The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-09-22 00:00:00

XXXIII.

Bisnor Waastrarox.—Bistiop Newton's delineation
of
this learned prelate is no bad companion to the portrait Of
him, as given by Dr. JOHNSON in his life of Pope.
" Bishop Warburton was in a great measure lost to the
world and to his friends untie years before his death, be
the decay of his intellectual faculties, the body pressing
down the mind that mused upon many things; which
bath been the case of many a great genius as well as him-
self. For be was indeed a great genius, of the most ex-
tensive reading, of the most retentive memory, of the meet
copious invention, of the liveliest imagination, of the sharp..
eat discernment, of the quickest wit, and of the readiest
and happiest application of his immense knowledge to the
present subject and occasion. He was such an universal
reader, that he took delight even in romances ; and there
is scarce one of any note, ancient or modern, that he
' had not read ; he said himself that be hail learned
Spanish to have the pleasure of reading Don Qesa-
ote in the original. He was excellent and admirable
both as a companion and a friend. As a companion t,e
did not dwell upon little trivial matters, but disclosed a
nicer vein of conversation, was lively and entertaining, was
instructive and improving, abounded with pleasant stories
and curious anecdotes; but sometimes took the discourse
too much to himself, if any thing can be said to be too
much of such an inexhaustible fund of wit and kerning.
As a friend he was ingenuous and communicative, . woad
answer any question, would resolve any doubts, deliver his
sentiments upon all subjects freely without reserve, laid
open his very heart, and the character which he was pleased
to give Mr. Pope, of being " the soul of friendship," wee
more justly applicable to him, and more properly his eeee,
The same warmth of temper which animated is friend'.
ship, sharpened likewise his resentment ; but even to las
enemies, if Le was easilysprovoked, he was as easily tacos.
tiled, especially after the least acknowledgement and sub-
omission, so that his friends truly applied to him the saving
•` Irasci facials, *amen tat plarabilit esset."
He was rather a tall, robust, large-boned man, of a frame
that seemed to require a good supply of provisions to sup-
port it; but he was sensible, if he had lived as other
people do, he must have used a geed deal of exorcise; and
if he hail used a good deal of exercise, it must have inter-
ruined the course of his studies, to which he was so de-
voted as to deny himself ahy other indulgence, and so be-
came a singular example, not only of temperance, but even
of abstinence in eating and drinking ; and yet his apish:
were not lowered or exhausted, but were rather raised and
increased by such low living. The best and most valuable
memorials of Bishop Warburton will be his own works.
And yet his capital work, the Divine Legation of Moses,
is left unfinished, to the loss and regret of all who have
any regard for religion or,learning. It is indeed a leer
much to be lamented, whatsoever was the cause, whether
he was disgusted at the ill reception which was given to
the work by several of the clergy, for whose use and ser-
vice it was principally intended; or whether he was di-
verted from it by the numerous controversies wherein he
was engaged in defence of it. But he should have cared
fur none of these things, but should have proceeded di-
rectly and steadily to the end. The viper might have
fastened upon his hand, but, like St. Paul. he should have
shaken oft' the beast into the fire; and, like him too, would
certainly have felt no harm."
Da. Jon re SAVA a E.—The 'benevolent President of the
famous club at Royston, was Rector of Clothall, Herts.
and Lecturer of St. George's, Hanover-square. He was
called the Aristippes of the age. "In his younger days,'
says Bishop Arewton," he had travelled witb an Earl of
Salisbury, to whom lie was indebted for a considerable
living in Hertfordshire ; and in his more advanced years
visas lively, pleasant, facetious old man. One day at the
levee Geoaos I. asked him, How to,lg he had stayed at
Roue with Lord gamine fa ? Upon his answering bow
long, Why, said the King, you stayed long enough,
why did you not convert the Pope?'—' Because, Sir,' ref
plied he; I had nothing better to offer him.' Having peen
bred at Westminster, he had always a great fondness f,:t
the =boo', attended all their plays and elections, assisted
in all their public exercises, there grew young again, end
among boys was a great boy himself. The King'.l scbolart
hal.so great a regard to him, that, after his decease, they
made a collection among themselves, and at their own
charge erected a monument to his memory in the Clcrysters.'
The monument the Bishop mentions, is a small tablet of
white marble on the right-hand side of the door lgadiog
into the Chapter-house, and is thus inscribed

4 JOHANNI SAVAGE, S. T. I'.
• Alumni Scholia M'estmonasterienaia
' Posuerum,
Tu noatre memor usque Schots, d um vita mahebat ;
Musa nec immentores no Snit ease Tui.
Ipse loci Genius to 'mere! Amiens Amicuic,
Et luctu pietas nos propiore ferit.
Nobiscum asseerat docto paieraszere lass
Pudic & ingenitos crude sancta sales.
Chace Senex, Auer hoc to sultan carmine clout ;
Ingratutn Pueri nec tibi carmen ern."
CAIiTE'S HISTORY OF ENOLAND.—This learned Imo-
lisp historian was a man of singular character, and his life
was replete with incident. The Corporation of London
were among the subscribers to his history; but baying oc-
casion to speak of the unction of our Kings, he indiscreetly
threw out some doubts as to the real efficacy of the rogoi
touch in the case of CHRISTOPHER LOVELL, a satire of
%Vella, in Somersetsbire, who was afflicted with the evil.
The loyal corporation upon this unanimously resolved to
withdraw their subscription. This influential example
acted upon many others, and his history fell, for a time,
into general neglect. He was not, however, deterred by
this from prosecuting his undertaking. It was intended
to be carried up to the period of the Restoration, but con-
' dudes with the year 1764.
Cater e's absence of mind was extraordinary. Stem
years before his death, which happened in 1764, he rithi
bis addresses to Miss Dui;nsui, of Blytli Hall, near
Coleshill, a lineal descendant of the illustrious Antiquary,
and the wedding day was fixed ' • but he actually forgot to
go till the day after that which had been appointed, when
the lady with great indignation refused her hand, and tie
matoh was broken oft. He carried his carelessness in money
matters to such an extent, that when the inhabitants of
Stoke brought him his tithes, which be never took the
trouble to ask for, it not unfrequently happened, if he mai
engaged in his studies, that he would request they would
call again, though at the very time he was actually in or-
czssitous circumstances. The parsonage-house of Stoke
adjoins the church-yard, yet he was sometimes so intent co
the book he happened to be reading, that the sermon-14
enwregeeiwa wen- weary -0.-eruishig., and 15t
_ was under the necessity of reminding him of his
duty. During the fifteen years in which he was Viotti of
Ilitecxtry, be neglected to make any demand tit
the handet of Hype, in that parish ; which his ad-
ministrator discovering after his death, made a claim on
the inhabitants of that hamlet for tithes in kind, and to
recover them filed a Bill in Chancery. The particulars ef
this suit will be found in Atkyns's Reports, M. 449, and
Vezey's Rep. i. 3.
He was a man of a very upright mind, with a most tem-
perate and cheerful disposition. Soon after the acorrsion
of GEORGE I, walking in a heavy sh,,wcr, ha wlw Plied
with—" A coach, your Reverence?' " No. lioeegi
friend," answered ARTE, " this is not a reign for me to
ride in a coach."

1 Til.g'clerk

ON A STAR.
Beautiful star that art wandering thllowlh
The midnight ocaus's waves of blue!
I have w.itched since thy first pale ray
Rose on the ilrewell of summer's &vv..
From thy first sweet shine on the twilistd km,
To thy present blare of beauty and power!
Would I could read my destiny,
Lovely and glorious star, in thee ! •
Vet why should I wish ?—I know too well
What thy tablet of light would tell!
What, oh ! what could I read there,
But the depths of love's despair,—
Blighted feelings, like leaves that fall
Tare nest from April's cutonal,
Hopes like meteors that shine and depart—
Au emly grave, and a broken heart !
The Imp-o7mit--ic‘.

SONG.
Farewell I—and never think of n*
In lighted hall or lady's bower !
Farewell !--and never think of tike
In spring sunshine or summer hour'--
But when ion sae a lovely grave,
Just where a broken hart might be,
With not one mourner by it% sod,
They—and than 047...T11;514 or Sr ! nod.