the felon to his doom with the exultation of a martyr; to the bustling meddler, whose religion seems to consist in noise, and intrusion, and display; and to the grave profaners of sacred things, who discuss the profoundest mysteries with an unholy familiarity from which angels might recoil,-it was to those that Mr. Smedley applied the harsh discipline of his satire.-Pp. 30-32. Mr. Smedley's next poem was "The Parson's Choice of Town or Country," one of the most beautiful and affecting pieces in our language, combining the humour of Swift with the elegance and descriptive eloquence of Goldsmith. The balance is struck in favour of country life. Mr. Smedley now, for a while, bade a farewell to the muse; he resigned his appointment at St. James's, and removed to Wandsworth, where he prepared pupils for the university, and undertook several literary engagements. One of these was the composition of the historical portions of the Annual Register for 1799, 1800 and 1801, which, very unaccountably, had never been supplied. The consequences of this occupation were important, as they produced a revolution in his political sentiments. Mr. Smedley had been brought up a Whig, and he had hitherto been an ardent admirer of Fox's politics and policy. The historical study, however, necessary for the task he had undertaken, corrected his views, and he became, as his biographer expresses it, a moderate Tory." Moderate indeed he was in all things; but though a moderate Tory, he was still a very decided one; and, in the great apostatical year, when many whose firmness had been unsuspected, like Ephraim, joined themselves to idols, his steadfastness on the popish question was unaffected; but on this we shall speak presently. In 1822, Mr. Smedley accepted the editorship of the Encyclopædia Metropolitana : 66 The undertaking demanded much learning and labour, much research and regularity; but he had now acquired habits of diligence and order, which gave its full value to every minute of his day; and his love of reading and of knowledge, his power of turning for refreshment from one species of mental occupation to another, the facility with which he composed, and his conscientious use of daily exercise, enabled him to accomplish tasks which would have appeared overwhelming to others, less happily endowed, or less admirably trained.-P. 39. This was not, however, Mr. Smedley's only labour, although, apparently, sufficient amply to employ the most industrious economist of time. He still continued to instruct private pupils; and he was now alternate morning preacher at St. James's Westminster, and at St. James's Chapel, Hampstead Road, and evening lecturer at St. Giles's Camberwell. He was a contributor to the British Critic, and was engaged at the same time in teaching his children the rudiments of Latin; but, in justice to his biographer, no other words than those of the memoir must describe this period. This was, indeed, a busy and laborious portion of his life; but it was a happy one. Supremely blessed in his wife, surrounded by children whom he loved with the whole tenderness of his nature, enjoying all the comforts of an ample income, and enjoying them the more that he owed them to his own honourable exertions, he had little to wish for the present, excepting less interruption to his domestic privacy-and to a hopeful mind the future appeared to promise that, as the grateful accompaniment of prosperity and distinction. Heaven, too, had bestowed one gift, the full value of which was not known till the day of privation and infirmity-the gift of joyous and elastic spirits. They seemed, indeed, like a compensation granted beforehand by a bountiful father to a beloved child, in readiness for the time when his wisdom foresaw that other blessings must be withdrawn. Nothing could be more surprising, more cheering, more infectious, than the gay and sportive mood in which Mr. Smedley would leave his library, after a day spent in patient instruction, minute research, and diligent study. His spontaneous vivacity, and ready humour, needed no stronger excitement, nor more flattering reward, than the smiles and the merriment of the little circle around his own fireside; while, as often as he did enter into society, his presence was delightful even to those who could only understand the charm of his manner and the kindness of his address, and was valuable indeed to the few whose talents and acquirements enabled them fully to appreciate his.Pp. 40, 41. In the year 1827, a deafness, which had been gradually advancing for more than ten years, deprived Mr. Smedley of one chief source of income, his pupils.* So entire was his loss of hearing, that his friends could only communicate by writing, or speaking with their fingers, in which his family and intimates, aided by his rapid apprehension of their meaning, soon became sufficiently expert to converse almost as readily as by the lips. Literature became now his principal resource. He published a poem, which deserves to take rank beside the noblest efforts of English genius,-not excepting even the famous argumentative poem of Dryden, which, as an argument, it crushes by the weight of historical fact. The "Lux Renata, a Protestant's Epistle," should be read by every scholar for its literary excellence, and by every man of reflection for its matter. Had our statesmen, in 1829, condescended to learn wisdom from the truths which it so impressively commends to its readers, "the sun of England" might be yet shining with meridian lustre, and those very charioteers be guiding his wheels, who were flung ignominiously from the car by the hands they had armed first for their own subversion, and finally for their country's ruin. As the sources of legitimate extra-professional emolument, are, to a • About this time he drew up the following resolutions, found among his papers: "To remember that I cannot, at best, but be very troublesome to others, therefore to give as little intentional trouble as I can : "That all I am told of myself must be received with caution, since, from kindness, much will be concealed which otherwise I should hear: "Never to be impatient with the children or others, if they talk with their fingers, at times in which I am otherwise engaged; if I show moroseness they will soon give me up: "Always, when I can do so without interrupting others, to ask the subject of conversation when I am present: "Not to talk too much of my own infirmity: "Not to request too many explanations; not to be angry if they are neglected or refused." clergyman, few, Mr. Smedley thought the chance of success in the Seatonian field was not altogether to be despised; and therefore, during the summer of this year, when his medical attendants advised repose from intellectual exertions, he amused himself, while at Hastings, in writing "The Marriage in Cana." The poem was successful, and encouraged him, in the following year, to appear again as competitor. The subject was "Saul at Endor." Mr. Smedley had already treated this thesis in his Seatonian prize poem of "Saul and Jonathan ;" and it was not a little surprising that he should succeed a second time with the same theme for the same prize. To avoid self-repetition, he cast the story into a dramatic form-and his adaptation of the chorus in the Hecuba, beginning Σὺ μὲν, ὦ πατρὶς Ιλιάς, to the overthrow of Ziklag, is one of the most felicitous instances of the application of combined taste and learning which our literature can furnish. During this period of affliction, Mr. Smedley's serenity and submission were perfect. Not even an accidental expression of impatience ever escaped his lips; and once, and only once, was he heard to utter a gentle wish that his lost faculty could be for a short time restored. This occurred on witnessing the glee and animation of his little girls, who, on some occasion, were talking with all the volubility of childish delight. "I should like once again to hear their voices," was the sole regret to which he ever gave audible utterance; and the pain which it caused to those who heard it, proved to them how much they owed to his usually unfailing self-command and cheerfulness. In "The Marriage in Cana," when enumerating our Saviour's miracles, there was one on which he dwelt with peculiar earnestness:— "The deaf shall revel (mercy without bounds) In cherish'd tones and bosom-treasur'd sounds; Here again we perceive which of the consequences of his loss of hearing he felt most severely; but the love which inflicted the pang taught him to endeavour to conceal it. Nor did he trust alone to the power of unselfish affection, or the assistance of constitutional cheerfulness. A prayer found among his papers, and composed for his own use, shows to what source of " living water" he applied for strength, and explains why the supply was so unvarying and so unfailing. To those who lived much with him, indeed, it was necessary, when * O God, Father of Mercies, pardon my sins, and grant the assistance of Thy Holy Spirit that I may avoid them in future. Look down with Thy choicest favour upon my dear wife and children. Grant to my dear wife, health, length of life, and tranquillity. Enable us to bring up all our children in Thy faith and fear. Prosper them with happiness; and so guide them by Thy Holy Spirit, that they may do always things righteous in Thy sight, and may finally be united with ourselves and all Thy Faithful in Thine Everlasting Kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant me, O God, a due sense of Thy mercies and loving-kindnesses to myself and to all mankind, especially those which Thou hast vouchsafed to me in my own family -(here commemorate any particular recent blessings)-continue these to me undimi they had become accustomed to his deafness, to remind themselves that he was an object of pity, condemned to a hopeless infirmity, which had clouded all his worldly prospects, shut him out from the society he was so fitted to enjoy and adorn, and from the conversation of his numerous and distinguished friends, and which, more than almost any other privation, is supposed to dispirit, to vex, and to irritate. Compassion seemed wasted on one who was always contented and cheerful, pleasantly and usefully occupied, ready to amuse and to be amused; who never alluded to his deafness as a matter of regret or annoyance, or appeared to consider that it entitled him to extra consideration or attention. It was evident that he was still a far happier man than a very large proportion of those who can hear. Occupied in reading or composition, he could now pass his evenings in the midst of his family, undisturbed by the employments or chatter of his children; sometimes laying down his book or pen to look affectionately at the dear faces around him, to say a kind word, to relate an amusing anecdote, to excite a hearty laugh, or to join for a few minutes in the conversation. Just before or after evening prayers, his two younger girls always sat successively, for ten minutes or a quarter of an hour, on his knee; and all occupation was laid aside while he indulged himself with their caresses, or watched their as yet inexpert fingers relating to him some little occurrence of the day. He had not resigned the gratification of teaching his girls Latin, and devoted a part of every morning to their instruction. They were quick and docile; and the delight which it gave him to be occupied with them and for them, and to watch their progress, was so intense, that those only can form an adequate idea of it who were fortunate enough to witness it.-Pp. 48-50. In 1829 Mr. Smedley added to his labours as editor of the Encyclopædia Metropolitana, an engagement with Mr. Murray-to contribute to "The Family Library" a "History of Venice." This work, which he intituled "Sketches of Venetian History," brought him acquainted with the accomplished scholar and historian Sismondi, with whom he maintained, during the remainder of his life, the most cordial and friendly intercourse. In 1831, his infirmity had compelled Mr. Smedley to part with all his clerical appointments, except a prebend of Lincoln, worth 10l. per annum; the possession of which, however, was highly valued by Mr. Smedley, as a testimony of regard from one whom he had long and deeply esteemed.* He now devoted himself entirely to general literature, in order to provide for a family whom his profession no longer enabled him to maintain. He engaged in 1831, to undertake a castigated edition of "The Fairy Queen," with modernized orthography. This he completed; but Mr. Murray, afterwards, much to his mortification, declined to publish it. We state this on the authority of the nished. Regard with Thy pity all who are afflicted in mind, body, or estate—(here mention any particular sufferers)-giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. Relieve my infirmities, if such be Thy will; if otherwise, teach me resignation to endure them without murmuring. Sanctify these and all other trials to the health of my soul; confirm my faith; strengthen my repentance; and bring me with all those dear to me to Thyself, through Jesus Christ our Lord.-P. 102. • The memoir says, the Bishop of Lincoln; (Dr. Kaye)—we had always understood the friend to be the present Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol. biographer, and without intending to pass any opinion as to the terms of the engagement; but, if they were such as fairly admitted of Mr. Murray's retreat, still we cannot very highly commend his judgment. It always appeared to us very unaccountable and absurd that Spenser, of all authors of his time, should alone be condemned to abide in the barbarism of his autograph. The spelling (orthography would be a gross misnomer) of that day was utterly devoid of system, and any letters which would produce the given sound, were taken at random. Spenser himself, as he is printed, spells the same word as variously as the sound can admit. Many who recoil from his "old English," are not aware how much of the same oldness would appear in Shakspeare, if printed from contemporary editions. It is true that many words, (inquere for inquire, hond for hand, &c. &c.) intentional archaisms, could not, and ought not to, be altered; but ordinary terms might certainly be modernized, and such portents as "a bounch of heares," "divelish yron engin," &c. &c. advantageously expelled. On the castigation of Spenser, opinions will differ. We agree with the Memoir, that a father would not place Spenser unreservedly in the hands of his daughters; yet there is nothing, properly speaking, immoral in the Faery Queen, and it is to immorality only that "castigation" is rightly applicable. For though indelicacy of language is a defect so far as it goes, the removal of it from some of our best old authors would be attended with great inconvenience; in the case of Spenser, it would sometimes seriously affect the whole texture of his poem. Mr. Smedley's taste and judgment were, however, so sound, that we think the suppression of his edition of Spenser a serious injury, which we hope Mr. Murray will some day redress, and make amends to Mr. Smedley's memory, by dedicating the profits to his family. In the following year Mr. Smedley was solicited by Archdeacon Lyall, and the Rev. Hugh James Rose, to assist them in the composition of the Theological Library. It was in reply to this call that he composed his great work, the "History of the Reformed Religion in France." He now retired almost entirely from society, through a nervous apprehension that his infirmities rendered him troublesome, when, in reality, he was still the soul and ornament of every social meeting. But the disease which, hitherto, had affected one organ only, was now advancing to involve the powers of life. On the 12th of July 1833, he became suddenly affected with double vision. From this he afterwards recovered, but failure of the bodily powers supervened, with * His description of this curious symptom is interesting. He thus writes to his friend Mr. Henry Hawkins: "I think that a few lines, under my own hand, may be the surest testimonial which I can offer to you of the improved state of my sight. The affection has been of a very remarkable nature. When both eyes have been employed, two images have been |