But, to return to our immediate subject. He passed through the ordinary routine of a public school with credit, whence he removed to Cambridge, acquitted himself with great respectability, became a fellow of the society, and, at the usual period, entered into orders. He was for a time curate of the parish in which some of the relatives of that unfortunate India Captain who perished at sea in the Holwell, resided, and he preached on that occasion a funeral sermon which he was afterwards induced to publish. As far as recollection is of avail, the discourse was in every respect highly creditable to his sensibility and judgment. A vacancy happening at the public school where he was educated, among the under masters, he removed thither, and most probably was invited to do so. After various gradations, he rose to the chief situation, which he retained till his death. He obtained at different times, different pieces of preferment, and having always his house full of pupils, in all probability died opulent.
His connection with Porson commenced at the university, and was only interrupted by that which breaks all human bonds asunder—a summons to the grave. Different as they were in the powers of intellect, and attainments of learning, properly so called, though it is by no means intended to insinuate, that this gentleman’s talents and learning were not very highly reputable, yet there was a certain congeniality of mind and sentiment between him and Porson, which tended to confirm and cement their intimacy. They took the same decided line in politics; both were strenuous advocates, at first, at least, of the French Revolution, both associated intimately with its warmest defenders, and both were alike sceptical on certain points of ecclesiastical controversy. Of the subject of this article, it was facetiously remarked by a Barrister, who was one of his auditors, that having engaged to preach at Lincoln’s Inn, on Trinity Sunday, he preached against the Trinity. But perhaps by this remark no more was intended, than that the preacher did not enter very profoundly into the question, but rather permitted it to escape in a vapour of generality.
Both these worthies were deluded enough to think Fox the true lover, and Pitt the decided enemy of his country. But what will not the spirit of party do? Now, in our opinion, and in more instances than one, Fox was the enemy of his country. But we are well aware that these may be called prejudices on the other side; and it is not intended to throw down the glove for political hostility in this narrative. To show, however, our candour, the following ingenious nonsense is inserted, which some have given to Porson, others to ⸺. It is more probable to have been the production of the former, who had a great talent for splendid trifles; for trifles they certainly are, even when such a genius sports with them.
ORACULA ECHUS
DE BELLO ET STATU NATIONIS.
| Huc ades, huc ades prestò, resonabilis | Echo |
| ἨΚΩ. |
| Romanam credidi—οἶσθα καὶ ελληνιστι | ΛΑΛΕΙΝ |
| ΛΑΛΕΙΝ. |
| Forsan & Gallicè, polyglolta, possis | loqui? |
| O qu’oui. |
| Et Anglica nostra non sit tibi prorsus | igNOTA? |
| NOTA. |
| Benè, τετραφωνήσς καγω—si tibi non dis- | PLICET. |
| LICET. |