NOTES OF THE MONTH. 453 



DEATH OF MR. GODWIN, JUN. Among the victims of the cholera 

 this month, is to be numbered the son of the illustrious and venerable 

 author of Caleb Williams, who was suddenly carried off in the prime of 

 as healthful and vigorous a manhood, as ever gave hope of a long life. 

 William Godwin, jun., who, though of a social and enjoying disposition, 

 was no less temperate and regular in his habits, was seized, " after a flow 

 of his ordinary good spirits," by a disease which baffles the speculations 

 of the most skilful, and steals upon the human frame without note or 

 warning. He lingered for two days, and died on the morning of Sa- 

 turday, the 8th of September. He was in his thirtieth year. 



Mr. Godwin had been for some years upon the establishment of the 

 Morning Chronicle, as a parliamentary reporter, a capacity in which he 

 was distinguished for more than ordinary ability and conscientious ex- 

 actness. He was the author of some miscellaneous papers of high merit, 

 in various periodicals works ; among others, in the " Monthly." He 

 was one of our most valued contributors as he was also one of our most 

 intimate and social friends. What he has written has appeared anony- 

 mously, and may never be collected ; but his literary performances, no 

 less than his character and principles, are of a nature to attach no dis- 

 honour to the name he bore. We can say this, not only from our own 

 conviction, but on the authority of a writer in the True Sun, (a writer, 

 the gracefulness of whose pen, and the kindliness of whose disposition, 

 are sure to reveal him, whatever subject he touches upon.) It is there 

 remarked, that t( Mr. Godwin was not unworthy of his origin, either in 

 natural ability,* or spirit of speculation." 



NOTES ON LITERATURE, FINE ARTS, &c. 



WE intend in future to devote a space to the passing topics of the 

 month more especially connected with Literature, Fine Arts, Music, 

 &c. It is too late, however, this time to do justice to our intentions. 

 We can merely advert en passant that there are many forthcoming claims 

 to the public attention which the late unusually dull season has kept 

 the publishers from speculating upon. The Annuals likewise are begin- 

 ning to shew themselves, enlivening the present dearth with their bright 

 colours and gilding, like crocusses in the spring. The first in the field 

 is the Landscape Annual, with a series of splended illustrations from 

 Harding's drawings, forming the last volume of Italy. Mr. Thomas 

 Roscoe has executed his share of the work with his accustomed ability. 

 Indeed^ we question whether any writer of the present day is so well 

 qualified to treat of the land of poetry arid romance as the son of the 

 biographer of ' Leo X.' and ' Lorenzo/ 



' Friendship's Offering' is likely to support its claims to distinction. 

 We have received specimens of plates, some of which are of the very 

 highest order. That of Affection, by Davis, is worthy of the artist. 

 Female Pirates is a beautiful subject. We have only had time to glance 

 them over. Next month we will enter more into detail. 



The oldest of the Annuals, " Forget Me Not," will not disgrace our 

 recommendation. The names of Martin, Leslie, Prout, Richter, W. 

 and E. Finden, Rolls, Carter, &c. &c. speak for the high character of its 

 embellishments ; and in the literary department will be found the namCs 

 of the best writers of the day. 



