Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

SCOTS

MAGAZINE

For DECEMBER 1796.

[ocr errors]

BIOGRAPHICAL ACCOUNT OF JAMES FORDYCE, D. Da

AUTHOR OF THE SERMONS TO YOUNG WOMEN.

HIS Gentleman was one of the breach became too wide to be healed.

wife, of

Provost Fordyce, of Aberdeen. He re#ceived his education at the Marischal college of that place, and early devoted himself to the Miniftry. His first preferment, as least that he knew of, was to be Minister at Brechin, where he officated as early as the year 1752. He foon after became Minifter of Alloa, where he remained until about the year 1760. At that period he came to London, and propofed himself as a canditate for a vacancy at the meeting in CarterLane, for which he was unsuccessful. On this occafion it was objected to him, as ftrangely inconfiftent, for any perfon who had fubfcribed the articles of the Scotch confeffion of Faith to offer himfelf in the character of a Minister to a Diffenting congregation which had fo very

different a creed. This objection, however, was not fufficiently powerful to prevent his being chofen as coadjuter of Dr Lawrence, to the paftorfhip at Monkwell-street, where he continued a great number of years. In that year he was honoured by the Univerfity of Glasgow with the degree of Doctor in Divinity.

In May 1771 he married Mifs Henrietta Cummyng, and in 1775, was involved in a difpute with his coadjutor, the Rev. Tho. Toller, fon-in-law of Dr Lawrence, at first, as it appears by the letters publifhed on the occafion, on account of the omiffion of fome ceremonials of politeness, which, by want of mutual conceffions increafed, until the VOL. LVIII.

[ocr errors]

Fordyce a

ftep which was not fo univerfally approved of by his brethren the Diffenters: he engaged to do the duty both of Mr Toller and himself, and caused the former to be ejected, without any charge against him (for he was a man of irreproachable character) from his office in the meeting. From this period, if we are not misinformed, the meeting itselfwas lefs attended than before, and on Dr Fordyce's feeling the infirmities of age growing on him, the congregation by degrees dwindled away, and the houfe itself has been fince shut up. Finding himself incapable of continuing his exertions as a preacher, in the manner he had been used, he retired, fieft into Hampfhire, and then to Bath, where he died on Oct. 1ft, at the age of 75, according to the accounts of fome of the Daily Papers. Dr Fordyce's first publication was a preface to a pofthumous work of his brother David Fordyce, in the year 1752, on the Art of Preaching. This Gentleman, the Author of Dialogues on Education, and a Treatife on Moral philofophy, in Dodfley's Preceptor, was originally defigned for the Church, and was for fome time a Preachcr. After a fuccefsful tour through France, Italy, and feveral parts of Europe, when he was almoft at home, and his friends flood ready with open arms and joyful hearts to receive him, he lost his life, in its full prime, by a ftorm on the coaft of Holland, in September 1751. His death is pathetically noticed by 5 T

Dr

Dr Fordyce, in one of his Addreffes to the Deity.

before the General Affembly of the Church of Scotland, May 25th, 1760. Svo. 1760. 6. A Sermon, occafioned by the death of

The following is a Lift of Dr For- the Rev. Dr Samuel Lawrence, who depart

dyce's Works:

J. The Eloquence of the Pulpit. An Ordination fermon. To which is added, A charge. 12mo. 1752.

2. An Effay on the Action proper for the pulpit. 12mo.

Both thefe are printed at the end of " Theodorus. A Dialogue concerning the Art of Preaching. By Mr David Fordyce." Third Edit. I2mo. 1755. 3. The Methods of promoting Edification by Public Inflitutions. An ordination ferTo which is added, a charge. 12mo.

mon.

3754.

Thefe were delivered at the Ordination of Mr John Gibfon, Minifter of St Ninian's May 9, 1754.

4. The Temple of Virtue: A dream. 12mo. 1747. The 2d Edit. much altered. 12mo. 1775.

5. The Folly, Infamy, and Mifery of Unlawful Pleasure. A Sermon. Preached

ed this Life O&, 1, 1760. With an Address at his interment. 8vo. 1760.

7. Sermons to Young Women. 2 Vols. 12mo. 1766.

8. The Character and Conduct of the Female Sex, and the Advantages to be derived by young Men from the Society of virtuous Women. A Difcourfe in Three Parts. Delivered in Monkwell-ftreet Chapel, Jan. 1. 1776. Sva 1776.

9. Addreffes to young Men. 2 Vols. 12mo.

1777.

To. The delufive and perfecuting Spirit of Popery. A Sermon preached in Monkwellftreet, on 10th Feb. being the Day appointed for a General Faft. 8vo. 1779.

11. Charge delivered in Monkwell-ftreet Meeting. At the ordination of the Rev. James Lindsey. 8vo. 1783.

Printed with the Sermon preached by Dr
Hunter on that occafion,

12. Addreffes to the Deity, 12mo. 1755.
13. Poenis, 12m0. 1786.

ANECDOTES OF DISTINGUISHED PERSONS.

DAVID HUMF.

HUME having afferted in his Hiftory of England, that if ever the national debt came up to one hundred milhons this country would be ruined, was afked by a friend, how he could make fuch a mistake, feeing that the debt was then far above that fum, and likely to be much more?" Owing to a mistake, Sir, (fays he), common to curiers ly profeffion, who are often obliged to adopt ftatements on the authority of other people."

When Hume was complimented by a nolle marquis now living, on the correctness of his style, particularly in his Hiftory of England-he obferved, "If he had fhewn any peculiar correctnefs, twas owing to the uncommon care he took in the execution of his work, as he wrote it over three times before he fent it to the prefs."

On the appointment of the late FieldMarshal Conway to be Secretary of State in the year 1766, Hume was afked, if he was not much furprised that a general officer fhould have that promotion.

Not at all, Sir (lays Hume);— confider the political jaterefts of Great

Britain are always beft fupported by men of war."

The following picture of fanaticifm, as given by Hume, is perhaps the best key to the character of Cromwell, and the leading perfons of that age, that has yet been given :

[ocr errors]

Hypocrify," fays he, " quite pure, and free from fanaticifm, is perhaps as rare as fanaticifm entirely purged from all mixture of hypocrify: fo congenial to the human mind is all religious fentiment, that 'tis impoffible to counterfeit long thofe holy fervours, without feeling fome fhare of the affumed warmth;

and, on the other hand, fo precarious and temporary, from the frailty of hu man rature, is the operation of thofe fpiritual views, that the religious extafies, if conftantly employed, must often be counterfeit, and must be warped by the most familiar motives of interest and ambition, which infenfibly gain upon the mind."

EARL OF GUILDFORD *..

This very amiable (though politically unfortunate) nobleman went into bufinefs very early in life, and attached him* Prime Minißer during the American war.

felf

66

felf to the duties of his office with un- his Lordfhip had kept them in a roar remitting care and affiduity. To an of laughter for fome minutes before. excellent claffical education, and many Well, there's no denying it-this focial qualities, he joined a knowledge man has more wit than all of us (meanof the German, French, and Italian ing the oppofition) put together. languages, with a temper of that naturally conciliating difpofition, that the fevereft of his parliamentary opponents were no longer fuch out of the fphere of politics.

One day, when the late Alderman Sawbridge was haranguing on his annual motion in favour of annual parliaments, looking over to the Treasury Bench (the day being extremely hot) When he was young in office, as one he obferved Lord North with his head of the Lords of the Treafury under the reclining on his left shoulder, seemingold Duke of Newcastle, he was met ly afleep; upon which he stopped short one morning by the late George Gren- and cried out, "But what fignifies my ville, and another gentleman, walking endeavours to come at the root of this in the Park, and muttering fomething political evil, when the Noble Lord in to himself, 'seemingly as if rehearfing the blue ribband, is fo little attentive an oration. "Here comes blubbering to me that he has fallen into a profound North," fays the latter to Mr Gren- fleep?" This raised a laugh with the ville; I wonder what he is getting Alderman's party, which his Lordfhip by heart, for I'm fure it can be nothing immediately turned against them, by of his own. "You're mistaken (fays obferving, loud enough to be heard, the other); North is a young man of "No, I was not afleep; but I wish to great promife, and high qualifications; God I had been." and if he does not relax in his political purfuits, is very likely to be the prime minifter of this country." This prediction was fulfilled twelve years after wards.

[ocr errors]

Of his political acumen in the conduct of the American war, a fubject that nearly engroffed the whole of his Administration, the best that can be faid of it was, that he was mistaken :—if other wife, it cannot be denied, even by his most intimate friends, it was his duty to refign. The arcana of fo recent and complicated a tranfaction, as they refpect the interior of this great quef tion, however, are difficult at prefent to unravel. History will have better materials to work with, and lefs partialities to encounter.

Of his wit and good humour we have too many inftances to doubt.-He never ftrained for either: like the great Earl of Bath, he had them always at command; nor had he the fordid vices of avarice and ambition to balance thofe pleafing qualities. Mr Burke paid a juft tribute to the former, one day coming out of the House of Commons, after VOL. LVIII.

Coming up to the door of the Houfe of Commons one evening rather late, Pearfon, the late door-keeper, stopped him, and in his laconic free manner of fpeaking, faid, "No, my Lord, you can't come in here." "Why fo?" faid his Lordship, fomewhat furprised. "Becaufe they are now balloting for an Election Committee, and the doors of course are locked." "Aye," fays his Lordfhip, with a fmile," and yet this is rather hard, confidering fome people call this my House of Commons.”

Having had fome prefcience of a fit of the gout coming on him, he defired his man to get him his large gouty fhoes. The man looked for them for fome time, but, not finding them in the ufual place where he generally put them, concluded they were stolen, and began curfing the thief. "Poh," fays his Lordship, feemingly very gravely (though at the fame time agitated with fome pain,) how can you be fo ill-natured, John?—Now all the harm I wifh the poor rogue is, that my fhoes may fit him."

Lord North being one of the Gover-
SU

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

On the evening of the day when he moved an adjournment of the House for a few days, for the purpose of refigning his office, coming through the lobby of the Houfe, arm in arm with one of his friends, he afked him to go home and dine with him; the other told him, he would with pleafure, but was partly engaged. "Come come," fays his Lord. fhip, "put off your engagement, and have the virtue to fay, you dined with a fallen Minifter on the very day of his difmiffal." The friend affented, and went home with him.

Vol. 58. nors of the Charter-Houfe, a formal the matter to him, wanted to make it a complaint was made to him by one of perfonal quarrel, and faid, they thought the penfioners of that hofpital, that the his Lordship fhould refent it." "And victuals were not fo good as they fhould fo I will," fays his Lordship very coolbe, particularly the beef, which at times ly, by continuing in office; as I know his was not eatable. This complaint being Lordfhip has no other refentment arenewed, his Lordship went privately gainft me, than wishing to be the thing I one morning to the Charter Houfe, and am." afking the houfe fteward whether he had any cold beef in the houfe (such as the penfioners ufually eat,) defired he would bring it up. The beef was accordingly introduced, the look of which fo pleafed his Lordship that he immediately afked him, if he could provide him with mustard, bread, and finall beer; which being likewife brought, his Lordfhip took a chair, and eat a very hearty luncheon after this he ordered the complainant to be brought up, and then afked him, whether that was the fame kind of beef ufually ferved? The man faid, "Yes," "And the fame fmallbeer, bread, muftard, &c.?" "Yes," fays the man," I believe pretty much the fame." Why then," fays his Lordfhip, "all I have to fay is this: If you have any complaint to make in future about fuch provifions, you must apply to another governor, and, as there is no difputing tafes, he might perhaps redrefs you; but as for my part, as you may fee, my friend (pointing to his plate), I have decidedly given it againft you."

When his brother, the prefent Bifhop of Winchester, was married to his prefent lady, who was a Mifs Bannifer, a confidential friend was afking his Lordfhip, what could be his brother's, motive for the match? " She is no profeffed beauty, no great fortune, or of no great family." "Why, in refpect to her beauty and fortune I have not much to fay of either; but I must beg your pardon in refpect to blood, as I hear the is very nearly related to the Stairs."

Towards the clofe of the American war, a Noble Lord in the other Houfe having, in the warmth of debate, called Lord North" this thing of a minifter," fome injudicious friends exaggerated

Upon his retirement from office, he went down to Bath for the recovery of his health, and particularly for his fight, which was nearly loft. The converfation turning one day after dinner, on the perishable còndition of party zeal and political enmity, his Lordthip thoroughly agreed in the principle; and, as proof of it, fays he, "There is Colonel Barré (who by the by was as blind as his Lordship), no man has oppofed me more in the Houfe of Commons than he has, and I, of course him; and yet I can fairly answer for myself, and I dare fay I may equally do fo for him, we should be both very glad to fee one another at this moment."

The caufe of Lord North's blindness it is faid, originated from the frequency of fanding his difpatches. He was naturally near-fighted, and carried up every paper he looked at immediately under his eye; the papers which were fresh written he fanded in this position, which being fo frequently repeated, the duft fettled in his eyes, and ultimately produced a total blindness.

The natural civility and good humour of this Nobleman left him no enemies cut of the Houfe of Commons.-Even

the

[ocr errors]

the principals of Oppofition knew thefe candour enough to acknowledge his qualities fo predominant in his Lord- private worth and integrity.

fhip, that they frequently petitioned him, as First Lord of the Treafury, for little favours and indulgences for their friends and conflituents, which he as readily granted, when he could do it with propriety; and this they frequently acknowledged.

To the brother of one of his principal opponents in the Houfe of Commons he continued a very valuable Collection in the Colonies, almoft during the whole of his adminiftration. He was often spoke to about difplacing him, and he as conftantly anfwered, "Why fhould I vifit the fins of the brother upon a man who does his duty, and has given me no particular offence?"

In fhort, like his predeceffor Sir Robert Walpole, though very much baited during his adminiftration, he had no enemies as a man; he lived long enough out of office to be reconciled to all his political oppofers, who, when the caufe of contention ceafed, had

He met his blindness and increafing infirmities with great firmnefs, in the bofom of his family, and even with a good humour, and flashes of wit and merriment, that made his table one of the moft defireable places to be a guest at

In his last moments he only regretted not having it in his power to fee his favourite and youngest fon, who the morning of his father's death landed at Dover from his travels, but could not be in town time enough to receive the blefling of an affectionate and indulgent parent.

The fon above alluded to is the prefent Hon. Frederick North, formerly fecretary of ftate under his Excellency Sir Gilbert Elliot, Viceroy of Corfica; a gentleman who unites to the most amiable and feductive manners, a travelled knowledge, an extentiveness of learning, and an induftry of mind, that cannot fail of rendering him an ornament to his country.

TOPOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY OF SCOTLAND.

CONTINUED

FROM PAGE 734.

COUNTY OF LANARK concluded. STONEHOUSE. This parish is 5 miles long and 2 broad, containing upwards of 1000 inhabitants. Almoft the whole of it is arable. Although there is coal here, any attempts to work it have hitherto proved unfuccefsful. Limeftone and free-ftone every where abound. The parish of CRAWFORD forms the fouth east corner of the fhire, its length is 18, its breadth between 15 and 16 miles, yielding 340cl. Sterling, the number of inhabitants is only about 1490. The greatest part is hill and muir; the higheft ground in the fouth of Scotland perhaps is in this parish, the hill called Lauders being 3150 feet above the level of the fea. Leadhills contains the most antient and famous lead mines in Scotland. There are too companies concerned, and the annnal produce is from 10,000 to 18,000 bars

annually, the Earl of Hopetoun receiving every 6th bar as rent. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth, a German was fent to collect gold-duft in the chaunel of the waters of Elvan and Glengonar, with which they were faid then to abound. The attempt was revived by the late Lord Hopetoun, but foon difcontinued as inadequate to the expence; a ftranger may be fatished of the fact for a few fhillings, for which the workmen at the lead mines will wafh and procure for him a confiderabie quantity of duft, and fometimes of pretty fizable grains. Lord Hopetoun has, in his poffeffion, a mafs of lead ore, weighing 5 tons, and a piece of native gold, weighing 2 ounces, both got here.

SYMINGTON. This path is nearly 3 miles each way, and contains upwards of 300 inhabitants. It lies partly along the banks of the Clyde, and rifes to 5 U 2

Tin

« ZurückWeiter »