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pattern of Christian excellence, he presented a model which well and fitly illustrated the doctrines he impressed upon others. He possessed, in a remarkable degree, attachment to all the members of his family, and also to his native city; and though early separated from his paternal roof, neither time nor distance had the power to weaken those bonds of affection which united him to them. Of his numerous relations, there was not one in whose welfare he did not take the interest of a father or a brother; and, during his long life, this delightful union of hearts was never, in a single instance, broken or impaired. He was accustomed, about every seventh year, to visit Norfolk, there to assemble his relations around him and never were the interchanges of family affection more sincerely and conspicuously manifested. His feelings on one of these delightful occasions are thus described in a letter to his colleague, the Rev. Joseph Hutton, in the summer of 1796: "I cannot," he says, express how much I am affected by the kind and unremitting attentions of all my dear relatives to fill up every hour in rational enjoyment which sleep does not occupy. We are at my brother John's, where we are enjoying the constant feast of his company and conversation; to which few women could add so much as the very uncommon and elevated character with which it has been his merited good fortune to become united. This is to be our grand week of family union. Our meeting will be large, and promises as much happiness as can reasonably be hoped for. Yet tell the worthy members of our flock,” he adds, “that their absent pastor, even amidst these scenes of abundant domestic gratification, is never forgetful of them, or indifferent to their interests. I rejoice to hear of their general welfare. I beg you will present my affectionate regards to all, as you shall happen to see them; and express the pleasure I have in the hope of returning to them, with better health and capacity to serve them as I could wish." (Dated Norwich, July 19. 1796.)

Mr. Taylor was a Nonconformist of the old school: steady, conscientious, unflinching in his attachment to the principles

of civil and religious liberty, though at a period and in a country in which such a consistent profession was not easy. His earliest religious and political impressions were formed at a time when the attempt of the Pretender to regain the crown of his ancestors was a comparatively recent event; and when, among the Dissenters in particular, popery and slavery were terms seldom disunited. Among his first associates in the ministry, were those who had been actively engaged in opposing that puny bantling of legitimacy in his march to Derby; and his future residence in Ireland was not likely to induce a forgetfulness of the evils and errors of popery. Hence prejudice might have led him, as it did many of his less consistent Dissenting brethren both in Ireland and England, to question the propriety of granting to the Catholics a full enjoyment of their civil rights: but he was governed, not by prejudice, but principle; and therefore he was a decided advocate of Catholic emancipation. Firm and unbending, however, as he was, in attachment to the principles of nonconformity, he numbered among his friends men of all religious persuasions. Among these were Dr. Law, the late Bishop of Elphin; and Dr. Brinkley, the present Bishop of Cloyne. With the former of these learned and accomplished dignitaries of the established religion he lived on terms of cordial amity.

Mr. Taylor's pulpit exercises were distinguished by a correct style and chaste elocution. His appearance and delivery were so earnest and dignified, that no one could listen to his discourses without advantage. His devotional services were always simple, pure, and impressive: it was in this delightful part of the public worship of the sabbath that he peculiarly excelled; and flowing, as his prayers did, from a truly pious heart, they seldom failed to engage the responsive Amen of every hearer.

On the 8th of October, 1820, after a happy union of fortysix years, Mr. Taylor was deprived by death of the faithful friend and partner of his life. Possessed as she was of a mind highly cultivated, of manners the most refined and

amiable, and piety as warm as it was sincere and deeply rooted, no wife or parent, no friend or loved companion, was ever consigned to the grave amidst more lively or general regret. She possessed a heart which overflowed with charity and benevolence. It was impossible to know her without loving and respecting her pure character; and in every relation of life she shone bright and conspicuous to the last.

We now come to the concluding events of Mr. Taylor's life. On the 29th of April, 1827, when he had been sixty years an officiating minister, the last fifty of which he presided over the congregation in Eustace Street, Dublin, his increasing infirmities suggested to him the prudence of retiring from the pastoral office. In the letter which announced his determination, he says, "While still allowed to retain some little power of body and mind, I trust that I shall conclude my public labours now with a better grace than if compelled to abandon them by a sudden and total incapacity." After gratefully acknowledging the kind indulgence and affectionate regards of his flock, during nearly fifty years of his ministry, he concludes in this beautiful and impressive language: "It is my fervent hope and prayer to the Fountain of all Wisdom, that He may preside over your deliberations on this important business, and direct you to the choice of a successor to myself who is rich in spiritual gifts and graces, and abounding in all those amiable qualities of the heart which can make him to you a useful and acceptable minister, and to my ever and highly esteemed friend and colleague a welcome and affectionate associate." Notwithstanding this letter, he continued to officiate until the appointment of his successor, the Rev. James Martineau, in whose ordination he bore a part, on the 26th of October, 1828; on the last day of which month he was presented by his affectionate flock with a most gratifying mark of their esteem and love.

He continued for nearly three years after this period in the enjoyment of comparative health, and an almost enviable cheerfulness of mind and spirit; and at length, by a gradual and almost imperceptible decline, sank to rest. "My spirit,"

he beautifully says, in that instrument which, as it were, closed his earthly career, "I resign into the hands of that gracious God who gave me being, and hath crowned a long life with innumerable mercies; humbly hoping that, through His continued goodness, my soul may be redeemed from the power of the grave to the possession of complete and enduring happiness in a better world to come."

Mr. Taylor's death took place at his residence, Harold's Cross, near Dublin; on the 27th of September, 1831.

With some very slight abridgments, the foregoing memoir has been extracted from "The Monthly Repository."

416

LETTER FROM SIR GEORGE MACKENZIE.

To the Editor of the Annual Biography and Obituary.

SIR,

A FEW days since I accidentally opened "The Annual Biography and Obituary;" and, turning to the notice of the late General Stewart of Garth, I was astonished to see the persevering injustice which marked his own conduct, and that of his friends, towards his lamented commander at the battle of Maida, during his life, and which has been continued by the latter since his death, notwithstanding many public contradictions. The whole merit of the 78th regiment is made to appear as if it had centred in Major Stewart, who acted his subordinate part but a very short time during the engagement at Maida, having been wounded early in the battle. It is exceedingly unpleasant to say any thing disrespectful of the dead: but General Stewart knew perfectly that the fulsome panegyrics which were poured upon him latterly, in regard to that battle, were not merited; but he did not step forward, as a generous man ought to have done, to acknowledge that he did not command the regiment. Lieutenant-Colonel M'Leod, son of the venerable Sheriff of Ross-shire, and my brother-inlaw, commanded the regiment; and, for his excellent conduct, received the approbation of his General and of his country. Let those be appealed to who were in the battle, and who may yet survive; or their friends to whom they narrated the events of the battle. I have no desire to detract from the real merits of General Stewart. He did his duty; but what officer or man at Maida did less?

He did no more; nor do who fell afterwards in the

I claim more for my brother-in-law, unfortunate expedition to Egypt. Every one knows that the duty of a British officer is to distinguish himself, in whatever station he may be placed. All I maintain is, that it is