March 7th, the Hon. Sir Hercules Robert Pakenham, lieut.-general. This officer, well-known as the brother-inlaw, and one of the generals of the great Duke of Wellington, had seen long and trying services, and was always distinguished by his great gallantry.
The month of August closed with the announcement of the death of Major-General Sir Alexander Cameron, G.C.B. This heroic man had served in nearly every country of Europe, where the standard of England floated over the field of battle. At Corunna he, with Sir John Hope, carried to a boat the last wounded Highlander, that could be descried straggling near the scene of action. Marshal Soult and his staff observed this act of heroism, and warmly expressed their admiration.
The list of literary and scientific men who passed to the great account, was a longer and more remarkable one than that of England’s deceased warriors.
In January, Mr. Charles Robert Forrester, whose writings were very popular, under the nomme de plume of “Alfred Crowquill.”
On the 26th, Francis Jeffrey, one of the judges of the Court of Session in Scotland. He was the colleague of the Rev. Sydney Smith and Henry Brougham in founding the Edinburgh Review, and celebrated in every country for his critical contributions to that periodical.
February 2nd, Rev. Edward Bickersteth, rector of Watton, Hertfordshire. His place amongst literary men was won by his religious writings, which were exceedingly popular and useful. This eminent clergyman shed great lustre on the church by his devoted religious life, and gained for himself great renown in the department of religious literature.
On the 17th, the Rev. T. S. Grimshaw, A.M., vicar of Biddenham. This renowned clergyman distinguished himself in the department of literature in which the Rev. Mr. Bickersteth gained so much fame. Mr. Grimshaw wrote a “Life of the Rev. Leigh Richmond” (author of “The Dairyman’s Daughter”), the “Life and Works of William Cowper,” &c.
On the 23rd, Sir William Allan, R.A, limner to Her Majesty for Scotland, president of the Royal Scottish Academy. This artist was original and indefatigable, but could obtain no patronage out of his own country, where his treatment of Scottish subjects won for him popularity.
On the 2nd of March, John Peter Deering, Esq., a celebrated architect. He designed Exeter Hall, London, the University Club-house, and the best portions of University College, London.
April 7th, Canon Bowles, of Salisbury, eminent as a Latin and English poet. His early sonnets were highly intellectual and artistic in their versification. His memoirs of the poet Pope, and of other distinguished persons, were extremely popular, but did not obtain the lasting fame of his poetry.