and Dr. Sherlock for that of Norwich; but the whole Ministry united in their representations against it, alledging it would disoblige the whole Bench of Bishops to have the new-consecrated ones let into the best preferments at once; and, to carry their point, they put Wynne upon taking Bath and Wells (for which it seems he made no application himself); and Baker upon taking Norwich, to disappoint Sherlock.-Dr. Freind is a great man at Court; and his reputation as a Physician greatly raised by Lord Townshend's recovery, after the Whig Doctors; particularly Hulse (who attended in conjunction with Freind and Sloane) differed so greatly with Dr. Freind, as to quit his farther attendance on my Lord, and declare his Lordship must die if he followed the course Dr. Freind was for taking with .' him. But his Lordship declared he would live or die by the hands of Freind; and so Hulse took his leave, and his Lordship is, contrary to most people's expectations, past all danger. Dr. Freind some time ago recovered Lord Lynne *, after the other physicians had given him over; and also soon after recovered the second son, so that the Townshend family and Dr. Sherlock, persons of distinguished rank for parts and learning. He became dean of St. Paul's 1726 (on the resignation of Dr. Godolphin); bishop of St. Asaph 1727; of Chichester 1731; and died April 6, 1740. He published ten single Sermons, 1700-1735; and about the latter end of Queen Anne's reign printed a remarkable pamphlet, intituled, "The Difficulties and Discouragements which attend the Study of the Scriptures, in the Way of private Judgement;" in order to shew, that, since such a study of the Scriptures is an indispensable duty, it concerns all Christian societies to remove, as much as possible, those discouragements. In this work, his manner appeared to be so ludicrous, that the Convocation fell upon him, as if he were really against the study of the Holy Scriptures: and Whiston says, that, finding this piece likely to hinder that preferment he was seeking, he aimed to conceal his being the author. He published also many pieces against Bishop Hoadly, in the Bangorian Controversy, as it is called; and also other learned works, which were collected after his death, and published in four volumes, 8vo. 2. An edition of "Terence," with notes, in 4to. 3. "The Book of Psalms in the Hebrew, put into the original poetical Metre." 4to. *The late Marquis Townshend, who at that time was only three years old. owe owe the Doctor three lives. This intimacy of Dr. John Freind at Court has made way for the civilities which the public prints inform you have been paid Westminster-school, by the young Prince's honouring them with his presence, and seeing a play acted by the King's scholars at the College. Dr. Bob is to have a prebend. The first vacancy is promised, so he is to fill the second; but, if that does not happen soon, some people imagine he may be disappointed, notwithstanding present appearances, and his early compliments to the present reign; for, the Monday following the death of the old King, the theme he gave in School was a little out of the way, and I am at a loss to find out the wit of it; it was this: 'Numquam Libertas gratior extat quam sub Rege NOVO.' Methinks pio might have stood as well, and been as good a compliment to a new King. Some time after, the young Prince begged a Play; and, upon the occasion, the theme given for the boys to exert their talents upon was, Celebrate ducem qui vobis otia fecit. And I foresee the next anniversary meeting of Westminster scholars, on the 15th instant, will vary very much from the last, when great care was taken not to dip into flattery or party." Again, May 8, 1728, Mr. Morice says, "I cannot learn what expence the Royal Guest occasioned at Hitcham. It is certain Dr. Freind made great preparation. Whether he will compass the making his brother Bob a Bishop, I much doubt; for Sir Robert Walpole has gained his point in re * Dr. Robert Freind, the Master of Westminster-school; see p. 86. Atterbury's Epistolary Correspondence, vol. V. p. 99. Where the Princess Amelia, on her road to Bath, April 22, 1728, visited Dr. Freind.-The manor of Hitcham was some time the property of James Doe, esq. who died possessed of it May 23, 1678. Edward Nicholas, esq. died possessed of the manor May 24, 1696; as did another Edward Nicholas, esq. March 28, 1700.— After this it was purchased by the Freinds; and continued in that family till the death of Robert Freind, esq. Jan. 26, 1780, soon after which it was purchased by the present Lord Grenville, who has a house in that neighbourhood. lation to Church preferments; and you will scarce hear of any more such promotions as Hare (who is Bishop of St. Asaph) and Sherlock. Her Majesty, they say, consults, and does nothing without Sir Robert's leave on that head *.” And, June 24, 1728, "I have communicated a Copy of the Discourse (for I am resolved to keep the original myself), to the Physician. He was mightily pleased upon casting his eye over a small part of it. I have not seen him since he has had time to consider the whole; it cannot fail giving him infinite pleasure, as your application of it to him does him vast honour. In a little time, I suppose, I shall have some sort of return to make you from him.-Dr. John Freind is a very assiduous Courtier, and must grow so more and more every day, since his quondam friends and acquaintances shun and despise him; and, whenever he happens to fall in the way of them, he looks, methinks, very sillily. He is in great hopes (as I have heard) of obtaining a bishoprick for his brother Bob, and not without expectation of placing him in the see of Rochester, and deanry of Westminster, if old Bradford would be so kind as to make way for him. In that case, he is (as is said in the family) to be preceptor to Prince William. But this scheme I scarce believe will ever be compassed; for the great Sir Robert not only hates, but despises the family of the Freinds; and, while his power lasts at the pitch it now is, they will never be able to obtain such extended views §. Dr. Freind died July 26, 1728||, in his 52d year. * Atterbury's Epistolary Correspondence, vol. V. p. 110. † On Japis. Dr. Samuel Bradford; who had been appointed successor to Bp. Atterbury in those preferments, and held them till 1731. § Atterbury's Epistolary Correspondence, vol. I. p. 113. The following extracts are taken from the Hitcham Register. "Dr. John Freind, lord of this manor, and first physician to her Majesty Queen Caroline, was buried on the 2d of August, 1728. "Mrs. Ann Freind, widow, relict of Dr. John Freind, lord of this manor, was buried Sept. 21, 1737. "John Freind, esq. lord of this manor, was buried April 8, 1750. "Robert Freind, esq. buried in the chancel Jan. 25, 1780." July July 29, 1728, Mrs. Morice tells Bp. Atterbury, "Our concern for the loss of Mr. Drake, Dr. Brydges, and Dr. Chamberlen (still fresh upon our memories), is now increased by the death of Dr. John Freind, who was thought to be in a fair way of recovery last Thursday; but there came a sudden ill turn the night following, and he breathed his last on Friday about three in the afternoon. Many people will find the want of him as a physician; and I shall, I fear, miss him often, and feel the loss of him, with regard to myself and children *. God's will be done!" Aug. 11, Bishop Atterbury, writing to Mr. Williams, says, "You have heard of the death of Dr. Freind; a public loss, in more respects than one! for I dare say, notwithstanding his station at Court, he died of the same political opinions in which I left him. He is lamented by men of all parties at home, and of all countries abroad; for he was known every where, and confessed to be at the head of his Faculty." In a letter to his daughter, Aug. 19, 1728, Bp. Atterbury says, " Pray desire Mr. Morice to send me word what Dr. Freind died worth; I fear, scarce 20,000l. His brother the Schoolmaster's interest and hopes may probably die with him. I wish Mr. Morice would get the MS paper of mine, which he put into his hands a little before he died; and would send me word how he took it, and what he thought of it, as well as the other gentleman's thoughts about the verses: in both which cases, I desire Mr. Morice to be very open, sincere, and plain with me: for I pique not myself, at this time of day, upon being able to write well on those sort of subjects; and shall not be in the least mortified, if those persons for whom I designed those papers should not have judged favourably of them." * This Lady adds, "The last prescription he gave me was the use of my horse; I am resolved to follow his advice, hoping it will succeed so well, as that I shall not soon want any other physician, of whose prescriptions I can never entertain the same opinion; nor can any other person judge so well of my constitution as Dr. Freind, who had been so long used to it." † Atterbury's Epistolary Correspondence, vol. II. p. 370, Ibid. p. 384. § Ibid. p. 401. Sept. Sept. 8, Bp. Atterbury writes to Mr. Morice, "I hope you have retrieved the MS. you put into Dr. Freind's hands, by the means of your sister*: I desire much to have it sent me to Montpelier.-I dare say you are terribly embarrassed; partly with your own affairs, partly with those of Dr. Freind, in behalf of your sister." Dr. Freind, in his last will, dated March 12, 1727, directs all his pictures to be sold (except those of Anne his wife, to whom he was married in 1709, his son, the Bishop of Rochester and his son, and his own brother). He gives 100l. a year to his brother William; and 1000l. to Christ Church, to found an Anatomical Lecture. The greater part of his fortune he bequeathed to his nephew William, son to his brother Robert. He mentions also his nephew Charles; and nieces, Anne Freind, and Harriet Del'angle. Their Majesties, in consideration of his merit, settled a pension on his widow. The monument in Westminster Abbey of Bishop Sprat, and of his son the prebendary of Rochester, is inscribed by Dr. John Freind; whose own memory is also there perpetuated by the following epitaph: "JOHANNES FREIND, M. D. Archiater Serenissimæ Reginæ Carolina; cujus perspicaci judicio cum se approbâsset, amicitiarum (etiamsuo alicubi periculo) tenacissimus, *Dr. Freind married a sister of Mr. Morice. † Atterbury's Epistolary Correspondence, vol. II. p. 414. That on Philips, which had been ascribed to him, is since ascertained to be by Atterbury. quam |