The Monthly Mirror followed its first notice of Stanley by a further reference to him when reviewing Pye and Spencer, in July, 1796:
It is difficult to say which is the best—they have all their different degrees of merit. Mr. Pye's is nearest to the original, but has less spirit than Spencer's, and less simplicity than Stanley's. The first translator [Mr. Stanley] is perhaps entitled to more indulgence than his competitors, since they have had the opportunity of profiting by example.
Before dismissing Mr. Stanley and his translation of Bürger, a word further on the man himself. He never published anything after the Leonora, except Letters on his resigning his commission and some reports on farming.[1] He gave up his parliamentary seat at the close of the session in 1796, not caring to stand for the new parliament. [2] He continued major of the Cheshire militia until the latter part of 1797 when he settled at Alderley Park, his home to the death of his father and his accession to the baronetcy. That occurred in 1807 when he became Sir John Stanley. A little more than twenty years later he was made first Lord Stanley of Alderley, doubtless a reward for his long profession of liberal principles.
Mr. Stanley thus separated himself wholly from the making of literature, though there are many evidences that he continued to enjoy it. More important are the proofs that he again sometimes tried translation from the German, though not for publication. In another letter of "Serena" to Maria Josepha, then Mrs. Stanley, she says:
Did I tell you how charmed I was with Mr. Stanley's translation of the 'Generous Lye'? It really seemed the original, and with all its absurdity, is quite beautiful. I read it to Lady Hesketh and two or three more, but it was never out of my hands.[3]
This refers to a little one-act drama of Kotzebue, Die edle Lüge,
- ↑ The first was called "The Correspondence of J. T. Stanley Esq. with the Earl of Stamford, Lord Lieutenant of the County of Cheshire; and other Letters relative to the resignation of his Commission as Major in the Royal Militia, 1798." For the second, see the Gentleman's Magazine, Dec, 1850, N. S. XXXIV, 655.
- ↑ To her aunt Maria Josepha explains Mr. Stanley's withdrawal from parliament as follows: "He does not intend to come in again, which I am very glad of, as he is so warm in Politics when engaged, and on the liberty side too, which may lead to anything bad, with the best original intentions, that it is much better for the Domestic Happiness of both that he should give up the pursuit entirely, not having the least ambitious turn of mind."—Girlhood of Maria Josepha Holroyd, p. 386.
- ↑ Early Married Life, p. 176; letter dated Mar. 1, 1799. Lady Hasketh was the favorite correspondent of the poet Cowper, and an intimate friend of Miss Sarah Holroyd. In her answer Mrs. Stanley says: "I am very glad you liked the 'Generous Lye.' There are very beautiful natural passages in it, though the plan is so German. I see two translations of the 'Noble Lye' are published. It is very odd that the German translators will always present themselves in pairs."—Ibid., p. 179. The last sentence refers to the fact that Stanley's Leonora was so soon followed by another, probably meaning Spencer's.
