The National Register.
London, England, 1809-03-05 00:00:00

THE N&TIONAL REGISTER.

of the prejudices he had so unkn9wingly, and, as it afterwards
proved unfoundedly entertained. lie tookjthe purl best becoming
the Christian preacher. Genuine philanthropy is not, after all
our boasted kindness, the vice of this age let us be carefd, there-
fore, bow we circumscribe the operation of really CHARITABLE
institutions. Policy and impolicy, propriety and impropriety,
are terms to be utterly discarded. Let us imitates in this in-
stance, the " fountain of all goodness," from which the rain of
life descends-alike upon the just and the unjust! It is this that
constitutes genuine charity. ONESIMUS.

*** To the Letters from ' Graeechurch-street,' rind ' An
Impartial Reader,' it is by no means difficult to reply. Not
merely for the sake of my reputable friend who dates his com-
munication in Gracechurch-street, but also on account of nu-
merous other applicants, I must inform my courteous Corres-
pondents, presently and nally, that times and seasons, the when
mud the how, rest entirely with ulyself.
_ _ _

As to an Impartial Reat:er,' who writes with singuhr
ameillty, let him look, if so he pleases, to the current number
of Popular Preachers ;' and he will, I hope, see no cause to
doubt the lenity of Oncsimus, hensoever it can be fairly
exercised ! The tatter part of my Impartial Reader's Letteris
worth attention ; but I must defer noticing it, till it becomes my
province to criticise the clerical character of the present Rector
of Clerkentrell. Respecting extemporary preaching, it is my
fate to have differed generally from the worthy writer of this
letter.
I shall be pleased to receive such information as it may be in
the power of my Correspondents to communicate.
ONESIMrs.

FRENCH LAURENCE, L.L.D.

TO the formidable catalogue of deceased emioent characters,
ho have successively been snatched trim society, within the
last few years, is now to be added the name of French Laurence,
L.D. and Member of Parliament for the Borough of Peter-
)rough. This Gentleman felt the victim of rapid and unex-
pected decline. lie expired on Monday last, February 27, in
the vigour of his days and the maturity of his talents.
Distinguished as a civilian, a political philosopher, a poet,
and a senator, his death must, without partiality to him tzolivi-
)ally, be considered•as a pnblic bereavement. EL.; the evit-
,on of igorous intellects, combined with persevering applica-
ion, Dr. Laurence rose into high professional estimation. He
'came politically know 't by the, active part that he took, during
in favour of Mr. Fox's coiltcsted election for V('estmirl-
,ter. His career in the Senate was hirltly respectable. His
opinions, which he not uofrequeutly deliveted in the House of
Commons, were the result of deep thought, couched in striking
and nervous language, and were alwa7.'s respectfully received.
As a poet and wit, the • itulliad,' and Probatiooary Odes,'
of which the Preface and Notes-to the former were mostly from
this pen, have established 1)r. Laurence's reputatioc, beyond the
chances of mutability. He was also author of several Election
Ballads, which reflect credit on his genius; ant! of various Mi-
nor Pieces, which appeared iu the Poetical Legiter,' and
which sufficiently evince the strength and versatility of his
talents.
One of the Executors of the late Edmund Burke, it became
the province of Dr. Laurence, in discharge of the trust so re-
posed in hint, to superintend the Posthumous Publications,
ous te-
getber with the other Literary Property, of that iilustri
writer and profound statesman. Among these works, the con-
ducting of the old Annual Register,' in the composition of
which Dr. Laurence had long assisted, came, at the death of
Alt. Burke, entirely under his direction. Of the volumes imme-
diately subsequent, published by Rivingtons, Ute Prefaces, and
some portions of the History of Europe, are written by 1)r.
Lawrence. These compositions would alone sustain his literary
character. Much is it to he regretted, that his other avocations,
which were multifarious and perplexing, prevented him from
extending his credit as an author. From him, and only him,
was eventually to he expected the real Life of Burke. lie has
suddeuly descended to that•grave w here there is no more either
of work or devise!
Dead, however, he still lives. His memory will long survive
his burial. Endeared to his friends by his virtues, yalitei by
the public for his writings, and respected by iris compatriots for
his senazorial character, he is exempted from the com:non lot of
oblivion ; and the recollection of his conduct and Ltlentb
vt al
linger some time loni,er among mankind.--

MARCH 5.

Though time n lit w ear us, afid %be musrgrow
Such men are not forgot as soon as cold!
Their fragrant memoq will outlast their lo.nb,
Dubai m'd for ever in its own perfume.—Cow rrn.
This hasty and imperfeet testimory, to the merits of French
Laurence, has nothing but truth and sincerity to recommend it.
lie is one of those, let it be added, ,vilo seem, as public per-
sons, to have been happily takco from the evil that is to come !
le lived in better times. d MICUS.