EXTRAORDINARY GENIUS.

About the year 1785, Dr. Hornsby of Oxford, gave out a mathematical question in a Magazine, of such magnitude that he thought it could not be easily answered: it did not fall to the lot of any of the mathematical schools, nor to any man of known science therein, nor did the Doctor think it an easy task. To his great surprise, however, the question wa sanswered (dated Weston Turvel). On seeing it answered he made inquiries,

sent for the Hon. Mr. Glle (now Lord Glle), as a man of ability at that time leaving Oxford; who finding Mr. P-tt was destitute of plodding characters, and that the clever men of that sort had deserted him, thought of Mr. Anderson, the youth alluded to, and so, licited him to become his secretary, who being equal to all their wants, was employed to form the budget yearly, and was likewise appointed Mr. D-as (afterwards Lord M--lle). In the public auditor to the East India Company, under and found that there were Weston Turvels in several counties in England, but could not learn above capacity he discharged his duty with faithwhere the answer to his question originated. A fulness, and to the wonder of all who knew him, gentleman out of Buckinghamshire dining with which were very few, as his employers, knowing the Doctor and other friends, it occurred to him his value, took care to preserve such merit to that there was a Weston Turvil in his neighbour- tion, said to me, he was astonished how Mr. themselves. The late Mr. B-ke, in conversahood, and he enquired of him if he knew of any Ptt, and the men in power, got through the person conversant with mathematics? The gentleman answered that he knew of no one that public business, as most of the clever men in that had a genius the least tending to the know-plied, that it was easily accounted for, they havdepartment had deserted them; to which I reledge either of mathematics or astronomy. Dr. ing such aid as no statesmen ever had before. Hornsby, on his friend's departure, gave him a I then related the history of Mr. Anderson, as copy of the question, and begged he would make stated above, which, on enaniry M D 1. enquiry. ar from at Origiasi Puting. (Defeues till next

URE in *

R WORK.

OPERA, THEATRE, EVENING

The gentleman alluded to one day called at a watchmaker's shop in Wendover, Buckingham-E in a FULL DRESS. shire, to have something done to his watch: he asked the man if he knew of any one who understood mathematics in the neighbourhood; to which he replied, that a plough boy, of the name of Anderson, at Weston Green, was an uncommon genius, although he could neither read nor write. The gentleman took his morning lounge that way: on entering the green he saw the lad coming from plough, and asking him if his name was Anderson, the boy replied "Yes."-"Do you read or understand astronomy?" to which the boy answered "I do And, to the credit of his Lordship, he procured not know;" but having Dr. Hornsby's question without issue, and was interred in Upper Maryfor her two hundred a-year for life. He died in his pocket, he presented it to the boy, askingle-bone church-yard: where 1 believe a stone is him if he could answer it; who replied, "I's have ;" and taking a pencil from the gentleman, resolved the question.

distressing circumstance, yet more so in a public he says, "The loss of Mr. Anderson to me is a capacity; I here enclose to Mrs. Anderson a note for one hundred pounds, which I hope will be a relief in case of need, until I can see her.”

erected to his memory.

I have been given to understand, that Dr. Hornsby wished much for his continuing in Ox. ford, in order to display his talents to the world as a Professor.

It is much to be regretted that a genius, a simi lar one to which a whole century has not produced, should have been so little known.

MARRIED.

K-G.

The above history was related to Dr. Hornsby,|| and the question presented as answered in the Magazine. The Doctor, animated at the success, and astonished with surprize, exclaimed, “For|| God's sake do not let the boy be lost, he has a genius equal to Sir Isaac Newton.”—“ What age is he?"" About sixteen."-" My dear K-g," replied Dr. Hornsby, "do what you can, and let him come to Oxford;" which was put into execution in a masterly manner. A subscription was set on foot, which succeeded; and, patronized by some great characters in the county, he was sent to Christ Church school, where he went through an education of the classics, &c. At St. Ann's, Soho, T. Colman, Esq. of High&c. and afterwards was entered at Wadham Col-wood, Herefordshire, to Mrs. Elizabeth Bailey, lege, where, pursuing the studies of his genius, late of Walmsley. which were highly satisfactory to the University, he was considered as a national prodigy.

At Thames Ditton, Surrey, Mr. John Townes, of Cheapside, to Susannah, youngest daughter of the late Jacob Hansler, Esq. of that place.

BIRTHS,

In Gloucester-place, the lady of Col, Hughes,

Soon after Mr. P-tt came into administration, he much wanted to strengthen his power, and M.P. of a daughter.

Mrs. G. A. Denne, of Boot-alley, near the General Post-Office, of a son!

DIED.

At Brighton, in the 75th year of her age, Sarah, Countess of Denbigh, widow of the late Basil, 6th Earl of Denbigh and Desmond, grandfather of the present Earl, a minor. Her Ladyship was sister of Edward Farnham, Esq. of Quordon, and was married first to the late Sir Charles Hal

ford, Bart. of Weston, in Leicestershire, by whose will that property devolves to Sir Henry Halford, Bart. M.D.

At Birmingham, Samuel Jackson Pratt. This gentleman, who has long been known in the literary world, closed his earthly career on the 11th inst. He descended from a very respectable family, and his father, we believe, was High Sheriff of Huntingdonshire. He commenced his literary course very early in life, under the name of Courteney Me'moth.

At Manks, his Highness Henry, 42d Prince of Reus Plamp, aged 62.

This is one of the six Irish titles granted by
James II. in 1689, after his abdication.

At West End, Hampstead, Caroline Ann, daughter of Francis Pothonier, Esq. Old-street, St. Luke's, aged 22 months.

At Zarskoe Silo, after a long illness, General Count Armfeldt, so well known for the share he formerly had in political affairs in Sweden. In the campaign of 1812, he attended the Emperor as Adjutant-General, and was since President of the Committee for the Organization and Government of Finland. He was interred with all the honours due to his rank.

At Shrewsbury, Ann Peters, aged twelve years, daughter of Edward Peters, nailor of the Abbey. Forgate. Her coffin measured five feet long by two feet wide in body. This child had been remarkably corpulent from her birth: but her obesity increased until she became a remarkable spectacle, and her case has been pronounced the "Fat dropsy." She had eaten a hearty supper, and about three o'clock in the morning breathed two sighs and expired.

At his house, at Edmonton, John Whitbread, Esq. aged 44 years; a most severe and lamentable loss to his family, and much regretted by his numerous friends.

In Gray's Inn, after a short illness, aged 74, Edward Van Harthaless, Esq. a gentleman of great eminence as a merchant, whose loss will be long felt and regretted in his domestic circle, and by those who experienced his benevolence, as well as by his relations and a numerous class of most respectable friends.

éptin du cast of St Louis, before he was ever invested this for it might so happen that the Kony wight not chose to give up the right of bestowing this decoration himself; and he might sot approve of cermin people taking upon themseiver in such a hurry what they might think they were entitled to. You will doubtless see geply, that it is much attter not to have a cross At Bala, the Rev. Thomas Charles, B. A. aged 59 years, whose extensive and gratuitous ministerial labours in both North and South Wales Mr. Charles Edmund Hull, late of the Finsduring the last 30 years, had justly endeared him'; bury Repository, deeply lamented by his afflicted to the religious public. Es was the reviver of || sister; his premature death, at the age of 38, the Circulating Charity Schools, and the most affords another admonition to survivors, to be active promoter of Sunday Schools, both for always ready, for in the midst of life we are in children and adults; the happy effects of which death. he had lived to witness in their moral benefits to society at large, and the promotion of vital religion throughout the principality.

A

At his seat at Heaton-house, near Manchester, in the 66th year of his age, the Right Hon. the Earl of Wilton, Viscount and Baron Grey de Wilton, and Baronet. His Lordship married Eleanor, one of the daughters and co-heiress of Sir Ralph Assheton, of Middleton, in the county of Lancaster, Bart. Their only surviving issue is a daughter, married to the Right Hon. the Earl Grosvenor, whose second son, the Hon. Thomas Grosvenor, a minor, succeeds to the titles of the deceased Earl,

At Flower-Hill, in the county of Galway, Lord Riverston; he is succeeded in his titles and estates by his eldest son the Hon. W. T. Nugent,

At Gray's Alms House, Taunton, Hannah Murton, aged 82. The deceased was a maiden lady, who, with a delicate prejudice peculiar to that resolute portion of the fair sex to which she belonged, vowed, several years ago, that no he fellow should ever touch her living or dead. In pursuance of this notable resolution, about ten years since, she purchased for herself a coffin, in which, whenever she felt serious illness, she immediately deposited herself; thus abridging, in ́ case of her dissolution, the labours of those sable mimics, the undertakers, and ensuring the gratification of her peculiar sensibility. The old lady's coffin was not, however, exclusively ap- ' propriated to the reception of her mortal remains, but served also as her wardrobe, and the usual depository of her bread and cheese.

London: Printed by and for J. BELL, sole Proprietor of this MAGAZINE, and Proprietor of the WEEKLY MESSENGER, Corner of Clare-court, Drury-lane.

BEING

Bell's

COURT AND FASHIONABLE

MAGAZINE,

FOR NOVEMBER, 1814.

A New and Improved Series.

EMBELLISHMENTS.

1. A correct PORTRAIT of MRS. JORDAN. Engraved from an Original Painting. (Deferred till next Number.)

2. A beautiful WHOLE-LENGTH PORTRAIT FIGURE in a FULL DRESS.

3. A beautiful WHOLE-LENGTH PORTRAIT FIGURE in an OPERA, THEATRE, EVENING PARTIES, and CARRIAGE WRAP.

4. A RONDO. Composed by Mr. REEVE.

5. An Original PATTERN for NEEDLE or TAMBOUR-WORK.

LITERARY CONTENTS.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF DIS- | Sculpture at the Louvre
TINGUISHED AND ILLUSTRIOUS || Paintings at the Louvre
CHARACTERS.

..... 201

Style of the French compared with English

.......... ..ar..... ....... 202

Mrs. Jordan.

neatness and durability in Building Elegance of the French Ladies

....... 203

ib.

Their peculiar advantages

ib.

Filial affection of this excellent actress....... 196
Her unrivalled acting in Comedy
Rapturous applause bestowed on her in
London

Theatre Feydeau

ib.

ib

ib.

Anecdotes of Illustrious Females.

Duchess of Hanover, Wife of George I.... 204

Elizabeth Maria, Princess of Parma

Characters of celebrated French Women.

ib.

205

206

THE Portrait intended for the present Number, nor the Biography adapted to it, could be finished in time for this Month's Publication-the Memoirs of MRS. JORDAN is therefore given, by anticipation, in the present Number, and her PORTRAIT, most beautifully executed, in the Character of EUPHROSINE, after the original Picture in the possession of his Royal Highness the DUKE of CLARENCE, will be given in our next Number, in addition to the Portrait intended for the present Number. The series of Portraits for the present Year will then be completed.

"

London: Printed by and for JOHN BELL, sole Proprietor of this Magazine, and Proprietor of the Weekly Messenger, Clare Court, Drury-Lane.

DECEMBER 1, 1814.

For NOVEMBER, 1814.

A New and Improved Series.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF ILLUSTRIOUS AND
DISTINGUISHED CHARACTERS.

The Sixty-Fourth Number.

MRS. JORDAN.

sure to none to whom we wish to render In the biography of the celebrated characters, whether professional or otherwise, this short memoir acceptable, we shall which has occasionally appeared in La merely proceed to state, that Mrs. DoroBelle Assemblée, our object has invariably || thea Jordan was born in the lap of Thesbeen to lead attention, and confine it pis, and perhaps cradled in a buskin; for her merely to those subjects of inquiry in mother, although the elegantly educated which public interest is excited. The cha daughter of a dignified clergyman in the racter of a public person is to be delineated principality, was long fain to tread the with a strict reference to its object; and mimic boards for the support of a large fawhilst we endeavour, in the present in-mily of nine children in marriage with the stance, to give a short sketch of a celebrated actress, we shall comprehend our observations within those limits which are suited to the nature of the subject. We shall consider Mrs. Jordan as one who has long adorned her profession, by a display of talents, rare in their separate excellence, and wonderful in their combination.

The subject of our present biography has long shone as a mother, nay, almost as a wife, the virtues of which latter state she deserves the more credit for displaying, since the necessary policy of state has interdicted nearer ties; ties which the strictest morality may regret to see broken, particularly as such a circumstance necessarily obstructs the active exercise of those virtues to which we have given a due share of praise.

t

Without touching further, therefore, on points which could be productive of plea

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man of her choice, with whom, indeed, she imprudently eloped whilst he was on duty with his regiment in Wales.

Captain Bland, we believe, was a native of the sister island, where he possessed some property, and was also of a most respectable family. To that country the young refugees retired, where they were married, but where necessity obliged them to have recourse to their histrionic abilities, a measure which unhappily widened the breach between Captain Bland and his relatives; who, at length, by means with which we are unacquainted, procured the dissolution, or rather annulment of the ceremony; thus leaving Mrs. Bland with her numerous family of infants, dependant on herself for support. Miss Dorothy Bland being now advancing towards womanhood, determined with pious filial affection to aid her deserted mother in this arduous task; and accordingly, at a very early age, pro