Billeder på siden
PDF
ePub

knew him mention that august name without the utmost reverence, and though, as I have already observed, his piety was most unostentatious, yet frequently when I have come upon him unexpectedly, and sometimes during the pauses of our more serious conversations (and I may add, that I rarely, perhaps never, passed a day with him, in which some religious topic did not form part of them); I have seen him occupied in devout and private aspirations, with that fervour of manner, and animation of countenance, which though the lips spoke not, sufficiently declared the holy and reverential feelings of his heart. But, above all things, his delight was to contemplate and discourse upon the divine benevolence. This was the master chord to which his own heart was responsive: he loved to be absorbed and lost, as it were, in the contemplation of that divine goodness, which is as ceaseless in its operations as it is boundless in its extent. His own pure

and benevolent spirit, indulgent to the frailties, and compassionate to the wants and infirmities of his fellow-creatures, was refined and exalted by the contemplation of that inexhaustible fountain of all goodness, and his hatred of all cruelty, oppression, and injustice was strengthened in proportion as he found them to be at war with the first principles of nature and religion, with the best feelings of the human heart, and the highest sensations of a God of mercy and a gospel of love. Even in his last illness, and in those moments of temporary alienation, for some such there sometimes were, when the mind often betrays itself, and developes its natural bent, by dwelling on the subjects of its most inward thoughts, and revealing the secrets of its most private meditations, even at those periods, I say, this great and pervading feeling was strongly displayed. There was a holiness and purity in his very wanderings, which bespoke the habitual piety and benevolence of his soul, and which, perhaps, is a more affecting and salutary lesson to the survivors, than any death-bed exhortation could afford.

"And now, my friends, in this spirit, it is not I that speak to you, but himself; you hear him yet once more, teaching

you

you and yours, even from the grave, uttering those words to which he has ordered to be recorded on his monument for your instruction, and which, while living, he illustrated by his example. Reverence them as his last, teach them to your children after you, and let them influence your lives; and remember while opportunity is yet given you, like him, 'to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God,"

191

No. VII.

THOMAS BOWDLER, Esq.

THE following memoir of this gentleman, so well known to the public for his general attainments in literature, and for a variety of useful and important labours, is from the pen of his nephew, the Rev. Thomas Bowdler.

"Thomas Bowdler, the younger son of Thomas and Elizabeth Stuart Bowdler,* was born at Ashley, near Bath, on the 11th of July, 1754. In his childhood he was in every respect formed to engage the affection of his friends and relatives, and the admiration of strangers. By an accident which occurred in his ninth year, he was reduced to a state which almost excluded the hope of recovery, and some effects of it continued through life. His acute sufferings at this time, and his patience under the severe operations which were deemed necessary, while they excited in no common degree the feelings and affections of all around him, afforded at the same time unspeakable consolation to the hearts of those who witnessed them, and a happy prognostic of that fortitude and Christian principle which afterwards so greatly distinguished his character. The time which was passed under this visitation was by no means thrown away. He employed his hours, while he was capable of such employment, in reading, or hearing others read; and thus probably laid the foundation of a vast fund of historical knowledge. So diligent was his attention, and so retentive his memory,

* Mr..Bowdler was descended from the very antient but almost extinct family of Hope Bowdler, in Shropshire. Mrs. Bowdler was the second daughter of Sir John Cotton, of Conington, in Huntingdonshire, who was the fifth baronet in lineal descent from Sir Robert Cotton, the founder of the Cotton Library in the British Museum. She was the author of " Practical Observations on the Book of Revelations."

that nothing seemed to escape his notice, or pass from his mind; and from the judicious instruction of those to whom he owed his birth, and the kindness of other members of his family, this, which would have been to many in his situation fatally and irrecoverably lost, was to him a season of valuable information and improvement.

66

Upon his restoration to health he went to school to Mr. Graves at Claverton, near Bath, and soon became a favourite and distinguished scholar. His powers were considerable, and his progress rapid; and like other clever youths, he advanced beyond those who were of the same standing with himself, in a degree which, if care had not been taken, might have produced inattention at the time, and have been prejudicial to future eminence. Mr. Graves was an excellent scholar, and calculated to form a correct taste; and here his pupil acquired much classical knowledge, which he retained with partial fondness through the rest of his life. At the age of sixteen he went to study at the University of St. Andrew's, and afterwards at that of Edinburgh, as the best preparation for the medical profession; and at both, his talents, his application, and his correct conduct obtained the marked approbation of the professors; his lively disposition and warm affections gained many valuable friends; and his firm and steady principles enabled him to render essential service to some of his fellow-students. At Claverton and St. Andrew's began an intimacy with the late Lieut.-Gen. Villettes. It continued, unabated by time or distance, through the life of this amiable and lamented officer, whose memory was tenderly cherished in the bosom of his school-fellow and fellowstudent.

"His studies at the University being completed, Mr. T. Bowdler set out on a tour through a considerable part of Europe. Passing through Germany, he spent some time at Vienna, which he afterwards strongly recommended as the place which a young man of rank and fortune could make his residence, with the most favourable prospect of improve

ment, and the least danger to his principles and morals. Here he enjoyed the society, and engaged the regard, of several persons high in rank, and deservedly esteemed; and from hence he travelled through Hungary, carefully examining its mines, and marking attentively the nature of the country, and the character of its inhabitants, to Trieste; and from thence to Venice. He afterwards visited every part

of Italy and Sicily, and returned, after an absence of four years, familiarly acquainted with modern languages; his taste formed after the purest models, and his knowledge enlarged from the various sources of information which had been opened to him. At this time he was remarkably strong and active, and his desire of seeing every object of curiosity, almost unbounded; of all which he gave no small proof, among other instances, in twice ascending Mount Etna.

"A long course of foreign travels is perhaps calculated to qualify a person to enjoy and adorn society, rather than to endure the labours of a profession. Yet he followed that in which his lot had been cast for some years very diligently, and with every prospect of attaining the highest eminence in it. His success was great, and he never entered a house as a physician, in which he did not continue to visit as a friend. But it was exceeding irksome and distasteful to him; and the distressing scenes which he was obliged to witness affected his feelings so painfully, that his peace of mind and bodily health suffered materially. A circumstance unhappily occurred in 1781, which left an impression never to be effaced. In that year he undertook a voyage to Lisbon for the purpose of attending a young friend, a member of one of the first families in the kingdom, whose health was delicate, but under Mr. T. Bowdler's judicious attention, was gradually improving. The best hopes were entertained of a complete recovery, when his friend caught a putrid fever, and the medical advisers of the place prescribed a mode of treatment which Mr. T. B. resisted as far as possible, foretelling a fatal issue. When he was no longer able to act as a physician, he attended most anxiously as a nurse,

VOL. X.

« ForrigeFortsæt »