and had always looked forward to that event, as a provision for his old age, as well as for his family. Accordingly, on its taking place, he immediately repaired to Bath, on purpose to complete the education of his children, and introduce them properly into the world. An opposition which took place on the part of the Berengers was considered as ridiculous, and it was not doubted but every obstacle to his pretensions would be speedily removed. A suit in chancery however took place; and Thurlow, Maddocks, and the ablest men at the bar, were retained on his side. A lawyer of reputation, supposed to be well acquainted with the nature and proceedings of that court, actually invited the Governor to dinner on the day when the decision was to take place, on purpose to compliment him on his success; but on its arrival, the disappointment of the client may be easily guessed at, when it is stated, that a final decree subversive of his claims was pronounced by Lord Chancellor Bathurst! An appeal from this sentence was immediately lodged, and it was hoped that the House of Peers, the dernier resort of the subject in this instance, would restore him to his rights; but notwithstanding Lord Camden spoke three hours in favour of a reversal, the former decision was confirmed!

The Governor, instead of yielding to the pressure, bore up manfully against it. Disappointed in what was to solace and comfort his latter years, as well as to contribute to the independence of his family when he should be no more, he took refuge in his library,

and

and sought for consolation in books and literature.*

It was about this period that he published the "Wanderer:" he also wrote the "Prose Bath Guide" nearly at the same time; and as he lived but a few doors from Anstey, the author of a Guide in verse on the same subject, they at length became acquainted. But the rivalship of great wits generally precludes sincere friendship, and on the present occasion a long, if not a bitter enmity, took place! Governor Thicknesse had by that time purchased a house in the Crescent, the furnishing and fitting up of which served also to occupy a large portion of his time and attention. In addition to this, he built the Hermitage, in the same neighbourhood, most romantically situated on the swell of a hill, then about three quarters of a mile distant from Bath; but as that city has since walked out for

* One little anecdote will fully evince the generosity and disinterestedness of Governor Thicknesse. Previously to her death Mrs. Forrester, the widow of Colonel Forrester, a most elegant and accomplished woman, presented him with a large packet of letters addressed to herself by a lady of high rank and celebrity, some of which were of a delicate but interesting nature. After that lady's death, he had prepared them for the press, when Miss Forrester applied to him, and frankly stated that she could obtain a pension of one hundred pounds per annum on condition of delivering them all up to a person of distinction. Notwithstanding the Governor had hoped to derive considerable pe cuniary advantages from their publication, yet he immediately relinquished all his pretensions in favour of the daughter of his friend, who was amply and faithfully remunerated in the manner alluded to above.

the

the benefit of the air into the country,it has long since ceased to possess that solitary appearance, which once constituted its chief delight. It was intended as a pretty little retreat, in which Mrs. Thicknesse could educate the children uninterrupted by the cares and the ceremonies of the world.

Here, in 1784, with a laudable sensibility, he erected a rustic monument to the memory of the unfortunate Chatterton, whose sudden and premature death cast a gloom over the face of every cultivated member of society. It consisted of a rude but substantial Gothic arch, raised between two eminences, over which was placed the profile in relief of the much-lamented youth, and underneath an inscription purporting, "that although his days were short and miserable, yet his fame shall live for ever." In the back-ground were placed the very appropriate emblems of a broken lyre, and a young laurel nipped in its prime.

This token of affection to the memory of an accomplished poet, excited great interest, and Mr. Thicknesse's beautiful Hermitage was for some time visited by all persons distinguished for either taste or sentiment. But little did this generous contributor to the fame of others think that this edifice, intended to commemorate departed genius, would be soon after inscribed with the name of a beloved daughter, who was also snatched away in the prime of life and the flower of beauty!

Having now a family of eight children to provide for, and deeming it prudent to go again abroad, as

he

he imagined he could live any where cheaper than in England, the Governor fixed upon Spain, and determined to remove thither. Having been presented by a friend to the Ambassador of the court of Madrid, at London, he received letters of introduction to the Marquis di Grimaldi, the prime minister, and repaired once more to the continent, determining to bid adieu for ever to his native country, in which he considered himself as having been extremely ill used. On his arrival in France he purchased a cabriole, on the back of which was inscribed the word "COSMOPOLITE" in golden letters; while a fine painting of Belisarius reduced to want, with the motto of "Voila son recompense," was placed in a conspicuous part.

Mr. Thicknesse had already travelled into France in the year 1765: and we now find him again, on the 20th of June, 1775, at Calais; which he describes as "a sort of enlarged King's Bench prison, where the English fugitives live within the rules, and the French inhabitants make it a rule to oppress and distress them." A few days after this he visited his daughter at the convent of Ardres, who assured him she was perfectly happy; and having now settled all his affairs, he proposed to cross the Pyrennees. "Let me tell you," says he, in a letter to a friend," that as my travelling must be upon a frugal plan, I have sold my four-wheel post-chaise to Mons.Dessein for twenty-two guineas, and bought a French cabriolet for ten, and likewise a very handsome English coachhorse (a little touched in the wind indeed) for seven. This equipage I have fitted up with with every conveni

ence

ence I can contrive, to carry me, my wife, two daughters, and all my other baggage; you will conclude, therefore, light as the latter may be, we are bien chargées; but as we move slowly, not above seven leagues a day, I shall have the more leisure to look about me, and to consider what sort of remarks may prove most worthy of communicating from time to time to you."

Having proceeded to Rheims, the capital of Champagne, the Governor found that the bustle occasioned by the coronation of the ill-starred Louis XVI. was not yet over: thence he proceeded first to Dijon, and then to Lyons. At Nismes our travellers visited the Maison Carrée, the amphitheatre, the temple of Diana, &c. and it is remarked, that "here, where wine and eau de vie are so plenty and so cheap too, you seldom meet a drunken peasant, and never see a gentleman (except he be a stranger) in that shameful situation."

The Governor, after expressing, considerable disappointment at the appearance of Montpellier, observes, "I am impatient until I have driven my horse from the British to the Mediterranean coast, and looked upon a sea from that land which I had often viewed from the sea in the year 1745, when I was on board the Russel with Admiral Medley. I have now completely crossed this mighty kingdom and great continent," adds he, " and it was for that reason I visited Cette. This pretty little sea-port, although out of my way to Barcelona, yet proved to be in the way for my poor horse; as I found here a Spanish bark,

upon