Hurd with bitterness, in a contrast which he drew between them. Bishop Lowth was the son of a prebendary of Winchester, the author of a Commentary on the Prophets, which is usually printed as a continuation of Patrick on the Pentateuch. The celebrated Prelections, "De sacrâ Poesi Hebræorum," were delivered from the poetical chair in Oxford, A.D. 1741. Lowth exchanged the Bishopric of Limerick for a Prebend of Durham; whence he rose by several gradations to the see of London. One daughter died while sitting with him at the tea-table: on another he composed the beautiful Epitaph Cara Maria vale! ac veniet feliciis ævum His learning and zeal were graced by elegant manners; and by an amiable disposition in private life. He is the author of a translation of Isaiah, of an English grammar, and of a poem on the genealogy of Christ. Ob. 1787, aged 77. Edmund Law was promoted to the Bishopric of Carlisle, A.D. 1769; and is known to the world by a Theory of Religion; Notes on King's Origin of Evil; and a View of the Controversy concerning an intermediate State. It is his notion, that Christ, at his second coming, will restore to life. . the dead, whom the sin of Adam, without such interposition, would have condemned to a state, not of punishment, but of utter insensibility. His meekness deprived him of proper firmness; and his charity absorbed the marrow of his zeal. More latitudinarian than orthodox, and the father of the ultra liberals, his mind unhappily settled into an indifference bordering upon scepticism, with respect to some fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith. Ob. 1787. The Enthusiasm of Methodists and Papists compared, is the work, which perpetuates the memory of Bishop Lavington. He wrote also a book on the Moravians, and died in 1762. Horne waked the lyre of David, and with no unworthy hand. His Commentary on the Psalms occupied him twenty years, and bears proofs of exquisite polish. It is a delightful amplification of the music of Zion; wherein every phrase is spiritualized; every prophetic and recondite meaning pointed out: and, as the inscription on his monument in Norwich Cathedral eloquently and justly affirms, it will be remembered until the praises of earth shall yield to the hallelujahs of heaven. "Horne wanted not the touch of a master," says a late writer; "but, instead of painting a plain cabinet picture, he often sacrificed utility to effect, by aiming to produce a splendid altar-piece." This is not a just criticism; * Middleton's Decades of George III. it is his altar-pieces that constitute the first charm of the Commentary: yet perhaps the refinement of composition is too fastidious and adunguinated. Horne is the author of excellent Sermons; in which nothing of his Hutchinsonian tendencies appears. He ascribed the suavity of his temper to the care of his parents, who, during infancy, rocked him asleep with the music of flutes. No man ever blended more happily an amiable cheerfulness, and a sportive fancy, with the character of grave piety. "Aware," says a religious biographer, "that religion, like her Master,' may be crucified between two thieves,' he shunned the extremes of lukewarmness and fanaticism :" an illplaced smartness, and somewhat profanish for evangelical lips.-When advanced to the see of Norwich, where, in heavenly-mindedness, and in zeal for episcopacy, he bore a strong resemblance to his predecessor, Hall, he had reached his 60th year and both body and mind exhibited symptoms of decay. On ascending the steps of his palace, he remarked, that he should not climb them often: and in two years his presentiment was verified, by his death at Bath, A.D. 1792. His biographer was his familiar friend, Jones of Nayland; whom he used to style, Master William. Master William has produced an entertaining volume; containing many anecdotes, illustrating at once the playfulness and spirituality of this amiable prelate's mind. Among his minor works are numbered, Observations on the Life of St. John; some Hutchinsonian Tracts; a Letter on the Philosophy of Hume; and another in condemnation of latitudinarian subscription. Newton, Bishop of Bristol, began his career as a morning preacher; an aim of vanity, a flashy office, which rarely affords the omen of future greatness-His Belles Lettres relaxation was a variorum edition of Milton:-but the Dissertation on the Prophecies is his classical work in theology. He died in 1782, in his 79th year. He had preferred Cambridge to Oxford, for a pure and a worldly, an exalted and an ordinary reason:-the first, that the studies were more manly; the second, that the fellowships were more rich. His chief work served to relieve his mind from grief, for the loss of his first wife. "I never found," said he, "a better remedy in affliction, than plunging deep into study, and fixing my thoughts on other objects. A better remedy, however, he afterwards DID find:--at least, if the second partner of his affections at all corresponded to the beau ideal of his fancy:-a clever sensible woman, who had some knowledge and experience in the world; who was capable of superintending and directing his affairs-who was a prudent manager and œconomist; and could lay out his money to the best advantage:- who, though she brought no fortune, yet could save one, and be a fortune in herself:--who could supply his table handsomely; and do the honours of it in a becoming manner :-who had no more taste and love of pleasure than a reasonable woman should have:-who would be happier in staying with her husband at home, than in perpetually gadding abroad :—who would be careful and tender of his health; and, in short, be a friend and companion at all hours. In this sketch, his Lordship speaks wofully little, concerning either the mind or the accomplishments. It is rather an advertisement for a nurse, a cook, and a housekeeper, than the character of a Bishop's lady. It is the description of a second wife for convenience; while the prime affections are all buried in the grave of the first. After the death of Zachary Pearce, Bishop of Rochester, were published his Comments on the Gospels and Acts: now totally forgotten. Ob. 1774. Archbishop Secker, educated as a dissenter, presents the singular and perplexing anomaly of a divine, attaining to the highest station in a church, to whose privileges he possessed no legitimate claim, having never been grafted into its communion by any baptism, which the rigour of its principles would allow to be regular or valid. His divinity was temperate and orthodox; his disposition devout and charitable. His Sermons are simple, sensible, and practical; but void of energy, and barren of embellishment. His |