The plane of the Sexagenarian’s literary horizon became much extended,
in consequence of this connection, and much “_terra incognita_” was
discovered and explored. Several planets also in the literary system,
were by the aid communicated from this source, contemplated with greater
accuracy and precision; the plains of the Muses were traversed with
congenial ardour, each deriving similar gratification from the same
sources. Much has already been said, and indeed there seems hardly any
limit to what might be said, on the talents, characters, performances,
and fortunes, of their various associates.
Memoranda of a great many personages still remain more or less detailed
in our manuscript; but the work appears already extended beyond perhaps
the patience of many readers, and the task of selecting and arranging
from a crude mass, is not the most satisfactory that can be imagined.
The Sexagenarian appears to have had from his childhood a remarkable
partiality for books of voyages and travels, and sought after them with
the extremest eagerness, from the ingenious and imaginary adventures of
Robinson Crusoe, to those more important works of authentic discovery,
and actual description, which have for the last century, and indeed much
before, obtained the sanction of public approbation and esteem. This
feeling naturally led him to seek the personal acquaintance of all those
among his contemporaries, who had made themselves eminent, either by
their geographical knowledge, or their actual visits to remote regions
and countries, less perfectly known.
Of many of these personages he has left notes, which induce the
disposition to believe, that he had, at one time, entertained the
intention of writing something in a connected form, on the subject of the
value of their different observations and discoveries. This, however,
he did not do; but from the remarks which he had made, the reader may
perhaps find some transient amusement in the selection which succeeds.
ALEXANDER DALRYMPLE.
This was a very considerable man, perhaps few, or none, of his
contemporaries could compare with him, either for the extent or the
accuracy of his geographical and nautical knowledge. His works on
these subjects were very numerous and very important, and his original
manuscripts, which, after his death, were deposited in the archives of
the Admiralty, contain many valuable treasures.
It were to be wished, that as far as good policy and the national
interests would justify such a measure, government would allow, under
certain restrictions, extracts to be made from these papers, for the
public information and satisfaction.
The English public have always been zealous and generous encouragers of
all undertakings, which have had in view the increase of geographical
knowledge. There are no publications more secure of success, than
such as profess to detail the discoveries of regions before unknown;
which describe the manners of those nations with whom we are less
perfectly acquainted, thus combining, at the same time, information with
improvement. Such propensities merit, on the part of government, as far
as they can consistently make it, an adequate return.
Who could possibly be more proper for such an official undertaking, than
the gentleman who succeeded Dalrymple in his situation of Hydrographer?
It would be exceedingly difficult to point out a collection, without
excepting even national repositories, where so great a mass of books and
tracts on geography and navigation could be found, as in the library of
Mr. Dalrymple. They amounted to many thousands, nor was there perhaps
one, in which he had not made some manuscript observation. He had,
moreover, the best and most popular works of this kind, in every language.
His conversation was lively, interesting, and full of information; he
was obviously subject to great irritability, which might partly be
constitutional, and partly perhaps induced by those severe fits of the
gout, to which he was subject.
In the decline of life, his personal appearance was somewhat whimsical.
Whenever he visited, he carried with him a small stool, which appeared
indispensible to his comfort.
He was always ready and willing to communicate what he knew, and it well
answered the purposes of those, who wanted information on the subjects
of the kingdoms and oceans of the world, to listen with attention to
Alexander Dalrymple.
The Sexagenarian appears to have been still more familiarly acquainted
with Dr. P. R.
Dare atque accipere te volo
Dei divites sunt—deos decent opulentiæ
Et factiones—verum nos homunculi
Salillum animæ, qui cum extemplo amisimus
Æquo mendicus atque ille opulentissimus
Censetur censu, ad acherontem mortuus.