supported his young friend in the House of Commons, and was rewarded with a seat at one of the public Boards. In 1789, he was at length elected Speaker of the House of Commons, and conducted himself with such unvarying propriety, as to become exceedingly popular. On the resignation of Mr. Pitt, he was nominated Premier, an event not at all disagree able to the King, who conferred on him the Ranger's house in Richmond Park, in order to be near his person at all times. On each of these occasions, the subject of this article experienced a correspondent, but subordinate elevation. It was necessary however, in the first instance, that he should obtain a seat in parliament, and he was accordingly returned for the borough of Harwich. He then acted for some time, as joint Secretary of the Treasury, in conjunction with Mr. Vansittart, now Chancellor of the Exchequer.

In 1785, Mr. Addington married Mary, daughter of — Unwin, Esq., by whom he has issue ; and on his death, which occurred on Thursday, June 10th, 1818, at Longford in the county of Somerset, he held the office of Under Secretary of State. The disorder which proved fatal, was a stomach complaint, the operation of which was so sudden, and so violent, that Lord Sidmouth was actually unable to reach his seat, in Somersetshire, before this melancholy event had taken place.

In public life, Mr. Addington's politics were in exact accordance with the notions of his elder brother; in private, he exhibited a most amiable, conciliating, and affectionate character.

No. XVII.

JAMES COBB, ESQUIRE.

THE EAST INDIA COMPANY AND AUTHOR OF A
NUMBER OF DRAMATIC PIECES.

Of the early life of this singular man, who affected the rare union, of an attention to business with a love for the stage, but little is known, and the very place of his birth is uncertain. He was born in 1756, and it is obvious that his education must have been of a liberal kind. In particular, he was wellacquainted with the French language, and while a boy, displayed a considerable degree of taste for poetry.

He commenced his career at the India House, in 1771, when only fifteen years of age, and after passing through all the subordinate situations in the Secretary's Office, at length attained the envied and lucrative appointment, which placed him at the head of that department.

In 1800, he married Miss Stanfell, a Hampshire lady, who survives him. In private life, he was liberal, open, and unreserved; and during his social hours, in addition to a certain sprightliness of conversation, exhibited much wit, united with good breeding.

We are now to treat of him as a dramatic writer. By frequenting the playhouses, he conceived a love for the stage, and an attachment to many of those who then trod the boards of Drury Lanc, and Covent Garden. His first effort was made at the early period of eighteen years of age, when he composed a prologue for Miss Pope, who delivered it with her usual spirit and effect at her benefit, in 1774. Five years after, that same lady exerted her good offices, and displayed her good acting, in the “ Contract, or the Female Captain.” He also altered a French farce for her benefit, which was afterwards reproduced at the Haymarket, with considerable effect.

success.

“ The Wedding Night” was received with diminished applause; but “the Humourist,” and “Strangers at Home,” which proved to be of a more original cast, made ample amends ; the latter was a comic opera.

Nothing now appeared either too great, or too little for his grasp, for he assisted Mr. King in his pantomime of “ Hurly Burly,” and ridiculed “ Recitations," one of the fashionable amusements of that day, by means of his “ English Readings." '

In 1788, he produced a comic opera called “ Love in the East,” and in the course of the same year, appeared his “ Doctor and Apothecary,” a farce, which still delights the galleries. This was followed by “the Haunted Tower,” the music by the late Signor Storace, which in the theatrical phrase, had “ a long run.”

”

The same composer assisted him in the same manner in “ the Siege of Belgrade,”

66 the Pirates," and “the Cherokee," a circumstance which insured

The “ glorious first of June,” to commemorate the signal victory of Lord Howe, over the French fleet, produced crowded houses; but “ the Shepherdess of Cheapside” was coldly received, and soon after withdrawn.

In the enumeration of Mr. Cobb's dramatic labours, the following, although supposed to be chiefly borrowed from the French, ought not to be forgotten :-“ Kensington Gardens,” an interlude, 1781; “ The Algerine Slaves," a musical entertainment, 1792; “ Ramah Droog," a comic opera, and “ Paul and Virginia,” a musical drama, 1800; “ Algonah,” a comic opera, and “ A House to be Sold," a musical piece, 1802; “ The Wife of Two Husbands,” a musical drama, 1803; “ Sudden Arrivals,” a comedy, 1809.

Since the last of these periods, Mr. Cobb ceased to write for the stage; and indeed, increasing infirmities, if they did not embitter, at least rendered the remainder of his days uncomfortable.

His death and character are recorded in the following monumental inscription:

“ Sacred to the memory of James Cobb, Esq. late secretary to the Hon. East India Company, which important situation

he filled with distinguished ability, integrity, and zeal. His moral and social character was marked by the tenderest sympathy for human sufferings, and the most benevolent exertions for their relief. To the graces of an accomplished mind, he united the most endearing virtues. He gladdened life by the charm of his manners, and adorned it by his example. The memory of his worth will be his best and most lasting monument, and has afforded his afflicted family consolation and instruction. He departed this life, after a long and painful illness, the 2d of June 1818, in the 62d year of his age, in the humble and devout hope of salvation through the merits of his Redeemer.”

No. XVIII.

MATTHEW GREGORY LEWIS, Esg.

AUTHOR OF THE

MONK.” &c.

This gentleman was the only son of Mr. Lewis, by Miss Sewell, whose family possessed a very considerable fortune, in the island of Jamaica. After living for some years together, a separation by mutual consent took place; they both agreed however, in one point, and that was a devoted attachment to their son, who was born in 1773.

The elder Mr. Lewis, at this period, held a high and lucrative situation under government, for being a man of considerable talents, great quickness, and unexampled diligence, he occupied, during many years, the post of Deputy-Secretary in the War-Office; supposed, during the height of the American contest, besides an allowance under the name of salary, to have produced from fourteen to sixteen thousand pounds per аппит ! A sum unexampled at the present day! At length

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an inquiry having taken place, and the fees being withdrawn, he thought proper to retire, on a very handsome pension.

Young Matthew received his education at Westminster School, after which he was sent abroad, with a very liberal allowance, to learn the German, having already obtained a facility in the French. So soon as he had acquired a certain degree of familiarity with the vernacular tongue, at one of the numerous German universities, he applied himself to attain a notion of its literature, the most prominent character of which, at that period, was the wonderfu, in which he himself greatly delighted. Instead of studying history, or delighting in biography, the former of which might have stored his mind with useful facts, while the latter would have afforded many brilliant examples for his future conduct, our volatile Englishman addicted himself to romance and the drama, whence he doubtless imbibed that taste for the marvellous, which never wholly abandoned him; accompanied, at the same time, with a certain looseness of expression, which at home, produced disgust instead of approbation. Accordingly, while abroad, he composed the “ Monk,” a work by which he himself was ever afterwards designated.* For the story, on which it is founded, he was however indebted to his native country; it having originated in a tale in the Guardian.

This publication which appeared soon after his return to England, attracted no small degree of attention. The pruriency of several of the passages, was greatly condemned by some, while others, overlooking this licentiousness, in the first production of a very young man, praised him on account of his early genius.

It was deemed prudent, however, to call in all the copies possible to be obtained; as many parts of the story did not exactly comport with our manners, were not deemed proper for the youth of either sex; and seem but little adapted to the pen of a legislator. It has been said, indeed, that one of our societies for the protection of morals, threatened a pro

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