The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-08-03
PRINTING
|IEMOIR OF RHODE-ISLAND.
1929.

bnce the publication in the last week S
|ublican, of the arrival of Bishop Berk-
in this town, we have been favored with
following interesting account of that
nguished philosopher and divine from
pen of our respected friend Mr.. w.
ker.
ketch Of Dean Berkley, afterwards
lop of Cloync, who resided in Newport
1929 to 1881.
othing tends more to influence the des-
of nations, than the introduction OF
ming, the spread of philosophy, and the
ision of knowledge, yet the progress of
scholar is often unmarked by the hsto-
and the annalist, while the march Of
warrior is attended by the ruin of a
ntry, the overthrow of cities, and the
ruction of life and property, and his
,e and deeds are recorded on the roll of
e. Yet the petty cavils of party sink
insignifcance, when compared with
lasting benefits which have resulted from
disinterested benevolence of those whose
motive has been to advance the moral
intellectual condition of man. These
benefits which no changes of condition
destroy and which, if duly appreciated
properly applied must go down mcreas-
to The latest posterity. of all men, who
Re ever visited the shores of America, for
purpose of doing good, there is no one
demands more unqualified mark of
probation than the learned, pious and es-
able Bishop Berkeley.
This distinguished prelate, descended
m the ancient family of Berklcy in En-
Ind, was born in Ireland in 1854. He
S educated ut Trinity College, Dub
where he distinguished himself for his
krary attainments and classical erudition.
S learning and virtues procured him the
Fndship of. Steel and Addison, and gained
! appreciation of Pope. For the Guar
kn he wrote several excellent Papers, and
|htributed also to the Spectator. At the
tommendaiion of Swift, who had accom-
|nicd as chaplain and Secretary the Earl
Derkley to Ireland, the subject of the
|esent sketch became chaplain and secre-
Fy to the celebrated Earl of Peterborough,
ho was appointed ambassador to Sicily.
{ shortly afterwards revisited that Coun-
! and other parts of Europe as travel
,g tutor to the Bishop of Clogher's son.
'hile in Italy his philosophic spirit led him
investigate many parts of the natural
story of that country, but unfortunately
C manuscript of his travels was lost, and
e only part of his observations remaining
an account of the Tarantula, which he
to DR.. Friend.
In 172l he went to Ireland, as it is gen.
ally supposed in quality of one of the
,aplains to the Duke Of Grafton, Lord
ieutentant of Ireland. At the latter END
the year 1921, he took the degree of DR.
Divinity. Soon afterwards Miss Van.
omrigh, the Vanessa Of Swift, left hin
1000 (nearly sls,OO0) In 1924 he wa'
romoted by his pratron, the Duke of fGraf
IN, to the Deanery of Derry. worti
;ll00, (nearly five thousand dollars,
er annum. He now attempted to carr
Ito execution scheme which he had lon.
,rmed in his benevolent mind, and which
,duced him to visit this country. Thi
'as plan for the better supplying of th'
in the foreign plantations and 70
onverting the Savage Americans to Chris
anity by College to be founded in tn,
'ommers Islands. Thcproposal does cqua
onor to him as pious philosopher and
earned and benevolcn, Christian, and tn,
acrifices he made in cndeavorine to carr,
into execution, reflects as much credit oi
is philanthrophy as his disinterestcdness
Ie resigned his lucrative living and all hi
,opes Of preferment, and offered to dedi
ate the remainder of his life to the instruc
ion Of the youth Of America and the prop
,ga,ion Of the Gospel for the moderat
OF el00 sterling year. Sue
vas the influence Of his example. and tn
orce Of his eloquence that he induced tire
iellows Of Trinity College, Dublin, to nc
company him aud to abandon all hopes c