a certain sum, at least, per sheet. On one occasion, a gentleman, holding office under govern ment, sent him an article, which, after undergoing some serious mutilations at his hands preparatory to being ushered into the world, was accepted. But the usual sum being sent to the author, he rejected it with disdain, conceiving it a high dishonour to be paid for any thing-Gifford, in answer, informed him of the invariable rule of the Review, adding, that he could send the money to any charitable institution, or dispose of it in any manner he should direct-but that the money must be paid. The doughty official, convinced that the virtue of his article would force it into the Review at all events, stood firm in his refusal :-greatly to his dismay, the article was returned. He revenged himself by never sending another. Gifford in relating this afterwards, observed with a smile, "Poor man! the truth was, he did not like my alterations: and I'm sure, I didn't like his articles; so there was soon an end of our connexion."

His objection to asking a personal favour was, owing to the same principle, exceedingly strong. His services formed a very powerful claim to any moderate favour in the power of ministers to bestow; and yet, though anxious at all times to gratify the wants of his needier friends to his utmost ability, his aversion to soliciting the bounty of government was seldom overcome: on one occasion, indeed, in particular, he exerted his influence in favour of the son of a deceased friend; but undoubtedly, not without being driven to it by such importunity as left an application to ministers the less of two evils. About two years before his death, he

wrote, it is said, to the Chancellor, requesting a small living for a distressed relative of his first patron: his request was not complied with. It is true, his independence of opinion might seem to be interfered with by the situations he held; but they were bestowed on him unsolicited, and from motives of personal regard. He enjoyed a very close intimacy with Mr. Pitt: he used to mention that when he dined with the minister tête à tête, or with but a few chosen others, a servant was never permitted to remain in the room. The minister's "dumb waiters" were as serviceable in his private as in any other house.

Amongst other engaging talents, Gifford possessed that very agreeable one of telling a story well, in singular perfection. The gest of trifles of this kind depends principally on the manner in which they are told. Many people acquire a

right over particular stories, which, from their peculiar happiness in relating them, become exclusively their own: but Gifford had an inexhaustible supply, and his arch drollery rendered all almost equally good.

Gifford, for the last twenty years of his life, dined at four, and drank tea at six, and for several years, slept immediately after dinner till tea-time. Then he was always glad to see his private friends. He was for many years exceedingly feeble, and so dreadfully oppressed with asthma, as very often to be entirely deprived of speech. The fatigue of business entailed on him by the Review, and the various calls with which he was incessantly harassed during the morning, produced an overpower ing exhaustion, which tends to sour the temper or excite irrita

bility. And if, when suffering under the complicated misery of distressing bodily disease and men tal exhaustion, he occasionally be came fretful or peevish, the most illiberal cannot withhold indul gence, nor the most malignant affect surprise. He continued the editorship of the Quarterly much longer than a just regard for his health authorized but no suce cessor that was proposed pleased him; and nothing but a bodily decay, little short of dissolution, compelled him to resign. He never stipulated for any salary as editor: at first he received 2004, and at last 9001. per annum, but never engaged for a particular sum. He several times returned money to the publisher, Mr. Murray, saying "he had been too liberal." He was perfectly indifferent about wealth. In unison with his contempt of money was his disregard of any external distinction: he had a natural aversion to any thing like pomp or parade. *Yet he was by no means insensible to an honourable distinction; and when the University of Oxford, about two years before his death, offered to give him a doctor's degree, he observed, "Twenty years ago it would have been gratifying, but now it would only be written on my coffin."

Mr. Gifford was short in person; his hair was of a remarkably handsome brown colour, and was as glossy and full at the time of his death, as at any previous period. He lost the use of his right eye, I believe, by gradual and natural decay: but the remaining one made ample amends for the absence of its fellow, having a remarkable quickness and brilliancy, and a power of expressing every variety of feeling. His head was of a very

singular shape; being by no means high, if measured from the chin to the crown; but of great horizontal length from the forehead to the back of the head. His forehead projected at a right angle from his face, in a very uncommon manner.

A few days before his death he said, I shall not trouble myself with taking any more medicine— it's of no use I shall not get up again. As his last hour drew nearer, his mind occasionally wandered; he said once→→ These books have driven me mad-I must read my prayers' singular words, coming from a man deeply impressed with religious feeling. Some have seen in his library what appeared to be a paraphrase, or translation, of the Book of Job, in his own hand-writing. Soon after, all power of motion failed him, he could not raise a tea-spoon to his mouth, nor stir in his bed. His breath became very low, and interrupted by long pauses; his pulse had ceased to beat five hours before his death. He was continually inquiring what time it was. He once faltered forth, "When will this be over?" At last, on his nurse coming into the room, he said, "Now I'm ready; (words he generally used when he was ready to be moved) very well! -you may go." These were his last words; on retiring, the nurse listened behind the door; she observed the intervals of his breathing to grow longer;-she re-entered the room just in time to catch a breath that had a little of the strength of a sigh-it was his last! The few who saw him afterwards, agreed that the usual serenity of death was exceeded by the placid composure of his countenance.

Mr. Gifford died at his house No. 6, James Street, Buckingham

Gate, on the 31st of Dec. 1826. It was his original wish to be buried in South Audley Chapel; but his friend Dr. Ireland procured his consent to have his body deposited in Westminster Abbey; where his interment took place on the 8th of January, 1827.

The probate of Mr. Gifford's will was taken out under 25,000l. personal property. He left the bulk of his fortune to the Rev. Mr. Cookesley (the son of his original benefactor), who is likewise his residuary legatee. He left his house in James Street, for the remainder of the term, nearly thirty years, to Mrs. Hoppner, widow of the eminent portrait-painter, and legacies of a few hundreds to her children. He left a sum of money, the interest of which is to be distributed annually amongst the poor of Ashburton. He left likewise to Exeter College another sum, the foundation of

two scholarships. Three thousand pounds are left to the relatives of his beloved maid servant. He left to Mr. Heber his edition of Maittaire's Classics, and any other books Mr. Heber might choose to select. To Mr. Murray, the bookseller, he left 100l. as a memorial; likewise five hundred guineas, to enable him to reimburse a military gentleman, with whom he appears to have become jointly bound for the advance of that sum for Mr. Cookesley, at a former period. He left to his executor, Dr. Ireland, fifty guineas for a ring, and any of his books the Dean might select: and he requested his Executor to destroy all confidential papers, especially those relating to the Review. Other legacies to individuals werelikewise left. There were various codicils to the will. The whole was in his own handwriting.

tives of the Pacha of Egypt, the Imaun of Muscat, &c. The Strand is a street which leads along the river, and is resorted to by the more sober and unostentatious portion of the inhabitants. Here were several beautiful Armenian ladies with golden diadems, the lower part of their faces muffled in white veils, who were enjoying in their carriages the cool breeze from the river.

Close to the Strand is a steamengine for raising water from the Hooghly, and distributing it over the city. This is a recent improvement, and attended with great benefit and comfort to the inhabitants of Calcutta. There are now runs of water along the streets, which are daily watered.

During this month (February) plays were occasionally performed by amateurs; balls and parties were frequent among the Europeans, and nautches among the natives. One of the latter was given by

Baboo Russum Doss Moolk (reported to be worth one hundred lakhs), on occasion of the marriage of his son. The saloon in which we assembled was brilliantly lighted up with wax candles in expensive cut-glass chandeliers. The natives sat on chairs_and couches; many of them wore English stockings, shoes, and kid gloves, which made a ridiculous addition to their Oriental costumes. The son of one of the baboos, a boy of eight years of age, was dressed in the full uniform of a general officer, with cocked hat aiguillette, &c.

The master of the house having handed round the attar, and sprinkled the company with rose-water, was succeeded by domestics offering cool sherbets, fruit, and patisserie. The entertainments consisted of dancinggirls succeeded by Persian boys, who performed various feats of agility with swords.

In approaching the camp we shad a delightful ride through a most romantic valley. It was svery narrow, and at the bottom rushed a tumultuous stream; the banks were clothed with low jungle, and in many places were little millet fields.

The glen widened into a broad valley. At a distance was seen a white mass of tents, stretching quite across the valley, and overshadowed by lofty mountains; nearer us was a black line of horsemen. They formed the Istakball, and advanced in line, six VOL. LXIX.

hundred of them, with the Nasackchee Bashee in their front, accompanied by other grandees and khans. The royal standard was displayed in their centre, having the device of the Lion and Sun.We proceeded towards the camp, and passed the royal tents, surrounded by a lofty serai purdah.* The tents were white, with red stripes. In front of the enclosure was the tent in which the king holds his salaam or levee, and sits

The serai purdah is a tent-wall of canvass, surrounding the tents of the king and nobles.

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