Delphi complete works of.., p.368
Delphi Complete Works of Samuel Butler, page 368
“I am sorry to tell you that the Lexicon Ægypt. Lai is not to be had for any quantity of love or money that I can offer. Still I will not give up the search. I am writing to the Dean of Christ Church, who is omnipotent at Oxford, on the subject, and if it is possible to be got you shall have it.
“Believe me, my dear Baron, yours most truly, “S. B.
“Barometer yesterday 27’89 in., the lowest, I believe, ever known in this country. Violent tempest from the S.S.K. It has risen today to 29 34 in.”
The Baron’s rejoinder would fill six whole pages, and I must refer the reader to the original in the British Museum. It is, I believe, accepted now that the terminal inflexions of verbs are added pronouns in a changed and decayed state. As for which came first, nouns or verbs, I am no philologist; but may we not imagine that the earliest spoken symbols were neither purely nouns nor purely verbs, but did double duty, and more than double, becoming differentiated as the art of speech advanced? Is it not a repetition in another form of the old question, Which came first, the egg or the hen? — the fact being that both have come from a something that was wholly neither. Or again, are they not like desire and power, which begin as mere sound of a going in the brain, too incoherent and inarticulate to be recognised as either power or desire? The vague, indefinite sense of mere disturbance becomes first more coherent, and then assumes two alternating states that act and react upon one another and are called desire and power. I am aware, however, that I am venturing beyond my depth.
COPY OF A LETTER FROM SIR UVEDALE PRICE, BART., TO DR. PARR, IN WHICH CASE THE DATE IS PROBABLY 1820 — 1824.
“I have always regretted that from some misinformation or misconception of my own I should have fancied that you were to be absent from Hatton the whole of the time that I was at Guy’s Cliffe, or I should not have been satisfied with a single visit. I might perhaps also have been lucky enough to meet Dr. Butler, whom I should have been very glad to have known, and among others on a very trifling one, but the circumstances of which, if they should be new to you, may afford you some amusement. In the neighbourhood of Sunning Hill, where I used to be a good deal, and very near George Ellis, there was a gentleman who wrote little erotic poems to Celia in an arbour, or to Chloe by a fountain, and these namby-pamby verses of his he printed — not published — in a neat volume, each poem having a page to itself with a large margin. He gave a copy to Ellis: and Gaily Knight coming to Sunning Hill, and finding this volume on Ellis’s table, was much diverted with the style of the verses, and being tempted by the broad margin he wrote under one of the poems: —
‘Coughing in a shady grove
Sat my Juliana;
Lozenges I gave my love,
Ipecacuanha,’
The fourth line is inimitable. I thought, however, that a sequel was wanting, and there still being room in the margin ventured to add another stanza: —
‘Full half a score th’ unwary maid
From out my box did pick;
Then turning tenderly she said,
My Damon, I feel sick.’
“I thought this joint production of ours had remained snug in Ellis’s library; but I find — now comes the rrpos Aio’rrcrov — that Dr. Butler somehow got hold of them, perhaps without knowing whose they were, and amused himself with putting them into Greek and Latin hexameters and pentameters, in which languages ipecacuanha being neither in the Dispensary of Hippocrates nor of Galen must be ‘ignota indictaque primutn,’ and to suit the metre must be in regard to accent (i e quantity) pane detorta, though not ‘ Grtzco fonte.’ Charles Luxmore, the Bishop’s son, has seen them, and promised to get me a copy, but has not yet, and I am very curious to see how Dr. Butler has managed it — I dare say very ingeniously and very differently from the way in which certain Greek hexameters were managed. These last, I fear, were very unfit to meet any critical eye, much less such a one as yours; and I wish they may not have acted upon you as the lozenges are supposed to have done on the supposed damsel.
“With our best regards to yourself and Mrs. Parr, “Believe me, my dear Sir, “Most truly and respectfully yours, “U. PRICE.”
CHAPTER XVIII. CORRESPONDENCE — CHARGE — LAWSUIT.
Correspondence, February 18th, 1825 — April 18th, 1825. — Extract from a Charge delivered June 22nd and 23rd, 1825, at Derby and Chesterfield. — Correspondence and Progress of the School Lawsuit, August 28th, 1825 — December 15th, 1825.
CORRESPONDENCE, FEBRUARY 18TH, 1825 — APRIL 18TH, 1825.
FROM J. P. HIGMAN, ESQ. (AFTERWARDS REV.), FELLOW AND TUTOR OF TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE.
“TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, February 18th, 1825.
“DEVEREND SIR, — Accustomed as you have long been to receive accounts of the very remarkable success that has attended all your pupils in our University examinations, it will give you little surprise, though I have no doubt very much pleasure, to learn that your pupil is the University Scholar, and what is still more, that Eyre, another scholar from Shrewsbury, was next to him in the examination. You may naturally suppose that such extraordinary distinctions obtained in successive years by the pupils of one master has given rise to much talk in the University, respecting the distinguished abilities and high classical attainments of the present Master of Shrewsbury School. Amidst the general voice of praise, I hope you will allow mine to be heard; particularly as it proceeds from a College which in former times and under the government, or rather intrigue, of a faction was not disposed to do justice to one whose exertions in the cause of literature and ancient learning deserved somewhat more than flat jests and pert, superficial criticism. That day, sir, is gone by; the party is gone, and with it have disappeared all feelings of coldness to the editor of Æschylus.”
FROM DR. BUTLER TO — (?).
[February or March, 1825.]
“SIR, — I am directed as chairman of the committee for improving the entrance into Shrewsbury by the Castle gates to acquaint you with the great advantage which Lord Darlington’s property will receive thereby, and to solicit a subscription on his lordship’s account.
“It is proposed to give Lord Darlington that portion of the street adjoining his two houses opposite the school gardens, according to the annexed plan extending even beyond the present channel, and to build up a retaining wall, so as to form a terrace for the houses and a driving way to the Castle.
“Mr. Pelham as tenant of the Castle has very liberally offered to build this wall to the level of the intended terrace, which will cost him about eighty guineas, besides subscribing £50 to the general purposes of the improvement.”
[Rest of draft not found. — ED.]
TO THE TRUSTEES OF SHREWSBURY SCHOOL.
“March 1st, 1825.
“GENTLEMEN, — It was proposed at the last meeting of the committee for improving the street and lowering the hill from Mr. Palin’s to a point below the old Castle gates, to ask the trustees of the school to be at half the expense of Mr. Carline’s estimate for taking down the present boundary wall of the school garden, and rebuilding it in its present form, using the old material. His estimate amounts to — 18s., the half of which is £34 9s The committee came to the resolution of making this proposal to the trustees on the score of the great and highly important benefit which the school would receive from shutting up the thoroughfare through the school lane, and the actual increase of ground which would be gained by the school by exchanging part of the present school garden near the street for that part of the school lane which is given up by the public in consequence of stopping the thoroughfare.
“I have had a survey made, which I enclose, of the land which it is proposed to exchange, by which it appears that the school will gain sixty-five and three-quarters, say sixty-six, square yards. This will be purchasing the ground at near half a guinea a square yard, which I conceive is a pretty good price. Still, however, I am satisfied that the benefit w’hich will result from stopping up the thoroughfare through the school lane is so important that it would be well worth while for the trustees to give four times that sum in order to accomplish this purpose. Besides which, a great public advantage will be gained by lowering the hill.
“The estimates for lowering the hill are not yet made out, but the expense will be very considerable; and unless the school, as well as other neighbours and the public at large, come forward liberally, I think it will not be effected. I propose on my own part to contribute £50, if the thoroughfare through the school lane is stopped up, but not otherwise.
“What I wish earnestly to press on your consideration is, that you should never allow the work to be begun in the school garden till the stable which is to be price of Mr. Dixon’s concurrence in stopping up the school lane is bought and transferred to him. The work must be done before the magistrate can sign the order for stopping up the school lane; but you can stipulate with the committee, of whom I am one, that it shall not be begun till this transfer is completed, and I shall be greatly obliged to you if you will do this, because I thought I saw in a leading member of the committee a strong inclination to escape from this obligation, which would effectually destroy all hope of stopping up the thoroughfare.
“Having now purchased Mr. Gwyn’s house and all the others in the school lane, I have no difficulty with the other tenants; and I should hope — when I am able to examine the houses (which will be at Lady Day) and arrange my plans — that I may be able to find enough space at the upper extremity to make a porter’s lodge, and in that case should wish to remove thither the fine old gateway from the bottom of the lane — which I shall then ask the trustees to put up there and furnish with gates in proper style, so as to admit of a carriage to drive under them. I should give the porter’s lodge free of expense as long as I continue here, and whenever I quit — without wishing to pledge the trustees to any engagement on their part — I have it in view to make them the first offer of all the property I have purchased in the school lane on liberal terms. This is of so great importance to the schools that I hope they will not be easily deterred from availing themselves of that opportunity; but if they should decline it, I could wish it to be understood that in such case the space occupied by the porter’s lodge must revert to me, and the gates must be removed by the trustees to a point below, or at the termination of, my property, as they might injure the sale of the houses to strangers.”
Besides other and more serious evils arising from the fact that there was a thoroughfare through the school grounds, difficulties used to arise between the boys and any passer-by who for whatever reason attracted their attention. My old friend and schoolfellow Robert Taylor, Esq., late of the Indian Civil Service, was told by the late Rev. G. W. Rowland that there was a certain exciseman in Shrewsbury who was very trim and neat in his attire, but who had a bottle nose of more than usual size. As he passed through the school lane the boys used to call him “Nosey,” and this made him so angry that he complained to Dr. Butler, who sympathised, and sent for the head boy, to whom he gave strict injunctions that the boys should not say “Nosey” any more.
Next day, however, the exciseman reappeared even more angry than before. It seems that not a boy had said “Nosey,” but that as soon as he was seen coming the boys ranged themselves in two lines through which he must pass, and all fixed their eyes intently upon his nose. Again Dr. Butler summoned the head boy, and spoke more sharply. “You have no business,” said he, “to annoy a man who is passing through the school on his lawful occasions; don’t look at him.” But again the exciseman returned to Dr. Butler furious with indignation, for this time, as soon as he was seen, every boy had covered his eyes with his hand till he had gone by. “What would you have me say to these fellows?” said Dr. Butler. “Can you not see that they will obey, and yet evade, every order that I give them? Had you not better keep out of their way by going up the public street instead of going through them?” And, as the story ends here, I suppose that this was what the exciseman eventually decided on doing.
FROM THE REV. JOHN LYNES.
“HATTON. March 7th, 1825.
“MY DEAR SIR, — Dr. Parr expired after a short, but not painful, struggle at six o’clock yesterday evening. You are earnestly requested, in a paper directed to his executors, to preach a very short sermon on the day of his funeral, which is fixed for Monday the 14th inst.
“The number of friends I have to make acquainted with the event will, I hope, excuse this short notification.”
Many letters from Dr. Barr’s bedside, written by Dr.
John Johnstone and the Rev. J. Lynes, will be found in due order of date amongst Dr. Butler’s papers in the British Museum. Dr. Butler preached as requested, but I must refer my readers to Professor J. E. B. Mayor’s pages for an account of the sermon itself.
FROM THE MASTER OF ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE.
“ST. JOHN’S, March 11 th, 1825.
“MY DEAR MR. ARCHDEACON, — I have read your memorial to the trustees with very great interest, and hope there are few cases on record in which there are symptoms of similar intentional and fraudulent delay, or culpable negligence. Sorry I am to say that, as far as I can form an opinion, the judges are not free from the latter imputation. The fears which the parties may have of exposure may operate upon them to bring the suit to a conclusion, which but for your memorial and petition would probably have gone on for another century. From the House of Commons little further advantage can be expected beyond the exposure.
“I will send your statement back the first favourable opportunity I have, and if I can procure a copy of the Bishop of Peterborough’s case respecting the Rector of Byfield, I will enclose it in the same parcel. It is drawn up with very great moderation, but it leaves an impression on the mind unfavourable to our judges, who seem to have constantly in view the lowering of Church authority — which object they pursue per fas atque nefas. But to turn to a more agreeable subject, I congratulate you most sincerely on the success of your scholars. In truth you stand at the head of all public schools in this kingdom. May the Master of Shrewsbury be rewarded as he deserves.
“The measures you have taken with the orators is the most prudent and likely to be the most effectual that can be adopted. In confidence I assure you that the Master of Trinity has done more harm to the University discipline than any other individual in the memory of man. Concessions to young men are frequently like concessions to Roman Catholics, never to be recalled or remedied.
“I have had little leisure to look into the book you had the kindness to send me. I shall, however, give particular attention to it. I apprehend I must condemn the spirit which has of late appeared, and which your author shows, of lowering the value of natural religion. The arguments brought forward are not conclusive, and if they were, they would only have the effect of undermining instead of supporting revelation.
“Give my kindest remembrances to Mrs. Butler.
“Most truly yours, “J. WOOD.”
FROM THE REV. SAMUEL TILLBROOK.
[Undated — probably end of March, 1825.]
“MY DEAR DOCTOR, — I wish you well through all your troubles, and condole with you for the loss you have sustained in the poor old Doctor. Report says you are Dr. Parr’s sole executor: if this be true you are more to be pitied than envied. Do not forget your promise to secure a pipe for me as a keepsake; I will hang it alongside Dr. Clarke’s Turkish tube.
“Have you as yet fixed on a successor to your late curate?
Beware of Master — . I heard one of the Fellows of Emmanuel College say that he should feel half inclined to speak in false praise of him, for the sake of getting him removed from the College. Can you guess from what country the sincerity of this man sprang?
“We were all delighted at Baines’s success. Do you want a funny rogue to succeed him? We have an A.B. with a nose like the devil’s: a wrangler of this year, and an honest, well-disposed man — sound in mathematics, but not a very good classic. He would make a better indoor than in school tutor.
“Sheepshanks is a great man now. He told me with a voice like one of the tuned singers of St. Peter’s, Rome, ‘that although he was not quite the plenipotentiary, yet he was almost so among the folks at Falmouth.’
“I am off to the trouts to-morrow. I shall kill, but not eat. Apropos, the lamperns were served up a la maitre d’hotel, and delicious they were. I shall soon have to write to you on the subject of Izaak Walton’s monument. I have had a most kind-hearted letter from the Dean of Winton, and an invitation to spend a few days at the Deanery while selecting the site for the erection of the bust or statue. But more of this anon. Goodnight, and joy go with you. I am dead tired, and ever yours truly, —
“S T.”
TO MR. W. HONE, 45, LUDGATE HILL.
(Original draft, with four abortive beginnings, destroyed by me. — ED.)
“April 2nd, 1825.
“SIR, — Whatever may be the difference of religious and political opinions between us, I am confident you will not be displeased at my offering you the sermon sent herewith as a proof of the favourable impression made on my mind by the letter which I received from you some time ago, and of which I spoke in the terms I thought it merited to the dear and revered friend whose character I have attempted to sketch in the pages now sent you, the very last time I saw him before he was on his deathbed.
“Believe me, yours faithfully,— “S. BUTLER.”
FROM MR. W. HONE.
“45, LUDGATE HILL, LONDON, April 4th, 1825.
“SIR, — To say that I am obliged and flattered by the honour you do me through the kind note accompanying a copy of your sermon at the funeral of Dr. Parr, would be a cold expression of my feelings on receiving them this morning. My alacrity in acknowledging the unlooked-for favour would be, if I had the pleasure of being known to you better, an assurance of my warm and, I would almost say, my affectionate respect on the occasion.
