THE LIFE OF MARY ANNE SCHIMMELPENNINCK. * WHETHER considered with reference
to the events of her career, or to the interest which she excited in the public mind, the life of Mrs. Schimmelpenninek has but little claim to be recorded in two volumes. From her birth in 1778 till her marriage in 1806 to Mr. Schimmelpenninek, a Liverpool merchant and member of a noble Dutch family, there was little in her outward life to distin- guish her from any other daughter of a wealthy enlightened ma- nufacturer of those days. Her father, Samuel Galton, had a turn for science, a love of literature, and a wide connexion amongst literary and scientific men, as well as among some correct and religious fashionable persons of the day, when correctness and religion by no means distinguished the beau monde in gene- ral. The domestic establishment of Mr. Galion at Barr Hal,-in the neighbourhood of Birmingham was handsomely kept up, and the family extremely well ordered himself and his wife. The account of it forms a pleasing picture of industry, order, and en- joyment, though rather belonging to manners than biography, and furnishing little incident to record in the maiden life of Mary Anne Galton. For a few years after her marriage, life still flowed so smoothly that there was nothing to tell—at least nothing is told. In 1811, a family difference arose respectine-b some property Mrs. Sohimmelpenninck took under her grandfather's will. The nature of this dispute is not very plainly stated ; some idea of its origin may be divined from the fact that it soon appeared that the late Mr. Schimmelpenninck "was for some years oppressed by pecuniary embarrassments." The effect upon the lady's own family was such, that (with the exception of one person) all inter- course between them ended. Henceforth the lite is little more than a series of even commoner events. Mr. Schimmelpenninck's embarrassments reduced their style of living, but they always had sufficient for comfort, and do not seem to have retrograded from their social position. After his death in 1840, his widow was able, as infirmities grew upon her, to keep a vehicle till her own death in 1856. Two personal though not peculiar features are the main points of her later days. Naturally of a religious temperament, her mind was early harassed by doubts which the classical formalism of worldly Quakerism did not satisfy. She was brought to a conception of vital religion through some Mo- ravian friends and would have joined their communion, but was dissatisfied with the reception by "lot" to full privilege. She therefore became a Wesleyan; subsequently, when her mind was satisfied as to the scriptural character of the "lot," she went back to the Moravians, having in her latter days a narrow escape from liomanism, to which she also had leanings in early life. Her letters abound in the diffuse outpourings of religious senti- ment, but they contain memories of long past times and, spite of her religious resignation exhibit some of those evils which mo- ralists and satirists unite to paint as inevitably attaching to pro- tracted life.
From early education and perhaps natural turn, Mrs. Schimmel- pinninck was an author; though her name will be known to few, and her works have fallen out of demand. She wrote some Anti- Slavery Tracts ; she compiled and translated from the French Select Memoirs of Port Royal, and she published some essays on at and taste. A selection from her printed and manuscript wri- tings is about to appear "in pursuance of the author's testament- ary directions."
• Life of ifary Anne Sohinentelpenninek Author of "Select Memoirs of Port /kW." and other Works. Edit-W by her Relation Christiana C. Rankin. In two 'Totowa. Published by Longman sad Co. But though there is not much interest in the biography, there is a good deal in her autobiography, beginning with her first remem- brances in 1782, and continuing till towards the end of the last century. As said already, her parents were remarkable persons, and lived in remarkable times. Mrs. Galton was a Quaker lady, a descendant of the celebrated Barclay, the author of the " apology " ; Mr. Galion we suppose was a Friend too ; but at that period " worldliness " had spread among the Patrician Friends, as was seen in Mrs. Fry's memoirs. Intellect, however, rather than rank, fashion, or gaiety, was worshipped at the Galton's mansion near Birmingham. The age still looked upon the classics as guides to life and morals, as well as masters of style, delineators of human nature, and historical examples of what to shun by the by as well as of what to follow. Rousseau's recommendations of natural life were received as just and true by many who were wearied with the artificial corruption around them. The modification of those views in Day's Sandford and Merton induced people not merely to look upon that book as an attractive story, but a judicious sys- tem of education. These ideas, coupled with Quaker steadiness and industry, seem to have influenced our heroine's parents. Mrs. Galion took the Spartans and Stoics as a model—for though Scrip- ture was made a Sunday text-book, it was rather to incul- cate morals than faith ; her husband looked more to science, languages, and practical matters in the training of his little daughter. The religious deadness of the times produced the widest social toleration, if not political liberality. Besides Church of England people, many Dissenters of various sects, and Friends, including the Gurneys, frequented the aristocratic Barr Hall, (which the Galtons occupied under a lease from Sir Joseph Scott.) At one extremity was Darwin, with his phi- losophic Deism or Atheism ; midway came the materialistic Uni- tarian Priestley ; at the other extreme was the Romanist priest Berrington, author of the Literary History of the Middle Ages, not long since reprinted in one of the "standard libraries " ; and with him were many Roman Catholics of birth or note, including Weld, afterwards the Cardinal. Domestic and social " style " eighty years ago was a more expensive thing than now, and curious are the indications of the style in which the magnates of Birmingham lived. Modes of travel, the face of the country, the fere° naturm have all changed with our increased population and improved cultivation, especially in the vicinity of the great ma- nufacturing town. All these things are vividly pourtrayed in the reminiscences which the autobiographer dictated in her later years, probably with some of that colouring which time throws over the past. The chief reason for this remark, however, is, that the few letters of Mrs. Galion which appear in the work by no means support her daughter's portrait of her powers of mind and strength of character. Mental struggles are a pervading subject of the book—the struggles of the heroine with her own perplexities, between her cravings for something positive to lean upon, and the philosophi- cal Christianity which she had been taught. Some of her friends• too had their troubles, especially her cousin Priscilla Watson. From a lax Friend this lady became a strict one, and left her fa- mily, to live with a straighter religionist, though she kept her carriage, tie. This picture of the Quaker martyr to principles, in contrast with the Roman Catholic devotee, exhibits piety in comfort if not in full dress.
"Next followed my dear cousin's little carriage, in the most approved mode of Friendliness,' but yet modified by her own elegance. Her little horse, Serena, was beautiful, and I well recollect its docility and tameness. From this carriage alighted my cousin Priscilla, her exquisite beauty at- tracting every eye, and her little maid Joan, a bright country girl, whose rosy checks, and a certain espligleric in her dark eyes, formed as striking a contrast to her plain Friend's dress as her bright complexion did to the marble delicacy of that of her mistress. My dear cousin was very ill, and she was taken directly to her own apartment, which she mostly inhabited during her sojourn with us. "One day my mother sent me to her room with a basket of fruit and a message. Her apartments on this occasion were in what we often called 'the Catholic quarter' of our house, because so often used by Catholics. They were the same which a few months before had been occupied by our friend Miss Berrington, to whom I had also once been sent on a message ; and the contrast between the scenes presented by the rooms and their occu- pants on the two occasions forcibly struck me. When I went with no small awe to Miss Berrington, I saw on her dresaing-table, Missals, the Imita- tion,' and other devotional works on one side ; the Peerage and Court Ca- lendar, and the looking-glass on the other;. but the latter books appeared new, as if seldom opened, whilst the former, though perfectly well and re- verently kept, looked as if used daily. There were on the same table es- sences and various powders, and artificial flowers, the usual accompani- ments of dress in that day ; but there also stood scales to weigh medicines for the poor, a crucifix, and beads. Before the table, in her easy-chair, sat Miss Berrington, her figure tall and elegant, her dress gay and tasteful, and her manner kind, yet brilliant with finished politeness; there she sat in all the adornment which I had learnt to consider as a thing of the world, but her table and often the floor were covered with work for the poor, which all her solitary hours were occupied in completing ; and whilst her conversa- tion was full of wit and mirth and anecdotes of the great world, the early morning beheld her solitary walks to attend the little chapel at Oscott, or to visit and cheer the sick and needy. "When the same apartment was occupied by my cousin Priscilla, it had undergone a complete transformation. The looking-glass vas banished, and on the table were the works of the venerable Isaac Pennington, whose memory, with that of the legislator Penn, and the genius of Milton, have consecrated the little village of Chalfont. Few have probably read these books which my cousin loved so well, without a blessing, and without drawing nearer in soul to that God who was the bond of union in that blessed society. But, above all, you ever saw with her the Holy Scriptures open, and on entering the room and looking on her countenance, it seemed as though the reflection of light and love, and calmness from the written and inward Word, beamed from that face with an impress not to be mis- taken. Truly, when I opened the door, I felt This is holy ground ' ; au41 whilst I thought myself at an unutterable distance from her, I was elevated in spirit, as we always are in the presence of the greatness which is of God, in contradistinction to that which is of the world. 'here my cousin Pris- cilla was sitting, engaged in reading, or in holy meditation, and sometimes in speaking to her little maid Joan. It was beautiful to watch her loving- ness, and yet the dignity of my cousin's manner towards her, partaking of lhe authority of the mistress, the tender care of the mother, and the for- bearance of the Christian, whilst the little maid herself, with her rosy cheeks and beaming black eyes, looked up to her mistress with a reverent and affiant love, as though she were listening to a beine. from another sphere. Nor were these the only inmates of the room. In one cage was the little squirrel Arid,' and in another two canary birds, with a tree for them to perch upon. All the doors of the cages were open, and the inmates constantly came to my dear cousin in the midst of her reading, perching on her head or hand, to be fed with nuts or sugar."
Shades of the actual martyrs, and those who have borne the heavy burden of life-long struggles till death has come relieving- ly, if you saw this in the spirit what did you think ?
As a strong and in all respects a striking contrast to this genteel piety, let us take a portrait of the author of the Botanic Garden, rind his religious discourse before ladies and in mixed company, for Berrington was present. "I still seem to see Dr. Darwin sitting on the sofa, as he gazed with al- most a sneer on the beauty before him, beauty not merely physical, but yet more moral and intellectual ; and never shall I forget the contrast between his figure and the fragile form of my cousin, who, as his patient, sat next him; fragile, indeed, she appeared, as though a breath might annihilate her ; and yet there was that about her which seemed as a panoply of Divine strength, and before which the shafts of Dr. Darwin's wit against Divine truth, aimed cautiously at first, but afterwards more openly, recoiled in- nocuous. My dear Madam,' said be, you have but one complaint; it is one ladies are very subject to, and it is the worst of all complaints ; and that is having a conscience. Do get rid of it with all speed ; few people have health or strength enough to keep such a luxury, for utility I cannot call it." "One of the party having expressed the hope that one day he would re- ceive Christianity, he replied, Before I do that, you Christians must all be weed. The other morning I received two parcels ; one containing a work of Dr. Priestley's, proving there is no spirit, the other a work by Berkeley, Bishop of Cloyne, proving there is no matter. What am I to believe amongst you all ? ' I never shall forget the look with which this was said."
* * "Dr. Darwin often used to say, Man is an eating animal, a drinking animal, and a sleeping animal, and one placed in a material world, which alone furnishes all the human animal can desire. He is gifted besides with knowing faculties, practically to explore and to apply the resources of this -world to his use. These are realities. All else is nothing ; conscience and sentiment are mere figments of the imagination. Man has but five gates of knowledge, the five senses; he can know nothing but through them ; all else is a vain fancy, and as for the being of a God, the existence of a soul, or a world to come, who can know anything about them ? Depend upon it,iny dear madam, these are only the bugbears by which men of sense govern fools ; nothing is real that is not an object of sense.' "As I heard these things, and remembered the high esteem in which Dr. Darwin's talents were held, and the respect with which his dicta were lis- tened to, my mind seemed shaken to its centre. I felt perplexed and be- wildered. My faith was disturbed even in the little I knew."
In philosophic eminence and permanent fame there is no com- parison between Watt and Boulton ; but without the practical mechanical dexterity, large resources, and business energy of Boulton, the improved steam engine might have slowly made its way into use, and Watt have reaped little or no benefit from his invention. They are thus compared by Mrs. Schimmelpenninck. "Mr. Boulton was one of those whose characteristics I clearly recollect. He was in 'person tall, and of a noble appearance ; his temperament was sanguine, with that slight mixture of phlegmatic which gives calmness and dignity ; his manners were eminently open and cordial; he took the lead in conversations, and with a social heart had a grandiose manner like that arising from position, wealth, and habitual command. He went among his people like a monarch bestowing largess. His forehead was magnificent ; the organs of comparison, constructiveness, and of individuality were im- mense. The characteristics of his partner, Mr. Watt, were altogether diffe- rent. Mr. Boulton was a man to rule society with dignity; Mr. Watt, to lead the contemplative life of a deeply introverted and patiently observant philosopher. He was one of the most complete specimens of the melancho- lic temperament. His head was generally bent forward or leaning on his band in meditation, his shoulders stooping and his chest falling in ; his limbs lank and unmuscular, and his complexion sallow. His intellectual development was magnificent ; comparison and causality immense, with large ideality and constructiveness individuality, and enormous concentra- tiveness and caution. Whilst ifs. Boulton's eye and countenance had something of radiance, Mr. Watt's were calm, as if patiently investigating, or quietly contemplating his object. His utterance was slow and unimpas- sioned, deep and low in tone, with a broad Scottish accent ; his manners gentle, modest, and unassuming. In a company where he was not known, unless spoken to he might have tranquilly passed the whole time in pursuing his own meditations. But this could not well happen ; for in point of fact everybody practically knew the infinite variety of his talents and stores of 'knowledge. When Mr. Watt entered a room, men of letters, men of science, nay, military men, artists, ladies even little children thronged round him. I remember a celebrated Swedish' artist having been instructed by him that rats whiskers make the most pliant and elastic painting-brush ; ladies would appeal to him on the beet means of devising grates, curing smoking chim- neys, warming their houses, and obtaining fast colours. I can speak from experience of his teaching me how to mako a dulcimer and improve a Jew's 3317Filany years after this, I think it was during the peace of Amiens, Mr. 'Watt visited Paris. It so happened that while going through one of the palaces, I believe the Tuileries, a French housemaid appeared much per- plexed concerning some bright English stoves which had just been received, and which she knew not how to clean. An English gentleman was standing to whom she appealed for information. This was Charles James Fox. Hecould give no 'help : But,' said he, here is a fellow-countryman of —Milne who will tell you all about it.' This was Mr. Watt, to whom he was at the moment talking ; and who accordingly gave full instructions as to the hard mode of cleaning a bright grate. This anecdote I have often heard Mrs. Watt tell with great diversion."
Here is a reminiscence of Chesterfield and a child's idea of his politeness.
-" My mother had -visited Bath in her childhood, at the time when Lord fOhesterfield was staying there, just before the close of his life : he was very iond of her, when he met her as a little girl, and used frequently to choose .her as his companion, The weary courtier seemed refreshed by exchanging the hollow intercourse of the heartless world for the freshness of a child's society. My mother said nothing could exceed his kindness to her; it was exquisite in tact, in delicacy, and polish. 'But,' she said to Mrs. Priest_ it was Canynges' chain, and not Aladdin's necklace.' I did not im- derstand this at the time; but years after, I read how Canynges, the cele-
brated Bristol merchant, had presented Edward IV. with a rich and un- equalled gold chain, which was the admiration of all England ; but inn few years, on being hard rubbed, the copper peeped through ; it was only strongly gilt. The necklace of Aladdin, on the contrary, was composed of sterling gold."
There is a good deal more matter in the autobiography of a similar kind ; but we close with an instance of the effect which the outbreak of the French Revolution produced even upon the young. " It was one evening in this summer (1789) towards the end of July, I well remember the glorious sun was declining behind the distant hills, and the long shadows were spreading over the woods and meadows, when we saw at a distance a vehicle (usually employed to carry servants to town or church,) returning at more than its usual speed. .After BORIC minutes the door of the drawingroom opened, and in burst Harry, William Pdestley's brother, a youth of sixteen or seventeen, waving his hat and crying out, Hurrah ! Liberty, Reason, brotherly lov,e for over! Down with kingeraft and priestcraft. 'fhe Majesty of the People for ever. France is free, the Bastille is taken William was there, and helping. I have just got a letter from him. He has put up the picture of the Bastille, and two stones from its ruins, for you,' (addressing himself to me,) which you will soon re- ceive; but come, you must hear his letter.' We all stood thtuderstruck. After composure was a little restored, he read an account of the event.
"I am not now about to speak of public events, with which I have no- thing to do, but of the effects they produced on the domestic sphere with which I had experience. I have seen the reception of the news of the vic- tory of Waterloo, and of the carrying of the Reform Bill, but I never saw joy comparable in its vivid intensity and universality to that occasioned by the early promise of the French revolution."
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