In a preceding sheet of this number, which was in print before the melancholy event occurred, that we have now to announce, a letter from the deceased to a friend in America, is inserted, to which, from the nature of its contents we had prefixed this question," Will Dr. Adam Clarke ever see America?" The answer will be found in the following brief narrative :

Dr. ADAM CLARKE having visited his friends in Liverpool, Frome, and Bristol, hastened towards London. On the evening of Monday the 20th of August, the Bristol stage reached Kensington, where he was met by his friend Mr. Hobbs, who brought him to his house in Bayswater, where he slept. On the day following, (Tuesday,) Mr. Hobbs took him to his daughter's, Mrs. R. Smith, at Stoke Newington, from which place they returned to Bayswater sufficiently early for Dr. Clarke to reach his own home by coach. During these journeys and interviews, nothing material occurred, except that Surgeon Clarke advised him to take castor oil, owing to the state of his bowels, and it was finally arranged, that Mr. Hobbs should fetch him on the ensuing Saturday to his house in 2D. SERIES, No. 21.-VOL. II.

Bayswater, where he had engaged to preach an anniversary sermon on Sunday the 26th, of which public notice had been given.

On the Saturday Mr. Hobbs repaired to Haydon Hall, according to agreement, and instantly discovered, from Dr. Clarke's symptoms, that he was far from being well. On being questioned, he replied that his bowels were disordered, but he hoped the complaint would speedily subside. At this time his appearance had an unfavourable aspect. His countenance seemed to have sunk, and near the mouth were indications that denoted much indisposition. It was then proposed that he should not accompany Mr. Hobbs; but to this he would not accede, on account of his engagement to preach, and the notices that had been published.

In this state of things they left Haydon Hall, and hastened to Bayswater, with the utmost expedition, but their journey afforded no evidence that the cause of complaint had been removed. Towards evening he grew rather worse; still, however, he sat at table, and ate a small portion of rice milk, and afterwards took a little burnt brandy. About eleven at night he retired 165.-VOL. XIV.

3 K

to his bed, but, though labouring under illness, and occasionally complaining, no apprehensions of danger were then entertained.

Before five on the morning of Sunday, Dr. Clarke had risen from his bed, and, still suffering from his malady, had dressed himself, and, with his hat, bag, and cane in readiness, seemed waiting to leave the house. When Mr. Hobbs came down stairs, he found him thus equipped in the parlour; and, stating that he was very ill, requested to be taken immediately to his own home. A carriage was accordingly sought, but, prior to this, medical aid was called in, and his case was pronounced to be one of cholera. Another medical gentleman was called to the assistance of the former, and he fully confirmed his opinion as to the nature of the complaint. At this time his weakness had so increased, that all thoughts of taking him home were at an end. Every moment appeared to diminish his remaining strength, and very soon the prostration was so great as to prevent him from regaining his own bed-room; but another being more conve nient, he was conducted to it, and in this he continued until life became extinct.

Soon after the medical gentlemen arrived, Dr. Clarke was galvanized; but it was to no purpose. Dr. Wilson Phillips, an eminent physician, was also in attendance; but every effort proved unavailing. He was bled, but very little was extracted; strong doses of calomel, &c. were also administered. A mustard poultice, and various other remedies, were applied, but they produced no favourable effect; salt and water was administered, but he gradually sunk into a greater and greater degree of physical debility, which indicated danger of the most alarming nature.

About eleven o'clock, Dr. Clarke's eldest son arrived, accompanied by Dr. Clarke's nephew, Thras. Clarke, Esq., a surgeon in the Royal Navy; but no additional skill brought any additional aid. His exhaustion was excessive; all his powers were in a state of the most abject prostration, from which even friendship could scarcely presume to augur any favourable issue.

Mrs. Clarke had been sent for early in the day, and about five o'clock in the evening she arrived, to witness the companion of her life now hastening to the verge of an eternal world, and unable to address her. Other branches of the family were also present, to behold the progress of a malady which no power could arrest, and to witness an issue which nothing human could avert.

It appears that during every stage of his illness, Dr. Clarke retained the use of his senses and of his understanding. In no case did he betray any aberration of mind, nothing bordering on delirium. This, however, was rather to be gathered from his actions than his words, for at an early hour his voice had lost its tone, and sunk lower and lower, until nothing but whispers could be obtained. When bled, and his hand was immersed in warm water, he instantly moved his fingers; and when under the galvanic operation, he attempted to alter its application. On one occasion he asked his second son, Theodoret, if his nails were blue; and when unable to speak, his signals of sensibility denoted not only that the mind remained unimpaired, but that it was engaged in solemn prayer to his Father and his God. Before his articulation had ceased, a friend desired him to look to his Saviour for salvation. To this he replied, "That I have already done;" and this apparently became the occupation of his mind through his few remaining hours,

In this languid condition, but little removed from a state of torpidity, he remained until about a quarter past eleven, when he breathed his last, on the 26th of August, 1832, in his seventysecond year.

It will be consolatory to his numerous friends to learn, that no means, either ordi. nary or extraordinary, were left untried, to preserve a life so important to the religious body, of which, for more than half a century, he was one of the brightest ornaments, and to the community at large.

The funeral of this venerable servant of God took place in the burying ground behind the Wesleyan Chapel, City Road, London, on Wednesday, the 29th of August. The pulpit was covered with black cloth on this sorrowful occasion. The hearse, which contained the body, accompanied by three mourning coaches, left the house of Mr. Hobbs, at Bayswater, where he died, about twelve o'clock, and reached the chapel at one. By this time, although the day was exceedingly wet, great numbers of friends had assembled, waiting the arrival of this mournful procession; and a much larger concourse would have attended, but for the almost incessant rain, notwithstanding arrangements had been made to render the funeral strictly private.

The body, which had been closely soldered in a coffin of lead, on being taken from the hearse, was carried into the chapel,

and rested near the door on supporters placed there to receive it. Accompanied by all the preachers present, the corpse was met by the Rev. Mr. Entwistle, who began the solemn service, with "I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord;" and by him that part of the awful form appointed for the occasion, was impressively read. When drawing towards the close, the reverend gentleman paused for a few moments, to impress upon all present the interesting solemnity of the scene before them, and then resumed his reading. This being finished, a funeral hymn was sung, after which, he again, for about five minutes, reminded his hearers, that a prince and a great man had fallen in Israel, that his works would cause his name to be had in perpetual remembrance; but that the church of which he had long been an honourable member, and also his bereaved family, had sustained a loss that could not easily be repaired; still there was a source of consolation arising from the character and experience of the deceased, founded upon the promises of God, that "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord;" and, finally, it was the duty of all to prepare to meet their God. This short address was concluded with prayer; after which, the friends and preachers accompanied the bearers to the grave.

Arriving at the sepulchre, the service was resumed by the Rev. George Marsden, amidst the sighs and tears of nearly all that were assembled. It was read with mournful solemnity; and never, perhaps, was there a more attentive and serious audi

ence.

The grave in which the remains of Dr. Clarke are interred, is next to the vault in which the ashes of Mr. Wesley moulder in repose. It is about twenty feet deep, and in ground never before used: the coffin rests on a foundation of brick and cement, and, to a given height, the sides and ends are secured with masonry, the remainder to be finished with convenient speed.

When the body was consigned to the ground, all his relatives were greatly affect ed; but none more so than Mr. John Wesley Clarke, Dr. Clarke's eldest son: In many parts of England, it is customary for the friends of the deceased to drop a little earth on the coffin. Guided by this custom, Mr. John W. Clarke held out his hand, apparently to receive some earth. This being given, he squeezed it for a moment, then put it to his lips, as in the attitude of kissing it, and, immediately dropping it on the coffin, burst into tears.

The service being ended, the relatives of the deceased silently and slowly withdrew, when the multitude present came forward, in succession, to take a last view of the coffin, which contained all that was mortal of their departed friend. It was a last and painful gaze on a casket, that contained a tongue whose accents would never again be heard, and eyes which had frequently pierced through vast congregations, now closed in the repository of death.

Thus sunk into the silent grave the mortal remains of one of the greatest men of the present age, there to slumber, "ashes to ashes, and dust to dust," until the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible. The territories of death have rarely been honoured with richer spoils.

In the first number of the Imperial Magazine for the year 1823, we published an extended memoir of this pious, indefatigable, and learned man; and to this the reader is referred, who wishes for a more circumstantial account than time will permit us to imbody in these pages.

DR. ADAM CLARKE, though a native of Ireland, was paternally of English extraction. His father, who was an eminent schoolmaster, descended from a family originally of England, in which country his ancestors were of high respectability. His mother's maiden name was Maclean, of Mull. Her progenitors were Scotch, and of some consequence, their pedigree having been traced back to a remote period.

Dr. Adam Clarke was born near Magherafelt, in the county of Londonderry, in the north of Ireland, about the year 1761, but the exact time we have not been able to ascertain. His parents being serious, it was his lot to enjoy the advantages of a religious education, and from the pious instructions received, particularly from his mother, he saw in early life the necessity of devoting himself to God. Having sought and found a sense of the Divine favour, he became a decided character, and his mortal career has been spent in promoting the interests of the gospel.

On entering life, he was designed for trade, and, pursuant to this intention, was for some time placed under the care of a Mr. Bennet, an extensive linen-manufacturer; but, disliking some branches of the business, he left this gentleman, yet on such honourable terms, that their mutual friendship continued without interruption until Mr. Bennet's death.

Blessed with natural talents of the first order, his ability and acquirements attracted

the attention of many who visited his father's house. Among these, was a preacher intimately acquainted with the late venerable and reverend John Wesley, with whom he kept up a regular correspondence. In one of his letters, having given a favourable report of Adam Clarke, who, though young, had already begun to call sinners to repentance, Mr. Wesley was so pleased with the representation, that an intercourse was opened between him and his young friend. The event was, that he was called from Ireland, and placed for about a month in Kingswood School. Here his reception was far less favourable than he had anticipated; but having already learned to overcome evil with good, his patience and talents soon raised him in the estimation of the master, and of all his associates, and ultimately prepared him for that important station which he was sub-, sequently called to fill in the church of Christ.

Prior to his coming to Kingswood, he had acquired some elementary principles of classical knowledge, but his active mind still thirsted for more. Hence, while here, although his finances were low, he contrived to purchase a Hebrew grammar. This was an important acquisition, as it became a prelude to his knowledge of Oriental literature.

Dr. Clarke had not been long in the Kingswood seminary, before Mr. Wesley paid it a visit; and when the lads were brought before him, he inquired for the young man from Ireland. Adam Clarke was soon pointed out, when Mr. Wesley questioned him as to his experience, views of redemption, doctrines, mode of preaching, &c.; and, being satisfied with his replies, requested him to sit down. This was accordingly done, and a profound silence ensued. Mr. Wesley then asked if he should be willing to become an itinerant preacher? and was answered with "I should be willing, if you thought me worthy." This was followed by the scene which Dr. Clarke thus describes ::

"We all sat in profound silence, but my eye was fixed on Mr. Wesley, who appeared motionless, with his eyes closed, but a heavenly smile played on his countenance, which seemed to furnish indications of something more than human. At length, awakening from his enraptured meditation, he arose from his seat, and came to the place where I was sitting. Then, with a solemnity which I can never forget, he laid his hand on my head, while he uttered these memorable words—“ May God Almighty out of

heaven bless thee, my dear lad, and make thee useful in thy day and generation. Hold thyself in readiness, and in a few weeks I hope to appoint thee to a circuit."

Such is Dr. Clarke's own account of his introduction to the itinerant ministry, to the duties of which, in conjunction with literary avocations, he devoted the subsequent years of his life.

From the commencement of his career, Dr. Clarke was every where exceedingly popular, and in most places his labours were crowned with great success. Though not much above 19 when he entered on his first circuit, multitudes, who scarcely ever visited the Methodist chapels on any other occa sion, flocked to hear him; and, at times, the places were so thronged, that it was with difficulty he could urge his way through the concentrated mass. One instance of this fell under the writer's notice. It was at the town of St. Austell, in the county of Cornwall. The room was so completely filled, that he was obliged to enter through a window, and literally creep on his hands and knees over the heads and shoulders of the people, to reach the pulpit. This tide of popularity continued to follow him, without any abatement, until it pleased the great Head of the church to call his servant to an eternal reward.

It would be tedious, and even monotonous, to follow this eminent minister through the numerous circuits in which he has travelled, during the long period of fifty years. In subordinate features the accounts might vary, but in their general outline the history must be much the same.

We must not, however, omit to state, that this popularity was not every where enjoyed. In the early stages of Methodism, the preachers may be said to have gone forth with their lives in their hands, and Dr. Clarke was not without his share of persecution. In the Norman Isles, on one occasion, when attempting to introduce the gospel, he was seized by a lawless mob, and, with a halter round his neck, drummed out of town, and finally dismissed with a threat, that death would be his portion the next time he attempted to preach in that place. Unintimidated, however, by these menaces and this ill treatment, he resolved to keep his appointment; and parted from those who had honoured him with the rogue's march, by an assurance, that on a given day he intended being with them again. He accordingly kept his word; but, instead of meeting with further interruption, the leaders of the mob declared, that "he was a courageous fellow, and should not be

molested." They then indirectly became his guard, and protected him from insult for his daring intrepidity.

At a more advanced period of his ministry, while returning from preaching in the neighbourhood of Liverpool, he received, from some ruffian, a violent blow on the head, from which, for some time, the most serious consequences were apprehended; but providentially he survived this cowardly attempt of apparently intended assassination. The blow was known to have proceeded from a member of a certain communion, which, under given circumstances, teaches, that actions may be meritorious, although they are stained with blood. The culprit was seized, and taken before a magistrate; but Dr. Clarke declined to prosecute, thinking it more consonant with his duty, as a Christian minister, to forgive, than to enforce punishment.

The value and importance of time, were objects which Dr. Clarke invariably kept in view; and the deep impression which this conviction made, led him to improve the moments as they hasted along. During many years, he prosecuted his studies and literary avocations with the most unremitting attention; frequently from four or five in the morning until nine or ten at night; and nothing but a vigorous constitution, which falls to the lot of few, could sustain such incessant labours, and remain unbroken.

During several years prior to 1815, Dr. Clarke resided in London, and devoted the greater part of his time to his Commentary; but the duties of his station as a preacher, and those of various committees and associations, of a benevolent, literary, and scientific nature-his friends saw, with sorrow, imposed a task which human nature could not long support. By their importunity, he was prevailed on, in 1815, to quit London, and retire to Millbrook, a country residence in Lancashire, about ten miles from Liverpool. Soon after Dr. Clarke's arrival at Millbrook, it became necessary that the house should be painted. The work was accordingly begun, and, during the process, the following occurrence took place, which we give in the painter's own words.

"The writer of this was engaged in graining the staircase wall of the Doctor's house (at Millbrook in Lancashire,) in imitation of stone. His men had painted in a number of light and dark stones, and, by mere accident, the dark ones formed a large Cross on the principal side, which faced the entrance of the Hall-door. The Doctor

and the writer were viewing the wall, and each at the same time perceived the cross. 'I must put it out, said the writer." "No," said the Doctor, "I like the cross." "Yes," said the writer, but you will be taken for a Catholic priest, to have that facing the entrance into your house. I must put it out.' "Oh, no!" exclaimed the Doctor, "Keep it in, keep it in, Milne; I love the cross. Oh, yes, I glory in the cross of Christ."

The writer further adds, that he gave evidence of not being ashamed of the cross, for he expressed the above sentiments in an enthusiasm worthy the subject, and before a number of workmen.

Doctor Clarke remained at Millbrook until his Commentary was nearly finished, when he again removed to the vicinity of London; but, on finding the enjoyment of country air necessary to his health, he purchased a large and delightful mansion, garden, and premises, called Haydon Hall, near the village of Eastcott, in the parish of Ruislip, about seventeen miles from the metropolis; and this abode he continued to occupy until the time of his death.

At this tranquil retreat is an excellent library, comprising some thousands of volumes in various languages, among which are many very ancient, exceedingly scarce, and highly valuable.These, having been arranged under his own eye, are in such exquisite order, that he could at all times put his hand on a given volume, at a minute's notice. Of manuscripts, both ancient and Oriental, there is also a large collection, of which only himself and men like himself, knew the value.

To curiosities, both natural and artificial, Dr. Clarke was strongly attached; and no opportunity was ever neglected, that promised to enrich his stores. These, which, taken in the aggregate, afford specimens coeval with almost every age, have been transmitted from various parts of the world; and, if they were arranged in a commodious gallery for inspection, the cabinet would excite the admiration of amateurs.

To several branches of natural and experimental philosophy, Dr: Clarke had paid great attention; and, connected with each department, he had a suitable apparatus, in which are some instruments of the first description and excellence.

The books, manuscripts, philosophical instruments, and cabinet of curiosities, which Dr. Clarke had collected, excited the attention of the nobility, and men of science who resided in his neighbourhood, and from many among them he received visits.