"In the meanwhile, you may assure my friends, that, though I am obliged to drop the scheme of the Classical Encyclopædia, I am determined to rewrite the letters to the students, and make a full and handsome work of it. I find many things, even in those few letters, that call for change and enlargement. Altogether I am determined to keep up the memory of the Rectorship by a work, addressed expressly to the students, on the subject of History and Literature.

"

With regard to the Club, I am glad to hear it goes on. The London Campbell Club, certainly, should not be considered at an end. On the contrary, I expect that we shall have a dinner on the 14th of November. No doubt the Literary Union rose out of that project; and may be said to have been set up as a different institution; but still I have secured an honorary place, in the Literary Union, for all members of the Glasgow Campbell Club, who can bring to me a fair recommendation from the majority of their own body, in the event of their visiting London."

"Thus far I have written, my dear T., in a scene of more stunning confusion than ever surrounded a Welsh curate writing his sermons-the clang of hammers; the mewing of four cats; the eternal rapping at the great door; so that I literally know not what I have written to you; and 'look on't again, I dare not!' T. C."

*

*

*

Another death-that of a much revered friend and relative -having called for his sympathy, he writes to Mr. Gray :— "MIDDLE SCOTLAND YARD, Sept. 30, 1829.

"I could not, my dear cousin, consistently with my own feelings towards you and your family, pass unnoticed what your short letter of this day communicates to me. Such an event, however late and long expected it may come, can never fail to bring an awful impression; and our very acquiescence in it, is connected with melancholy reflections on the nature and tenure of human life. But few good hearts, I believe, had ever the means of submitting to the loss of a parent with more mitigating circumstances, than you and your family have to look to, on this occasion;-his fulness of years-his venerable character and memory-and the consciousness which you all possess of having blessed his life by the most devoted filial attachment. These considerations must be now an unspeakable solace to

you.

ÆT. 52.]

LETTER TO MR. GRAY-IMPAIRED HEALTH.

223

"I should not at this moment have taken up my pen to any one but yourself, or a very particular friend so situated; for I am sorry to say that, from the vigorous health which I had in the beginning of summer, I have fallen into a condition of pain and debility. My disease is subdued only by starving: the moment I eat anything approaching to a full meal, I relapse into fever and suffering. The consequence of this is a very low state of strength and spirits; so that I am obliged to give up all study, except the management of the Journal that is my bread-winner. I have got, however, into my new house, and like it vastly. I only grudge the empty rooms, and that I cannot see you occupying one of them. The situation of Middle Scotland Yard is admirably convenient for all parts of London. Thomas is with me, and continues tolerably. "Adieu, my dear Gray, though I am a bad correspondent, I hope you will not grudge me a few lines when you can spare time it is always a comfort to me to hear from you. Your affectionate cousin, T. C."

Writing to his invalid sister, he says:—

"Oct. 1st.-Our good friend, your physician, wrote to me that your constitution seemed to have taken a favorable turn. God preserve my dearest sister! I am blest in two Marys, the most excellent beings of their sex. I am better, no doubt; and Charles Bell, whose kindness has been most brotherly, pronounces my complaint not dangerous; but it is still troublesome and painful. I keep it down by abstinence from wine and even animal food that approaches to starvation. I rise from meals like Cornaro, about as hungry as when I sat down. This irks me I cannot study as I did; but as I have come through life with much less suffering of body, than I can imagine body exposed to suffer, I am bound to submit to ailments of any kind, with a manful grace."

[The following passage is very characteristic of the Poet:- -1

"I am here in my new mansion, beginning, as far as houseroom is concerned, to be comfortably settled. The appearance of the house is quite lordly-so my friends tell me in congratulation. My upholsterer, a most persuasive Inverness man-a wondrous cheap dealer, and a man of great taste-has brought me to a furniture-fascination, and shown me that, without certain tables, &c., I could not inhabit the place! About the

price,' he says 'I need not trouble myself for years.' After shaking my head very thoughtfully, I have even bespoken certain drawing-room furniture, for the payment of which, I shall mortgage part of the edition of my Poems for 1830! In other respects, I manage my household with very rigid economy: and I find an evening party, in a handsome drawing-room, stands me instead of expensive dinner-parties. T. C."

To Mr. (now Dr.) Smith, of Glasgow, his liberal friend and publisher, he writes as follows:—

I

"Oct. 29th.-I return you many thanks for your kindness in attending to this literary business of mine, which, from sheer ill-health, I have been obliged to neglect. The letters to the students, it seems to me, can receive no other title than simply 'Letters on the History of Literature.' By the strict order of my medical men, I attend at present to no business that is not indispensable; and am obliged to give up my usual studies. 'The New Monthly' is quite sufficient employment for me. still look forward, however, to the resumption of my health and vigor, and to the finishing of a work that will make those letters be forgotten. I am glad to find that I am on the credit side of your books. I shall be extremely obliged to you to deposit as much as you may think me entitled to, in the hands of Mr. Gray, to whom I fear my prize-medals have made me a debtor for a much larger sum.

"Believe me, that I am extremely sensible to the attention and kindness of your conduct, and that I remain, with much respect, yours truly,

T. C."

The "Literary Union" was now fairly established. Among other letters, announcing that event, is the following to Sir Walter Scott, in which pleasing evidence is again afforded of that personal regard for his illustrious friend, which no political difference had ever diminished:

"MY DEAR SIR WALTER,

"November 4, 1829.

"I have been for some time busy in establishing a new club in London, called The Literary Union,' the object of which is to bring the literary men of the Metropolis into habits of more social and friendly intercourse than has been accomplished by preceding clubs. Many respectable persons have kindly lent their co-operation-Sir Gore Ouseley, Sir George Duckett, Sir F. Freeling, and others. We have taken the old Athenæum

ET. 52.] LETTER TO SIR WALTER SCOTT-CHARADE.

225

house in Regent-street, and we open at Christmas. It would promote our views very much to have merely permission to inscribe the names of eminent personages, out of London, as Honorary Members of our society; and I should be greatly obliged to you to allow me to give my filial Institution as illustrious a name as yours, as an Honorary Member. The permission involves no sort of responsibility, unless an implied expectation that when you are in London, and pass through Regent-street, you will condescend to look in upon us. I assure you that among the two hundred members already elected, there is not one objectionable character. I am in hopes that Mr. Lockhart will join us, but, though I requested a friend to mention the matter, I did not like to importune him myself—I know he is a very domestic man, and, as Dr. Johnson says, not likely to be Clubbable.

"With the greatest regard and affection, believe me, dear Sir Walter, yours very truly, T. CAMPBELL."

The events of this year were unfavorable to poetry: the only finished piece to which it lays claim is the short, sparkling lyric, "When Love came first to Earth," written for music, and now incorporated with his other Poems. Among the fragments, however, I find several charades, one of which is the following,

on his own name :

Come from my first, aye come!

The battle dawn is nigh;

And the screaming trump, and the thundering drum
Are calling thee to die!

Fight, as thy fathers fought!

Fall, as thy fathers fell!

Thy task is taught thy shroud is wrought

So forward, and farewell!

Toll ye my second, toll!

Fling high the flambeau's light,

And sing ye the hymn of a parted soul!

CHAPTER IX.

CLOSE OF RECTORSHIP.

THE third year's Rectorship, which had been pronounced "contrary to the statutes and usages of the University,"* and which Campbell accepted with some reluctance, had now expired. On retiring from office he carried with him the respect and gratitude of his constituents; with the pleasing consciousness, on his own part, of having accomplished much good. He had reformed abuses, restored rights, improved the discipline, stimulated the genius, and fostered a spirit of intellectual inquiry in every class of the University. These advantages were not secured without many sacrifices. Money and time-and to him time was fortune were unsparingly devoted to the cause in hand.

All his official duties he performed in person, and with a zeal and ability which increased, "as the difficulties increased by which the reforms he had labored to introduce, were at first opposed." Of the principal advantages which he had the happiness to revive, and secure for the benefit of the students, some account will be found in the Appendix.

The following address from the ex-Rector to "the Campbell Club" was read at their first anniversary :—

"MY DEAR FRIENDS,

"LONDON, Dec. 4, 1829.

"When this is read to you, you will be met in full assembly to commemorate the institution of your Association, and to renew your vows to its principles :-the Elective Franchise; the Rights of Students; and the Interests of our Alma Mater.

"Your objects are honorable and useful; let them be kept alive in your minds, and they will be a legacy to future students, and to succeeding generations. Joy and harmony be among

*The third year was said to be "illegal, because contrary to the statutes and usage of the University; but care was taken not to mention any law which it broke. The protest was signed by the Principal, and six of the Professors."