The Abbé Boscovich was also a native of Ragusa, a small republic in Dalmatia, on the shores of the Adriatic, celebrated for the industry of its inhabitants, and for the singularity of its political situation. I never yet knew a Ragusan who did not possess genius and learning. Boscovich was a great mathematician, and a man of probity. He had a remarkable talent for making extempore Latin verses. His epigram on the planets is deservedly admired, as it scatters flowers on a subject which did not appear susceptible of them. “As in the order of succession in their orbits round the Sun, our Earth,” says he, “is between Mars and Venus, no wonder that love and war govern the world.”
At the extinction of the order of Jesuits, Boscovich took refuge in France, and was much beloved there. A place was created on purpose for him, the “Inspection of the Optics for the Marine.” He was intimate with many of the first families of France, but no sycophant. At an advanced age he took the resolution of paying a visit to his own country to see his mother, who was still alive and in the enjoyment of her faculties. His voluminous works he printed at Bassano, in the Venetian States. He became childish at last, but fortunately died before the French Revolution, which would have deprived him of many comforts.
[Among the last of the memoranda collected by Miss Knight is one bearing the initial letters C. S., which purports to describe the characteristic features of the last three reigns:]
“The reign of George the Third was that of public and private virtue. The reign of George the Fourth was that of national fame and glory. The reign of William the Fourth was that of domestic kindness and happiness. We humbly advise our young Queen to take the first for her model, in which we trust that she will be rewarded by the two others.”
On this hint Miss Knight composed the following verses, dated July, 1837, and therefore within six months of her death:
Of George the Third the long and arduous sway, The reign of worth and virtue we may name. With George the Fourth we see our isle display The brilliant scenes of victory and fame. Affection’s kind, domestic joys we view In our late William’s short, benignant reign. O may our Queen her Grandsire’s steps pursue, And love and glory as reward obtain! Possessing in all British hearts the place Her noble ancestors so justly won; And may the honours of the Brunswick race Resplendent shine coeval with the sun!