"Upon the whole matter, your committee venture to recommend, as the result of the best consideration, which they have bestowed both upon the importance and just value of the entire collection, that the proprietor, being ready to dispose of it for the sum of £13,500, it will be a very material addition to the public stock of literature, and purchased at a price which cannot be deemed unreasonable."

"17th April, 1818."

The following is a list of the works either composed or edited by Dr Burney:- Appendix ad Lexicon Græco-Latinum, a Joan. Scapula constructum,' &c. Lond. 1789. 'Remarks on the Greek Verses of Milton,' published at the end of Mr T. Warton's edition of Milton's minor poems, 8vo. 1791. 'Richardi Bentleii, et Doctorum Virorum, Epistolæ,' 4to. 1807. Tentamen de Metris ab Eschylo in choricis cantibus adhibitis,' 8vo. 1809. Bishop Pearson's Exposition of the Creed,' abridged, 12mo. 1810. 2d edition, 1812. Philemonis Lexicon Græcè e Biblioth.' Parisiens. 4to. and 8vo. 1812. A Sermon preached at the Anniversary Meeting of the Stewards of the Sons of the Clergy, at St Paul's, May 14th, 1812.' 4to. 1813. Several criticisms on classical and learned works, published occasionally in the Monthly Review; and numerous articles contributed to the New London Magazine,' which was edited by Dr Burney in 1783, and the two following years.

Cyril Jackson, D. D.

BORN A. D. 1746.-DIED a. D. 1819.

CYRIL JACKSON, Dean of Christ-church, was a native of Lincolnshire. He received his education at Westminster school, whence he was elected to Trinity college, Cambridge, and subsequently obtained a studentship at Christ-church, Oxford. In 1768, he took the degree of B. A., and that of M. A. in 1771. In the latter year he was appointed sub-preceptor to their royal highnesses, the young heir-apparent, and his next brother. In 1777 he took the degree of B. D.; and in 1778 was appointed preacher at Lincoln's inn, and canon of Christchurch. In 1781 he proceeded to the degree of D. D.; and in 1783 was declared dean of his college. After acting in that capacity for twenty-six years, during which period he twice declined to be raised to the episcopal bench, he retired to Felpham, in Sussex, where he died on the 31st day of August, 1819.

son.

Dean Jackson is acknowledged by all his contemporaries to have been a man of profound learning and great abilities. "I have long thought," said Dr Parr, in 1800, "and often declared, that the highest station in the church would not be more than an adequate reward for Cyril JackUpon petty and dubious questions of criticism, I may not always have the happiness to agree with him; but I know that, with magnanimity enough to refuse two bishoprics, he has qualities of head and heart to adorn the primacy of all England, and to protect all the substantial interests of the English church." By Porson he was very greatly admired; and, soon after his retirement from Christ church, the

provost of Oriel college described him as one who had drunk largely at the fountain of modern science as well as of ancient learning.

Bishop Bennet.

BORN A. D. 1745.-DIED A. D. 1820.

THIS prelate was born in 1745, and educated at Harrow, where he was contemporary, and intimate with Parr and Jones. From Harrow he removed to Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he proceeded M. A. in 1770, and that of D. D. in 1790, in which latter year he was elevated to the bishopric of Cork and Ross, by the earl of Westmoreland, during his viceroyalty in Ireland. In 1794 he was translated to the see of Cloyne.

His lordship died in July, 1820. The following very flattering eulogium was written in 1795 by his quondam school-fellow, Parr: "Among the fellows of Emmanuel College who endeavoured to shake Mr Homer's resolution, and to preserve for him his academical rank, there was one man, whom I cannot remember without feeling that all my inclination to commend, and all my talents for commendation, are disproportionate to his merit. From habits not only of close intimacy, but of early and uninterrupted friendship, I can say, that there is scarcely one Greek or Roman author of eminence, in verse or prose, whose writings are not familiar to him. He is equally successful in combating difficulties of the most obscure, and catching at a glance the beauties of the most elegant. Though I could mention two or three persons who have made a greater proficiency than my friend in philosophical learning, yet, after surveying all the intellectual endowments of all my literary acquaintance, I cannot name the man whose taste seems to me more correct and more pure, or whose judgment upon any composition in Greek, Latin, or English, would carry with it higher authority to my mind. To those discourses which, when delivered before an academical audience, captivated the young and interested the old; which were argumentative without formality, and brilliant without gaudiness; and in which the happiest selection of topics was united with the most luminous arrangement of matter, it cannot be unsafe for me to pay the tribute of my praise, because every hearer was an admirer, and every admirer will be a witness. As a tutor, he was unwearied in the instruction, liberal in the government, and anxious for the welfare, of all who were intrusted to his care. The brilliancy of his conversation, and the suavity of his manners, were the more endearing, because they were united with qualities of a higher order; because in morals he was correct without moroseness, and because in religion he was serious without bigotry. From the retirement of a college he stepped at once into the circle of a court; but he has not been dazzled by its glare, nor tainted by its corruptions. As a prelate, he does honour to the gratitude of a patron who was once his pupil, and to the dignity of a station where, in his wise and honest judgment upon things, great duties are connected with great emoluments. If, from general description, I were permitted to descend to particular detail, I should say, that in one instance he exhibited a noble

proof of generosity, by refusing to accept the legal and customary profits of his office from a peasantry bending down under the weight of indigence and exaction. I should say, that, upon another occasion, he did not suffer himself to be irritated by perverse and audacious opposition; but, blending mercy with justice, spared a misguided father for the sake of a distressed dependent family, and provided, at the same time, for the instruction of a large and populous parish, without pushing to extremes his episcopal rights when invaded, and his episcopal power when defied. While the English universities produce such scholars, they will indeed deserve to be considered as the nurseries of learning and virtue. While the church of Ireland is adorned by such prelates, it cannot have much to fear from that spirit of restless discontent and excessive refinement which has lately gone abroad. It will be instrumental to the best purposes by the best means. It will gain fresh security and fresh lustre from the support of wise and good men. It will promote the noblest interests of society, and uphold, in this day of peril, the sacred cause of true religion. Sweet is the refreshment afforded to my soul by the remembrance of such a scholar, such a man, and such a friend, as Dr William Bennet, Bishop of Cork."

Esaac Milner, D. D.

BORN A. D. 1751.—died a. D. 1820.

ISAAC MILNER's life and literary career exhibit a singular combination of ability, worth, industry, and good fortune. He was born in the West Riding of Yorkshire, near Leeds, of parents who could boast neither of rank nor property. While he was a boy, his father, who was a weaver, died; the family, left behind, were Isaac, an elder brother Joseph, and their mother, old and infirm. As the support of their father was wanting, it was necessary that double industry should be exerted by the remaining branches of the family, to enable them even to live. The two young Milners were constantly at their spinningwheels by day-break, in the summer; and in winter, they rose by candle-light to pursue their labour. By this course of persevering diligence, they were enabled, for a long time, to maintain, with credit, themselves and their aged parent. It was observed of these young men, by the neighbours, that they did not associate much with their acquaintances in the village when a holiday or any other occasion invited them out to their accustomed sports: instead of this, they employed their vacant time in the study of a few books which chance had thrown in their way. This singularity brought them into some notice; and they became frequently the subjects of conversation among their neighbours. Their fame at last began to spread through Leeds; a place which abounds with opulent, generous, public-spirited and discerning men, and a subscription was entered into to educate, and send to college, one of these young men ; Joseph as the eldest, and one who then displayed the greatest maturity of talent, was fixed upon as the object of their patronage. Isaac was for some time thrown into the back-ground, though destined at last to surpass his brother both in capacity and fortunes.

Joseph was sent to the grammar school at Leeds; and the lessons he learned there by day, on his return home, he taught Isaac, who discovered not only a high relish for study, but uncommon quickness of parts, a most comprehensive memory, and judgment in proportion. Thus passed three years; in the course of which Isaac had gained a pretty familiar acquaintance with the Greek and Latin languages. But the time arrived when Joseph was to be sent to college. This deprived the younger brother of his assistance. The foundation of knowledge was, however, laid, and it was only necessary to raise the superstructure. This, by a course of industry, was effectually done; so that at the age of nineteen, Isaac might be fairly deemed a good classic. Having arrived at that age when it is usual to put boys to some trade, he was bound an apprentice to a weaver. Previously tutored as he had been, the loom may not be supposed to have agreed with his disposition better than the distaff with Hercules; he managed however, to pursue his studies while employed in earning his daily bread; and used to work at the loom with a Tacitus by his side.

While Isaac was thus employed, his elder brother was winning high honours and the golden opinions of all his acquaintance, at Cambridge. Joseph having, soon after, taken orders and settled at Hull, received his brother as his assistant in the management of the free grammar-school in that place. While in this station Isaac made great progress in classical attainments before he went to Cambridge. In algebra and mathematics also he possessed, even before he went to the university, a senior optime's knowledge. Another collateral cause of his success was the circumstance of his spending the vacations at his brother's school, in his original employment of usher; by these means, he was enabled to add considerably, every year, to his earlier, and to his Cambridge acquirements. All the time of his being an under-graduate was spent in indefatigable study; and in 1774, he became senior wrangler, with the honourable distinction of incomparabilis, and gained also the first mathematical prize. This struggle for academical distinction, though crowned with success, secretly laid the foundation of a nervous disorder, which occasionally oppressed him. While at Cambridge, Mr Milner became acquainted with William Wilberforce, with whom, in company with Mr Pitt, he went on a continental tour; but they had not proceeded far, before political changes in this country called them back. A friendship, however, was then cemented between them, which was not soon to be dissolved. After Mr Milner's return from the continent, in 1788, he was chosen president of the college, to which as a student he had done so much credit. Previous to his election, this venerable asylum of Erasmus had somewhat decreased in reputation. but it now began to re-assume its ancient consequence. The president introduced men of the best abilities from the other colleges among the fellows; and greatly inproved the interior management of the college by the correction of many abuses sanctioned by long prescription. Ad deterius is the tendency of every institution, unless this salutary interference of authority occasionally takes place. Few, however, like Milner, had fortitude enough to support the obloquy which innovation, however laudable, is apt to produce. At the time he was under-graduate, it was the custom for sizers to wait on the fellows, to dine after they bad done, and submit to other degrading circumstances. These servile

distinctions, with a recollection how repugnant they had been to his former feelings, Milner abolished.

A short time after he became president of Queen's college, he took out his doctor's degree, and was presented, through the interest of Mr Wilberforce, with the deanery of Carlisle. It was his custom to visit this place regularly every year, for a few months; but Hull, before the decease of his brother, was the favourite place of his residence. Here his lodgings were a complete work-ship, being filled with various kinds of chemical, carpenter's, smith's, and turner's implements: for he was accustomed to relax his mind from the fatigues of study, by manual labour. His lathe and appendages for turning, were extremely curious. He had also a very singular machine, partly of his own invention, which formed and polished at the same time, with the utmost possible exactness, watch-wheels of every description.

The literary productions of Dr Milner are, alas! but few; but, as they bear the genuine stamp of genius, they procured him a very high reputation, and a fellowship in the Royal society. They consist of communications to that body; the first dated 16th February, 1778, concerning the communication of motion, by impact and gravity. Another paper treats of the limits of algebraical equations, and contains a general demonstration of Des Cartes' rule for finding the number of affirmative and negative roots; this is dated February 26th. In the following June, we find another communication on the precession of the equinoxes. Dr Milner frequently turned his researches towards chemistry. The French are generally thought to have availed themselves of his discovery concerning the composition of nitre, so as to provide, without foreign assistance, the vast consumption of that article, requisite in the manufacture of gunpowder. On the death of Dr Waring. Dr Milner, in 1798, was made Lucasian professor of mathematics. Thus we see with no other advantages but those of ability, prudence, and merit, a person rising from an obscure rank in life, and with all his other honorary distinctions, filling the chair of an immortal Newton.'

"The continued residence in Cambridge," says one of the dean's contemporaries, "of the late principal of Queen's college, was a great public benefit to that university; and it will be generally allowed, that he and his friend, the Rev. Charles Simeon, of King's college, in the same university, have been the honoured instruments of introducing into the ministry of the church of England, a greater number of pious, learned, industrious, and useful clergymen, than any other two individuals in Great Britain. And no two men of equally good and upright intentions ever encountered more calumny and reproach than they have met with in the conscientious execution of their duties. They have been stigmatised with much opprobium, yet they have meekly held the quiet tenor of their way. However obnoxious were the epithets which have been fastened to their names, their exemplary lives have, long since, borne down all opposition; while they have not ceased to demonstrate, that piety is no enemy to sound learning, but that, together, both piety and learning conduce to the formation of a complete Christian minister, whose faith and practice are equally remote from the undue warmth of fanaticism, and the frigid torpor of lukewarmness.

Abridged from Memoir in Monthly Magazine.'