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The volume includes five essays, viz., tually regarded the office of the ministry The Original Sabbath-The Hebrew with a profound veneration. His own Sabbath-The Christian Sabbath-The mind invested it with all that was sacred Heavenly Sabbath-The Practical Sab- and heavenly-with all that was subbath. When speaking of the Heavenly lime and glorious; not indeed in the Sabbath, he thus beautifully expresses secularity and gorgeousness, the priestly the combined glory of that blissful assumption and domination, with which period:-" It is the expansion of all the it had been clad and encumbered by thoughts which inhere in Sabbath. Law ambitious ecclesiastics and patronizing inviolably reigns; Sanctity chastens princes-but with a simplicity, spirievery scene; Rest yields imperturbable tuality and beauty, especially and esstay; Commemoration resounds in re-sentially its own, as the ordinance of cital and song; Fellowship convokes God, from whom it derives all its digand binds; Worship breathes in every nity, authority and influence, calling to gesture and look and strain; Benevo more immediate commerce with Him, lence sweetly attracts and scatters; Im- and to the assiduous study and investigaprovement travels in interminable ca- tion, as well as the faithful proclamation reer; Congeniality renders each engage- of his revealed will, identified in its ment easy, and pleasant, and meet. exercise and results with the highest Say what must be the happiness where purposes and brightest glories." all the elements of divine and human joy so mightily prevail, so fully act, so incorruptibly endure."

No man, while he lived, possessed, among the independent body so much intense individuality as Dr. Hamilton. He was as independent as any man bound by creeds and covenants, and anchored within denominational boundaries, could be. There was a vital spontaneity perpetually arising from his central being which infused itself into, and pervaded all his actions. From his heart, wherever he went, radiated living streams of emotional life. He was no machine, acting only in accordance with the application of external force, and in obedience to conventional regulations; but he thought, felt, spoke and acted by virtue of the hidden, spontaneous, powerful forces of his inner

Thus lived and thus died Dr. Winter Hamilton, and, take him all in all, the Independent body, will not soon look upon his like. On July 24th he was buried, and the Rev. Thomas Scales, of Leeds, and the Rev. Walter Scott, pronounced funeral orations over the coffin, which contained all that was mortal of the departed doctor. The former gentleman in alluding to the services of Dr. Hamilton's ministry, said: "His desire for the ministry was in him a very early predilection, and it grew into a passion, which laid hold of the strongest emotions of his heart. Towards it all the best and finest feelings of his nature were at-life-forces fed and sustained by direct tracted, and here they centered-and to it all his powers of original genius, and all his acquisitions, as he advanced in life, were uniformly and faithfully consecrated and subordinated to its ends and service. He might, and you are well aware that he did, diverge into other paths; he instituted and conducted other researches, and was by turn the philologist, the poet, the historian, and the philosopher, scarcely leaving any work of literature unconsulted; but his main and absorbing pursuit was the knowledge of God and eternal truth; his most precious and persevering inquiries were directed to the lively oracles of God; his highest ambition was to be the sound and scriptural divinethe instructive, impressive and useful preacher of the gospel, that he might win souls to Christ, and convert sinners from the error of their ways. He habi

contact with the Infinite Spirit. Unlike many of the lifeless preachers and prosy writers of modern times, who stereotype the ideas and opinions of other men, and distribute them from the pulpit and through the press, unvitalized with original thinking and the warm glow of a beating heart, Dr. Hamilton passed everything through the laboratory of his own soul, and mingled with it the characteristics of his own individuality. In this we see one of the chief recommendable qualities of his life and teachings.

We have already seen that he possessed a genius-winged imagination. "Give him," says Dr. Harris, 66 a gossamer and he would float away on it into infinite space. Give him a whisper and he went off to the music of the spheres; a particle and he constructed another solar system; a classical hint

and he was forthwith a contemporary of vital and enduring friendship. He with Horace, or sitting with the gods rose as high above the ordinary level of of Olympus, or was himself a myth. preachers and pastors, as he fell below His writings abound with instances of the standard of Michael Angelo, Dante this impulsive and originating power. or Milton. He was a cheerful comA Hebrew idiom was, for him, electrical panion, and wherever he went, his face with inspiration; a curt Scriptural beamed with smiles, and was wreathed phrase was an asterisk, a finger pointing with a welcome. He was essentially a to the depths of immensity; a seem-wit, and was frequently much too witty, ingly vague barren expression, like if not too careless in his puns and remany a dull looking pebble to the partees, for his more serious brethren geologist, was pregnant with systems, of the ministry. He possessed a very or gave up to him extra-mundane retentive memory, hence his mind was secrets-became a text on which he a very store-house of intellectual treawould lecture and expatiate until it sures. The doctrines of the Calvinian had amassed glory in his hands." school were to him an inheritance, he But poetical and imaginative as was held them as he would his birthright, Dr. Hamilton, he was not creative, his estate, his honour, his freedom, or he went not out into untrodden fields, or his life." He was ever in earnest. He speculated on unsubdued territory; and appreciated the unspeakable value of when he sported amidst the ever-teem- existence, and all the principal actions ing glories which everywhere bound the of his life were the result of some deep regions of the real and the demonstrative, and heart-felt resolve, and tended to his imagination was not subject to the some high purpose. There was unmisrules of art. He wanted many of the takable reality in all he said and did. qualifications of the great Artist. He He spoke of heaven as if he actually was fragmentary and capricious. He beheld its glories, and mingled with its had not sufficient creative power to multitudes, and listened to their music, call an epic into being, or sufficient ar- and had been animated with their song. tistic skill to mould it into harmonious He was among the most affectionate of proportions; or enough of the logical husbands, the tenderest of parents, faculty to construct a metaphysical sys- and the most solicitous of pastors. tem. Did he possess a more powerful "Few men," says Professor Stowell, originating genius, the following esti-"have surpassed him in the equality mate of Edward Baines would be more truly applicable to him. "He was the Michael Angelo, not the Raphael. His architecture was Egyptian not Grecian. Had he combined Altic taste with his Atlantian strength, his literary fame, high as it is, would have been still more eminent." His works not only want the colossal proportions of Egyptian architecture, but the eternal repose which pervades it.

But if he were not a genius in the higher acceptation of the word, he was a great man. He possessed a warm and a generous heart-a heart capable

and benignant mildness of his temper,
in the beautiful order, affectionateness,
and sustained piety of his domestic
life; in the quiet dignity and forbear-
ance of his pastoral habits; in his self-
denying generosity; in his sensitive
jealousy on behalf of the honour and
usefulness of his brethren; in his rea-
diness to serve others; in the confidence
with which he grasped all his moral,
religious and political convictions, and
in the devotion of his mind and his
attainments to the freedom and well-
being of his fellow creatures."
J. P. E.

RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN.
(Concluded from page 190.)

In about three years, Sheridan, being then of the mature age of forty-four, begins to have serious intentions of marrying a second time. At a certain fête given at Devonshire House, he saw

among the faces there assembled one which was new to him, and not indif ferently agreeable. Can anybody in form a reverent inquirer who that young lady is? That, sir, is Miss Esther Jane

the trustees to the settlement being the late Lord Grey and Mr. Whitbread. Not a dean in Christendom could outwit Sheridan, as the dean of Winchester very soon perceived.

Here it is, we first become acquainted with Sheridan's famous son, Tom. At the time of this contemplated second marriage, Tom was residing at Bognor, with his tutor, Mr. Smyth (since professor), under whose care he was supposed to be "deeply immersed in study.” For two or three months neither tutor nor pupil had received any kind of communication from Sheridan, when one morning while at breakfast, the following letter came to hand:

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MY DEAR TOM,-Meet me at dinner, at six o'clock on Wednesday next, at Guilford; I forget the inn; I want to see you. Ever your affectionate father, R. B. S."

Ogle-rather an uneuphonious surname money, and duly settled upon Mrs. She-daughter of the dean of Winchester, ridan and any children she might have; and by the mother's side, granddaughter of the former bishop, and to all appearance now eligible for matrimony. On first observing Sheridan she could not forbear calling him “ a fright," and applying to him a few other pleasant epithets, such as young ladies of a marriageable term of years are privileged to employ according to discretion. The great orator overheard some of her disparaging remarks, and determined that, whatever might be the visible defects of his outward man-and there was no denying that it had lost much of its original comeliness, he would, nevertheless, by the fascinations of his mind, efface the unfavourable impression which the young lady had received. No one was better qualified for such an undertaking. His first advances produced some slight civility, the next meeting a little more attention, another a private declaration that although he was a monster, he was This summons somewhat startled very clever; and she subsequently dis- Tom, who marvelled what his father covered that if not exactly handsome, could have to say. Was it to propose he was strikingly agreeable. Gradually a seat in parliament? Could it be to there was a little emotion experienced at his presence; at length, her heart was irresistibly attracted, and then altogether given up. He was, indeed, the only man with whom she could live; vows of love and fidelity were accordingly exchanged. The worthy dean was consulted; any hint from him at the disparity of their years was unheeded; he in vain hesitated, they ardently persisted. He learnt enough of Sheridan's affairs to be satisfied that the match would be what the world calls a bad one. Casting about, therefore, for a decent excuse to prevent the marriage, he said at length that he would not give his consent to his daughter's union with any man who could not put down £15,000 to the £5000 which he himself proposed to give for her settlement; this, he flattered himself, would bring the affair to a conclusion, for where Sheridan was to find such a sum no or dinary mind could have imagined. Such, notwithstanding, were the wondrous financial contrivances of his prospective son-in-law, that the dean, to his confusion and astonishment, found the money safely lodged in the banker's hands, in strict compliance with the requisition. Besides, there was no deception in the matter; shares were sold off in Drury Lane Theatre, and an estate called Pollesden in Surrey was purchased with the

point out a good marriage? Was it anything to do with Drury Lane Theatre? Sundry conjectures occupied the minds of pupil and tutor until the eventful Wednesday, when, in company with his groom, Tom departed. Mr. Smyth expected him to return the next day, but several days elapsed, without a line from either father or son to explain the mystery. At length, on the following Monday, a note from Tom arrived, giving information that he was still at Guilford, had been, and was likely to be; that he had never seen his father, and all that he could hear of him was that he passed through the place on his way to town, "with four horses and lamps," on the preceding Wednesday about twelve o'clock. Tom was in great straits, having written letter after letter to his parent requesting orders, and above all a little money, since he had only a few shillings left, "having paid the turnpikes faithfully," and declaring that he was so wearied out with waiting, and "seeing neither father nor money, nor anything but the stable and the street," he almost began to wish himself" with the books again." This was some relief to Mr. Smyth's anxious state of mind, but not much. For now he has " to pace the beach at Bognor," for ten or a dozen weeks, without hearing

Heath. Tom, being very short of cash, asked his father to let him have some money. "I have none," was the prompt reply. "Be the consequence what it may, money I must have," said Tom. "If that is the case," rejoined the parent, you will find a case of loaded pistols stairs, and a horse ready saddled in the stable; the night is dark, and you are within half a mile of Hounslow Heath." "I understand what you mean," said Tom, "but I tried that last night; I unluckily stopped your treasurer, Peake, who told me that you had been beforehand with him, and had robbed him of every sixpence in the world.”

a word from any quarter to elucidate the joke, but was even with him upon the enigma of Tom's absence. Time, another occasion. Sheridan had a cothowever, brings discoveries. Accord- tage, about half a mile from Hounslow ingly when Smyth was about concluding within himself that his existence had been utterly forgotten both by Sheridan and his son, he received the following explanation of the state of things:"MY DEAR MR. SMYTH,-It is not I that am to be married, nor you. Set your heart at rest, it is my father him-up self; the lady, a Miss Ogle, who lives at Winchester; and that is the history of the Guilford business. About my own age-better me to marry her, you will say. I am not of that opinion. My father talked to me two hours last night, and made out to me that it was the most sensible thing he could do. Was not this very clever of him? Well, my dear Mr. S- -, you should have been tutor to him, you see. I am incomparably the most rational of the two, and now and ever, yours very truly and affectionately, T. S."

The

Out of the many other anecdotes related of Sheridan and Tom, one or two seem too good to be omitted. One day, just before Tom went baroad, he was at his father's house, Tom Sheridan is his father's own son. when the servant, in passing, inadvertWhile at Cambridge he was pronounced ently threw down the plate-warmer with to be the cleverest fellow in the place, a great crash, and thereby startled Tom's as in point of wit and fun he very nerves a good deal, he being then exprobably was. His father once said to ceedingly unwell. Sheridan, after furihim, "Tom, you have genius enough ously scolding the servant who stood to get a dinner every day in the week at pale and frightened, at last exclaimed, the first tables in London, and that's and how many plates have you something, but that is all, you can go broken?" "Oh, not one, sir!" anno further." They thoroughly under-swered the fellow, delighted to vindistood each other; the son was equally cate himself. And you fool," said complimentary to the father, as many Sheridan, "have you made all that noise oft-repeated anecdotes can testify. On for nothing!" Tom subsequently marone occasion, Tom complained, over the ried against his father's wishes, and bottle to him, that his pockets were thereby seriously offended him. empty. "Try the highway," was the first time the two met after the marfather's answer. "I have," said Tom, riage, Sheridan informed Tom that he "but I made a bad hit; I stopped a had made his will, and had cut him off caravan full of passengers who assured with a shilling. The son said he was me they had not a farthing, for they extremely sorry, but supposed he must all belonged to Drury Lane Theatre, submit to his fate, observing coolly, and could not get a penny of their 'You don't happen to have the shilling salary." Kelly tells a somewhat similar about you now, sir, do you?" whereupon story. He says that father and son old Sheridan burst out laughing, and were supping with him one night after they instantly became friends again. the Opera, at a period when Tom expected to get into Parliament; "I think father," says he, "that many men who are called great patriots in the House of Commons are great humbugs. For my own part, if I get into Parliament, I will pledge myself to no party, but write upon my forehead, in legible characters, 'To be let.'" "And under that, Tom," said his father, "be sure you write Unfurnished.'" Tom accepted

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Lord Holland mentioned to Moore a curious scene which he had with Sheridan and the Prince of Wales (George IV.), while the Whigs were in power. Sheridan having told him (while they waited in an ante-chamber) about some public letter which he had corrected or re-written for the Prince, the latter, on their admission, told quite a different story, referring to Sheridan for confirmation of it, and who all the while courte

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ously bowed assent; so that," said having, probably, for many days beset Lord Holland, "I could not for the the avenues of Drury Lane Theatre in soul of me, make out which was the the fruitless hope of seeing the proliar." Sheridan, in his latter days, used prietor. In the butler's room were the to be a good deal at Holland house, weary, anxious trades-people; there was where, as Lady Holland informed Moore, a vast deal of grumbling everywhere, inhe was in the habit of taking a bottle differently suppressed; each person had of wine and a book to bed with him some especial want which must be inevery evening the former only intended stantly supplied. At every sound, most to be made use of. In the morning he eyes were directed to a particular door, breakfasted in bed, and had a little rum from which it was expected that the or brandy with his tea or coffee; made man in such request, unless he stole his appearance between one and two, out unperceived, would in due time and pretending important business, used appear. At length the door opens, a then to set out for town, regularly stop- finely-toned voice is heard uttering someping, however, at the Adam and Eve thing which seemed to please somebody public-house for a dram. It is said in the interior, if a gentle laugh may there was even a long bill run up by enable the stander-by to form a judg him at the Adam and Eve, which Lord ment. Sheridan would then come out. Holland subsequently had to pay. There was something in his appearance, After his marriage, Sheridan's life, even in the days of his intemperance, from all that we can see, went on pretty that at once captivated all who saw him. much as theretofore. We have little His "fine Shaksperian head," as John further to record, either of his private or Kemble was wont to call it, was bent public proceedings. An amusing inci- towards you with a gracious and bedent, which occurred on the opening of coming dignity. His brilliant eye, his the Parliamentary session of 1802, is winning smile, his trimly ordered hair, perhaps not altogether undeserving of his elegant careless costume, combined being noted. Pitt and Sheridan, enter-in forming a visible presence that was ing the House at the same moment equally attractive and commanding. walked up to the table, and took the He walked through the crowd of suitors oaths at the same time. The Premier, with an easy, unembarrassed air, bowwho was almost as careless in pecuniary ing courteously to each, and to each matters as his political opponent, fum- having something kind to say; and, as bled about in his pockets in the vague Boden tells, "so cordial were his manexpectation of finding two shillings ners, his glance so masterly, and his usually paid on such occasions, but address so captivating, that the people found nothing. He turned round to for the most part seemed to forget what Sheridan, who by some extraordinary they actually came for, and went away accident happened to have money, and as if they had come only to look at was actually able to be a lender, and so him." It was not always, however, that relieve the prime minister from his tem- an interview could be obtained. A genporary embarrassment. Many were the tleman who was one day waiting, as he witticisms which sprung out of the trans- had been the day before, by appointaction. At the present date it were not an ment, in the parlour, observed another uninteresting historical inquiry-were gentleman walking about in a state of those two shillings at any time repaid? great excitement, and in a sort of atSheridan was for many years in the tempt to be civil to him, inconsiderately habit of holding a sort of regular levee, said, "A fine day, this, sir,-I believe I for the multitude of visitors and appli- had the pleasure of seeing you here yescants that daily thronged his house. terday.' Yesterday, sir!" returned the His suitors were distributed in various other. Yes, sir, and so you might the rooms, according to their station, their day before, and any day for the last six intimacy or their business. Some had weeks; and if I have walked one yard, access to his private room, others loitered I have walked not less than fifty miles in the library, another party occupied on this confounded carpet." And this the parlours. Up and down, with anger he said, "grinding his teeth, his fist in his eye, paced some "infuriated cre- clenched, and pacing to and fro with ditor," as though resolutely bent to speak the appearance of a maniac." Doubthis mind, and determined to suffer no less, some unlucky creditor, much further postponement of his claims-pressed to meet his own engagements,

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