the space of a mile to that engine, which was purchased at Soho, ought to have made himself so much acquainted with its history, as to have done justice to the genius and talents of the inventor.

MR. JOHN PALMER.

LATE COMPTROLLER OF THE GENERAL POST-OFFICE.

THIS gentleman was born in Bath, where his father carried on a very considerable brewery, and was engaged in other extensive concerns; his mother was descended from the Longs, one of the oldest and most respectable families of that city.

He was sent, while very young, to an academy at Coleme, a few miles distant from Bath, then kept by the Rev. Mr. Needham. Young Palmer was much distinguished by his master at this seminary for the quickness of his parts, and by his school-fellows for an enterprizing spirit, as well as a total indifference to pre-eminence in the classes; but from being disposed to kindness, and a great favourite with Mr. Needham, he was generally deputed, when it was thought necessary, to solicit favour, or deprecate punishment; and he generally succeeded in both. He differed, however, from his playmates in regard to his studies, for whenever a new author was put in his hands, he scarcely ever rested till he had obtained a tolerable knowledge of his merits, and would never sit down contented with himself till he could translate the whole with facility; and after that point was atchieved, he would return to a kind of volup

tuous

tuous periodical idleness, till it became again absolutely necessary to return to his task, which he would perform with a readiness that again left him to the busy idleness he so much loved, at this period of his boyish days. He had rapidly gone through the principal classics of the school, when his father was prevailed upon, by a clerical relation of the same name, resident in Marlborough, a gentleman universally known and much distinguished in the neighbourhood there, to remove his son to the public school of that town, there being annexed to it some valuable scholarships and exhibitions introductory to Oxford and Cambridge; and it was presumed this would give him the chance of being preferred to one of these, as well as put him in training for his paternal destination, the church.

Young Palmer, however, had predetermined in favour of the army; and after a stout contention betwixt the sword and the surplice, it was a drawn battle; and he was reluctantly compelled, at scarcely fourtcen years of age, to leave school, and, what was still nearer his heart, an excellent pack of hounds, which were kept by Parson Palmer; and, what was worse than all, to submit to the drudgery of mercantile business. Still, however, he repeated his solici-. tations for a commission in the army, and continued his contempt and neglect of business. This military passion occasioned frequent altercations, and called forth reproach from one of the best, and otherwise most indulgent parents. But there is certainly such a thing as family obstinacy; or, shall we L14 soften

soften the term, by calling it hereditary perseverance? One day after a violent dispute on the martial theme, young Palmer came to a sudden resolution of levelling all impediments. To effect this, he bought a waistcoat and trowsers, went into the brewery, and worked in the most laborious and servile parts of that business; and, indeed, in every part of it, for nearly a year; associating all that time only with the servants, labouring and faring precisely as if he had been one of them.

During this steady plan of operation he detached himself entirely from the family; this magnanimous resolution at length gave way, but not before he had nearly put a period not only to his martial but mortal history. The undertaking happened to require a strength of body as well as of mind, and our young gentleman, still of tender age, was by no means equal to its drudgery; and when it was almost too late, he was compelled to retire into the country, under the care of a physician, to stop the progress of an incipient consumption. Youth and time, however, those excellent physicians, brought him back to health of body, and to calmer feelings and reflection of mind. He returned to books and to study, and had half persuaded himself to enter the church, when renovated health and spirits sounded the drum and trumpet again in his ears, and silenced all suggestions pointed to the gown and cassock.

Mr. Palier senior had been induced, in partnership with nine other inhabitants of the city of Bath, at this period, to erect a new and elegant theatre, on

the solemn assurance of the proprietors of a former miserable substitute for onc, to apply the old building to some other purpose, as soon as they had completed theirs, which would afford such superior accommodation and entertainment for the public. But, no sooner was the new theatre found to be highly successful, than the proprietors of the old one broke their faith, enlarged and fitted up the ancient play-barn, for it was little better; and in consequence of this unfair dealing, a violent and expensive opposition was carried on for several years, to the infinite loss of both parties. During the contest, the partners of Mr. Palmer senior were disheartened by their losses, and retired from the concern. Mr. Palmer purchased their different shares, and thus becoming the sole owner fought out the battle stoutly, and compelled his adversary at last to withdraw his opposition, on condition of receiving a considerable annuity.

In progress of time, from the great increase of the city, the theatre had grown into a valuable property; but it was still unprotected by the law, and, of course, liable to opposition from any adventurers that might choose to erect another; a scheme at that time in serious contemplation of the owners of property in the new town. It is well known that a very severe act of parliament then existed against the public exhibition of dramatic performances, limiting the prerogative of the crown to the granting any future patents or licences beyond those already in existence for Covent Garden and Drury Lane;

and

and this limitation was to the place of the king's residence, and only during such residence.

His Majesty, therefore, had not the power of extending his protection to a theatre at Bath: consequently the security of the property in question, and the personal safety of the performers from the rigour of the law, would be both at hazard, unless an act of parliament could be first obtained to grant such liberty.

Accordingly a petition was presented to parliament from Mr. Palmer's father for this purpose, which was warmly and generously supported by his friends, the magistrates of the city. Young Palmer was deputed to solicit, at a very early age, this novel and difficult act of the Legislature; and after considerable opposition, he succeeded in obtaining not that only, but his Majesty's patent, which was the first act of parliament of this kind ever passed for an English theatre.

The accomplishment of this undertaking gained the young negociator great credit, for his activity and address introduced him to the personal knowledge and regard of many eminent characters, whose warmest friendship and zeal to his interest continued during their lives.

Amongst these, were the late late venerable Earl Camden, the Recorder of Bath, the Duke of Kingston, Marquis of Lansdown, Lord Aylesbury, Mr. Dunning, Messrs. Garrick, Colman, Harris, and Sheridan; for the last named gentleman he has invariably retained the highest personal regard, and has paid duc honour to his high qualities and talents, independently

of