that I feel happy at turning my face towards home. We this morning have done with all intercourse with the natives; and the sails are now hoisting for our departure for the coast.-PARK, MUNGO, 1805, Letter to Mrs. Park from Sansanding,

Nov. 19.

It might have been expected, that a person who had been so much accustomed to literary and scientific society, and who had lately been in some degree admitted into the fashionable circles of the metropolis, in which he had become an object of much interest and attention, would have felt great repugnance to the solitude and obscurity of a small market town. But this does not appear to have been the case. General society, for which indeed he was not particularly suited, was not much to his taste; and during every period of his life, he always looked forward to a state of complete retirement and seclusion in the country, as the object and end of all his labours. He had great enjoyment however in his own domestic circle, and in the society of select friends.

In his person he was tall, being about six feet high, and perfectly well proportioned. His countenance and whole appearance were highly interesting; and his frame active and robust, fitted for great exertions and the endurance of great hardships. His constitution had suffered considerably from the effects of his first journey into Africa, but seems afterwards to have been restored to its original vigour, of which his last expedition. expedition afforded the most ample proofs. Park's family consisted of three sons and one daughter, all of whom, together with Mrs. Park, their mother, are now living. He also left a mother, four brothers (of whom one is lately dead), and three sisters. -WHISHAW, JOHN, 1815, The Journal of a Mission to the Interior of Africa in the Year 1805, by Mungo Park, to which is Prefixed an Account of His Life, pp. 32,84.

His character will be best understood by a careful examination of his life; but it may be useful to remark, in conclusion, that, although his natural prudence seems partly to have forsaken him during his second journey, few men have possessed in a higher degree the virtues of a traveller-intrepidity, enthusiasm, perseverance, veracity, prudence; his manners, likewise, though somewhat too stiff and

reserved, must upon the whole have been agreeable, since he was able both in civilized and savage countries to gain and preserve many friends. ST. JOHN, JAMES AUGUSTUS, 1832, The Lives of Celebrated Travellers, vol. III, p. 65.

During this autumn Scott formed the personal acquaintance of Mungo Park, the celebrated victim of African discovery. On his return from his first expedition, Park endeavoured to establish himself as a medical practitioner in the town of Hawick, but the drudgeries of that calling in such a district soon exhausted his ardent

temper, and he was now living in seclusion in his native cottage at Fowlsheils on the Yarrow, nearly opposite Newark Castle. His thoughts had always continued to be haunted with Africa. He told Scott, that whenever he awoke suddenly in the night, owing to a nervous disorder with which he was troubled, he fancied himself still a prisoner in the tent of Ali; but when the poet expressed some surprise that he should design again to revisit those scenes, he answered, he would rather brave Africa and all its horrors, than wear out his life in long and toilsome rides over the hills of Scotland, for which remuneration was hardly enough to keep soul and body together. Towards the end of the autumn, when about to quit his country for the last time, Park paid Scott a farewell visit and slept at Ashestiel. Next morning his host accompanied him homewards over the wild chain of hills between the Tweed and the Yarrow. Park talked much of his new scheme, and mentioned his determination to tell his family that he had some business for a day or two in Edinburgh, and send them his blessing from thence, without returning to take leave. He had married not long before a pretty and amiable woman; and when they reached the Williamhope ridge, "the autumnal mist floating heavily and slowly down the valley of the Yarrow," presented to Scott's imagination "a striking emblem of the troubled and uncertain prospect which his undertaking afforded." He remained, however, unshaken, and at length they reached the spot at which they had agreed to separate. A small ditch divided the moor from the road, and, in going over it, Park's horse stumbled, and nearly fell. "I am afraid, Mungo," said the Sheriff, "that is a bad

omen. To which he answered, smiling, "Freits (omens) follow those who look to them."-LOCKHART, JOHN GIBSON, 1836, Life of Sir Walter Scott, ch. xiii.

What Ledyard wanted to complete his character, the famous Mungo Park eminently possessed. He had not so large a grasp of mind as Ledyard, but he was in no need of it. He had quite enough for his purpose, and not any of a doubtful sort to distract it. But who needs to be told what a thorough man for his purpose he was, what sufferings he went through with the simplest and most touching_courage, what successes he achieved, and what a provoking, mortal mischance befell him after all? It was not so mortifying a one as Bruce's, who broke his neck down his own staircase; but it was sadder by a great deal, so far from home and on the threshold of the greatest of his adventures. —Hunt, Leigh, 1849, A Book for a Corner, p. 176.

TRAVELS

But the essential merit of this book, and that which has conferred a lasting distinction on the name of its author, consists in the authentic and important information which it contains. Considered in this point of view, it must unquestionably be regarded as the greatest accession to the general stock of geographical knowledge, which was ever yet made by any single traveller. The claim of Park to this distinction will be apparent from a short view of his principal discoveries.-WHISHAW, JOHN, 1815, The Journal of a Mission to the Interior of Africa in the Year 1805, by Mungo Park, to which is Prefixed an Account of his Life, p. 16.

It is difficult for imagination to conceive a project of a more commanding, or, to a daring and contemplative spirit, a more attractive aspect, than that which Park returned to Africa, resolved to execute, or perish in the attempt. It was perfectly new, and it was vast to sublimity. It combined, in a singular manner, a definiteness of principle with a boundlessness of scope. Nothing could be more precise than the law of its execution, to follow with undeviating fidelity the course-indeed, to go with the stream-of a noble river, the directions of which had been perfectly ascertained, to a great distance, by the traveller himself; but then, no

man could tell him whither this river was to carry him, in what wilderness of lakes or sands it might desert him, or into what ocean it might, with the pride of accumulated waters, bear him down. On any hypothesis, immensity of scene was before him.-FOSTER, JOHN, 1815, Mungo Park, Critical Essays, ed. Ryland, vol. II, p. 289.

We now lay aside this interesting volume; and bid a mournful farewell to that amiable and illustrious man, whose last sufferings and exploits it is destined to record; sufferings, borne with an unaffected cheerfulness of magnanimity, which must both exalt and endear him to all who are capable of being touched with what is generous and noble in character,and exploits performed with a mildness. and modesty, and ardour with which they were conjoined. In Mungo Park, we are not afraid to say, that the world has lost a great man, and one who was as well qualified, as he was undoubtedly inclined, to have been one of its greatest benefactors. The account which is here given of him, is in the highest degree interesting,-not merely to those who care about Africa, but to all who take delight in the spectacle of unbounded courage and heroic ardour, unalloyed with any taint of ferocity, selfishness, or bigotry.-BROUGHAM, HENRY LORD, 1815, Park's Last Journey and Life, Edinburgh Review, vol. 24, p. 490.

Park, a man of the most peculiar and splendid qualifications. His journey was unquestionably the most important ever performed by a European. MURRAY, HUGH, 1817, Historical Account of Discoveries and Travels in Africa.

Few books of travels have acquired so speedy and extensive a reputation as this of Park's. It was sought for with an eagerness which might have done credit to a novel; and the reader whilst his imagination was exalted by the remoteness, the eminent perils, and strange scenes of the journey-could not help feeling something like affection for a person so kindly, so resolute, and yet so unassuming. It still continues one of the most popular works of its class, and the qualities, both of its subject and manner, well deserve this pre-eminence. In pursuing it we follow the traveller with a keen anxiety; we participate in all his

toils and dangers, and hair breadth escapes, portrayed with a brief and touching simplicity, which at once awakens our sympathies by its indubitable air of truth; we are instructed and entertained by his delineation of those vast countries and the rude tribes which people them; we admire his modest though unshaken fortitude; we love the honesty and benevolent candour everywhere displayed by him. Many travellers have possessed more learning, more philosophy, and greater intellectual endowments; but none has ever known better the secret of concentrating our attention and calling forth our esteem. It required not only extraordinary strength of mind to accomplish this undertaking; no common powers of fancy and judgment were also requisite to describe it so agreeably. CARLYLE, THOMAS, 1820-23, Edinburgh Encyclopædia, Montaigne and other Essays, p. 234.

Park was the first of the devoted band who returned to tell what he had seen, and his narrative was received with extreme eagerness. To this day, though To this day, though many have gone, and some have returned like him, to give us knowledge, and then gone back to perish, Park's name is the most tenderly spoken, and every fragment of his experience, and of information. about him, is still caught up with a stronger interest than any of his successors have ever commanded.-MARTINEAU, HARRIET, 1851, History of England, A. D., 18001815, p. 536.

Thus perished Mungo Park, in the thirtyfifth year of his age; a man whose natural enthusiasm, scientific acquirements, undaunted intrepidity, patience of suffering, and inflexible perseverance-in short, every quality requisite for a traveller in the path he adopted, have never been surpassed, and who, had he survived, would no doubt have reaped those laurels, which more fortunate successors in the same career have won. To these qualities in his public character, it is pleasing to be able to add those of amiable simplicity of manners, constancy of affection, and sterling integrity in private life.-CLEVELAND, CHARLES D., 1853, English Literature of the Nineteenth Century, p. 70.

The style is simple and manly, and replete with a fine moral feeling.-CHAM

The journal of Mungo Park lacks the diffuseness and the inflated style which is so objectional a feature in Bruce's narrative. It is simple, straightforward, and possesses all the qualities of truthful history. It was at once received with favor, and still ranks among our most valuable narratives of travel in Africa.-BALDWIN, JAMES, 1883, English Literature and Literary Criticism, Prose, p. 129.

In lecturing and writing on the question of the innateness of conscience, or the moral sense in man, I have found no testimony as to the moral condition of the lower strata of humanity more explicit, instructive, and evidential than that given in the records of Mungo Park's "Travels in Africa," which I have not seen for more than sixty years, but which in my childhood Iread with delight and wonder.—PEABODY, A. P., 1888, Books That Have Helped Me, p. 43.

Although Park was not spared to solve the problem which he had set himself, his discoveries and his observations enabled others to finish what he had begun; he was the first European in modern times to strike the Niger river, and he drew a correct inference when he convinced himself that the Niger "could flow nowhere but into the sea." In his travels he proved himself an explorer of untiring perseverance and inflexible resolution. His heroic efforts served to stimulate the enthusiasm

of travellers who during the next twenty years followed in his footsteps, and they roused a keen public interest in African discovery and development. discovery and development. After James

Bruce, who, like himself, was a Scotsman, he was the second great African traveller of British origin. The unaffected style and simple narration made use of by Park in the "Travels" increased the popularity of what would have been in any case a much-read book. The accuracy of the general narrative has never been impugned; but, owing to an unfortunate mistake in reckoning thirty-one days in April, the observations of longitude and latitude are not to be depended upon. The work was translated into both French and German the year after publication, and subsequently into most European languages; it has passed through a great number of editions, the quarto edition of 1799 being the best.

National Biography, vol. XLIII, p. 221.

487

PERSONAL

The books which I now read with attention, are Blackstone, Knox's "Essays," Plutarch, Chesterfield's "Letters," four large volumes, Virgil, Homer and Cicero, and several others. . . . I have finished Rollin's "Ancient History," Blair's "Lectures,' Smith's "Wealth of Nations," Hume's "England" and "British Nepos" lately.

With a little drudgery, I read Italian-Have got some good Italian works, as "Pastor Fido," etc. I taught myself, and have got a grammar. -WHITE, HENRY KIRKE, 1800, Letters to his Brother Neville, June 26; Remains, ed. Southey, vol. 1, pp. 66, 67.

It is not possible to conceive a human being more amiable in all the relations of life. He was the confidential friend and adviser of every member of his family; this he instinctively became; and the thorough good sense of his advice is not less remarkable, than the affection with which it is always communicated. To his mother he is as earnest in beseeching her to be careful of her health, as he is in labouring to convince her that his own complaints were abating; his letters to her are always of hopes, of consolation, and of love. To Neville he writes with the most brotherly intimacy, still, however, in that occasional tone of advice which it was his nature to assume, not from any arrogance of superiority, but from earnestness of pure a e affection. To his younger brother he addresses himself like the tenderest and wisest parent; and to two sisters, then too young for any other communication, he writes to direct their studies, to enquire into their progress, to encourage and to improve

them.-SOUTHEY, ROBERT, 1807, The Remains of Henry Kirke White, with an Account of his Life, vol. 1, p. 54.

I have been very much interested lately with the "Remains" of H. K. White, which, however, left a very melancholy impression on my mind. Was there no

patron for such a man but Simeon and Wilberforce, who, with the best intentions in the world, seem to have encouraged his killing himself by religious enthusiasm? I am afraid that sort of people do not recollect that enthusiasm, like other potent draughts, should be tempered to the strength of the patient. A dram which hardly warms the veins of a rough-nerved Scotchman will drive to frenzy a more sensitive system. I wish Simeon and Levi would confine their operations to hardheaded Cantabs, and make no excursions to Nottingham for crimping young poets. -SCOTT, SIR WALTER, 1808, To Southey, Feb. 26; Familiar Letters, vol. 1, p. 96. Unhappy White! while life was in its spring, And thy young muse just waved her joyous wing,

The spoiler came; and all thy promise fair Has sought the grave, to sleep forever there.

Oh! what a noble heart was here undone, When Science's self destroyed her favorite

son!

Yes, she too much indulged thy fond pursuit, She sowed the seeds, but death has reaped the fruit.

'Twas thine own Genius gave the final blow, And helped to plant the wound that laid thee low.

-BYRON, LORD, 1809, English Bards and Scotch Reviewers.

Butcher-basket-born Kirke White!BEDDOES, THOMAS LOVELL, 1824, Letters.

That most gifted youth, Henry Kirke White, whose sincere and ardent piety was equaled only by his genius, his learning, and his uncommon ardor in the pursuit of knowledge. CLEVELAND, CHARLES D., 1853, English Literature of the Nineteenth Century, p. 70.

GENERAL

Hail! gifted youth, whose passion-breathing
lay
Portrays a mind attun'd to noblest themes.
-OWEN, ARTHUR, 1803, Sonnet to H. K.
White on his Poems Lately Published.

He seldom discovered any sportiveness of imagination, though he would very ably and pleasantly rally any one of his friends for any little peculiarity; his conversation was always sober and to the purpose. That which is the most remarkable in him, is his uniform good sense, a faculty perhaps less common than genius. There never existed a more dutiful son, a more affectionate brother, a warmer friend, nor a devouter Christian. Of his powers of mind it is superfluous to speak; they were acknowledged wherever they were known. It would be idle too to say what hopes were entertained for him, and what he might have accomplished in literature. SOUTHEY, ROBERT, 1807, The Remains of Henry Kirke White, with an Account of His Life, p. 59.

There are, I think, among these "Remains," a few of the most exquisite pieces in the whole body of English poetry. Conjoined with an easy and flowing fancy, they possess the charm of a peculiar moral delicacy, often conveyed in a happy and inimitable simplicity of language.-BRYDGES, SIR SAMUEL EGERTON, 1809, Censura Literaria, vol. IX, p. 393.

Setting aside his bigotry, he surely ranks next to Chatterton. It is astonishing how little he was known; and at Cambridge no one thought or heard of such a man till his death rendered all notice useless. For my own part, I should have been most proud of such an acquaintance: his very prejudices were respectable.-BYRON, LORD, 1811, Letter to Mr. Dallas, Aug. 27.

To Chatterton he is not to be compared. Chatterton has the force of a young poetical Titan, who threatens to take Parnassus by storm. White is a boy differing from others more in aptitude to follow than in ability to lead. The one is

complete in every limb, active, self-confident, and restless from his own energy. The other, gentle, docile, and animated rather than vigorous. He began, as most youthful writers have begun, by copying those whom he saw to be the objects of popular applause in his own day. He has little distinct character of his own. We may trace him by turns to Goldsmith, Chatterton, and Coleridge.-CARY, HENRY FRANCIS, 1821-24-45, Lives of English Poets, p. 418.

His talents were unusually precocious, and their variety was as astonishing as their extent. Besides the Poetical pieces in this volume, and his scholastic attainments, his ability was manifested in various other ways. His style was remarkable for its clearness and elegance, and his correspondence and prose pieces show extensive information. To great genius and capacity, he united the rarest and more important gifts of a sound judgment and common sense. Kirke White's poetry is popular because it describes feelings, passions, and associations, which all have felt, and with which all can sympathize. It is by no means rich in metaphor, nor does it evince great powers of imagination; but it is pathetic, plaintive, and agreeable; and emanating directly from his own heart, it appeals irresistibly to that of his reader.-NICOLAS, SIR HARRIS, 1837, The Poetical Works of Henry Kirke White, Memoir.

Few writers of verses have been more overrated than Henry Kirke White, and it is a shame, that while there has never appeared in this country a single edition of the poetical writings of Landor, Kenyon, Milnes, Miss Barrett, and others of similar merit, there have been more impressions of White than there have been of Milton, or Pope, or Coleridge. He was

scarcely equal to the Davidsons of New York, and it would be almost as absurd to compare him with Keats or Chatterton as to compare Robert Montgomery with Milton. I doubt whether if he had lived to the maturest age, he would have produced any thing in poetry above elegant mediocrity.-GRISWOLD, RUFUS W., 1844, The Poets and Poetry of England in the Nineteenth Century, p. 214.

Kirke White's promises were endorsed by the respectable name of Mr. Southey, but surely with no authority from Apollo.