metropolis. The same principle shewed itself in his carefully abstaining from all unnecessary expence, as noticed by his father. Let not such circumstances appear trifling; they are introduced for the sake of remarking, that however he might sometimes follow the seductions of a luxuriant ima. gination, yet the great rules of Christian faith and moral duty having been planted in his mind, were observed with a steadiness and conscientious regard which aimed at the highest excellence. At this time he was much devoted to the works of the late Dr. Johnson and Mr. Burke; and some marks of his partiality for these writers may be easily discovered in his own style. He soon also turned his attention to two subjects which he ever afterwards cultivated with much fond assiduity, metaphysics and political economy. The various parts of elegant literature were greedily sought after; he soon began to distinguish himself as a youthful orator; and poetry, which might almost be described as his ruling passion, was a never-failing relief to severer studies. In 1807, after spending some time with an eminent practiser in Chancery, he was called to the bar, and soon distinguished himself in that court, where he drew upon himself the marked attention of the Chancellor and the late Sir Samuel Romilly. He had now emerged rapidly from the obscure condition in which his powerful talents had for some time lain concealed; he had many able and excellent friends; and he was loved and admired by

several persons whose situation in life was far above his own. The charms of society, however (that fatal snare to many a youthful genius), did not seduce him from his professional studies; which is the more worthy of observation, because he was remarkably eloquent in conversation, and able to set off to the best advantage the talents and knowledge which he possessed. The unusually bright prospects under which his professional career. opened were suddenly clouded by a pulmonary attack, which in 1810 compelled him to pass two winters abroad, and to absent himself from London for a longer period. The exertions of a few, who were strongly attached to him, prevented his suffering more than the inconvenience of a temporary. interruption; and on his return he found the kindness of his friends unabated, and his prospects. uninjured. It, however, pleased the Almighty Disposer of all things to close the views of domestic, happiness and worldly advancement which lay before him, and to take him to the enjoyment of an eternal rest.

From this slight sketch it will appear, that though his talents were brilliant, his industry was great. He knew his own powers, but he never thought of attaining excellence without diligent study and perseverance. This was, perhaps, in part occasioned by an uncommon turn for meditation. From his childhood his mind was constantly. at work, and as he became the director of his own

studies, he supplied it with subjects for reflection, by his attachment to abstract science. This turn. of mind, perhaps, led him in his speeches to enter: largely upon general principles, which excited some doubts of his ultimate success as an orator; yet he was formed to succeed, possessing a happy talent of arranging and simplifying the materials before him, and adorning them with much poetic imagery. His language, too, was always rich, lofty, commanding. If it be at all liable to criticism, it will probably be on account of its maintaining a certain uniform march and stateliness. Yet the remark, which has been sometimes made, that every powerful mind is apt to be playful, was, verified in him; and he was scarcely more disposed to emulate the greatest, than to amuse the least. But the strong bent and disposition of his mind was directed to religion. Its principles were early implanted, and very closely he held them to his heart, and very diligently he applied them to the regulating of his conduct. As he advanced in years, he saw more and more clearly its importance, and studied its evidences, its doctrines, and its duties with the closest attention..

But so powerful and penetrating an understanding could not fail to discover (to use his own words) that the seat of religion is the heart;" that "love is the great principle of religion under the Gospel; a love of God, founded on the tion of his excellence, and flowing from a grateful

percep

sense of his goodness to ourselves." His warm and lofty feelings corresponded to these principles, and he experienced his greatest delight in "expressing an ardent and generous affection towards his Maker and Redeemer; in testifying, by filial docility and submission, that entire confidence, that heartfelt gratitude, and adoring love to his Almighty Father, which are the very elements that compose the temper and character of the true Christian. Holy and heavenly elements! which shall survive the lapse of ages, and triumph over the decays of nature!" With a temper so chastened, and affections so elevated, he saw his end approaching, at a time when the world seemed likely to gratify every desire he could form. But he calmly, yet firmly, threw aside every thing which could tie him to the earth, and even expressed a fear, lest, in the case of his recovery, the bright prospects of present happiness might recal his affections too strongly to the world. During the few days which preceded his death, he frequently suffered so much oppression upon the chest, as to be able to command his thoughts in prayer for only a few moments at a time. mind, however, was unclouded, his hopes elevated, and he heard, with great delight, and meditated upon some portions of Scripture which were read to him, particularly in St. John's writings; and at the recital of the state of the blessed in the 5th chapter of the Revelation, his feelings

His

were kindled into rapture. He lamented his past failings, and remaining corruptions, in the spirit of unfeigned contrition, and expressed his lively thankfulness for that grace by which he had been early led to trust in his Redeemer, and had been enabled to regard the Almighty in the character of a reconciled Father. Early in the morning, two days before his decease, he experienced a short freedom from pain, which, he said, afforded him more than a compensation for all the sufferings he had undergone. During this interval he enjoyed uninterrupted communion with God in prayer, and a transporting sense of the blessedness of heaven, and he felt a strong assurance of the sufficiency of Christ's merits, an entire reliance upon them, and a deeper conviction of the infinite littleness of earthly things than he ever before entertained. After a short struggle, in the forenoon of the 1st of February, 1815, his spirit took its flight so peaceably, that his noble friend, who watched over him with the most tender solicitude, was not aware when he ceased to breathe.

The following unfinished discourse on the duties and advantages of affliction, was written in his twentieth year, and the reader will, perhaps, readily excuse its insertion.

"To an inquisitive mind, when surveying for the first time the nature and situation of mankind, nothing appears more confounding than the distribution of happiness and