24, 1803, for the benefit of that noble institution, the Royal Humane Society. In this excellent sermon he has combated atheism by the most convincing arguments, particularly overthrowing the wretched notion that the curious mechanism of the human frame originates in chance.

The style of his lordship's discourses is throughout remarkably clear and energetic, keeping the subject constantly in the view of his hearers, and fixing their minds intently upon its importance and consequences from the exordium to the peroration.

LADY HAMILTON, K. M.

IN the career of human life both sexes press on towards the gaol, and alike aim at celebrity; but the contest is not fair; for all the advantages are on the side of the males, while the females start under a variety of disabilities, and consequently maintain the race with unequal speed. It accordingly happens that although many men become the founders of their own fortune, but a small number of women are enabled to raise themselves above the surface of life, and claim the notice and the attention of the public. To obtain this distinction does not always fall to the lot of beauty alone; sense, talents, and even good fortune, are also necessary; and it is not difficult to predict, that all these requisites must fall only to the lot of a chosen few. The subject of this memoir is a native of Hamp-shire. She is said to have been born in the forest of Bere, and we have been told that her father was an humble

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humble cottager. When it is recollected that birth is adventitious, not optional, it surely cannot hurt the feelings of Lady Hamilton to recollect that her situation and pretensions were exactly similar to those of the empress Catherine when she became united to Peter the Great!

Formed in Nature's happiest mould, the beautiful Emma Hart soon attracted the attention of the neighbouring swains; and whether she tended the flocks, like an Arcadian shepherdess of old, or gleaned in the field, like the lovely young Lavinia" of Thomson, the Palemons of the neighbourhood were alike anxious to engage her attention; but she aspired to, and obtained a superior destiny.

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From the munificence of Lord Hallifax, a generous and splendid nobleman, who then lived at Stanstedpark, in Sussex, and was captivated with her beauty and innocence, she is supposed to have received an education superior to the neighbouring maidens. After the lapse of a few years, and the intervention of a journey to the continent, she obtained the hand of Sir William Hamilton, K. B. a gentleman whose ancestors had matched with the blood-royal of Scotland, and who was at that period minister from his Britannic Majesty at the court of Naples.

It was in the fine climate of Italy that this flower, which first budded into existence beneath the foliage of an English forest, expanded its leaves, disclosed its sweets, and developed all its beauties. The pencil of the painter, and the chissel of the sculptor, have been both employed to celebrate her charms; and the writer

of

of this article has seen two busts and one portrait, which display the fairest form and loveliest tints he has ever witnessed.

The match alluded to above was criticised, we believe, by the relations of the ambassador; but with all due regard to those lofty family pretensions, which become obsolete and even ridiculous at an enlightened period, the sacrifice was chiefly on the part of youth and beauty:

"Sic visum Veneri; cui placet impares
Formas atque animos sub juga ahenea
Sævo mittere cumjoco."

HOR. lib. i. Od. 33.

But without insisting on this subject, it may be only necessary to state, that the union was peculiarly gratifying to such English families as made the grand tour from 1791 to 1802, and happened to reside any time at Naples. Never was British hospitality carried to such a pitch at any of the Italian courts. A splendid table, select entertainments, exquisite concerts; in short, every thing was obtained that could render this residence comfortable, and a spare carriage was actually kept for the use of such as might not happen to be provided with a mode of conveyance, rendered absolutely necessary by the warmth of the climate, as well as the established etiquette of this luxurious city. Nor amidst this appearance of shew was the public business neglected on the contrary, the interests of England were never cultivated with greater care, nor her concerns attended to with greater fidelity.

Although the crown already tottered on the head of Ferdinand IV. his subjects had revolted from his dominion,