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THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE,

For JANUARY, 1820.

MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE.

Mr. URBAN,

Christ Church, Oxford, Jun. 20. HE" Memoir of Dr. Cyril Jack

To inserted in your last No

vember Magazine, contains some reflections upon Bishop Bagot, formerly Dean of Christchurch, which have occasioned surprize and pain to many of your Readers; to those especially who were educated at that College, while he presided over it.

A general assumption is adopted in the "Memoir," that "the discipline under the Bishop's lax administration was considerably impaired;" and it appears to be supported by several particular iutimations; namely, that in 1783, when he quitted the Deanery, his successor had "to put altogether on a new footing the course of Public Instruction, and the detail also of Private Tuition; to reinstate the public Lecturers in their functions; to revive the various Collegiate Institutions, Rules, Customs, and Exercises," enumerated with much detail in the "Memoir;"-most of which (as it should seem) had at that time (1783) fallen into neglect and disuse."

These are no light imputations upon the character of a person to whom a grave public trust had been committed, and who had hitherto enjoyed the reputation of having discharged it conscientiously and honourably.

No man personally acquainted with the Bishop does not know, that the very turn and temper of his mind excluded the possibility of remissness and “laxity” of conduct. An anxious persevering earnestness was, to a very remarkable degree, the predominant feature of his natural character; influenced, wherever duty was concerned, by the most scrupulous sense of religious obligation. And to his intense, unremitted, and faithful vigilance, in the execution of his ar

duous duties at Christ Church, to the sacrifices of his comforts, and often of his health, there are many yet living

and grateful witnesses.

It may be therefore fairly presumed, that the discipline of the College was not "impaired" by any culpable administration of it under a ruler of this description. The delineation is taken from actual knowledge, and it is faithfully made.

But, for the Bishop's entire exculpation, it is not sufficient to rest on mere presumption, nor is it necessary to do so. Your present Correspondent, happening to have been himself conversant with the transactions of the time, is able to meet the circumstantial details also of the "Memoir,” so far as Bishop Bagot is affected by them; and to oppose to the imputations, which are plainly implied, a statement of facts which remain within his own recollection, and which can be in great measure confirmed by local documents yet in existence.

For the sake of clearness, it should be stated previously, that Dr. Bagot was appointed to the Deanery of Christ Church in the beginning of the year 1777. Dr. Markham (sanctissimum profecto nomen et nobis omnibus carissimum) being promoted to the Archbishopric of York: that during the three preceding years Dr. Bagot had holden the office of Sub Dean, and with it (in consequence of the Dean's absence with the princes) the whole effective government of the College: and that he quitted the Deanery in Jane 1783, when he was succeeded by Dr. Cyril Jackson.

These dates being premised, and the Reader's indulgence being craved for unavoidable egoisms and local allusions, we may return to the details before mentioned. It is unquestionable, that into the system of Pri

vate Tuition Dean Jackson did introduce, from time to time, very considerable improvements; and they were, like all his other measures, judicious and useful. But it is not so clear, in what sense he is said to have renovated "altogether the course of Public Instruction, and reinstated the Public Lecturers in their functions."

The facts will be found to be these. The Public Lectures are classed in three departments; Divinity, pure Mathematics, and Logic, with its kindred subjects. The establishment of a Lecture in Divinity is perhaps coeval with the foundation of Christ Church. For the last fifty years, at least, it has (except with accidental intermissions) been read constantly during every term, and attended regularly. In 1783, and for some time antecedently, Dr. Randolph (afterwards Bp. of London) had the office of Divinity Reader. The two other departments of the Public Lectures were established under the auspices of Dean Markham, and had become (in addition to the Tutor's usual courses of private instruction) an effective part of the general system in 1774. From that time to the present, they have gone on with little variation. They have always been delivered, one or the other of them, daily, during Term; the attendance of the young men, according to their standing, having been constantly required, and their progress, from time to time, the subject of regular inquiry;not less so during Dean Bagol's time than it has been ever since. When it is recollected, that through the whole period of his Deanery, down to 1783, all these Public Lectures were in the hands of Bishop Randolph and of Dr. William Jackson (afterwards Bp. of Oxford), it does not appear that in that very year the Lectures could be renovated, or the Lecturers" reinstated." It may be added, that, very soon after Dr. Cyril Jackson had become Dean, both these distinguished men quitted this, together with their other collegiate employments, in consequence of promotion; but that the same courses of Public Lectures were carried on by their successors for many years after, and under Dean Jackson's direction, upon the same plan as before.

A history nearly the same with the foregoing may be given of another essential part of the Christ Church discipline; namely, of the system of

Examinations at the close of every Term, usually known by the name of "Collections," and which are stated, in the " Memoir,” to have been “ "revived" in 1783. The Institution is really antient; but it was in the latter part of Dean Markham's time that it assumed the efficient form which it has ever since continued to retain.Your present Correspondent, together with numerous contemporaries, had for fourteen times to stand before the Examination Table, while Dean Bagot sat at the head of it ;-and they all found it expedient to beware of going there unprepared.

Whether, after-1783," the Annual Speeches of the Censors became invested with additional dignity and weight" (see Gent. Mag. Nov. page 460), it is not for the present Writer to decide. It is certain that, for some years immediately preceding that date, Bishop Randolph and Bishop Jackson had held the office; and (whether it were owing to their eloquent exhortation, or to any other cause) it is certain also, that the University Prize for Latin verse came into Dean Bagot's College for five successive years: the victors being, in 1777, Lord Colchester; in 1778, the late Mr. Sawkins; in 1779, Lord Grenville; in 1780, Marquis Wellesley; and, in 1781, the present Dean of Christ Church.

In the domestic exercises, likewise, which are specified in the "Memoir," viz. in the weekly Themes and Verses, and the annual College Competitions, in Latin verse and prose (uot forgetting the elegant Lent verses), all the foregoing names, together with many others, their contemporaries in Dean Bagot's time, were continually conspicuous. Nor did the succeeding race degenerate from the fair example.

All the material points of the "Memoir," which appear to affect Bishop Bagot's reputation, have now, it is presumed, been satisfactorily explained. If any, having the same tendency, remain unnoticed, it is because they are obviously trite and trifling for the singular conceit of restraining the youth from "going to bathe*, or other public diversions," and the whimsical groupe of "Tutors, Porters, and other Servants," co-operating in a "System of Police," (page 459, col. 2), cannot be serious.

Bathe was a typographical error for balls.

It must, after all, appear extraordinary, that upon a subject possessing so much intrinsic matter for eulogium, recourse has been had to the weak topics of comparison and contrast. Dr. Cyril Jackson's high character did not require that others should be lowered, for the sake of increasing its elevation. It did not need the expedient of displaying its lustre by darkening the objects which surrounded it. The virtues which commanded the devotion of all who came within his sphere, and the transcendent powers which he so long dedicated to the service of Public Education and to the support of Orthodox Religion, offered from within themselves copious sources of just and appropriate panegyric. But it should

not have been forgotten, that Bishop Bagot also deserved well of his College and of his University, and of the Church of England. SUUM CUIQUE.

P.S. As the Writer of this Paper has rested the proof of his facts chiefly upon his personal testimony, his name is communicated to Mr. Urban herewith.

1

Mr. URBAN, Hunmanby, Jun. 13. HAVE great pleasure in transmitting the Lines requested in your Magazine for Dec. 1819, p. 487, by the grateful Pupil of Dean Bagot, whom Cowper classed with Louth, in a distich of high compliment, in one of his rhymed compositions.

Si mihi, si liceat traducere leniter ævum, Non pompam, nec opes, nec mihi regua peto:

Vellem ut Divini paudens mysteria Verbi,
Vitam in secreto rure quietus agam.
Curtatis decimis modiceque beatus agello,
Virtute et purâ sim pietate sacer.
Adsint et Graiæ comites Latiæque Ca-
mæna;

Et faveat, lepidâ Conjuge, castus Hymen. Quid restat? Tandem mihi, Cura Dolorque, valete :

Hoc tantùm superest discere, posse mori. The greatest part of his wishes were granted; and he had, happily for himself, the unwonted moderation to acquiesce in them. He did not desiderate more than enough. I take leave to attempt a hasty version:

Oh might I gently wear my life away, Not moil'd with wealth, or powers imperial sway; [nook, But rather, in some sweet sequester'd Uttering bright comments on the Holy

Book;

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Mr. URBAN,

Jan. 14.

a proof that, notwithstanding

Athe national jealousies which at all times subsisted, and will, I fear, ever subsist, between the English and the French, the best understanding ters of both Nations; I send you the prevails amongst the celebrated Wriinclosed, which I request you would have the goodness to insert in your valuable Magazine. The original Letter has been in my hands, and I make myself responsible for its authenticity. M. F. H.

Mr. Thomas Taylor, the Platonist, sent by a Mr. Johnson, who is related to the Duke of Wellington, his Translations of Jamblichus's Life of Pytha goras, and of Select Works of Plotinus, to Mons. Boissonade, Greek Professor of the University of Paris, accompanied with the following loscrip

tion:

"Viro eruditissimo Boissonado, Δωρον τούτο μικρόν μεν,

Sed μεγάλου τιμήματος τεκμήριον, Misit

Thomas Taylor."

On the receipt of which the Professor sent him the following Epistle:

"Tayloro, viro eruditissimo,

J. F. Boissonade.

Johnsonus vir clariss. mihi Jamblichum et Plotinum à te elegantissime vernacula lingua versos tradidit; pro quo munere gratissimo, gratias tibi, ut par est, ago maximas. Ni me fallit Bibliopola quidam

Lipsiensis, qui non paucis abhinc annis, vanis me promissis delusit, spero fore ut possim tibi brevi, Proclum in Cratylum a me è codicibus editum offerre, avridagov tenuissimum, pro splendidis illis, eruditissimisque voluminibus, quibus me tam benigne ditavisti. Vale, vir eruditissime, mihique favere perge. "Lutet, Sept. 19, 1816."

* The

The following extract from a Letter written in 1795 by Mr. Twining to his late brother, the Rev. Thomas Twining, at Colchester, has been transmitted to us. It is so applicable to the present times, and contains so much good sense, that we have great pleasure in laying it before our Readers. EDIT.

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"London, Nov. 27, 1795. "11th head. The Meeting in Pulace-yard.-Could Mr. Fox and the Duke of Bedford possibly imagine, that from such a Meeting the sense of the inhabitants of Westminster was to be collected Mr. Wilkes was once told, by his adversaries, that they would take the sense of the Ward, do,' replied Wilkes, and I will take the nonsense of the Ward, and beat you 10 to 1.'-This subject leads me naturally enough, to my 12th head, the Times.I am most sorry to see such times! but if I were to indulge myself in expressing my sorrow; if I were to say all I think, my Letter (pretty long already) would well beyond, far beyond, Letter size; and yet I cannot remain wholly silent. To be as brief then as I can. I think I may make a new division of the inhabitants of this island. I may divide them into the Supporters, and the Opposers, of the two Bills, now before Parliament. I consider the Supporters of the Bills, as persons wishing to preserve the Constitution of this Country; and to secure us from that scene of horror which must attend its overthrow.-I consider the Opposers of the Bills, either as persons intending and anxiously wishing to promote general confusion, or persons willing to risk even such confusion, in order to get into place.Though I think I am right, as to my general description of the Opposers of the Bills, yet I am willing to admit, that there are, amongst them, many, who do not deliberately mean to do what is wrong, but who are completely deluded. The conduct of these people should be added to the crimes of those who delude them. Is it possible, that any person wishing to live in peace, and wishing to preserve the Constitution of his Country, can think that the Meetings which have been held for some time past, should be still held; and that the opinions which have been spread so industriously, should continue to be spread. Now

as

it is evident, that the laws already in force; interpreted by juries as we find they are-are insufficient to prevent these Meetings, and to stop the open communication of these opinions. According to my notion, any Constitution that would not admit, upon any account whatever, of any alteration, would be a bad Constitution :it would be a bad Constitution for such beings as men. I have adopted the present and popular meaning of a Constitution; a thing made up, one would think, of a given unalterable quantity of rights, privileges, liberties, &c. whereas the Constitution is rather, I imagine, composed of, King, Lords, and Commons: who have a right to alter the quantities of rights, liberties, &c. When certain rights, privileges, and liberties, were secured to us, by our ancestors (whether by Charter, or the Bill of Rights, or any other way, it matters not), the object was, that we should be the better, i. e. the happier for them. If those ancestors could have foreseen, that their descendants would, at some distant day, use a part of those rights and liberties to confound all right, and all liberty: that the best part of the Constitution would be employed to overthrow the Constitution itself; and that thus, what was intended to form, would actually destroy our happiness: if our venerable ancestors could have foreseen all this, would they have secured to us so many rights and so much liberty? Certainly not. But, unfortunately, we see, what they could not foresee. These things strike me so forcibly, that, unless the present Bills pass, without their being so modified and weakened, as to render them ineffectual; I consider that the adversary must prevail! God only knows-for I am serious when I think of these matters-how

they will end! Opinions, which, if the weak law does not call them so, sober reason must call, seditious, are preached, publicly, every night; and they are devoured with avidity.-At this very moment, I firmly believe, that nothing but the military keeps us quiet. There is a vast force in and near town. Well! But if the Bills do pass, what then? There, again, the prospect is uncomfortable; for even in Parliament, the doctrine of resistance has been preached! and much industry and ingenuity have

been

been exerted, to prevent the Bills from answering the end intended, if they should pass. I hope, however, that Mr. Pitt will be firm, and successful. That way, we have some chance, the other we have have none at all. It is not unusual, to have a cause injured by injudicious friends."

Mr. URBAN,

Jan. 15.

N addition to Dr. Watkins's Account, and that of your correspondent L. G. page 488, of your last Volume, respecting the late Queen; I take the liberty of communicating the following anecdote, if you think it worthy of insertion. Wanstead-house, the present residence of W. L. Pole, was offered, and preparations made, for the reception of the Queen, but why she did not rest there I know not. A little time after her marriage she visited the house with the King. Upon his Majesty being received at the entrance of the grand saloon by the groom of he chambers, he took him by the arm, saying, "you and I, Sir, will go together, and let the ladies enjoy their own conversation."

He conversed with this gentleman in the most affable manner, and finding that he had been in France and Italy, made many enquiries respecting them, and the persons who were there at the time of this gentleman's travels. On taking leave, he told him, if he would come to St. James's he should be glad to see him, and assist him, and turning to the Queen, "It is well," said he, "Charlotte, you did not stop here in your way to the palace; for that would have been thought a mean residence after seeing this elegant mansion.”

Mr. URBAN,

Ν

F. B.

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Jan. 16.

terminated by the flower of the Nymphea Lotus, upon which it appears to

rest.

I have placed the above in capitals, to express my admiration of this precious relick of antiquity, worthy to be classed with the Apollo and other celebrated works. I think, that the murdered Winckelman, even amidst the pangs of a dying convulsion, would have given a smiling glance upon this illustrious chef-d-œuvre. If ever there was a face, which blended respect and love, it is that of this juvenile matron. We Northern Barbarians regard beauty with the gluttony of an epicure, and "Zounds, what rare dishes! Gods, how I could eat ye," would be the gross sentiments, were here to be seen the still celebrated beauty of the girls of Sparta, aided by the sweet musick of the Oriental voice; but the Grecian Lady preserves a look of dignity, which deprecates desire. Be it, that the Medicean Venus was the beauty which Prometheus created, there is still a physiognomy, depending chiefly upon the eye, and its adjacent parts, possessing a dignity, sweetness, and vivacity, which is far beyond the chill tame uniformity of faultless beauty. Such is this exquisite bust. Perhaps it was made at the particular request of thy beloved, lovely and amiable fair one! and the sweet assurance of his heart, and the conscious pride of thy triumph, sat glorious upon thy features, and exhibited that blessedness of tranquil delight, which pervaded thy full soul! Perhaps love and fortune were united in thy happy history, Grecian Lady! Perhaps, at the moment, when thou wast sitting to the sculptor, the whispers of love were poured into thy enraptured ear,

IN your Magazine for December, by the admiring monarch of thy

1819, p. 543, you have inserted some verses "On seeing a beautiful female at the British Museum, gazing on the Grecian Lady."

Permit me to send you Mr. Fosbroke's fine apostrophe on this Bust, as it occurs in his "Critiques on the Townley Statues," published in a periodical Miscellany many years ago, and to the mass of the publick probably unknown; perhaps by others forgotten.

"No. 35. A BUST OF AN UNKNOWN GRECIAN LADY, represented in the character of Isis. It is gracefully

heart."

There is a considerable resemblance in the form of the face of this bust, and its attitude, to a singular statue of Isis, re-engraved by Montfaucon (vol. II. part ii. B. i. c. vi. § 4.) from Boissard. As to the Lotus flower, it was the primitive symbol of the pas sive means of production personified under the denomination of this goddess. (Dallaway's Arts, p. 300.) The Bust is at first sight not so striking, as it has appeared to Mr. Fosbrooke, perhaps not an object of interest to any person unacquainted with sculp

ture;

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