“ It is with deep concern we have I am authorised in saying that the to announce the death of Francis Hore course is not wholly unprecedented. ner, Esq. Member of Parliament for “ My lamented friend, of whom I St Mawes. This melancholy event never can speak without feelings of the took place at Pisa on the sth instant. deepest regret, had been rendered inWe have had seldom to lament a capable for some time past, in consegreater loss, or to bewail a more irre- quence of the bad state of his health, parable calamity. With an inflexible of applying himself to the labours of integrity, and ardent attachment to his profession, or to the discharge of liberty, Mr Horner conjoined a tem- his parliamentary duties.

He was perance and discretion not always found prevailed upon to try the effects of a to accompany these virtues. The res- milder and more genial climate the pect in which he was held, and the hope was vain, and the attempt fruitdeference with which he was listened less : he sunk beneath the slow but to in the House of Commons, is a destructive effect of a lingering disstriking proof of the effect of moral ease, which baffled the power of mequalities in a popular assembly. With- dicine and the influence of climate ; out the adventitious aids of station or but under the pressure of increasing fortune, he had acquired a weight and infirmity, under the infliction of a deinfluence in Parliament, which few bilitating and exhausting malady, he men, whose lives were passed in op; preserved undiminished the serenity position, have been able to obtain ; and of his amiable temper, and the com for this consideration he was infinitely posure, the vigour, and firmness of his less indebted to his eloquence and excellent and enlightened understandtalents, eminent as they were, than to ing. I may, perhaps, be permitted; the opinion universally entertained of without penetrating too far into the his public and private rectitude. His more sequestered paths of private life, understanding was strong and come to allude to those mild virtues--those prehensive, his knowledge extensive domestic charities, which embellished and accurate, his judgment sound and while they dignified his private charclear, his conduct plain and direct. acter. I may be permitted to observe, His eloquence, like his character, was that, as a son and as a brother, he was grave and forcible, without a particle eminently dutiful and affectionate; of vanity or presumption, free from but I am aware that these qualities, rancour and personality, but full of however amiable, can hardly, with deep and generous indignation against strict propriety, be addressed to the fraud, hypocrisy, or injustice.He consideration of Parliament. When, was a warm, zealous, and affectionate however, they are blended, interwoven, friend-high-minded and disinterested and incorporated in the character of u in his conduct-firm and decided in public man, they become a species of his opinions—modest and unassuming public property, and, by their influin his manners. To his private friends ence and example, essentially augment his death is a calamity they can never the general stock of public virtue. cease to deplore. To the public it is a “ For his qualifications as a public loss not easily to be repaired, and, in man I can confidently appeal to a wider times like these, most severely to be circle to that learned profession of felt."

which he was a distinguished ornaIn the House of Commons, on Mon- ment-to this House, where his exerday, March 3d, 1817, LORD MOR- tions will be long remembered with PETH rose, and spoke as follows :- mingled feelings of regret and admi“I rise to move that the speaker do ration. It is not necessary for me to issue his writ for a new member to enter into the detail of his graver serve in Parliament for the borough of studies and occupations. I may be St Mawes, in the room of the late allowed to say generally, that he raisFrancis Horner, Esq.

ed the edifice of his fair fame upon a “ In making this motion, I trust it good and solid foundation-upon the will not appear presumptuous or offi- firm basis of conscientious principle. cious, if I address a few words to the He was ardent in the pursuit of truth; House upon this melancholy occasion. he was inflexible in his adherence to I am aware that it is rather an unusual the great principles of justice and of course ; but, without endeavouring to right. Whenever he delivered in this institute a parallel with other instances, House the ideas of his clear and intel

a

ligent mind, he employed that chaste, hope I shall stand acquitted, but for
simple, but at the same time, nervous having paid so imperfect and inade
and impressive style of oratory which quate a tribute to the memory of my
seemed admirably adapted to the elu- departed friend."
cidation and discussion of important Mr CANNING. Of all theinstances
business : it seemed to combine the wherein the same course has been a-
force and precision of legal argument dopted, as that which my Noble Friend
with the acquirements and knowledge has pursued with so much feeling and
of a statesman.

good taste on this occasion, I do not “ Of his political opinions it is not remember one more likely than the necessary for me to enter into any de- present to conciliate the general approtailed statement; they are sufficiently bation and sympathy of the House. known, and do not require from me “I, Sir, had not the happiness (a hapany comment or illustration. I am piness now counterbalanced by a proconfident that his political opponents portionate excess of sorrow and regret) will admit, that he never courted po- to be acquainted personally, in private pularity by any unbecoming or un- life, with the distinguished and amiworthy means; they will have the able individual whose loss we have to candour to allow, that the expression deplore. I knew him only within the of his political opinions, however firm, walls of the House of Commons. And manly, and decided, was untinctured even here, from the circumstance of with moroseness, and unem bittered my absence during the last two sesa with any personal animosity or rancor- sions, I had not the good fortune to ous reflection. From these feelings he witness the later and more matured was effectually exempted by the opera- exhibition of his talents ; which (as I tion of those qualities which formed am informed, and can well believe) at the grace and the charm of his private once kept the promise of his earlier life.

years, and opened still wider expecta" But successful as his exertions tions of future excellence. were, both in this House and in the “ But I had seen enough of him to Courts of Law, considering the con- share in those expectations, and to be tracted span of his life, they can only sensible of what this House and the be looked upon as the harbingers of his country have lost by his being so prématurer fame, as the presages and the maturely taken from us. anticipations of a more exalted reputa- “ He had, indeed, qualifications emition. But his career was prematurely nently caloulated to obtain and to de. closed. That his loss to his family serve success. His sound principles and his friends is irreparable, can be his enlarged views_his various and readily conceived ; but I may add, that accurate knowledge the even tenor to this House and the country it is a of his manly and temperate eloquence loss of no ordinary magnitude; in these the genuineness of his warmth, when times it will be severely felt. In these into warmth he was betrayed-and, times, however, when the structure of above all, the singular modesty with the constitution is undergoing close which he bore his

faculties, and which and rigorous investigation, on the part shed a grace and lustre over them all; of some with the view of exposing its these qualifications, added to the known defects, on the part of others with that blamelessness and purity of his private of displaying its beauties and perfec- character, did not more endear him to tions, we may derive some consolation his friends, than they' commanded the from the reflection, that a man not respect of those to whom he was oppossessed of the advantages of heredi- posed in adverse politics; they ensurtary rank or of very ample fortune, ed to every effort of his abilities an atwas enabled, by the exertion of his tentive and favouring audience; and own honourable industry-by the suc- secured for him, as the result of all, a cessful cultivation of his native talents, solid and unenvied reputation. to vindicate to himself a station and I cannot conclude, sir, without ademinence in society, which the proud- verting to a topic in the latter part of est and wealthiest might envy and ad- the speech of my Noble Friend, upon mire.

which I most entirely concur with “I ought to apologize to the House, him. It would not be seemly to mix not, I trust, for having introduced the with the mournful subject of our presubject to their notice, for of that I sent contemplation any thing of a con

a

*

In my

troversial nature ; but when, for the tigable industry, and stern integrity, second time within a short course of must be a severe public loss; but no years, the name of an obscure borough man, who has not had the happiness is brought before 'us as vacated by the -the blessing, I might say—to have loss of conspicuous talents and charac- known him as a friend; who has not ter, * it may be permitted to me, with witnessed the many virtues and enmy avowed and notorious opinions on dearing qualities that characterized him the subject of Parliamentary Constitu- in the circle of his acquaintance, can tion, to state, without offence, that it adequately conceive the irreparable is at least some consolation for the im- chasm in private life this lamentable puted theoretical defects of that con- event has made. stitution, that in practice it works so

conscience, I believe, there well. A system of representation can- never lived the man, of whom it could not be wholly vicious, and altogether more truly be said, that, whenever he inadequate to its purposes, which

sends was found in public life, he was reto this House a succession of such men spected and admired—whenever he was as those whom we have now in our known in private life, he was most afremembrance, here to develope the ta- fectionately beloved. lents with which God has endowed “ I will no longer try the patience them, and to attain that eminence in of the House: I was anxious, indeed, the view of their country, from which that they should bear with me for a they may be one day called to aid her few moments, whilst I endeavoured, counsels, and to sustain her greatness not to add my tribute to the regard and her glory."

and veneration in which his memory Mr MANNERS Sutton.-" I know ought, and assuredly will be held; not whether I ought, even for a mo

but whilst I endeavoured, however ment, to intrude myself on the House: feebly, to discharge a debt of gratiI am utterly incapable of adding any tude, and do a justice to my own feel. thing to what has been so well, so ings. feelingly, and so truly stated on this Mr Wynn said, " that his Noble melancholy occasion ; and yet I hope, Friend (Lord Morpeth), and his Right without the appearance of presump- Hon. Friend who had last spoken (Mr tion, I may be permitted to say, from M. Sutton), had expressed themselves

I the bottom of my heart, I share in concerning their departed friend with every sentiment that has been ex- that feeling of affection and esteem pressed.

which did them so much honour, and “ It was my good fortune, some few which was heightened by their habits years back, to live in habits of great in- of intimacy, and their opportunities of timacy and friendship with Mr Hor- observing his character ; but the virner: change of circumstances, my tues by which he was distinguished quitting, the profession to which we were not confined within the circle of both belonged, broke in upon those his acquaintance, or concealed from habits of intercourse; but I hope and the view of the world. Every one who believe I may flatter myself the feeling saw Mr Horner had the means of was mutual. For myself, at least, I judging of his temper, his mildness, can most honestly say, that no change and

his personal virtues; for they were of circumstances-no difference of po- seen by all. He carried with him to litics no interruption to our habits public life, and into the duties and the of intercourse, even in the slightest business of his public station, all that degree diminished the respect, the re- gentleness of disposition, all that amegard, and the affection I most sincerely nity of feeling, which adorned his prientertained for him.

vate life, and endeared him to his pri“This House can well appreciate the vate friends. Amidst the heats and heavy loss we have sustained in him contests of the House, amidst the veas a public man. In these times, in- hemence of political discussion, amidst deed in all times, so perfect a combi- the greatest conflicts of opinion and nation of commanding talents, indefa- opposition of judgment, he maintained

the same mildness and serenity of dis* Mr Windham, who represented $t position and temper. No eagerness of Mawes in 1806, died member for Higham debate, no warmth of feeling, no enFerrers in 1810.

thusiasm for his own opinions, or colle

viction of the errors of others, ever commanding eloquence had been rising betrayed him into any uncandid con- with the important subjects on which struction of motives, or any asperity it had been employed-how every towards the conduct of his opponents. session he had spoken with still in His loss was great, and would long be creasing weight and authority and regretted."

effect, and had called forth new reSir S. Romilly said," that the long sources of his enlightened and comand most intimate friendship which prehensive mind and not be led to he had enjoyed with the Honourable conjecture, that, notwithstanding the Member, whose loss the House had to great excellence which, in the last deplore, might, he hoped, entitle him session, he had attained, yet if he had to the melancholy satisfaction of saying been longer spared, he would have a few words on this distressing occa- discovered powers not yet discovered sion. Though no person better knew, to the House, and of which perhaps or more highly estimated, the private he was unconscious himself. He should virtues of Mr Horner than himself, very ill express what he felt upon

this yet, as he was not sure that he should occasion, if he were to consider the be able to utter what he felt on that extraordinary qualities which Mr Horsubject, he would speak of him only ner possessed apart from the ends and as a public man.

objects to which they were directed. “Of all the estimable qualities which The greatest eloquence was in itself distinguished his character, he cone only an object of vain and transient sidered as the most valuable, that in- admiration; it was only when ennodependence of mind which in him was bled by the uses to which it was apso remarkable. It was from a con- plied, when directed to great and virsciousness of that independence, and tuous ends, to the protection of the from a just sense of its importance, oppressed, to the enfranchisement of that, at the same time that he was the enslaved, to the extension of knowstoring his mind with the most various ledge, to dispelling the clouds of ignoknowledge on all subjects connected rance and superstition, to the advancewith our internal economy and foreign ment of the best interests of the counpolitics, and that he was taking a con- try, and to enlarging the sphere of spicuous and most successful part in human happiness, that it became a all the great questions which have national benefit and a public blessing ; lately been discussed in Parliament, that it was because the powerful tahe laboriously devoted himself to all lents, of which they were now dethe painful duties of his profession. prived, had been uniformly exerted in Though his success at the bar was not the pursuit and promoting of such at all adequate to his merits, he yet objects, that he considered the loss stedfastly persevered in his labours, which they had to lament as one of and seemed to consider it as essential the greatest which, in the present state to his independence, that he should of this country, it could possibly have look forward to his profession alone sustained.” for the honours and emoluments to Mr W. ELLIOT." Amongst his owhich his extraordinary talents gave ther friends, sir, I cannot refuse to myhim so just a claim.

self the melancholy consolation of pay“ In the course of the last twelve ing my humble tribute of esteem and years the House had lost some of the affection to the memory of a person, most considerable men that ever had of whose rich, cultivated, and enlightenlightened and adorned it: there was ened mind I have so often profited, this, however, peculiar in their present and whose exquisite talents-whose loss. When those great and eminent ardent zeal for truth-whose just, semen, to whom he alluded, were taken date, and discriminating judgment from them, the House knew the whole whose forcible, but chastened eloquence extent of the loss it had sustained, for -and, above all, whose inflexible vir they had arrived at the full maturity tue and integrity rendered him one of of their great powers and endowments. the most distinguished members of But no person could recollect-how, in this House, one of the brightest ornaevery year since his lamented friend

ments of the profession to which he had first taken part in their debates, belonged, and held him forth as a his talents had been improving, ' his finished model for the imitation of the faculties had been developed, and his rising generation.

“The full amount of such a loss, at every great question. Notwithstandsuch a conjuncture, and under all the ing these differences, he had often various circumstances and considera- said in private, that Mr Horner was tions of the case, I dare not attempt one of the greatest ornaments of his to estimate. My Learned Friend (Sir country; and he would now say in S. Romilly) has well observed, that, public, that the country could not have if the present loss be great, the future suffered a greater loss. The forms of is greater : for, by dispensations far Parliament allowed no means of exabove the reach of human scrutiny, pressing the collective opinion of the he has been taken from us at a period House on the honour due to his mewhen he was only in his progress to- mory; but it must be consolatory to wards those high stations in the state, his friends to see, that if it had been in which, so far as human foresight possible to have come to such a vote, it could discern, his merits must have would certainly have been unanimous.” placed him, and which would have The subject of this well-merited given to his country the full and praise, and of all these sincere but inripened benefits of his rare and admi- effectual regrets, was born at Edinrable qualities.”

burgh, on the leth of August 1778. Mr C. GRANT “ had known his la- In the month of October, *1786, he enmented friend before he had distin- tered the high school of that city; and guished himself so much as he had having remained at this seminary for subsequently done, and could not be six years, during the four first of which silent when such an opportunity oc- he was the pupil of Mr Nicol, and the curred of paying a tribute to his me- two last of the celebrated Dr Adam, mory. Whatever difference of opinion he passed on to the university in Oca they might have on public questions, tober 1792. In November 1795, he he could suspend that difference to was placed under the care of the Rev. admire his talents, his worth, and his Mr Hewlett in London, with whom virtues. It was not his talents alone he lived, and who superintended his that were developed in his eloquence. education for a period of two years. His eloquence displayed his heart: He then returned to Edinburgh, and through it were seen his high-minded applied himself to the study of the law, probity, his philanthropy, his benevo- and passed advocate in the year 1800. lence, and all those qualities which Soon after, he took up his residence in not only exacted applause, but excited London, with the view of preparing love. It was the mind that appeared himself for the English bar. In 1806, in speeches that gave them character. he was appointed by the East India He would not enter into the account Company one of the commissioners of his private life, although his private for the liquidation of the debts of the virtues were at least on a level with Nabob of Arcot; but resigned this his public merits. Amid all the cares laborious situation in little more than and interests of public life, he never two years, finding that the duties lost his relish for domestic society, or which it imposed on him were incomhis attachment to his family. The patible with the application due to his last time that he (Mr G.) conversed professional pursuits. In October 1806, with him, he was anticipating with he was returned Member of Parliapleasure the arrival of a season of lei- ment for St Ives. The following year, sure, when he could spend a short he was elected Member for Wendover, time in the bosom of his family, and and was called to the English bar. amid the endearments of his friends. In 1813, he was chosen to represent When he looked at his public or pri- the borough of St Mawes in the prevate conduct, his virtues, or his ta. sent parliament. lents, he would be allowed to have The disease which proved fatal to earned applause to which few other Mr Horner was an induration and men ever entitled themselves.”

contraction of the lungs; a malady, Lord LASCELLES “ hoped to be ex- the existence of which is not marked cused for adding a few words to what by any decided symptom, and which had been said, though he had not the is wholly beyond the reach of medihonour of a private acquaintance with cal aid. He died at Pisa on the 8th of Mr Horner, whom he knew only in February 1817, aged thirty-eight years this House, where they had almost and six months, and was interred in the uniformly voted on opposite sides on Protestant burying-ground at Leghorn.