work. Mr. Howard was not a mere mathematician, he had a taste for elegant literature, he relished the beauties of poetry, and composed verses which neither advanced nor injured his reputation. He was the life of the riotous parties, in which he consumed his. health and time; no man ever excelled him in what is distinguished by the name of "low humour:" his anecdotes were so amusing, his images so ludicrous and so happily combined, his manner so irresistible, that his coarseness could not prevent him from being entertaining to the most polished hearer. It was a very remarkable trait of his character, that slavery to the passions was not in him attended by prodigality when pleasure was concerned; though he could not resist his passions, he scrupled not to practise any meanness which should render the indulgence of them as little expensive as possible. The effects of his œconomy appeared in leaving the sum of money which astonished those who knew the opportunities he had of accumulating it. The character of a writer must be determined by his works; but we are to estimate his abilities by weighing together with his works the circumstances under which they were produced. If we consider that Mr. Howard was almost to the age of manhood without the opportunities of improvement; that, excepting a few years, he was condemned during the remainder of a short life to a laborious employment; if we add his daily intemperance, which if it did not affect his faculties, at least impeded the exercise of them, we must conclude that only very uncommon powers could elevate him to that height

of

of knowledge which his writings prove that he attained.

Dr. Paley, in the preface to his book on the "Principles of Moral and Political Philosophy," enumerates among his motives for making it public, the "recommendation of an honoured and excellent "friend." In this expression he alludes to Dr. Law. Such an acknowledgment must intitle him to the gratitude of the world; but there is a high degree of probability that its obligations are increased by his having contributed some of those admirable chapters, which shine out amidst the excellence with which they are surrounded, and form the principal ornaments of the book. Thus far is certain, that all who are conversant with its history, entertain the persuasion that some parts of it proceeded from the pen of Dr. Law. Mr. Howard, the person whose character has just been delineated, used to declare, that he copied a manuscript of Dr. Law which appears in the work. The chapter on "Reverencing the Deity", in the second volume, has generally been ascribed to him. The critical reader will observe in it a copiousness and magnificence of expression, which distinguish it from the rest of the work, of which an almost naked simplicity of style is a striking characteristic. The imagination is addressed; the arguments are clothed with all the ornaments of language; and when contrasted with those which stand marshalled in the clear and powerful, yet unadorned reasoning of Dr. Paley, they appear both fortified and encumbered with their armour. A marked and happy deviation from Dr. Paley's

1802-3.

N

Paley's general manner is obvious in the following

passage:

"Serious arguments are fair on all sides. Christianity is but "ill defended by refusing audience and toleration to the objections"of unbelievers. But whilst we would have freedom of enquiry "restrained by no other laws but those of decency, we are entitled "to demand, in behalf of a religion which holds forth to man"kind assurances of immortality, that its credit be assailed by no "other weapons than those of sober discussion and legitimate rea"soning; that the truth or falshood of Christianity never be made "the topic of raillery, a theme for the exercise of wit or eloquence, "or a subject of contention for literary fame and victory; that the "cause be tried on its merits; that all applications to the fancy, "passions or prejudices of the reader, all attempts to pre-occupy, ❝ensnare or perplex his judgment, by any art, influence, or im"pression whatsoever, extrinsic to the proper grounds and evi"dence on which his assent ought to proceed, be rejected from a

question which involves in its determination the hopes, the "virtue, and the repose of millions; that the controversy be "managed with sincerity on both sides," &c.

Before we assign to Dr. Law a chapter which ranks so high among the rest, we ought to listen to an objection which may be made to the argument we have been using; that no judgment ought to be formed of it from its style, which might either naturally have risen with the subject, or have been purposely accommodated to it; that there is no reason why a writer, who on common subjects usesplain and perspicuous language, should not, when employed on those of the highest interest and importance, add dignity to his expressions, and endeavour by the weight and grandeur of his manner to affect the mind of the reader with the seriousness which they require; and it must be conceded to the objection,

jection, that the judgment ought not to rest on an argument of this nature, unless strengthened by other presumptions. What other chapters of the " Moral and Political Philosophy," in addition to that " On Reverencing the Deity," are to be attributed to Dr. Law, the writer of this article will not venture to determine; but if much more were to be detracted from that great work than the contributions of his friend, the reputation of Dr. Paley would not be injured. The plan, the spirit, the steady light of reason which shines through every part of it, would still be his he would still retain undiminished the glory of being the first who brought philosophy out of the schools to dwell in the world, and of rendering truths in which all are interested, accessible to all.

Dr. Law has been promoted from the bishopric of Clonfert successively to the bishoprics of Killale and Elphin. In the memorable year 1798, he was not driven by the dangers which menaced him from the post at which duty placed him: he enrolled a troop for the defence of his seat, of which his archdeacon had the command, and remained in the country during the whole of that dreadful summer, prepared to repel force by force: he discovered that some of his soldiers were united Irishmen, and by dismissing them from his service narrowly escaped their treachery.

Concerning the Bishop of Elphin's literary character it is impossible to add much to what has been already said, as there is nothing before the world which avowedly proceeded from him, and as these writings

which may with some degree of certainty be attributed to him, are not of sufficient length to determine a character. He has always been understood to cultivate the mathematical sciences with particular fondnefs. His preference may bé adduced as an argument in proof of the excellence and attractions of those sciences, since he unites with his mathematical skill an exquisite relish of the beauties of polite literature, an intimate acquaintance with the works. of the most celebrated writers on metaphysics, and extensive acquisitions in all the branches of general knowledge.

DR. GEORGE HILL,

PRINCIPAL OF ST. MARY'S COLLEGE, ST. ANDREWS.

UPON observing the wide field of human nature which lies before him, the biographer finds those characters which chiefly present themselves to his pen, branching out into two classes. The one class consists of those who, by some peculiarities of genius, habits, acquirements, or adventures, seize upon the attention of mankind, and while they amuse by their novelty, also instruct by the lessons of action, in a peculiar combination of circumstances, which they afford. The other class comprehends those, who may indeed have nothing uncommon or instructive in their private characters, but who also attract our notice by the situation in which they are placed, by their connection with the history of the age in which they