1809.]

IN THE CHAPEL ROYAL.

59

which communicates with the private apartments of the Castle was thrown open; and his Majesty, accompanied by the Princess Mary, Generals Munster and Gath, proceeded to take their seats in the chapel. The appearance of the King was very interesting. He walked without any support, except a stick, upon which he seemed to lean a good deal. He appeared almost completely blind; yet, probably from custom, he proceeded easily to his seat in the chapel, groping his way a little by the stick. He had with him a little spaniel; and was dressed in a plain blue coat, with the regal star upon his breast, a little slouch hat, and boots. But the most pleasing part of the scene was still to come,—I mean his devotion. This was truly kingly. He heard the service with the most solemn attention, frequently raising both his hands, and repeating the responses with a fine deep-toned voice. The Princess Mary is a fine woman, but rather fat. As she went out, she bowed very gracefully to the company; and upon the whole her conduct was satisfactory.*—As to Eton, my dear James, the rest of the description has taken. up so much paper that I shall have left no room for what I wish to say to papa."

The period of my friend's residence at Chobham now came to a close. Among his lesser accomplishments, he reckoned a considerable advance in politeness, (which he says he used to practise upon a Miss Stanger, sister to Miss Jerram'); and he rejoiced in having cured himself of a trick of frowning, and stooping as he sat at table. Mr. Jerram, in a letter to his Father on his return to Woodhouselee, bore high testimony to the virtues of his pupil; and prophesied for him "no common eminence" in after life.

"His whole mind seemed to be occupied, and he made the responses in a most solemn and audible manner, and in a fine deep tone of voice, lifting up his hands. The whole scene was most interesting. The devotion of the Princess Mary was also very pleasing.”—To his brother Alexander, 8th Aug. 1809.

CHAPTER IV.

(1809-1813.)

Youthful ardour and studiousness-Self-portraiture-His piety-'The Woodhouselee Masque'-Lord Woodhouselee's account of his visit to Carlton House -His conversation with the Prince Regent - His last illness-The closing

scene.

"ABOUT the middle of September," (writes his sister Ann,) "he returned to us again,-a joyful day for all; yet, soon after his arrival, we missed his youngest sister from the room, and found her weeping. What, in tears?' we said, and our Peter returned to us again! and is he not delightful?' 'Oh yes, yes,' she answered, he is delightful, but he speaks English.' I am happy to say that he never entirely got rid of this defect. But there were other changes. He was generally the same mirthful joyous creature as formerly, and the family jokes which had been so long repressed seemed to make his absence appear but as yesterday; yet, at times, there was a touch of seriousness about him, which we had never observed before, and which marked the change from the careless stage of boyhood, to the responsibilities of a riper age. In his acquirements, my Father was more than satisfied. Each day the bond of companionship seemed to be drawn closer between them, and the only fear now was, that he should study too hard.

"But although the mornings were spent in preparation for the various classes he attended in College during the day, the evenings resumed all their former interest, and were frequently still further enlivened by the presence of many of his young friends, who assembled around him on

1810.]

YOUTHFUL AMBITION.

61

his return. Three happy years passed swiftly away; then all was changed: my Father was seized with severe illness, he lingered for three months, and on the 5th of January, 1813, he was taken from us."

I would not disturb the foregoing narrative, even to disconnect the last mournful passage from its context: but the last three years of Lord Woodhouselee's life may not be dismissed so briefly. These were his son's 19th, 20th, and 21st years, which comprehend a period during which we cannot afford to overlook the indications which his letters and journals supply of the growth of his mind, and the development of his character. Under that point of view, the following to his brother in India, which had been only begun by himself, the continuation being by the lively pen of his sister Jeanie, (now Mrs. Baillie Fraser,) deserves to be quoted.

"Prince's Street, Jan. 8th, 1810.

"This dear boy is prevented finishing his effusion of delight on his return to us all, by an inflammation in his eyes. It is but trivial however, and by a few days' temperance, both in respect of bodily and mental food, he will get rid of it. It was entirely brought on by his reading so much by candle-light. He is of a teazingly anxious temper, and grudges every moment that is not employed in study. This I fancy is a singular complaint to be made of a young man, but Peter carries things rather too far. It would have diverted you the other night, to have heard his conversation with our good John Black on his own character. fesses that reputation is his perfect idol, to which he would sacrifice everything. Mr. Black, in laughing at Peter, confessed it was the same way with himself at his age; but that he now takes things in a more tranquil manner. Honest John is just the same old man as you left him, and is always coming in to make us laugh. . . .

He con

62

MRS. J. B. FRASER TO HER BROTHER.

[CHAP. IV. "Papa is busy at present publishing an Essay on the Character and Writings of Petrarch.* It is a beautiful little volume, printed by Ballantine. Papa's translation of the best of Petrarch's sonnets is quite a treasure. By the bye, Sandy, you used to say you were determined to make a book. I assure you, your resolution is not forgotten: and whenever the literature of the family is the topic, there is always some one who reminds papa of Sandy's intention; and it never fails to bring the fondest smile on the dear man's face, as he says, 'Yes, and I hope I shall live to read. his book, dear fellow! I am sure it will be an excellent one.' So you see, Sandy, you must be choosing your subject. It is quite delightful to see the activity of papa's mind. Whatever his pursuit is, he sets about it with a boyish keenness which is quite extraordinary. I'm sure the blessed effect of a spotless life is seen in him. No remorse has he' for time misspent or talents misapplied,' to embitter his closing years; and he beholds with delight all his sons treading in his own footsteps. James keeps always talking about marrying, but as yet it is only talking. However he is certainly upon the look out; there's not a girl comes about the house, that he does not study with matrimonial circumspection; but they always want something or other. This nicety, we are selfish enough to rejoice in, for he would make a sad blank to us."

It will be perceived from what has thus come before us, that the transition period in Tytler's life had now fully arrived. It was not the sobering influence of a temporary absence from home which had made him for a short time

* "I published it in 1810," (writes Lord Woodhouselee, in the MS. Book already quoted at p. 41,) "in a handsome edition, with engravings of Petrarch, Laura, Vaucluse, &c. It has been translated into Italian by Zotti, and published with great encomiums in an elegant edition of the Poems of Petrarch in 3 volumes, printed at London in 1811."

1810.]

SELF-PORTRAITURE.

63

studious; but a fixed principle had been at last developed, which continued to stimulate him even after the temporary incentive was withdrawn. And now, his application gave his family more uneasiness than his boyish repugnance to study had ever given them annoyance. This lasted on from the autumn, which had been spent at Woodhouselee, through the winter, during which he had attended Lectures on Law and the Classics at Edinburgh College. In the spring of the ensuing year, he writes:-" Archy Alison and I have started together, and we have both worked pretty though not very hard, at the Institutes of Heineccius during the winter; for, previous to our beginning the study of the Scotch Law, it is necessary that we should be well and accurately grounded in Roman jurisprudence."* His brother Alexander had evidently, in one of his letters written about this time, drawn the most accurate picture he was able of his own inward self; and invited Patrick, in return, to a similar act of brotherly confidence. There is something singularly amiable in the image thus presented of yearning on the part of the absent one to be among his own kindred again; or, since this might not be, at least to bring them as near to himself as the wit of a loving heart could devise. "My answer," (the other returned), "shall be most voluminous and sincere, and you shall be let into all the secrets of my heart, as well (to use an excellent phrase of Jackie Gordon's) as if you had 'gaen thro' every neuk o' me wi' a lighted candle.'" "Woodhouselee, June 14th, 1810.

"My dearest Sandie,

"I promised to delineate, according to your request, as faithful a picture of myself as possible. I now sit down to fulfil my engagement; and, without imagining that I am a perfect proficient in self-knowledge, I shall at least attempt

* To his brother Alexander, in India. Woodhouselee, April 11th, 1810.