factor, who ever appeared to him as concentrating every moral and religious virtue, and as exhibiting almost every acquire ment which his fancy could pourtray.

In May, 1765, Dr. Porteus married a lady, who seems to have been every way worthy of his choice. In the course of the year, Archbishop Secker presented him to the two small livings of Rucking and Wittersham, in Kent, which he soon resigned for the rectory of Hunton, in the same county, in addition to a Peterborough prebend, which his grace had previously conferred. In 1767 he obtained also the rectory of Lambeth, and shortly after took his degree of Doctor in Divinity. On this occasion in preaching the Commencement sermon at Cambridge, he powerfully recommended to the university an increased diligence in the instruction of their youth in the doctrines and precepts of revealed religion; claiming encouragement for this study, at least equal to what is bestowed on other departments of science, and requesting for its most approved scholars a full portion of academical rewards. Although this representation produced then but little practical benefit, several years after some parts of the sermon coming accidentally into the hands of a Mr. Norris, that gentleman was in consequence induced to found and endow a professorship in Cambridge, to effect this laudable purpose, and to confer handsome distinctions on the most meritorious students. The late Dr. Hey was the first Norrisian professor, and his published Lectures were among the earliest distinguished fruits of the institution.

In August 1768, Dr. P. suffered an incalculable loss in the death of his venerable patron, Archbishop Secker. He and his intimate friend, Dr. Stinton, were left joint executors, and to them were entrusted the publication and other disposal of his various manuscripts. In the faithful discharge of this affecting duty, Dr. P. paid his parting tribute of reverence and love to his benefactor, in the very popular Review of his Life and Character.' We agree with Mr. Hodgson in regarding it as one of the most instructive pieces of modern biographical composition; and there is scarcely, perhaps, any feature in the character of Bishop Porteus more charming, than that tender remembrance which he ever preserved of his patron's virtues and favours, and that ceaseless vigilance, and soul-toned' eloquence, with which to the last he protected and exalted his reputation.

After Secker's decease, Dr. P. devoted his entire attention to the duties alternately of his two benefices, Hunton and Lambeth. To Hunton every thing conspired to attach him strongly. We present a passage transcribed from his private manu scripts, (several volumes of which are in his biographer's pos

session,) which is elegantly expressive of the writer's characteristic animation.

It was to me (he says) a little terrestrial paradise; for though there are many parsonages larger, handsomer, and more commodious, yet, in comfort, warmth, repose, tranquillity, and cheerfulness; in variety of walks, shelter, shade, and sunshine; in perfectly rural and picturesque scenery, I know few superior to it. What, however, is of more importance, no place was ever better calculated to excite and cherish devout and pious sentiments towards the great Creator and Preserver of the Universe. The solemn silence of the thicket and the grove, the extensive horizon that opened to the view, the glories of the rising and the setting sun, the splendour of a moonlight night and a starry sky, all which presented themselves to the eye to a vast extent, without interruption, from the lawn before the house; these, and a variety of other sublime and pleasing objects, could not fail to soothe and tranquillize, and elevate the soul, and raise it up to high and heavenly contemplations. But it was not the charms of the Country only which formed the delight of Hunton: the neighbourhood was excellent, consisting principally of ancient and long-established fami lies, who lived on their own estates, in that decent hospitality, and that judicious mixture of society and retirement, which constitute the true felicity of human life, and which so remarkably and so fortunately distinguish the true gentry and nobility of England from almost all other countries in Europe. The greater part of them, too, were not only polished in their manners, but of exemplary piety, probity, and benevolence.' pp. 29-31.

But the thoughts of Dr. Porteus were not withdrawn, amidst these gratifications, from his appropriate engagements. He resolutely and zealously discharged his various parochial duties: preached almost always in the forenoon; lectured very frequently, on the Catechism, in the afternoon; and embraced every fitting occasion for administering private counsel. In his attention to the poor he was indefatigable; visiting the sick, relieving the indigent, and consoling the distressed; ardent in the use of every power by which he could promote either their temporal or spiritual welfare. Nor were his exertions without success. I had the happiness (says he), to see my church well filled with a congregation, neat and decent in their attire, with cheerful and satisfied looks, serious in their devotions, and attentive and grateful to their instructor.'

During the winter months he resided at Lambeth; there also sustaining the revered character of a laborious, conscientious parish-priest. We may refer to his Letter on the more Religious Observance of Good-Friday,' as nobly declarative of the objects which engaged his mind and efforts, and to the extensive effect which it immediately produced, as marking the respectful obedience with which his admonitions were received. In 1769 he was appointed Chaplain to the King, and soon after, also Master of the Hospital of St. Cross, near Winchester, where he resided occasionally for some years.

At length Dr. P. was raised to that eminent rank in the Church of England, to which, from his peculiar virtues and talents, he was richly intitled. He became Bishop of Chester on the 20th of December, 1776: a preferment singularly gratifying to him, being on his part entirely unsolicited, and, till even a short time before, entirely unexpected. It has been generally understood that this promotion was owing chiefly to the Queen. He felt it now to be his duty to resign the charge of Lambeth, notwithstanding he had permission to retain it; and proceeded to the vigilant discharge of the important duties. of his new situation; presenting in the primary charge to his clergy,--which is for the first time reprinted, in the collective edition of his writings, to which the Memoir before us is introductory, an excellent delineation of those studies, habits, and exertions, which become those who consecrate their lives to the Gospel ministry. We cannot follow Mr. H. in his particular detail of the various services in which the Bishop here engaged. The relief and the increasing comfort of his poorer clerical brethren; the establishment and encouragement of Sunday schools; and, in his place in parliament, the energetic support which he cordially lent to whatever measures seemed adapted to preserve the spirit and the institutions of religion from corruption or derision, are properly specified among those labours which justly endeared him to society.

His character had marked him out for a still higher station. The day after the death of Bishop Lowth, the 4th of November, 1787, he received a letter from Mr. Pitt, announcing, in the most honourable terms, his elevation to the Bishopric of London. His soul rose to the divine throne, and he blessed devoutly the King of Kings. These words, written with bis own band, were found subjoined to a copy of Mr. Pitt's letter: I acknowledge the goodness of a kind providence, and am fully sensible that nothing but this could have placed me in a situation so infinitely transcending my expectations and deserts.' But the promotion was in some respects an occasion of heartfelt regret; since he was compelled to tear himself away from the associations he had cherished in his Chester diocese, to relinquish those benevolent plans and prospects in which his active mind had so much delighted to indulge, and also to resign his favourite Hunton.

One of the carliest objects which appear to have engaged Bishop Porteus, after his translation to London, was the success of a society, then recently instituted, for enforcing the king's proclamation against immorality and profaneness; now generally known, we believe, as the Society for the Suppression of Vice. He became its president; and his biographer represents it as having proved eminently beneficial under his

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active direction. When Paine's Age of Reason appeared, not content with its truly masterly and eloquent confutation, by Dr. Watson, the society thought it right to have recourse to legal punishment. The expedience of this measure has been variously considered; but there are few, we conceive, who will not wonder at the following strange remark of our author; —that upon the issue of this trial the credit and influence of religion were in a great measure at stake!' That the cause which the society had undertaken to defend, however, demanded an able champion, is incontestible; and the noble eloquence of Mr. Erskine on this occasion will never be forgotten. There were passages in his speech,' says the Bishop, as sublime as any thing to be met with in the writings of any orator whatever, ancient or modern.'

Bishop Porteus's successive charges to the clergy of the London diocese, have been so generally read and approved, that it seems unnecessary for us to occupy any of our space in tracing their outlines, or repeating their character. But it is rejoicing to learn, that in the correction of improprieties, and in the animation and direction of pious zeal, which they were intended to effect, they were distinguished with much success. There is a passage in his first charge which we perhaps, no less than Mr. Hodgson, may be excused from leaving quite unmarked: we allude to the honourable testimony which he there bears to the eminent abilities, virtues, and services, of his esteemed predecessor. How striking the contrast we have recently had to witness, in the appearance of a mitred automaton in similar circumstances-a change at which every good man in the realm has sorrowed in his heart.

Bishop Porteus never imposed a task on his clergy in which he was not disposed fully to participate. Of this, his preaching a series of lectures on the Gospel of St. Matthew, for four successive years, on the Fridays during Lent, is a memorable proof. These discourses are so popular, and the reasons which led both to their composition and publication so generally known, that more from us is needless, than a hearty concurrence in their reception.

In April and May 1802, the venerable prelate undertook the fourth visitation of his diocese, and the last; and, notwithstanding his advanced age, conducted its services in a manner which gave high satisfaction. His charge was animated and powerful; although, on matters of inferior moment, we must be allowed to dissent from some of his opinions. Mr. H. accompanied him, as his chaplain, and can never forget the admirable and striking manner in which he executed all the duties of his high station; the attention, the respect, the kindness, which he shewed to his clergy; the anxiety he displayed

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to rectify all that was wrong, to encourage all that was good: the dignified solemnity with which he performed the rite of confirmation, and the deep impression which was uniformly made by his animated, simple, and affectionate address to the congregation, when that service was concluded.' He has introduced a copy of this address into the present memoir, for which we sincerely thank him.

The sentiments of the Bishop of London were hostile to Catholic emancipation. Still he was the unshaken advocate of liberal opinion and discussion, and the steady friend of religious toleration. Whatever different opinions on this important subject may be individually entertained, we claim for the memory of this good prelate, the honest acknowledgment, that his biographer has adduced ample evidence of the conscientious sincerity of his opposition. His reasons are copied here from his private journals, and well merit inspection, as displaying an exemplary instance of candid inquiry and dispassionate decision.

As an ardent admirer and a powerful supporter of the most blessed institution, we do think, that ever ennobled any natiou or people, the British and Foreign Bible Society, Bishop Porteus was always prominent. He was one of its vice-presidents from the beginning. We take leave to extract two brief citations from his private papers, both as they throw light on a controversy still in agitation, and administer some salutary reproof to those miserable alarmists we have so long been accustomed to pity.

I cannot, (says the Bishop) but add, in justice to this Society, which has been so much opposed, misrepresented, and traduced, that all the important works in which it has been engaged, have been carried on with the utmost harmony and unanimity: without any difference of opinion, without the slightest symptom of any hostile or treacherous design against the church; and without any other idea upon their minds, but that of extending, as widely as possible, the knowledge of the Christian Scriptures. The Bishops of Durham and Salisbury attended several of their meetings, and were delighted with the decorum, calmness, and good temper, with which their proceedings were conducted. In short, all the apprehensions to which this society has given rise, are now found to be but vain terrors; and all the prophecies of the mischief and evil that would result from it, are falsified by facts. It is rising uniformly in reputation and credit: gaining new accessions of strength and revenue; and attaching to itself more and more the approbation and support of every real friend to the church and to religion.'

Elsewhere he thus expresses himself.

It is now well known and firmly established, and has com pletely triumphed over all the attempts made to destroy it. None of those secret dark designs, none of those plots and conspiracies to subvert the establishment, and devour both the shepherds and their flocks, which were so confidently predicted by a certain set of men as the