Dictionary of National Biography. Edited by Sidney Lee. Vol. % LIV.
Paston—Percy. (Smith, Elder, & Co.) —The chief families which appear in this volume are Paston (the writers of the famous "Parton Letters "), Paulet (Marquis of Winchester), Peel, Pelham (Earl of Chichester), and Percy (of Northumberland). This last numbers thirty names, not to include seven more not con- nected with the ducal family. Among these last is to be reckoned Thomas Percy, Bishop of Dromore, the editor of the " Ballads." His real name was Pearcy (alias Piercy), so spelt in the registers of Bridgenorth, where he was born. "Percy " appears for the first time, says his biographer, Professor Hales, in the register of Easton Maudit, a Christ Church living which he held from 1751•- 82. Of the real Percies, the most distinguished is Henry, nick- named Hotspur (136t-1403), whose memoir has been contributed by Professor Tout. This is as well done as Professor Tout's work is sure to be. We venture to ask the meaning of the following:— " Hotspur in May besieged the border peels of Cocklaw, near Getholm, and Ormiston, near Hawick, but meeting with consider. able resistance, departed with the undertaking to surrender, if not relieved by August 1st, and recrossed the border." Grammatically, this means that Hotspur was to surrender, but presumably we are to understand the " peels." Perhaps the most important biography is that of Sir Robert Peel (the second), contributed by the Hon, George Peel. It is most interesting throughout, and puts his achievements as a statesman in a very clear and forcible way. It is interesting to notice that Peel thought fifteen was an unmanageable number for a Cabinet. The memoir of the third Sir Robert comes from the pen of Mr. G. C. Boase. No mention is made of a curious episode in his life, a difficulty which he had with the Spanish authorities of Toledo, a matter quite unimportant in itself, but significant of the want of self-control which marred what might have been a brilliant career. The life of Mark Pattison has been written in a very sympathetic way by Mr. R. C. Christie. Mr. Christie points out what should never be forgotten, that Pattison in his " Memoirs " did not do himself anything like justice. Generally, the volume is distinguished by its usual excel- lencies. So well is it brought up to time, that the life of Dr. Payne Smith, Dean of Canterbury, who died in March, 1895, is included.
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