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THE

Gentleman's Magazine:

MYBRAR

For MARCH,

1786.

BEING THE THIRD NUMBER OF VOL. LVI. PART I.

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MEMOIRS OF THE LATE REV. JOHN DUNCOMBE, M. A. *** T cannot be doubted but that fome account will be acceptable, of a person who bas been, with confiderable reputation, long #known to the public as an author; and who aljo bas, with much judgement and erudition, contributed largely to this Mifcellany.

JOHN DUNCOMBE was born 1730. He was the only child of William Duncombe, Efq. younger brother of John Duncombe, Efq. of Stocks, near Berkhamstead, Herts. His mother was fifter to Mr. Hughes, author of the Siege of Damafcus. When a child, he was of an amiable difpofition, had an uncommon capacity for learning, and difcovered, very carly, a genius for poetry; after fome years palled at a school at Rumford, in Efex, under the care of his relation, the Rev. Ph. Fletcher +, afterwards Dean of Kildare, younger brother to the Bishop of that fee; he was removed to a more eminent one at Felsted, in the fame county.-At this fchool he was ftimulated by emulation to an exertion of his talents; and, by a clofe application, he became the firft fcholar, as well as captain of the school, and gained the highest re

and

Of whom a good portrait, and fome memoirs, may be feen in Nichols's Select Collection of Poems, 1782, vol. VI. p. 1. EDIT.

+ Of whom, and his family, fee fome particulars by Mr. D. in the volume juft referred to, p. 243. EDIT.

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putation; and, by the fweetness of his temper and manners, and by a difpofition to friendship, he acquired and preferved the love of all his companions, and alfo the efteem of his mafter and family and he has, on fome particu lar occafions, been heard modeftly to declare, that he was never punished, during his whole refidence at either fchool, for negligence in his leffons or exercife, or for any other mifdemeanor. Univerfity, and conftantly improved He was very early qualified for the himfelf, when at home, by his private ftudies, and the affiftance of his father, who was a polite fcholar, and whofe literary character is well known. He was happy in the companionship of fuch a fon, who was always dutiful and affectionate to him; and the firft literary characters of that time affociated with a father and fon, whofe polished tafte, and amiable manners, rendered them

univerfally acceptable. He was entered, at the age of 16, at Benet-College, Cambridge, where Dr. Green, afterwards Bishop of Lincoln, was then Mafter: and he was recommended to

that College by Archbishop Herring †, who had a long and particular friendhip for Mr. Duncombe the father, and a constant literary intercourse, and correfpondence fubfified between them. The Archbishop baptized his fon, and

*Of whom Memoirs by Mr. D. may be feen in our vol. XLIX. p. 234. EDIT.

+ Whofe Sermons" and "Letters" were afterwards published by Mr. D. with memoirs of his benevolent friend and patron. EDIT.

promifed

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Memoirs of the Rev. John Duncombe.

promised to patronize him, if educated for the church, and therefore fent him to the College where he had completed his own education.-At the university he continued to rife in reputation as a scholar and a poet, and was always ir reproachable in his moral character: he had the happiness of forming fome connections there with men of genius and virtue, which lafted through life; but the first and strongest attachment, in which he most delighted, and which reflected honour on his own merit, was the uninterrupted friendship, and conftaut correfpondence, which continued to the laft, with a very refpectable clergyman of the Diocefe of Norwich, a man whofe character for learning and abilities, goodness and virtue, have justly gained him the esteem and love of all who have the happiness of his acquaintance, whofe teftimony is real praife, who acknowledged the worth of his valuable friend," and loved his amiable and benevolent fpirit."

He was, in 1750, with full reputation, chofen fellow of Benet-College; was, in 1753, erdained at Kew Chapel, by Dr. Thoma's, Bishop of Peterborough, and appointed, by the recommendation of Archbishop Herring, to the curacy of Sundridge in Kent; after which he became affifiant preacher at St. Anne's, Soho, where his father refided, and Dr. Squire +, afterwards Bishop of St. David's, was rector, with whom he lived in particular intimacy, and who gave him a chaplainship, and intended to patronize him; but, in that inftance, and feveral others, he experienced the lofs of friends and patrons, before they had been able to gratify their own intention, or beftow on him any thing confiderable. His elegant difcourfes acquired him, as a preacher, great reputation; his language was always cor. rect, his expreflion forcible, and his found and rational doctrine fo pathetically delivered,as to imprefs his hearers with reverence, and awaken their attention. His voice was harmonious, and rather by the diftinct articulation, than from ftrength, he was better heard, in many large churches, and particularly in the choir of Canterbury Cathedral, than fome louder tones, having cultivated the art of fpeaking in the pulpit; and his fer

*See it (if we mistake not) in p. 190.

ELIT.

+ Of whom fome memoirs, fuggefted principally by M. D. are printed in the Bugraphical Dictionary, 1784." EDIT.

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mons always recommended that moderation, truly Chriftian temper, and univerfal charity and philanthropy, which formed the diftinguished mark of his character in every part of life; and he was totally free from all affectation, as well in the pulpit, as in common converfation. He was a popular and ad, mired preacher; but he had no vanity on that account, and was equally fatiffied to fulfill his duty in a country parish, and an obfcure village, as in a crowded cathedral, or populous church in the metropolis.-But his merit was not much regarded by the attention of the great. He was, however, efteemed, honoured, and beloved, in the very refpectable neighbourhood where he conftantly refided; and the dignities and affluence he might reasonably have expected from his family connections, and early patronage, could only have difplayed, in a wider sphere, that benevolence, and thofe virtues, which equally beneficial to the poffeffor, in whatever ftation he may be placed, when exercifed to the utmost of his ability.

are

After the death of Bishop Squire, he was nominated chaplain to Lord Corke, with whom he and his father had the honour of a particular friendship, as appears by that Nobleman's "Letters from Italy." He was prefented, in 1757, by Archbishop Herring, to the united livings of St. Andrew and St. Mary Bredman, in Canterbury. This benefice was beftowed in the most friendly manner by his patron, who called it only fomething to begin with: but the Archbishop lived nor above two years afterwards; and, with his life, the profpect of future advancement feemed to difappear However, no complaint against the flow preferment from his refpected friend and patron, no murmur against the daily difpofitions of benefices, to which he must be confcious his merit often gave him equal claim, ever was fuffered to escape in conversation.

This Living enabled him to fulfill a long engagement, or rather to obey the impulfe of a long attachment to Mifs Highmore, daughter of Mr. Highmore, who was known to the world, not only by his pencil, but by his other extenfive knowledge, and literary purfuit +.

Of which Mr. D. was Editor. EDIT. See his life, by Mr. D. vol. L. p. 176; and an affectionate tribute to his memory, in the fame vol. P. 144. EDIT. He

Memoirs of the Rev. John Duncombe.

He was married at St. Anne's church, 20th April 1763, by Dr. Squire, Bishop of St. David's. A fimilarity of tafte, and love of literature, had early endeared their companionship; and a mutual affection was the natural confequence, which enfured to them 23 years happiness, rather increased than diminished by the hand of time! He fettled at Canterbury; and, in the year 1766, Archbishop Secker appointed him one of the Six Preachers in that Cathedral. In 1773, Archbishop Cornwallis gave him the living of Herne, about 6 miles from Canterbury, which afforded him a pleasant recefs in the fummer months. His Grace alfo granted him a Chaplainfhip; and he had, previous to the laft living. been entrufted with the Mafterfhip of Harbledown and St. John's Hofpitals, places of truft only, not emolument: fo that he had, in fact, three favours, though not any of them confiderable, in fucceffion, from three Archbishops.

He examined into the ftate of the Hofpitals, and endeavoured to do his duty in the office he had undertaken, with an attention and affiduity that accompanied his indefatigable defire of being ferviceable to all, and particularly to the loweit of his fellow-creatures, wherever he had opportunity; which was his principal inducement for becoming an acting magiftrate, the duty of which office he performed feveral years, with great application to obferve the laws of his coun. try, to do justice, preferve equity, and always remember mercy; for no one in that department was more open to the poor and friendlefs, having the temper and inclination to propofe and to act for the fervice and relief of the diftreffed; with fteadiness to perfevere with judge. ment,where truth and right preponderated. He was fuddenly taken ill, in the night, June 21, 1785. A fuffocation was rapidly coming on; but a furgeon being called, he was almost inftantly relieved, by bleeding-a good fleep enfued, but he waked in the morning almoft fpeechlefs; a paralytic ftroke, on the organs of articulation only, feemed to have taken place; medical affiftance was applied; he partly recovered articulation; but great debility was perceiv able, and he could no longer write as ufual: however, by flow degrees, he regained ftrength, beyond the expectation of his diftreffed friends; and appeared, after the fummer paffed at Herne, to be quite restored to health and fpirits, and purfued every avocation as before the

189

ftroke, and with the fame power of mind; but those who were moft conftantly with him, and watched with the tender eye of affection, never loft the alarm, never refted without apprehenfion, and perceived, by fome fudden ftarts, and nervous complaints, that all was not found within. In January following he coughed much, two or three days, but without any dangerous fymptom, till, on the night of the 18th, a fuffocation, as before, came on; affiftance was immediately procured, but not with the former fuccefs; the diforder increafed, and lofs of life enfued. His gentle fpirit, as he had lived, departed, eafy to himself in his exit; diftrefsful alone to all that knew him, to thofe most who knew him beft-His family, his friends, the fervants, and the poor, all, by their affliction, fpoke his real worth.He left one daughter. His temper, never changed by any deprivation of the world's enjoyments, nor by any bodily fuffering; no peevishness, no complaints escaped; though, it is obferved, that a great alteration often attends fuch diforders, and warps the temper naturally good. But he filently ufed his piety to the laudable purpose of regulating, not only his actions, but his words; yet this was difcovered rather from obfervation, than from his own profeffion, as he was remarkably modeft and humble on religious topics; and, for fear of oftentation on that fubject, might rather err on the oppofite fide, from an awful timidity, which might not always give a juft idea of his unaffected zeal, and real faith. His friendship, where profeffed, was ardent; and he had a spirit in a friend's cause, that rarely appeared on other occafions. He was amiable, affectionate, and tender, as a husband and father; kind and indulgent, as a mafter; and a protector and advocate to the poor; benevolent to all, as far as his fortune could afford.

As he had many leifure hours, he paffed much time in literary employments, though many were very chearfully given to fociety. As correct a lift of his publications is fubjoined, as the writer of this account, at prefent, can afcertain *.

MR. URBAN,

March 13.

N your iaft, p. 96, a correfpondent, who figns himfelf E. has fallen into

* This lift we have taken the liberty to defer till next month, as we shall then be able to enlarge it very confiderably. EDIT.

a fmall

190

Ellis and Etough.-The PICTURE Gallery.

a fmall mistake, which, with your and his permiffion, I will rectify.

Doctor Ben Jofeph Ellis never had the living of St. Michael's at Plea; he was minifter of St. Andrew's, and St. Peter's, Hungate, in Norwich; which he held with the rectory of Buckenham Ferry, a fmall parish, about feven miles Eaft of that city.

Neither Dr. Ellis, nor Mr. Etough, were men of the politeft caft: each would fay, quidlibet, cuilibet, de quolibet, Nor were they particularly fond of each other. They feldom met without fome rough encounter; which, is faid to be the cafe with the Elephant and Rhinoceros: and this, probably, was all that was intended by this allufion, when applied to them by a man of far different manI mean, our late ingenious and worthy friend, Mr. Duncombe; an intimacy with whom, for forty years, intitles me to fay, that, in addition to a ftrong, natural, and highly cultivated, understanding, he poffetfed a confuminate fweetnels of temper, and a thorough goodnefs of heart.

ners;

In your Obituary for January, you premife a farther account of this amiable and excellent perfon. I hope, Sir, it will be drawn up by your own pen*: that will do juftice to a character fully known to you, as well as to me; and which ought to be recorded in your ufeful Repofitory, for the inftruction of others; with an-Abi, et imitare.

Yours, &c.

FIDUS,

Mr. URBAN, Canterbury, Dec. to. T O furnish a nich in your PICTURE GALLERY, I fend you fome particulars of an original fketch drawn by Hans Holbein. The fubject Judith and Holofernes. It is now in the poffeffion of Capt. William Gottling, of Canterbury; and was formerly in the collection of his father, the very intelligent antiquary. At the bottom, in one corner, is 1517,' and in the other • Holbens. At the top are written, in two lines, over the particular compart

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ments,
"Caftrametatio Holofernis Devaftatio Terre

Cilicie et Civitatis Melothi +,

* Our Correfpondent is here too obliging. His request, he will perceive by the preceding article, has been anticipated by a much abler writer. EDIT.

The beginning of Holofernes' prog refs was the devantation of Cilicia, and taking Melotus, according to the Vulgate, where the LXX. have Pbud. and Lud, Jud. ii. 23, as in our tranflatio

EDIT.

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Holofernis Demeritus Interitus ac Suorum
Militum Exitialis Fuga Benemeritus
Betule Urbis Obfeffio Miferabilis
Haud In artificiofa Pictura Hic Conspitur
Prefignabitur."

In the back ground are the Jews for-
tifying the heights (Judith iv. 5.); keep-
ing the ftrait paffage (7.); and kindling
fires on their towers (vii. 5.). The
city befieged, the flingers on the hill
cafting fones (vi. 12.) Achior bound
to a tree (13). Holofernes marching
at the head of his army-his troops
another
fkirmishing-Holofernes, in
place, viewing the pajages, taking the
fountains, and fetting gorrijons over them
(vii. 7.) In the mid-fcape, a most cu-
rious circumfiance, are, a drummer and
fifer in their proper modern dieffes;
and much more fo, feveral pieces of
cannon on carriages, with gabions, as
embrafures, in the front of the batte-
ries.--Judith, with three maids (the
book fays one), with cafks on their
heads. In the fore-ground Judith and
her maids are brought, by the watch, to
the tent of Holofernes, in ftate (x. 17.);
on it armorial bearings; his attendants,
furrounding him, are figures ftained or
coloured: and on the ground is writ-
ten, in many places, grafs (the fame
both in German and English); on
the cloaths are directions, in German,
for the colouring; and alfo with figures
on them, for reference; and alio on
fome of the buildings-halberts, and
the armour of Henry VIII's time-the
Jews on foot, the Affyrians chiefly on
horfeback-one horfe fully armed and
caparifoned. Holofernes making a jeaft
to his own fervants only (x 10.), fome
afleep on their pofta futtling woman
in her tent, whofe device is a bottle,
diftributing liquor from her cafks-the
body of Holofernes in his camp, head-
lefs-Judith going out of it, with her
three maids, one of them putting his
head into her bag (x 10.). Above,
in the mid-fcape, the head of Holofer-
nes banged from a window, on a pole
(xiv. 11.); with a fally from the town
(xv.) on the Affyrians drunk.
clouds and trees, it is obfervable, are
sketched only, not finifhed; and noft
part of the whole drawing is with a
pen, and a pencil. But as ro burteique
feems intended, the ftrange anachro-
nifm of cannon §, &c. feems to me un-

The

Sic Orig. The two words in Italics are croffed through.

Thefe anachronisms are common in the pictures of the first matters. EDIT. accountable

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