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that if the vicious, the ignorant, and the thoughtless are to be addressed,-if sinners are to be called to repentance, and if it be the object to awaken those who are dead in their sins, an impressive and attractive matter is absolutely necessary. They affected a degree of contempt for human learning; as if the experience of the monkish ages had not shewn, that when learning was neglected and despised, the doctrines of Christianity were corrupted and deteriorated.-The hostility, which they encountered from the clergy of the established Church, induced them to retaliate by casting improper and unworthy reflections on the Parochial clergy, whom they stigmatised as their indolent, earthly-minded, pleasure-taking brethren; censuring them for neglect of their duty, and observing that people would be every where willing to hear, if the ministers were ready to teach the truth, as it is in JESUS. Upon this Bishop Gibson very justly observes in his caution against enthusiasm, contained in his fourth Pastoral Letter, that the success of 'ministers in the discharge of their duty, de

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opinion of their people; and they, who go ' about to represent the parochial clergy as 'unable or unwilling to teach their people ' aright, are so far answerable for defeating the ' good effects, that their ministry might other'wise have.'

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It is very gratifying to contemplate the forebodings of immortality which cheered and illuminated the close of Bishop Hough's life. In a letter to Mrs. Knightley on the loss of a friend, he observes upon the power of faith, to open the regions of eternal bliss, and discover those, who have been bright examples in this world, in so glorious a state there, as would animate hope, abate regret, and invigorate endeavours to follow them. "Who (he continues) can conceive the transport of joy that will attend such a meeting? and how insignificant will the former short separation appear! Indeed, Madam, there was a time when I possessed ONE (alluding to his dear and regretted wife) who was the desire of mine eyes, and the

delight of my heart. I relished every thing with her, and nothing without her. We both knew the common fate of mankind: that a parting was unavoidable. It was very often the subject of our discourse, and I will not say what convulsions attended it; but I thank God, I had the hope of a Christian, and that sup ported me: and let you and me keep up our spirits in that confidence, that the variable and transitory state in which we now live will soon pass over; when we and our friends shall find ourselves together again,-inseparable, and unalterably happy for evermore."

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Of the literary characters alluded to in the text, under the title of ANA, St. Evremond, as well as Huet, passed the age of 90; Chevreau that of 88, Valesius 85, Longerue 82, Poggio 79, and Duchat and Segrais 77. Furetiere died at 68, and Cardinal Perron at 62. The other two did not live to attain the age of sixty. Of literary men noticed in the present work, Sancroft died at 77, Gibson at 79;

Newton, Waller, and Clement the Twelfth, passed the period of 80; and Hough, Robinson, Fleury, Floyer, Maynard, and Wren, exceeded the advanced age of ninety.-BISHOP HUET himself was a remarkable instance of health and longevity in a very studious man. He had been a hard student from his infancy; and 'neither the heat of youth, nor multiplicity of business, nor the love of company, nor the

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I hurry of the world had ever been able to moderate his invincible love of letters.'-Huet was born on the 8th of February 1636. His Literary attainments led to his appointment in 1659, of Sub-preceptor to the Dauphin: and to him we are chiefly indebted for the Delphin editions of the classics. Though his studies directed him to the church, he did not enter into holy orders until 1676, when he was 46 years of age. In 1685, he was nominated to the Bishopric of Avranches, which he resigned in 1699; and having spent the remaining twenty years of his life in devotion and study, died on the 26th of January, 1721, in his ninety-first year.

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THE BISHOP alludes in this place to passages in Don Quixote, levelled at the abominable tyranny of the INQUISITION, the absurd doctrine of FLAGELLATION, and the vices and frauds of PAPAL ROME. The disenchantment of Dulcinea by the whipping of Sancho, has an evident reference to what was then a great source of wealth to the clergy; who exacted large sums from the opulent, under the pretence of self-inflicted flagellations, to compensate for the sins of those, who could afford to pay for the compromise. There were, however, some who inflicted this penance on themselves with real severity. The great LOPE DE VEGA, then Secretary to the Inquisition, is said to have died of the effects of this self-applied discipline. Sancho at first objects to it: he does not see what his penance and sufferings can have to do with the sins and transgressions of others. But as soon as he is to be paid for every lash, he undergoes the penance like a true friar, taking care so to manage it, as he

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