writings. His works, which have been printed in this country, and republished and read with avidity abroad, are a monument to his talents and assiduity more lasting, than con temporary praise, or the occasional applause of posterity.*

The literary reputation of Dr. Mayhew, thus extending beyond the limits of his own country, procured him many valuable correspondents. Among these were Dr. Lardner and Dr. Benson, who stand in the very first class of writers among the dissenters, Dr. Avery, the publisher of Pearce's commentary, Dr. Kippis, the compiler of the modern Biographia Brittanica, Archdeacon Blackburne, the author of the confessional, and Mr. Thomas Hollis, a distinguished benefactor of learning.† Of this correspondence we can give no particulars, except of that part of it between Dr. Mayhew and Mr. Hollis. From this we are able to state, that the Dr. was instrumental in procuring from Mr. Hollis many rich donations for the University in Cambridge. He discov

ers in his letters a deep attachment to that institution, of which he was a valuable Overseer, and a constant friend. This correspondence is on various subjects, mostly tending to the literary, civil, and religious improvement of New-En

* The works of Dr. Mayhew are not particularly noticed here, as it is defigned to make them the subject of another number. We would however in this place mention his seven sermons, delivered at a lecture, instituted in his own church. These were the first sermons of his, that were published'; they had an early impression in London, and were so well received at Aberdeen, that the honor of D. D. was conferred on him at the University in that place.

It is to be regretted, that Dr. Mayhew preserved no copies of his letters. Judging from the eminence of his correspondents, they must have been highly interesting and valuable.

1

Mr. Hollis esteem for Dr. Mayhew is said to have arisen from the perusal of his sermon on the 30th of January, in which he contends against the doctrine of passive obedience, and treats the "Royal Martyr" with rather a small share of ceremony. In the year 1757, Mr. Hollis sent him a box of books, without however acquainting him with the name of his benefactor. In 1759 he sent him another present of books accompanied with a letter and From that time a correspondence commenced between them, which continued till Dr. Mayhew's death.

his name.

gland. Through this medium also the Dr. was occasionally of service to his friends, who crossed the Atlantic, in recommending them to the attention of his correspondent.

In a letter to Mr. Hollis of 6th April 1762, after expres sing his own and the public regret, occasioned by the resignation of Mr, Pitt, and his fears of the establishment of an Episcopal Bishop in this country, he writes, that "there has "lately been projected a plan, which would be prejudicial to "Harvard College. I mean, founding another College in "the province, about So miles distant from the former.

On

petition of a number of persons in that part of the country "to the general court, Mr, Barnard, as king's Governor, has undertaken to prepare a charter for that purpose. This 66 step has given general uneasiness, not only because we "think the scheme of bad tendency, but because we suppose "the Governor has no such authority, as he asserts and "assumes, of granting charters." It appears farther by this letter, that, when the Overseers of the University heard what was transacting, although the charter had been signed and sealed, they chose a committee to draw up reasons against issuing the same, to be presented to his excellency. "Those reasons have been drawn up by your humble ser❝vant, instead of some more capable person.

nor has returned an answer such as it is. "ever promised to suspend said charter.”

The GoverHe has how

Thus it appears, what an able friend the University enjoyed in Dr. Mayhew, in procuring donations, and in counteracting plans hostile to its growth.

A considerable portion of this correspondence is taken up in remarks upon the society for propagating the gospel, which subject will claim our attention in another part of this sketch.

It is evident from Dr. Mayhew's letters as well, as from several of his discourses, that he was an unshaken friend of liberty civil and religious. And if, from his zeal, he were occasionally betrayed into a severity, which now appears too harsh, we must recollect the provocations, which then existed. If, when he was unfolding the deep laid devices of those,

who were enemies either to our civil or ecclesiastical liberty, his independence seems sometimes to border upon reproach, let it be remembered, that, when the " snare was broken,” none were more ready, than he, in expressions of gratitude.

It has been said, that Dr. Mayhew was subject to strong prejudices; and the allegation is not wholly without foun dation. But, if we except his controversial writings, it is apprehended from the tenor of his productions, that his mind was as unbiassed on other subjects, as that of most men. He certainly had much more charity for his adversaries, with respect to religious faith, than they commonly displayed toward him. Excluding some opinions, which he early imþibed, relative to the church of England and religious establishments in general, which had no connexion with his faith in the doctrines of christianity, he had not perhaps more prejudices in number, nor more censurable in their kind, than are commonly imbibed from education. And, from his able vindication of the right and duty of private judg ment, he was probably as little embarrassed in his inquiries by early opinions, formed on the authority of parents, instructors, or favorite authors, as any man of his age. That he was a very determined enemy to religious establishments, in the common application of the term, will more fully appear in the sequel. If the people were virtuous and pious, he was of opinion, that they would provide for the more effectual preservation of their morality and religion, by establishing moral and religious teachers; and, if they had no virtue or religion, that the civil interposition could not furnish them with moral principles, or pure faith.

Quid leges sine moribus

Vanæ proficiunt?

Judging impartially of the character of Dr. Mayhew in the domestic, social, and parochial relations, as a supporter of learning, and of civil and religious liberty; and finding how much in a short life he advanced his own mental improvement, and benefitted society, we must pronounce him one of the greatest and most industrious men, that our country

has produced. His talents and industry were commonly directed toward the most useful subjects, and nothing, that he esteemed his duty, seemed to have been neglected by him.

"Nil actum reputans, si quid superesset agendum."

As he had a mind capable of almost any attainments, so he had a constitution of body, which would permit intense application. He was above the ordinary height, and had a frame uncommonly firm and athletic.

In his deportment, he was for the most part grave; in company, sometimes absent in mind. He was generally social, and listened to with delight and instruction. He was at times humorous and satirical, but without forgetting the dignity of his station.

He was not inimical to innocent amusements, while he justly reprobated licentiousness and dissipation. He would himself occasionally relinquish the fatigue of the study for the sport of the field, and return with encreased avidity to his literary labors.

The most splendid part of Dr. Mayhew's character was his piety; of the sincerity of which we have ample testimony from witnesses both of clergy and laity among his contempoHe lived according to the religion he professed, and died in the enjoyment of all its hopes and promises.

raries.

[To be continued.]

OBSERVATIONS ON THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF WILLIAM COWPER.

AMONG

those, who in the literary degeneracy of the age have preserved some portion of the vigor of our forefathers, and approached toward the simplicity of the ancients, may be reckoned Cowper. His character is equally interesting as a man and as a poet. As a man he engages our affection, and as a poet he commands our respect.

It sometimes happens, that those, whose writings inculcate morality, or afford instruction, appear to be little benefitted by their own speculations. The lives of men of genius are not always free from irregularity and dissipation. The char acter of Cowper however appears neither to have been degraded by meanness, nor disgraced by immorality. His ex ample will never be adduced to justify their excesses by those, who mistake the madness of the passions for the wildness of genius.

The life of Cowper furnishes an example, that the practice of virtue and the possession of talents cannot always secure happiness. In the gloominess of despondency he sometimes looked on this world without pleasure, and on the next with out hope. It may be curious to observe, that there is much similarity in the manner, in which he describes his sufferings in his last letter to Lady Hesketh, and the words, which Shakespear gives to Hamlet, when he relates his melancholy to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

"In one day, in one minute, I should rather have said, "Nature became an universal blank to me; and though "from a different cause, yet with an effect as difficult to remove, as blindness itself."

my

"I have, says Hamlet, but wherefore I know not, lost all mirth, foregone all custom of exercises; and indeed it goes so heavily with my disposition, that this goodly frame "the earth seems to me but a steril promontory."

It has been frequently remarked, that men, who have de lighted and benefitted mankind, are themselves not unfre quently suffering in solitary despondence. Life was not intended for a scene of enjoyment, but a state of trial; and most of its blessings are counterbalanced by attendant evils. That delicacy of taste, which is charmed with the contempla tion of the good, the perfect, and the fair, must be much more frequently offended by imperfection and rudeness and deformity. The creative power of the imagination will be sometimes occupied in magnifying future evil. That quick