not describe that child's loveliness. It is not regular, but it would make an enchanting picture. * * * "On my return to St. Leonards I find the worthy Milnes gone from hence, but I trust to their coming back. The sea is looking so beautiful beneath my windows.* This place is so exquisitely beautiful, and the air so balmy, that unless I had made a vow never more to make myself unworthy of the blessings I enjoy, by repining that I have not more, I should indulge in regret that I have not my two ** beside me. But it is unwise and irreligious to forget the blessings we have, in our wishes for those which we have not! And so, my dearest sister, with thanks to the Divine Providence that still allows me the pleasure of communicating the thoughts and inmost feelings of my heart to you, and praying that He may long spare you, I remain your affectionate brother, T. C." "LONDON, July 31, 1831. Cochrane's party went off exceedingly well. We had Polish melodies by Wade-good music and bad words. The Polish people were there. It is wonderful to see men, on 'the giddiest brink of danger,' so much at ease in their behavior. In their hearts they must be far otherwise; but they demean themselves with exemplary fortitude. Count Jelski, the president of the Bank of Poland, who is here on a mission for a loan, has conjured me to call a public meeting of the citizens of London. 66 66 The envoy showed me a column of matter inserted in every Polish newspaper, that touched me deeply, or rather with deep melancholy. The Poles call me the stanchest friend they have in England. In large characters it is printed-The gratitude of our nation is due to Campbell.' . . . They think, dear souls, that if I were to speak publicly to the English, I could influence the proceedings of the English government. What simplicity! They conclude by comparing me with Byron; and by a declaration, that, if ever they be free, I shall experience their gratitude. To tell you the truth, I have prevented W- from translating the whole of the extract from the Warsaw States Gazette.t * "Potent Sea! How placidly thy moist lips speak even now Along yon sparkling shingles."-POEMS, page 290. + See Appendix. ET. 54.] For to read it, you would smile at the exaggerated importance the Poles attach to me! I have only twice in the course of my existence had experience of human gratitude, and this of the Poles is one. The preparations for the defence of Warsaw go on spiritedly. The Polish spirit is not yet bowed-it may have been shattered, but never has it been bent! T. C." * * * ** On his return to St. Leonards, he writes :-" Aug. 6.—I was overcome with the heat and noise of London—so unlike this pleasant sea-side! Seldom have I spent a more fatiguing fortnight in town. My mind was inexpressibly agitated by the cause of Poland. All the Polish gentlemen were urgent with me to call a meeting of the Londoners, and take the chair, as they thought I had the character of a friend to Poland, obnoxious to no political party. I was of a different opinion. The Polish newspapers have exaggerated my importance in my own country, and I recommended the Envoy to ask Sir Francis Burdett to call a meeting. He has declined doing so. But France is about to take up the cause-thanks be to God! The news makes me twenty years younger." RETURNS TO ST. LEONARDS-THE POLES. 66 6 "The subject of the following lines," he adds, "which will appear in the Metropolitan' for September, is a spot of ground not far from the Castle of Hastings, on which I have ascertained, by a comparison of histories, the camp of William the Conqueror must have been placed, the evening before he defeated Harold:* * Aug. 11th.-I send you the Polish Minister's letter, addressed to me, and the page of a pamphlet published at Warsaw. Keep our Polish letter as the apple of your eye.t T. C." Desirous of "going farther into the family history of the "In the deep blue of eve, 249 Ere the stars had appeared, one by one, Or the lark took his leave Of the skies, and the sweet setting sun I climbed to yon heights, Where the Norman encamped him of old, And his banner all burnished with gold," &c. POEMS, page 245. + Further reference to these documents will be found in the Appendix. Siddons,"* than his predecessors had done, he writes to Mrs. Arkwright: "Aug. 18th.-I think you must be able to guide me to some traditions, or to the sources where I may apply for them. Henry Siddons, many years ago-in Edinburgh, I think-informed me that the names Kemble and Campbell were originally the same. I wish it may prove so; for, though we boast of having come over with the Conqueror, I should be prouder to be allied to you, than to the Normans themselves. What part of the country do you think the original sojourn of the Kemble name? Is it not Wales? I think it was Henry Siddons also told me that a proverb in the country still preserved the recollection of one of your ancestors, who died a martyr to his religion-in those days when Protestants and Catholics vied in Christian charity! Before he went to the scaffold, he called for a pipe of tobacco-and smoked it—and a last pipe long used to be called 'Kemble's Pipe.' "I have written to Mr. C. Kemble in London, and I trust he will afford me some help on this point, which is the threshold of my Biography. I confide also in your kindly giving me any information in your power. T. C." 66 Aug. 24th.-We have a walk on the beach five hundred yards long-and there, every evening, whilst the band of music is playing (in compliment to your unworthy brother,) The Campbells are coming,' 'The Mariners of England,' and 'The Exile of Erin,'-I meet a great number of pleasant acquaintances. They know my aversion to dinner parties; and, therefore, the only parties I join are those for the evening-after the music and the promenade are over. *To a private friend he writes:-" August 2d. Mr. Place, senior, of Charing Cross, has behaved to me in a manner that exceeds all praise. He had told me, in a vague way, that he had collected some curious matter relative to our stage. I thought it might be of use to me for the Siddons Life-so I asked him for the use of it-offering to give him any security for the return of his MS., and fair remuneration. He immediately produced a bundle of MSS., the size of a quartern loaf-read me some admirable extracts-and, putting the whole into my hand, without a memorandum or inventory, said- Do what you like with the MSS. I know you too well to be a good fellow, to take receipts or memorandums.' And he further added-I will give you the loan of all, or any of the books from which I extracted my information.'-T. C." This testimony is due to an old and faithful ally, whose advice and coöperation were much valued by Campbell. ET. 54.] 251 "I could tire you out for hours with describing the good, amiable folks with whom I take my evening walk-enjoying society, air, and exercise, at the same time. The charm of the parties is, that the families bring their children with them; and as I dote upon children, I share a thousand loves among them. There is my townsman, Mr. Buchanan, with his elegant little wife, and three great little charmers; then a married beauty, Mrs. Grahame, who has a plot upon me to write a poem* upon her boy, three years old. Oh, such a boy! But in the way of writing lines on lovely children, I am engaged three deep, and dare not promise. But, if I could send you a picture of that cherub! he beats all the statues and all the paintings of the world to nothing; and when he meets me in the walk, he comes up and thumps me in all the triumphant consciousness that I am a slave to his beauty. LINES TO AN INFANT. "Among the ladies that I flirted with on the promenade, there is one between five and six, who accepted my attentions so cordially, that I went up and took her by the hand. I made a sort of obeisance to the family she was with, and by degrees we contracted acquaintance. The mother, a most lady-looking and interesting person, said-This is very singular-I have been wishing these thirty years to be acquainted with you. At that distance of time,' she continued, 'I was a girl of fifteen, at Edinburgh. I heard of you among the Stewarts, and Gregories, and Alisons; but we never met, for I was not then out. I am a Russian by birth; but I hope that won't prejudice you against me, for I wish well to the Poles.' * * * * "On better acquaintance with Mrs. C, she let me know a trait in their domestic history that seems to carry romance Among the Nuga canora addressed to his infant favorites, about this time, was the following: "TO THE INFANT SON OF MY DEAR FRIENDS, MR. AND MRS. G. "Sweet bud of life! thy future doom Is present to my eyes, And joyously I see thee bloom In Fortune's fairest skies. One day that breast, scarce conscious now, T. C." into private life :-A boy who called her mamma, and who I thought resembled her, struck me by his gentle manners-his elegance-his appearance of pride, and sensibility. When I complimented her on the person who, I thought, was her eldest son, she undeceived me. He was a foundling, whom they picked up on Heath, when he was two years old. His beauty and innocence endeared him to them, so that they brought him up as their own child; and he passed for their eldest son till lately, when it was necessary from circumstances, to tell the truth to the dear boy himself. He has been melancholy, fitful, and almost unmanageable ever since. Mrs. C has taken my promise that I will obtain confidence of the boy, and use my influence over him for the better regulation of his mind. ." "I am afraid, my dearest sister, that I have worn you out with my long gossiping; but as I have not great things to tell you, you must put up with small things. God bless you! If you would pluck up health and spirits, and be well, I should have nothing in this world to annoy me, beyond a little black kitten, that is biting and tearing my papers, and cuffing them about as arrogantly as if she were an Edinburgh reviewer! "T. C." * * " Writing from town to Dr. Madden, August 28, he says, “I dinned with Cambyses,' as I used to call him. We had a party of male creatures-Whigs and Tories-and were in all sixteen. I abstained from saying a word about politics, till he began by attacking me about the Polish association; whereupon, as he had broken the ice, I thought it no harm to tell him plainly my mind about the whole foreign policy of the present administration. And, although I had fifteen to one-that is, the whole company against me, yet, as Winnifrid Jenkins says, 'I fit with them all round,' and laid in some particularly hard blows at my friend H -" * * * * * "Sept. 22d.*--I have occasion for all my philosophy-and the practical part of philosophy is resignation. I am resigned to fate. The gallant Poles have at least their fame! My moanings about them can do no good-so I struggle against despondency, or rather try not to think of them. For the present all is up with them. But the scene is not closed. There may yet be a day of retribution for their oppressors on this side of time, -and nearer than may be generally suspected! * Extract from a letter to his sister, Miss Campbell, Edinburgh." |
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