attended by numerous audiences; and his "Chemical Essays" prove that his reputation was not undeserved. They have passed already through several editions, and are accounted a valuable manual to those who pursue that branch of science. "The subjects of these Essays," to use the author's own words, "have been chosen, not so much with a view of giving a system of Chemistry to the world, as with the humble design of conveying, in a popular way, a general kind of knowledge to persons not much versed in chemical inquiries." He accordingly apologizes to chemists, for having explained common matters with, what will appear to them, a disgusting minuteness; and for passing over in silence some of the most interesting questions, such as those respecting the analysis of air and fire, &c. The learned author also apologizes to divines; whose forgiveness he solicits, for having stolen a few hours from the studies of his profession, and employed them in the cultivation of natural philosophy; pleading, in his defence, the example of some of the greatest characters that ever adorned either the University of Cambridge, or the Church of England. In the preface, to the last of these volumes, he introduces the following observations: "When I was elected professor of divinity in 1771, I determined to abandon for ever the study of chemistry, and I did abandon it for several years; but the veteris vestigia flammæ still continued to delight me, and at length seduced me from my purpose. When I was made a bishop in 1782, I again determined to quit my favourite pursuit: the volume which I now offer to the public is a sad proof of the imbecility of my resolution. I have on this day, however, offered a sacrifice to other people's notions, I confess, rather than to my own opinion of episcopal decorum. I have destroyed all my chemical manuscripts. A prospect of returning health might have persuaded me to pursue this delightful science; but I have now certainly done with it for ever— at least I have taken the most effectual step I could to wean myself from an attachment to it: for with the holy zeal of the idolaters of old, who had been addicted to curious arts -I have burned my books."

Having been tutor to the late duke of Rutland, when his grace resided at Cambridge, Dr. Watson was presented by him to the valuable rectory of Knaptoft, Leicestershire, in 1732; and in the same year, through the recommendation of the same noble patron, was advanced and consecrated to the

bishopric of Landaff. In consequence of the smallness of the revenues of the latter, Dr. Watson was allowed to hold with it the archdeaconry of Ely, his rectory in Leicestershire, the divinity professorship, and rectory of Somersham, At that time his fame for talents and science stood very high; but his politics having taken an impression from the party which he had espoused, and which, though then admitted to power, had been in opposition, probably prevented his advancement to a more considerable eminence on the episcopal bench*. Immediately after his promotion, he published "A Letter to archbishop Cornwallis on the Church Revenues," 1783, 4to; recommending a new disposition, by which the bishoprics should be rendered equal to each other in value, and the smaller livings be so far increased in income, by a proportionate deduction from the richer endowments, as to render them a decent competency. This letter produced several pamphlets in opposition to the scheme, which was never afterwards brought forward in any other shape. In 1784 bishop Watson published "A Sermon preached before the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, in the Abbey Church, Westminster, on Friday, Jan. 30," 4to; and also "Visitation Articles for the Diocese of Landaff," 4to.

In 1785, this learned prelate was editor of a "Collection of Theological Tracts, selected from various authors, for the use of the younger Students in the University,' 6 vols. 8vo. This compilation, comprising pieces on the most interesting subjects in sacred literature by different writers, was intended to form a library of divinity for every candidate for holy orders. Some objections, however, have been made to it on the score of its not being entirely confined to the writings of members of the Church of England, or at least that it did not exclude some of dubious principles. In the same year he published "The Wisdom and Goodness of God, iu having made both Rich and Poor, a Sermon," 4to; and a second edition in 1793.

In 1786, bishop Watson had a considerable accession to his private fortune, by the death of Mr. Luther, of Ongar in Essex; who, having been one of his pupils at Cambridge, retained so great a sense of his worth, that he

*At the time of the king's illness in 1789, bishop Watson advocated the unqualified right of the prince of Wales to assume the regency, which, with some other political doctrines occa

sionally advanced by him during the American War, and at an early period of the French Revolution, had the ef fect, it is supposed, of impeding his translation to a better bishopric.

.3

bequeathed to him an estate, which was sold to the earl of Egremont for 24,000l.

In 1788 he published "Sermons on Public Occasions, and Tracts on Religious Subjects," 8vo, consisting chiefly of smaller pieces which had before been printed separately. "An Address to young Persons after Confirmation, 1789,” 12mo, which had been annexed to the first of his charges; and (anonymous) "Considerations on the Expediency of revising the Liturgy and Articles of the Church of England," 1790, 8vo. On the 27th of February, 1791, bishop Watson preached, to a crowded congregation, at the church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, a sermon before the governors of the Royal Humane Society, and again pleaded for the same Society in 1797, in a sermon at St. Bride's, Fleetstreet; but neither of these has been printed. His sermon for the Westminster Dispensary (preached in 1785), was published in 1792, with an excellent appendix; as well as "A Charge delivered to the Clergy of his Diocese in June 1791," 4to." Two Sermons, preached in the Cathedral Church of Landaff, and a Charge delivered to the Clergy of that Diocese in June 1795," were published together in 1795, 4to. The first of these Sermons is a general argument against Atheists; the second, a more particular discussion of the evidences for Christianity. The purport of the charge is, to recommend theological humility, in opposition to dogmatizing.

In 1796, his lordship's powers in theological controversy were called forth on a most important occasion, though by a very inferior antagonist to Gibbon. Thomas Paine, after having enlightened the world in regard to politics, proceeded, in his "Age of Reason," to dispel the clouds in which, he impiously conceived, Christianity had for so many ages enveloped the world. The arguments of this man were abundantly superficial; but his book was likely to produce greater effect than the writings of the most learned infidels. The connexion of his political with his religious opinions tended still farther to increase the danger; for atheism and jacobinism at that time went hand in hand. It was on this occasion that the bishop of Landaff stood forward in defence of Christianity, by publishing his most seasonable and judicious "Apology for the Bible, in a Series of Letters addressed to Thomas Paine," 12mo. His genius was here rendered peculiarly conspicuous, by his adopting the popular manner and style of his antago

nist; and by thus addressing himself in a particular manner to the comprehensions and ideas of those who were most likely to be misled by the arguments he so very ably confuted. By this he in a great measure contributed to prevent the pernicious effects of "The Age of Reason" among the lower classes of the community, and at the same time led them to suspect and detest the revolutionary and political tenets of the author. The British Critics, speaking of this apology, say, "We hail with much delight the repetition of editions of a book so important to the best of causes, the cause of Christianity, as the present. It is written in an easy and popular style. The author has purposely, and we think wisely, abstained from pouring into it much of that learning which the stores of his mind would readily have supplied. He has contented himself with answering every argument or cavil in the plainest and clearest manner, not bestowing a superfluous word, or citing a superfluous authority for any point whatever."

From the very commencement of the discussions on the slave trade, his lordship always stood forward as a strenuous advocate for its abolition; and though in the earlier years of the eventful contest with France which speedily succeeded, he in general recommended pacific measures, yet before its conclusion he became convinced of the necessity of prosecuting the war with vigour. His lordship's "Address to the People of Great Britain," 1798, 8vo, is evidently the address of a man, who amidst all the differences in matters of less moment, feels honestly for his country in the hour of danger, and wishes to unite all hands and hearts in her defence. Such a tract from so distinguished a character was not likely to pass unnoticed: several replies appeared, among which the most intemperate was that of Gilbert Wakefield. His "Charge delivered to the Clergy of Landaff, is a suitable supplement to the "Address;" and in 1802 appeared another very excellent "Charge to the Clergy of Landaff." In 1803, the bishop published "A Sermon, preached in the Chapel of the London Hospital, on the 8th of April ;" a powerful antidote to the mischief produced among the people at large by his old antagonist Paine; of whom he takes occasion thus to speak, contrasting him, as an unbeliever, with sir Isaac Newton as a believer: "I think myself justified in saying, that a thousand such men are, in understanding, but as the dust of the balance, when weighed against New

ton;" an indubitable truth, most usefully presented to the contemplation of the multitude. In the same year appeared his "Thoughts on the intended Invasion," 8vo. In "The Substance of a Speech intended to have been delivered in the House of Lords, Nov. 22, 1803," which was printed in 1804, bishop Watson warmly entreats the nation to coincide with the measures proposed for the emancipation of the catholics, and also states some proposals for freeing the nation of its public burthens by one patriotic effort.

The bishop published a Sermon preached at St. George, Hanover-square, May 3, 1804, before the Society for the Suppression of Vice; for which, it cannot be denied, he pleads with his usual energy; though it must be admitted, the principles and maxims of the society may not be found so efficacious towards the wished-for reformation, which is levelled at the lower ranks of society, instead of the higher, who are the manifest corrupters of the others, by their example and influence.

66

"A Charge delivered to the Clergy of the Diocese of Landaff in June 1805," was published in that year; and another in 1808 :-" Two Apologies, one for Christianity against Gibbon, and the other for the Bible against Paine, published together with two Sermons and a Charge in Defence of Revealed Religion," in 1806, 8vo:—“ A Second Defence of Revealed Religion, in two Sermons; preached in the Chapel-royal, St. James's, 1807."-" Communication to the Board of Agriculture, on Planting and Waste Lands," 1808. His lordship's latest publication was a collection of "Miscellaneous Tracts on Religious, Political, and Agricultural subjects," 1815, 2 vols. 8vo. Some articles by him occur in the Transactions of the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society, of which he was one of the earliest members. During the last years of his life his lordship employed his leisure upon a history of his own times, after the manner of bishop Burnet's celebrated work; and left directions for its publication after his decease. Such a performance from so eminent a character will, of course, be expected with no ordinary anxiety by the political as well as the literary world, and will throw light on those parts of his own character and conduct which have been the subject of some difference of opinion. In the mean time it may be said of him, that he was an excellent public speaker, both in the pulpit and in the senate; his action graceful, his voice full and harmonious,