, the Rev. John
Reeves, of Stamfordham, to Miss Charlton.
At Durham, Thomas Greenwel', esq. of
Willington, to Miss Isabella Hays.

At Brancepeth, the Rev. William Nes-
feld, to Miss Mills, of Winlaton.

free burgesses of the corporation, 86.-
Mr. Hutchinson, jun. a draughtsman and
architect of great promise, 24.—Mr. John
Shipman.-Mrs. Mary Bootimar, 69.-
Mr. Thomas Hewitson, many years secre-
tary to the shipping insurance societies,
in South Shields.-Mrs. Thompson, 74,-
instance of the diversity that exists in
Mr. John Grey, 81.-This man was an
human constitutions. For the last 50 years
his beverage was Hollands Geneva. He
drank it without water, sometimes in cc-
pious libations, yet continued healthy until
within a few weeks of his death.

At Durham, Mr. Thomas Woodifield, one of the Bishop's bedesmen, 42.-John. Crookes Leighton, esq. 42-Mrs. Thompson, 34.

At Plawsworth, Mr. George Foreman. At Alnwick, Mrs. Hudson, 35. At St ckton, Edward Brown, esq. At Bishops earmouth, John Paddison, At Low Elswick, Mr. William Ryle, 53. 104.-Mr. William Read, 27. At Ovingham Boat-House, Mr. John Johnson,.75. In the great flood, in 1771, All were drownel he and all his family were pt away in the night, with his house, out building, except himse f and his brother, who and even his garden. caught the branch of a tree as they passed down the current, to which they clung till At Berwick, Mr. Branxton, 88. eleven o'clock the next day, nearly naked. John Nesbit, 99.-Mr. James Stewart, -Mr. Thomas Hogarth, 73.-Mrs. Agnes 21.--Mrs. Gray.-Mr. James Blackett,74. Atchinson, 85.-Mr Alexander M'Kenzie, 80.

At Flexham, Mr. Robert Gate, 28.-Mrs Liddle, widow of the Rev. Mr. Liddle. -Mrs. Mary Oxley, 69-Mr. Tulip, 26. At Morpeth, Mrs. Elizabeth Crawford,

At

At Stitchill, Berwick, in his 84th year, Sir James Pringle, of Stitchill,bart. master of the King's Works, who represented the County of Berwick, from 1760 to 1779. He was s n of Sir Robert Pringle, of Stitchill, bart. nephew of Sir John Pringle, M. D. F. R. S.; and married Elizabeth, daughter of Norman Macleod, of Macleod, by whom he had several children, one of them married to George Baillie, of Jerviswood, M.P. for Berwickshire; and is succeeded by his eldest surviving son, now Sir John Pringle, bart.

CUMBERLAND.

Married.] At Carlisle, John Wilson, esq. to Mrs.Hodgson.—Mr. William Muncaster to Miss Margaret Govenlock, and at the same time Mr. William Monkhouse to Miss Mary Govenlock, sister to the above.

At Allonby, Mr. John Bragg, of Whitehaven, to Miss Beeby.

At Kendall, Mr. Joseph Braithwaite, to Miss Eleanor Wilson.

At Cockermouth, Dorothy, third daughter of Mr. Edmund Jefferson.

At Workington, Captain Joseph Bewley, 62.

At Egremont, Mrs. Mary Clarke, wife of Mr. Christopher Clarke.

At Keswick, Mr. Isaac Biglands-Mr. George Hodgson.-Mrs. Mary Lancaster, 74.

At the Raffels, near Carlisle, Mr. Themas Carruthers, 21.

At Wetherall Abbey, Mr. John Collin.
At Penrith, Mrs. Dinah Margin, 80.
At Birkett Field, near Keswick, Mr.
William Gaskarth, 82.

At Branthwaite, Mrs. Linton. -Miss
Head, daughter of Mr. Peter Head, 13.

At Bird Dyke, in Lamplugh, Mrs. Jane Dickinson, 58; and a few days afterwards her husband, Mr. John Dickinson.

At Kidburn-gill, Mr. Robert Watson. At Whinning, Mrs. Elizabeth Fiet cher.

At Woodside, parish of Dean, Mr. Har rison.

49.

At Hullock, Mrs. Jane Mirehouse.
At Great Orton, Mr. John Stanwix, 93.
At Brampton, Mr. Thomas Atkinson,

At Yealand Conyers, Mr. Nathan Hadwin, 87.

At Birks Hi'l, the Rev. William Kirkbridge, 85. He was Vicar of Hesket in the Forest, upwards of 45 years. His character was highly respectable; it was that of a truly pious and amiable man.The suavity of his manners recommended him to society, and his memory will long

At Whitehaven, Mr. Hewetson, to Miss be remembered with affection. Margaret Witherington.

Died.] At Carlisle, Mr. Edward Foster -Mrs. Elliot, 61.-Mrs. Jane Simpson, 88-Mr. Story,-Mr. M. Ridley.-Mr. William Strickland.

At Whitehaven Mrs.Brocklebank.-Mrs. Mary Pears, 78.-Mrs. Wylie, 21.-Mrs. Elizabeth Di inson, 81.-Mrs. Smith. Mrs. Ann Post'ethwaite.-Mr. Wallace, clerk to the excise collector of this district.

At Seaton Iron Works, near Whitehaven, Mr. John Walton, aged 67 years, upwards of 40 of which he had been employed as forge carpenter, &c. at those works. His death was occasioned by an accident. While surveying the cylinder bellows of the blast furnace, his foot unfortunately slipped, and he became entangled with the revolving crank of the machine; which in an instant severed his foot from his body just above the ancle. Amputation a little higher up the leg was immediately performed, but a mortification ensued, and put a period to his life.

At Harrington, Mr Joseph Drape, 67.

At Great Salkeld, in the 81st year of his age, Mr. Thomas Boustead, esteemed by a numerous and respectable acquaintance as an experienced farmer and ingenious mechanic. He was a laudable instance of honest industry and successful ingenuity, through a long and useful life, spent in the active improvement of his talent, to the advancement of his family and fortune.

YORKSHIRE.

The inhabitants of Hull, have resolved to apply to parliament for an act for establishing a nightly watch, with a provision for paving, cleansing, and lighting the lordship of Myton, and such other improvements as may be deemed proper.

On the morning of the second of May, the foundation stone of the intended New Theatre in Hull, was laid by John Broadley, esq. The stone was fixed with the ceremonies usual on such occasions, in the presence of a considerable number of spectators. In a cavity of the stone was deposited a sealed vial, containing a parchment, with appropriate inscriptions, and