The Sun.
London, England, 1839-08-23 00:00:00

MR. EDGAR TAYLOR.

We mentioned, in our obituary on Tuesday, the death
of this gentleman ; but the decease of such a man, at
the early age of forty-six, ought not to remain unnoticed
even by the diurnal press, for his loss will be not only
lamented by a numerous body of personal and profes-
sional friends, but it will be sensibly felt by the politico-
religious party of which he was as well the zealous
friend as a rarer and more valuable character—the dis-
creet and temperate counsellor—viz. that of the Uni-
tarian Presbyterians. Mr. Taylor was a native of the
county of Norfolk. He repaired early to the metro-
polis, and in the year 1817 associated himself in the
practice of the law with a son of the celebrated Roscoe,
of Liverpool, and till the time of his death was, at least
in name, at the head of the firm that arose out of that
union ; though a painful and incurable disease, which
lasted twelve years, forced him to withdraw from the
more ordinary branches of the professional practice.
But he never ceased to take an active part in all the
great public measures which affected the civil and reli-
gious rights of the body to which he belonged. As one
of the Presbyterian deputies he was among the earliest
promoters of the repeal of the Corporation and Test
Acts ; he took an active part in procuring the late Mar-
riage and Registration Acts ; and was named in the last
Act as one of the unsalaried Commissioners for carrying
it into effect. Few men in his branch of the profession
of the law were more frequently consulted in the course
of the numerous reforms of the law which have been from
time to time effected, or too often only proposed. The
mildness of his manners was well combined with inflexi-
ble consistency, and rendered him the fit organ of mea-
sures of condiliation and amicable compromise.
Notwithstanding the occupation arising out of an
extensive professional practiet, and an active participa-
tion in public measures, he found leisure for literary
pursuits. He was a frequent contributor to the pe-
riodical press, and our readers had not unfrequently the
benefit of his labours. He generally published anony-
mously, but in 1833 he gave to the world a " Book of
Rights," with his name, a valuable digest of Constitu-
tional Acts from Magna Charta downwards, with able
and original comments. He was attached to antiqua-
rian and historical studies, as well as to the lighter li-
terature which combines history with poetry. He was
the author of an admired translation of the famous
French metrical chronicle, by Wace, entitled the
" Roman de Rou." He composed a history of the
German Minnesang,rers, with translated specimens,
and was able, notwithstanding the sufferings of
his latter years, to recreate his imagination by
preparing a version of some of the admirable
Mcerehen legends of the distinguished brothers Grimm,
the banished Hanoverian professors. The second edi-
tion, under the title of " Gammer Grethill," was the
last of his writings that left the press.
But these lighter occupations never interfered with
the discharge of sterner duties, nor with the more
earnest studies founded on religious opinions. He sus-
stained his severe bodily trials with fortitude and pa-
tience, and died full of the assurance of a Christian's hope,
though he rejected many of the dogmata which consti-
tute the faith of the more numerous Christian sects.
He has left a name unassailed by reproach or impute-
tion, and left the world without an acquaintance who
does not lament his departure.—Morning Paper.

• -
A GOOD BREEDER.--There is on the QM,
Hall farm, at Bilsby, near Alford, a celebrated ware,
descended from O!d Golden Farmer, which has at her
heels her eighteenth foal. Thirteen of these foals were
cnits, and were sold in some instances for 100/. each. She
belongs to Capt. Taylor who resides on the above farm.
Canabridge Chronicle.