of him, in whom we had severally found an affectionate relation -a faithful friend-an indulgent master. The features, though slightly collapsed, were still serene and beautiful: the laurel wreath, adjusted to the cold brow, looked bright and fresh; the roses, gathered from his own trees, and emitting a sweet fragrance, sprinkled the winding-sheet: not the slightest taint or odor from the coffin-and his hand retains-as if with a conscious grasp the bunch of 'wild flowers.' "It is needless to add that the scene was affecting: even the officers on duty were evidently moved-looking long and earnestly at the features of the great Poet-and comparing them with the engraved portrait by Lawrence that hung on the wall near the coffin. There was the living resemblance, that pourtrayed him in the height of his fame-in bodily health and vigorous intellect; and here they saw him stretched in 'cold abstraction,' but still verifying the truth of the original touches. The lid was then placed over the remains-silently adjusted-soldered up-and the case deposited in the outer coffin. The Commissaire then passed a thread of tape round the inner leaden coffin, and bringing it out on each side of the outer cloth one, sealed it at both ends with the town seal of Boulogne. The outer lid was then screwed fast; and here the coffin is to remain, until arrangements are completed for its removal to the final resting-place. The two coffins are simple, but elegant and substantial. On the lid is a brass plate, with an engraved record; 'THOMAS CAMPBELL, LL.D., 66 AUTHOR OF THE PLEASURES OF HOPE," DIED JUNE XV. M.DCCCXLIV. "June 20th.-It was still uncertain whether the Poet's remains were to find their resting-place in Westminster Abbey or in the cemetery of his native city. On this subject my co-executor, Mr. W. Moxon, had an interview with the Dean of Westminster; and, after a few preliminaries, it was conceded by the Dean and Chapter that the ashes of Thomas Campbell should repose in a new grave, in the Centre of Poets' Corner; the feet for the same being first duly paid to the receiving officer of the Chapter. *Had he lived till July 27th, he would have completed his 67th year. This fee amounted to more than seventy pounds, ÆT. 66-7.] WESTMINSTER ABBEY. 469 "Six days were next consumed in the arrangement of his household property-inventories*-taxes on books and furniture, brought from London at great trouble and expense. Every debt was fully and finally paid; and in all transactions with the government authorities-in reducing one or two extravagant demands-obviating numerous difficulties and facilitating every measure which the circumstances required-the Poet's executors were under many obligations to the kindness and liberality of Mr. Hamilton, the British Consul. To Mons. Adam the Mayor, Mons. Dutertre, and other officers, their thanks are eminently due; while of the British residents it need only be added, that several did themselves honor by many private tokens of respect and admiration for the deceased Poet. In the Boulogne paper, a glowing panegyric appeared on his character as a man and a patriot; and in the Paris and provincial press noble tributes were offered to his memory as the Poet of Freedom, and the friend of the human race." * On Thursday June 27th, arrangements were made to have the coffin embarked for London; and accordingly, at midnight, attended by the Consul and a few admiring friends and sympathizers, it was taken from the Poet's late residence to the pier in a hearse, and put on board the "City of London" steamer for England. Mr. Sempill, of Boulogne, very kindly undertook the duty of attending the poet's remains to London. Next day, at seven o'clock in the evening, my co-executor, Mr. W. Moxon, and I met Mr. Sempill and the Poet's nephew at the London Bridge wharf, where the melancholy task was transferred to us. The same evening the body was conveyed in a hearse to the house of the undertaker for the night; and next day it was removed to a chapel near the Jerusalem Chamber in Westminster Abbey, where it remained till the morning of the Funeral. * "July 3d, Wednesday.-The Executors began to receive the company about ten o'clock, and before noon the Jerusalem Chamber was quite full. Many had come from distant parts of the country to witness the ceremony; and it was pleasing to observe men of all political creeds, in every department of Government, in all gradations of rank and intellect, cordially unit As all these inventories had to be given in to the proper officers, estimated, and paid for accordingly, it was a very tedious and painful operation. ing to pay the last offices of friendship and admiration to a great Poet. The day was fine, the funeral arrangements were made on a liberal scale, all the company appeared in mourning, and nothing was wanting to render the spectacle deeply solemn and impressive. Among the early arrivals were the Duke of Argyll; Mr. Richardson, the oldest friend of the Poet then present; the Premier, Sir Robert Peel; Viscount Strangford; Mr. J. G. Lockhart; Lord Aberdeen; Rt. Hon. T. B. Macaulay; Lord Brougham; a guard of Polish nobles; Lord Dudley C. Stuart; Campbell of Islay; Lord Leigh; Colonel Szyrma; Lord Campbell; with a numerous body of private friends and admirers. Never, since the death of Addison, it was remarked, had the obsequies of any literary man been attended by circumstances more honorable to the national feeling, and more expressive of cordial respect and homage, than those of Thomas Campbell. "Soon after noon the procession began to move from the Jerusalem Chamber to the Poet's Corner, and in a few minutes passed slowly down the long, lofty aisle Thro' breathing statues, then unheeded things; Thro' rows of warriors, and thro' walks of kings.' "On each side the pillared avenues were lined with spectators, all watching the solemn pageant in reverential silence, and mostly in deep mourning. The Rev. Henry Milman, himself an eminent poet, headed the procession; while the service for the dead, answered by the deep-toned organ in sounds like distant thunder, produced an effect of indescribable solemnity.* One only feeling seemed to pervade the assembled spectators, and was visible on every face-a desire to express their sympathy in a manner suitable to the occasion. He who had celebrated the glory and enjoyed the favor of his country for more than forty years, had come at last to take his appointed chamber in the Hall of Death'-to mingle ashes with those illustrious predecessors who, by steep and difficult paths, had attained a lofty eminence in her literature, and made a lasting impression on the national heart. "Can flattery soothe the dull, cold ear of death?' No; but it is soothing to all who love their country to observe the homage she decrees to posthumous merit. Tribute to departed * A circumstantial notice of the Funeral ceremony will be found in the APPENDIX. ET. 66-7.] WESTMINSTER ABBEY. 471 worth is her sacred guarantee to the living, that the claims of genius shall not be disregarded; that the path of honor is open to every aspiring son of the soil. The tombs of great men are eloquent monitors; and every nation that would impress and stimulate the minds of youth, by noble examples of literary and patriotic genius, will point to the tombs of her illustrious dead. The pleasing hope of being remembered, cherished, imitated when dust returned to dust,' was always soothing to the mind of Campbell, whose aim was to deserve well of his country:' 'And is he dead whose glorious mind To live in hearts we leave behind Is not to die!'"-Hallowed Ground. THE CONCLUSION. LETTERS-ANECDOTES-EXTRACTS. Or the generous and kindly warmth of Campbell's domestic affections, even to the latest period of life, the following letters, addressed to his nephew and niece, but accidentally omitted in the text, are pleasing examples: * "61 LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS, March, 1841. "MY DEAR ARCHIBALD, "I have just bought a pianoforte for Mary, which will reach you by the middle of next week. It is Broadwood's making. Mary will thus be able to practise at home, and to bring up the instrument when she comes to me on my return from the Continent. In the course of ten months hence, Mary, I trust, will have learnt the grammar of French pretty well. I am not impatient in her progress in that language, because I can complete her in it myself. As to her drawing, let her do just according to her own inclination. Only this I have to enjoin upon her mother and you, namely, not to allow her to be under an impression of mind, that I shall expect her to come to me learned and accomplished. Let her not, I say, study too much. I would rather that she were idle altogether, than that she should run the most distant chance of injuring her health by application. Robert's demise has filled me not more with grief than with dark apprehensions of possibilities. I trust they are only fanciful respecting your sister's constitution and your own. So take care what you do. Don't employ yourself too much; occupations that may be stooping, and confinement, affect the chest. * See this volume, p. 410. ↑ Ibid. pp. 408-425. "T. CAMPBELL." + Pages 400-1. |