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restoration of Louis XVIII. terminated had opportunities of exercising the faculthe long exile of Madame de Staël, and ty of enjoyment, which she possessed in a

she joyfully repaired to Paris, which was superior degree to any other person. Her in truth her proper sphere, where her life was altogether poetical."-We are peculiar talents were calculated to pro- not disposed to question the general acduce the greatest effect and to be best curacy of this picture. That Madame

The

appreciated. Her house became the de Staël po-sessed a high cultivated rendezvous of persons the most distin- mind, and talents of the first order, fame, guished in the career of literature and and fortune, cannot be disputed. politics; and she had the satisfaction productions of her superior genius entitle not long since to unite her eldest daugh- her to our admiration but that conter to the Duc de Broglio, a peer of tempt which, if we are rightly informed, France. Her death took place after a she manifested through life for all that, long illness, July 16, in her 49th year. according to our old-fashioned morality, A Paris paper, in giving a sort of is estimable in the female character-that sketch of the character of this lady, ob- eagerness with which she seized every serves "The life of Madame de Staël opportunity to gratify desire, to unite has been of short duration, but it has herself with every illustrious person of been embellished by every thing that can her age, and to exercise the faculty of gratify desire. Possessed of fame, ho- enjoyment-as her panegyrist expresses mage, and a fortune which enabled her it-are qualities which, however amiable to traverse and inhabit the most delight- they may appear in France, will, we ful regions of the earth; united with trust, never become naturalized among every illustrious person of her age; she the fair females of our own country.

THE LIFE OF WILLIAM HUTTON.

THE RIOTS OF BIRMINGHAM.

Concluded.

not make this remark without having heard hostile expressions fall from the gentlemen,which proves a preconcerted plan.

THE HE fatal 14th of July was now arrived; a day that will mark Birmingham with disgrace for ages to come. It was now between eight and nine, The laws had lost their protection, every the numbers of the mob were increased, security of the inhabitants was given up, their spirits were inflamed. Dr. Priestthe black fiends of hell were whistled to- ley was sought for, but he had not dined gether, and let loose for unmerited de- at the hotel. The magistrates who had struction. She has reason to keep that dined at the Swan, a neighbouring taanniversary in sackcloth and ashes. About vern, by way of counterbalance, huzzaed eighty persons of various denominations Church and King, waving their hats, dined together at the hotel. During din- which inspired fresh vigour into the mob, ner, which was short, perhaps from three so that they verily thought and often deto five o'clock, the infant mob collected clared, they acted with the approbation under the auspices of a few in elevated at least of the higher powers, and that life, began with hooting, crying Church what they did was right. The windows and King, and broke the hotel windows. of the hotel being broken, a gentleman As Mr. Chillingworth walked by the said, "You have done mischief enough hotel early in the afternoon of the 14th, here, go to the meetings." A simple retwenty or thirty people were assembled, mark, and almost without a precise all quiet he heard one of the town- meaning, but it involved a dreadful combeadles say to another, "this will be bination of ideas. There was no need such a day as we never saw." "Why to say, "Go and burn the meetings." so?" says Chillingworth. After repeated The mob marched down Bull-street uninquiries, one of them replied, "The der the smiles of magistrates. It has gentlemen will not suffer this treatment been said that these were compelled to from the presbyterians; they will be echo the cry of the multitude, but it is pissed on no longer." The beadles could not wholly true.

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The New Meeting was broken open "Apply to the magistrates, and request without ceremony; the pews, cushions, four things. To swear in as many conbooks, and pulpit were dashed to pieces; and, in half an hour, the whole was in a blaze, while the savage multitude rejoiced at the view.

The Old Meeting was the next mark of the mob. This underwent the fate of the New and here again a system seems to have been adopted, for the engines were suffered to play upon the adjoining houses to prevent their taking fire, but not upon the meeting-house, which was levelled with the ground.

The mob then undertook a march of more than a mile, to the house of Dr. Priestley, which was plundered and burnt without mercy, the doctor and his family barely escaping. Exclusive of the furniture, a very large and valuable library was destroyed, the collection of a long and assiduous life.

But the greatest loss that Dr. Priestley sustained, was in the destruction of his philosophical apparatus, and his remarks. These can never be replaced. I am inclined to think he would not have destroyed his apparatus and manuscripts for any sum of money that could have been offered him. His love to man was great, his usefulness greater. I have been informed by the faculty that his experimental discoveries on air, applied to medical purposes, have preserved the lives of thousands; and, in return, he can scarcely preserve his own.

stables as are willing, and arm them; to apply to the commanding officer of the recruiting parties for his assistance; to apply to Lord Beauchamp to call out the militia in the neighbourhood; and to write to the Secretary at War for a military force." What became of my four hints is uncertain, but the result proved they were lost.

Towards noon a body of near a thousand attacked the mansion of my friend John Ryland, Esq. at Easy-hill. He was not at the dinner. Every room was entered with eagerness; but the cellar, in which were wines to the amount of 300l., with ferocity. Here they regaled till the roof fell in with the flames, and six or seven lost their lives. I was surprised at this rude attack, for I considered Mr. Ryland as a friend to the whole homan race. He had done more public business than any other within my knowledge, and not only without a reward, but without a fault. I thought an obelisk ought rather to have been raised to his own honour, than his house burnt down to the disgrace of others.

About this time a person approached me in tears, and told me, "my house was condemned to fall." As I had never, with design, offended any man, nor heard any allegations against my conduct, I could not credit the information. Being no man's enemy, I could not beBreaking the windows of the hotel, lieve I had an enemy myself. I burning the two meeting-houses, and Dr. thought the people, who had known me Priestley's, finished the dreadful work of forty years, esteemed me too much to Thursday night. To all this I was a per- injure me. But I drew from fair premfect stranger, for I had left the town early ises false conclusions. My fellow-sufferin the evening, and slept in the country. ers had been guilty of one fault, but I of When I arose the next morning, July two. I was not only a dissenter, but an 15, my servant told me what had hap- active commissioner in the Court of pened. I was inclined to believe it only Requests. With regard to the first, my a report; but, coming to the town, I sentiments were never rigid. There found it a melancholy truth, and matters seems to me as much reason to allow for wore an unfavourable aspect, for one a difference of opinion as of face. Nature mob cannot continue long unactive, and never designed to make two things alike. there were two or three floating up and Whoever will take the trouble to read down, seeking whom they might devour, my works, will neither find a persecutthough I was not under the least appre- ing, disloyal, or republican thought. In hension of danger to myself. The af- the office of commissioner, I studied the frighted inhabitants came in bodies to good of others, not my own. Three ask my opinion. As the danger admitted points I ever kept in view: to keep order, of no delay, I gave this short answer: do justice tempered with lenity, and com

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pose differences. Armed with power, halfan hour I found an ale-score against I have put a period to thousands of me of 329 gallons.

quarrels, have softened the rugged tem- About five this evening, Friday, I had pers of devouring antagonists, and, with- retreated to my house at Bennet's Hill, out expence to themselves, sent them where, about three hours before, I had away friends. But the fatal rock upon left my afflicted wife and daughter, and which I split was, I never could find a had seen a mob at Mr. Tukes's house in way to let both parties win. If ninety- my road. I found that my people had nine were content, and one was not, that applied to a neighbour to secure some of one would be more solicitous to injure our furniture, who refused to a second, me than the ninety-nine to serve me. who consented; but, another shrewdly About noon also some of my friends remarking that he would run a hazard advised me "to take care of my goods, of having his own house burnt, a denial for my house must come down." I was the consequence. A third request treated the advice as ridiculous, and re- was made, but cut short with a no. The plied, "That was their duty, and the fourth man consented, and we emptied duty of every inhabitant, for my case was the house into his house and barn. theirs. I had only the power of an indi- Before night, however, he caught the vidual. Besides, fifty wagons could not terror of the neighbourhood, and ordered carry off my stock in trade, exclusive of the principal part of the furniture back, the furniture of my house; and, if they and we were obliged to obey. could, where must I deposit it?" I sent, however, a small quantity of paper to a neighbour, who returned it, and the whole afterwards fell a prey to rapine.

At midnight I could see from my house the flames of Bordsley Hall rise with dreadful aspect. I learned that after I quitted Birmingham the mob atAll business was now at a stand. tacked my house there three times. My -The shops were shut. The town prison, son bought them off repeatedly; but, and that of the Court of Requests, were in the fourth, which began about nine thrown open, and their strength were at night, they laboured till eight the next added to that of their deliverers. Some morning, when they had so completely gentleman advised the insurgents assein- ravaged my dwelling, that I write this bled in New-street to disperse; when narrative in a house without furniture, one, whom I well knew, said, "Do not without roof, door, chimney-piece, windisperse, they want to sell us. If you dow, or window-frame. During this inwill pull down Hutton's house, I will terval of eleven hours, a lighted candle give you two guineas to drink, for it was was brought four times, with intent to owing to him I lost a cause in the Court." fire the house, but, by some humane The bargain was instantly struck, and foot, was kicked out, At my return I my building fell. found a large heap of shavings, chips, About three o'clock they approached and faggots, covered with about three me. I expostulated with them. They hundred weight of coal, in an under would have money." I gave them all kitchen, ready for lighting. I had, even to a single half-penny, which The different pieces of furniture were one of them had the meanness to take. hoisted to the upper windows to comThey wanted more, "nor would they plete their destruction; and those pieces submit to this treatment," and began to which survived the fall, were dashed to break the windows, and attempted the atoms by three bludgeoners stationed goods. I then borrowed all I instantly below for that service. Flushed with could, which I gave them, and shook a this triumphant exercise of lawless power, hundred hard and black hands. "We the words, Down with the Court of will have some drink.” “You shall have Conscience!" "No more ale-scores to what you please if you will not injure be paid!" were repeated. A gentleman me." I was then seized by the collar on remarked to the grand slaughterers of both sides, and hauled a prisoner to a my goods, "You'il be hanged as the neighbouring public-house, where, in a rioters were in 1780." "O damn him,” L ATHENEUM. Vol. 2. was the reply. "He made me pay fif

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teen shillings in the Court of Con- Moseley Hall, the property of John science." This remark was probably true, Taylor, Esq. and inhabited by Lady for that diabolical character which would Carhampton, mother to the Duchess of employ itself in such base work, was very Cumberland, was not to be missed. likely to cheat another of fifteen shillings, Neither the years of this lady, being blind and I just as likely to prevent him. with age, nor her alliance to the crown, were able to protect it. She was ordered by the mob to remove her furniture, and told, if she wanted help, they would assist her; but that the mansion must not stand. She was therefore, like Lot hastened away before the flames arose, but not by angels.

Burning Mr. Ryland's house at Easy Hill, Mr. Taylor's at Bordesly, and the destruction of mine at Birmingham, were the work of Friday the 15th.

Saturday the 16th was ushered in with fresh calamities to myself. The triumphant mob, at four in the evening, attacked my premises at Bennet's Hill, and As riches could not save a man, neither threw out the furniture I had tried to poverty. The mob next fell upon a poor save. It was consumed in three fires, but sensible Presbyterian parson, the the marks of which remain, and the house Rev. John Hobson, of Balsall Heath, expired in one vast blaze. The wo- and burnt his all.

men were as alert as the men. One From the house of Mr. Hobson, the female, who had stolen some of the pro- intoxicated crew proceeded to that of perty, carried it home while the house William Piddick at King's Heath, inwas in flames; but, returning, saw the habited by an inoffensive blind man, coach-house and stable unhurt, and exclaimed with the decisive tone of an Amazon, "Damn the coach-house, is not that down yet! We will not do our work by halves." She instantly brought a lighted faggot from the building, set fire to the coach-house, and reduced the whole to ashes.

John Harwood, a Baptist; and this ended their work on Saturday the 16th, in which were destroyed eight houses, exclusive of Mr. Coates's, which was plundered and damaged.

With regard to myself, I felt more resentment than fear; and would most willingly have made one, even of a small The beautiful and costly mansion of number, to arm and face them. My George Humphreys, Esq. was the next family, however, would not suffer me to victim. He had prepared for a vigorous stay in Birmingham, and I was, on defence, and would most certainly have Saturday morning the 16th, obliged to been victorious, for he had none but rank run away like a thief, and hide myself cowards to contend with: but female from the world. I had injured no man, fears overbalanced many courage. One and yet durst not face man. I had spent pistol, charged with powder, sent them a life in distributing justice to others, away; and though they returned in greater and now wanted it myself. However numbers, one blunderbuss would have fond of home, and whatever were my banished them for ever. His house was comforts there, I was obliged, with my sacked, and the internal parts destroyed. family, to throw myself upon the world The next sacrifice was the house of without money in my pocket. William Russell, Esq. at Showell Green. We stopped at Sutton Coldfield, and, He had prepared men, arms, ammuni- as we had no abode, took apartments tion, and a determined resolution for for the summer. Here I fell into comdefence; but, finding his auxiliaries rot- pany with a clergyman, a lawyer, a ten, he gave up his house and its contents to the flames.

country 'squire, and two other persons, who all lamented the proceedings at Birmingham, perhaps through fear, they being in its vicinity, and blamed Dr. Priestley as the cause. I asked what he had done? "He has written such let

The house of Thomas Russell, Esq. and that of Mr. Hawkes at MoseleyWake Green, were the next attacked. They were plundered and greatly injured, but not burnt. To be a Dissenter ters! Besides, what shameful healths was a crime not to be forgiven, but a were drank at the hotel." As I was rich Dissenter merited the extreme of not at the dinner, I could not speak of vengeance. the healths; but I replied, "If the Doc

The Wednesbury colliers now assembled in a body, and marched into BirmWe now enter upon Sunday the 17th. ingham, to join their brethren under I rose early, not from sleep, but from church and king: but, finding no mob bed. The lively sky, and bright sun, in the town, they durst not venture upon seemed to rejoice the whole creation, an attack, but retreated in disappointand dispel every gloom but mine. I ment. As they could not, however, recould see through the eye of every face, that serenity of mind which I had lost.

I could not refrain from going to take a view of my house at Bennett's Hill, above three milés distant from Castle Ranting, roaring, drinking, burning, Bromwich. Upon Washwood Heath is a life of too much rapidity for the bu- I met four wagons, loaded with Lady man frame to support. Our black so- Carhampton's furniture, attended by a vereigns had now held it nearly three body of rioters, with their usual arms, as days and nights, when nature called for protectors. I passed through the midst rest; and the bright morning displayed of them, was known, and insulted, but the fields, roads, and hedges, lined with kept a sullen silence. The stupid dunfriends and brother church-men, dead ces vociferated, "No popery! Down drunk. There were, however, enough with the Pope !" forgetting that presbyawake to kindle new fires. On Satur- terians were never remarkable for favour