"TO MADAME DE DAMAS, LEARNING ENGLISH. "Though British accents your attention fire, You cannot learn so fast as we admire : "TO MADAME DE LA VAUPILLIERE 5. "Shall Britain sigh when zephyr's softest care Wafts to her shore the bright la Vaupilliere? Ah! yes; descended from the British throne, She views a nymph she must not call her own: She sees how dear her Stuart's exile cost, By Clermont's charms and Berwick's valour lost." Mr. Reed has favoured me with the loan of a pamphlet uncollected with the works of lord Orford, and entitled, "Reflections on the different Ideas of the French, and English, in regard to Cruelty; with some Hints for improving our Humanity in a particular Branch. By a Man." Lond. 1759, 8vo. 5 This lady was grand-daughter to the celebrated duke of Berwick, the natural son of James the second, by Arabella Churchill, sister of John, duke of Marlborough. Before her marriage with M. de Vaupilliere, she was mademoiselle de Clermont. Coxe's Memoir of Lord Walpole, p. 160. "This pamphlet," says Mr. Reed, "was written by the late Horace, earl of Orford. The original copy in his own hand-writing, is now in the possession of Mr. Bedford; and was put into print by means of his father, who was deputy to lord Orford when usher of the exchequer." The following short extract is characteristic of the imputed writer : "A kingdom like this, when it has not a hundred thousand men to spare upon an emergency, is an estate that can only make shift to support its owner, until he has a fit of sickness, but then cannot pay the doctor's bill. We have been drained and wasted by commerce, colonies, gin, debauchery, transportation, and the lavish use of the gallows, until the skin of what we wore hangs loose about us in plaits; and yet we talk on as when we were all muscle and nerve. As long as the streets of London continue a little shew of hurry and business, we judge the whole country to be full of vigour, not considering that as long as any blood is left in us, the pulse of it will certainly beat there; nay, perhaps will be found in time to palpitate a little while, like the heart of an eel, after the vitals are separated from it." The following appears to have been one of his lordship's latest effusions: "EPITAPHIUM VIVI AUCTORIS, 1792. "An estate and an earldom at seventy-four! Had I sought 'em or wish'd 'em, 't would add one fear more, That of making a countess when almost fourscore. But Fortune, who scatters her gifts out of season, Though unkind to my limbs, has still left me my reason; And whether she lowers or lifts me, I'll try, In the plain simple style I have liv'd in, to die; For ambition too humble, for meanness too high."] } FRANCIS GODOLPHIN OSBORNE, DUKE OF LEEDS, [THE youngest son of Thomas, fourth duke of Leeds, was born in 1751, and summoned to parliament by writ in 1776, by the title of baron Osborne of Kiveton. He married Amelia, only daughter of lord Holderness, in 1773, and had the fairest prospect of connubial hap-piness; but that accomplished woman listened to the voice of seduction; his hopes were blighted, and he was divorced from her in 1779. In 1788 he married secondly, Catharine, daughter of Thomas Anguish, esq. a master in chancery, by whom his sanguine views of nuptial felicity were not disappointed. He succeeded his father in the dukedom on the 23d of March 1789, and filled the office of principal secretary of state for the foreign department from 1783 to 1791. His grace died January 31, 1799; most cordially regretted by all who came within the sphere of his acquaintance. He was a nobleman of the most tried integrity; and a man of liberal principles, amiable manners, and respectable talents. He cultivated a taste as well as tendency towards literature, which was one of his favourite topics of conversation. Though never forgetful of his situation in life, genius and learning were always strong recommendations to his attention and regard; and as he mixed with various classes, his 380 FRANCIS GODOLPHIN OSBORNE, courtesy made him well acquainted with mankind *. If he had any peculiar pride, it was very honourable, for it consisted in avowing that his family sprang from a citizen of London 3. Dramatic and poetic studies were his favourite objects of pursuit; and if some of his grace's effusions do not indicate the strong inspirations of the muse, they at least evince a polished ease and metrical facility. He was the author of a pamphlet entitled, "A short Hint addressed to the candid and dispassionate on both Sides the Atlantic." He contributed a loyal song for the theatre, on lord Howe's victory over the French; and left the first act of a comedy on the dramatic stocks. "A Prologue, by the Duke of Leeds," was written for Better Late than Never. A few neat boutes rimes "To Chloe," were printed with the BathEaston poesies and the following verses appeared in the New Foundling Hospital for Wit4. "TO FLAVIA. "Lovely nymph! assist my lyre, Beauty sure can verse inspire. What are obelisks superb, Purling stream and flowery herb; • It has been aptly observed (in Gent. Mag. vol. lxix. p. 169, whence this account is principally taken), that if aristocracy were always to appear so mild, so conciliating, and so intelligent, even the rude spirit of republican violence would be softened into respect and esteem. See p. 46, supra. • Vol. i. p. 90, edit. 1786. Boundless ocean, azure skies, When compar'd to Flavia's eyes? Raptures worth thy shepherd's heart? Can Damætas ever see Beauty, and not think of thee? Say, then, what can Bath afford Though yon tow'rs in proud array Mirth, in vain, in wanton dance In that blest abode appear; For immortal sure the charms Which my fair protect from harms: Which ev'ry word and action prove Flavia, the care of heav'n and love!"] |