The mortal Being has immortal got.
The Wiles that was but a non Ens is gone,
And now remains the true eternal John."
I take this opportunity of mentioning that my friend, the Rev. Dr. Parkinson, Canon of Manchester, and Principal of St. Bees, is at present engaged in editing, for the Chetham Society, the Diary and unpublished remains of Dr. Byrom; and he will, I am sure, feel greatly indebted to any of your correspondents who will favour him with an addition to his present materials. O. G. ("N. & Q.," Vol. vii., p. 179. art. Townshend) seems to have some memoranda relating to Byrom, and would perhaps be good enough to communicate them to Dr. Parkinson.
James Crossley.
I have seen the above thus paraphrased:
"What we have been, and what we are,
The present and the time that's past,
We cannot properly compare
With what we are to be at last.