THE

MONTHLY VISITOR.

AUGUST, 1801.

I

SKETCH

OF THE CHARACTER OF THE

RIGHT HON. HENRY ADDINGTON.

Enriched with a capital Portrait in Colours, taken from Life.

N our past biographical details, we have been studious of variety. Convinced that merit confines itself to no age, or nation, we look for it in Britain, nor have we been disappointed. In civil and religious affairs individual instances have arisen, which shew an enlargement of talent, and a degree of benevolence, which challenge our admiration. The senator, the philosopher, and the divine, have been delineated with sacred fidelity. The events of their lives have been ascertained, and those moral inferences have been drawn which were favourable to the improve. ment of the readers of our Miscellany.

We mean, this month, to touch on the character of the person whose portrait we have given to our readers. We are sorry to say, that we have little to communicate respecting the private history of this celebrated character. Nothing appears to have been laid before the public respecting him. His character, however, is well known, and may be easily delineated. For many years he has acted a conspicuous part on the theatre of life, and we may with confidence speak of that impression in which the public has long acquiesced.

The native county of this celebrated personage is Devon, and the writer has been shewn the parish which produced this deserving member of society. Of his early years, and his subsequent progress, we are ignorant, but it is highly probable that, at this period, he exerted those talents in an inferior degree by which he has been since distinguished. It may indeed be, that he discovered no indication of future celebrity; this has been the case with many; though the general course of human events proves that the mind of man contains in it seeds which afterwards spring up and ensure a glorious immortality!

The situation in which the subject of our memoir has most attracted the attention, and conciliated the approbation of the public, is the character which he sustained for many years as Speaker of the House of Commons. It is well known, that this august assembly distributes itself into two parties. The Ministerialists and Oppositionists make up the collective body which meet within St. Stephen's walls. The former professes to support the honour and dignity of the crown-the latter avow their regard for the rights of the people, and the happiness of mankind. It is the province of the Speaker to adjust those discordant parties-to mitigate the fury of prejudice, and to preserve a spirit of justice and moderation. How far this matter was accomplished by Mr. Addington, may he learnt hom the testimonies of both parties. Neither one or the other ever accused him of partiality. Holding the scale with evenness, neither of the sides preponderated. We mention this circumstance, because it redounds to his praise, and cannot fail of commanding our admiration. In the conflict of opinions, and in the heat of debaté, a common mind would have been warped, and yielded to the imperious impulses of so critical a situation. Addington, however, remained firm-his mind, like the rock assailed by the furious wave, preserved its accustomed stability.

That this account is really fact, appears from the regret expressed on both sides of the house, when he recently quitted this important station. This circum

stance shews the justness of his temper and conduct on former occasions. A more unequivocal testimony to his merit cannot be adduced. Such a tribute of re

spect may be deemed as honourable to him, as it is assuredly honourable to the parties whence it originated, Praise is often partial in its nature and operation. In the present case, the excellence of the late Speaker of the House of Commons rests on the broad basis of impartiality.

Of his character, as Prime Minister, it may be too early to make a just estimation. He entered upon his office at a most critical period of our affairs. The reasons of Mr. Pitt's resignation we pretend not to ascertain. But, on all hands, it must be confessed that our circumstances are peculiar, and that it requires no ordinary pilot to guide the vessel of the state into the harbour of permanent peace and felicity. Nor can it offend any man to say, that we wish him success in this great and momentous undertaking, The affairs of Europe have been long in a disordered statewe wish to see them happily adjusted. Britain, from her maritime situation, commands the trade of the whole world. Surely she ought, for the same reasons, to be at peace with all mankind. To the horrors of famine, and the devastations of war, we will not advert. But we may be permitted to say-that should Mr. Addington succeed in procuring an HONOURABLE PEACE and in its train will follow PLENTY he will then justly be denominated-THE SAVIOUR OF HIS COUNTRY!

A very intelligent correspondent has kindly promised us some further particulars of this great public character, which we shall take the first opportunity of laying before our readers.

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