9

soon after which he resigned his presidentship. The dignity conferred by the mitre, however most highly deserved, came too late for his enjoyment; and his friends remarked, with infinite concern, the rapid decline of his health. In the autumn of the year 1791, on a return from a third visit to Bath, he was attacked by a paralytic stroke, from the effects of which he never recovered. He expired at Bath on the 17th of January, 1792, in the sixty-second year of his age; and his last illness and death afforded a signal and edifying example of Christian fortitude and hope.

With respect to the more striking traits of his character, we can add our tribute to that of his biographers, by being able to remark, not only from the information of some of his most intimate friends, but our own personal knowledge, that he was as remarkable for sweetness of temper as for sanctity of manners. In his conversation, he united ease with facetiousness; and his copious information was enlightened by a lively fancy. As a divine, he was pre-eminent; and as a preacher, almost unequalled. In the pulpit, he displayed "the beauty of holiness:" such was the grace and dignity of his person, the ease of his elocution, and his persuasive and delightful manner of recommending divine truth. "What a glorious place," said a young Oxonian, on hearing him preach, 66 must heaven be, when its guides to it are so attractive and so amiable as Dr. Horne !"

His works are numerous, and many of them are highly valuable. His "Commentary on the Psalms" may be ranked as the first: this was the favourite production of twenty years of his life.

These meditations on the "songs of Sion" are read with equal instruction and delight by every one who is well disposed: such an one cannot fail to be influenced by the feelings of the Commentator, who says, that " every psalm improved on his acquaintance with it, and no one gave him uneasiness but the last; for then he grieved that his work was done." In his "Sermons," he aimed not at the profound argument of Tillotson, nor the copiousness of Barrow; but rather had a view to South and to Taylor. There are instances in them of quaintness in thought and language; but these are like freckles upon the face of beauty, and serve as foils to general excellence. He indulges in the flowers of style, but he transplanted most of them from the Scriptures; avoiding the thorny paths of controversy, and the regions of cold morality: he animates the mind to the practice of piety and virtue, by motives of faith, and hope, and love. He never paints religion in terrific colours, but represents her in her more just and beautiful dress; showing, by convincing argument and lively il lustration, "that her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace."

That Dr. HORNE could descend from his literary eminence, and yet acquit himself in a manner not degrading to his character, he proved by his "Letters to Adam Smith on the Life and Death of David Hume." He showed similar versatility of mind in the contributions he made to the OLLA PODRIDA, wherein the learned doctor lent his able and ready pen to aid the humble bachelor of arts, and gave a pleasing proof of his amiable condescension and benignity of heart. The value of his

11

papers is not to be estimated by their number, but by their intrinsic excellence. It is particularly to be observed, that they were not published in the collection of his works by Mr. Jones, although they are certainly as valuable, and as deserving insertion, as his "Essays and Thoughts on Various Subjects."

In the Olla Podrida there may not be found the variety of the Spectator, nor the weighty observations of the Rambler, but there is a greater resemblance of the Adventurer and the Observer; and Hawkesworth and Cumberland would surely have rejoiced in the assistance of such allies as Horne and Monro. This work presents a treat, to which few readers will sit down without thinking themselves obliged to those who have provided it: they can hardly fail to relish such literary dainties; and we are much mistaken, if they have any complaint to make, that the dishes are not well dressed and well seasoned :-they may be more likely to wish that they were fuller, and more numerous.

Knightsbridge, July, 1820.

PREFACE.

A PREFACE to a work, if read at all, is generally read the first; though as generally, I believe, written the last. Few authors know the limits of their undertaking till their work is finished; but most readers begin a book with the perusal of page the first.

This custom of writing a preface when the work is complete is attended with peculiar advantages. An author having diligently pursued the thread of his labours, through a space of five hundred pages, may then certainly sit down, and inform his readers, with great deliberation, what he intends to do.

It may not be impertinent to suppose him modestly beginning in some such manner as this:

"It is my intention, in as short a compass as the nature of the subject will admit, to offer, with becoming humility, some important truths to the consideration of my readers, which will, I trust, convince them that the narrative of Captain Lemuel Gulliver abounds with gross and palpable misrepresentations, geographical mistakes, and botanical errors; and will moreover impress conviction on their minds that the whole of that too popular history is a catchpenny account, which deserves no credit. I am clearly able to prove, that such a commander as Captain Lemuel Gulliver never served in our navies; I shall also, in the course of my work, add a few observations on the nature of truth and falsehood, and conclude with a list of British commanders from the time of Admiral Drake inclusive. The whole will form an useful repository of science, be de.