the catholic association should dissolve itself: and during the subsequent debates on the question, he supported with great fervour those concessions which he had so materially contributed to obtain. In 1822, he strenuously supported the reform bill; after which period he did not take so prominent a part in the debates. He continued to represent Westminster until May 1837, when he resigned his seat, his constituents being dissatisfied by his ceasing to support those opinions for which he was returned to parliament; and again offered himself on conservative principles. He was opposed on the radical interest by John Temple Leader, Esq., but was returned, after a severe contest, by a majority of 500. On the dissolution of parliament in the same year, he retired from the representation of Westminster, and was returned for North Wiltshire, which he represented until his death, which took place in 1843, aged 73 years.

Sir Francis Burdett was an aristocrat by birth and fortune, and voluntarily exerted the whole of his spiritstirring eloquence, his abilities and acquirements, for his country. Unambitious of office, honours, and emoluments; steadfastly attached to the constitution, and a zealous, yet enlightened adherent to the established church; his talents and acquirements were equally respectable, and his eloquence bold, glowing, and forcible.

WILLIAM HUSKISSON.

Was born at Birch Moreton Court, in March, 1770. When Lord Gower went out as ambassador to France, he appointed young Huskisson to be his private secretary, and in 1793, successfully recommended him to Dundas as a person highly qualified to assist in the projected

arrangements of an office for the affairs of emigrants who had taken refuge in England. In 1795, he became under secretary in the colonial department; and the following year he took his seat in parliament as member for Morpeth, and in 1823 he succeeded Canning as member of parliament for Liverpool. He retired from office to the resignation of Pitt, and on his return to power, in 1804, Huskisson was appointed one of the secretaries of the treasury, and continued in office until the death of the premier in 1806. In 1807, he was recalled to his post, which he retained until 1809. In 1814 he became first commissioner of woods and land revenue; and in 1823, was advanced to the important offices of treasurer of the navy and president of the board of trade. wards he obtained a seat in the cabinet. of Canning, and the formation of the Goderich administration, Huskisson was appointed secretary of state for the colonial department, and was succeeded in May, 1828, by Sir George Murray. He was returned member for Liverpool at the general elections in 1826 and 1830. In November of the same year, he came to his melancholy death at the opening of the Manchester and Liverpool Railway, by falling and being passed over by the train. He was a great advocate of the principles of free trade.

GEORGE CANNING.

Shortly after

On the death

This celebrated statesmen was born in the parish of Mary-le-bone, on the 11th of April, 1770, his parents having recently left Ireland, their native country. In 1793, he was elected member of parliament for Newport, in the Isle of Wight. In January, 1794, he delivered his maiden speech, in which he displayed considerable talent.

In 1796 he was appointed one of the under secretaries of state. In 1799, he took a conspicuous part in the debates relative to the union with Ireland. In 1801, he resigned office with Pitt, Mr. Addington becoming his successor. In 1804, Pitt again resuined office, and Canning was appointed treasurer of the navy, which he held until Pitt's death in 1806. The friends of the departed premier now resigned office, when Fox and Grenville succeeded, whose administration was termed, "All the Talents." Fox's death put a speedy end to it, when the Duke of Portland was appointed premier, and Canning secretary of state for foreign affairs. In 1809 he again resigned. In 1812, he stood a severe contest for Liverpool, and was returned at the head of the poll. In 1814, he was appointed ambassador to Lisbon, where there was neither court nor sovereign, at the enormous salary of £14,000 per annum. He was seventeen months in Lisbon. In 1816, he accepted office as president of the board of control. In June, the same year, Queen Caroline returned to this country; and Canning, who was averse to taking any share in the proceedings that were meditated against her Majesty, tendered his resignation, which the King declined accepting: at the same time, however, permitting Canning to abstain as much as he thought fit from the expected discussion on the Queen's conduct. In 1822, he was appointed governor-general of India, but soon afterwards accepted the foreign secretary ship. Canning had by this time, (1823), become deserv edly popular for the spirited and liberal opinions which he most powerfully advocated, as well with regard to foreign as domestic policy; he insisted on the necessity of aiding Portugal against Spain with such fervent elo

quence, as had rarely, if ever, been heard in parliament, since the setting of those great political luminaries, during whose splendid meridian the dawn of his genius had glimmered. At the funeral of the Duke of York, in January, 1827, he caught a cold, the consequence of which was a disorder that soon afterwards terminated his existence. Early in March, he delivered a powerful speech in favour of catholic emancipation. So intense was his anxiety for the fate of the motion, which was lost by a majority of four only, and so great were his exertions on this occasion, that, for a short time afterwards he was rendered incapable by illness of re-appearing in his place. Meanwhile, the friends of Lord Liverpool, who had been attacked by paralysis in May, lost all hope of his recovery; the premiership consequently became vacant, and on the 12th of April, 1827, Canning was appointed first lord of the treasury. He struggled with all his expiring energy to retain his eminence; he sat out the session, but his disease, which was an inflammation in the kidneys, gradually gained upon him, and at length, on the 8th of August, 1827, he expired, aged 57 years.

Canning died, when at the zenith of his political reputation, he had attained the pinnacle of all his earthly ambition, as well with regard to popularity as place. His early errors were forgotten in admiration of his recent spirit, upright and manly conduct. No unprejudiced mind could withold its applause from a minister whose views were at once so eminently patriotic, and so universally benevolent. Had he lived, he would most probably have become entitled to the gratitude of the world. As an orator, he enshrined the most appropriate classical allusions, the most brilliant ideas, and the most exquisite

G

irony in language, which, with rare exceptions, even when uttered without premeditation, no art could refine-to which no labour could give an additional polish. For elegance and purity of composition, he was perhaps never excelled; and in taste, with regard to rhetorical ornaments, but seldom equalled. His raillery was often irresistible, his wit pure and poignant, and his humour at once admirably refined, and remarkably effective. He was possessed of so large a share of political courage, that during his whole public life, he was rarely known to flinch or avoid an attack, however well merited. He seldom lost his perfect self possession; but when in the fervid utterance of his thoughts, he rose into the most lofty and spiritstirring eloquence, which appeared to electrify the whole house. A contributor to a periodical describes Canning's dress as having been plain, but in perfect good taste, his person tall and well made, his form being moulded between strength and activity; his countenance beaming with intelligence, but having a cast of firmness mingled with a mild, good natured expression. His head bald as "the first Cæsar's," his forehead lofty and capacious, his eye reflective, but at all times lively, and his whole countenance expressive of the kindlier affections of genius and intellectual vigour. In the prime of his life he was decidedly handsome, but latterly, continues the writer, he exhibited marks of what years, care, and ambition had done upon him.

ROBERT BANKS JENKINSON, EARL OF LIVERPOOL. The only son of Charles Jenkinson, afterwards Earl of Liverpool, was born on the 7th of June, 1770. In 1791, he was returned to parliament for Rye; and on the 27th