The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-08-24
PRINTING
MEMOIR OF RHODE-ISLAND.
1929.

(HemOr Of Dean Berkley continued.)
His Minute Philosopher is an excellent
and ingenious defence ofthat Religion W which
ne adorned by his piety and his virtues. He
was fellow of Trinity College, Dublin,
and created ID. ID. per saltum, during his
absence in Italy in l7l7. For his kuowl-
edge of architecture which he studied in It.
ally. he was great favorite with the Earl
of Burlington.
In 1874 he was advanced to the Bishop
rick of Cloyne, here his generosity was not
less conspicuous in the sacrifices which he
wished to make, than in the token of his
bounty which he scattered around him.
When he began TO be oppressed by the
cares of age, and unable to attend to his
episcopal duties, he was unwilling to shear
the sheep which he could not feed, and he
offered TO exchange his Bishoprick for n
canonry in Oxford that he might pass the
remainder of his days in quiet conversation
with the learned men Of that classical Uni-
sersity. The uncommon circumstance or
wishing TO resign good living for worse.
excited tbs curiosity Of the King and indnc-
ed him to enquire who could be the extra
ordinary man who could prefer such pe-
f'tion. When his Majesty was told that it
was his old acquaintance DIR. Berlilev, he
declared, that BcrItly should die a BishoD'
but that he should have liberty TO reside
wherever he wished. Ear from taking anv
advantage of this permission, be generously
aud of his own free will, signed over lense
of the demesne lands to be renewed ut a
yearly rent of 5000 sterling, which sum was
distributed by his orders among the poor
householders Of the neighborng towns.
The estimation in which he was held by
his contemporaries may he seen from his
connexion with the great and learned of his
times. The unfortunate but learned Bish-
OF Attcrbury, said of him, " So much un-
" derstanding, so much knowledge, so much
" innocence, and such humility, / did not
" think had been the portion of anv but an
"gels, until saw this gentleman" And
DIR. Blackwell, to whom Berkeley made
overtures wishing to induce him to accom-
pany him as professor to Bermuda, thus
characterizes his requirements. al scarce
remember to have conversed with him on
" that art, liberal or mechanic, of which he
knew not more than the ordinary practit-
i" toner's. With the widest views he de-
mt bn
begrudged neither pains nor expense for
"the means of information He travelled
g Through great part of Sicily OIL foot !;
" clambored over the mountains and crept
into the caverns to investigate its natur-
" al history, and discover the causes of its
volcanoes: and have known him sit for
"hours in forges and founderies to in
aspect their successive operations. | adj
mire the extensive genius Of the man, and
{" think it u loss to the western world that
" his noble and exalted plan Of an Amcri-
"can university was not carried into exc
"cution. Many such spirits in our coun-
"try would quickly make learning wear
"anothcr face"
Such was Berkley, like one of those er-
ratio meteorc appearances which are seen
only once in an age, and which shine not
to dazzle and confound, but which shed
their brlliaucy to attract mems eyes to
things above and raise their aspirations to
>iofiier themes. The influences of such
men are incalculable. Let MS consider on
ly tho results Of his visit 10 this country alone
and the amount Of good VII appear sur
prising..
Among the scsentifc Corps that accom-
panied Berkley to Newport was a gentle
man from Edinburg, named Smibert, an ar
tist of some eminence. His passion for
painting had led h n. to visit the galleries Of
Italy, where he procured number Paint
inps by the first masters. These Paintings
were intended for the studies Of the Amer
lean youth. Some years afterwards one Of
these productions. n Carlo Dolce vas seen
by a yeung Bosionian, named Copley. He
was tempted to copy Il, and succeeded so
admirably tha, he was induced 10 proceed