1826. (301) BIOGRAPHICAL PARTICULARS OF CELEBRATED PERSONS LATELY DECEASED. CHARLES OGLE, ESQ. June 5th, at his house, Saville-place, Newcastle, aged 70 years, Charles Ogle, Esq. For thirty-four years he exercised the functions of Collector of the Customs, to the approbation of the mercantile members, and to the advantage of the trade of Newcastle. He was assiduous, impartial, obliging, just, in his weighty office. In social life, his amiable manners, honourable conduct, and hospitality, were long acknowledged and will be long lamented. At the conclusion of his active duties by resignation about a year ago, the Members of Parliament for the town, the gentry from different parts of the county, the merchants and respectable inhabitants, invited him to a sumptuous banquet, and the Chamber of Commerce presented him with a costly vase of silver, delivered after an appropriate oration by their president. DR. MILNER. April 19, died at Wolverhampton, aged 74, the Right Rev. John Milner, D.D. Bishop of Castabala, and Vicar Apostolic of the Midland District; Fellow of the Antiquarian Society, and of the Catholic Academy at Rome. This venerable prelate had spent nearly fifty years in the labours of his ministry, twenty-six in the fatiguing but unpecuniary employ of an apostolic vicar. His name is known throughout the whole extent of the British empire; and it may not be too much to say, that there is not a single portion of the Christian world, east or west, where his name has not penetrated. As an historian, his "History of Winchester," will be retained in the libraries of the learned, as a most elaborate and critically just account of the ancient and modern history of that city. As an antiquarian, his admission into the fellowship of the Antiquarian Society, without intrigue, and without interest, is a sufficient proof of his merit and proficiency in that branch of literature. His knowledge of Gothic Architecture may be collected from the article Gothic architecture, in Dr. Rees's "Encyclopedia," said to be written by him. As a polemic and divine, his works are of the first rank. His letters to Dr. Sturges, the Prebendary of Winchester, have gone through many editions. Dr. Sturges wrote against his History of Winchester. But to his letters, in reply, Dr. Sturges returned no answer. His opinion of them may be collected from what he said to the nuns residing at Winchester. "Why are you surprised at seeing me? You ought to be thankful to me; for, had it not been for me, you would not have had that extraordinary work which was written against me." His last great work, the "End to Controversy," is well known. As a prelate, Dr. Milner was indefatigable in the performance of his duties. No part of his extensive district, comprising not less than fifteen counties, was neglected by him. He visited every part, at stated times, and where assistance was wanted, he always administered relief. In the most trying times, and under circumstances sufficient to abash a mind less ardent and less determined than his, he remodelled and greatly augmented a college for the education of the clergy of his district. With means confined as his were, it is a matter of astonishment how so much could have been done by him. It is true he spent but little on himself, as his usual dress would testify. But his great object was the glory of God, and, therefore, every mite that was entrusted to his hands he put aside to be employed in that great business, which every minister of the gospel ought to consider as his only end. As a Christian, Dr. Milner was sincere and devout. His whole life was a life of labour for the salvation of souls; and his last moments, or rather the whole detail of his last illness, which, at some future time, may be given in the history of his life, were an illustration of that sentence to which he points in a book before him, as represented in a large print or portrait taken of him, and published some few years ago, "vanity of vanities, and all is vanity, except to love God, and serve him alone." Suffice it to say, that he seems to have been raised up to meet the circumstances of the times, and that few, in any age, have far excelled him in abilities, in integrity, in intrepidity, in zeal, or in those virtues which raise the episcopal character of his own faith to that station to which it ought to be exalted in that of every sect. CARL MARIA VON WEBER. Von Weber, the distinguished composer of "Der Frieschutz," "Euryanthe," "Oberon," and other musical works of the first order, died, on Monday morning, the 5th ult. at the house of Sir George Smart, in Great Portland-street, where he resided on his arrival from the Continent. The event may be termed sudden, since no immediate danger was apprehended on Sunday night by his medical attendants; but it was foreseen that his decease could not be far distant, and all hope of his return to his country had long been abandoned on the part of his friends. His complaint was a pulmonary affection of long standing. His age was only 39, and thus M. Von Weber, who undoubtedly was one of the greatest musicians that has existed since Mozart, has, like him, been taken from that profession to which he was an ornament before he could be said, in point of age, to have attained the full maturity of his genius. The symptoms of his disorder had not assumed a form in any material degree alarming until the preceding Friday, when M. Von Weber was compelled to keep his room; but his spirits and his appetite were good, and he entertained no sense whatever 'of his approaching danger. The only change remarked in him, was an increasing anxiety to return to his own country. His friends, of course, studied to divert him from an idea they foresaw could never be realized, but all direct opposition only tended to create in him great uneasiness, and his mind grew cheerful in proportion as he conceived the various obstacles that presented themselves were capable of being surmounted. A friend and countryman who paid him constant attention, supped with him, and left him, at 11 o'clock on the night before his death, apparently cheerful, and in no immediate danger. He was found in a lifeless state at seven o'clock the next morning; and though medical aid was promptly resorted to, it was too late, life being quite extinct. Von Weber gave a concert so recently as the 26th of May, at the Argyll rooms, at which he presided, and gratified the audience by several new compositions of extraordinary merit. One of the most remarkable among them was a song from "Lalla Rookh," composed expressly for Miss Stephens, and which was accompanied by Von Weber himself on the pianoforte. The opera of "Der Frieschutz," with all the original music, was to have been performed on the Monday evening at Covent-garden Theatre, for the benefit, and under the superintendence of the composer; but his increasing indisposition, which prevented his attendance, caused the postponement of the perfor mance. Carl Maria Von Weber was born, according to some accounts, in 1787, according to others, in 1786, in a small town in Holstein. His early musical education was conducted by Henschkel, of Hildburghausen, whither he went when nine or ten years old. He subsequently took lessons at Salzburgh, from the brother of the celebrated Haydn. His earliest performances were published about the year 1798. There was, it will be seen, if not such uncommon precosity in his genius, as in that of Mozart, yet sufficient to give ample promise of his more matured productions. His opera of "The Girl of the Wood," composed when he was only fourteen years of age, was performed to applauding audiences in Vienna, Prague, and St. Petersburgh. The opera, with considerable improvements, suggested by his then severer taste, was afterwards published under the title of "Silvana." He had an appointment for some time at Breslau, which he was compelled to leave in 1806, in consequence of the breaking out of the great Prussian war. After that he was for some time in the service of Prince Eugene, of Wirtemberg. His opera of "Abu Hassan" was composed at Darmstadt in 1810. In 1813 he was appointed Director of the opera at Prague, whence he was called to Dresden in 1816, where he occupied the post of Maestro di Capella to the King of Saxony, in whose court he was held in the greatest estimation. His celebrated "Frieschutz" was produced at Berlin in 1822. The publication of this opera at once elevated Von Weber to the rank of one of the first composers in Germany, and, with the exception, perhaps, of the "Zauberflote," no performance ever became so instantaneously popular, or promises to be so permanently so. This opera first led to the idea of an invitation to Von Weber to visit England, and to compose an opera for the English stage. The health of Weber had evidently suffered much before he visited England. Every one remarked, at his very first appearance here, his wasted and worn out appearance. At the concert which he gave, not long before his death, he seemed to be in the last state of exhaustion. He was buried in the Catholic Chapel in Moorfields. MR. EDWARD KNIGHT. At his house in Great Queen-street, Lincoln's-inn-fields, after a severe illness of several months, February 21st, aged 52, that excellent comic actor, Edward Knight. He was born at Birmingham in 1774, and was intended by his friends for an artist; but having at an early period a penchant for the stage, on the death of the person to whom he was articled, made his first appearance at Newcastle-under-line, as Hob, in the farce of "Hob in the Well;" but so astounding was his reception, that it quite disconcerted him; and, unable to go on with the character, he ran off the stage, and it was performed by another. His ardour was for some time checked by this mishap, and he resumed the pencil for another year; but the ruling passion was strong. He ventured in a more obscure place, Raither, in North Wales, again played Hob, and was successful. After strolling about some time, he was engaged by Mr. Nunns, of the Stafford company. In that town he married a daughter of Mr. Clewes, a wine merchant. His next step to fame was owing merely to the whim of some merrily disposed wag, who was willing to raise a laugh at his expense. One night at Uttoxeter, after having raved through the parts of Arno, Silvester Daggerwood, and Lingo, he was agreeably surprised by a note requesting his attendance at the inn adjoining the theatre, and intimating that he would receive information for the improvement of his theatrical pursuits, Every thing, of course, was neglected for this important interview. He flew to the inn on the wings of speed, and was immediately shown into a room, where he was very cordially received by an unknown but grave-looking gentleman, whose inflexible steadiness of face could not give the least suspicion of a jest. After the usual compliments of that day, the stranger very politely assured him that he had received much pleasure from his performances, and was determined to put him into a situation where his talents might be shown to advantage. Mr. Knight stammered forth his gratitude, and had all ears open for the reception of this important benefit. The stranger proceeded to inform him that his name was Phillips, and that he was well known to Mr. Tate Wilkinson, the manager of the York Theatre. "Now, Sir," he added, "you have only to inake use of my name, which I fully authorise you to do, and you may rely upon being well received. Say that I have seen you on the stage, and declared my satisfaction at your performance." Mr. Knight was, of course, much delighted, and expressed, in the most lively terms, his sense of this important obligation. The next morning he wrote a very polite letter to Mr. Wilkinson, making the tender of his services, and not in the least doubting their acceptance, for the name of his new ally formed the most prominent feature in the letter. In a short time, a very laconic epistle came from the York manager, that at once overthrew his splendid expectations. It was to this effect: - "Sir, I am not acquainted with any Mr. Phillips, except a rigid Quaker, and he is the last man in the world to recommend an actor to my theatre. I don't want you. TATE WILKINSON." This was certainly a mortifying repulse. His air-formed schemes at once melted into nothing; and the failure was so much the more painful, as it was totally unexpected. In the bitterness of his anger, he wrote a second letter to the Manager:-"Sir, I should as soon think of applying to a methodist parson to preach for my benefit, as to a Quaker to recommend me to Mr. Wilkinson. I don't want 303 to come. Ε. KNIGHT." This letter was too much in Mr. Wilkinson's own peculiar style to meet with an unfavourable reception. Nothing, however, resulted from it at the time. A whole year rolled on with the Stafford company, at the end of which Mr. Knight was agreeably surprised by a second letter from his former correspondent. In brevity and elegance it was in no wise inferior to his former epistle, but the matter of it sounded much more sweetly to our hero's ears. The following is, to the best of our knowledge, a literal transcript: -" Mr. Methodist Parson, I have a living that produces twenty-five shillings per week. Will you hold forth? TATE WILKINSON." This sudden change was not altogether owing to the preceding correspondence, but in part to the secession of Matthews, who had been engaged at the Haymarket. He lost a beloved wife, at the early age of twenty-four, who left him burdened with the care of a small family. He had been married five years. He was united, secondly, in 1807, to Miss Susan Smith, sister of Mrs. Bartley, the then heroine of the York stage. At York seven years passed away without any other material occurrence, when he received proposals from Mr. Wroughton, at that time Stage-Manager of Drury-Lane, which, of course, were eagerly accepted. On the destruction of Drury-Lane Theatre by fire, many of the principal performers considered themselves as released from their treaties, and embarked in other adventures. Mr. Knight was one of the few that had abilities to profit by this opportunity. On October the 14th, 1809, he made his first appearance at the Lycеum as Timothy Quaint, in "The Soldier's Daughter," and Robin Roughhead, in "Fortune's Frolick." He was equally successful in Jerry Blossom, Sim, Spado, Trip, &c. and continued a favourite till illness compelled him to retire. His powers as a comic actor were certainly considerable. There was an odd quickness and a certain droll play about every muscle in his face, that fully prepared the audience for the jest that was to follow. His Sim, in "Wild Oats," may be termed the most chaste and natural performance on the stage. On one occasion, in the exercise of his profession, Knight had a very narrow escape with his life. On the evening of Feb. 17th, 1816, when performing with Miss Kelly, in the farce of "Modern Antiques," a maniac named Barnett fired a pistol at the lady, which had nearly given him his quietus. His remains were removed to a vault in Pancras new church, on the 27th of February, when, among the mourners, were Mr. Elliston, Dr. Pearson, Mr. Carpue, Mr. G. Soane, &c. &c. INCIDENTS, ECCLESIASTICAL AND CIVIL APPOINTMENTS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS. After a severely contested election, Aldermen Thompson, Waithman, Wood, and Ward, have been returned to Parliament for the City of London. No contest took place in Middlesex or Westminster. In Southwark, the last members have been re-elected, after a severe contest with Mr. Polhill. A meeting of Ship-owners lately took place at the City of London Tavern, for the purpose of devising some measures calculated to support their interests, which they aver to be in a declining state. Several resolutions were passed, declaring that unless some change was shortly effected, the shipping interests would be ruined, attributing their want of protection to the fact of not being represented in the House of Commons; and requesting of shipholders, in all parts of the kingdom, to give their support at the approaching election, to such candidates as were likely to advocate their interests. The British Catholic Association held their annual meeting last month, at the Crown and Anchor, the Duke of Norfolk in the chair, supported by Lords Clifford and Stafford; Hon. Messrs. Jerningham, Clifford, Philip Stourton, and Edward Petre; Sir Edward Blount, William Gerard, Edward Sinythe, Mr. Howard of Corby, &c. &c. The report of the Committee was read by the Secretary, and approved. Lord Clifford, Dr. Collins, Lord Stafford, and several others, addressed the meeting, and proposed a variety of resolutions, which were severally adopted. Mr. French, a barrister, on the Committee for the ensuing year being named, objected to the name of one gentleman, and in allusion to a speech he made at a recent meeting at Newcastle, called him a blasphemer. A scene of confusion ensued that baffles description; during which the terms "liar" and "coward" were applied by Mr. French to a gentleman present. The Chairman in vain endeavoured to restore order, and declared repeatedly that he would quit the chair if order was not restored. At length something like comparative order was obtained, and the remainder of the business was gone through, after which thanks were voted to the Chairman, and the meeting separated. A very important document was delivered to the members of the late House of Commons-Mr. Jacob's Report on the Trade in Corn, and on the Agriculture of the North of Europe, dated 21st Feb. 1826. -Mr. Jacob was sent in the middle of last year, by the Board of Trade, with a view to ascertain the price at which corn could be furnished to this country; how much could now be furnished; and how far the amount could be increased in a series of years if importation were permitted, and the price here averaged from 60s. to 64s, per quarter. Mr. Jacob estimates that 556,330 quarters could be sent to England, which he deems equal to the consumption of ten days' only. The price at which wheat can be sent to England varies according to the situation and condition of the countries supplying it. From the maritime provinces of Prussia it could be supplied at 43s. From Massovia, in Poland, at 48s. From Cracow, in Poland, at 45s. 6d. The whole quantity of wheat that Dantzic has exported in 166 years, is not equal to the consumption of this kingdom for more than fifteen or sixteen months. On the average of the last five years, the export from Dantzic and Elbing, of wheat and rye, has not averaged more than 101,916 quarters annually, being between two and three days' consumption of this kingdom; and under the most powerful stimuli which could be afforded by enormously high prices in England and free importation, between 1801 and 1805, the Vistula and its borders only yielded 550,000 quarters, or twelve days' consumption for Great Britain. With a price of 60s. to 64s. in England, and a duty of 10s. or 12s., he does not think that the average produce of Poland would materially increase; and if the duty were alike on all kinds of wheat, none would be sent here at such a price and with such a duty but the driest, heaviest, and whitest.- Upon the whole, the report of Mr. Jacob is calculated to allay the fear which the farmers have entertained of such an importation, consequent upon the opening of the ports with a duty of 10s. or 12s., as would ruin agriculture. According to an official return made by the Bank of England in 1824, the number of persons holding funded property (or in other words, creditors of England) was (in round numbers) 288,000. Of these the number who received half-yearly dividends was, as under 51. was about 96,000 Above 5 and under 101.......41,000 Between 10 and 50 ......96,000 Between 50 500 ......33,000 Between 500 2000......22,000 Above 2000.. 218 A clause in the new Bankrupt Act, pro vides "that after a bankrupt has passed his last examination, he may call his creditors together, and offer them a composition in discharge of their debts, when, 1826. Incidents-Appointments-Marriages-Deaths. if he can induce nine-tenths of those who 305 The Rev. Wm. Holume, B.D. to the Rectory of The Rev. C. R. Sumner, D. D. to the See of Llandaff and Deanery of St. Paul's. APPOINTMENTS, PROMOTIONS, &c. George Earl of Pembroke to be Governor of Guernsey. attend at that meeting, and another to be Loughborough, vacant by the death of the Rev. held in not less than twenty-one days, to accept such composition, the Lord Chancellor is empowered to supersede the Commission." According to the Bill now before Parliament for altering the law of debtor and creditor, the majority of the creditors of any insolvent merchant, trader, or individual, are to be at liberty to make a compromise with him, and the consent and signatures of such majority of his creditors will be rendered binding on the minority. The Act relating to Juries, which has recently been brought into operation, renders all lodgers liable to serve who pay a rent of not less than 20l. a year. This enactment has greatly increased the number of effective Jurors in the city of London, as it includes merchants and brokers who rent warehouses or counting-houses, although they may reside, as many do, at the West end of the town, or at their counting houses. The regulation proved very unacceptable to the gentlemen about 'Change, who went to the Old Bailey Sessions on Thursday the 6th inst. most unwillingly. The advantage, however, of thus bringing into the service of the public, the time and abilities of intelligent and ready men of business has been already apparent. The Rev. S. G. Comyn to the Vicarage of Rond. hain, Norfolk. The Right Rev. D. W. Van Mildert, to the See of Durham. Rev. M. Armstrong, to the Rectory of Shaw cum Donnington, Berks. The Rev. H. W. Bernard, to the Vicarage of Compton Bishop, Somerset. The Rev. J. Bligh, to the Vicarage of Easton with Long Stowe, and Perpetual Curacy of Barhaw, Huntingdon. The Rev. T. A. Brown, to the Vicarage of Bel- The Rev. E. H. Hoare, to the Rectory of Isham The Rev. H. M. Spence, to the Rectory of West Haddon, vacant by the resiguation of the Rev. John Spence. The Rev. S. H. White to the Rectory of Maidford, vacant by the death of the Rev. S. White. The Rev. W. F. Baylay, M.A. to a Prebend in Canterbury Cathedral, void by the promotion of Dr. Sumner to the See of Llandaff. The Rev. E. Goodenough, D.D. to a Prebend in Westminster, vice Dr. Short, deceased. The Rev. W. Lloyd to the Rectory of Narberth, Pembrokeshire, vice Rev. Dr. Symmons, deceased. The Rev. J. Lupton, one of the Chaplains to the Radeliffe Infirmary, in the room of the late Rev. Mr. Graham. July.-VOL. XVIII. NO. LXVII. Lieut. Gen. Sir H. Warde, to be Governor of The Right Hon. H. Freemantle to be Treasurer of the Household. The Marquis of Salisbury to be a Privy Councillor. The Right Hon. W. F. V. Fitzgerald to be Paymaster-general of the Forces. The Earl of Bristol to be Earl Jermyn, of Horningsherth, in the county of Suffolk, and Marquis of Bristol. The Marquis of Thomond to be Baron Tadcaster, of Tadcaster. John Marquis of Clanricarde to be Baron Somerhill, of Somerhill, in Kent. The Earl of Balcarras to be Baron Wigan, of Haigh-Hall, in Lancaster. Viscount Northland to be Baron Ranfurly, of Ramphorlie, Renfrew. Sir Charles Long to be Baron Farnborough, of Bromley-hill-place, Kent. Sir John Fleming Leicester to be Baron de Tabley, of Tabley-house, Chester. James Archibald Stuart Wortley Mackenzie, Esq. to be Baron Wharncliffe, of Wortley, in York shire. Charles Duncombe, Esq. to be Baron Feversham, of Duncombe-park. Yorkshire. Charles Rose Ellis, Esq. to be Baron Seaford, of Seatord, Sussex. The Right Hon. C. W. W. Wynn, Earl Bathurst, the Right Hon. G. Canning, the Right Hon. R. Peel, R. Banks, Earl of Liverpool, the Right Hon. F. J. Robinson, the Duke of Wellington, J. Brown low, the Marquis of Salisbury, Baron Teignmouth the Right Hon. J. Sullivan, the Right Hon. Sir G. Warrender, Bart. J. Phillimore, and W. Y. Peel, Esq. to be his Majesty's Commissioners for the atfairs of India. [Members of the New Parliament in our next.] Married.] At Camberwell, C. Arthur, Esq. to Miss S. Bassett. At Leamington, Nicholas Lee Forre, Esq. to At Swimbridge, the Rev. J. Russell, jun. to Penelope, youngest daughter of the late Admiral Bury, of Dennington, Devon. At Stockton on Tees, Kenneth Marchison, Esq. to Anne, second daughter of J. D. Nesham, Esq. At Walton, Surrey, Sir John Powlett Orde, Bart. to Eliza, daughter of the late Peter Campbell, Esq. Died.] Lord Dorchester, The Rev. Peregrine Bingham, Rector of Berwick St. John, Wilts, and of Edmonsham, Dorset. On board the Aurora, in Plymouth Sound, Capt. John Maxwell, belonging to that ship. In his 80th year, W. Luxmore, Esq. of Southampton Buildings, Chancery-lane. At Woodford, Mr. Nettlefold. At Braywick Grove, near Maidenhead, the Rev. G. A. Legge, Vicar of Bray. At his house, London Field, Hackney, J. Higgin, Esq. At the house of her brother, at Knightsbridge, Miss A. Dubourg. At Mount House, Braintree, Essex, the Rev. D. Copsey. May 31, at Waterloo, after a few days' illness, - Decosta, the celebrated peasant, who acted as guide to Bonaparte in the battle of Waterloo. At Kildalin Glebe, County Cavan, the Rev. G. Beresford, third sou of the Bishop of Kilmore. At his Chambers, in Verulam Buildings, James Bradby, Esq. of Lincoln's Inn. 2 R |