BIOGRAPHICAL PARTICULARS OF CELEBRATED PERSONS Voss. LATELY DECEASED. John Henry Voss was born on the 2d of February, 1751, at Somersdorf, in the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburgh. He was in early youth inspired with the love of learning, but he had obstacles to contend with in the narrowness of his means: his father was in a station bordering upon absolute poverty. But eminent talents, uncommon diligence, and heroic abstinence from all the enjoyments which young men born in the lap of opulence call necessaries, could not go without their reward. Voss at last procured the means necessary for devoting himself to academical studies. In 1772 he was received into the University of Gottingen. Young Voss was not long in distinguishing himself among the pupils of this excellent institution, which was already well known throughout Europe. He made rapid progress in the ancient languages, and cultivated at the same time the happy talent he had for poetry. It was about this time that there was formed at Gottingen a society of young men, whose names speedily acquired a just celebrity. Voss became a member of this association, in which shone Hoelty, whose elegies breathe a melancholy at once sweet and mournful. The two Counts Stollberg, and Miller, author of "Siegwart," were parties in this alliance. These young friends met on Saturdays, and, in fine weather, frequently in the open air, under the shade of some majestic oaks. In the summer they assembled in a garden, and prolonged their literary meetings even till sunrise. Extemporary verses were produced, and communicated with enthusiasm as they were spoken. Burger, so well known by his romances and ballads, and Klopstock himself, were honorary members of this poetical society. Voss, in his Life of Hoelty, prefixed to the new edition of the poems of his friend (published at Hamburgh in 1804), traces in an inte. resting manner these recollections of his youth. Voss lived some time at Hamburgh, and it was there that he published a "Poetical Almanack" for several years, which was a continuation of that of Gottingen. In 1782 he was named Headmaster of a school at Eutin; in 1802 he settled at Jena; and finally in 1805, upon the new organization of the University of Heidelberg, the Grand Duke of Baden invited Voss thither, to give the greater celebrity to that institution. The poetical productions of this author are numerous. Voss knew all the riches of the German language, and possessed, in a very high degree, the talent of managing and adapting it to the most different kinds of composition. Following the steps of Klopstock, he at last decidedly succeeded in naturalizing in German literature the metrical forms of Greek and Latin prosody, and at the same time showed how easily he could overcome the difficulties of rhyme. The character of Voss developed itself fully in his poetry; in his odes there are vigour and energy, which, however, are not always without roughness; in his songs there is a frank cor diality, and an enticing gaiety which always pleases; in Iris hymus a sweet and impressive piety: but it is, above all, in his eclogues that the genius of Voss shines. Among his compositions of this sort may be cited," Der Siebenzigste Geburtstag" (The Seventieth Birthday). The chef-d'a 'œuvre of Voss, however, is his "Louisa," a pastoral epic. This poem, written in hexameters, is a delightful feast one meets there by turns with picturesque descriptions of the beauties of nature, traced with the greatest talent, and with family scenes, pervaded by the finest sentiments of filial piety, love, conjugal affection, and religion. A collection of the poems of Voss appeared at Koenisberg in 1802, the last of which contained a treatise on prosody. The industry of Voss was surprising. German literature owes to him a great many translations, of which we may mention that of Virgil, that of a great part of the Metamorphoses of Ovid, those of Horace, Hesiod, and Orpheus, Theocritus, Aristophanes; but, above all, that of the Iliad and Odyssey: this chef-d'œuvre, written in hexameters, is so close to the original, that it may be considered as in truth a fac-simile; it is a treasure which Germany possesses beyond all other nations; it is Homer himself, who sings his verses in a modern language. The unwearied Voss undertook also, in conjunction with his two sons (Henry Voss, professor at Heidelberg, who died in 1822, and Abrahamn Voss), a translation of Shakspeare, of which several volumes have appeared. This surprising man, not content with his numerous successes as a poet and philologist, devoted himself also to profound researches into the geography and mythology of the ancients. He thought proper to impugn the system on the latter subject, developed in one of the most remarkable works of the day, the "Symbols" of the learned Professor Creutzer: Voss published his "Anti-Symbols." Voss terminated his honourable career on the 29th of March, at the age of seventyfive. His death was as gentle as his life had been good; he expired while conversing with his friend and physician, M. Tiedemann. SIR T. S. RAFFLES. At his residence at Highwood Hill, Sir T. S. Raffles: he was found early in the morning in a state of insensibility, at the bottom of the stairs, by Lady Raffles. Medical aid was promptly procured, and every means attempted to restore animation, but the vital spark had fled. The body was opened, under the direction of Sir Everard Home, the same day, who pronounced his death to have been caused by apoplexy. It was likewise apparent that the sufferings of the deceased must for some time past have been most intense, brought on by his long residence in India, and in the anxious and zealous discharge of the important duties to which his life was devoted. It is little more than twenty years since the British Government proposed to form a regular establishment at Pulo Penang, or Prince of Wales's Island. The plan was carried into effect under the immediate auspices of the late Lord Melville. Sir Stamford Raffles was at that period a junior clerk in the East India House in Leadenhall-street. The place of Secretary, which, by the arrangement, was the third in rank in the new establishment, was one to which great importance was attached. Various gentlemen, recommended from the highest quarters, were proposed to fill it. It is unnecessary to say how high he must have stood in the estimation of the Directors, to whose good-will he was indebted for the appointment. To an ardent, youthful mind, deeply imbued with a love of science, of an enterprising spirit, and lively imagination, like that of Sir Stamford Raffles, the prospect must have proved dazzling and enchanting. A short residence in Prince of Wales's Island, however, dispersed the dream. Writing to a friend, he says, "When leaving England, I promised to send you some of the valuable curiosities of this place. Alas! it offers nothing but a bag of pepper; and my health, I am sorry to say, is far from good." In some short time after, he relinquished the situation, and repaired to the Continent of India for the benefit of his health; and his friends not having heard regularly from him, a report of his death generally prevailed. The cloud, however, soon dispersed, and accounts from India exhibited him to the eyes of his admiring friends in England, in the high office of Lieut.-governor of Java. It appears that, on his arrival on the Con tinent, he applied himself to learning the language of the country, and had so strongly recommended himself to Lord Minto, by his amiable manners, intelligence, and activity, that that nobleman availed himself of his talents in the reduction of Java, and appointed him to the important office of Lieut.-governor of the island, as a reward of his services. There he did credit to his country, honour to himself, and conferred happiness upon the people committed to his care. Had Sir Stamford Raffles been one of those men who go to India to amass a fortune, here he had a glorious golden opportunity. There was a rich harvest, the accumulation of many years' growth, at his hand, to be gathered in; but bis romantic, ardent, generous, and aspiring mind soared above such grovelling considerations. He thought only of remedying the abuses of his sordid predecessors, the Dutch Governors of Java, and of extending the blessings of civilization, and of a mild and paternal administration of its affairs, through that superb island. Such was the state of Java, improving in prosperity every day, when the treaty of peace with the Dutch came, and abandoned the island to its old masters. The tears and lamentations of the people on the departure of Sir Stamford Raffles, while they show their gratitude, attest the wisdom and kindness of his government. The Dutch, with the re-occupation of the island, resumed their old rapacious habits; and if British commerce be not now excluded from the Indian Archipelago, England is indebted to the sagacity, intelligence, and activity of Sir Stamford Raffies, who defeated their schemes of monopoly by the establishment of the port of Sincapore. On his return from Java to England, he married an interesting young lady, who afterwards accompanied him to Sumatra, in which he was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Fort Marlborough, with a net salary of 4000l. a year; and after exploring all the natural riches of that island, he sailed with his family, and all the stores of his scientific research, for England, in the Fame, a country ship; but had scarcely lost sight of land when the vessel caught fire, and was, with all his property, totally destroyed. MR. FARQUHAR. Mr. John Farquhar, the late owner of Fonthill Abbey, died last month, at the age of 73, at his house in the New-road. He went to bed at his usual hour, in good health, and when the servant took breakfast to him to the bed-room at eight o'clock in the morning, as was his custom, he found Mr. Farquhar a lifeless corpse. A physician was sent for, who declared that Mr. Farquhar must have breathed his last several hours before. Mr. Farquhar's advancement in life forms one of the many distinguished instances of the advantages which Scotland enjoys from its admirable system of education, which, from its cheapness, is accessible to all. It enabled him to advance himself in life from a humble rank to a high degree of consequence; to fill with distinction and with honour every situation in which fortune placed him. Mr. Farquhar was a native of Aberdeen, and went out early in life to India, as a cadet on the Bombay establishment, where he was a chum of the late General Kerr. While at Bombay, he received a dangerous wound in the hip, which caused lameness, and affected his health so much, that he was recommended to remove to Bengal. Mr. Farquhar's mind was ever occupied in study, and chemical research was his favourite pursuit from its practical application the foundation of his immense fortune was laid. There was some defect in the mode of manufacturing gunpowder in the interior, and Mr. Farquhar was selected to give his assistance. By degrees, he got the management of the concern, and finally became the sole contractor to the Government. In this way, wealth and distinction rapidly poured in upon him, and he attained the particular favour and confidence of the late Warren Hastings. In Bengal, he was remarkable for the closeness of his application, unabating perseverance, and extraordinary mental vigour, and also for the habits of penuriousness which, in a great degree, adhered to him to the end of his life. After years of labour, he came home from India, with a fortune estimated at half a million of money, the principal part of which was invested, through Mr. Hoare, in the funds, at the rate of 551. for 3 per cent. consols. On landing at Gravesend, Mr. F. got on the outside of the coach to London, and his first visit very naturally was to his banker. Full of dust and dirt, with clothes not worth a guinea, he presented himself at the counter, and asked to see Mr. Hoare. The clerks disregarded his application, and he was suffered to wait in the cash-office as a poor petitioner, until Mr. Hoare, passing through it, after some explanation, recognized bis Indian customer-the man whom he expected to see with a Nabob's pomp. Mr. Farquhar requested 251. and took his leave. After leaving the banking-house, he went to a relation's, a Baronet, with whom he for some time resided. About Christmas a grand rout was to be given by the relation of Mr. Farquhar, in consequence of his return. One evening, a week previous, Mr. Farquhar received a hint from his relation that his clothes were not of the newest fashion, and recommended a Bond-street tailor to him. Mr. Farquhar asked him if that really was his opinion; the answer was given in a way with which Mr. Farquhar did not feel pleased; he went to his bed-room, packed up his trunk, requested the servant to call a coach, in which he set out, and never after associated with his titled relative. He then settled in Upper Baker-street, where his house was to be distinguished by its dingy appearance, uncleaned windows, and general neglect. An old woman was his sole attendant, and his apartment, to which a brush or broom was never applied, was kept sacred from her care. Books and papers were strewed on the floor; the spot where the book was concluded, there it was thrown, and never removed. His neighbours were not at all acquainted with his character; and there have been instances of some of them offering him money as an object of charity, or as a reduced gentleman. He became a partner in the great "agency house in the city, of Basset, Farquhar, and Co. and also purchased the late Mr. Whitbread's share in the brewery. Part of his wealth was devoted to the purchase of estates, but the great bulk was invested in stock, and suffered to increase on the principle of compound interest. Every half year he regularly drew his dividends, his mercantile profits, and his rents, and purchased in the funds. In this manner his wealth accumulated. Mr. Farquhar was deeply read in ancient and modern literature-his mind was one of extraordinary vigour and originality-his conversation of a superior order, impressive and animated on every subject. His sentiments were liberal, and strangely contrasted with his habits. His religious opinions were said to be peculiar, and to be influenced by an admiration of the purity of the lives and moral principles of the Brahmins. It is said that he offered to appropriate 100,000l. to found a college in Aberdeen on the most enlarged plan of education, with a reservation on points of religion; to which, however, the sanction of the Legislature could not be procured, and the plan was dropped. He was diminutive in person, and by no means prepossessing in appearance; his dress had all the qualities of the antique to recommend it; and his domestic expenditure, until lately, had not exceeded 2001. a year, although his possessions, money in the funds, and capital in trade, are said to amount to a million and a half. Mr. Farquhar was an eccentric person, for, though seemingly penurious in his habits of life, he was princely in his liberality; and many mornings when he had left his house with a crust of bread in his pocket, to save the expense of a penny at an oyster-shop, he has given away hundreds of pounds in works of charity. In the summer of 1822, when the public curiosity was highly excited by the unexpected offer of Mr. Beckford's far-famed seat of Fonthill Abbey, and all its long-hidden treasures for sale, and conjecture became weary in searching for a purchaser amongst the most wealthy portion of the aristocracy of the land, curiosity was converted into amazement by the announcement, that the frugal Mr. Farquhar was become the proprietor of so much splendour. He had been elected a member of the New Parliament for Portarlington. INCIDENTS, ECCLESIASTICAL AND CIVIL APPOINTMENTS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS. The New Parliament. House of Commons.-A List of the Members returned to serve in the new Parliament, for the several Counties, Cities, and Boroughs, in England and Wales, alphabetically arranged. Those marked thus (n), were not in the last Parlia ment. Those marked thus (0), are new for the respective places. All the rest are Re-elected. ENGLAND AND WALES. Abingdon-J. Maberly St. Albans--C. Smith, J. Easthorpe n Aldeburgh J. Walker, J. W. Croker o Amersham-T. Drake, W. Drake Andover-Sir J. Pollen, T. Smith Angleseashire-Lord Uxbridge Appleby-Hon. H. Tufton n, Lord Maitland n Barnstaple-F. Hodgson, H. Alexander n Bedfordshire-Col. T. P. Macqueen o, Marq. of Tavistock Bedford-Lord G. Russell, W. Whitbread Berkshire-C. Dundas, R. Palmer Berwick-Capt. Beresford n, J. Gladstone o Bishop's Castle-W. Holmes, E. Rogers Brecou-G. Morgan Bridgenorth-T. Whitmore, W. Whitmore Bridgewater-W. Astell, C. K. Tynte Bridport-Sir H. St. Paul, H. Warburton n Buckinghamshire--Marq. of Chandos, Hon. R. Smith Buckingham-Sir G. Nugent, Right Hon. W. 11. Bury St. Edmund's-Earl Euston n, Lord Hervey n Calne-Sir J. Macdonald, Hon. J. Abercromby Cambridge University-Sir J. S. Copley o, Lord Cambridge-Marquis Graham, Lieut. Col. Trench Cardiganshire-Colonel W. Powell Carlisle-Sir James Graham n, Sir Philip Musgrave Carnarvonshire--Lord Newborough n Castle Rising-Lord H. Cholmondeley, Hon. Col. Chester-Lord Belgrave, Hou. R. Grosvenor Clithero-Hon. R. Curzou, Hon. P. Custo Cornwall-Sir R. R. Vyvyan, G. Peudarves n Cumberland-Sir J. Lowther, J. Curwen Dartmouth-Capt. J. Bastard, Col. Cooper Denbigh-J. Ablett n, Hon. F. Westn (double Derbyshire-Lord G. Cavendish, F. Mundy Devonshire-Sir T. Acland, E. Bastard Dorsetshire-E. B. Portman, H. Bankes Dorchester-R. Williams, Hon. A. W. A. Cooper Dover-E. Wilbraham, C. Thomson n Downton-T. E. Estcourt n, R. Southey n Flint-Sir E. P. Lloyd Fowey-Hon. H. Eden n, G. Lucy Gatton-Hon. W. Scott o, M. Prendergast o Germain, St.-Right. Hon. C.Arbuthnot, C. Rosso Gloucestershire-Lord R. Somerset, Sir B. W. Guise Gloucester-Col. E. Webb, R. B. Cooper Grantham-F. J. Talmash n, Sir M. J. Cholmcley Guildford-Sergeant Onslow, G. Norton n Haslemere-Rt. Hon. J. Beckett n, G. Thompson Hastings-Sir W.. Curtis o, Sir C. Wetherello Helston-Marq. Carmarthen n, Ld. J. Townshend Herefordshire-Sir J. Cottrell, R. Price Hereford-Lord Eastnor, E. B. Clive n Hertfordshire-Sir J. Sebright, N. Calvert o Hertford-T. Byron, T. S. Duncombe n Heytesbury-E. II. A'Court, II. Northcote n Hindon-Hon. G. M. Fortescue n, Hon. A. Cal. thorpe o Homiton-J. J. Guest n, H. B. Lott n Hythe-S. Majoribanks, Sir R. T. Farquhar n King's Lynn-Hon. J. Walpole, Ld. W. Bentinck o tosi Lancashire-J. Blackburn, Lord Stanley son 2, (double return) Lewes T. Kempo, Sir T. Shelley Liverpool-Rt. Hon. W. Huskisson, Gen. Gascoyne Maldon-Hon. G. Winn n, T. B. Lennard o Milborn Port-Lord Graves, A. Chichester n Monmouthshire-Lord G. Somerset, Sir C. Morgan Monmouth, &c.-Marquis of Worcester Newark-H. Willoughby, Gen. Sir W. Clinton Newcastle-under-Lyne-R. W. Horton, R. Borra. daile n Newcastle-on-Tyne-Sir M. Ridley, C. Ellison Newton, Lancash.-T. Legh, T. Alcock n Northallerton-Hon. W. Lascelles, Sir J. Beres ford o Northamptonshire-Ld. Althorp, W. R. Cartwright Northampton-Sir G. Robinson, W. L. Maberley Northumberland-Hon. H. T. Liddell n, M. Bell Norwich-J. Peel n, W. Smith Nottinghamshire-Adm. F. Southeron, J. Lumley n Nottingham-Lord Rancliffe n, J. Birch Oakhampton-Sir C. Domville o, Col. J. H. Strutto Orford-H. Seymour o, Sir H. Cooke n Oxfordshire-W. Ashhurst, J. Fane Oxford University-Rt. Hon. R. Peel, T. Estcourt Oxford-J. Langston o, J. Lockhart Pembrokeshire-Sir J. Owen Pembroke-H. O. Owen n Penryn-J. Barclay n. W. Manning o Peterborough-Sir R. Heron, J. Scarlett Petersfield-Col. Jolliffe, M. Marshall n Plymouth-Sir W. Cougreve, Sir T. B. Martin Plympton-Hon. G. Edgecumbe n, G. Antrobus o Radnor County-W. Wilkins Reading-J. B. Monck, J. Spence n Ripon Right Hon. F. Robinson, L. Shadwell n Seaford-J. Fitzgerald n. A. F. Ellis n Somersetshire-W. Dickinson, Sir T. B. Lethbridge Southampton-W. Chamberlayne, A. Dotten n Southwark-C. Calvert, Sir R. Wilson. Staffordshire-Sir J. Wrottesley, E. Littleton Stafford-R. Ironmongern, R. Benson n Stamford-Lord T. Cecil, T. Chaplin Stockbridge-Gen. Grosvenor, G. Wilbraham n Tavistock-Lord Ebrington, Lord W. Russell n Taunton-H. Seymour o, Gen. W. Peachey n Tewkesbury-J. Dowdeswell, J. Martin Tiverton-Lord Sandon, Right Hon. R. Ryder Wenlock-Hon. G. Forrester, B. Thompson n Whitchurch-S. Scott, Hon. H. Townshend Wiltshire-Sir J. Astley, J. Benett Winchester-Sir E. H. East, P. Mildmay Winchilsea-11. Brougham, Lord Howick n Windsor-J. Ramsbottom, Sir R. H. Vivian o Woodstock-Lord Blandford n, Lord Ashley n Worcestershire-Col. Hon. H. Lygon, Sir T. Winnington. Worcester-G. Robinson n, T. Davies Yarmouth, I. W.-Lord Binning o, Dr. J. Philli |