The Rolliad Part 22

"What can I say more?"

A FULL AND TRUE ACCOUNT OF THE REV. THOMAS WARTON'S ASCENSION FROM CHRIST-CHURCH MEADOW, OXFORD,

(In the Balloon of James Sadler, Pastry-Cook to the said University) on Friday the 20th of May, 1785, for the purpose of composing a sublime ODE in honour of his Majesty's Birth-day; attested before JOHN WEYLAND, Esq. one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Oxford.[1]

It was in obedience to the advice of my brother, Dr. Joseph Warton, that I came to a determination, on the fifth of May ult. to compose my first Birth-day Ode, at the elevation of one mile above the earth, in the Balloon of my ingenious friend, Mr. James Sadler, of this city.

Accordingly, having agreed for the same, at a very moderate rate per hour (I paying all charges of inflating, and standing to repairs), at nine in the morning, on Friday, the 28th of said month, I repaired to Christ-church meadow, with my ballast, provisions, cat, speaking trumpet, and other necessaries.--It was my first design to have invited Dr. Joseph to have ascended with me; but apprehending the malicious construction that might follow on this, as if, forsooth, my intended ode was to be a joint production, I e'en made up my mind to mount alone.--My provisions princ.i.p.ally consisted of a small pot of stewed prunes, and half of a plain diet-bread cake, both prepared, and kindly presented to me, by the same ingenious hand which had fabricated the Balloon. I had also a small subsidiary stock, viz.

a loaf of Sandwiches, three bottles of old ale, a pint of brandy, a sallad ready mixed, a roll of collared eel, a cold goose, six damson tartlets, a few china oranges, and a roasted pig of the Chinese breed; together with a small light barometer, and a proper store of writing utensils; but no note, memorandum, nor loose hint of any kind, so help me G.o.d!----My ascension was majestic, to an uncommon degree of tardiness. I was soon constrained, therefore, to lighten my Balloon, by throwing out some part of my ballast, which consisted of my own History of Poetry, my late edition of Milton's Minora, my Miscellaneous Verses, Odes, Sonnets, Elegies, Inscriptions, Monodies, and Complaints; my Observations on Spencer, the King's last Speech, and Lord Montmorres's pamphlet on the Irish Resolutions. On throwing out his Lordship's Essay, the Balloon sprang up surprisingly; but the weight of my provisions still r.e.t.a.r.ding the elevation, I was fain to part with both volumes of my Spencer, and all of my last edition of Poems, except those that are marked with an asterisk, as never before printed: which very quickly accelerated my ascension. I now found the barometer had fallen four inches and six lines, in eight minutes.--In less than eleven minutes after I had ascended very considerably indeed, the barometer having then fallen near seventeen inches; and presently after I entered a thick black cloud, which I have since found rendered me wholly obscured to all observation. In this situation.

I lost no time to begin my Ode; and, accordingly, in the course of twenty-five minutes, I produced the very lines which now commence it. The judicious critic will notice, that absence of the plain and trite style which mark the pa.s.sage I refer to; nor am I so uncandid to deny the powerful efficacy of mist, darkness, and obscurity, on the sublime and mysterious topics I there touch on--It cannot fail also to strike the intelligent observer, that the expression so much commented on, of "_No echoing car_," was obviously suggested by that very car in which I myself was then seated--Finding, however, that, together with the increased density of the overshadowing cloud, the coldness also was proportionally increased, so as at one time to freeze my ink completely over for near twenty minutes, I thought it prudent, by means of opening the valve at the vortex of my Balloon, to emit part of the ascending power. This occasioned a proportioned descent very speedily: but I must not overlook a phaenomenon which had previously occurred.----It was this: on a sudden the nibs of all my pens (and I took up forty-eight, in compliment to the number of my Sovereign's years) as if attracted by the polar power, pointed upwards, each pen erecting itself perpendicular, and resting on the point of its feather: I found also, to my no small surprize, that during the whole of this period, every one of my letters was actually cut topsy-turvy-wise; which I the rather mention, to account for any appearance of a correspondent inversion in the course of my ideas at that period.

On getting nearer the earth, the appearances I have described altogether ceased, and I instantly penned the second division of my Ode; I mean that which states his most excellent Majesty to be the patron of the fine arts. But here (for which I am totally at a loss to account) I found myself descending so very rapidly, that even after I had thrown out not only two volumes of my History of Poetry, but also a considerable portion of my pig, I struck, nevertheless, with such violence on the weather-c.o.c.k of a church, that unless I had immediately parted with the remainder of my ballast, excepting only his Majesty's Speech, one pen, the paper of my Ode, and a small ink-bottle, I must infallibly have been a-ground.

Fortunately, by so rapid a discharge, I procured a quick re-ascension; when immediately, though much pinched with the cold, the mercury having suddenly fallen twenty-two inches, I set about my concluding stanza, viz. that which treats of his Majesty's most excellent chast.i.ty. And here I lay my claim to the indulgence of the critics to that part of my ode; for what with the shock I had received in striking on the weather-c.o.c.k, and the effect of the prunes which I had now nearly exhausted, on a sudden I found myself very much disordered indeed. Candour required my just touching on this circ.u.mstance; but delicacy must veil the particulars in eternal oblivion. At length, having completed the great object of my ascent, I now re-opened the valve, and descended with great rapidity. They only who have travelled in Balloons, can imagine the sincere joy of my heart, at perceiving Dr. Joseph cantering up a turnip-field, near Kidlington Common, where I landed exactly at a quarter after two o'clock; having, from my first elevation, completed the period of five hours and fifteen minutes; four of which, with the fraction of ten seconds, were entirely devoted to my Ode.--Dr. Joseph quite hugged me in his arms, and kindly lent me a second wig (my own being thrown over at the time of my striking), which, with his usual precaution, he had brought in his pocket, in case of accidents. I take this occasion also to pay my thanks to Thomas Gore, Esq. for some excellent milk-punch, which he directed his butler to furnish me with most opportunely; and which I then thought the most solacing beverage I ever had regaled withal.

Dr Joseph and myself reached Oxford in the Dilly by five in the evening, the populace most handsomely taking off the horses for something more than the last half mile, in honour of the first Literary Areonaut of these kingdoms--

_As witness my hand this 22d of May, 1785_, THOMAS WARTON.

CERTIFICATE.

_County of Oxford to wit, 22nd of May, 1785._ This is to certify, to all whom it may concern, That the aforesaid Thomas and Joseph Warton came before me, one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the said county, and did solemnly make oath to the truth of the above case.

His Sworn before me, JOHN + WEYLAND.

Mark.

[1] It cannot fail to attract the Reader's particular attention to this very curious piece, to inform him, that Signor Delpini's decision, in favour of Mr. Warton, was chiefly grounded on the new and extraordinary style of writing herein attested.

LAUREAT ELECTION.

On the demise of the late excellent Bard, William Whitehead, Esq.

Poet Laureat to his Majesty, it was decidedly the opinion of his Majesty's great superintendant Minister, that the said office should be forthwith declared elective, and in future continue so; in order as well to provide the ablest successor on the present melancholy occasion, as also to secure a due preference to superior talents, upon all future vacancies: it was in consequence of this determination, that the following Public Notice issued from the Lord Chamberlain's Office, and became the immediate cause of the celebrated contest that is recorded in these pages.

ADVERTIs.e.m.e.nT.

_Lord Chamberlain's Office, April 26._

In order to administer strict and impartial justice to the numerous candidates for the vacant POET LAUREATSHIP, many of whom are of ill.u.s.trious birth, and high character,

Notice is hereby given, That the same form will be attended to in receiving the names of the said Candidates, which is invariably observed in registering the Court Dancers. The list to be finally closed on Friday evening next.

Each Candidate is expected to deliver in a PROBATIONARY BIRTH-DAY ODE, with his name, and also personally to appear on a future day, to recite the same before such literary judges as the Lord Chamberlain, in his wisdom, may appoint.

LAUREAT ELECTION.

[The following Account, though modestly stiled a _Hasty Sketch_, according to the known delicacy of the Editorial Style, is in fact _A Report_, evidently penned by the hand of a Master.]

HASTY SKETCH _of Wednesday's Business at the_ LORD CHAMBERLAIN'S OFFICE.

In consequence of the late general notice, given by public advertis.e.m.e.nt, of an _open election_ for the vacant office of _Poet Laureat_ to their Majesties, on the terms of Probationary Compositions, a considerable number of the most eminent characters in the fashionable world a.s.sembled at the _Lord Chamberlain's Office_, Stable-yard, St. James's, on Wednesday last, between the hours of twelve and two, when Mr. _Ramus_ was immediately dispatched to Lord Salisbury's, acquainting his Lordship therewith, and soliciting his attendance to receive the several candidates, and admit their respective tenders. His Lordship arriving in a short time after, the following n.o.blemen and Gentlemen were immediately presented to his Lordship by _John Calvert, Jun. Esq._ in quality of Secretary to the office. _James Eley, Esq._ and Mr. _Samuel Betty_, attended also as first and second Clerk, the following list of candidates was made out forthwith, and duly entered on the roll, as a preliminary record to the subsequent proceedings.

The Right Rev. Dr. William Markham, Lord Archbishop of York.

The Right Hon. Edward, Lord Thurlow, Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain.

The Most n.o.ble James, Marquis of Graham.

The Right Hon. Harvey Redmond, Visc. Montmorres, of the kingdom of Ireland.

The Right Hon. Constantine, Lord Mulgrave, ditto.

The Right Hon. Henry Dundas.

Sir George Howard, K.B.

Sir Cecil Wray, Baronet.

Sir Joseph Mawbey, ditto.

Sir Richard Hill, ditto.

Sir Gregory Page Turner, ditto.

The Rev. William Mason, B.D.

The Rev. Thomas Warton, B.D.

The Rev. George Prettyman, D.D.

The Rev, Joseph Warton, D.D.

Pepper Arden, Esq. Attorney-General to his Majesty.

Michael Angelo Taylor, Esq. M.P.

James M'Pherson, Esq. ditto.

Major John Scott, ditto.

Nath. William Wraxhall, Esq. ditto.

Mons. Le Mesurier, Membre du Parlement d'Angleterre.

The several candidates having taken their places at a table provided for the occasion, the Lord Chamberlain, in the politest manner, signified his wish that each candidate would forthwith recite some sample of his poetry as he came provided with for the occasion; at the same time most modestly confessing his own inexperience in all such matters, and intreating their acquiescence therefore in his appointment of his friend _Mr. Delpini_, of the Hay-Market Theatre, as an active and able a.s.sessor on so important an occasion.

Accordingly, _Mr. Delpini_ being immediately introduced, the several candidates proceeded to recite their compositions, according to their rank and precedence in the above list--both his Lordship and his a.s.sessor attended throughout the whole of the readings with the profoundest respect, and taking no refreshment whatsoever, except some China oranges and biscuit, which were also handed about to the company by _Mr. John Secker_, Clerk of the Houshold, and _Mr. William Wise_, Groom of the b.u.t.tery.

At half after five, the readings being completed, his Lordship and _Mr. Delpini_ retired to an adjoining chamber; _Mrs. Elizabeth Dyer_, Keeper of the b.u.t.ter and Egg Office, and _Mr. John Hook_, Deliverer of Greens, being admitted to the candidates with several other refreshments suitable to the fatigue of the day. Two Yeomen of the Mouth and a Turn-broacher attended likewise; and indeed every exertion was made to conduct the little occasional repast that followed with the utmost decency and convenience; the whole being at the expence of the Crown, notwithstanding every effort to the contrary on the part of _Mr. Gilbert_.

At length the awful moment arrived, when the _detur digniori_ was finally to be p.r.o.nounced on the busy labours of the day--never did Lord Salisbury appear to greater advantage--never did his a.s.sessor more amusingly console the discomfitures of the failing candidates--every thing that was affable, every thing that was mollifying, was ably expressed by both the judges; but poetical ambition is not easily allayed. When the fatal _fiat_ was announced in favour of the Rev. Thomas Warton, a general gloom overspread the whole society--a still and awful silence long prevailed.

At length Sir Cecil Wray started up, and emphatically p.r.o.nounced _a scrutiny! a scrutiny!_--A shout of applause succeeded--in vain did the incomparable Buffo introduce his most comic gestures--in vain was his admirable leg pointed horizontally at every head in the room--a scrutiny was demanded--and a scrutiny was granted.

In a word, the Lord Chamberlain declared his readiness to submit the productions of the day to the inspection of the public, reserving nevertheless to himself and his a.s.sessor, the full power of annulling or establishing the sentence already p.r.o.nounced. It is in consequence of the above direction, that we shall now give the public the said PROBATIONARY VERSES, commencing with those, however, which are the production of such of the candidates as most vehemently insisted on the right of appeal, conceiving such priority to be injustice granted to the persons whose public spirit has given so lucky a turn to this poetical election. According to the above order, the first composition that we lay before the public is the following:--

_NUMBER I._

IRREGULAR ODE.

The WORDS by SIR CECIL WRAY, BART.