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the choir of Carlisle in particular; a full tion that he was a good church-goer. account of the affair of 1745, with the When in France, he appears to have attrials, last speeches, and soforth of the poor tended the ambassador's chapel pretty replaids who were strapped up at Carlisle; gularly; and in Edinburgh he is said to and lastly, a full, true, and particular de- have been fond of Robertson's preaching, scription of Corby, with the genealogy of and not averse to that of his colleague and every family who ever possessed it? I opponent, John Erskine. Hume was sethink even without more than the usual riously angry with a servant maid of his waste of margin, the poems of David would who did not attend church, where he had make a decent twelve-shilling volume." provided seats for all his household. The woman was a dissenter, and attended a different place of worship, which answer satisfied him. A number of stories are told on doubtful authority, all illustrative of Hume's good nature and good sense. They may not be true; but their being believed is some evidence of the character of the man of whom they could be plausibly told. A chandler's wife on one occasion visited him-" She had been intrusted," she said, "with a message to him from on high." Hume ordered her a glass of wine; and before she commenced her attack, contrived to divert her mind from theological topics, by fixing it on soap and candles and their price, and giving her an order for some. He is said to have got bogged in some marshy ground at the base of the Castle rock; an old woman finding "Hume the deist" in this slough of despond, refused to assist him out till he became a Christian. He repeated the creed and Lord's prayer, and thus her conscience was satisfied, and the philosopher rescued.

Of the "wine of demons," as a father of the Church calls poetry, Hume drank but moderately, and to the defect of imagination, which this indicates, may be ascribed his want of sympathy with the higher virtues, no one of which can exist without the imaginative power. Wordsworth almost identifies Imagination and Faith. Hume's "History" is that of the progress of society rather than the story of individuals. It would seem that in his view-and we are not prepared to dispute its justness-that condition of society is the happiest in which the individual is lost from sight. If a state of society could be imagined allowing free development to all that is good in man, it would be, no doubt, the best; but the very conception, we fear, implies a contradiction. Civilization with its Wilkies, its Blacklocks, and its M'Phersons, is, probably, something better than barbarism with its true Homer.

Whatever Hume's abstract love for High Church may have been, and however opposed to the orthodox doctrines of the Scottish Church, he was in practice no Puseyite -at least he did not fast. Beef and cabbage he calls a charming dish; old mutton, too, he thought well of He wished the Duke of Nivernois to become apprentice to his "lass," to learn the secret of making sheep's-head broth.

The fat philosopher was fond of children. He was so fat that the little thing who got possession of his knee remembered through all after-life keeping fast hold of his laced waistcoat to keep itself from falling; as for more than one climbing at a time, as in Gray's family picture, it was out of the question.

Hume, in walking home from a party, with Ferguson, addressed his friend, pointing to the starry sky-"Oh, Adam, can any one contemplate the wonders of that firmament, and not believe that there is a God?" Men are forgiven any thing rather than inconsistency with the character which society forms of them; and we are afraid that we are diminishing Hume's claims to the honor of canonization when we men

A proof of Hume's good nature was his writing a review of Dr. Henry's History of England. His review was written for the Edinburgh Magazine and Review, a journal conducted by Gilbert Stuart. Stuart, it would appear, detested Henry; and ascribing his own passions to others, thought it good policy to get Henry reviewed by a rival historian. Hume's review was printed, but suppressed. It did not answer Stuart's malignant purpose; for, as might be expected, it was conceived in a spirit of the greatest kindliness to Henry, and contained almost unqualified praise of his work. Stuart's account of it is characteristic, and worth preserving for its insane vehemence He thus writes to a friend :—

"David Hume wants to review Henry, but that task is so precious that I will undertake it myself. Moses, were he to ask it as a favor, should not have it; yea, not even the man after God's own heart. I wish I could trans port myself to London to review it for the Monthly-a fire there, and in the Critical, would perfectly annihilate him. Could you

do nothing in the latter? To the former I
David Hume has transferred the
suppose
criticism he intended for us. It is precious, and
would divert you. I keep a proof of it in my
cabinet for the amusement of friends. This
great philosopher begins to dote."

Hume

concerning temporal matters."*
returned home in July. His recovery now
was plainly impossible. His friends appear
to have been very much with him till with-
There
in a few days of his actual decease.
is a mournful levity in their accounts of the
indifference with which he awaited death.

Mr. Burton quotes another sentence from The letter of Adam Smith, in which the this letter:

Strike, by all means; the wretch will tremble, grow pale, and return [?] with a consciousness of his debility. When you have an enemy to attack, I shall, in return, give my best assistance, and aim at him a mortal blow, and rush forward to his overthrow, though the flames of hell should start up to oppose me."

It is almost a relief to know that this scoundrel was absolutely insane.

In the early part of the year 1776, Hume wrote letters of congratulation to his friend Adam Smith, and to Gibbon, on their respective publication of the "Wealth of Nations," and the "Decline and Fall;" of the latter he told Gibbon he could not expect to see the future volumes, as his health was broken. In April of that year he drew up the short sketch of his life, to which he has left little to his biographer to add. In the previous January he had made all arrangements with reference to his pecuniary affairs. The "Dialogues on Natural Religion" he had some reason to think would be suppressed, and he at once took effectual means to secure their publication, though he had withheld them for a period of thirty years, to avoid giving his friends offence. After writing the short memoir of his life, he set out for London, and at Morpeth met Home and Smith. Smith was obliged to return to Edinburgh. Home was enabled to accompany him to Bath, where the disease (an internal hemorrhage,) seemed to yield, and hopes were entertained of recovery. In Mackenzie's "Life of Home" are some letters of Hume's, which we think Mr. Burton ought to have incorporated with this selection, and we have a codicil to Hume's will, in which he records his difference with the poet, as to spelling the family name, and their opposed opinions on the subject of port wine. He leaves him "six dozen of port, provided he attests, under his hand, signed JOHN HUME, that he has himself alone finished one bottle of port at two sittings. By this concession he will, at once, terminate the only two differences that ever arose between us

particulars are detailed, can be easily referred to, being prefixed to most of the editions of the History of England. We are glad to avoid a subject so deeply painful.

We are, on the whole, pleased with Mr. Burton's Book. His subject presented great difficulties, which are manfully met. To ourselves, an arrangement of the matter separating the letters of Hume more distinctly from the comments of his biographer, would seem a more convenient one both to author and reader. We close with Mr. Burton's account of Hume's burial place.

"On the declivity of the Calton hill, there is an old grave-yard which, seventy years ago, was in the open country beyond the boundary of the city of Edinburgh, and even at the present day, when it is the centre of a wide circumference of streets and terraces, has an air of solitude from its elevated site, and the abrupt rocky banks that separate it from the crowded thoroughfares. There, on a conspicuous point of rock, beneath a circular monument, built after the simple and solemn fashion of the old Roman tombs, lies the dust of DAVID HUME."

"As to the port wine, it is well known that Mr. Home held it in abhorrence. In his younger days, claret was the only wine drank by gentlemen in Scotland. His epigram on the enforcement of the high duty on French wine, in this country, is in most people's hands:

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From the Metropolitan.

FRANK MERVYN'S TEMPTATION.

A TALE FOR SPECULATORS.

BY MRS. ABDY.

and then officiated as a sort of house agent, and undertaken, for a douceur of fifty or a hundred pounds, to bring forward a nonpareil tenant, who would pay double the rent that any body else would, which nonpareil tenant-strange to say-was never forthcoming when wanted! For myself, I was discreet and suspicious as an old man ought WHEN Mr. Vansittart reduced the inter- to be (to be sure I must allow that my est of the navy five per cents., the measure property, being in the three per cents., had was considered to be exceedingly judicious not suffered any reduction) and I felt exand politic, but although very satisfactory tremely indignant with all the thickly gathto the nation, it was in many cases fatal to ering short roads to wealth, which I was the individual; people were not contented disposed to define as short roads to ruin. to be deprived of a fifth of their income by Nevertheless, I kept my opinion to myself. the government, but took immediate means The occurrences of every day brought more to be deprived of every shilling of it by their and more to my remembrance the title of own act and deed. There never was a pe- an old drama, "A mad world, my masters;" riod when such a phalanx of companies and but I did not annoy my acquaintance with societies started forth, all professing to "give interference, I recollected the saying of a new lamps for old ones," or in other words, clever man, parcel wit and parcel philosoto take the poor remains of our mutilated pher, whom I knew—" If any person choose navy fives, and give us, in lieu, shares that to make himself a fool, it is his business would pay from fifty to a hundred per cent. principally, not to say exclusively," and I in the prettiest sounding investments ever offered to the community no portion of that heard of not odious turnpike tolls and valuable treasury of advice locked up in canal shares-but "Pearl Fisheries," "Co- the mind of every old man, but which, sooth ral Fisheries," "Gold Mines," and such to say, unlike other treasures, is generally dazzling names, the last in particular com- lavishly volunteered by them, and ungrateing sweetly on the ear, and reminding us of fully rejected by their young friends. At the gay and gallant king of the gold mines, length, however, I was induced to depart who wooed and won the charming All-fair, from my usual nonchalance, for the purdespite of her unwilling engagement to the pose of giving a "wizard's warning" to the yellow dwarf. Many people, however, thoughtless, impetuous Frank Mervyn. I seemed likely to starve in the midst of had been his father's friend, and, like most plenty; all these schemes professed to build father's friends, saw great reason to lament up a fortune for us in a very little time, but that the son partook so little of his worthy the point was which would be "safest and sire's solidity and prudence of character. best;" which would do it most swiftly, and Frank inherited from his father the very inmost securely. The world was not long convenient property of five thousand pounds, suffered to languish for want of a guide; a enough to prevent him from applying steadily certain Mr. Glossington most kindly volun- to a profession, and not enough to support teered to be gentleman-usher to the goddess him independently of one. To do Frank of fortune, and to introduce timid novices justice, he was fully sensible of the insiginto her immediate presence; he was con-nificance of this sum, and had repeatedly versant with all the plans and prospectuses wished to magnify the five thousand pounds of all the companies, and although he certainly gave a preference to a few, he was generously ready to allow that the very worst of them was immeasurably superior to the English funds, as an investment of property. It was not quite easy to divine who Mr. Glossington was; he had been for a short time on the Stock Exchange; he had also practised the law; he had occasionally volunteered his services, before the introduction of the calculating machine, to arrange the intricate accounts of gentlemen under temporary embarrassments, and he had now VOL. VIII. No. II.

54

to fifty, but wishes were in vain till Glossington, like the enchanter of a fairy tale, came forth to realize them. Oh! how plausible were his wordy calculations and paper schemes, the fair sex in particular admired and trusted in him; single ladies and widows, too numerous to be reckoned, sold out their four (late five) per cents., and brought the proceeds to Glossington, humbly hoping that he would accept of their small pittances, and give them splendid fortunes in return; and the worthy Glossington always complied with their requests, bowed, as though

he were the obliged party, took charge of gained a lottery prize. A pretty young their property, and assured them that they country girl said she had dreamed the night should all be laden with wealth in a very before of a wedding-ring, and as that was short time. I had always a great horror of best described by a circle, she wished for a speculation; Mervyn assured me that many number containing a 0. One terminating speculators were men of the strictest honor, in the desired cipher was immediately but I would not altogether agree with him; handed to her, a sign, as her brother who it seemed to me that a habit of speculation, accompanied her told her, that "her wedalthough it might not precisely stain the ding-ring would end in nothing." This honor of him who practised it, must in a joke, poor as it was, flushed the offended great degree deaden that nice sense of con- damsel's cheek with indignation, which scientiousness and moral principle which I was not at all lessened by a smart young should always wish to see prominently dis- clerk, with a green bag under his arm, tellplayed in the character of a relation or ing her "not to fret, for that if she got the friend. Mervyn denied the truth of my as- ten thousand pound prize, he would marry sertion, and the argument ended as argu- her himself!" ments between old and young men generally do, neither party succeeding in convincing the other. A few days after this conversation I was walking up Cheapside, when I overtook Mervyn, who seemed to be in a great hurry, and in high spirits.

"I think I shall soon have a large sum of money to invest in Glossington's hands," he said, "I am just going to buy a prize in the lottery."

"I rather doubt that," I replied, drily; "you may very probably be going to buy a ticket in the lottery, and I must say that considering you have risked nearly the whole of your property in speculation, you can ill afford to spare two and twenty pounds from the remainder."

"Nay, I cannot be going to do an imprudent thing," said Mervyn, "for Mr. Creswell, my father's friend and yours, who is a perfect pattern of caution, hast just written to me, begging that I would purchase a ticket for him, and transmit it to him by the post."

"I can only say, in answer to that observation," I rejoined, "that Mr. Creswell is a man of large fortune, and if he think proper to throw away two and twenty pounds, he can very well afford to do so; but I recommend you to purchase a ticket for him only, and to wait till you are at least half as rich, before you purchase one for yourself."

Mervyn merely smiled, and told me "I was very wise," (a just observation certainly, only I did not quite like the tone in which it was spoken,) and the next moment we were both within one of the Cornhill temples of Plutus. Several persons were crowding round the counter, choosing shares. One man wished for the number of the year in which he was born, and another for that in which his grandfather

Mervyn advanced to the counter, and asked to see some tickets; he despised all speculation on a small scale, and that he might not be suspected of any partiality for lucky numbers, or any faith in dreams, he hastily snatched the two first that presented themselves, but not before I had taken a memorandum of their numbers in my pocket-book. I walked home with Mervyn to his lodgings, wishing to borrow a book from him. While I was selecting it, he hastily wrote a short letter to Mr. Creswell, enclosed in it one of the tickets (which I did not observe) and returned the other to his pocket.

"I will go out with you," said he, as I was preparing to take my leave, "and put this letter in the post."

We walked together to the end of the street, and then separated-I to return home, and Mervyn to proceed to the postoffice.

Perhaps my readers may think me very prosy in entering into these minute details, and will be ready to accuse me of practising the "penny-a-liner" art of making the most of a story; but I beg to assure them that I have always a good reason for every thing that I do, and they will soon find out the necessity of my present exactness.

The next morning the drawing of the lottery began, and about the middle of the day I happened to be passing down Cornhill, when my attention was attracted by a crowd round the office where Mervyn had purchased the tickets the preceding day. A prize of twenty thousand pounds was already drawn; the number seemed familiar to me; I looked into my pocket-book-it was one of those held by Mervyn. I instantly proceeded to his lodgings; he was at home, and I found him resting his head on his hand in an attitude of despondency

which I could not have believed any disap-tained. The letter which I have just given pointment in money matters would have in- to the servant was the one which you saw duced my lively friend, Frank Mervyn, to me direct yesterday to Mr. Creswell!" adopt.

"I see," said I, advancing with a duly gentle step, and modulated voice, "that you know all, and I fear that the fortunate number"

"Was the one you saw me enclose to Mr. Creswell," he answered, in a gloomy manner, without raising his head.

I pressed Mervyn's extended hand in silence, and he continued:

"Soon after I left you, yesterday, I met with a friend whom I had not seen for some time; he pressed me to accompany him home to dinner, and I completely forgot the letter. This morning I was, like you, attracted by the notification in Cornhill of the "This is certainly an unfortunate acci- splendid prize just drawn; I eagerly took dent, my dear Frank," said I, "but there out my own ticket, and at the same mois no blame to be attached to any body." ment that I ascertained that it was not the "Blame," interrupted he, quickly, "no, number in question, I felt that the letter certainly, who presumed to talk of blame?" for Mr. Creswell still remained in my pockI did not quite like his manner of address- et; I returned home, and for the last hour ing me, but I knew that vexation seldom I have been combating a disgraceful and improves the temper, or polishes the man- culpable impulse to change the tickets." ners, and therefore I excused his abruptness. "But you have overcome the impulse," "Oh!" said he, after a few minutes' si- I said. lence, "how just was your remark, that a habit of speculation deadens the nice feelings of honor!"

66

Yes," said I, gratified by his compliment, although I did not exactly see what it had to do with the subject in question. "I believe most of my remarks are very just and sound, and might also be very profitable, if you and my other young friends would only be persuaded."

Here Mervyn again interrupted me"How proudly once," said he, "did boast of my ability to resist temptation; and now, how near have I been to falling!" I was still more puzzled.

"Yes," he answered, "but I do not think I should ever have entertained it for a moment, had it not been for my unfortunate familiarity with speculation; in fact, I am persuaded that had this event occurred a twelvemonth ago, I should no more have thought of appropriating Mr. Creswell's lottery ticket, than of abstracting the contents of his strong box; but this was the insidious, baleful form in which the evil spirit assailed me. You know my firm conIfidence in the judgment and integrity of Glossington, and that this twenty thousand pounds (if my own) would immediately have been delivered over to his management. I thought to do the same in the present instance, and when it was trebled in value, to disclose the whole facts to Mr. Creswell, and divide the profits with him."

"I dare say, Frank," said I, "you are angry with yourself for not having taken my advice, and relinquished your idea of buying a ticket."

"Angry with myself!" he repeated, rising, and walking up and down the room, "I despise myself."

I was in doubt whether I ought not to ring the bell, and send a messenger for medical assistance, considering Mervyn's senses to be in a very precarious state, when he settled the point by ringing the bell himself.

"I wish this letter to be taken to the post-office," said he, giving one, as he spoke, to the servant who attended.

"It would have been long enough, I fancy," said I, "before the disclosure took place, if you waited till the money was trebled by Mr. Glossington's powers of multiplication."

"I cannot agree with you there," said he, "but I immediately began to reflect that I had no right to judge for another person; the money was fairly and equitably Mr. Creswell's. I knew him to have a decided aversion for speculation, and felt that I could not be justified in running risks for He stood at the window, watching his him, which he certainly would never have messenger round the corner, and then turned run for himself. Above all, I reflected that, to me with a completely altered expression although my fellow-creatures would not see of countenance. my exchange of the tickets, it would be be"Congratulate me," said he; "I have held by that Almighty Judge who will one overcome the unworthy inclination that I day bring to light the hidden things of blush to think I could ever have enter-darkness.' My cheerful days, my peaceful

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