to Dr. Thomas, who soon afterwards received a letter from the Duke of Newcastle, then prime minister, entreating that he would relinquish the preferment, his grace having positively promised it to Dr. Newcome, and promising him something in return more worthy of his acceptance; but without effect the prudent divine "thinking, perhaps, that a deanery in possession was worth two in reversion." Handel, the musician, states, that during one of the royal voyages to the Hague, Dr. Thomas's hat was blown into the sea; and the king having uttered some jest on the occasion, Dr. Thomas observed, "It is in your majesty's power to repair the loss, by providing me with another kind of covering for my head." Shortly afterwards, he had the satisfaction of obtaining a mitre. It appears that, on his return to England, he was nominated to the see of St. Asaph; but, before his consecration could take place, he broke his leg by stepping into a hole while crossing St. James's square; and, while suffering from the consequences of this accident, the king gave him, in lieu of that of St. Asaph, the more valuable bishopric of Lincoln, which had become vacant by the death of Dr. Reynolds. In 1761, he was translated to the see of Salisbury; in possession of which he died, on the 19th of July, 1766. "He is," says Cole, who wrote during the bishop's life-time, "a very worthy and honest man, a most facetious and pleasant companion, and remarkably good-tempered.

He

has a peculiar cast in his eyes, and is not a little deaf. I thought it rather an odd jumble, when I dined with him in 1753; his lordship squinting the most I ever saw any one; Mrs. Thomas, the bishop's wife, squinting not a little; and a Dane, the brother of his first wife, being so short-sighted as hardly to be able to know whether he had anything on his plate or no. Mrs. Thomas was his fourth wife, grand-daughter, as I take it, of Bishop Patrick, a very worthy man. It was generally said, that the bishop put this poesy to the wedding-ring when he married her :

• If I survive,

I will have five;'

and she dying in 1757, he kept his word." The Rev. Richard Southgate

states that," though a good-tempered and a worthy man, he had his failings. He was pleased," continues our author, "with the company of persons of rank, and had not firmness of mind sufficient to refuse what a great man asked as a favour." He married his first wife, a Danish woman, at Copenhagen, where he obtained the notice of the King of Denmark, (with whom he subsequently corresponded,) and received the following advice from an old physician, whom he had consulted as to the best method of preserving his health: "Fuge omnes medicos, atque omnimoda medicamenta." While he was at Hamburgh, a Lutheran minister having refused to bury a gentleman belonging to the factory, because he had been a Calvinist, Dr. Thomas ridiculed him out of his absurd prejudices on the subject, by the following observations:-" In objecting to inter this departed Calvinist among the deceased of your Lutheran congregation, you remind me of a woman, who, once while I was in the middle of the burial service, pulled me by the sleeve, and, in a tone of grave remonstrance, informed me, that I was actually interring a man, whose death was attributed to the small-pox, by the side of her husband, who never had had that disorder."

BURTON, (JOHN,) son of the rector of Wembworth, in Devonshire, was born there in the year 1696. He completed his education at Corpus Christi college, Cambridge, where he took the degree of B. A. in 1717; and, soon afterwards, was appointed to read the Greek lecture. In 1720, he proceeded to the degree of M. A.; and, after having acquired great reputation as a tutor, he took the degree of B. D. in 1729, and, in 1733, obtained a fellowship of Eton. About the same period, he was presented to the vicarage of Maple Derham, in Oxfordshire; and, apparently, from motives of compassion, permitted the relict and children of his predecessor, Littleton, to reside with him in the parsonage-house. Soon afterwards, a neighbouring clergyman, on paying the new vicar a visit, discovered Mrs. Littleton in the act of shaving him, and remonstrated with him so warmly 66 I on the indecency of the thing," that Burton at once proposed

to marry the widow, and within a few days they were united. On the death of his wife, in 1748, he removed to Eton college, and devoted the greater part of his time to literary pursuits. In 1752, he took the degree of D. D., and, soon afterwards, published his clerum, delivered on that occasion. In 1766, he was preferred to the rectory of Worplesdon, Surrey, in possession of which he died, on the 11th of February, 1771. Dr. Burton's works consist of sermons; poetical pieces in Greek, Latin, and English; Latin theological dissertations; and a Preface and Notes to a valuable Selection of Greek Tragedies, entitled, Pentalogia. In his old age, he published his fugitive pieces, under the title of Opuscula Miscellanea. His style was so peculiar, that it obtained the designative epithet of Burtonian. Some of his productions appear, however, to be by no means destitute of elegance; and the greater portion of his argumentative pieces are sensible and convincing. He was rather eccentric, but particularly amiable. companions of his leisure hours, while residing at Eton, were, it is said, the most distinguished young students, whom it was his delight to instruct and amuse careless of money, as he appears to have been throughout life, the contents of his purse, and the stores of his mind, were, it is added, alike at their service.

The

MADDOX, (ISAAC, Bishop of Worcester,) the son of humble parents, who both died during his childhood, was born in London, on the 27th of July, 1697. After having been for some time at a charity-school, he was placed on trial with a pastry-cook, who, however, declined receiving him as an apprentice, alleging, that he did not appear to be fit for trade, "his sole delight being to read books of learning." By the aid of some dissenting friend, his aunt soon afterwards procured him an exhibition at the university of Aberdeen; on quitting which, he is said to have officiated as pastor of a presbyterian congregation, in one of the northern counties; but, on obtaining the patronage of Bishop Gibson, he thought proper to conform, and was admitted of Queen's college, Cambridge. He soon obtained episcopal |

ordination; and, after serving, for a short time, as curate of St. Bride's, London, became chaplain to Bishop Waddington, whose niece he had married. In 1729, he was nominated clerk of the closet to Queen Caroline; and, about the same time, took the degree of D. D. by archiepiscopal mandate. He was presented to the rectory of St. Vedas, Foster-lane, in 1731; promoted to the deanery of Wells, in 1733; raised to the see of St. Asaph, in 1736; and translated to that of Worcester, in 1743-4. He died on the 27th of September, 1759. Besides several sermons, he published A Vindication of the Government Doctrine and Worship of the Church of England, in answer to Neal's History of the Puritans. He was a zealous supporter of the British fishery, of the smallpox hospitals, and other charitable institutions in the metropolis. He is also said to have been chiefly instrumental in establishing the infirmary at Worcester, and to have regularly devoted £200 per annum, to the augmentation of small livings in his diocese. Great courtesy, cheerfulness, and good-nature have been attributed to him; and it is said, that, on several occasions, at table, after his elevation to the episcopal bench, he jocosely alluded "to his brief experience as a pastry-cook."

HILDESLEY, (MARK, Bishop of Sodor and Man,) was born on the 9th of December, 1698, at Murston, in Kent, and educated at the Charter-house, and Trinity college, Cambridge. After having taken the degrees of B. A. and M. A., and obtained a fellowship, he became chaplain to Lord Cobham. In 1725, he was appointed a Whitehall preacher, and curate of Yelling, in Huntingdonshire. In 1731, his college presented him to the vicarage of Hitchin; and, four years afterwards, he obtained the neighbouring rectory of Holwell. On the death of Bishop Wilson, in 1755, he was raised, by the Duke of Athol, to the see of Sodor and Man; the revenues of which were so slender, and his fees on consecration so heavy, that he was permitted, for some time, to hold his rectory in commendam. This, however, he voluntarily resigned, as soon as he had cleared himself of the pecuniary difficulties consequent

upon his acceptance of the bishopric. In 1767, he obtained the mastership of Sherburn hospital; and, soon afterwards, a prebendal stall in Lincoln cathedral. Under his auspices, a translation of the Scriptures into the Manx language, which had been commenced by his predecessor in the bishopric, was completed and published towards the close of the year 1772. He had repeatedly declared, that he only wished to live long enough to see this laborious and useful work in print; and it is related that, when the last proof sheet was laid before him, he solemnly and emphatically chaunted "Nunc, Domine, dimittis," &c. On the following day, he preached on the uncertainty of human life; in the course of the next afternoon, he was deprived, in an instant, of all apparent consciousness, by apoplexy; and, about a week afterwards, he expired. This event took place on the 7th of December, 1772. He was, apparently, neither remarkable for his learning nor his eloquence; yet few, if any, of his episcopal cotemporaries, excelled him in piety, benevolence, or zeal for the advancement of religion.

TUCKER, (JOSIAH, Dean of Gloucester,) the son of a Welsh gentleman who farmed his own estate, was born in 1711; and, after having received a classical education, was sent to St. John's college, Oxford; where, in 1736, he proceeded to the degree of B. A.; and, on the 7th of July, 1739, to that of M. A. Having taken holy orders, he became, successively, curate of All Saints', Bristol; chaplain to Dr. Butler, his diocesan; and rector of St. Stephen's, in that city. In 1747, he published A brief Essay on the Advantages and Disadvantages which respectively attend France and Great Britain, with regard to Trade; and, a few years afterwards, Reflections on the Expediency of a Law for the Naturalization of Foreign Protestants, a measure which he cordially recommended; as he also did that of the Jews, in some letters to a friend, printed in 1753, which excited such angry feelings against him, that he was burnt in effigy by the populace. In 1755, he took the degrees of B. D. and D. D.; and, during the same year, became a prebendary of

Bristol. In 1758, he was advanced to the deanery of Gloucester, through the interest of Mr. Nugent, afterwards Lord Clare; in whose favour he had induced many of his parishioners to vote, at an election of members of parliament for the city of Bristol. In 1772, he published An Apology for the Present Church of England, and a volume of sermons on important subjects. In the following year appeared his Letters to the Rev. Dr. Kippis, in which, although he advocated concession to the dissenters, to a certain extent, he strenuously opposed a repeal of the test and corporation acts. His next productions were several tracts relative to the American war, published at different periods: in these, while he condemned the opposition of the colonies, he insisted that a separation had become absolutely necessary; and recommended that Great Britain should not only recognize their independence, but protect them against foreign aggressors. In 1781, appeared his Treatise concerning Civil Government, in the first part of which, he attempted to refute the arguments of Locke, on that important subject. In 1782, he printed a pamphlet, entitled, Cui Bono? or, An Inquiry as to what Benefits can arise, either to the English or the Americans, the French, Spaniards, or Dutch, from the greatest Victories or Successes in the present War; in which he is accused of having given a malignant estimate of the character of the Americans. He was also the author of a number of other works on political, religious, and commercial subjects; the most important of these were some tracts, relative to the disputes with Ireland, in which he recommended that trade should be freed from all restrictions, and left to regulate itself. Particularly assiduous in the performance of his clerical duties, he is stated to have been much beloved by his parishioners, who, as it appears, sincerely regretted the resignation of his rectory, in favour of his curate, which he thought proper to make, some time after he had been appointed Dean of Gloucester. though he made but few converts to his opinions, he was, in general, esteemed as an able, and, on account of his wit, an amusing and rather a brilliant writer. Lord Mansfield designated

Al

him, in the house of peers, as a writer of the first class, for sagacity and knowledge; and Archbishop Herring, in a letter to Dr. Forster, dated in the year 1755, says, "Tucker has sent me a very ingenious book, the forerunner of a great work on the true polity of government. But, I think, it is only a fine vision, and may sug gest a right way of thinking upon many subjects, and produce some partial good; but it fails in two main points: for it supposes, that, some time or other, governors of the world may start up, who shall be disinterested and honest in all their views, and have subjects of the same turn of thought. But his essay is really admirable, clear, and manly, and infinitely full of spirit and humour." He died, without issue, of a paralytic stroke, in 1799.

BATE, (JULIUS,) was born about the year 1711, and proceeded to the degree of M. A. at St. John's college, Cambridge. Having taken orders, he became chaplain to William, Earl of Harrington; and, on the recommendation of Hutchinson, the Duke of Somerset presented him to the rectory of Sutton, in Sussex. He was an ardent admirer of Hutchinson, whose opinions he defended with considerable zeal, learning, and ingenuity. His productions comprise,-The Examiner Examined, with some Observations on Hebrew Grammar; An Essay towards explaining the Third Chapter of Genesis, in answer to Warburton; The Philosophical Principles of Moses asserted and defended; Remarks upon Warburton's Remarks,-shewing, that the Ancients knew there was a future state, &c.; Faith of the Ancient Jews in the Law of Moses, and the Evidence of the Types vindicated; An Hebrew Grammar, founded on the Usage of Words by the Inspired Writers; The Use and Intent of Prophecy and History of The Fall cleared; A Defence of Mr. Hutchinson's Tenets; The Scripture meaning of Eloim and Berith; Integrity of the Hebrew Texts, and many Passages of Scripture vindicated from the Objections and Misconstructions of Mr. Kennicott; Criticæ Hebraæ; or, A Hebrew English Dictionary without Points; a posthumous volume, entitled, A New and Literal Translation from

the original Hebrew of the Pentateuch of Moses, and of the Historical Books of the Old Testament, to the end of the Second Book of Kings, with notes, critical and explanatory. Warburton accuses him, "in conjunction with one Romaine, of betraying conversation, and writing fictitious letters;" and terms him, in allusion to his efforts for the advancement of the doctrines of Hut

chinson, " one Bate, a zany to a mountebank." He died at Arundel, on the 7th of April, 1771.

RUTHERFORTH, (THOMAS, Archdeacon of Essex,) the son of a clergyman, was born at Papworth Everard, on the 13th of October, 1712, and became a fellow and tutor of St. John's college, Cambridge, where he proceeded to the degrees of M. A. and D. D. In 1742, he was chosen a fellow of the Royal Society; and, in 1756, appointed regius professor of divinity. He appears to have held, successively, the rectories of Barrow, in Suffolk; Stanfield, in Essex; and Barley, in Hertfordshire. He also obtained the archdeaconry of Essex; in possession of which he died, on the 5th of October, 1771; leaving one son, by his wife, Charlotte Elizabeth, daughter of Sir William Abdy, of Cobham, Baronet. He was the author of An Essay on the Nature and Obligations of Virtue; A System of Natural Philosophy; Ordo Institutionum Physicarum; The Credibility of Miracles defended; A Concio ad Clerum; A Vindication of the Right of Protestant Churches, to require the Clergy to subscribe to an established Confession of Faith and Doctrine; two letters to Kennicott; and several sermons, charges, and other pieces. Dyer terms him, a strenuous asserter of subscription to the Thirty-nine Articles, in opposition to the Unitarians; and Maurice Johnson, in a letter to Mr. Birch, says of his Essay on the Nature and Obligations of Virtue:-"If you have not read that amiable work, I must not forbear recommending it to your perusal." Warburton, however, speaks of him thus:-" If he knows no more of theology than he does of morals, he is the meanest pedant of the age. The affectation of being singular has made him a bad moralist:-will the affectation of being orthodox make him a good

divine? Of the two, I think Stebbing the more tolerable, who labours to support other people's nonsense rather than his own."

SHIPLEY, (JONATHAN, Bishop of St. Asaph.) was born in 1714, and after having received a liberal education, was sent to Christchurch, Oxford, where he graduated about the year 1735, and proceeded to the degree of M. A. in 1738. While at the university, he wrote a monody on the death of Queen Caroline, which was inserted in the Oxford collection. He became a prebendary of Winchester, in 1743; and, two years afterwards, chaplain to the Duke of Cumberland, whom he accompanied to the continent. On his return to England, in 1748, he took the degrees of B. D. and D. D., and obtained, successively, a canonry of Christchurch, Oxford, the deanery of Winchester, the livings of Silchester and Chinbolton, (which he held by dispensation,) and the bishopric of St. Asaph. He died on the 9th of December, 1788, leaving a son (the celebrated Dean Shipley) and two daughters, one of whom was married to Sir William Jones. He distinguished himself chiefly by his hostility to the American war, which, it is supposed, precluded him from further preferment. In 1774, he printed A Speech intended to have been spoken on the Bill for Altering the Charters of the Colony of Massachusett's Bay; and his collective works, comprising sermons, charges, and parliamentary orations, edited by Mainwaring, were published in 1792. In the sixth volume of Nichols's Anecdotes of the Eighteenth Century, there is a curious letter from Bishop Shipley to Warton, on the discovery of the coffin containing the remains of Henry de Blois, brother to King Stephen.

TOWNSON, (THOMAS, Archdeacon of Richmond,) was born in 1715, and completed his education at the university of Oxford, where he was first entered at Christchurch, but afterwards became a demy at Magdalen. After having graduated as B. A., he obtained a fellowship, and, in 1739, proceeded to the degree of M. A. About the year 1742, he made a tour on the continent with Messieurs Drake and Holdsworth; and on his return, in 1745, became a

tutor of his college. He subsequently served the office of senior proctor; took the degrees of B. D. and D. D.; and procured, in succession, the livings of Hatfield, Peverel, Blithfield, and Malpas, and the archdeaconry of Richmond, with a prebend of Chester. He published some treatises relative to the Confessional; A Dissertation on the Claims of the Roman Catholics; and Discourses on the Gospels. In addition to these, he wrote some other pieces, which were printed in a posthumous edition of his works, with a memoir of his life, by Archdeacon Churton. He enjoyed the reputation of possessing great biblical learning; and he might, in 1783, it is said, had he thought fit, have obtained the divinity chair at Oxford; which, however, on account of his age, he declined accepting. He died on the 15th of April, 1792.

BALGUY, (THOMAS, Archdeacon of Winchester,) was born on the 27th of September, 1716, and educated at St. John's college, Cambridge, where he obtained a fellowship, and proceeded to the high degree of S. T. P. He became, successively, rector of North Stoke, vicar of Alton, a prebendary of Winchester, archdeacon of Salisbury, and archdeacon of Winchester. On the death of Warburton, in 1781, he was offered the bishopric of Gloucester, which, however, being aged, nearly blind, and in bad health, he thought proper to decline. Among his publications are the following:-A Sermon on Church Government, which produced

an

answer from Priestley; A Charge to the Clergy of his Archdeaconry, on the propriety of demanding subscription to articles of faith, which was censured by Palmer, and other dissenting writers; A Sermon on the respective Duties of Ministers and People, preached at the consecration of Bishops Hurd and More; an edition of the Sermons of Dr. Powell; a reprint of his father's Essay on Redemption; and Divine Benevolence Asserted and Vindicated from the Reflections of Ancient and Modern Sceptics. His death took place on the 19th of January, 1795. He appears to have been an exemplary Christian, an able divine, and, to adopt the words of Bishop Hurd, "a person of extraordinary parts and extensive