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OBITUARY.

1825. Aug. 22, at the house of his brother, Lord Hutchinson, Bulstrode Street, Manchester Square, the Earl of DONOUGHMORE, a Peer of Great Britain, one of the original Representative Peers for Ireland, a Privy Councillor, Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer of His Majesty's Court of Exchequer in Ireland, a General in the army, Governor in the county of Tipperary, &c. His residences in Ireland were Knocklofty, in the county of Tipperary, and Palmerston-house, Dublin. Some of the Irish papers, in recording the death of the Earl of Donough more, give elaborate sketches of his public life, as connected with Irish affairs. The most prominent topic of eulogium is the Noble Earl's steadfast and unaltera. ble adherence to what is called the Catholic cause, through all the vicissitudes of its varied success. The principle of this line of conduct he inherited from his father, who was the first statesman in Ireland, who, both in the Cabinet and out of it, was the avowed and uncompromising advocate of a repeal of the penal code, which degraded both the Govern ment and the people, as well as for the removal of those baneful commercial restrictions which paralyzed the energies of his country, while they diminished the general resources of the kingdom. The Noble Earl's father, in his work called "Commercial Restraints," developed all those great commercial principles respecting the trade of England, which are now, after an interval of 70 years, acted upon by the enlightened policy of the Imperial Government. All these principles the Earl of Donoughmore inherited, and has repeatedly recorded them in the Irish and British Parliament. With respect to the Catholic question, it is remarkable that it should be its fate to survive its greatest, most uniform, and most consistent advocates, although for the last four years the accomplishment of its success has been confidently predicted in their time. Mr. Grattan, contrary to the advice of his friends and physicians, came to England in a dying state, to seal his attachment to his Catholic fellow-countrymen, by devoting to them the last effort of his expiring strength. Lord Donoughmore, against a similar appeal, made the like sacrifice. He went from his bed to attend the meeting at the Crown and Anchor, which followed the rejection of the bill by the House of Lords, and there made a warm and impassioned appeal to the Catholic Peers and Com

moners then assembled, recommending to them the exercise of that temper and firmness in the promotion of their cause, which they have since adopted, with so much advantage to their own characters, and utility to their great object. The Noble Earl's last public act was, mainly assisting in bringing together the sixtyfive Peers, whose admirable resolutions at the Duke of Buckingham's house he was afterwards the chief instrument of publishing-thus, on his death-bed, leaving the Catholic cause supported by a solemn league and covenant, which bore the sig natures of the greatest and most illustrious names in the British Peerage, who stood pledged to its principles. [See p. 570.] For these services the Catholics of Ireland must for ever be grateful. The late Earl was a rare instance in his rank of life, of being a landlord always residing among his tenantry, to whom, as well as to those over whom he was placed, during the active time of his life in official employments in Ireland, he was uniformly a steady friend and benefactor. In the hour of coercion in Ireland during the rebellion, the Earl of Donoughmore, by his presence and active exertions in Cork, repressed and prevented many of those exercises of "vigour beyond the law," which the inflamed zeal of the partisans of Government were then else. where daily inflicting; he was also persevering and intrepid in the performance of what he felt to be his duty; and his temperance and humanity, during the reign of terror, threw into the scale against the weight of opinion of all good men, only the obloquy of the blind zealots of party. As a magistrate he was impartial and indefatigable, and his loss, even in these days of a reformed magistracy in Ireland, will be long felt by the poor and the friendless. The virtues of private life are not fit objects of public eulogy; but in the numerous family of which the Earl of Donoughmore was the head, his uniform and affectionate liberality and kindness, maintained a bond of harmony and mutual attachment, which is rarely found to subsist in the same degree, in the advance of life, among domestic connexions, and which is likely long to survive in the same attached circle, from the cherished worth, and mild and unobtru sive virtues of the present Earl, who has now become its chief link, and who wore a coronet in the service of his country before he acquired one by inheritance!

August 25, at Harrowgate, Mrs. LYDIA WIGGIN, relict of John Wiggin, Merchant, of London, and daughter of the Rev. John Evans, formerly one of the Canons Residentiary of Hereford. During her late residence at Clifton, Mrs. Wiggin was a member of the congregation at Lewin's Mead. Her father, a man of an eminently cultivated and pious tnind, had always demonstrated himself to be a cordial and fearless advocate for religious and political liberty. From him his daughter imbibed her first sentiments of the Divine goodness, her first views of the gospel of Christ, and her first notion of the sacred right of private judgment in matters of religious belief. From principle and conviction, she became a decided Unitarian, full of charity for those who differed from her in opinion, and impatient only of intolerance and bigotry. The excellence of her moral character was especially conspicuous in the privacy of domestic life, and those who were the most intimately connected with her will have felt the most correctly the eminence of her virtues. The virtue of justice, through all its ramifications, of strict truth, unfailing fidelity, and spontaneous habitual fairness, she loved and practised, probably, in as great perfection as is consistent with the state of humanity. Her generosity, through the wide range of sentiment, conduct and action, in which that quality may be demonstrated, was invariably characterized by its perfect purity: no alloy tinc tured its golden stream; for of this admirable woman (if of any mortal) it may be asserted, that she was free from our "besetting sin" of selfishness. Her hostility and opposition to every species of tyranny and oppression, were not only immoveable by the allurements of worldly interests and advantages, which, so presented, her noble soul would spontaneously have despised, but they were also proof against the influence of private affection, to which few hearts were so sensible as hers. She possessed, in an eminent degree, the virtue which, in modern language, is denominated civil courage but she exercised this with such admirable prudence, and with such true feminine gentleness, that she sometimes won to a participation in her own sentiments those who, in their blindness, had begun by blaming them. Sincerely appreciated by all her intimate friends, as a pattern of female excellence, she felt pleasure in the consciousness of that estimation in which they held her; but this rather stimulated than relaxed her endeavours to lessen those imperfections (inseparable from humanity) which the best among us are always the most ready

to confess and to amend. In the virtue of Christian humility, Lydia Wiggin was a true disciple of her Divine Teacher. Her intellectual powers were of the first order: her instinctive taste, for the true and the beautiful, gave the highest effect to the culture which had been bestowed on them, and diffused through her conversation a charm and an interest to which few who knew her could be insensible. Oh, how many of her sterling virtues, how many of her lovely qualities, how many of her delightful powers, are left undescribed in this faint, slight sketch of the character of the departed! Those who knew her while living will furnish from their own memories, rich and extensive additions to what is here said: these will also recollect, with fond affec tion, that pleasant medium through which the qualities of the departed shone: they will speak to each other of the modest graces of her manners, of the genuine elegance of her deportment, and of the sweet melody of her voice. These perishable ornaments of virtue are not, as some will think, a subject for remark when their possessor is cold in the grave: but let these consider that such perishable ornaments characterized the earthly covering which enwrapped the departed, and that they rendered more perceptible to her fellow-creatures the mind which was enshrined within that gem, of immortal worth and of endless duration.

Aug. 29, at Whitby, aged 82, the Rev. THOMAS WATSON, during forty-six years the venerable minister of a congregation of Protestant Dissenters in that town. Mr. Watson was a native of Scotland; and for several of the earlier years of his manhood, after leaving college, was engaged, as is the custom of Scottish literary young men, as a tutor in several families of distinction. He then settled at Whitby; and in that active and flourishing, but almost insulated, sea port, he spent the whole remainder of his long and useful life. For many years he kept a boarding school, in which several persons of eminence received their education. Besides being a good classical scholar, he was an excellent mathematician, and had a happy talent for inspiring his pupils with a taste for mathematical and philosophical pursuits. His local situation also naturally led him to attend to natural history, particularly to the mineral kingdom, and he was one of the first who began to make collections of the curious organic remains with which the Whitby district so much abounds. He enjoyed, during the course of his long life, the general esteem and high respect

of his fellow-townsmen, as well as of many of his pupils who were settled at a distance. He was the author of several learned and very useful works. His earliest acknowledged publication is entitled, "Intimations and Evidences of a Future State;" in which the various natural arguments for a future state are stated with great clearness, and have at least their full weight attributed to them; at the same time the great importance of Christianity as bringing immortality to clear and certain light, is admitted and enforced. Some rather harsh things are said of those who do not lay so much stress on the natural arguments, which the author perhaps would at a later pe riod have softened. A valuable continuation of this work was afterwards published. His "Popular Evidences of Natural and Revealed Religion," is his next and most considerable work, and it is calculated to be eminently useful: but it did not become so extensively known, nor did its author reap so much either of reputation or of profit from it, as he had a good right to expect. The manuscript having been sent to a London bookseller, was submitted by him to an author of considerable eminence, whom he was in the habit of consulting, for his judgment upon it in the hands of this gentleman it remained for several years, and, when returned to the author, it was so altered by corrections, curtailments, and additions, as to be in many parts illegible, and, at least in the author's opinion, by no means on the whole improved; at all events, it could not appear as his work: it was therefore necessary to have the whole manuscript re-transcribed. In the mean time Paley's "Evidences of Christianity" and "Natural Theology" had appeared, and had deservedly obtained possession of the market. Two editions, however, of the work were sold; and if a number of political references to events now gone by, which never, perhaps, ought to have appeared in a work of such a nature, were left out, it would still be à very useful book to put into the hands of young persons. Mr. Watson's acquaintance with Natural History enabled him to answer in a pleasing and satisfactory manner many of the old objections of Pliny and others to the constitution and course of nature, and his arrangement of the evidences or revelation is in many respects new and very ingenious, and the whole is written with such an easy, cheerful simplicity, as to give his reader a pleasing idea of the character of God as displayed in his works and his government of them, of the value of man as the most distinguished terrestrial creature of God, and of the importance of that gospel

which allows him to look upon God as his Father, and invests him with the privileges and hopes of a highly-favoured servant and child of God. About the year 1811 came out his "Plain Statement of some of the most important Principles of Religion, as a preservative against Infidelity, Enthusiasm and Immorality," [see Mon. Repos. VII. 176—179,] which came to a second and enlarged edition in 1814: his object is to prove, that Christianity is a rational system, in order to which he first lays down the great leading truths of natural religion, concerning the existence, perfections and providence of God, shews the importance of entertaining worthy conceptions of him, and the worship due to him; that revealed religion, in both its dispensations, inculcates the same great truths, but that Christianity explains most perfectly the various branches of religious duty, and adds the most important and effectual sanctions. It is a work which well deserves to be reprinted in a cheap form for the use of young persons. "The chapter on Internal Feelings," observes the British Critic, (July 1811,)" we consider as a most important tract in itself, and could well wish to see it generally circulated, either detached, or with this admirable book." It was not to be expected that this book should please those who wish to make religion consist of something else than a good life; accordingly, a rather angry controversy took place, which, being. entirely local, may now be as well forgotten.

His "Dissertations on various interesting Subjects, with a view to illustrate the amiable and moral Spirit of Christ's Religion, and to correct the immoral Tendency of some Doctrines at present Popu lar and Fashionable," may be considered as a sequel to the "Plain Statement." In these he treats of religion and superstition with its various modifications, on reason and faith, on the perversions of Christ's moral doctrines, on the doctrine of sudden conversions † and death-bed repentance, on the use and abuses of the sabbath and of prayer, on internal feelings and some supposed influences of the spirit, and on cheerfuluess and the innocent enjoyments of society, as perfectly compatible with Christianity and with the example of Christ. As on many of these topics he expressed himself with greater freedom than he had done in his "Plain Statement," he expected that this work would be exposed to still more

*The whole chapter is extracted in our Review of the work, ut sup. ED.

+ On which we have lately had so excellent a discourse, by Mr. Robberds.

severe animadversions:* perhaps, indeed, it might be open to exceptions from those whose general system of religious belief most nearly coincided with his own, particularly with regard to some of the political inferences with which it concludes. It did not, however, appear to attract so much notice as its real merits deserved, and never came to a second edition. In 1812, Mr. Watson published what he very properly entitled, “ An Useful Compendium of many important and curious Branches of Science and General Knowledge;" first, on Astronomical Science, the constellations, planets, eclipses to [1900, equation of time, uses of the golden number, epact, dominical letters, &c., alteration of style, &c. &c. ; 2nd, Chronology, with the various æras and calendars; 3rd, Geography; 4th-6th, History, sacred, ancient and modern; 7th, various carious articles relating to practical mathematics, weights, measures, specific gravities, heat, sound, &c.; 8th, various rational recreations: furnishing many entertaining and instructive exercises for young people. His next appearance before the public was at the request of the writer of this brief memoir, who being engaged in compiling, and partly composing, a set of Family Prayers for the use of the Newcastle Tract Society, and having had frequent occasion to admire the simplicity, and at the same time appropriate variety, with which he conducted these domestic services, applied to his venerable friend for his assistance, which was very kindly and promptly granted. The manuscripts which were transmitted were so much beyond his expectations, both as to number and variety of subjects, that he thought it right to print them as a supplement, under the title of "Devout Social Addresses or Prayers, adapted to various Circumstances and Duties of the Christian Life, offered as Helps to Heads of Families in the conduct of Domestic Worship." The excellent author afterwards added considerably to their number and variety, and republished them himself in the same form with his other works. In 1819, were published, "Various Views of Death, for illustrating the Wisdom and Benevolence of the Divine Administration, in conducting Mankind through that awful Change." [See Mon. Repos. XVI. 305.] There is something very interesting in an aged person, whose life had been engaged in the instruction of his

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fellow.creatures, devoting his seventyeighth year to the contemplation of the close of life in all its most pleasing and encouraging points of view. The " various views," indeed, philosophical, political, moral and religious, in which the important subject is placed-the moral advantages of disease, as leading to serious thought, and as calling forth some of the most amiable virtues; and of the uncertainty of life, as keeping alive the religious spirit and stimulating to a constant watchfulness, while many miseries would accrue from a fixed and known standard of life-the good purposes for which the fear of death is implanted, allayed, however, as it is by the hope of immortality, encouraged by nature and turned into certainty by the gospel-the composure with which this prospect enables good persons to die-the changes in man by death, preparing him for the future state, &c. &c., are treated in an able and interesting manner. Some rather problematical things are advanced in a chapter on war as one of the causes of death, in which it is considered as "an unavoidable evil, which, while it produces great misery, calls forth splendid virtues, rouses slothful and corrupt nations, and contributes to civilization and knowledge." There is also a curious chapter on the marks of respect paid to the dead in the several ages and nations of the world. We are tempted to extract the last paragraph (we should have liked to have given the last four pages) of this interesting work: "These various views of death must impress every reflecting mind with the full conviction of the interference of Providence in directing all things: our station in life, the measure of our days, the time and the instruments of our dissolution, are all appointed by God, and are under his direction. In all these we see the wisdom and benevolence of the Divine administration: we see great good arising from apparent evil; we feel convinced that the shortness and uncertainty of life are blessings to creatures constituted such as we are; that the fear of death is implanted in man for good purposes; that it retains man to his station; that the darkness of death is the passage to everlasting light, and that temporal evils conduce to eternal enjoyment. From these views we see how unfit we are to judge of the ways of Providence. Our duty is then to receive with submission all God's appointments, and to improve them well, keeping constantly in view the final issue. For the same kind Providence, will with equal wisdom and goodness carry forward the grand plan of the future happiness of mankind. He will cause the grave to surrender its prisoners, the dead to hear

his voice, and to come from their silent mansions. And when the purposes for which this earth was created shall be finished, then the earth itself and all the works of men shall be dissolved, and a new heaven and a new earth shall be created, wherein dwelleth righteousness." In addition to a sound and solid judgment, well-informed by a good education and extensive subsequent study, Mr. Watson possessed a native cheerfulness and vivacity, and great power of agreeable and instructive conversation. On these accounts his society was courted, and his character esteemed and respected, by persons of all rauks. By his influence the Library Society at Whitby was established many years ago; and if at the age of eighty he did not take much personal concern in the recently-formed Philosophical Institution and Museum, it may be truly asserted that its establishment was mainly owing to the taste for these pursuits which had almost originated with, and been constantly fostered by, him. In how great respect he was held by his fellow-townsmen may be judged of from the following circumstances. It is one of the primitive, laudable customs preserved in Whitby, which is peculiarly interesting to strangers, that funerals are voluntarily attended to church, without specific invitation, by all who have had any connexion with, or respect for, the deceased. At Mr. Watson's funeral, though with a view to avoid publicity it was celebrated early in the morning, a very large concourse of attendants appeared; scarcely any person of respectability, of whatever religious denomination, failing upon this occasion to pay his personal respect to the memory of the venerable dead. His funeral sermon was preached to a crowded audience on Sunday, Sept. 11, by his friend, the Rev. Charles Wellbeloved, of York, under whose superintendence a volume of Mr. Watson's Sermons is now passing through the press, which will probably be introduced by a Memoir much more full and satisfactory than this imperfect sketch.

V. F.

September 12, at his mother's house, Bristol, EDWARD ROCHEMONT ESTLIN, aged 24, youngest son of the late Rev. John Prior Estlin, LL.D. Many a bright hope, and many a foud wish, have been disappointed by the early removal of this estimable young man; and his surviving friends are called upon for the full exercise of their faith in the wisdom of all the dispensations of Providence, while they mourn for one, cut off in the bloom of life, who presented the fairest promise of becoming a distinguished member of society.

Favoured with peculiar advantages, he had for several years been engaged in acquiring a knowledge of medicine and surgery, a profession to which he was enthusiastically attached, in which he had made an unusual proficiency, and which he pursued with an ardour that was prejudicial to his health. He had nearly completed his education by an attendance upon the hospitals and lectures in London, and was expecting in a few months, after having passed his examinations, to commence the practice of his profession in his native city, under circumstances of a particularly favourable nature, when the impaired state of his health, produced by pulmonary symptoms which had for some time threatened, rendered it advisable for him to take a voyage to a warmer climate. With great reluctance he relinquished his professional studies, though fully coinciding in the opinion of his friends as to the utility of the measure, and with sanguine hopes of recovery he embarked, at the commencement of the year 1824, for Barbadoes.

He soon experienced the disappointment of finding that the expected improvement of his health did not take place, and in compliance with the advice of his medical friends in Barbadoes, he determined upon residing there for a year. Receiving the kindest attentions from the inhabitants of that hospitable island, he remained there until March, 1825. A journal, which he had for some years been in the habit of keeping, shews, in an interesting and affecting manner, the gradual change which took place in the state of his mind as his complaint slowly advanced, and the hopes of reco very began to fade.

Referring to his health, in a memorandum made on the 1st of October, 1822, he says, "The idea of death is horrid, because I feel unprepared to meet it." On the 6th of August, 1823, the day of his completing his 22d year, he writes, "A failure of my health has caused disappointment of many fond anticipations, but the indisposition of body has, I hope, tended to the improvement of my mind :-yet many of the resolutions I make, during times of increased indisposition, I feel to waver when a littie returning health begins to gild my hopes. The past year was uncertain to me, the present will be more so-it is more than probable that I shall never see another birth-day; and if this should be the case, has not my life been longer than the lives of many, and has not a great degree of enjoyment accompanied me all along? I feel gratitude to Heaven for the blessings showered down upon me."

After passing four months in Barba

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