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with applause by the great vocalists of the office of Lord Rector of Glasgow Uni

versity, after a severe opposition on the part of the Professors. He went down to Glas

A considerable portion of Campbell's time gow, delivered an inaugural address, and was at Sydenham was passed in devising and exe-received with great warmth, both there and cuting great schemes-some of them well known to the world-and in the accomplish

ment of works on which he was from time

in Edinburgh. The election is in the hands of the students, and they repeated it three years in succession an honor rarely conferto time engaged. He met many disappoint-red in Glasgow. In the month of Septemments, and was often crushed down by the ber, 1828, Mrs. Campbell died. Their boy fear of want, not so much for himself as for was lost. The youngest sister of the poet those who were dependent upon him. A and his mother died some time previously. desponding letter to Sir Walter Scott is closed These calamities fell heavily on a nervous and with the following gtatifying announcement: sensitive mind. Indeed, from Mrs. Camp"His Majesty has been graciously pleased bell's death may be dated the poet's declento confer a pension of £200 a year upon me. sion into indulgences which though light, as God save the King." compared with those which men pursue habitually without censure or reproach, were yet calculated to throw a shade over the lustre of a noble name.

This pension placed him for ever after above the fear of wanting means to assist his friends, and to educate his son. It was a great relief to his mind, and contributed, we have no doubt, to the improvement of his health. He at once made a division of the

pension, reserving one portion for himself,
and dividing the other between his mother
and his sisters. Great efforts were made by
his friends to procure extensive subscriptions
for another quarto edition of his poems; and
they were successful. From this period his
circumstances were not bad; his position in
life was most respectable; he was connected
with all the leading men of the Whig party;
he had a perfect command of the trade for
his literary productions, and except continued
weakness, which seems to have arisen from
nervousness to a very considerable extent, he
might have been a happy and a useful man.
His correspondence shows rapid ebbs and
flows of temperament.
He was far from
being an agreeable man-but easily discom-
posed, and, like many other authors, ner-
vously afraid of his publishers.

A terrible calamity occurred in the insanity of his son, on whom he fondly doted, and whose mind was pronounced to be at last permanently impaired. This event formed the severest trial of his life to that date; and yet in his correspondence it was mentioned with more resignation than other features in his character might have led us to anticipate. As years wore on, he became connected with various public movements in London. He had travelled on the continent, and studied educational proceedings in Germany. The opinions formed in these journeys, induced him to take a warm interest in the establishment of the London University. Indeed, he might, with some propriety, be considered its founder. In 1826 he was elected to fill

THE POLISH CAUSE.

bereavements, yet Mr. Campbell, for several
Although stunned for a time by these
years, continued to throw his heart and soul
himself intimately connected.
into those objects, with which he considered
The Poles
had always found him a warm, zealous
friend. He was a firm believer in the truth
and justice of their cause. He fervently
anticipated the day when Poland, won back
her head amongst free nations. He wrote
by her sons from their
splendid verses for Poland; he spoke elo-
quently in behalf of the exiles; but he also
wrought most vigorously in carrying forward
every detail with which their cause
associated. The following statements evince
his activity:

conquerors,

would rear

*

was

*

"St. Leonard's, January 17, 1832, * "I went to town more than a fortnight ago, partly to pay my respects to the worthy Prince Czartoryski, and partly to look after our American legacy. The Prince I found, if possible, a more interesting man than I had imagined. He has lost £70,000 a year, with the near prospect of being King of Poland. But he is as calm and undepressed as if he were in his palace. Now and then, when I have sat beside him at dinner, I could overhear a stifled and deep sigh; but his gentleman-like self-command, suavity, and dignity, are most striking. He is now sixty-one, but looks much younger, and is a great deal handsomer than his portrait.

"As president of the Literary Union, I invited his Highness to dine with thirty of our members, and, at the same time, asked Prince Talleyrand to meet him. Talleyrand sent me a note in his own hand, extremely regretting an express engagement to dine elsewhere, and mentioning the place.

But in spite of all his "regret," the old fox went
immediately to Prince Czartoryski, and told him
that he, Prince C., should not join "any political
dinners at a London club!" Prince Czartoryski
sent for me, but being confined to bed with a cold,
I could not go out. His friend then came to me
to ask if the dinner was meant to be "public and
political?" I assured him not, but only an ex-
pression of private regard for his Highness. "In
that case," said his friend, "the Prince assures
you that he will come."
I was
well enough to preside at the dinner. The Prince
thanked us in French for drinking his health, and
the party went off with great harmony and good
feeling.

*

*

*

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They went out together, called upon Lord Panmure in Cockspur street, explained their object, and received from him twenty pounds as a first contribution to the funds of the association. "Anxious to profit by so auspicious a commencement, meetings were held, a committee was formed, and in a short time the society was in full operation.

"To Mr. Gray, his liberal adviser in all philanthropic schemes, he writes:

"MARCH 7th.-Let me consult you about a project that is very near my heart—an association "I dined with the Prince next day at a private -a literary one, for collecting, publishing, and party, and before leaving town had several inter- diffusing all such information respecting Poland views with him. * He was in mourning as may tend to interest the public mind, and keep for his mother, the venerable old princess, who alive in it a strong interest with respect to that died last month in her eighty-ninth year, and I brave but ill-used nation. The Germans are in a believe of a broken heart more than old age. highly excited state; their patriots are formingThe Prince asked me, 'Have you not got a letter or rather have formed-associations of the same from my mother?' I said 'No;' but shrinking nature; though, as I learn from them, they have from the touch of so tender a chord in his feel- to work up against the wind and tide of despotic * His question governments. * ings, I dropt the subject. * was explained to me this morning, when I received a letter from the now departed princess, which must have been written a few days before her death. It is written, signed, and directed with her own hand.

* *

T. C."

"Writing a few days later, he says:-' It turns out that the aged and august princess is still alive, in her eighty-ninth year. May God preserve her!'

"The news that waited Campbell's return from Chertsey threw him into great distress. To be compelled to witness misery, which he had no adequate power to relieve, was a constant burden upon his mind; and to contemplate its probable increase was still worse. By letters, and personal applications to his friends, he collected funds just sufficient to relieve the more urgent cases; but as the number of exiles increased, the duty and difficulty were, how to increase the number of contributors. With this object, an appeal to British philanthropy was drawn up, and the liberality with which it was responded to by the public, was the subject of grateful admiration. "A lady, to whom the poet had written, having requested his answer to a question respecting the actual amount of suffering among the exiled patriots, he sat down to his desk, intending to give her one instance which had just come before him. Mr. Back was in the room with him. After writing a short time, his friend observed that he became more and more agitated-sobbed and wept like a child-and then, starting up, began to pace the room with a hurried step, and an expression of mental agony. Alarmed at the violence of his emotion, Mr. Back imagined that he was laboring under acute bodily pain. No,' he said, 'it is more than bodily pain; it is the thought that so many gallant patriots are starving! What is to be done?' and turning earnestly to his friend, waited for an answer.

"The question was difficult. At length, said Mr. Back, What would you say to an associa

66.6

*

Forty most respectable individuals have pledged themselves in London to support me in forming this Philo-Polish Association. We subscribe but a pound apiece; and shall publish, respecting Poland, such tracts as, by dragging into full light all the black and horrid facts of Russian cruelty towards her, may arouse public sympathy. With regard to the Autocrat's treatment to Poland, he concludes, his sceptre is a knout; and his councils,' to use the words of Eschylus, are ' embalmed in corruption." "

6

MAGAZINE LITERATURE.

He

We have repeatedly remarked Mr. Campbell's attachment to magazine literature. His first device in literature was a magazine. At every stage of his life we find him connected with some work of that description. wrote for the "Philosophical." He edited Mr. Colburn's "New Monthly." Finally, he first edited, and then purchased an interest in, the "Metropolitan." The history of the transaction is curious and interesting, reflecting honor on no man more than the venerable author of the "Pleasures of Memory."

666

"11, Waterloo Place, October 17, 1831. . . All is well. I have seen my son, and I have been agreeably surprised. I have got a share in the "Metropolitan!" I am ten inches taller than when you saw me! And my regret now is that I showed so little pluck under my late misfortunes, as to throw a shade of the slightest uneasiness over your reception of me. I don't believe the traditional remark, that it is best for us not to foresee future events. How much happier I should have been at Stoke, if I could have foreseen future events! Had I known what I know now, I should have been happy at your house, in

stead of being the weak and dolorous man which I fear I was.

"I came to town just in the nick of time to prevent an injudicious visitation of my dear boy. spent Sunday with him. No doubt all my ideas of his recovery are to be set aside. I will cherish that delusion no longer. But he is better. The last time I saw him, his complexion was pale and sodden. It is now restored, and he is beautiful.

His beauty may, perhaps, give me a deeper grief

for his case-but still it takes off the horror which his bad looks inspired. All the time I was at Stoke there was a suspicion blistering or rather causticating my mind, that I had done wrong in allowing Dr. Allen to remove him-on account of some waywardness in his temper-from being a parlor-boarder, to live in a house where the keepers have patients. But imagine the relief that came into my heart, when my son told me that he liked his new residence better than his old one.

"When I was with you, I was uncertain of being one of the proprietors of the journal"The Metropolitan'-which I conduct. Let the name of my brother poet, Rogers, be for ever sacred. He has bought me a share in the partnership; and, with noble generosity, has refused even the mortgage of my Scottish property, as security for the debt. But mortgaged my Scotch property shall be in order that he may be secure.

66 6

"All this time I am an egotist. But egotism is, after all,a compliment to those for whom we may be believed bona fide to bear a regard. In the midst of all my egotism, your Derbyshire has a pleasant hold over my imagination. You are with me, and your music. Never did I surrender to any one but to you my verses on —. They were too sacred (as to my feelings) to be given to the printer. My mind and heart are full of Derbyshire.

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T.C.'

"The first notice of a Polish association' occurs in the following passage:

"Oct. 18th. To-morrow I am obliged to stop in town, out of compassion to the poor Polish poet, whose grief in his old age may well be imagined. I am forming an Association which will support the good old man, and, I dare say, all the other Polish exiles.

66 6

by which my library and furniture will be at his disposal till the debt is repaid. T.C.'

"Under this pleasing delusion, he calls upon his sister to congratulate him on his good fortune, and adds:

"My partners in the concern are Mr. Cochrane, the publisher, and Captain Chamier, author of "The Life of a Sailor," in "The Metropolitan," and several other amusing papers. He is one of the merriest and dearest souls in existence, and though diametrically opposite to me in politics, is the best literary partner I could possibly have got; for I laugh at his Toryism, and make the publication Whiggish, in spite of his teeth. And I often threaten to make personal attacks upon as my editorial power is absolute and dictatorial, him, by name and surname, in "The Metropolitan," if he presumes to interfere with me! But Chamier, though the merriest joker in the world, is a shrewd, active, and business-like man. I expect great gains from our co-operation. So God save our gracious King William the Fourth! preserve my sister Mary! and speed the sale of Metropolitan!" T. C.'"

66

"Dec. 21st.

I mentioned to you

having been enabled by my worthy friend Rogers, to purchase a third share of a periodical. Imagine how foolish I looked when I found the concern a bubble. After weeks of agitation and many a sleepless night, I got back the money by dint of remonstrance, and Rogers has got it again, though he kindly offered to let me have it for another purpose. It was not till the business was settled, some ten days ago, that I could retire with an easy mind to my cabin here, where I am fallen once more in love with the sea; and I have now set myself down in earnest, and with my heart and hand disembarrassed, to Mrs. Siddons' Life.'"

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Mr. Rogers' money was repaid, and Mr. litan" ceased. He probably escaped a bad Campbell's connection with the "Metropobargain, and saved himself from annoyances that he was ill able to meet.

Mr. Campbell was desirous for the formation of unions of literary men, to avoid the expense of publishing. Booksellers he considered extravagant in their profits, and selfish in their transactions. And yet, no living man was less competent to do without them. The trade, we suspect, are not too well paid -and from no class of men did Mr. Camp* Ibell experience more kindness and consideration. Mr. Moxon, the publisher, and Dr. Beattie, his biographer, were the only English friends who followed the poet to Boulogne, where he had gone in search of health; but only to die. They were with him for some days previously to the 10th June, 1844; and with him when he died on the afternoon of that day. The last years of his life cannot

Turning from that horrid subject, let me tell you a piece of good luck. Captain Chamier, the principal proprietor of "The Metropolitan," who is very much attached to me, has always been pressing me to take a share in the work; but as it could not be got without money, and as I had given all my money to the Poles, I told him it was in vain to ask me to take a share. * ** went to Rogers and said I would insure my life, and hand over my library to him-which has been valued by an impartial bookseller at £700 at least. He said," you shall neither insure your life, nor hand over your library; you shall have the money when you want it." Noble, generous, beautiful conduct! I am to get the £500 to-morrow; but in spite of his prohibition, I have insured my life, and I have got a legal instrument

be contemplated without regret. Eminently domestic in all his habits and manner of thought, he was ill able to bear solitude in the world, which, except for the kindness and attention of a young lady, his niece, he would have felt most severely. In looking over his life, also, we are apt to think that he should have risen higher in the world, with the genius and the general talents that he possessed. But the want of patronage was his first obstacle, and clung to him in some measure through life. He was fitted to render greater public services than were ever required at his hands, but he was not qualified to push him

self before the public. He was diffident-willing to work, but waiting to be called. His private correspondence exhibits noble points in his character. No man could have been more generous and self-denying to all who had the slightest claim on his regard. He was actuated by the purest patriotism; and in his death the country lost its first lyrical poet, and one of its most attached and enlightened citizens.

Dr. Beattie has executed his late friend's commission with the greatest care, and produced one of the most interesting biographies of our time.

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What matters, if thy God approve, And if, within thy breast,

Watch through the darkest hours of night; | Thou feel the comfort of His love,

Toil through the hottest day.

The earnest of His rest?

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From the Edinburgh Review.

THE PROGRESS OF MECHANICAL INVENTION.

1. The Patent Journal. Nos. 1-100. London: 1846-7-8.

2. The Mechanic's Magazine. Vols. XLVII and XLVIII. London: 1846-7-8.

PROSAIC and business-like as the contents of these volumes appear, there are perhaps few works that would be found upon examination to contain more of the elements of tragedy. Not the rejected addresses' of suitors for royal favors-not the scrolls which despairing lovers hung in the temple of Leucadia before they took the all-curing leap-could exhibit a more melancholy record of profitless labors and disappointed hopes! And to arrive at this conclusion, there is little need to inquire into the subsequent history of the inventions, or the inventors. The simple perusal of their own specifications, aided by a very moderate degree of scientific knowledge, will suffice to prove that, nine times out of ten, all the labor and expense that have been lavished upon the production of these cunningly devised engines could result in nothing but total failure. Nor do the inventors appear to profit by example. In spite of the abundant warnings held out to them in the fate of their predecessors, they persist in adopting the same inefficient means, the same defective constructions; or in hopeless attempts to extort from some natural agent the performance of tasks for which it is manifestly unfitted. Nay, the identical mechanism, that has broken down a dozen times in other hands, is once more made the subject of new patents, by men who are not only ignorant of the simple, scientific principles which would have taught them their folly, but who do not know the fact that the self-same ideas have long since been worked out, and abandoned as impracticable. Without skill to shape their own course, they cannot perceive the scattered debris that might warn them of impending shipwreck. Is it credible that ingenious men, who have seen or heard of the suspension tunnel, and the electric tele

| graph, should still waste years in a search for the perpetual motion? Yet such is the fact; and one such machine, at least, may even now be seen in London, by those who have more faith than knowledge, pursuing its eternal revolutions.

In the majority of instances, we apprehend that these inventors are but little acquainted with the practical details of the branches of art or manufacture whereon they exercise their ingenuity. They attempt to do better than other men, things which they do not know how to do at all. And if, perchance, some remark be hazarded as to their want of experience, they consider it sufficient to reply, that Arkwright was a barber, and Cartwright a clergyman; that Sir William Herschel taught music before he became the celebrated astronomer, and Sir Michael Faraday passed the earlier years of life in practicing the handicraft art of bookbinding.

Considering that the state of the law renders the privilege of a patent both expensive* and difficult of attainment, and that the whole cost, in addition to that required for completing the invention, must be incurred before any benefit can possibly be derived; it becomes an inquiry of some interest to trace the motives that lead men, many of whom are sufficiently needy and busy already, to embark upon enterprises so hopeless. One chief cause may, perhaps, be detected in that propensity to gambling which is unfortunately so prevalent in every stage of civilization. In literature, as in manufactures-among members of the learned, the military, and even the clerical professions, as

* In England, the first expense of a patent for the three kingdoms is 3457. in fees alone, which must be paid beforehand. In France, every article that is breveté pays an annual sum for the privilege as long as it lasts.

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