Having thus briefly traced Dr Mainzer’s life, it now remains to offer a few remarks on his general character.  His talents were of a diversified and high order; and those who knew him only as the author of ‘Singing for the Million,’ were not aware of his general cultivation of mind.  In the dead and living languages, he was equally at home:  now he would be speculating on the formation of the Greek chorus, and again mastering some dialect of modern Europe, in order to elucidate the history of the people or their music and poetry.  His literary articles were sought after by all the leading journals in Germany and Paris; and his volumes of Sketches of Travel, and of The Lower Orders in Paris, are graphic and entertaining.  A year or two ago, a Notice Bibliographique of his works appeared in Paris, which contained a list of above thirty publications.  Great diligence, joined to enthusiasm, enabled him to accomplish so much in these various departments of literature.  His manners, too, were of that frank, cordial, and agreeable tone which inspires confidence, and prepossessed every one in his favour; so that from all he could obtain the information which he wished, and they could afford.  Over his pupils, his influence was immense.  He had the rare art of engaging the entire attention of children; and while he maintained strict discipline, he gained their warmest affection:  his own earnestness was reflected on the countenances of his pupils.

Those alone who knew him in private life could thoroughly estimate that purity of mind and heart which eminently characterised him, along with a childlike simplicity and unworldliness, which often, indeed, made him the prey of designing persons, but which, joined to his general information and cheerfulness, made his society most attractive.  His personal appearance was indicative of a delicate and nervous organisation:  slight and fragile in figure, with an intellectual forehead and eye, that spoke of the preponderance of the spirituelle in his idiosyncrasy; one of those minds which are ever working beyond the powers of the body; ever planning new achievements and new labours of love, and which too often, alas! go out at noonday, while half their fond projects are unaccomplished, yet not before they have made a name to live, and left the world their debtors!

FOOTNOTES: 

[1] See Chambers’s Journal, No. 226, New Series.

[2] See Lays from Strathearn, 4to.

A NEWCASTLE PAPER IN 1765-6.