us.

tion that you therein expressed to your mother and myself, who were almost inconsolable for the afflicting death of our tender, dutiful, and affectionate son Stephen, a son in all respects so dutiful and obliging, that it must be very afflicting to But when I consider that in all appearance (and that appearance I am persuaded was not feigned, but real) he lived a sober and religious life; methinks it would be sinful in me, and would be insolently unthankful to the Father of mercies, to kick against his Providence, and fly in the face of our almighty and merciful Creator, when we ought to praise God that he is taken away from the evil to come. Rachel wept for her children; that was her duty: but then she refused to be comforted; that was her sin: I therefore will endeavour to dry up my tears, and persuade your mother to do the same.

Why should we be immoderately sorrowful for him, who, we have all the greatest reason to think, is entered into those ineffable glories where all tears are wiped from all eyes, and who perhaps is lovingly looking down upon us in this vale of misery, ardently desiring our company; and God grant we may all endeavour to prepare ourselves for that happy state *.

• Mr. John Kirby, the grandfather of Mrs. Trimmer, was the author of a topographical work, well received by the public, especially in his own county, and which is still held in estimation, called the Suffolk Traveller. He also published a useful Map of the County of Suffolk.

Not to weary the patience of the reader, it needs only be added to the foregoing remarks, that as the piety, meekness, and resignation of Mrs. Trimmer may be traced back to her grandfather, so likewise may her humility and simplicity of character, as is evident by other family documents.

Before we dismiss from the narrative these pious and estimable ancestors of Mrs. Trimmer, one more letter may be acceptable: it is from Mr. Stephen Kirby, whose death was so much lamented by his affectionate parents.

TO MR. JOSHUA KIRBY.

Dear Brother,

Bisely, Sept. 29, 1738.

I received your letter, but what I mentioned to my father concerning you was not about business; I only desired him to tell you, I expected to have seen you before now, as you promised me when I saw you at your house. And when your business calls you to Schole, I hope you will come on to Bisely, and stay a few days, where you will be heartily welcome, and then I shall be glad to converse with you about those solid things which concern a future state, which are frequently in my thoughts, as they cannot but be

in any person's, who makes Heaven his ultimate

end and design.

I am your affectionate

And loving Brother,

STEPHEN KIRBY.

It will be seen by these letters, upon what subjects this worthy family loved to converse, and with what pleasure they dwelt on the happiness of a better country, considering themselves only as pilgrims journeying to that brighter region, and having their wishes and desires directed thither. It seems indeed that the first impressions which Mr. Kirby endeavoured to make on the mind of his daughter, were those of love and veneration for the great Author of her being. She was taught to consider him as her Heavenly Father, to regard Him with the utmost reverence, gratitude, and affection, and constantly to keep in mind what great things he had done for her. By these means her duty became her pleasure and delight; and to love and serve God, to honour and obey Him, the greatest of all earthly enjoyments.

Mrs. Trimmer had not any sister who lived to be a companion to her, and only one brother. To him she was most tenderly attached. She would always dwell with pleasure on any little

anecdote respecting him, and she loved to speak of his amiable disposition, and the affection that subsisted between them.

At the age of fourteen she left Ipswich with her father and mother to settle in London, where Mr. Kirby had the honour of teaching Perspective to the King, then Prince of Wales, and afterwards to her Majesty.

His daughter being removed from the companions of her childhood, passed her time during her residence in London in the society of people more advanced in life, some of them people of eminence in the literary world; amongst these may be numbered Dr. Samuel Johnson, Dr. Gregory Sharp, Mr. Gainsborough, Mr. Hogarth, &c. &c. by Dr. Johnson she was favoured with particular notice. The circumstance which first attracted his attention was a literary dispute at the house of Sir Joshua Reynolds, respecting some passage in Milton's Paradise Lost, which could not be decided. Mr. Kirby, who, as well as his daughter, was present, inquired if she had not the book in her pocket, it being a great favourite of her's, and he probably knowing that it then made a part of her daily studies. The book was accordingly produced, and opened at the disputed part. Dr. Johnson was so struck with a girl of that age making this work her pocket companion, and likewise with the modesty of her behaviour upon the occasion, that he invited her the next day to his house, presented her with a

copy of his Rambler, and afterwards treated her with great consideration.

As the society in which she lived whilst in London was of rather too grave a cast for so young a person, she naturally had recourse to her favourite employment for recreation, and spent much time in reading. In this pursuit she was directed by her father, and from his conversation and instruction her mind acquired a thirst after knowledge, and was gradually opened and enlarged.

Drawing was another occupation of her leisure hours; to this, however, she applied rather in compliance with the wishes of her father, than to gratify any inclination she felt for it. At his desire she went occasionally, under the care of a female friend, with other young people, to the Society for promoting Arts, and once obtained a prize for the second best drawing. Two or three miniatures, copies from larger pictures, are remaining of her painting, which, though not in the first style, are sufficiently good to show, that in this art she might have excelled, had her taste prompted her to pursue it. The knowledge of drawing, which she had acquired while young, became very useful to her when she was a mother as it enabled her to amuse her children in their infancy, and likewise to direct them afterwards in the exercise of their talents in that way.

After Mr. Kirby's removal to London, his son became a scholar at Westminster School, and being younger than his sister, and perhaps not