ТНЕ EUROPEAN MAGAZINE, AND LONDON REVIEW, An ACCOUNT of JOHN HENDERSON, B. A. OF this much-celebrated young man, whofe extraordinary acquirements attracted the notice, and even commanded the refpest of Dr. Johnson, several accounts have been published, and much culogium hath been pronounced. By many he has been fuppofed to emulate the variety and extent of knowledge poffeffed by the Admirable Crichton; and, like that eccentric character, he has left little for pofterity to form a judgment of the truth of thofe praises which have been bestowed upon him. He was born at Bellegarance, near Limerick, in the kingdom of Ireland, on the 27th of March 1757, of very pious and refpectable parents. He received his education amongst the Methodifts, and at eight years of age he understood Latin fo well, as to be able to teach it at Kingfwood School. At twelve, he taught the Greek language in the College of Trevecka, in Wales, to men, feveral of whom were double his age. The Governor of the College at that time was the Rev. Mr. Fietcher, late Vicar of Madely, a clergyman highly diftinguished for the fervour of his piety and the livelinefs of his imagination. Some difagreement taking place with this gentleman and thofe who had the fuperintendance of the College, he was difiniffed, together with young Henderson, who foon after, at the age of twenty-four years, went to Oxford, was entered of Pembroke College, and in due time took the degree of Bachelor of Arts *. From the time of his entrance into the College, his life paffed with little variety and no adventure. His thirst after knowledge appears to have been unabated and unbounded; he was admired and generally refpected; and he acquired habits, some of which brought him into the notice of the world almoft as much as his talents. Some of these traits of character having been depicted by one who appears to have known him well, we shall give in the words of their anthort. He "His (i. e. Mr. Henderfon's) temper was mild, placable, and humane. poffeffed fuch a spirit of philanthropy, that he was ready to oblige every individual as far as lay in his power. His benevolence knew no bounds, and his liberality was fo diffufive, that it fubmitted with difficulty to the circumfcription of a narrow income. He was fond of fociety, and well quali fied to fhine in it. He was frank, open, and communicative, averfe to fufpicion, and untinctured with pride and morofenefs. "His mode of life was fingular. He generally retired to reft about day-break, * By a mistake of our Engraver, the degree of M. A. is added to his name under the portrait of him. This gentleman appears to have been of Pembroke College, and he thus defcribes Mr. Henderson's appearance when he first was introduced to him: "His clothes were made in a fashion peculiar to himself; he wore no ftock or neckcloth; his buckles were so small as not to exceed the dimenfions of an ordinary knee buckle, at a time when very large buckles were in vogue. Though he was then twenty-four years of age, he wore his hair like that of a fchool-boy of fix." and and rofe in the afternoon; a practice, however, that was frequently interrupted by the occafional attendance which he was obliged to give to the morning fervice of the College chapel. He spent a great part of the day in fimoking; and, except when in company, he ufually read while he fmoked. He had no objection to the liberal ufe of wine and fpirituous liquors; and, notwithstanding his philofophic felf-denial in other refpects, he did not always fcrupuloufly adhere to the rules of temperance in this particular. But this failing, which he did not often practife, and which never led him into any glaring impropriety of conduct, was lott amidit the general blaze of merit and virtues with which his character was adorned. "The following remarkable cuftom was frequently obferved by him before he retired to repofe:-he ufed to ftrip himfelf naked as low as the wait, and taking his ftation at a pump near his rooms, would completely fluice his head and the upper part of his body; after which he would pump over his thirt fo as to make it perfectly wet, and putting it on in that condition, would inmediately go to bed. This he jocularly termed an excellent cold bath." The Jatter part of this ceremony, however, he did not practife with fuch frequency as the former. was as "His external appearance fingular as his habits of life. He would never fuffer his hair to be ftrewed with white duft (to ufe his own expreffion), daubed with pomatum, or distorted by the curling irons of the frifeur. Though under two-and-thirty years of age at his death, he walked, when he appeared in public, with as much apparent caution and folemnity as if he had been enfeebled by the co-operation of age and difenfe. "With regard to his moral and religious character, he was a pattern highly worthy of imitation. He was, in the frict fenfe of the phrafe, integer vitæ fcele. rifque purus. He fhewed a constant regard to the obligations of honour and juftice; and recommended, both by precept and example, an attention to moral rectitude aits ramifications. He had the ourage to reprove vice and immorality Aherever they appeared; and though he was fometimes ticated on thele occations near an with contimely and infult, he bore with a moderation truly Christian fo ill a return for his well-meant endeavours. In his principles of religion he was orthodox, without being rigid. His devotion was fervent, without making too approach to enthusiafim or fuperftition. He was perfectly acquainted with the religious dogmas of every different fect, and could readily detect the respective fallacies of each. But however he might differ from thefe fectarilts, he behaved to them on all occafions with great politeness and liberality, and converfed with them on the most amicable terms of general focia bility. His abilities and understanding were eminently confpicuous. His penetration was fo great as to have the appearance of intuition. So retentive was his memory, that he remembered whatever he learned and this faculty of recollection, combined with a pregnancy of imagination and folidity of judgement, enabled him to acquire a furprizing fund of erudition and argument; a fund ready at every call, and adequate to every emergency. "His learning was deep and multifarious. He was admirably killed in logic, ethics, metaphyfics, and fcholaftic theology. Duns Scotus, Thomas Aquinas, and Burgeridicius, were authors with whom he was intimately converfant. He had ftudied the healing art with particular attention, and added to a found theoretic knowledge of it fome degree of practice, His kill in this art he rendered fubfervient to his philanthropy; for he gratuitously attended the valetudinarian poor wherever he refided, and favoured them with medical advice as well as pecuniary affiftance. He had a competent knowledge of geome try, aftronomy, and every branch of natural and experimental philofophy. He was well acquainted with the Civil and Canon Laws, and the Law of Nature and Nations. In claffical learning and the belles lettres he was by no means defi. cient. He was mafter of the Greek and Latin tongues, as well as of feveral modern languages. He affected not elegance either in his Latin or English ftyle; but was happy in a manly, peripicuous, and forcible diction, which he preferred to the empty flow of harmonious periods. He was verted in hiftory, grammar, and rhetoric. In politics he was a firm Tory, *Truth, however, requires it to be added, that in the latter part of his life fo completely had this failing overcome him, that wine or (pirits could not be faftly trufted within his power. and and greatly difapproved the general conduct of the Whig Party. · "He fpoke of Phyliognomy as a fcience with all the confidence of a Lavater. He pretended to a knowledge of the occult fciences of Magic and Aftrology. Whe. ther this was or was not a mere pretence, I leave to the judgment of the enlightened reader. Suffice it to remark, that his library was well tored with the magical and aftrological books of the last century. "His talents of converfation were of fo attractive a nature, fo various and multiform, that he was a companion equally acceptable to the Philofopher and the Man of the World, to the grave and the gay, the learned and the illiterate, the young and the old of both fexes." Such is the eulogium of one who declares himself to have been intimately acquainted with the fubject of it, and the teftimony of other friends confirm the material and moft thining parts of it. With fuch talents, it is to be lamented that the world received to little benclit from them. Except an Appendix to the Differtation on Everlasting Punishment, by William Matthews, and fome Letters to Dr. Priestley, published in the Gentleman's Magazine, we do not know that any of Mr. Henderfon's works are existing. "Some time before his change came (says Mr. Agutter), he feemed perfectly dead to this world, and abftra&ted from man. Company could no more engage him. He avoided unprofitable converfe and idle fpeculations. The early hour and the frugal meal prepared him for contemplation and ftudy. He had a full and clear prefenti. ment of his approaching diffolution, and he feemed to withdraw himfelf from mortals, as he was foon to converfe with higher beings. "When we confider the ftrength of his mind, the variety of his knowledge, and the excellencies of his foul, we may juttly declare that he was a truly great character, and an original genius. The partiality of friendship nuft give place to the facred, nefs of truth; and I do not mean to defcribe him as a perfect man: His friends lamented his failings, and he himself fincerely repented of them. The God of Heaven does not require more of his fallen creatures; and let us remember not to be extreme to mark all that is done amifs, feeing we have much caufe for shame and repentance. He was a meek fufferer thro this world of mifery; a fincere and con trite penitent, for time mif-spent and talents mifapplied; a humble believer in Chrift his Saviour. I faw him in his lat fufferings; I heard his last words: He languiled under weakness extreme; he laboured under molt grievous pains. He was wonderfully patient and religned; for he knew in whom he believed, and his hope was full of immortality. He prayed with uncommon fervour to his good God, even to Jefus Chrift, in whom all his hopes were placed, and "without whom,” fays he, " Heaven would be no Heaven to me. Death was the wifhed-for meffenger whom he earnestly expected. Three days before that awful event, his pulfe ceafed to beat, and the fight of his eyes went from him-the laft ruggle is over; the bitterness of death is past. There was a humble dignity and compofure in that hour of trial, worthy the man and the Chriftian. Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end (or inore properly my hereafter) be like his." He died at Oxford the 2d day of No. vember 1786, and was buried on the 18th at St. George's, Kingwood; the corple being accompanied by Mr. Agutter, who on the Sunday following picached the fermon from which the above extract is taken, and which contains a character c his friend highly honourable to both the parties. EXTRACTS from ORIGINAL LETTERS from EDWARD WORTLEY MONTAGUE, JUN. ESQ. to an EMINENT PHYSICIAN in LONDON, dec. [ Concluded from Vol. XXI. Page 4:1.] Venice, March 8, 1775. As the place I am in does not afford matter for fuch letters as I should with to write, and you ought to receive, I muft have recourfe to frivolous nonfenie, I will then tell you fomething that I have herd just now relating to B, who has ben here on a very extraordinary errand. He received orders from his lovereign allift the Vengtians in making a peace with the Algerines.-The peace was made, and he has demanded from the Senate 2000 fequins for his fervice; and what is more extraordinary, he requires a particu lar decree of the Senate, that this fu may be employed to buy him a diamond crois, and fay that that is their recompente for his fervices. I know you love extraordinary things, and I could never have treated you with a dich If my name is not amongst the Antiquarians, I should be glad that it was, and to the Society of Arts and Sciences; of which I know not the expence. EXTRACT of a LETTER from MR. MONTAGUE'S learned and excellent CORRESPONDENT. London, Sept. 25, 1775. I SHALL be very glad to fee your portrait-I have more than once vifited that representing you near the Written Mountain. If we cannot, on account of distance, fee our friends, it is no fmall fatisfaction to fee their reprefentation. I SIR, most hearily coincide with you in your opinion of the activity and abilities of Lord Sandwich as First Lord of the Admiralty. Mr. Clark is fent home with Omai, who is now fo far acquainted with this country, that not long fince, and without any perfon to attend him, he hired a horse, and rode to visit Baron Dimsdale, by whom he was inoculated, at Hertford. Mr. Mafon, whom the King fent three years ago to the Cape of Good Hope to collect plants and feeds for the garden at Kew, is returned with many new acquifitions. He travelled near nine hundred miles to the north of the Cape, and has feen more of the interior of Africa than has been hitherto vifited by Europeans. In your voyage to Mecca and Medina I moft fincerely with you health, and every gratification your curiofity can expect. To the EDITOR of the EUROPEAN MAGAZINE, YOU may probably not deem the following account of an Improvement in the Management of Bees, which is ftrongly recommended by thofe who have practifed it, unworthy of a place in your Magazine. The improvement is that of having double fceps, the one on the top of the other. When the lower feep is filled with honey it is to be removed, after the bees are admited (through a paffage which is male to be opened for this purpofe) into the upper feep in this upper icep food must be put, and the bees will remain there, and fill it with honey. When it is filled, the bees are to be admitted into the former fcep again, now to be replaced, after food has been put into it, and the full feep is to be taken away. By thus alternately removing the fceps, more honey will be collected than is ufually procured, and the lives of the bees may be spared. I am, Sir, Your obedient humble fervant, K. K. P. S. It may not be improper to add, that the change of the fceps fhould be made about Midfummer. ORIGINAL LETTER of Mr. HAYWARD to Mr. VAUGHAN, Clerk to SIR HARRY HERBERT, Matter of the Revels to JAMES I. CHARLES I, and CHARLES II. MR. VAUCHAN, THE 6th of February laft I farmed the city and county of York as to the concernment of the Revels of James Ward and Thomas Miles, and had 201. the first quarter beforehand, which I paid the fame day to Sir Henry Herbert-thefe perfons fought me, and not I them. When they began their work, whether through their inducretion, or peremptory carriage, they were feized by the foldiery, and for a time in the Marshall's hands, and becaufe they could not prefently arrive at their ends, returned home in difcontent; fince which time they have been with me to depand their money and charges, as alfo to pay for their gay clothes, which they provided to vapour withall in the country. I have for fome time put them off with good words, and promised, that if my power was enlarged as to mufic, &c. they should have the fruit of my endeavours, and return into the country. This will not ferve their turns, whereupon they have petitioned my Lord Chamberlain against me, and I commanded (by a reference to their petition) to wait upon his Lordship to-mor row; but I refolve the contrary, till I have a copy of their petition, that I may know what to anfwer; and to that end have fent a letter to Mr. Collings, and a copy there am of of herewith. Let me entreat you to lay before Sir Harry the whole truth of my commiffion and agreement, which I have fent to you by my fervant, and not only take his advice therein, but entreat him either to fatisfy my Lord Chamberlain or Mr. Collings in the premifes, that I may be safe and not difcouraged, when I aim at nothing but to enlarge and perferve the power of the Revelis in a fober way. Herein if Sir Henry (after the perufal of my papers) fhall think fit to appear by himfelf or you for my vindication against thefe pitifull fellows, I fhail acknowledge it as a kindness, otherwife I fhall be fleighted, and the power of the Revells will be fo undervalued, that no civill perfon whatfoever will be able to carry on his businefs. I pray you fend the letter this afternoon to Mr. Collings, that he may not expec me to-morrow, for I refolve never to meet my adverfaries underhand: that were to deftroy a good caufe, and I am fure mine is not the contrary. Excufe this trouble, and I fhall remember your pains and care herein, who am, Your afured loving friend, E. HAYWARD. St. Paul's Church-Yard, SUPERSCRIPTION. To my very loving friend, Mr. Walter Vaughan, Clerk to Sir Henry Herbert, Knight, at Lincoln-House, in Tuttle-street, these. CHURCH INSCRIBED on a TOMB-STONE in BOLTON pacy laid afide fourteen years-London In his time were many great changes, and terrible alterations-eighteen years civil war in England, belides many dreadful fea-fights-the crown and command of England changed eight times-Epifco 200,000Proteftants murdered by Papists this town thrice ftormed, once taken and plundered. He went through many troubles and divers conditions ; found reft, joy, and happinets only. in holiness, the faith, fear, and love of God and Jefus Chrift.-Died the 29th April, and lieth here buried, 1684. Come Lord Jefus, DROSSIAN A. NUMBER XXXIV. ANECDOTES of ILLUSTRIOUS and EXTRAORDINARY PERSONS, PERHAPS NOT GENERALLY KNOWN. A THING OF SHREDS AND PATCHES! HAMLET. bienfaiteur, et m'a commander de vous envoyer la lettre de change, c'y jointe comme un marque de fon ettime, et un gage de fa protection. Chacun fait, que Vous fuivez dignement l'exemple da fameux Voffius votre pere, et qu'ayant reçu de lui un nom qu'il a rendů illuftre par fes ecrits, vous en fe confervez la gloire par les voftres. Ces chofes etant connues de fa Majefté, elle fe porte avec plaifir à gratifier vote merit, et j'ai d'autant plus de joie qu'elle m' ayt donné ordre de vous le faire, fcavoir que je puis Hat |