Memoir relative to John Burnett, Esq. of Dens, Founder of the Prizes for the two best Essays on the Existence and Perfections of God, lately awarded to Dr. Brown and Mr. Sumner.*

JOHN

is gain, a detestation of war, one of the greatest scourges of humanity.

The business of the younger Burnett was that of a general merchant; but, he was chiefly engaged former of these, his father had also in fisheries and manufactures. In the circumstance his misfortunes chiefly been much concerned, and from this arose. The son profited by the experience which he had acquired from his father's case. His success business was certainly considerable. but exceeded not those expectations which might have been naturally entertained, when his application, of his affairs, were considered. prudence, and caution, in the conduct

in

[Extracted from Dr. Brown's Essay, just published in two vols. 8vo.] OHN BURNETT, of DENS, Esq. was born in Aberdeen, in the year 1729. The month and day of his birth have not been ascertained. His father was an eminent merchant in that city, and gave his son a liberal education in the place of his nativity. In the year 1750, the son entered into business, on his own account, without any other fortune, but that which, though a young man, he seems to have possessed in a distinguished de- Communion, in which it is most probaHis parents were of the Episcopal gree the esteem, confidence, and suble that he was educated, as far as port of friends. For about that time, his father had failed in his circumstances, not from any imprudence, or misconduct, on his part, but from a sudden, unusual, and, to him, most unfortunate decline in the prices of the articles of merchandize in which be dealt, while he himself was obliged, by contract, for a number of years, to purchase these articles, from others, at fixed and higher rates.

This circumstance principally arose from the war, in which this country had been engaged. It is, hence, evident that, if war produces, to some, temporary advantages, it is, at last, productive of equal evils, even to that class who have profited by it. Let our own times proclaim this awful truth. It is just, it is salutary, that this should be the case, in order to impress, even on those whose object

related to his religious instruction. In his younger days, it is certain that he attended divine worship in St. Paul's Chapel, of Aberdeen, which is

England, and whose clergymen are connected with the Church of in the orders of that church. On commonly professed by most Christian some religious points, however, as communities, he entertained, in more scruples, nor could fully assent to the advanced years, certain doubts and public standards of any particular communion. For this reason, during many years before his death, he ceased to attend public worship, because he supposed that such attendance implied an unqualified and complete assent the religious community in whose to every tenet which was professed by worship he joined; and he could never bear the idea of assuming the appearance of a profession, the reality of which was not sanctioned by his understanding and his heart. In this notion he seems to have resembled Milton, who abstained from public worship on account of his conceptions.

Memoir relative to John Burnett, Esq. of Dens.

of Christianity, which he found realized in no Christian community or church, existing in his days. Perhaps, pure, primitive, vital Christ ianity is to be found only in the Sacred Scriptures, and no small degree of purification must probably take place, before its genuine form, with all its celestial features, can be restored to this earth.

Memoir relative to Johu Burnett, Esq. of Dens.

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his mind, ever open to conviction, be of the highest importance to his afterwards assumed, on this subject, present comfort, and to his eternal the complexion which reason appears happiness. Nor were his pains unsucto dictate. cessful. Some time before his death, he had obtained clearer and more satisfactory views of those doctrines, in regard to which he had experienced the greatest difficulties. If his life had been prolonged, he would, in all probability, have again joined in publie worship. He was remarkable for his scrupulous observance of the Lord's day. On that day, during many years, he never opened any letters on business. This is, at least, a striking proof of the sincerity of his religious sentiments, whatever opinion may be entertained, by some, of their enlargement. I cannot pretend to say how he could discover, before opening a letter, if it was on business, or on some subject connected with religion. He probably knew the hands of his correspondents.

While he entertained this erroneous opinion, which was certainly, on his part, most sincere, he seems to have fallen into one of those inconsistencies incident to the human character, even in its most amiable forms. He would not allow his servants to be absent from church, on any occasion, although he interfered not with their general adherence to any religious profession. Now, while he himself abstained from attendance on public worship, because he could not assent to all the tenets of any church, or sect whatever, it seems not to have occurred to him that any of his seryants might, on the ground of conscientious scruples, have urged the same plea for his non-attendance. The celebrated Mr. Howard was a strict predestinarian. He had been threatened with the Bastille, if he ever ventured again to pass through France. He had resolved, for a certain object which he judged to be of the first importance, to traverse the whole extent of that country. When I strongly urged on him, the danger to which he exposed himself, he asserted his firm belief in predestination, as a ground for his proceeding. He said, however, that he would not expose his servant to the same danger, sent him round by Italy, and, as he himself was resolved to go to Toulon, ordered him to meet his master at Nice. The servant was just as much secured, by predestination, as his master; yet Mr. Howard would not venture to apply the doctrine to the poor fellow. The master, nevertheless, escaped all danger, accomplished the object of his journey, and, afterwards related to me the wonderful particulars of his perilous adventure. Such are the inconsistencies to which the most vigorous and noblest minds are, sometimes, liable.

Mr. Burnett called his servants together, regularly, every Sunday evening, and read prayers to them. Although, on some points, he had peculiar doubts, he was far from being a sceptic in regard to the grand doctrines of the Christian religion. By diligent reading, accurate examination, and serious reflection, he endeavoured to acquire that information which he deemed to

Punctuality and integrity, in all his dealings, were prominent features of his character. He was, indeed considered, as difficult and hard in making bargains. When, however, they produced greater advantage than he expected, or than he deemed to be fair and just profit, he returned, to his correspondents, as a gratuity, the surplusage of his honest computation. In this manner, during the course of his mercanule career, some thousand pounds were restored. When the question was put to him, if he thought that his correspondents would have treated him in the same manner, had the bargain been equally unfavourable, as it had been favourable to him; and, when the severity, which his father had experienced, was brought to his recollection; his reply uniformly was-"With the conduct of others I have nothing to do.-It is my duty to regulate my own by the rules of equity, as they appear to me."

This was an answer expressive of a great mind. It is, to me, a proof of the strength of his religious princi ples. For, these only could have dictated such sentiments and conduct, I would fain hope that, however different the general sentiments may be, there are several instances of a similar kind, in the mercantile world, which may not be generally known. To the best interests of mankind the fact, which I have just now recorded, is of high importance. For, selfish

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Memoir relative to John Burnett, Esq. of Dens.

minds, actuated by groveling and sordid opinions, have a strong ten dency to ascribe their own characters to the whole human race, and to regard, as visionary, feelings of a more exalted description. To all such Mr. Burnett's conduct and principles, and those of a similar complexion, may be triumphantly opposed, and serve, on the ground of experience, to vindicate, from the imputation of being mere theorists, those who applaud and recommend more generous, and, therefore, better principles of action, than are entertained by the herd of ignoble moralists.

His affection for his relatives was also warm and constant. His humanity was expansive and vigorous, and particularly interested in the wants of the poor. During many years, he appropriated one or two hours every day, to the hearing of their cases, and to their relief. In this manner, he applied more than 3001. yearly.

On the return of his brother, James, from India, about the year 1773, they resolved to discharge their father's debts, each of them paying one half. The only exceptions, which they made, were in the case of one or two creditors, who had been, in the first instance, chiefly instrumental in ruining their father's credit, and then, after his failure was accomplished, treated him with the greatest harsh ness, and severity. This important fact, so honourable both to the subject of this Memoir, and to his brother, proves that strict integrity and honour were inherent in the family. As family-likenesses are exhibited in the countenance; so, we often find them in the moral and intel lectual character. Those two brothers thus paid, on their father's account, about 7000l. or 8000l. This sum, which, compared with modern failures, may appear insignificant, was, when the failure of Mr. Burnett, sen. happened, and even at the time his debts were paid by his conscientious sons, considered as of no trivial magnitude.

The younger Burnett was never married, and, at the age of 55 years, died on the 9th of November, 1784.

He possessed a small landed estate, lying in Buchan, in Aberdeenshire, and situated about 25 miles northward of Aberdeen, which he inherited from his mother. In this property he was

succeeded by a brother, a clergyman in the Church of England, who died without issue. It devolved to a nephew, son of another, brother of Mr. Burnett, who, now, possesses it. With the exception of this property, and of moderate legacies and annuities to various relatives, the residue of his fortune was appointed by him to be applied to charitable purposes.

Since his death, these charitable destinations have increased in value, and may, now, produce, altogether, about 7001. of annual income. They were, by the testator, appointed to be applied in the following

manner.

1. For the relief of the poor in the city of Aberdeen, with a preference to those who may be bed-rid, or may labour under diseases deemed incurable.

II. For the relief of the poor residing on his own landed property, descending to his heirs.

III. For behoof of all the poor within the bounds of the county and synod of Aberdeen, which last contains 96 parishes, a sum, not less than 201. and not exceeding 501. in proportion to the extent of each parish, and to its peculiar circumstances, is to be paid annually, in rotation, till this payment has extended over all the parishes within the jurisdiction of the synod. When this rotation has taken place, it is to begin anew, and circulate, in this manner, in constant succession. The donation to each parish is to be applied, for the benefit of its poor, according to the discretion of its minister, or ministers, and elders.

IV. A sum is appropriated for the benefit of lunatics, or persons deprived of reason.

V. Another portion is destined to promote inoculation among the children of the poor. This money is, now, applied in support of a Vaccine Institu tion in Aberdeen-an improvement of inoculation unknown at the time of the donor's death.

VI. A small sum is appropriated to the benefit of the prisoners in the jail of Aberdeen, and, especially, to assist in procuring, to them, the consolations and correctives of religion, by the regular performance of divine worship within the walls of their confinement.

VII. A small part of this general fund is appointed to be set apart,

Memoir relative to John Burnett, Esq. of Dens.

annually, and allowed to accumulate, for a two-fold purpose-1st; for his Two Prizes: 2dly; for an addition to the provision previously made for the poor of Aberdeen. This accumulating fund is, for ever, to be applied to its objects, at the end of every fortieth year. The accumulation of the first 25 years, if not less than 1600l. is destined for Prizes to the authors of the two best Essays, on the subjects which he prescribed, and the following Work discusses. Three fourths are assigned to the first, and one fourth to the second in merit. Whatever exceeds these sums, allotted to the Prizes, is to be added to the fund for the use of the poor of Aberdeen. What this fund may produce, in the course of a long period of years, it is impossible to determine. In all probability, it will amount to a very large