The Sun.
London, England, 1826-09-01 00:00:00

RECOLLECTIONS OF Dr. PARR, BY A PUPIL.

On one occasion, I recollect the Doctor's making the pupils get
up at two o'clock in the morning, during a tremendous thunder-
storm. We found our preceptor in the library, smoking with
philosophical tranquillity, the windows and door being open. He
was dressed in a suit of _rusty black, with a large glued cocked-
hat over his nightcap. After desiring us to sit down, he gave us
a most interesting account of the facts and discoveries connected
with electricity, Dr. Franklin's invention of conductor*, kc. in-
terspersed with amusing anecdotes, having reference to the same
subject. All this time, Parr went on smoking at intervals, with
perfect composure, whilst the rain fell down in torrents, which,
with the awful claps of thunder,
and vivid flashes of lightning,
produced a very striking effect upon our minds. It Was like
listening -to a disquisition upon lava, near the-crater of Mount
Vesuvius.

Nothing could exceed my preceptor's benevolent sea! on once.-
'ions where his services as a clergyman were required by the sick,
the oppressed, or the unfortunate, or by the criminal setteneed to
forfeit hie life to the laws of his country. In one ielstance of
this latter description, having reason to suppose the evidence de-
fectives, his exertions were most active and unremitting to obtain
a respite, which he effected through the late Duke of Portland, to
whom he addressed a very eloquent letter on the subject : and he
had ultimately the satisfaction of procuring, through the same
channel, a full pardon for the unfortunate man, whose innocence
was proved satisfactorily ; and of which the Doctor was so con-
vinced that he took him into his service until he had obtained
anothir situation. It is gratifying to add, that the man's tubas;
quent conduct was such as to justify, the exertions which were
made in his favour.

Of a similar description' was the conduct of Parr, when hii
friend Mr. Oliver, an apothecary at Stafford, Wee tried for the
murder of a gentleman. who was proprietor of a pottery in that
neighbourhood, and seli?se ountest Mr. Oliver had obtained to
marry his daughter. Raving subsequently refused to fulfil his
Promise, and having forhiddan.the .visits of Arr. Oliver, the latter
was so exasperated by the disappointment of his hopes, that he
called upon the father of the lady,. and upon hearing him repeat
his refusal, shot hire on the spot. The only ground of defence on
the trial was the insanity of the prisoner, of which the Doctor was
so firmly convinced, that he strained every nerve iu his favour.
But all his exertions were fruitless. The murder, indeed, was
effected with much deliberation, and after previously purchasing a
mould wherewith to cast the bullets. This circumstance WAS
fatal. During the interval between the sentence passed on Mr.
Oliver and his execution, Parr visited bile daily in hie, cell, end
remained with him during the whole of the night preceding, the awful
cateatroptie, pouring balm into the wounds of his friend's afflicted
Docttoharttoomyk
mind, and preparing him by prayer and exhortation for another world. This wet
lude without visible emotion.•
subject to which the Doctor could never al
A day or two .after my first arrival at Hatton, the
me into the` library, and :with' the utmost gravity of countenanee,
aiaeW finer i4l"-than inrnnPttxiretlinn. by aprgevaihoalts.an3Noungwilnidsenr:tnk'pretend to
say whether there is any. foundation for the idea or not. But I
do know, that it protecnimy winetherefore must insist
upon your never alluding. to it with any levity :"—then, after a
pause,
en lcites.c....mynhiloutiuncaitsaftladnedd,
inde‘
.If, you do, you roust take the con-
sev
When I commenced my vocation of Arnauiteneir, the Doctor
gave me some instructions es to the mode of fulfilling my duty.
Among other things, he desired Inc always to spell honour, favour,
&c. with the u —saying, " None of your coxciunical abbrevia
tions." In dirtatirtg, it was always his wish that I should put
fiat..-otapiosngitio inne,
him in mind of any too frequent repetitions of the same word, or
wothiheerhinbeetazuld instantlyesofwhat mightcorr appearoctotithe sae
tie faults in in h
to m