cal wisdom. Nor did he hoard his treasures, but liberally dispensed them, according to the maxim of the Hebrew sage, and the strain of the British bard.

"Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is hoarded up, what profit is in them both? Better is he that hideth his folly, than he that hideth his wisdom."

"Heaven does with us as, we with torches do,-
Not light them for themselves, for if our virtues
Did not go forth of us-'t were all alike

As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touched
But for fine issues-nor Nature ever lends

The smallest scruple of her excellence,

But like a thrifty goddess she determines
Herself the glory of a creditor,
Both thanks and use." *

THE MAN OF INFLUENCE.

Great as Doddridge's talents were, varied as was his learning, and eminent as was his piety, the reputation in which he was held by contemporaries seems rather to exceed even the high estimate of his excellence formed on the study of his life, his letters, and his works. Fame presents a reflection of his

*The two extracts are combined by Trench on the Parables.

image still larger and more brilliant. In an age when compliments formed no small part of the staple of correspondence, the number of persons who wrote to Doddridge seemed to vie with each other in the praises of his worth.

That such a man would stand high in his own denomination was to be expected, and he did so; yet, even in that quarter, he found envious detractors; but the detraction was small compared with the admiration. His writings were valued, his books publicly read,† his visits warmly welcomed, his services earnestly sought, his labours fervently applauded. In

* Mrs. Doddridge observes, in a letter from Bath, August 19th, 1746-"I hope my dear will not suffer his mind to be much ruffled by the seeming neglect of friends, or unjust calumny of enemies; for my part, whilst I am so happy as to be esteemed and loved by the man whose regard is capable of giving me the highest pleasure of anything in the world, the smiles and frowns of others sit lightly upon me." * * *-Unpublished Correspondence. 66 As for the unmanly flirts, and ungenerous reflections of those who are not worthy to carry your books after you, it puts me in mind of a dog barking at the moon, which, after all his impotency shines, and is still very far out of his reach."-Letter from the Rev. J. Barker, Correspondence, vol. v. p. 19.

With respect to Colonel Gardiner's Life, the Rev. R. Pearsall, of Taunton, says, "I gave notice that I would read it in public, and did so two evenings a week for five weeks, till the whole was finished."-Doddridge's Correspondence, vol. iv. p. 572.

his annual excursions he preached to large and admiring assemblies, and was sometimes escorted from place to place by two or three brethren, with respect bordering on homage. He was consulted on their affairs by churches not only in different parts of this kingdom, but on the continent.*

But the honourable name of Doddridge was known, revered, and cherished beyond the boundaries of the sect to which he belonged. Clergymen of the Church of England courted his friendship. The author of the "Divine Legation of Moses," at the commencement of his remarkable correspondence with the Dissenting divine, acknowledges with gratitude "the honour of so considerable a patron." Referring to the second volume of the "Expositor," he remarks, "The greatest

* I have obtained, through the kindness of my friend the Rev. B. Slight, entries from the church books at Rotterdam, relative to Doddridge. He was frequently consulted by the good people there. In 1748, this entry occurs: "For a book as a present to Dr. Dod. dridge, 80 florins," (about £6 148.). M. Rocquetto acquainted the consistory that Dr. Doddridge, in a letter to him, assured him he had received the books they sent him, together with their letter. At the next vacancy in the pastorate his opinion about a successor was sought: they joined in sending "a letter to Dr. Doddridge at Lisbon." At a subsequent meeting his death is noticed.

thing I can say of it is, that it is equal to the first; and the truest thing I can say of both, that they surpass anything of the kind." "The learned claim you," cries the great Churchman, while good-humouredly chiding him for his praise of Hervey. Bishops, and other dignitaries, besides some of the nobility, are numbered among his familiar correspondents, and persons of noble name were his most intimate friends. On a visit to Cambridge he received marks of attention extremely flattering,* while his literary reputation travelled over Europe, and brought him home assurances of great esteem.†

* "Dr: Doddridge spent a couple of days here last week. I showed him all the civility I could; at first, indeed, merely as a friend of yours, but it soon became the result of my own inclination. He favoured me with much curious conversation, and if I judge right, is a man of great parts and learning, and of a candid and communicative temper. I now reckon him amongst my acquaintance, and thank you for him."-Mr. Caryl to Dr. Warburton. Dr. Doddridge says to Mrs. Doddridge, “Dr. Middleton showed me several very fine curiosities; and I, on the other hand, had the pleasure of informing him of several very curious and valuable MSS. in the library of which he had the charge; of which neither the Doctor himself, nor any of the gentlemen of the university that I saw, had ever so much as heard, though they are the oldest monuments relating to the churches of Italy."

+ All this involved a large correspondence: "I marshalled my unanswered letters, and found them one hundred and six, near

Kippis intimates that he was elated by the eminence to which he rose. It is also said he was not insensible to the incense of flattery; and Barker, in a clever letter, hits at what he deemed his errors; all of which, however, as he enumerates them, certainly leaned on virtue's side. "Are you aware what a creature you are? I love you beyond expression, and admire your abilities, furniture, and spirits, more than you imagine, and not a man in the world rejoices more in your usefulness than I do; and yet I often make myself merry with your character and conduct. I will give you a sketch of it. You are so entirely devoted to God, to truth, and holiness, that it is very easy to impose upon you, under the appearance of any of these, and are so perfectly made up of candour and good nature, that a pious enthusiast or a godly dunce is welcome to your table and heart.* You are so good your

one-quarter of which reached me since Friday noon (and it was then Monday evening), and all this though I have written between fifty and sixty letters the last fourteen days, with my own hand, having no secretary."

* Such a man was likely to be imposed upon. "Indeed," he says, when smarting under one of the frauds to which he was subject, "I have been so often imposed upon, that I am the less excusable in this instance, and have very little but the goodness

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