DEATHS OF EMINENT PERSONS.
In modern English history much of the greatness and glory of the country may be learned by noticing the names, characters, and exploits of the eminent persons who pass away from the theatre of life and action. So fruitful is the country in men of renown, and men who deserve renown, that to notice these is to see the mighty position which Great Britain occupies, and is likely to occupy, in the world.
The obituary of 1853 was not more remarkable than that of previous years; but still the number of the great and good who dropped into the silence of the grave was too great for any justice to be done to their memories, or to their country, jealous of their fame. Throughout the year, admirals and general officers, who had well served their country, were removed from the ranks of her defenders. So numerous were these, that it would be invidious to select from them any for particular notice.
Among the men of other professions it is more easy to point out a few of those whose decease excited general regret.
In January, Jonathan Pereira, Esq., M.D., F.R.S., and F.L.S. He was distinguished as a professor of Materia Medica, and a writer on medical subjects.
In February, Dr. Kay, Bishop of Lincoln. The son of a linen-draper of Hammersmith, near Kensington. He rose by force of his superior intellect to the highest honours in the church. As a general scholar, as well as a theologian, he attained great eminence.
In June, the Earl of Ducie. This nobleman was one of the most excellent in the peerage. His religious zeal and charity received the acknowledgments of all classes of men, although his resources were small. He was a proficient in agricultural science, and invented various agricultural implements of utility. As a breeder of stock he was unequalled. His “Example Farm,” at Whitfield, gained him much reputation. He was a sound political economist and freetrader. The author of these lines had opportunities of seeing his lordship’s attainments in these respects severely tested in private intercourse with men of the highest name.
July witnessed the death of Lady Sale, widow of the heroic General Sale, who died from wounds received upon the field of battle. Lady Sale was one of the captives made by Akbar Khan in the disastrous Affghan war. During that war, and more especially during her captivity, she displayed wonderful fortitude. She possessed extraordinary military skill and knowledge, and showed judgment in campaigning and in diplomatic affairs, far superior to most of the chief officers with whom she came in contact. Her narrative of the Affghan war is ably written, and a record of most romantic events. After the death of her gallant husband, she received a pension of £500 a year from the queen. She returned to India, and resided among the hills, and ultimately died at Cape Town, Florentia, on the 6th of July, universally regarded with respect and admiration.
Although the names of eminent officers in the army and navy, who died in this year, have been passed over in these notices, from their great number, one is especially deserving of being selected from the heroic crowd.
Lieutenant-general Sir Charles James Napier, G.C.B. This extraordinary man was the eldest son of the Hon. Colonel George Napier, comptroller of the army accounts in Ireland. Before he finished his twelfth year, he was appointed to an ensigncy in the 22nd regiment of foot; and it is a remarkable fact, that his conquest of Scinde was mainly effected by the instrumentality of that regiment. His services were arduous and heroic. His mind was original, and active exceedingly. He possessed amazing vigour in command, and powers of organization rarely exhibited. The great duke held him in high estimation as a general. He was seventy-one years of age at his death, which took place at Oaklands, near Portsmouth. A monument, to celebrate his exploits, has been erected in Trafalgar Square, near to that of Nelson.
As December opened, Mrs. Opie, so celebrated as a writer, died at Norwich, her native place, in her eighty-fifth year.
On the 17th, the Marchioness of Wellesley, an American lady of Irish parentage. Her life was an eventful one. She was much esteemed as the lady of the Lord-lieutenant of Ireland, when the noble marquis held that post. She had been for many years a favourite of Queen Adelaide, and died in the Palace of Hampton-court.
The Rev. W. Jay, the eminent Congregational minister of Bath, died on the 27th, in his eighty-fifth year. He began to preach before he had attained his sixteenth year. Before he was of age, he had delivered about one thousand sermons. He had been sixty-two years minister of Argyle Chapel, Bath. His writings were varied, beautiful in style, and rich in thought and illustration. They were productive of a vast amount of good, as all denominations of Christians and all ranks of men perused them. The author of this History was on terms of intimacy with this remarkable man, and can testify that his powers of conversation were as varied and rare as his talents in the pulpit, and as a writer on religious subjects.