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knowledged his obligations in the following handsome compliment: "In hoc opere edendo plurimam debeo curis viri Reverendi Gul. Paley, in litteris humanioribus, et theologicis, eruditissimi. et in veritatis investigatione ingenii viribus maximè pollentis."

Dr. Paley was a frequent preacher in the University pulpit, and though his manner was not eloquent, yet there was so much originality and instruction in his sermons, that he had always a crowded audience. It is to be lamented that so few of his sermons have been printed; but his friends, we hope, will not suffer his literary remains to perish.

In 1776, Dr. Paley quitted college and married, at which time he had only the small living of Dalston in Cumberland; but he soon after obtained from the bishop of Carlisle, the more valuable one of Appleby in Westmoreland. It is related, that the condition on which this benefice was bestowed was, that Dr. Paley should publish his "Moral and Political Philosophy." This celebrated work appeared in 1785, in one volume quarto, and it has been frequently reprinted in two volumes octavo. Its success is in a great measure owing to its being adopted in the University of Cambridge as a book of examination; and yet some very able writers have attacked its leading principle of general expediency as tending to dangerous conclusions.

Its

principal assailants have been Mr. Gisborne and Mr. Pearson; but Dr. Paley never answered any of his opponents, nor altered the dubious positions in his book, which his warmest admirers must admit are open to objection. To what this silence is to be attributed, we shall not say; but we cannot help thinking, that as the work is made a text book, and references of course will not be unfrequently

made to its principles as rules for action, it was the duty of the author to explain what was liable to misconstruction, and to abandon what he could not defend. Before the publication of this work, Dr. Paley had printed a sermon preached at Dublin at the consecration of his friend Dr. Law, to the bishopric of Clonfert. At this time he, Dr. Paley, was preferred to the archdeaconry of Carlisle. In 1789, the bishop of Ely made him the offer of the mastership of Jesus College, Cambridge, which honourable situation the Dr. declined; but shewed his sense of the favour intended him, by dedicating to his Lordship his admirable volumes on the Evidences of Christianity, published in 1794. This is a work of standard reputation, and which there is every reason to believe, has been productive of the most beneficial effects in correcting the evils of scepticism and infidelity. In conjunction with this work must be mentioned the Hora Pauline, of which Mr. Gisborne justly observes, that it possesses the combined merits of originality, acuteness, and sound reasoning, in a degree seldom equalled.

Soon after the appearance of the "Evidences of Christianity," the bishop of London gave Dr. Paley a prebend in the Cathedral of St. Paul's. The subdeanry of Lincoln was presented to him about the same time by the bishop of that diocese; and lastly, the bishop of Durham, always eager to reward merit, conferred on him the substantial benefice of Bishop Wearmouth, worth 1500l. a-year. To the last mentioned prelate, Dr. Paley dedicated his volume on "Natural Theology," which may rank with any of his former labours, although from the dedication it appears, that he was then in a very infirm state of health. Besides the performances here enumerated. he

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wrote

wrote a brief, but masterly account the death of the Rev. Mr. Dossie,

of the Life and Character of bishop Law of Carlisle, in the Encyclopædia Britannica, a small pamphlet against the delusive and mischievous political doctrines imported into this country, at the commencement of the French Revolution, and a Discourse to the Younger Clergy. He was also the editor of Collyer's Sacred Interpreter, 2 vols. 8vo, the merits of which book he discovered when he was examining chaplain to the bishop of Carlisle.

Farther account of the Rev. JAMES WILKINSON, mentioned in our Obituary, page 239.--He was the fourth and last surviving of seven sons of Andrew Wilkinson, of Boroughbridge, Esq. M. P. and of Barbara, eldest daughter of William Jessop, of Broomhall, Esq. M. P. and also one of his Majesty's Judges of Chester, by the Hon. Mary Jessop, eldest daughter and heiress of James Darcy, of Sedbury, in the county of York, Esq. afterwards created Baron Darcy, of Navan, in the kingdom of Ireland, which title, being limited to the male heirs of the said Mary, became extinct by the death, without issue, of James Lord Darcy, her only son, and the maternal uncle of Mr. Wilkinson. After receiving the advantage of a most excellent classical education under Mr. Clark, of Beverly school, he removed to Clare hall, in Cambridge, and was admitted to the degree of A. B, in the year 1752, and proceeded A. M. in 1754. He never married. The vicarage of Sheffield, which was alternately in the gift of Mr. Wilkinson's father, and of the Gells, of Hopton, by right of the marriage of John Gell (grandfather of the present Philip Gell, of Hopton, Esq.) with Isabella, another of the judge's daughters, and which became vacant by

in December 1753, was reserved for Mr. Wilkinson till he was of sufficient age to take it, in August 1754. To attempt to give merely a sketch or outline of so great a character as the late Mr. Wilkinson, might, to those who were best acquainted with him, appear an act of great temerity and presumption. The common language used by relatives or others, to convey their ideas to the world, of the virtues or excellencies of their deceased friends, would certainly, on this melancholy occasion, be every way inadequate to the purpose. The pencil of a superior master would be required to give even an imperfect delineation of such transcendant merit as attached to him, who might justly be called the father of the town of Sheffield and its neigh bourhood; whose every hour al most, for half a century past, has been anxiously employed, with a solicitude and ability almost unparaleled, to promote the temporal and eternal happiness of every being within the sphere of his action. Whether we regard him as a divine, labouring by his example, as well as precept, to inculcate the graird and sacred truth of revealed religion, which involves and implicates every consideration on which our future happiness depends, or, as a Magistrate, executing those laws of his country, which were framed by the legislature for the protection of every thing valuable in society, with a most patient attention to every minute particular, from every person, but most particularly from the poor, the ignorant, and unprotected, to enable him to administer justice with the most scrupulous impartiality, but, at the same time, to blend it with mercy, whenever it was in his power- Whether we consider him as a friend, ever ready with his purse, as well as with his

advice

advice or interest, to do any good or generous act; or as a great public character, commanding respect by a dignity in person and manners rarely to be met with, who was deservedly looked up to and consulted upon every occasion, whether for the relief of the poor, the defence of his country, the protection of every useful institution, the encouragement of merit in any situation, or of any plan calculated in any way to improve or benefit society in general, but more particularly the town and neighbourhood of Sheffield :- -Whether we contemplate him in any or all of the above points of view, there will be abundant reason to admire the excellence of his understanding, the integrity of his conduct, and the zeal which he displayed in accomplishing all his purposes. After having said thus much, it may appear needless to add, how greatly the world will deplore the loss of a man, who was certainly one of the brightest ornaments of human nature. To shew the deep sense of the obligations the inhabitants of so respectable and populous a town as Sheffield thought themselves under to so good a man and upright a magistrate, the Master of the Cutlers' Company, in compliance with the general wish, issued the following advertisement:

PUBLIC MOURNING

FOR THE LATE MR. WILKINSON.

"It having been suggested to me by a number of very respectable characters, that there would be great propriety in the inhabitants of the town and immediate neighbourhood of Sheffield appearing in mourning, on cne Sunday after the interment of their late most revered and respected Vicar and Magistrate, the Rev. James Wilkinson, to testify their deep sorrow for the loss of so truly good and

valuable a member of the community,

Notice is hereby given,

That it is most respectfully requested, that all those to whom it may be convenient, would appear in mourning as aforesaid, on Sunday the 3d of February next.

WILLIAM NICHOLSON, Jan. 23, 1805. Master Cutler.

Aged 69, the Rev. Charles Moss, D. D. Precentor of Wells Cathedral, and canon residentiary of St. Paul's. He was the son of the late Bishop of Bath and Wells.

At Castle Ashby, Northamptonshire, in the 66th year of his age, the Rev. Edward Seagrave, A. M. rector of that place, and of Westcote Barton, in the county of Oxford.

At Carlton Scroop, near Grantham, aged 77, the Rev. John Darwin, M. A. rector of that place, and late of Elston, Nottinghamshire. He was brother to the cele brated Dr. Darwin, author of the "Loves of the Plants, Zoonomia, &c.

Lately, aged 68, at his house in St. Faith's Lane, Norwich, John Churchman, Esq. who for the last twenty or thirty years, lived the life of a hermit; never going abroad, and but seldom admitting the company of a few select individuals. He was of a very studious turn, and in his early days had cultivated a poetical talent, and other literary attainments.

At Knightsbridge, in his 76th year, Arthur Murphy, Esq.a bencher of Lincoln's Inn, and a distinguish ed dramatic and biographical writer. He was the son of a merchant at Dublin, and born near Elphin, in 1730. He received his education at the Jesuits' College, at St. Omer, where he acquired a profound knowlege of the Latin language. Being designed for a

mercantile

mercantile life, his uncle placed him first with a merchant in Cork, and afterwards in a banking house in London: but an attachment to the muses made him disgusted with the ledger, and in 1750 he entered as a student of Gray's Inu. Having a great inclination to the stage, he made one or two unsuccessful attempts as a performer, for which he was refused admission as a barrister, by the society of Gray's Inn: but he succeeded better afterwards at Lincoln's Inn. His practice, however, never rose to any eminence, though he travelled the Norfolk circuit, and was in habits of intimacy with Dunning, Serjeant Davy, and the most eminent lawyers of the day. As a dramatic writer, he obtained a great and deserved reputation, by is. Grecian daughter, a tragedy, and his Way to Keep Him, a comedy. He also wrote Three Weeks after Marriage, the Citizen, and ather lesser pieces of considérable merit and popularity. His first liserary undertaking was a periodical work, called the Gray's Inn Joural, which began in 1752, and continued two years. This work occasioned his acquaintance with Dr. Johnson, in rather a remarkable manner. Mr. Murphy was on a visit as the country house of Foote, when a paper was wanted for the journal. Foote produced to his friend a new French miscellany, in which there was an Eastern tale of great merit. This Murphy transkated into English, and sent to press; hut on coming to town he found that his tale had been taken by the French writer, without acknowledgment, from the Rambler. On this he waited on Johnson, and made his explanation and apology. From that time they were always on the best terms. At the begining of the present reign he engaged

as a party writer in defence of Lord Bute, and published the Auditor, against Wilkes's North Bri ton; but he never received any other place than that of Commissioner of Bankrupts, and it was not till within these three years that he obtained a pension. In 1762 hẹ wrote the Life of Fielding, prefixed to that author's works. This is an excellent piece of biography; as is also his Life of Dr. Johnson, published in 1791. But his Memoirs of Garrick, printed in 1801, 2 vols. 8vo. betrayed a great decay of genius and judgment. Perbaps his principal performance is a translation of Tacitus, in 4 vols. 4to.; dedicated in a nervous manner to that great statesman and elegant writer Edmund Burke, with whom Mr. Murphy was on terms of friendship.

The classical knowledge and taste of Murphy appear to advantage in a version of Gray's Elegy, in Latin verse; and we remember to have heard him with pleasure recite translation into the same language of Addison's Letter from Italy, written by him when at college. This last has never been printed. Mr. Murphy was a man of correct deportment, a believer in the truths of Revelation, and attached to the Church of England. He was never married; and his remains were interred on the 26th June, in the same grave with his mother, at Hammersmith, several respectable gentlemen attending the funeral, to testify their last regard for a man of worth and genius.

At Bengworth, the Rev. J. Beale, A. M.

At Sidington, near Cirencester, Gloucestershire, the Rev. William Mathews, vicar of Chaddesly Corbett.

Mr. John Blagden Neale, under graduate of Pembroke College,

Oxford.

Oxford. As he was sailing, June 12, on the river, in a sailing boat, accompanied by a lad from the boat house, he was crossed by another boat, thrust by the bowsprit into the river and drowned. He had been previously warned of the danger by a gentleman in the other boat, who, at the imminent peril of his own life, instantly jumped into the river, and endeavoured to save him. This unhappy event is only to be attributed to Mr. Neale's want of skill in the management of a sail-boat, an amusement to which lae never had been familiarized. Mr. Neale was nineteen years of age. He was a good classical scholar, and a young man of great amiability of temper, and most pure morals.

The Rev. Erasmus Middleton, rector of Turvey, Bedfordshire. He was one of the six students who were expelled from Edmund Hall, Oxford, by the vice chancellor, in 1768, for methodism aud insufficiency. The specific charges alleged against Mr. Middleton were, that he had, by his own confession, officiated in a chapel of ease, belonging to the parish of Chevely, in the county of Berks, not being in holy orders; that he had been refused ordination by the Bishop of Hereford on that account, and that he maintained the methodistical doctrines, that "Faith without works is the sole condition of salvation; that there is no necessity of works, and that the immediate impulse of the spirit is to be waited for." This expulsion occasioned considerable noise. It was inveighed against by the methodists and their friends, as an act of violent persecution; and Mr. now Sir Richard Hill, distinguished himself as their champion, in a pamphlet entituled Pietas Oxoniensis: which was ably replied to by Dr. Nowell, principal of St. Mary Hall.--Mr.

Middleton afterwards obtained episcopal ordination, and was cu rate to Mr. Cadogan, at Chelsea. He took an active part in the famous protestant association, of 1780, by which the disgraceful riots were produced in the month of June that year, and for which Lord George Gordon was tried, on a charge of High Treason. Middleton was one of the witnesses for his Lordship on that occasion. He put together from Clarke's Lives of Puritan Divines, Fuller's Abel Redivivus, and other collections of a like kind, a work which was pub lished in sixpenny nEmbers, called the Biographia Evangelica, making 4 vols. 8vo.

Mr.

At Redmarshell, Northumber land, in an advanced age, the Rev. Thomas Holmes Tidy, many years rector of that parish.

At Guisborough, Yorkshire, in his 81st year, the Rev. William Leigh Williamson, M. A. rector of Kildale, and one of the justices of the peace for the North Riding

Aged 65, the Rev. J. Bragg, minister of St. Mary's Church, Liverpool.

At Grantham, aged 91, the Rev. R. Palmer. D. D. rector of St. Swithin, London-stone, Cannontreet, and of Scott Willoughby, Lincolnshire.

Aged 76, the Rev. Isaac Whyley, upwards of forty years rector of Witherley, Leicestershire, and formerly of Emanuel College, Cambridge, B. A. 1752.

Deservedly regretted, the Rev. William Sutton, vicar of Hales Owen, and a magistrate for the county of Salop.

The Rev. John Casborne, B. A. rector of Drinkstone in Suffolk.

At his house in Upper Wimpolestreet, Mark Milbanke, Esq. admiral of the White, in the 84th year of his age. As the venerable admiral was leaning over the banni

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