father's heart; but he found consolation in the God whom he had always served. Writing to his faithful steward, he says, "I fear he gives you, as well as others, a great deal of trouble. A great loss to children is their mother; for they check and form the mind, curbing the corrupt passions of pride and self will, which are seen very early in children. I must leave it to Him, with whom are all hearts, and sigh in secret; trusting that the blessing of such an excellent mother is laid up for him."

In this very letter, while this dreadful calamity was so recent, the heart-stricken parent does not forget to order three pounds sterling to be given to each of the widows and invalids among his tenants; three pounds of delicious currants, fresh from Zante, to every poor family in Cardington; two guineas to an orphan girl; and a long list of other Christmas presents to the industrious poor.

Early in 1787, Mr Howard returned to England, to try the effect of his own affectionate attentions upon the deranged mind of his son; and it must have proved a bitter trial to his anxious heart to find that the sight of him always increased the delirium. After a series of unavailing efforts to restore his reason, he was compelled to place him in a lunatic asylum.

His inspection of the prisons and mad-houses of England was followed by great and immediate improvements, and thousands of human beings at the present day owe to him an amelioration of their miserable lot.

The benevolent exertions of Mr Howard excited universal respect and admiration; and a subscription was set on foot to erect a statue to his memory.

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This public tribute was painful to his humble and modest feelings, and he begged his friends to prevent the plan from being carried into execution. Who, that knows the sinfulness of his own heart, could allow himself to receive such an honor!" said he. He gave directions that a plain slip of marble placed beneath his wife's tablet should record when and where he died, with the simple epitaph, Christ is my Hope.'

This apostle of humanity died at Cherson in Russian Tartary, on the 21st of January, 1790, aged 64. He desired to be buried without pomp, and without monumental inscription. His ruling passion was shown in death; for his last orders were that his grave should be made useful to his fellow mortals, when he was no longer alive to serve them. "Lay me quietly in the earth, place a sundial over my grave," said he, "and let me be forgotten."

His request, excepting the last clause, was complied with; forgotten he can never be.

A marble, bearing the record he desired, was placed under his wife's tablet at Cardington.

A statue was afterward erected to his memory in St Paul's Cathedral, London; and in his gardens at Cardington, Samuel Whitbread, Esq. raised a pedestal, with an inscription to commemorate his virtues, and the attachment of his faithful old gar

dener. The servants and dependants of Howard could never mention their benefactor, or his wife, without tears; and the most trifling articles which had belonged to them were considered precious relics.

The old gardener was alive in 1812, and took great delight in pointing out to visiters the tree planted by Mrs Howard. The identical Bible, in which the great philanthropist sought for guidance and consolation during the intervals of his travels, still occupied its accustomed place in the RootHouse.

MRS BLACKWELL,

WIFE OF DOCTOR ALEXANDER BLACKWELL.

MRS ELIZABETH BLACKWELL was the daughter of a Scotch merchant. Her husband, Doctor Alexander Blackwell, was a native of Aberdeen, and received his education at the university of that city. Success in his profession was too slow to keep pace with his hopes, perhaps with his necessities; and we find that he first became a corrector of the press in London, afterward a printer.

His new business soon involved him in debt, and he was imprisoned. Mrs Blackwell had a good knowledge of botany, and was well skilled in drawing. She resolved to devote these talents to the benefit of her unfortunate husband, and she fulfilled her task with a remarkable degree of talent and energy. Having heard it said that an herbal of medicinal plants was much wanted, she determined to supply the deficiency. She consulted Sir Hans Sloane and several other distinguished physicians; who were so much pleased with her drawings, and had so much reverence for the motive, which impelled her to exertion, that they gave

her every possible facility for procuring plants in their freshest state, and spared no pains to obtain for her the favor of the public. When Mrs Blackwell had made the drawings, she engraved them on copper, and colored them all with her own hands. Each plate was accompanied by a brief description of the plant, its name in Latin, English, and various other languages, its qualities and uses. These illustrations were written by Doctor Blackwell.

The first volume was published in 1737, and the second appeared in 1739. The complete work bore the following title: "A curious Herbal containing FIVE HUNDRED of the most useful plants which are now used in the practice of physic, engraved on folio copper plates, after drawings taken from the life. To which is added a short description of the plants, and their common uses in Physic.”

While Mrs Blackwell was completing this laborious undertaking, she resided at Chelsea, near the Garden of Medicinal Plants; where she was frequently visited, and much patronized, by people of distinguished rank and learning. The College of Physicians gave the book a public testimonial of their approbation, and made the author a present. Dr Pulteney, speaking of this work, says, "For the most complete set of drawings of medi. cinal plants, we are indebted to the genius and industry of a lady, exerted on an occasion that redounded highly to her praise."

Mrs Blackwell effected the purpose for which all this labor was performed; her husband regained