The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-10-24
In the year of our blelIed Redeemcr,
Dec

M,D,CC---.
oir William Jones was OF genteel and grace
fui perfon, and of d countenance open, manly,
Vivaclous and ferene. His department was dig
hned, yet eafy; his addrefs courteous, yet plain:
and his manner poliihed, yet familiar 70 that.
upon firt acquaintance, he not only excited
the admiration, but fecured the efteem of the
perfon he converted with.
In the fociety of his friends, if his converfati-
on did not fparkle with wit it was at leaf illu-
mined with cheerfulnefs and although he fel
dom faid any thing ftriking or forcIble, he al
ways iiluttrated in the mott pleafing manner. e.
very topic that was difcufied, and conveyed in
ftruetion with great modefy and elegance.
Bat this Placidity did not proceed from con-
ititutional tamenefs and languor, to which thofe
qualities are iometimes with truth attributed ::
they iprang from the union of that temperance
ana lIberahty which virtuous habit had reared
In MS mind, and which, therefore, had become
part OF his nature. Nor was he wanting in any
OF the other qualities which belong to thefe
great yirtues----he was fedate, moderate, and
cautious; but at the fame time, animated, af
plrlng and generous. He pofieffed a proud
honor, an inhexible firmnefs, and high fenfe of
Juitice yet he had not in his difpoiition any
tning OF haughtinefs, obtnacy, or aufterity for
MS PRIDE conilited IN the love of independence
his reiolution, in relifting the Temptations of
vlce-and his idea of equity, in preferving peace
and hapPinefs among men, by making the laws
lovely rather than fevere.
lie was no lefs eitimable in public than in pri-
vate Inc. In both, we contemplate his charac
ter with peculiar Eatisfa6tion. AS public man.
whether we conhder his fine tate, the frenqtb
OF his mental faculties, or the var extent and va
riety OF his requirements, we are cnamoured of
MS talents. His intellectual powers were of the
nenen order----the force and clearnefs of his
understanding no paradox could perplex----the
quickneis of bis intuition faw throuoh G,c
tens at gIance----the foHdty of his inSyrnen,
even his lively fancy could feldom wsrp1---,nd
me retentive vigor of his memory, nothing uCe-
tui or elegant ever efcaped. To tbefe proper
Ties ne added fertile imagination---a luminous
comprehension, and IN elafticity of mind, which
gave certain fpring and activity 20 all the one
rations of his genius.
It's mind, thus confituted, was enriched and
einoeliiihed with the collective fcicnce and learn
ing OF all times and ofall nations. He was deep
~ yeried III every branch of human knowledge,
ana was faT"larly acquainted not only with
.he iieorew, Greek and Latin, but alto with the
Sanicrit, Arabic, Periian and Turkiih with the
italian, French, Spanilh, Portuguese and Ger
man languages yet he cOniidered the acuuiG-
uon OF various languages, ufcful only, as they
enlarged his knowledge of philosophical gram
mar and thereby alfed MS enquiries into the
hiitOry of man.
Ills numerous and elegant traufations evine,
MS thorough acquaintance with the radical min.
clples OF univerfal grammar, as well as With tbe
root OF Languages on which he treats, while thew
new tie keeneh penetration and mott exoui6te
tafe. d''1'N
Upen the whole, Sir William Jones was IN.
ueiuonably one of the NOT extraordinary men
that ever appeared in the republic of letters and
at the fame time, one of the ben men that ever
trod the fage of life.
such were the virtucs----fnch the talents and
requirements of this difinguifhed man, Whole
geniou5 at once illuminated the eafsern and welt
srn nemnpheres----whoie fame IT POUNDS through
both, and whole death Is neurncd from tbe
throne to the cottage.