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Hereditary Genius
177
Edinburgh Review. The epitaph on his own tomb is so condensed and just, and
those written by himself on his children who died before him are so accurate as
well as touching, that I insert them here. His own epitaph in St. Paul's
Cathedral is as follows:—
“HENRY HALLAM,
the historian of the Middle Ages, of the Constitution of his
country, and of the Literature of Europe. This monument is raised by many
friends, who, regarding the soundness of his learning, the simple eloquence of
his style, his manly and capacious intellect, the fearless honesty of his
judgments, and the moral dignity of his life, desire to perpetuate his memory
within these sacred walls, as of one who has best illustrated the English
language, the English character, and the English name.”
He had a vigorous constitution; his massive head was well carried by a robust
frame; he was precocious as a child; could read well at 4 years old, and wrote
sonnets at. 9 or 10; d. aet. 82. Married a sister of Sir Charles Elton, Bart.; he
was author of poems and translations.
F. John Hallam, D.D., Dean of Bristol, Canon of Windsor; declined the Bishopric
of Chester; educated at Eton; the son and the only child that lived beyond
childhood, of John Hallam, surgeon, twice Mayor of Boston.
f. Daughter of Richard Roberts, M.D.; was a very superior person, somewhat
over-anxious; she resembled her son in features; had only two children that
lived.
u. Dr. Roberts, Provost of Eton.
[b.] Elizabeth; had great intellectual taste.
S. Arthur Henry, d.
aet. 23; the subject of Tennyson's “In Memoriam.” His
epitaph at Clevedon is as follows:— “And now, in this obscure and solitary
church, repose the mortal remains of one too early lost for public fame, but
already distinguished among his contemporaries for the brightness of his
genius, the depth of his understanding, the nobleness of his disposition, the
fervour of his piety, and the purity of his life. Vale dulcissime, desideratissime.
Requiescas in pace usque ad tubam.”
s. Eleanor Hallam, d. aet. 21. “Her afflicted parents, bending under this second
bereavement, record here that loveliness of temper and that heavenly-minded
piety which are lost
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