A small Instance of Warren Hastings' Magnanimity.—During the latter years of his life, Warren Hastings was in the habit of visiting General D'Oyley in the New Forest; and thus he became
acquainted with the Rev. W. Gilpin, vicar of Boldre, and author of Forest Scenery, &c. Mr. Gilpin's custom was to receive morning visitors, who sat and enjoyed his agreeable conversation; and Warren Hastings, when staying in the neighbourhood, often resorted to the Boldre Parsonage. It happened, one Sunday, that Mr. Gilpin preached a sermon on the character of Felix, which commenced in words like these:
"Felix was a bad man, and a bad governor. He took away another man's wife and lived with her; and he behaved with extortion and cruelty in the province over which he ruled."
Other particulars followed equally in accordance with the popular charges against the late Governor-General of India, who, to the preacher's dismay, was unexpectedly discovered sitting in the D'Oyley pew. Mr. Gilpin concluded that he then saw the last of his "great" friend. But, not so: on the following morning Warren Hastings came, with his usual pleasant manner, for a chat with the vicar, and of course made no allusion to the sermon.
This was told me by a late valued friend, who was a nephew and curate of Mr. Gilpin; and I am not aware that the anecdote has been put on record.
Alfred Gatty.
Ecclesfield.
Richard Baxter.—In the long list of Richard Baxter's works, one is entitled, An unsavoury Volume of Mr. Jo. Crawford's anatomized: or, a Nosegay of the choicest Flowers in that Garden, presented to Mr. Joseph Caryl, by Richard Baxter. 8vo., Lond. 1654.
At the end of a postscript to this tract, the following sentence is subjoined:
"Whatsoever hath escaped me in these writings that is against meekness, peace, and brotherly love, let it be all unsaid, and hereby revoked; and I desire the pardon of it from God and Man.