THE Scots Magazine, AND EDINBURGH LITERARY MISCELLANY, For AUGUST 1816. Description of HENDERSYDE PARK. HENDERSYDE Park, the seat of Biographical Notice of Mrs ELIZA BETH HAMILTON. THIS eminent writer was born at Belfast, of Scottish parents, about the year 1765. Her father had an eligible situation in a mercantile house in that city, and his fortune was yearly improving; but these prospects were blasted by his premature death. His family, consisting of a son and two daughters, were thus left almost wholly unprovided for. In these unfortunate circumstances, Elizabeth, then very young, was taken to the house of an uncle who resided near Stirling, with whom she spent the early part of her life; so that her education, as well as her origin, is Scottish. Of the early studies and pursuits of Mrs Hamilton, we do not possess very minute information; but she doubtless was actively employed in collecting those stories of knowledge, which were afterwards communicated to the world. We believe, however, that she was by no means ostentatious in displaying them to her common acquaintances; few of whom had any suspicion that "Betty Hamilton" was to be considered as a literary lady. It was not till about the age of thirty, that she gave convincing proofs of this, in the publication of the "Letters of a Hindoo Rajab," which took place in 1796. This publication at once made her known to the world, as a lively and ingenious writer. The plan was one which had already been followed with success by some celebrated writers. A foreigner, from the opposite extremity of the globe, is introduced into British society, and makes bis observations without any of that bias of habit and partiality, which naturally adhers to those to whom it has been long familiar. About this time, Mrs Hamilton's brother died in India; he had there made some fortune, which was now left to his sisters; and she was thus raised from a state of poverty, to one of comfortable independence. Soon after, she went to reside in Bath, where she found an elegant and cultivated society, by whom her talents and conversation were duly appreciated. Soon after, she produced the work to which she is indebted for the greater share of her popularity, entitled, "Memoirs of Modern Philosophers." This work contains a great deal of knowledge of human nature, lively wit and satire, and comprehensive views of the objects of human knowledge. The vehicle is not perhaps very appropriate or advantageous for the discussion of philosophical questions; but of this her adversaries could not complain, as it had been employed by themselves as a favourite mode of at least diffusing their sentiments. She was far from displaying here that violent spirit of Anti Jacobinism, conspicuous in many similar works, and which arose from the reaction of the too violent tendency to innovation which had preceded. There breathed through it, on the contrary, a very liberal spirit, and a zeal, within certain limits, for the freedom of philosophical inquiry. The popular nature of the work, and its application to the circumstances of the moment, rendered it very extensively read. Thus encouraged, she soon after produced "Letters on the elementary principles of Education," in two volumes 8vo. The object here is to form a systematic basis for this important art, which, where it was not altogether neglected or car ried on by a mechanical routine, was at least subjected to maxims derived from limited and partial observation. She sought, by resting it upon a philosophical analysis of the human mind, to give it the rank and character of a science. The object in itself was certainly sound and important: yet it may be doubted who her, in the present state of our knowledge of the human mind, it be not somewhat premature. Certain fy, to make an approach to success, must require a very rare union of philosophical depth with the observation of human life; of which qualities, the latter, as might be expected, is the most conspicuous in our author. Con.. sidering how little this is a metaphysi cal age, we doubt if these letters would have obtained very numerous readers, had not the public attention been roused by the success of its predecessor. As it was, they made a very favourable impression, of which indeed a decided proof speedily occurred. The Earl of Lucan, a nobleman of extensive property in the north of Ireland, being left a widower with a numerous family, solicited Mrs Hamilton to undertake their management and instruction. Although this arangement carried her to a situation very remote from her usual habits, yet the flattering nature of the offer, and the great opportunities of usefulness which it offered, appeared motives too powerful to be resisted. From causes, however, with which we are not fully acquainted, the experiment was not successful. It may easily be conceived, that, in applying, for the first time, her theory to practice, she might find difficulties of which she was Det aware; and her previous mode of life might have ill prepared her to encounter one attended with so many thorny accompaniments. After a few months, she conscientiously relinquished a task which she could not satisfactorily accomplish, and retur ed to the enjoyment of independence and literary leisure. The fruits of this change soon appeared in the Memoirs of Agrippina, published in three volumes. Here she has made the story of that celebrated Roman lady the foundation of a romance, intend ed to illustrate her principles on the subject of education. The work is written with spirit, and contains many eloquent passages. But as it afford ed no scope for the display of wit and humour, and the subject presented nothing peculiarly inviting, it excited les less interest than any of her former productions. This cannot be said of the "Cottagers of Glenburnie," with which all our readers are probably acquainted. The truth and force with which some of the minor infirmities of our national character are exposed, secured it a welcome reception, even from those against whom it was levelled. If some passages may be charged with exaggeration, this may be said of satire in almost every instance, and is perhaps necessary to give it its full point. Doubtless, the practices in question were decaying of themselves, and have disappeared from under our immediate eye; but sufficient vestiges still remain, in no very remote and unfrequented districts, to attest the extent of its former prevalence. Mrs Hamilton published also "Letters addressed to the daughter of a nobleman, on the formation of moral and religious principle." Her last last work was "Popular Essays." They abound with shrewd and acute, though perhaps somewhat severe observations upon human nature, and contain perhaps more valuable matter than the Letters on Education; but they have not been, in an equal degree, a favourite with the public. For some years past, Mrs Hamilton has constantly resided in Ediaburgh, where her eminent talents, and the powers of her conversation, made her society courted by the most eminent characters of this metropolis. Unfortunately, however, her health had been long in a delicate state; and her infirmities increasing, she determined to repair to Bath, with the view of trying the effect of the waters; but was taken ill on the road, and died at Harrowgate, on the 23d July last. The name of Mrs Hamilton may be added to the list of those females who have attained the highest intellectual eminence, without the loss of any of those virtues and agreeable qualities which form the peculiar ornament of their sex. Her religion was rational and fervent; and that zeal for the interests of her fellowcreatures which is so conspicuous in her writings, made her also the steady supporter of every institution which was formed for their benefit. In society she was entirely free from the failings to which ladies, who make profession of literature, are sometimes liable. Her manner was remarkably plain and unassuming, and betrayed no consciousness of her own superiority. She took, however, that share in conversation to which her talents entitled her, and displayed always sound sense and strength of character; to which was added a warmth and cordial good humour, which rendered her society extremely agree. able. MEMOIRS OF THE PROGRESS OF MANUFACTURES, CHEMISTRY, SCIENCE, AND THE FINE ARTS. THE quarry of freestone at Collalo, in Fifeshire, about two miles from Aberdour, presents several circum-stances deserving of public attention. A number of trees have been found in it, with branches, leaves, &c. in a state of complete petrifaction. One of these is now in the possession of Mr Ferguson of Raith. It has been ascertained that this freestone covers about 100 acres, to the depth of 100 feet. It lies on an inclined plane, rising to the north. Some coal has been found in it, but not sufficient to repay the expence of working. The quality of this freestone is so extremely fine, that it has been used of late to a considerable extent in London as a substitute for Portland stone. The chapel at Portobello, and several edifices in different parts of Scotland, have been built with it; but its introduction at Edinburgh has been ob structed |