Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-08-02

aeonies saw him endure in death, that have
never since reapeatd the experiment"
Being now in my fifteenth year,, was cal.
led upon to make choice Of profession, when, my
attachment to reading induced me to prefer that
of a bookseller. l was accordingly placed with
Mr.. Gore. q respect table tradesman in Liverpool;
but. after remaining there for month, and not
finding the attendance on shop reconcl'eaoIe
to my disposition, l quilted him and returned TO
my labuurs. In the following year, (l769) l was
however, articied, for six years, TO Mr.: John
Ewes, Jun. a young attorney and solicitor IN Li-
,erpooI; and thus entered upon an anxious pro-
fession. | still passed the hours had to spare
in perusing such authors as tell IN my way
among whom Shenstone was my great favorlte'
till from admiring began to initiate him."
The follo~ing passages are from the cone'u'
ding chapter, and, though written by Mr.. nos.
GOES son, they are not at all oVercoioreo, Du'
form Just estimate OF his character:-
- The history Of Roscoe's life affords encour'
aging pictures to all, bat especially to those who.
like himself. have to contend with the disad'
yantages arising from the want Of education and
of fortune. All that he became was the result
of his own exertions Without the assistance OF
rank, or wealth or powerful friends. or accom-
nlished instructors, he raised himself to sta
ton in society, and to an eminence 10 literature,
which few persons with every adventurous
aid. have attained. Nor must it be forgotten,
that this was accomplished, not 40 much by
means of extraordinary talents, as by energetic
and diligent application. and by an ardent desire
Of rendering himself useful to mankind. In the
highest and best parts OF his character he is open
to The imitation of all:-in his integrity and SIN
eerity: in his attachment to freedom and truth;
in his earnest endeavors to do good; in the purity
of his public principles; in the beauty OF his Prl.
yate life; and in his serene submission 10 the WIN
Of God. Much Of the respect, with which MI.
Roscoe was regarded arose from that consistency.
both in principles aud IN conduct, which, exten.
ding over his whole life, give harmony and
croWning beauty to his character. From the
early period Of his youth. down to the last days
of his declining age, he had been the uniform and
earnest advocate Of the same principles; applying
them in turn to all the most important subjects
of human interest. In his writings on politics,
on morals, on Jurisprudence, and on every other
subject where the application OF those principles
were Involved, one aud the same spirit was uni.
| formly manifested; spirit OF benevoience, OF
liberal thought, and Of generous confidence IN hn'
man nature. Throughout every action OF his
life, the same enlarged views were visible; anc
never, perhaps, was any mans course more Tree
from the faint OF low or mean motives. Ibis
consistency of character resulted from an 'nteg'
rity Of heart which suffered neither his feelings
nor his judg ment to BIASED by those views OF in
terest or expediency, which often mislead the
wise, and sometimes even the good"
i" The reward of consistency is great. MIR. Ros'
coe lived to see the Justice of almost all the lead.
ing principles, which he had advocated, fully &C.
kaowledged. He lived to witness the adoption
of nearly overy measure Of Importance for which
he had latsured, through good report aud through
evil report. He was permitted to Partake OF the
triumph which the friends Of liberty obtained in
the abolition of the Slave Trade. He saw the re-
neal of the Test and Corporation Acts, and Of the
| laws which disabled the Roman Catholics. He
behed peace restored, and he saw the rise OF a
better system OF things in France. He Hattered
himself that more correct views on the great sub
iect of Penal Jurisprudence were extending them.
selves; and. lastly, he survived to Witness all
but the complexion Of the grand work oil Parlia'
mentary Reform"