The friendships he now formed led to an enterprise laudably characterised by spirit, courage, and ambition. This was the publication of the famous boy-periodical called the "Microcosm," projected by the more accomplished Etonians, with Canning at their head. It issued weekly, from "Windsor, and was after the plan of the "Spectator;" the design being to treat the characteristics of the boys at Eton as Addison and his friends had done those of general society. The scheme was devised with care and deliberation, and entered on with exemplary energy. The first number appeared in November 1786; and in it the juvenile editor wrote,—

"The curious observer may here remark in the hud the different castes and turns of genius which will, in future, strongly characterise the leading features of the mind. "We see the embryo-statesman, who may hereafter wield and direct at pleasure the mighty and complex system of European polities, now employing the whole extent of his abilities to circumvent his companions at their plays, or adjusting the important differences which may arise between the contending heroes of his little circle; or a general, the future terror of France and Spain, now the dread only of his equals, and the undisputed lord and president of the boxing-ring. The Grays and Wallers of the rising generation here tune their little lyres; and he who hereafter may sing the glories of Britain must first celebrate at Eton the smaller glories of his College."

Canning was not the editor, but contributed a larger share to the work than any other boy. Another of the writers was Mr. Frere, who afterwards shone so conspicuously in the pages of the "Anti-Jacobin." Canning's essays were, however, much the best. They far surpass any other specimens of English prose written in boyhood, and were specially praised by the critics of the period for that refined humour which, in after years, was so often and with so much effect employed against his Parliamentary antagonists. His poem on the slavery of Greece, in one of the early numbers, was also a creditable effusion. The work continued to appear till July 1787, when the copyright was sold for fifty guineas. Several imitations of it have been unsuccessfully attempted at different schools, the most ambitious, probably, being the contemporary paper which emanated from Harrow. It came forth with a somewhat indiscreet frontispiece, representing the two publications in a balance, the Harrow periodical being made to outweigh its rival. Upon seeing it Canning, with his usual point and felicity, dashed off this epigram:- "What mean ye by this print so rare, Ye wits of Harrow jealous? Behold! your rivals soar in air, And ye are heavy fellows!"

While at Eton, Canning was rather an ardent politician, and on one occasion took an active interest in the Windsor election. In 1788 he left Eton; but so strong was his attachment to the place, that even in his greatest days he hardly ever missed a Montem, and on such occasions was in the habit of enjoying the amusements as much as the boys themselves.

At Oxford he made many new friends; and among others subsequently distinguished in public life he became intimate with Mr. Jenkinson, who afterwards, as Earl of Liverpool, was at the head of affairs for fifteen years. A debating society was formed, limited to the number of six, and met every Thursday evening at the rooms of the members. Before separating at night, or, as it not seldom happened, at one or two in the morning, the subject for the following week was voted and recorded. Canning and Jenkinson were generally matched against each other in the contest of words; an amicable rivalry and generous emulation lending life and animation to the intellectual struggles. Here, Lord Liverpool, who was educated expressly with a view to taking part in the government of the country, is said to have delivered his first speeches; whereas Canning's strength, as we have seen, had been already tried and proved at Eton, where the late Earl Grey and Marquis Wellesley had put forth their juvenile powers of debate at an earlier period.

That Canning already looked to the House of Commons as the scene in which his triumphs were to be accomplished there can be no doubt; for, writing to a friend in 178S, he said,—

"I am already, God knows, too much inclined, both by my own sanguine wishes, and the connexion with whom I am most intimate, and whom I, above all others, revere, to aim at the House of Commons as the only path to the only desirable thing in this world — the gratification of ambition, while, at the same time, every tie of common-sense, of fortune, and of duty, draws me to the study of a profession."

His University studies were, in the meantime, pursued with incessant diligence, and his achieve ments were equal to his industry. He contested the prize for "The Aboriginal Britons" with the Rev. Dr. Richards, and was beaten, but transcended all competitors in the "Iter ad Meccam," which was recited by him in June 1780; the theatre being unusually full, and presenting a splendid assemblage of beauty and fashion.

The vacations were generally spent at some rural mansion, where he was always, from his wit and brilliancy, a welcome guest. One of his frequent places of resort was Crewe Hall, in the county of Chester, whose lady's wit, grace, and beauty, were at that time so effectual in rendering the Whig cause attractive. One day, while walking in the grounds with this charming dame, one of "the women of the people," she asked him to furnish an epitaph for her favourite dog Quon, which had just been buried near the dairy-house. Mr. Canning declared that he could not write epitaphs; but she insisting, and refusing to take any denial, he boldly produced the following: —

"Poor Quon lies buried near this dairy, And is not this a sad quondary?"

At the close of his Oxford career he entered as a student at Lincoln's Inn; but, as may be conceived, without setting himself very seriously to the study of the law. He devoted much time to the political debating societies, where he was warmly applauded as a patriot, and was admitted to aristocratic assemblies, where the great Lord Shelburne predicted he would one day be prime minister of England. His position, however, was extremely difficult and perplexing; his maturer convictions belied the political impressions of boyhood: he therefore became a Tory, and gave in his adherence to the minister of the day. The imperial-minded son of Chatham, who was then almost single-handed, sus-taining the mighty conflict, well knew and nobly recognised the value of such an ally; so, in 1793, Canning took his seat as member of parliament for Newport, and soon after received the appointment of Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, in this post he continued till Mr. Pitt's resignation, the "Anti-Jacobin" having meanwhile been given to the world. On the return of Mr. Pitt to power in 1804, he became Treasurer of the Navy. In 1807 he was Foreign Secretary in the administration of the Duke of Portland, with whom he was connected through his wife, the daughter and co-heiress of the celebrated General Scott. In 1818 he went as ambassador to Lisbon, and, shortly after returning, filled for some time the office of President of the Board of Control. In 1822 he had been appointed Governor-General of India, and had actually gone to Liverpool to take leave of the electors of that town, who had, much to their credit, four times returned him to Parliament, when the death of Lord Castlereagh made way for him at the Foreign Office. In the April of 1827, on the death of Lord Liverpool, Mr. Canning became prime minister of England, thus fulfilling Lord Shelburne's rather hazardous prophecy. He did not live long to enjoy his hard-won, but well-merited honours. On the morning of the 8th of August he breathed his last, and was buried in Westminster Abbey, by the tomb of Mr. Pitt. His death caused a deep, heartfelt sorrow, which pervaded all ranks and conditions of his countrymen.