136 Recollections of Br. Parr. [Feb. 



almost filial, light, is an evil that admits neither of alleviation nor cure. 

 A degree of secm-ity is inspired by the comparative youth of the object 

 deplored, which adds all the suddenness of an unexpected shock to the 

 bitterness of inevitable separation. To see the prop rudely removed 

 from under him that he eNpectcd to smooth and support his own down- 

 ward path — to follow to the grave the being whom he had expected to 

 close his own eyes — these are the sorrows that throw forward their dark 

 shadow in the vale of descending years, and whisper the sufferer to 

 prepare for that resting-place where alone sorrow shall be no more. 



During the summer of 1823, the author of this imperfect sketch 

 often saw Dr. Parr, in the intervals of his different excursions for the 

 benefit of his spirits and health. He had even, it is said, some thouglits 

 of extending them to Paris ;* but this idea, upon mature reflection, was 

 given up. 



Calling at Leamington one day, the discourse turned upon the anti- 

 quities of the neighbourhood. The Doctor, who was well versed in, and 

 fond of, county history and antiquities, observed that there were several 

 remains of monasteries and nunneries in that neighbourhood, where 

 stone coffins and other relics of antiquity were dug up. He then turned 

 the discourse to Kenilworth, and pronounced a most animated philippic 

 upon " that villain Leicester." He had been just reading Miss Aikin's 

 " Memoirs of the Court of Queen Elizabeth," and blamed her for not 

 distinctly expressing a conviction of Anne Boleyn's innocence, of which 

 lie said there was not the smallest doubt to be entertained upon reasonable 

 grounds. " But there, you see," he added, " the presbyterian peeped out." 



He then turned the conversation (as he often did) on the friends and 

 companions of that glorious time, which boasted so many wits and 

 geniuses, now no more ! He said, that he never feared Dr. Johnson in 

 argumentjf Richard Brinsley Sheridan, or even Edmund Burke. " The 

 only man I feared, he added, was Charles James Fox ! when he argued, 

 I felt my inferiority." 



As the loud dictatorial tone of Johnson, and the imperious over- 

 bearing temper of Burke, may have impressed on the minds of many 

 a higher opinion of their powers of trimuphing in argument, than the 

 mild, unassuming character of Mr. Fox, this tribute, from the highest 

 authority, to his possession of those faculties in their utmost extent, 



which he " bore so meekly," was deemed worthy of insertion. 



******* 



" Nothing," said Dr. Parr, " in the course of my clerical duty, is so 

 painful to me as to perform the funeral of the lovely and the young. 

 To promote the union of youth and beauty was equally his delight. 

 Indeed, " a pretty girl" — the Doctor's favourite phrase, was one that, 

 in his opinion, seemed to possess a great portion of attraction. 



In the evening it was proposed to amuse him with cards. The Doc- 

 tor mused a little, and then consented, saying — " Can you play all- 

 fours ?" " No." " Q^n you play put ?" " No." " What can you 



* One of the Doctor's hindrances on tliis occasion was liis wig, wliicli he could 

 neither persuade himself to expose to the remark of an ignorant and conceited popu- 

 lace, or to alter or give up. 



•|- As an instance of the Doctor's love of this " keen encounter of the wits" — in his 

 occasional visits to a family with whom he was familiar, he used to say, " do ask Dr. 

 —while I am here — I love to hold an argument with liim. " 



