Notes and Queries as have written after superficial examination. Great astronomical and philological attainments; much ability and learning; had evidently read and studied deeply; remarkable for the originality of his views upon the very abstruse subject of mythological astronomy, in which he exhibited great sagacity. Certainly his views were original; but their sagacity, if it be allowable to copy his own mode of etymologizing, is of an ori-gin-ale cast, resembling that of a person who puts to his mouth liquors both distilled and fermented.
Principles of the Kantesian, or transcendental philosophy. By Thomas Wirgman. London, 1824, 8vo.
Mr. Wirgman's mind was somewhat attuned to psychology; but he was cracky and vagarious. He had been a fashionable jeweller in St. James's Street, no doubt the son or grandson of Wirgman at 'the well-known toy-shop in St. James's Street,' where Sam Johnson smartened himself with silver buckles. (Boswell, æt. 69). He would not have the ridiculous large ones in fashion and he would give no more than a guinea a pair; such, says Boswell, in Italics, were the principles of the business: and I think this may be the first place in which the philosophical word was brought down from heaven to mix with men. However this may be, my Wirgman sold snuff-boxes, among other things, and fifty years ago a fashionable snuff-boxer would be under inducement, if not positively obliged, to have a stock with very objectionable pictures. So it happened that Wirgman—by reason of a trifle too much candour—came under the notice of the Suppression Society, and ran considerable risk. Mr. Brougham was his counsel; and managed to get him acquitted. Years and years after this, when Mr. Brougham was deep in the formation of the London University (now University College), Mr. Wirgman called on him. 'What now?' said Mr. B. with his most sarcastic look—a very perfect thing of its kind—'you're in a scrape again, I suppose!' 'No! indeed!' said W., 'my present object is to ask your interest for the chair of Moral Philosophy in the new University!' He had taken up Kant!
Mr. Wirgman, an itinerant paradoxer, called on me in 1831: he came to convert me. 'I assure you,' said he, I am nothing but an old brute of a jeweller;' and his eye and manner were of the extreme of jocosity, as good in their way, as the satire of his former counsel. I mention him as one of that class who go away quite satisfied that they have wrought conviction. 'Now,' said he,
