made it probable that he might become burthensome to others, he immediately resumed his former restraints.

To shew the progress of his understanding and attainments, and the bent of his disposition in early youth, some of his juvenile attempts, both in verse and prose, are inserted; which, had these volumes been intended for the public eye, in this age of severe and uncandid criticism, would certainly have been suppressed, as also several of his loose thoughts and letters, and the whole of this Memoir.

From all his writings it will be seen, that from first to last, Religion held (as it ought), the chief place in his heart, and Piety was his characteristic grace. If it shall appear to some that that piety bordered on enthusiasm, I wish to submit the following reflections to their candid attention.

Although no one can be less disposed than myself, to become the advocate of Enthusiasm, properly so called, for I well know the dangers which attend it, and the dreadful consequences to which it leads; yet, bad as it is, its opposite is surely worse. Lukewarmness is inconsistent with the first principles of Christianity. When we are expressly told by our Lord himself, that to love God with all our heart, and soul, and mind, and strength, is the first and great commandment:-When we acknowledge that God created us, that his blessed Son redeemed us, and that his Holy Spirit sanctifies us:—

In a word, when we own, that to Him we owe all we are, and all we have;-surely, weak must be that head, and cold that heart which can wish to banish all warmth from our devotion, or can suppose that no returns of love and gratitude are due to our all-bountiful Benefactor.-" Far from me and from my Friends be such frigid philosophy."

But if, after all, some excess shall still appear, let it be observed, that, from his earliest infancy, his mind was ardent, his affections uncommonly warm, his imagination extremely strong. And such they continued to the last: and this, not only as applied to Religion, but also to every other study and pursuit. Let it also be remembered, that

* The following note is inserted at the request of one who was in habits of intimacy with my Son.

"It is certainly true that 'his mind was ardent, his affections uncommonly warm, his imagination extremely strong;' and that these qualities could not but discover themselves in a pursuit which so greatly interested him as that of Religion. But I would beg leave to observe, that every part of his Religion, even those parts of it which might seem the most nearly allied with imagination, or with feeling, was in a strict sense practical. That is, it was made the foundation of moral culture. Every thing in him was principle, not sentiment; at least, the sentiment overflowed from a deep spring of principle. And, in the formation and application of his principles, he made the fullest use of the uncommon powers of understanding which he possessed. Hence, his opinion on questions of moral conduct was extremely valuable. I have repeatedly known points of

his Enthusiasm (if such it must be called), never led him into any crooked by-paths. He persevered steadily in the line of his duty, he was always an affectionate Son, a firm Friend, a candid Man. He never despised the ordinances of God, or the means of Grace; or hoped to attain the end without the use of those means. He never neglected his worldly duties, or his profession, but pursued it steadily, even beyond his strength. His principles were strict, and his practice conformable to them; yet without any puritanical austerity either in conduct or deportment. He enjoyed harmless mirth, and partook, in moderation, of innocent amusements; and thus contributed, by precept and example,

"To set Religion in its fairest light,

And vindicate the ways of God to Man."

Having been much disgusted by the liberties lately taken with living characters, I determined to suppress all names, but those of his near Relations, and some public personages to whom he was indebted for kindness and assistance during his absence from England; although by so doing, I have

this nature submitted to him; and have not been more struck with that kindness and warmth of heart, which made him consider every difficulty that might press on his friends, as his own, than with the largeness and (if I may say so), the rationality of his views, and the union he exhibited, of humility of mind with great clearness and firmness of judgment."

rendered some passages less interesting; and deprived him of the credit of many respectable connections, for such, I believe, were all his Friends; and were I to indulge myself in stating their conduct towards him, it would display such zealous attachment as perhaps has never been exceeded. It was received by him with singular affection and gratitude; and will, I trust, be long remembered by his Family with similar sentiments. But having thus avoided offending the delicacy of the living, I hope I may without impropriety mention the truly parental kindness which he experienced during the latter part of his life, from two departed Friends,-the late Mr. and Mrs. H. Thornton. Of Mr. Thornton he has himself drawn a sketch in the following Tracts, under the appropriate name of Sophron; and his character has since been given by an able hand, with equal moderation and justness. It would ill become me to attempt to delineate the many virtues, which raised him and his excellent Lady so high in the esteem of their numerous Friends: but I cannot refrain from seizing this opportunity of expressing the gratitude and affection which I must ever feel and cherish, for their unbounded kindness to my departed Child. Their house was to him a second home. They loved him as if he had been their own. And from facts which have come to my knowledge, I am convinced, there was nothing they could have done

for a Son, which they would not gladly have done for him. This poor acknowledgment is the only return I can make, but "He who seeth in secret, will reward them openly."

Let me now say a few words of the contents of these Volumes.

I am not aware that my Son published any thing with his name annexed; but a few Verses, and many Prose Essays, were, by his permission, printed in periodical publications. From these and from his manuscripts, I have endeavoured to select such pieces, or extracts, as seemed best calculated to promote my two principal objects, to do good, and to give pleasure to his Friends. The chief difficulty was in rejecting, for there was scarce a scrap in his portfolio which I could throw back without reluctance. But having confided his papers to me alone, I felt a sacred trust reposed in me, which called for care and caution in its execution. Some things were imperfect, some not wholly original; others (though containing thestrongest proofs of his Humility and other Christian Graces), were of too private a nature for any eye but my own. I felt also my incompetence to fulfil so difficult a task. I can only say, I have spared no pains, and have endeavoured to do my duty. This is my great support. For the rest, I throw myself on the candour of those, who for his sake, will, I hope, pardon his Father's failings.

The Journal which follows this Memoir, is in so