Several were tried, but none suited his he always admitted that though at this temper, for his education, imperfect time, judicious and correct, he was as it was, had given him that tincture far from a perfect actor. His gesture for letters that excited in him a re- was ungraceful, his enunciation mopugnance to any mechanical art. His notonous. His perfect skill in modumother dying when he was about 17, lating the human voice, he used to being left to pursue his own inclina- say, was all acquired after he ceased tion, and feeling in himself that power to be an actor.

of speaking which he afterwards em- But even during his theatrical caployed to so much advantage, he be- reer, he never ceased employing his came a candidate for theatrical fame. leisure hours in cultivating his mind, He had several engagements in the and improving the little knowledge provincial theatres, and he was soon he had acquired of Latin and Greek convinced that he had not mistaken Desirous of exploring the regions of his talent. His last country engage- philosophy as well as literature, he bement was with Mr. Ward, the Mana- came a disputant at the Robin Hood, ger of the Glocester Company, whose where he always received much apdaughter was mother to the celebrated plause. To the habit of speaking in Mrs. Siddons and Mr. Kemble. His this society, he attributed much of his proficiency at length inducing him to subsequent success, as a teacher of present himself to à London theatre, elocution. He continued at Coventhe preferred Drury-Lane, then under Garden till the patent was disposed of Mr. Garrick's management. Here be- in 1767, when not being included in ing accepted, an inferior cast of cha- the new arrangements, he again reracters was allotted him, but his man- paired to Dublin, where the bad state ner of performing the Distressed Poet, of the theatre did not permit him to in the farce of the Author, recom- remain more than a year. He now mended him so strongly to Garrick's began to think of adopting a life more notice, that he advanced his salary, suited to his philosophical and literary and brought him forward in tragedy; turn, and only playing at Bristol as the second parts of which he usually usual, in the summer months; but in filled, together with those of a grave the latter end of 1768 he quitted the sententious cast in comedy. stage altogether. His next object was In May 1758, he married Miss to form a school at Kensington Gravel Myners, a comic actress at Drury- Pits, with the Rev. James Usher, a Lane, but who was afterwards cele- Roman Catholic Clergyman; but brated at Covent-Garden for her per- though the school succeeded, disaformance of Deborah Woodcock, in greeing with his partner, he quitted it Love in a Village. Of this character, at the end of two years. He was now she was the original representative. determined to commence teacher of She was also much admired in the elocution. By dint of observation he Old Maid, Mrs. Heidelberg, &c. had overcome his own defects; and Soon after his marriage, Mr. Walker his method being preferable to any joined Barry and Woodward, in the adopted, before, his superiority soon company they engaged, on opening became evident. Young men of rank Crow-street Theatre, in Dublin. Here and talent eagerly availed themselves he was again advanced; as he suc- of his abilities, and soon found that he ceeded Mossop in many of his cha- had more applications for instruction racters, when the latter deserted to than he could possibly comply with. Smock-alley. Still he performed at He now turned all his attention to the Bristol during the summer months. orthoepy of the English language, of In June 1762, his engagement with which, he endeavoured, by tracing it Barry and Woodward having ter- to its principles, to form a consistent minated, he and Mrs. Walker returned and analogical theory. In 1772 to to London, and were soon engaged by make the public participators in his Beard at Covent-Garden, where he researches, he published by way of Succeeded Sparks in playing Cato Prospectus, a Pronouncing Dictionary and Brutus. He was likewise con- of the English Language, a manifest sidered excellent in Downright, in improvement of Dr. Kenrick's RheEvery Man in his own Humour. Still torical Dictionary, Mr. Walker preUNIVERSAL MAG. VOL. IX.

H

posed printing his work by subscrip- tensive sale. The same idea was tion, and in this he was very materially afterwards improved by the Rev. Gilassisted by Mr. Garrick; still as the bert Austin in his Chironomia, and by number of subscribers did not answer Mr. Henry Siddons in his Practical his purpose, he altered his plan, and Illustrations of Rhetorical Gesture. But in 1775, published a Dictionary of the as there still remained a Desideratum, English Language, answering at once, which no person had attempted to the purposes of rhyming, spelling and supply, in 1801, he produced his pronouncing, accompanied with some Teacher's Assistant, containing a vauseful aphorisms on pronunciation. riety of well-chosen themes: this has Prefixed to this, was a handsome dedi- been republished since, under the title cation to Mr. Garrick. This work of English Themes.

was afterwards republished under In April 1802, Mrs. Walker who the title of A Rhyming Dictionary. had retired from the stage at the same Mr. Walker conceiving that a guide period with himself, died at the age of to the pronunciation of Greek and 79. She was a friendly good-hearted Latin proper names which so fre- woman, and po sessed exquisite huquently occur in reading was much mour. Mc. Walker's last production wanting, finally resolved in 1798, to in May 1805, he entitled Outlines of make that a separate work which he English Grammer. In the fo in of had at first intended for an Index: he notes he there introduced many obtherefore, in 1798, published his Key servations not found in any other auto the Classical Pronunciation of Greck, ther. He now grew very debilitated, Latin, and Scripture Proper Names, and gradually declined til Jly last, with some Observations on the Greek when a severe il ne s put a period Accents. In the same year Mr. Walker his existence in seventeen days. His went to Scotland to read lectures on remains were interred in the church elocution at Edinburgh, where he met yard of St. Pancras, whore, in comwith great success, and many polite pliance with his wishes, a stone is and friendly attentions, so much so, erected to his memory, with a simple that he ever after retained a marked inscription.

For

partiality for the Scottish nation. Prince Czartoryski and bb son, From Scotland he proceeded to Dub- were among Mr. Walker's pupils, and lin, where his lectures met with un- also the son of Lord Erkire. His common success. He afterwards read philological knowledge made him inthem at Oxford, where some of the timate with Dr. Goldsmith, Profe sers Heads of Houses invited him to give Miller and Richardson, Mr. Dugald private lectures in that University, Stewart, Mr. Home, Mr. A. Murphy, which he accepted. Having been in- and Dr. Kippis; he was also patre troduced by his friend Garrick to D. nized by M. Ed: und Burke. Johnson, the Doctor had warmly re- the last twenty your of his life he commended him to some of the higher formed one of a literary conversation, graduates. told every Wednesday evening at the In 1781, he produced his Elements, rate learned and ingerica M. Joseph of Elocution, and in 1788, he published Robertson'. Bus, notrichstanding a pamphlet called Hints for Improve- Mr. Walker's nice tur, ia respect to ment in the Art of Reading. The most the euphony of speech, relative to useful parts of this, he afterwards in- music, it is said, he could not perceive troduced into his Rhetorical Grammar. When a singer was out of tube! In In 1786, he formed a compilation, fact, he was not sensible of any grat.entitled English Classics Abridged, fication from mu le, excest flom meand in 1787, he published a pamphlet lodies of the most simple kind, and called The Melody of Speaking Deli- tho e in the minor key, only. Melody neated. In 1788, this was followed by in the major key, however exquisite, his Academic Speaker, a selection from was lost upon him; he regarded it arliamentary debates, and the best only as an acdition of praise. Being thors: to this he prefixed. The bred a Calvinistic dissenter, though Elements of Gesture; illustrated with he changed his creed throughout the copper plates. The novelty and utility whole of his life, theology mere than at this idea gave the book a very ex- any other subject occupied his mind.

He was in a great measure familiar early impressions to the tenets he afwith the writings of the fathers, and terwards adopted, that he left a master the whole circle of polemics between to whom he was to have been an apCalvinists and Arminians, Puritaus prentice, because he discovered he and Presbyterians, Pado Baptists, Anti-Predo Baptists, &c. &c.

VARIETIES, LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL; With Notices respecting Men of Letters, Artists, and Works in Hand, &c. &c.

MR. ROBINSON, late of Seaford, volume

R. ROBINSON, late of Seaford, volume will soon be ready for publi

Moral and Patriotic Subjects about to
appear, under the patronage of Mr.
Sheridan and his Royal Highness the
Prince. Report speaks highly of

60

a Practical Dictionary of Domestic account of a phenomenon which was Medicine, or a comprehensive view observed in the Island of Fuhnen, in of the late important discoveries rela- September last. A globe of fire was tive to the causes, treatment, and pre- perceived in open day, which appeared vention of diseases; and a popular to be constantly in motion; and out of description of the subjects of anatomy, botany, chemistry, dietetics, pharmacy, phisiology, surgery, midwifery, &c. The whole comprising a regular view of the present improved state of medical science, divested of all technical obscurities.

Mr. Finlay's Historical and Romantic Ballads, in two volumes octavo, are nearly ready for publication; the greater number of them have never Some Rebeen published before. marks on the Early State of Romantic Composition will be prefixed.

An impartial and authentic History of the British Campaigns on the Rio de la Plata, is preparing for the press, by Captain Roche, of the 17th Light Dragoons, and major of brigade to the forces. This work will not be strictly confined to military events, but comprise an account of the country in every point of view; accompanied with maps, plans, &c.

Mr. Vancouver is now engaged in the Survey of Hampshire.

Mr. Price, of Appledore, has just completed an original work on Sheep Feeding, as practised in Romney marshes, in which he is a proprietor. This has been read in manuscript by the president and secretary of the Board of Agriculture, and met with unqualified approbation.

America.

which, flames and sparks were seen coming, notwithstanding a bright sunshine. The direction of this meteor was from N. E. to S. E. A similar phenomenon was observed in Jutland at the same time, and in the same direction." It may be added, that an appearance something resembling the above was observed in Scotland much about the same time.

France.

M. Proust, an eminent physician at Paris, has taken upon him to prove that the cause of insanity is seated not so much in the head as in the stomach and bowels. He has found the intestines of those who died under this disorder, replete with mucous or bilious matter, more or less discoloured and dark. Worms are often found, and the inner membrane, constantly reddish, or even changed intirely in divers parts of its surface. The gall bladder and its ducts are always dilated, and frequently contain concretions; the liver too is enlarged and swelled: from whence M. Proust infers, that the seat of the disease is in the stomach and bowels.

A

M. Jousselin, manufacturer of earthen ware at Nevers, in an Essay on the Improvenient of the Pottery, announces the discovery of a new method of enamelling or glazing so cheap, that the glazing, which at present costs the manufacturer 320 livres, will not amount to more than 20.

A new work, from the pen of Thomas Paine, has appeared at New A street at Paris, hitherto called York, entitled "Examination of the Passages in the New Testament quoted Rue de Cheval Vert, has lately taken from the Old, and called Prophecies its name from the Irish college in that concerning Jesus Christ; to which is city, and is now Rue des Irlandais. prefixed, an Essay on Dreams, and The master of this college is M. their mode of operation, and applying the same to the dreams in the New Testament: with an appendix, containing T. Paine's Private Thoughts of a Future State, and Remarks on the contradictory Doctrines of Matthew and Mark."

Walsh. This seminary, it is said, still glories in uniting to the study of the sciences and letters that of religion. The latter is not merely an acThe masters exert themcessary. selves in a particular manner to fulfil their duty in this respect; and this school is the more distinguished, as A letter lately received from Copen- being the only one that has a course hagen, contains the following passage: of Latin, philosophy, and of argumen"The calamitous events which have tation. The habit of speaking Latin, accumulated on our unhappy country, it is observed, affords great facility to have prevented our giving an earlier speaking French.

Denmark.

There is an Aloe at present in the the small pox in the family. The inJardin des Plantes at Paris just ready former who reveals the existence of to blossom. This is a rost rare and any concealed patient, has a reward of curious event, as last century only fifty livres. Any house infected with one has blossomed. Its stalk, which the natural small pox is blocked up, rises in the centre of the plant, and surrounded with guards, and all comwhich is to be crowned with flowers, munication with those within is susis remarkable for its height, and the pended. Any person endeavouring to' rapidity of its growth. It requires escape from such a house, is to be imfifty or sixty years in our climate to prisoned forty days. Since this regurender one stem capable of bearing lation has been made public, every flowers. child has been vaccinated within two months after its birth. The operation The greater part of the Statues is performed gratis by the physician taken from Prussia were known to the of the government. most celebrated artists. Montfaucon, The statue of Napoleon, from a La Cheusse, Perier, Winckleman, and mould executed by Canova, who is Cavaceppi, have described, or given termed on the continent, another engravings of a large portion of them. Praxiteles, has lately been cast in The same may be observed of the Naples, and exposed to public infragments, the instruments, lamps, spection.

Germany.

success.

mecials, and other remains which be- The culture of the Chinese radish long to this magnificent collection. introduced into Italy about fifteen It also contains a prodigious number years ago, by M. de Grandi of the of curiosities, such as ancient enamels, Patriotic Society of Milan, has been vases, goblets, caskets, specimens of attended with uncommon the coloured pottery of the fifteenth The Chinese radish, raphanus sinensis, century, executed from designs by yields a large quantity of oil: recent Raphael, Julio Romano, and other experiments made at Venice prove, great masters; likewise ancient ar- that this oil is preferable to any known, mours, among which are preserved those of Godefroy de Bouillon, Rodolphe of Hapsburgh, Francis I. Montecucolli, &c.

Italy.

not only for culinary purposes and giving light, but in medicine. It is found to be extremely useful in rheumatic and pulmonary affections; it is not liable to spoil by keeping, like Vaccine. It has lately transpired other oils; and has been employed that the government of Piombino and with great elicacy in convulsive Lucca issued an order some time coughs. Relative to the culture of since, by which every inhabitant is this plant, it is not injured by the obliged, under the penalty of 100 hardest frosts. It is sown in Septemlivres, to declare immediately when- ber, and seeds in May or June, which ever there is a person attacked with sceds are very abundant.

I

STATE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

The

T has been a general complaint in every day. The volcano has its mo every age, that the present times ments of comparative repose, and man are worse than any that preceded; that is not every instant devising destrucno iniquity has been, or can be, tion on his fellow-creatures. greater than is exhibited on the stage times have exhibited to us scenes unof the world at the precise moment worthy of rational beings; and who when the complainer is making his have been most to blame, the future lamentations. In general these com- page of history will explain to a future plainers have little knowledge of his- generation, but it is some satisfaction, tory, and seldom know how to appre- that even where force, which ought ciate their own misery, or that of their to be the last reason of sovereigns, as predecessors. It must be allowed, it is the first of villains and despehowever, that we have been witnesses radoes, carries every thing before it, to scenes which do not frequently oc- there is still an attempt to appeal to eur. Revolutions are not the work of the reasoning faculties of man, and to