The beginning of the last century was, like this in which we have lived, a time of considerable effort and enterprize. But it was a time also (and in this respect likewise our own age happily bears a close resemblance to it) when some laymen of distinguished excellence united with several of the clergy in endeavouring to excite in the people of this country that piety united to sound principles, both in church and state, which warmed their own bosoms. Such was Mr. Nelson, one of those lately mentioned, the near neighbour and friend of Mr. Bowdler, a gentleman of easy circumstances and elegant manners, who taught by his writings and displayed in his life the beauty and excellence of virtue. Long may the pure but sublime devotion expressed in his works continue to instruct the young, and console the aged and afflicted, and show to a thoughtless world that the politest gentleman need not be ashamed to be a pious Christian,

Vivit adhuc, et in omne ævum vivet,
Vir pius, simplex, candidus, urbanus.

There was another person, much distinguished in his day, with whom Mr. Bowdler lived in habits of great intimacy, Dr. Hickes, dean of Worcester, famous for his piety, his orthodoxy, his deep and extensive erudition, and particularly his skill in the northern languages. Bishop

Burnet, in that style of rude and flippant censure which is unhappily too common in his work, throws out a charge against Hickes and others who had adopted the same principles, of attachment to popery. This is one of those loose accusations which it is convenient to publish without investigation, because no man can investigate it without being convinced of its falsehood. Hickes was deeply read in the writers of the primitive church, and deeply versed in its doctrines and in its constitution. When any subject is brought forward and recommended on the ground of conformity to the practice of that church, a cry is raised that this is popery; when those who thus cry out do not reflect that they thereby pay a compliment to popery which it ill deserves, and give it an advantage which, if it could maintain, it would be insuperable. For "id verius quod prius;" the nearer we approach the fountain head, the purer will be the stream; and one of the heavy charges brought against the Romish church is, that it has departed from that authority which it professes to admire, and has palmed upon us the corruptions of a later age for the pure and apostolical doctrines and discipline of the earliest. We do not complain that popery is too old, but that it is not old enough. To quote the words of the able writer whose name has occasioned this digression, "The protestant religion of the church of England is but another name for primitive

Christianity, and a protestant for a primitive Christian, who protests against all the corruptions of the gospel by popery. * This was written in the reign of Charles II.; but his "Letters to a Popish Priest," at a much later period, show with how little reason Bishop Burnet accused him of approaching to that church. Such, indeed, were his acuteness, his steadiness of principle, his learning, and his acquaintance with writers of antiquity, that it will perhaps be difficult to find a person better qualified to detect the fallacies and resist the arguments of the Romanists. It is remarkable that in a letter in which he endeavours to dissuade Bishop Kenn from resigning his episcopal office, he urges this argument, that "it would be a great advantage to popery, and mightily gratify the papists, who (says he) hate us because we are the unblemished part of the church of England, and to my knowledge wish the destruction of our succession and communion."

The habit of regularity which Mr. Bowdler had acquired in his youth, and his perfect acquaintance with matters of business, made his assistance invaluable to many persons; and it is pleasing to read the various acknowledgements made to him from different quarters, from relatives, friends, and strangers, for the advice which he had given, the pecuniary assistance which he had afforded, and

* Hickes's Sermons, vol. i. p. 277.

his friendly interference to reconcile differences and repair losses. Among those who looked up to him as a valuable friend and almost a father, were two persons with whose family a closer intimacy was afterwards formed, Sir Robert Cotton and his son; the former was son of Sir John Cotton, the donor of the Cottonian library, by his second wife, and received the title upon the death of his nephew. United to Mr. Bowdler by religious and political principles, and deriving, probably, considerable benefit from his advice, Sir Robert indulged towards him all the feelings of a warm and generous heart; his son looked up to his father's friend with filial reverence and affection, soliciting his advice, reposing with perfect confidence in his kindness and discretion, and " valuing nothing more than his approbation and esteem.” Thus a close intimacy grew up between the two families, which in the next generation was strengthened by the nearer tie of marriage.

Mr. Bowdler died in 1738*, leaving two sons,

is ex

The following honourable testimony to his memory tracted from a newspaper of July in that year: "Last night was buried, from his late dwelling-house in Queen's Square, the corpse of Thomas Bowdler Esq., who died in the 77th year of his age. This worthy person was blessed with a strong and clear judgment, accompanied with singular penetration and vivacity, whereby he was qualified to read men as well as books, both which he had done to so great advantage as to render his conversation on all occasions not less entertaining than instructive to all those who were so happy as to share in

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the elder of whom was for some years a partner in one of the few banking-houses which were at that time in London; but disliking the business, he retired on a small fortune, and in 1742 married Elizabeth Stuart, the second surviving daughter and coheiress of Sir John Cotton. The eldest son by this marriage was the subject of the present memoir, to whose life it is proper to bring the reader, especially as opportunities will occur hereafter of introducing some mention of his parents, who lived long enough to be remembered by many now alive, with respect for their talents and acquirements, and love of their virtues.

John Bowdler was born on the 18th of March 1746, a day which gave birth also to one of his oldest and most intimate friends, Joseph Cotton Esq., for many years deputy master of the Trinity House, and one of the directors of the East India Company. Their hearts were united by mutual affection, and a similarity of taste and principles, and their birth-day was sometimes celebrated with much innocent festivity, and at other times noticed

it his heart too was so well practised in all acts of generosity and charity, that no one whatever knew better than he when and how to do them in the most acceptable manner. In a word, having discharged all the offices and relations of social life with equal capacity, diligence, and integrity, it may without flattery be said of him, that he justly merited the character of the best subject, the tenderest parent, and most disinterested friend."