Page:Notes by the Way.djvu/166

 NOTES BY THE WAY.

��Sir Robert Peel's sym- pathy with literary men.

��Investigation in 1888: William

Morris Colles.

��On the 1st of February, 1862, Mr. J. W. Bryans proposes the founding of an Order of Merit, to take the name of the " Order of the Albert Cross," in memory of the late Prince Consort :

" We have already the ' Victoria Cross ' for deeds done in the field ; might we not have the pendant to it, for exploits no less worthy in the peaceful paths of science ? "

On the 1st of February, 1868, appears a note, ' The Literary Pension of the Civil List,' signed J. A. G., who suggests that 5,0001. per annum should be the very minimum sum devoted to literary pensions, and leaves it " in the hands of the Editor and those of his able contributors for an influential and successful advocacy."

On the 25th of July, 1885, H. Y. P. asks for records of royal bounty funds.

I do not give the pensions in the order of the printed list, but have classified them under their respective heads. The name of the Prime Minister under whose administration the pension was granted has also been added.

One name dear to all lovers of literature, that of Sir Robert Peel, appears but once, there being now only one recipient among the many who received pensions at his hands. This survivor is a daughter of the late Sir Hudson Lowe,, the pension being granted as far back as 1845. Of Sir Robert Peel's sympathy with literary men full mention was made by The Athenceum in the obituary notice of him which appeared in the number of the 6th of July, 1850. The grant of 3001. a year to Southey, with an offer of a baronetcy, a like sum to Wordsworth, 2001. a year to Tennyson, 150Z. a year to James Montgomery, 200?. a year to Mr. Tytler, the same to Mr. M'Culloch, 100Z. a year to the widow of Thomas Hood, proved his appreciation of literature ; while for the sons of Mrs. Hemans he found places under the Crown, and the first appointment of his first administration was given to Allan Cunningham. He also bestowed pensions on Mrs. Somerville and Faraday, and it is pleasing to record that a niece of the great chemist, Miss Jane Barnard, still enjoys a pension.

' N. & Q.' of the 8th of May, 1852, opens with a note by the Editor on Sir Robert Peel, and his claims to be remembered by the literary men of England. Mention is made of the many literary pensions granted during the time he was Prime Minister, as well as of his generosity towards Dr. Maginn, and it is proposed that a bust or statue of him should be placed in the vestibule of the British Museum.

In 1888 an investigation of the Victorian administration of the Pension List, in reference to literature, was conducted for the Committee of the Incorporated Society of Authors by Mr. William Morris Colles, and the result published. Mr. Colles proposes that " the sum of 1,2007. be yearly voted for the purpose of assisting dis- tinguished men and women of letters, art, and science by granting

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