s not
to have read the _Antiquary_, {450} there are few memories which are not
the better for being from time to time refreshed. My own is not of the
best, which is sometimes disadvantageous to me, but not in a case like
this. I have frequently read over the _Antiquary_, again and again, and
have always derived much pleasure and amusement from so doing, and that
pleasure I hope still again to enjoy.

J. S----s.

_Dr. Euseby Cleaver_ (Vol. ii., p. 297.).--Your correspondent H. COTTON,
Thurles, Ireland, is mistaken with reward to Dr. Euseby Cleaver. He was
never Bishop of Cork and Ross. He was Bishop of Ferns and Leighlin, and
translated thence to the archbishopric of Dublin _about_ the year 1805. No
doubt the transaction will be found in the Registry of Ferns, but I do not
know the date of his consecration.

I was acquainted with that good man, and my mother was his first cousin.

R.S.

Belgave, Nov. 15. 1850.

_Mrs. Partington_ (Vol. ii., pp. 377. 411.).--In the Rev. Sydney Smith's
speech at Taunton, on the Lords' rejection of the Reform Bill, October,
1831, is this passage:

"The attempt of the Lords to stop the progress of reform, reminds me
very forcibly of the great storm of Sidmouth, and of the conduct of the
excellent Mrs. Partington on that occasion. In the winter of 1824,
there set in a great flood upon that town--the tide rose to an
incredible height--the waves rushed in upon the houses, and everything
was threatened with destruction. In the midst of this sublime and
terrible storm, Dame Partington, who lived upon the beach, was seen at
the door of her house with mop and pattens, trundling her mop,
squeezing out the sea-water, and vigorously pushing away the Atlantic
Ocean. The Atlantic was roused. Mrs. Partington's spirit was up; but I
need not tell you that the contest was unequal. The Atlantic Ocean beat
Mrs Partington. She was excellent at a slop or a puddle, but she should
not have meddled with a tempest."

This speech is reprinted in the collected editions of Sydney Smith's
_Works_. Unless an allusion to Mrs. Partington of a prior date to October,
1831, is produced, we may fairly consider that the celebrity of that lady
is owing to Sydney Smith.

I doubt if Lord Brougham ever alluded to Mrs. Partington. Certain it is he
never made any speech in the House of _Commons_ on the Reform Bill, as he
was raised to the peerage some months before that b