In a far, far different spirit are written, in several portions of the manuscript, certain notices of a very Reverend Dean, concerning whom there appears to have been the intention of composing something more in detail. How much and how greatly he was revered by the writer, appears from the following quotation, with which the Recollections on this subject are introduced.
Locum virtus habet inter astra,
Vere dum flores venient tepenti
Et comam sylvis hyemes recident,
Vel comam sylvis revocabit æstas,
Pomaque autumno fugiente cadent,
Nulla terris rapiet vetustas
Tu comes Phœbo, comes ibis astris.
This venerable personage ought, with propriety, to have been introduced in an earlier period of the work; he has indeed been casually mentioned, but his talents and accomplishments were of so high and superior a character, that it looks a little inconsistent with the profound respect which he evidently inspired, not to have solicited attention to him before.
He was one of the soundest scholars in Europe, certainly to be classed among the most skilful and accomplished geographers, an admirable critic, and in every character, and every relation of life, entitled to the most exalted encomium.