Records of my life / By the late John Taylor, esq. Complete in one volume.

  • John Taylor
Date:
1833
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Records of my life / By the late John Taylor, esq. Complete in one volume. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    62/474 (page 56)
    MR. BOSCAWEN AND MR. W. T. FITZGERALD. 219 I suffered them to interfere with his public duty. He was one of the most active contributors to that admirable institution “ The Literary Fund,” having for many years supplied an annual tribute of verses in support of it, which he recited himself on the anniversary cele¬ bration, as long as his health permitted. He was the nephew of Admiral Boscawen, a naval hero, much and deservedly distinguished in his day ; and though the triumph of the immortal Nelson in the battle of the Nile eclipsed the glory of all his professional predeces¬ sors, yet Mr. Boscawen was the first who came forward to pay poetical homage, in a very spirited ode, in honour of the glorious victor. The last time I saw him, I met him in the Strand, on the very day of the annual celebration ; but though he had sent a poem for the occasion, he was too ill to attend the meeting. I had previously expressed my regret that he had translated Horace’s “ Art of Poetry” in verses of eight syllables, and he assured me at this last meeting that he had taken my hint, and was proceeding to invest it with the heroic measure; but I believe his new version has never been pub¬ lished. He was a truly worthy man in his domestic life, as well as a scholar, a poet, and a gentleman. “ The Literary Fund” naturally leads me to mention my late friend Mr. William Thomas Fitzgerald, who was one of the most zealous, strenuous, and persevering friends and supporters of that benevolent institution. During many years he constantly supplied his Parnassian tribute at the annual festivity, and recited it himself with such energy and effect as to render that festivity very attractive. If his health had continued, he would probably have supplied an annual tribute on every return of the celebration. At length his vigour declined, and he was unable to attend the meetings. He died last year [1829], and I venerate his memory, for a more honourable man I never knew. He has thought proper to mention me with partial kindness in his volume of poems, and I am proud of having enjoyed the friendship of so worthy a character. He was related to the noble family of Lein¬ ster, and was generally allowed to be an accomplished scholar. He enjoyed the friendship of the late Lord Dudley and Ward, one of the most amiable and benevolent of British noblemen, and used to pass much of his time at the hospitable mansion of that nobleman in town, and at his magnificent mansion at Himley. That estimable nobleman died intestate, well knowing that his son and successor would amply fulfil his wishes without the formality of legal distribution. Judging from the present noble lord’s conduct towards Mr. Fitzgerald, it is obvious that the late nobleman had full reason to rely on his son’s filial respect, affection, and duty. Mr. Fitzgerald would probably have been highly gratified to have been honoured with notice, and moderately remembered in the late lord’s will; but the present lord actually presented to him 5000Z. as the virtual legacy of his departed father. Nor is this all, for he gave him permission to occupy the bouse in which he himself resided at Paddington, rent-free, where