“As I have been led to mention this subject, I will further venture to add, that, of all the opportunities which have hitherto occurred, of opening the eyes of the people to their true situ-

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ation, the present seems to me the most favourable; and that, if any thing could induce the great and enlightened statesman, to whom you stand so nearly related, once more to exert his talents in the service of his country, this must be the time. The avowed object of the deliberations of parliament is to examine into the cause of the present distress. The nation at large are anxious for the result. An opportunity for negotiation is held out by our enemies. We are threatened with a hostile combination from the North; which, whatever may be its other consequences, will inevitably further abridge our resources. In this situation, every exertion will be made by the promoters of the war, to elude the knowledge of the real origin of the evil. The blame will be laid upon earth and upon heaven; upon any thing but that which they well know to be the effective cause.

“In the Upper House, your Lordship will, I hope, confute their destructive notions, with that clearness of argument and dignified freedom of speech, which have always characterised your exertions in the public service. The sentiments of the Marquis of Lansdowne, at such a time and on such an occasion, would produce an inconceivable effect; but, in the other House, who is there that can place this great truth in so luminous a point of view—who can enforce it

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with so much energy, with so much sincerity, with so much eloquence, as Mr. Fox?

“Faintly as I have been able to state my reasons, I flatter myself your Lordship will agree with me, that the opportunity is not only favourable, but the only one likely to be afforded for producing an important and beneficial effect; and that even the abilities of Mr. Fox could not have a greater subject for their exertion. His comprehensive mind will see how the war con-

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nects itself with our distresses at every point, and in every quarter; and should his endeavours happily be united with those of the friends of peace in both Houses, we may not yet despair of seeing a powerful and decided impression made upon the public mind.

“Dr. Rush requests Mr. Roscoe to accept of his thanks for his elegant oration delivered before the proprietors of the Botanic Garden in Liverpool. It could not have been sent to any person who more highly appreciates Mr. Roscoe’s character and writings. His history of ‘Lorenzo’ has been read with great delight by several members of Dr. Rush’s family, as well as by himself; and Mr. Roscoe’s charming little poem, styled ‘The Nurse,’ formed, a few months ago, a present to one of the Doctor’s female patients, to whom he wished to show a durable mark of his friendship and respect.”

“Amidst our frequent recollections of you at Allerton, we had begun to feel some anxiety on your account, which would by no means have been diminished, had we known that you and your companion were careering over the hills of Derbyshire on the top of a coach. Your letter has arrived just in time to alleviate our apprehensions, and to add to the cheerfulness of our Sunday’s dinner, where you have as many friends as we number individuals. In rejoicing with you, as I most truly do, on your restoration to domestic happiness, I feel, however, a selfish hope that you may be encouraged at no distant period to pay another visit to Liverpool, and that you will prevail on Mrs. Smith to accompany you. I had almost begun to suspect that the cares of the world or the lapse of years had blunted in me those feelings, and diminished that capacity of attachment, which, in youth, are so ardently experienced; but the fortunate incident which introduced me to your acquaintance has restored me to a better opinion of myself, and, however I may regret that we did not meet sooner, I gratify myself in regarding you as a friend of my early days, but lately found, if indeed I can be said lately to have found one whom I have known so long in his

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writings, and to whom I have been indebted for much pleasure, and, I hope, some improvement.”

“At length I sit down to write you a letter—literally, but not, I fear, metaphorically, with the pen of a Roscoe—that very pen which has just been correcting his manuscript ‘Life of Leo X.’

The beautiful work of “Exotic Botany,” published by Dr. Smith in the year 1804, was inscribed to Mr. Roscoe, in the following elegant and affectionate address:—

The gratifying honour thus conferred upon him Mr. Roscoe acknowledged in the following letter:—

During the summer of 1805, Dr. Smith, accompanied by Mrs. Smith, again paid a visit to Allerton, where he remained several weeks, and confirmed the favourable impressions which his first acquaintance had created.

In the month of January, 1804, Mr. Roscoe, probably on the suggestion of his friend Dr. Smith, became a Fellow of the Linnean Society. Some years afterwards he contributed a few papers to its “Transactions,” which will be hereafter noticed.

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The literary labours of Mr. Roscoe at this time were agreeably diversified by the society of his friends. During a visit which Fuseli paid to Liverpool, in the year 1804, he passed much of his time at Allerton, amusing those around him by his wit, and informing them by his learning. His biographer relates, that as Mr. Roscoe was pointing out to him the improvements which had taken place in Liverpool, Fuseli observed, “I do not wonder that you look upon these with some degree of self-complacency, for they may be considered as the work of your hands, and as such I view them with interest; but methinks I every where smell the blood of slaves.”* The gratification which Fuseli derived from this visit is expressed by him, in his usual strong language, in the following letter:—

Amongst the many distinguished scholars and men of taste with whom the literary reputation of Mr. Roscoe led to an acquaintance was Mr. Mathias, whose intimate and critical knowledge of the language and literature of Italy has, perhaps, never been equalled by a native of this country. Mr. Roscoe was naturally desirous of acquiring the favourable opinion and the personal acquaintance of so eminent a scholar; but it was not until some years after the publication of his first historical work that an opportunity of becoming known to him was afforded. In the year 1801 Mr. Mathias transmitted to Mr. Roscoe, through the hands of their mutual friend Mrs. Riddel, a copy of a selection which he had lately made from the poems of Petrarch; and from this period they continued to correspond occasionally upon subjects of literary interest, and to make a mutual interchange of their writings.

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The admiration which Mr. Mathias felt for the high literary character of his correspondent he manifested in a beautiful Italian canzone addressed to him, and prefixed to his edition of “Selections from Tiraboschi,” a distinguished honour, of which Mr. Roscoe was justly proud. The reputation of Mr. Mathias as an Italian scholar must always render his judgment upon subjects connected with the literature of that country of the highest value; and it cannot, therefore, be improper, to present, in this place, a portion of the correspondence between him and Mr. Roscoe.

In the year 1803, Mr. Mathias transmitted to Mr. Roscoe the beautiful volumes which he had just published, of “Selections from the Commentaries of Crescimbeni,” which were accompanied by the following letter:—

“It gives me pleasure to offer you a copy of the ‘Commentaries on the Poetry of Italy by Crescimbeni,’ which I have republished, detached from the historical part of the work, as I think it is a treatise of singular merit, and perfect in its kind. I conceive it may tend in an eminent degree to diffuse the knowledge, and promote the cultivation, of Italian literature in this country, in which I am sure you will feel yourself naturally interested; for, in whatever part of the civilised world that subject is brought forwards, the name of Roscoe cannot be far off.

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“It is also my intention shortly to present the public with ‘La Storia della poesia Italiana,” as written by Tiraboschi, taken from his most valuable and voluminous history of Italian literature in general. It will accompany Crescimbeni with great effect, in my opinion; and will complete this part of the plan which I have formed, in the hope of giving honour and permanency, amongst my countrymen, to the greatest language of modern Europe. I wish they may have the sense and spirit to second the attempt. I propose to address this personally to you, as Italy acknowledges in you the patron and protector of her learned offspring; and will for ever confess, that you have given the most illustrious example to all those who, though with unequal powers, may hereafter be desirous of advancing the glory of that parent of arts and learning. ‘Propter amorem’ is at once my excuse and my satisfaction on this occasion.

“I shall be happy to hear that you, and all your family, have enjoyed your health since I had the pleasure of seeing you (for too short a time) in London last year.”

“It gives me great pleasure to observe,” says Mr. Roscoe, in answer to the foregoing letter, “that the literature of Italy has begun to attract the more particular notice of our countrymen; and I am highly gratified to find that its cause has fallen into such able hands as yours, who are

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in every respect qualified to set it off to advantage. One would have thought that the example of our great poets, and particularly of Spenser and Milton, would have recommended the Italians to the study of all those who are emulous of their honours; yet certain it is, that they have hitherto been unaccountably neglected in this country, and, excepting a very few eminent authors, may be said to be wholly strangers amongst us. Nor is it from the poets alone we should derive improvement. The literary history of Italy would open an immense fund of information far beyond what that of any other country (I do not except even our own) could afford. I am therefore glad to find that you have followed up your ‘Componimenti Lirici’ with the ‘Commentary of Crescimbeni;’ and that to these you still design to add the excellent work of Tiraboschi, as far as it relates to the history of poetry. Works selected with so much judgment, and published in so elegant and convenient a form, seem to me eminently calculated to diffuse a more general relish for these studies, particularly at this time, when, as far as I can judge from my distant situation, the Italian language seems to be more attended to than it has ever before been within my memory. For your highly esteemed present of the volumes of Crescimbeni, and for your kind intentions towards me, I beg you to accept my best ac-

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knowledgments. To be associated in any manner in the attempt which you are so laudably making to recall the public taste to standards of real excellence will always be considered by me as a great honour. I should be glad to think that I have in any degree contributed to the success of this cause; but, at all events, I can never regret those efforts which have obtained for me the obliging assurances of your esteem and friendship,—assurances in which I confide with pleasure, and which I repeat with sincerity, in the hope that I may ere long find an opportunity of confirming them in person.”

The edition of the “Selections from Tiraboschi” was forwarded to Mr. Roscoe a few months afterwards, with the following flattering letter:—

“I have just had the pleasure,” says Mr. Roscoe, in reply, “of receiving the four volumes of the ‘History of Italian Poetry,’ extracted from the great work of the learned Tiraboschi; a publication which, like the others with which you have lately favoured us, will, I doubt not, contribute to diffuse a more general knowledge of the poetry and literature of Italy, which will be found the surest preservative against that degradation with which this country is threatened. It is not, however, as the republisher of these valuable works alone that your countrymen are indebted to you. The example which

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you have set before them of the proficiency which a native of England may acquire in the beautiful and expressive language of Italy, and of the success with which it may be adapted to every style of composition, from the most elegant and simple prose to the most elevated poetry, must operate as a still more powerful recommendation of the study of the Italian language. It mast not, however, be supposed that the most thorough acquaintance with the language will communicate that poetic fervour and vivacity so conspicuous in the Canzone which you have done me the honour to address to me, and in the perusal of which I know not whether I am more surprised at the powerful and well-supported strain of lyric poetry which it displays, or on finding some part of it lavished on such a subject as myself. In fact, my dear Sir, although I certainly am not insensible to the glow of honourable praise; and although the elevated and manly style in which it has been conferred, is still more gratifying to me; yet the satisfaction which I feel is not unaccompanied by sensations of a more painful nature; and I am too well acquainted with the insufficiency of my own pretensions, to consider this production in any other light than as a composition which I admire, and a mark of friendship of which I am proud. The public will not, however, I fear, allow me to appeal from so

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decisive an authority; and I experience the feelings of one who stands approved for merits of which he is not conscious, and pledged to the performance of labours far beyond his powers. But however low I may stand in my own estimation, I must not now allow myself to shrink from the more elevated prospect which you have pointed out to me; and it will, at least, be my endeavour to justify, by my future efforts, that favourable opinion which has been so partially expressed.”

Having reprinted his Canzoni Toscane in the year 1806, Mr. Mathias addressed to Mr. Roscoe the following letter, accompanying several copies of the poem inscribed to him:—

To this letter the following answer was returned by Mr. Roscoe:—

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Amongst the most intimate friends of Mr. Roscoe, there was no one who had won more of his affection, or commanded more of his respect, than Dr. Currie. Their acquaintance had commenced soon after the arrival of the latter in Liverpool: and to the period of his death, which occurred in the autumn of the present year (1805), their friendship had continued without interruption. The literary tastes and critical powers of Dr. Currie were highly valued by Mr. Roscoe, who submitted to his judgment the manuscript of a great part of his historical works, his translation of “The Nurse,” and his occasional fugitive pieces. In a note enclosing one of the latter, he appropriately addresses him as “Sincerest critic of my prose or rhyme.” His Muse, also, was not idle in the service of his friend; and some lines on the death of his children, and a sonnet, which have been lately published*, attest the warmth of his feelings. How secure the basis was upon which their friendship rested,—a companionship in virtuous exertions,—is seen in the concluding lines of the poem:—

“—Nor o’er our heads may many suns return, When we, my friend, may share the lot we mourn— Still in the dust this busy hand shall lie, Dim in its socket rest thy tracing eye:

* Life of Dr. Currie, vol. i. p. 147.

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Meantime, whate’er of life its Author spares, Give we to generous aims and social cares; That when we rest in chill oblivion cold, And o’er our ashes numerous years have roll’d, Some happier effort may survive the tomb, Pregnant with bliss to beings yet to come.”

In conjunction with Dr. Currie, Mr. Roscoe commenced, in the year 1790, a series of Essays, under the title of “The Recluse,” which were published in the “Liverpool Herald,” and of which the greater part were from his own pen. But it was not by a participation in these light and elegant pursuits alone that the friendship of Dr. Currie and Mr. Roscoe was cemented. It was strengthened by their joint endeavours to promote liberal principles, and to further benevolent objects, by their mutual anxiety to assist one another in designs of public utility, and by the promptitude with which they jointly came forwards at the public call. It is not surprising that the dissolution of a friendship like this should have been felt most deeply by Mr. Roscoe, whose sympathy for the fate of his friend was heightened by the singular instance of his attachment, recorded in the following letter, written immediately after Dr. Currie’s death, to Mr. Macneil, the poet:—

In one of his latest papers, Dr. Currie had expressed a wish, that, on any thing that respected his memoirs, his “loved and excellent friend Mr. Roscoe” might be consulted; and for many years it was the earnest desire of the latter to present to the public the biography of his friend. The weight of business, however, and various engagements in which he became necessarily involved, prevented him from carrying this project into effect,—a circumstance which he never ceased

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to lament, till he enjoyed the gratification of reading the admirable Memoir which the son of Dr. Currie has lately given to the world.

The death of Dr. Currie was followed by that of Mr. William Clarke, the early literary associate of Mr. Roscoe. In mentioning this double loss, in a letter to a friend, he says,—“It is true, the recollection of the sufferings which they had to sustain, and which they bore with uncommon fortitude, served in some degree to blunt the first emotions of sorrow, and to reconcile the mind to the loss of those, whose longer continuance in life would only have been a prolongation of anguish. But if the weapon was blunted, it has still inflicted an incurable wound; and to the last moment of my life I must regret the loss of these my long-loved friends, who, however they might differ in disposition, manners, talents, and character, united in regarding me with partial and unalterable affection.”

There was probably no one, among the many persons attached to Mr. Roscoe, in whose society he found greater delight than in that of Mr. Clarke. The liveliness, the simplicity, and the facetiousness of his manner, coupled with the great intelligence of his mind, and his love of literary pursuits, rendered him a peculiarly agreeable companion. Even during a long and afflicting state of ill health, spirits which never failed, and a good-nature not to be overcome, made his

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society delightful. So early as the year 1783, he was compelled, for the sake of the climate, to take up his residence abroad, where he remained for about seven years, during the whole of which time he corresponded regularly with his friend. These letters, written sometimes in Italian, sometimes in French, and occasionally in Latin, contain lively pictures of the countries which he visited, valuable intelligence with regard to literary curiosities, and ever recurring allusions to the happy days which he had passed in the society of his correspondent. A taste for tranquillity and literary leisure was strongly felt by Mr. Clarke; and he frequently refers to the expected time, when, in company with his friend, he may hope to follow the bent of his inclinations.

“So, you are immersed in public business!

‘The world, the world will have its slaves.’

A little mortification will make retreat more enviable, more full of relish. Let us make all the haste we can, however, to get along a river side to peace and tranquillity. There Dante shall attend, to conduct us to Hell, but not to leave us there; for we will not rest, till through the medium of Purgatory, we join Beatrice in the supernal regions.”

“I congratulate you,” he says, in a letter dated in 1783, “on the increase of your family;

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though I somewhat repine (while I applaud your resolution) at the imposition it lays upon you to join in the general contention for wealth. I expect to find you, on my return, as intently occupied in the pursuit as any of your neighbours. ’Tis in vain to resist the torrent; but your natural inclination will, I think, lead you to secure your retreat as early as prudence will allow; and I trust that period will not be a distant one, provided the moderation of your wishes continues. It is a true maxim, ‘To temperate bounds,’ &c. On this plan I hold myself ready to join you in any scheme of life you approve. I shall presently be qualified for the veriest hermit;—ease, quiet, temperance, reflection,—to these are my vows directed; not but that I sometimes shall leave my retreat, to feel a greater relish for it at my return.”

During Mr. Clarke’s visit to Lisbon, the following verses were addressed to him by Mr. Roscoe:—

“Ye hills with towering forests crown’d, Ye plains by sultry suns embrown’d, Ye vales along whose vine-crown’d sides The Douro rolls his rapid tides;

“Ye rocks grotesque, whose rugged brow Glooms o’er the beating surge below, Whence Lusitania’s Genius eyes The ocean mingling with the skies;

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“From northern climes and colder shores, My Clarke your mild retreats explores, Hopeful to find their shades supply That health his native fields deny.

“Oh! guide his steps, ye guardian powers, Oh! lead him to your greenest bowers; And whilst he treads the flowing vale, Let health breathe strong in every gale.

“Nor be your gifts to health confined; But soothe to peace his gentle mind, Infuse contentment’s healing balm, And bid each anxious thought be calm.

“Released from Winter’s icy arms, When Spring unfolds her op’ning charms, Then rich in vigorous health restore The wanderer to his native shore;

“With learning that disdains pretence, With native wit, and manly sense, Again to smooth my brow of care, Again my social hour to share;

“To soothe by reason’s kind control Each wilder tumult of my soul; Within due bounds my hopes confine, And make his temperate spirit mine.

“So may nor whirlwind, blight, nor storm, Your verdant orange-groves deform; So may your vines in cluster’d pride Pour in full streams their purple tide;

“Nor e’er within your favour’d bound The earthquake walk his wasteful round; Which on Calabria’s alter’d shores The trembling native now deplores.”

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In the autumn of the year 1790, Mr. Clarke returned from the Continent; and the pleasure with which he anticipated his re-union with one for whom he felt so entire a friendship, is beautifully expressed in a letter written immediately upon his arrival at Brighton.—“A little while more will bring us, I hope, together. In your society, my friend, I look for the principal pleasure of my life. The commerce of the world gives me no real satisfaction, and I am not fit for it; but as often as the calls of business will allow, your dwelling, whether in town or park, shall be my principal haunt. I know no enjoyments like those of friendship and retirement. My system (as far as is compatible with duty) being to stand aloof from the cares of the world, which are the source of much disquietude. The tranquil philosophy of our old friend Horace is much to my taste. His favourite maxim, of moderating our desires, is of all others the most important; but, I know not how, we seem often to be carried along by a blind impulse, as if a fatality presided over our actions.”

In the summer of 1805, Mr. Clarke visited London for medical advice. His sufferings now almost overcame the delightful spirits with which nature had gifted him, and his letters to his early friend are full of the most affecting passages:—“I must grasp the pen,” he says, in a letter dated the 15th of August, 1805, “to say that I

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was sorry to hear you have been poorly. Mais j’espère que cela est passé. Here I linger on, in a most lamentable state, with little prospect of amendment. My spirits seem likely soon to be completely worn out. I must console myself with the hope that, after so long an illness, I may expect an alleviation of the sufferings of my final exit. Believe me, usque ad umbras silentes, ubi vagatur umbra Ricardi nostri*, vester additissimus Le Clerc.”

The loss of these long-tried and excellent friends made a deep impression on the feelings of Mr. Roscoe, and his more confidential letters

* Mr. Richard Lowndes, the early friend of Mr. Clarke and Mr. Roscoe.

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contain many reflections produced by these affecting events.

Not long after these events, Mr. Roscoe had to regret, upon different grounds, the loss of a man for whom he had ever entertained the warmest admiration and respect. In the magnanimous nature, the philanthropic heart, and the expanded political views of Mr. Fox, he

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recognised the qualities which compose the character of a genuine statesman, and for a long course of years he had been accustomed to regard him as the great hope of the nation. How sincerely and how deeply he lamented his loss may be learned from the following letter to Lord Holland:—

“I well know the poignancy of domestic grief is, on this occasion, enhanced by the consideration of the public loss of such a man, at such a juncture of time—a man in whom the nation seemed at length to have reposed its hopes and its confidence, and who was pre-eminently qualified, both by his talents and his disposition, to relieve her from the complicated evils in which she has, by a long course of misconduct, been involved. In this point of view, there have been few, if any, instances, where the sudden loss of great talents may be considered as so strikingly untimely and unfortunate. But although this must be the first and natural impression on such an event, yet a due reflection will induce us to moderate our anxiety, and convince us that the expressions, ‘untimely and unfortunate,’ apply only to our own narrow conceptions and bounded views, and that, under the direction of Providence, the most alarming evils may not only be averted, but may become the instruments of good. Without this consoling hope, our present prospects would be dark indeed.

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“Among the many great and striking endowments of Mr. Fox, there is one in particular to which I cannot help adverting, and which I trust will still continue to animate all those who have admired him in public, or loved him in private life. I mean that deep and intimate feeling for human nature, which has generally been estranged from the bosom of statesmen, but which was with him a part of his existence, ever actuating him to alleviate the evils, to vindicate the rights, to soften the calamities, and to increase, by every means in his power, the happiness of mankind. In this respect he is not lost to us. As long as our language remains, the powerful effusions of his mind will continue to improve and enlighten his countrymen, and to diffuse a milder and more benevolent spirit, not only in the recesses of private life, but in the direction of nations and the intercourse of states.

“This, my dear Lord, is his great and lasting praise; and if we are not wanting to ourselves in pursuing the track which his genius and his virtues have pointed out to us, we may yet, in some degree, recompense ourselves for the great but inevitable loss which, in the common course of nature, we must, at one time or other, have had to sustain.

“The preservation of his speeches, in their best and most authentic form, is a sacred duty, which, I doubt not, will be most religiously observed.

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It is here that he still lives and breathes; nor is there a single question essential to the great interests of mankind, but we can still resort to these invaluable records, as to his living self, for those liberal ideas, those extensive views, those impartial estimates of public conduct, those bold vindications of natural and political rights, those humane suggestions on behalf of all who suffer from injustice or oppression, which seem to have been the spontaneous result of his generous spirit and exalted mind, and which will secure to him the love and admiration of all future times.”

In the course of the year 1804, the interests of a young family who had been intrusted to his guardianship made it necessary for Mr. Roscoe to pass a few days in London. This visit gave him an opportunity of once more seeing the Marquis of Lansdowne, who was now rapidly approaching the close of his long and distinguished career. In a letter to Mrs. Roscoe, he says, “I am just returned from the Marquis. I have been deeply affected. He is very ill, but saw me; and though he speaks with hesitation, his kindness both to me and W. is expressed in the most affectionate terms. More when I return.” In a letter to Lord Holland, written after the Marquis’s death, he says, “I am sorry to have occasion, so near the close of my letter, to recall a subject of such infinite regret as the death

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of the Marquis of Lansdowne. I saw him about twelve months since, and was apprehensive that his life could not be greatly prolonged. He spoke to me in the most affectionate terms, particularly requesting that I would continue the attachment I had always shown him, to his son Lord Henry,—a recommendation which certainly did me great honour, but which was not necessary to induce me to comply with his wishes.” The correspondence between the Marquis of Lansdowne and Mr. Roscoe extends from the year 1790, down to the period of his Lordship’s last illness. Confidence, attachment, and respect for the opinions of each other, are freely manifested throughout the whole course of it. There were few subjects of political interest upon which the Marquis did not address his correspondent; and in his open expression of sentiment, his capacious and liberal views, his attachment to freedom, and the accurate foresight of his judgment, reflect the highest honour on his statesman-like character. On the part of Mr. Roscoe, the correspondence is conducted with freedom, with sincerity, and with the respect due to the station and talents of his correspondent, and to the conspicuous part he had long acted in public affairs. During this excursion Mr. Roscoe had the pleasure of occasionally enjoying the society of Dr. J. E. Smith, who happened at that time to be in town. In the following letter to Mrs.

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Roscoe he has given a slight sketch of his engagements during this visit:—

The sentiments of Mr. Roscoe at this time, on the course of political events, may be gathered from his letters. In the following, addressed to Lord Holland, he has stated his views with regard to the condition of the Roman Catholics, and notices one of the great causes which was silently leading to their emancipation:—

In another letter, to the same nobleman, written at the close of the year 1805, he thus expresses himself on the subject of the war:—“The intelligence from the Continent seems to become every day more important, and the war acquires a character of treachery, cruelty, and ferocity, which would disgrace an age of barbarians. I feel all this the more sensibly, from an apprehension that this country has been the cause of these calamities. I look back to the origin of the present contest, when peace and war hung equal in the balance, and the slightest portion of moderation and true good-will to mankind would have turned the scale on the favourable side. But Mr. Addington was suspected of being too tame a minister, and thought himself called upon to give a proof of his decision and firmness:—fatal and inconsiderate step! in which he abandoned his natural character, lost himself in the opinion of the true friends of their country, threw the reins of government into the same bloody hands that had so long and so disgracefully held them, and led the way to commotions, of which no human prudence can possibly foresee the event.”

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A public fast having been directed to be observed in the year 1803, Dr. Parr took this occasion of expressing his sentiments upon political affairs, in a sermon which he preached in the parish church of Hatton. In this discourse, a copy of which he presented to Mr. Roscoe, he sketches, with his usual power, the character of a patriot; and denounces those who profane that hallowed name to the purposes of ambition, avarice, and national or individual pride. This publication drew from Mr. Roscoe a long and interesting critique, in the form of a letter, addressed to Dr. Parr; to whom, however, as appears from a memorandum made upon it, it was never sent. The following extract from this letter might almost be supposed to have been addressed, not by the politician to the divine, but by the divine to the politician:—

“From these sentiments you will perceive, that although I agree with you in your definition of patriotism, and in the inferences you draw from it, as to the indispensable duty and necessity of a vigorous and national defence, yet I conceive this is not the only form in which the efforts of a true patriot may at present be displayed. You have well observed, that our patriotism must not be confined to the endurance of pain, or the surrender of life itself; and if ever there was an occasion on which efforts of an extraordinary nature were called for, it is at

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the moment when two nations are whetting the sword against each other, and commencing a career of horror and of bloodshed, of which no human power can foresee the consequences. Every pretended patriot, every proud and ignorant individual, can cry out for war, and urge on his neighbour to the work of destruction; but where is the man who will oppose himself to the national madness? Who will point out to both countries the absurdity of a contest, which has no adequate or even rational object in view? Who will propose, in the very moment of exasperation, measures of conciliation and of peace; and sacrifice himself in the public opinion, in the hope, however remote, of rendering to his country, and to almost all mankind, a real and effectual service? He who would dare to attempt this is indeed a patriot. He who should succeed in it would entitle himself to the gratitude and applause of all future times.

“You will not, I am sure, conceive, that in stating these sentiments I consider myself as advancing any thing in which I believe you would not readily concur. They are, I flatter myself, too much in the spirit of the excellent discourse, which has given rise to them, to meet with any great opposition from you. But I should have been truly happy to have seen them more fully recommended and enforced in the same energetic language, and with the same

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convincing arguments, that distinguish the whole of your sermon.

It was not until the spring of 1806 that Mr. Roscoe had the satisfaction of becoming personally acquainted with Dr. Parr, and of enjoying his society for some days at Allerton. This visit, which confirmed the friendship created by their literary intercourse, is mentioned by Dr. Parr in the following short letter, with his usual strong expression of feeling:—

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LIFE OF WILLIAM ROSCOE.