MRS. C⸺.
Perfectly contrasted to the preceding personage, in mind, temper, and
manners, and gifted with talents of a better kind, was the individual to
whom a tribute of respect is now about to be paid.
Mrs. C. was distinguished by every domestic and every amiable virtue; and
though her situation in life exempted her from the drudgery of minutely
attending to every particular circumstance of a very large family, yet
she paid the strictest attention to the education of her children, and,
at the same time, found opportunity to cultivate and extend her taste for
literature.
Her maiden name was B. and, as is believed, of an ancient and most
respectable Suffolk family. She married early in life, Dr. C. a
clergyman of whom mention has before been made, as a man of considerable
learning and abilities, of good fortune, as well as preferment. In the
latter part of his life, by some negotiation with the Dean and Chapter
of N. he exchanged his living of B. near Norwich, for that of G. Y. In
this place, he spent with Mrs. C. who survived her husband, the remainder
of an honourable, useful, and amiable life; both of them distinguished
by their great benevolence and hospitality, both of them conspicuous for
their love of literature, and their kindness to literary men. All have
their failings, but bating that our friend, the Doctor, was somewhat
disputative in conversation, and rather too prone to entangle himself
and his auditors in the labyrinths of metaphysical perplexities (for
ne’er could he escape that Stygian gloom, which he still was apt to make
darker by the intermixture of theological subtleties) he was ever mild,
conciliatory, and friendly.
Mrs. C. was the authoress of two novels, one of which was most
successfully published in her lifetime, under the title of the “Exemplary
Mother;” the name given to the other was, “The Wife, or Caroline
Herbert;” which was printed not long since under the sanction of one of
her surviving sons.
Both of these publications have merit far beyond the ordinary run
of novels. The first is in a more particular manner entitled to
commendation. It passed through various editions, and was long a great
favourite with the public. The latter also exhibits an excellent model
for the conduct of a wife, placed under circumstances which too, far too
frequently, occur in the present condition of society.
Mr. A. C. who is so great an ornament to the medical profession, was the
eldest son of this excellent lady. Of him, it must be said in truth and
justice, that, independent of his great sagacity, judgment, and skill, he
is characterized by all the amiable qualities of his mother. Kind to his
friends, compassionate to the poor, an example of benevolence to all.
MRS. M⸺.
Concerning Mrs. M. the writer does not appear to have been qualified to
say a great deal from personal knowledge. It is the less necessary, as
her character, accomplishments, and manners, have been a fertile theme
with a great many modern writers.
In conversation she was lively, communicative, and exceedingly agreeable.
She possessed the highest polish of good breeding, as well indeed she
might, and it was no unpleasant circumstance in the parties which both
frequented, to listen to the sprightly dialogue concerning times which
were gone by, between Horace Walpole and herself. Mrs. M. retained the
dress of the old school, which afforded a whimsical contrast to the
more modern habiliments of those females, by whom she was constantly
surrounded.
Every thing about Mrs. E. C. tended to inspire reverence and esteem.
She possessed dignity without pride, simplicity without affectation,
learning without pedantry, good breeding without any of its tinsel
ornaments. She received the homage, which by common consent was on all
occasions paid her, with ease and gracefulness; and she communicated what
she knew (and she knew a great deal indeed) with affability and good
humour, explained what was difficult with readiness, and never discovered
any impatience of contradiction.
Mrs. C. received unfeigned tributes of admiration from a great many
of the most illustrious characters of her country, but none paid her
more particular attention than the late honoured and revered Bishop
Porteus. He was an excellent judge of mental endowments, both natural
and acquired; and it was the esteem which both combined to conciliate,
that rendered her society so grateful at London-House and at Fulham. She
was always employed on some subject or object of benevolence, and though
her own means of beneficence were circumscribed, her recommendation and
introduction to the great and powerful had no inconsiderable influence,
and from a long catalogue of meritorious names, might Mrs. C. reasonably
expect (as indeed she received) the warmest acknowledgments of gratitude.
But of this illustrious lady it would perhaps be superfluous to say
more. Her literary life and private character have been communicated to
the public by one eminently qualified to form a due estimate of their
value. But the object, at least one object of these Memoirs, is to bring
to recollection the distinguished personages of both sexes, to whom a
personal introduction was obtained, from no other claims or pretensions
than an ardent love and pursuit of learning. The honour of a not
unfrequent meeting with this lady, was too flattering and too gratifying
to be passed over unnoticed and unacknowledged.
Differ opus livida turba tuum.