Ir falls to the lot of very few men to attain to eminence in many and various paths. The subject of the present essay, celebrated as an able, accomplished, and conscientious lawyer, an acute critic of independent judgment and generous feelings, an eloquent orator, a consistent legislator, and a dramatic poet, is one of these few who have so signalized themselves.

Thomas Noon Talfourd is a native of Reading. His mother was the daughter of Mr. Thomas Noon, who was for thirty years the minister of the Independent congregation there. Accordingly he was instructed in their strict tenets, and his early education was obtained in their school at MillHill: but being removed to the public grammar school under Dr. Valpy, he there acquired a love of Shakspeare and the drama-forbidden ground to his native sect—and soon adopted the less rigid doctrines of the Church of England. the same time he acquired those ardent political feelings, which, tempered by time, he has always since maintained. His poetical talent was developed equally early. In the year 1811, while still at school, he published a volume entitled

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