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stances; but all these trials he bore with true Christian fortitude and equanimity. Within a few months previous to his death, his strength rapidly declined, and he appeared sensible that the termination of his mortal course could not be far distant; but he contemplated it without dismay, and often longed for its arrival. Three days before his death, he was attacked by what his medical attendant pronounced to be a paralytic seizure, and was immediately carried to his bed, but retained his senses to the last moment, evincing that calm serenity and composure of mind, which the review of a wellspent life, a firm reliance on the free and infinite mercy and compassion of his heavenly Father, and the glorious prospects and promises of the gospel, afford to all who have endeavoured faithfully to perform their Christian duties.

The death-bed of one whose general life and conduct has been conformable to his Christian profession, is highly instructive and interesting, and sweetly recommends a course of piety and virtue. The last hours of this worthy man furnished another instance of the efficacy of Unitarian principles (when they are properly understood, and suffered to influence the heart and life) to support the mind in that awful season when we are about to exchange time for eternity, and to bid farewell to all sublunary good. "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my latter end be like his."

M. L. YEATES.
Sidmouth, April 8, 1822.

acquiring-so much the more deeply does he now deplore the loss of this venerable man; deplore, did I say? rather let me congratulate the exalted spirit of my departed friend, now taken from the evil to come, on having escaped from the accumulating calamities impending over his distracted country, and threatening to involve its dearest interests in misery and distress.

The independence of his principles, the calm dignity, the manly simplicity and consistency of his conduct, the intrepidity and firmness of his mind, together with the probity and purity of his heart, I trust I have not contemplated entirely in vain. Nor will his bright example be lost to the world. It will continue to shine with unfading lustre on all around; it will long live in the remembrance of those who knew him; it will leave a lasting impression on the minds of his muchrespected and amiable family, of his numerous friends, and of the wise and virtuous in the busy circle of the world. This able and generous advocate of the rights of humanity, eminently distinguished as he was by his love of constitutional liberty, civil and religious, and by his unwearied endeavours to promote the freedom and happiness of the human race, is justly entitled to the designation of a genuine philanthropist, an enlightcned and disinterested patriot, a truly upright and honourable man.

In early life, Mr. Wyvill was conspicuous for his ardent zeal in the cause of Political and Parliamentary Reform. As an active member of the Yorkshire

A Tribute to the Memory of the Rev. Association, instituted about the year

Christopher Wyvill.
(See p. 188.)

March 8, at his seat, Burton Hall, near Wensley Dule, in the North Riding of the County of York, the Rev. CHRISTOPHER WYVILL, in the 83rd year of his age. Having attained to this advanced period, his removal from the world is matter of sorrow rather than surprise to his friends; who, in the last stage of his useful and benevolent life, when gradually decaying as an aged tree in the forest, derived from his example a most important and instructive lessen of Christian piety, patience and resignation. The writer of this paper knew him well, and therefore feels himself not incompetent to bear ample and unequivocal testimony to the distinguished virtue and sterling worth of this friend of his country and of mankind. But, in proportion to the knowledge and experience of the various excellencies of his admirable character, which, in a long and intimate friendship with Mr. Wyvill, he had the happiness of

1780, for promoting this great object, he was unanimously chosen secretary to that patriotic and public-spirited body. At this period he acted with a noble band of patriots, illustrious in rank, talents and virtue, whose memory will be honoured and revered till "the sun of England's glory shall set." But he was more particularly united by the ties of personal as well as political confidence and esteem, as a friend and fellow-labourer, with the virtuous Sir George Saville; whose name, in the annals of Britain, will ever stand high on the scale of inflexible political integrity. Mr. Wyvill was, to the last, a consistent and strenuous supporter of the great principle of Reform; although he differed from the Reformists of the present day, as to the extent and modifications of that principle. It was the good fortune of this revered and excellent father, to live to see his own principles revived, like the phoenix from its ashes, in the person of his son, who was chosen one of the representatives for the city of York, in a

Obituary.-Rev. Edmund Butcher.

manner equally honourable to himself and to his constituents; and whose liberal and decided conduct, fortified by paternal counsel and example, has established his character as a manly, honest and independent Member of Parliament.

Through life Mr. Wyvill assiduously laboured to maintain the cause of universal toleration. It was his fervent wish to see the rights of conscience extended to persons of all religions; to secure to every man the glorious privilege of worshiping God in the manner most consonant to his own reason and understanding, and most conformable to the laws and institutions of the gospel. In this cause he manifested the true spirit and magnanimity of the reformers and confessors of ancient times. It was the object nearest his heart, to forward every effort towards obtaining relief for our Roman Catholic brethren, from the disabilities, the privations and oppressions under which they have so long groaned. To this purpose he cheerfully devoted his time, his talents and the ample means with which Providence had blessed him. This absorbed his whole attention, and employed all the powers and energies of his mind; while he spared no labour which might tend to advance the best interests of that religion" which is pure, peaceable, gentle, full of mercy and of good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy;" that religion of which he was at once the ornament and the example. Upon the subject of the Catholic question, his correspondence was various, interesting and extensive, amongst those friends who were honourably embarked in the same laudable pursuit. The present writer had the happiness of corresponding with him for many years, and of uniting his humble efforts in the same work of juctice and benevolence. Under the cheering consideration, that no effort, however feeble, is entirely lost, he looks forward with hope to the final result; and while the current of life shall continue to flow, and his heart to be susceptible of the sentiments of virtue, honour and humanity, he will not cease, in the retrospect of his days, to reflect with peculiar and heartfelt satisfaction on the slender aid which he has at any time been enabled to afford in support of a cause which he has deeply at heart.

A man acting, like this undaunted champion of Christian liberty and truth, under the influence of these ennobling motives and these enlarged and exalted views, could not fail to attract the esteem and respect even of those who differed from him in opinion. When such a man leaves the world, he is followed to the grave by the tears and regrets of liberal

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and virtuous men of every sect and persuasion. But I forbear; it was not my intention to eulogize the character of my revered friend. He needs no eulogy from my humble pen. I offer no tribute to his memory but that of the heart. His virtues live after him. 66 'Being dead, he yet speaketh." The happy fruit of his labours in the great cause of toleration will one day appear. Habitually fraught with the sentiments of an ardent, unaffected and elevated piety and devotion, his mind sustained the depressions of age and of declining health with fortitude, composure and resignation to the will of God; and the death of this excellent man was correspondent with his life. Farewell, thou faithful servant of the Most High! Thou hast fought a good fight; thy constancy, fidelity and zeal are approved; and thou art gone to receive the prize of glory which awaits thee, in that world where those who now mourn thy departure shall hereafter rejoice with thee in the plenitude of felicity and bliss!

Lympston, March 25, 1822.

T. J.

April 14, aged nearly 65 years, at Bath,the Rev. EDMUND BUTCHER, late of Sidmouth. We are persuaded that this intelligence will be received with no ordinary interest by a large proportion of our readers. The good man's published writings, by which his character is so distinctly displayed, have made him the benefactor of numbers who never had the advantage of his personal example and instructions; and in these he still lives, and by them, though dead, he yet speaketh. Life had ceased to be desirable for him. The weakness and infirmity occasioned by a painful accident which he met with some months ago at Bath, though alleviated by all that human affection could do, made him desirous to be called to his rest, if such were the will of God; and he was favoured with a gentle dismissal, the day which he loved." We expect to be favoured with a more detailed account of our respected friend, for our next Number; and we will merely add our testimony, that his eminent piety, accompanied as it was with a life devoted to the best interests of mankind, and manifesting in its various relations, the graces of the Christian character, will make his memory revered and loved by all who shared his friendship. To them his departure is attended with hopes full of consolation, as to him they were full of immortality.

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March 9, at the house of his father-inlaw, Sir William Beaumaris Rush, Bart., Pall Mall, in his 54th year, the Rev. EDWARD DANIEL CLARKE, LL.D., Professor of Mineralogy and Librarian in the University of Cambridge, Rector of Harlton, in the said county, and of Great Yeldham, Essex. By the maternal side, he was great-grandson to the learned Dr. William Wotton. He was educated at Jesus College, Cambridge; took the degree of B. A. 1790; M. A. 1794; and became Senior Fellow of that College. Soon after taking his degree, he accompanied the present Lord Berwick abroad, and remained some time in Italy. In 1799, he set out with Mr. Cripps on an extensive tour through Europe and Asia, from which he returned in 1802. His Travels have been since published in several volumes, which have gained him very high reputation. His University conferred upon him the honorary degree of LL.D., as an acknowledgment of his merits and his contributions to their institution. Amongst these, is the celebrated MS. of Plato, with nearly one hundred other volumes of MSS., and the colossal statue of the Eleusinian Ceres, placed in the vestibule of the University Library, respecting which Dr. Clarke published an erudite treatise. He also published, with great applause from the learned world, a " Dissertation on the famous Sarcophagus in the British Museun," which he had caused to be sur rendered to the British army in Egypt, and which he has proved, from accumulated evidence, to have been the tomb of Alexander. On his travels he made a very large and valuable collection of minerals, which is proposed to be purchased by the University. He formed likewise a rare and valuable assortment of plants and a collection of Greek medals. In 1806, he commenced lectures on mineralogy at Cambridge, and a professorship being founded in 1808 for the encouragement of that science, he was appointed to the Chair. His lectures were received with flattering attention. As a preacher, too, he enjoyed celebrity. Of his theological opinions we have no account, but we have pleasure in recollecting that he published, in 1811, "A Letter to Dr. Marsh," in defence of the Bible Society. Distinguished honours were paid to him at his funeral, and the "Cambridge Philosophical Society" have resolved to procure a bust of him by Chantrey, for presentation to the University.

April 2, suddenly, on horseback, while returning from his counting-house to his residence at Homerton, Mr. JOHN BARTON, aged 55 years. He was distinguished

throughout a wide circle by the sweetness of his temper and the amiableness of his manners, and by his constant but unassuming endeavour to maintain the Christian character. The remembrance of his domestic virtues is the consolation of an affectionate widow and a numerous family. He was connected by marriage with the late much-esteemed Rev. Edmund Butcher, whom in some points he resembled, and both of whom have nearly at the same time entered into their rest.

April 10, after a short illness, which was scarcely deemed serious, Mrs. ANNE COOPER, wife of Mr. George Cooper, of Hackney Road, in the 59th year of her age: a faithful, affectionate, devoted wife; a kind and careful relative; a tender-hearted, charitable neighbour; and a steady, consistent and exemplary member of a Christian congregation.

April 14, at Hackney, Mrs. ESTHER WHITBY, aged 45 years. This amiable woman sunk into the grave under the pressure of affliction, disappointment and sorrow; leaving a numerous family to look up to a revered relative to supply those maternal cares and counsels of which it has pleased Providence to bereave them.

Feb. 20, at his apartments in Northumberland Street, Strand, Mr. JOHN STEWART, generally known by the designation of "Walking Stewart," from his having travelled on foot through a great part of the world. He was originally educated at the Charter-house, and afterwards went to India as writer in the service of the Hon. East India Company. He was employed as secretary to the Nabob of Arcot, and expended a large sum in giving official entertainments, by order of his master. At length, having acquired moderate means of subsistence, after travels through every part of the world except China, he returned to this country, and during the French Revolution vested his money in the French funds. The vast depreciation in those funds, and the uncertainty of payment, reduced him to great distress; but he was kindly relieved by the husband of his departed sister. He then went to America, and supported himself some time by delivering lectures on moral philosophy. The peculiarity of his tenets, however, and the latitude of his opinions on religious subjects, procured him few auditors, and he returned to this country, deriving his resources chiefly from 1007. a year from France, which was regularly paid to him through Mr. Coutts, as he had agreed to take that annual sum in

Intelligence.-Report of Manchester College, York.

stead of an annuity of 3001. for which he had originally subscribed. On the projected arrangement of the Nabob of Arcott's affairs, he put in his claims, and, after references to the competent authorities in the East Indies, there was an award in his favour to the amount of many thousand pounds. He disposed of a considerable part of that property, securing himself an annuity of six hundred pounds, on which he lived sparingly himself, but with liberality to his friends, giving periodical dinners, and, latterly, concerts every evening to his friends, and all whom they thought proper to introduce to him. His doctrines were founded wholly on Materialism, but he always inculcated philanthropy and moral duty. He entitled the first work that he published in this country, “ Travels to discover the Polarity of Moral Truth." He was an enemy to the infliction of pain of every kind, and a zealous friend to universal benevolence. When he first returned to this country, he appeared in Armenian attire, and attracted notice by a long beard; and when he assumed the European dress, he affected singularity,

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not from vanity, but to excite attention to his person, as it might lead to an inquiry into his doctrines, which he considered as of the utmost importance to sensitive matter in the human shape, or in any other form. He was generally considered an Atheist; but, if that was the fact, he concealed his opinious of late years, and, devoting his Sunday-evening concerts wholly to sacred music, it was evident that he did not wish to shock the feelings of those who differed from him in religious principles. He was universally known in all parts of the civilized world, which he had visited in turn, always in walking, never entering a carriage except in case of absolute necessity. His journies would have been highly interesting if he had published an account of them, but he disdained the usual pursuits of travellers, constantly answering inquiries as to the manners, customs, &c., of the various countries which he visited, by stating that his were travels of the mind, in order to ascertain and develope the polarity of moral truth.

INTELLIGENCE.

Report of Manchester College, York. THE Committee of Manchester College feel it their pleasing duty to commence their Annual Report, with acknowledging the very liberal additions which have been made, during the past year, to the Funds of the Institution. Beside an increase in the amount of Subscriptions, the Treasurer's statement will shew, that the Congregational Collections have produced a larger sum than in any former year, and that the legacies and benefactions which have been received, have also exceeded the usual average.

With the expression of their grateful respect to the societies and individuals, who have enabled them to make so favourable a Report, it is natural to connect a hope, that this increase of prosperity may be attributed to a cause, the best fitted to secure it still farther increase; a growing conviction that the Institution is competent to the objects which it professes, and deserving of the support which it claims.

last, of ability on the part of the Tutors, well seconded by the diligence of the Students. They feel also a just and a proud confidence, in being already able to reckon among the ministers who have been educated at York, no small number of living arguments, that the debt of the Institution to the public has not been all unpaid.

But the Committee wish not to forget the advantages which the same Institution provides for the education of laystudents. Nor do they forget the proofs of those advantages, in the honourable principles, and moral as well as intellectual respectability, of many who have exchanged the peaceful and protecting seclusion of the College, for the business and temptations of active life. They remember and rejoice in the examples of those who, from the bosom of the Institution, have carried with them the spirit of its studies and its discipline, to dignify their occupation and adorn their leisure. Of one, who ranked among its earliest pupils, and who was afterwards its able and zealous friend, and for many years its active secretary, it may be permitted to them, while they deplore the untimely event which leaves them the permission, to speak with more direct allusion. Nor will it be denied by those who knew the 2 K

The Committee have the satisfaction of knowing, that such a conviction has repeatedly been the result of an attendance at the Annual Examinations; and they believe that it was not likely to be weakened by the proofs exhibited at the

VOL. XVII.

integrity, the self-denial, the resolute and persevering benevolence, the cheerful devotion of time, talents and labours, to the most important interests of his fellowcreatures, which distinguished the late Thomas Heury Rchinson-that his name may be well claimed as a boast to the Institution in which he received his education.

Deeply impressed with a sense of the close connexion between the best iufluences of pure Christianity, and a wellordered education of both preachers and hearers, the Committee respectfully, but most earnestly, again solicit the attention of all who wish for the diffusion of a manly knowledge and an enlightened faith, to the plan of studies pursued in the College at York. Of the gentlemen to whose immediate superintendence those studies are entrusted, they who appointed them to their office, may be thought unable to speak without partiality. But the Committee leave their recommendation with confidence, to the unbiassed testimony of all who have had an opportunity of judging, how well they are qualified for their respective situations.

The Committee are not aware that, within the extent of the means afforded to them, they have left any thing undone, for securing to the Institution, the attain ment of all its objects. They trust, however, that, in their zeal for its prosperity, they are neither blind nor bigoted; but that they would as readily listen to the suggestion of any improvement in their plan, as they would gratefully receive any additional assistance for its accomplishment. If, therefore, among the wellwishers to the great interest, from its connection with which such an Institution must derive its strongest recommendation, there be any who are held back from its support, by an opinion, that it does not do enough for the purposes which it professes, the Committee respectfully intreat such individuals to come forward in a friendly spirit, and point out where a deficiency may be supplied, or a desirable alteration be introduced. In the same spirit, and with an earnest desire to believe, that both the present supporters of the College, and they who, as yet, have withheld the support which it was not, perhaps, unreasonable to expect from them, are equally zealous for the diffusion of those principles, which belong to them in common, and in common must be valued by them as serious Christians, and consistent Dissentersthe Committee pledge themselves to employ, with their best judgment, whatever assistance, of advice or of means, they may receive, for increasing at once, the

usefulness, and the prosperity of the Institution.

The Students in the College during the last Session, were twenty-two in number, fifteen of whom were Divinity Students, all on the Foundation. Of these, Mr. G. B. Wawne, Mr. W. Wilson, Mr. George Cheetham, Mr. Samuel Heineken, Mr. John Owen, and Mr. Richard Smith, have completed their course of study.

The Annual Examination took place on the 26th, 27th and 28th days of June last, when the first prize for Diligence, Proficiency and Regularity of Conduct, was adjudged to Mr. John Beard, a divinity student in the first year; the second, to Mr. John Howard Ryland, a divinity student in the second year; and the third, to Mr. Richard Martineau, a lay student in the second year; the Mathematical Prizes, offered by " A Friend to the College," in the senior class, to Mr. John Howard Ryland; in the Junior, to Mr. John Hugh Worthington, a divinity student in the first year; the Classical Prize, offered by Robert Philips, Esq., to Mr. John Howard Ryland; the first Elocution Prize for the best delivered Gration, to Mr. G. B. Wawue; and the second, for the greatest improvement in Elocution, during the Session, to Mr. Edmund Kell; a divinity student in his fourth year.

The number of Divinity Students in the present Session is 15; of whom Mr. Edmund Kell, M. A., is in the last year of his course; Mr. William Bowen, M.A., from the University of Glasgow, and Mr. Richard Shawcross are in the fourth; Messrs. Payne and Ryland in the third; Messrs. Beard, Wreford, Tagart, Worthington, Brown, of Newcastle-uponTyne, and Mitchelson, of Jarrow, in the county of Durham, in the second; and Messrs. Franklin Howorth, of Audenshaw, near Manchester, Timothy Hawkes, of Birmingham, John Smale, of Exeter, and George Lee, son of the Rev. G. Lee, of Hull, in the first. There are also five Lay Students.

Of the Students who completed their course at the close of the last Session, Mr. Wawne is settled at Bridport, as successor to the late Rev. Thomas Howe; Mr. Wilson at Crewkerne, in Somersetshire, as successor to the late Rev. William Blake; Mr. Cheetham at Macclesfield, as successor to the late Rev. Lowthion Pollock; Mr. Owen in the joint charge of the congregations at Tamworth, and Atherstone, in Warwickshire; and Mr. Smith at Lynn, in Norfolk.

Applications for the admission of Divinity Students on the Foundation, must be addressed either to the Rev. CHARLES WELLBELOVED, York, or to one of the

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