and appropriate decoration of the Abbey church; an edifice which, it may be stated, he found of a barn-like character-damp, gloomy, and with fractured glazing, but which, after several years of diligent care, he left in a state of imposing effect, little inferior to some of our cathedrals.

Soon after he had taken orders he likewise became Chaplain to the Salop County Prison, a situation which he held for several years, and fulfilled its arduous duties in the most exemplary manner. In 1805 he was elected Bailiff to the Royal Free Grammar School of King Edward VI. in Shrewsbury; and when he resigned, in 1839, the trustees unanimously accorded him their thanks for his long and valuable services, and for the zeal and energy with which he had conducted the affairs of that important trust. In 1814 he was collated by Bishop Cornwallis to the prebendal stall of Curborough, in the cathedral church of Lichfield.

The living of St. Mary's, Shrewsbury, which had been previously held by his late endeared friends, the Revs. J. B. Blakeway and Archdeacon Owen, became vacant by the decease of the latter, Dec. 23, 1827. At that time the patronage was vested in the corporation at large, and Mr. Rowland was earnestly solicited (although much against his inclination) to allow himself to be put in nomination for the pastoral charge. He was accordingly elected by the corporation as minister and official of the royal peculiar of St. Mary's, Jan. 25, 1828. He immediately commenced an active superintendence of that large parish, when he found that great spiritual destitution existed in the extensive suburb of Castle Foregate and the Old Heath, and that the majority of the population had no accommodation in the parish church. His earliest exertions were therefore directed to supply this deficiency, and to promote the erection of a new church, to which he contributed himself 100%. On this church, which was completed in 1830, and is noticed in our vol. ci. p. 594, Mr. Rowland has subsequently expended more than 3,000l. towards various requisites connected with the fabric, bells, communion plate, organ, &c., and in the purchase of a parsonage-house for a resident minister, land for endowment, and for the future enlargement of the burialground. In 1832 he likewise caused a tasteful school-house to be built for the boys and girls of this vicinity, at a cost of several hundred pounds, and towards their instruction his donations annually have been munificent. Although this school is situated a considerable distance from his residence, yet he generally managed to visit it twice a day, regardless

of weather. The school is in the old English style of architecture, and approached by an area, having on each side a range of five houses; these Mr. Rowland purchased, and has appropriated the rental to purposes connected with St. Michael's church, and for weekly bread to the poor attending divine service there. Neither should it be overlooked that from the period of opening this church the deceased gentleman has, in addition to the endowment already noticed, contributed annually towards the stipend of the minister. Also the festival of Christmas was a season in particular in which he wished that the humbler classes of his parishioners should rejoice, and at this time it was his custom for many years to distribute several hundred pounds' weight of beef in pieces proportioned to families.

From early life he had felt the importance of affording to youth a scriptural education. He was the first who promoted and instituted a Sunday School in Shrewsbury; and during the whole time he held the curacy of his first parish he was indefatigable in the management of the Public Subscription School in the Abbey Foregate.

The earliest formation of a Savings Bank in the county of Salop, to receive deposits from the industrious humble classes, was adopted by Mr. Rowland in August, 1816, in the Abbey parish, and during many years he kindly undertook its direction with unabated ardour, until it was joined to the General County Savings Bank, in Nov. 1839. The foundation schools of Allatt's and Millington's Hospital, of which he was a trustee, also received for a series of years much benefit from his watchful and judicious management.

After undertaking the charge of St. Mary's, his attention was especially directed to the internal decoration of its noble fabric; an undertaking for which his admiration of the works of antiquity especially qualified him. To recount the various and important features of improvement which he gradually effected, would outstrip the limits of the present notice; they speak, indeed, most effectively for themselves, and sufficiently demonstrate the taste and munificence by which they were accomplished-an expense to himself of some thousands of pounds. It may be further mentioned that Mr. Rowland, much to his credit, managed, by prudent economy of funds, to release the parish from the burden of a debt which had long been chargeable to a church rate; but how far it may have been politic to avoid that contingent impost altogether for about

twenty years, future circnmstances connected with exterior repairs must determine.

It will be readily conceived that the death of Mr. Rowland is an event which has caused much regret in the town of Shrewsbury. Through a long life he was revered and respected by all who knew him on account of the philanthropic zeal which he manifested to the general welfare, whilst in his own parish in particular the poor have been bereaved of a munificent, cheerful, and kind-hearted benefactor, equally attentive to their spiritual as to their temporal necessities. In this respect his private charities were bestowed with a singleness of purpose that formed a bright trait in his character, for wherever he found real distress, whether from poverty, sickness, or other unavoidable misfortune, his heart was ever gentle, and his hand open and willing to afford relief, with a generosity and unostentatious delicacy of feeling "that did outsell" but yet enriched the gift, inasmuch as many have participated of his beneficence through indirect sources rather than from his own hands.

In his disposition there was a high and independent spirit combined with firmness in upholding what he conceived to be right. He uniformly acted on the soundest principles of rectitude; a mercenary feeling had no dwelling within his breast; his great aim was to do good in his day and generation on Christian principles, and not to increase the substance with which a kind Providence had favoured him.

His perception of character was apt and decisive, and, though possessing himself peculiarities in some matters probably not altogether accordant with modern notions, it cannot be said that these either detracted from the usefulness of his life, or affected his character as a gentleman or Christian.

His mind was well stored with sound information, and his familiar acquaintance with the writings of the best authors in ancient and modern literature evinced deep reading and investigation, whilst a very retentive memory as to matters of which he had either read or seen during a period of nearly fourscore years, enabled him to communicate with facility on most subjects, and rendered his conversation on events and customs peculiarly interesting, interwoven, as it generally was, with an amusing reminiscence or a lively anecdote. He truly was the last link in Shrewsbury of a chain of three generations-an association of the past with the present. His manners, habits, and dress bespoke the true old English gentleman, nor has he left behind a more perfect similitude of that estimable character; and he will long

be as much missed from his daily accustomed walks through the town as from the constant daily acts of beneficence which he exercised therein.

During a period of twenty-seven years the writer of this memoir has often enjoyed the honour of his society and conversation on matters of local history, on the works of art, and the venerable remains of antiquity, in all of which Mr. Rowland took a deep interest.

In the fine arts the taste and judgment of Mr. Rowland ranked high, and his opinion on such matters was often sought after, especially in stained glass, of which his practical knowledge and discernment was perhaps unrivalled. Indeed the vast collection which he has placed at a large cost to himself in St. Mary's and three other churches in Shrewsbury, prove his erudition in this appropriate adornment of ecclesiastical buildings. He likewise, in former years, zealously superintended similar work, to be fixed in other edifices, particularly at Lichfield Cathedral; and for his gratuitous and successful labours at that place, the dean and chapter expressed themselves greatly indebted. In early life he was a tolerable draughtsman; an example still exists in a window of the Abbey church, Shrewsbury, the work of his own delineation.

In 1830 he edited, with care and judgment, the publication of the "Sheriffs of Shropshire," by his deceased friend the Rev. J. B. Blakeway, to which he added such notices as belong to the present century. This he printed in folio at his own charge, and it is a very valuable volume of family history and biography.*

For several years Mr. Rowland has preached only occasionally, but he scarcely ever omitted reading the morning service on Sundays during the whole time of his incumbency of St. Mary's: His pulpit discourses were sound and practical, and enforced in a manner suited to the importance of Divine truths.

Throughout life he was an early riser, and had the happiness to enjoy an almost unclouded day of health, until Friday evening October 10th, when his bodily powers received a severe shock by a paralytic attack, which deprived him of the use of his right side. The vigour of his mind, however, remained unimpaired to the last, and, as his days of activity had been bright and useful during life, so his last hours evinced exemplary patience. Full of years, and enjoying the undiminished regard of a large circle of friends, and the admiration of all who can honour worth, he threw off the garment of mor

* Reviewed, vol. ci. part ii. p. 535.

tality, and will leave behind a name that will blossom in the dust, and hold a remembrance of esteem and veneration in the hearts of Salopians through generations yet to come.

The remains of Mr. Rowland were deposited on Friday, Dec. 5, within the chancel of St. Giles's church, near those of his parents and maternal relatives. Agreeably to his own particular desire, the obsequies were conducted with a quiet decency and no unnecessary parade. The mournful dispensation, however, gathered several attached friends to pay their silent but heartfelt tribute of respect.

On the following Sunday, the Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Head Master of Shrewsbury School, preached an appropriate and eloquent sermon from Proverbs xvi. 31,The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness." H. P.

ERRATUM.-Dec. p. 651, for J. P. read H. P.

REV. N. G. WOODROOFFE, M.A. The Rev. Nathaniel George Woodrooffe (whose death on the 30th Oct. was recorded in our Dec. No. p. 665) was descended from that pious domestic chaplain of Mary Countess of Warwick who is mentioned honourably in her Diary published by the Percy Society, and also by the Religious Tract Society in 1848. He held for some years the different curacies of Otford, Knockholt, and Shoreham, in Kent, and in that comparatively early part of his life associated much with the Rev. Thomas Scott, Richard Cecil, and Henry Foster, being the survivor of those who met at the house of the Rev. John Newton to form the Church Missionary Society in 1796.

He was presented in 1803 by one of his earliest friends to the vicarage of Somerford Keynes near Cirencester, and went immediately into residence and built the present vicarage, wherein he continued until his decease, completing more than half a century of clerical labours and parochial superintendence. He was a learned, pious, and exemplary divine, warmly attached to the doctrine and discipline of the Church of England, and endeavoured to walk in the steps of Hooker, Herbert, and other great men of her communion, whose works formed his daily delight.

His universal philanthropy and benevolence were proverbial in his neighbourhood, and he attained the patriarchal age of eighty-six, without any known enemies-enjoying a very widely extended circle of attached friends. He married in 1803 Anne, only child of Mr. John Cox of Harwich. She was authoress of that well known work "Shades of Character," now in its sixth edition; "Cottage Dia

logues;" "Michael Kemp;" "Michael the Married Man;" and several other much esteemed publications of that description. She died 24 March, 1830; and left an only child Emma Martha, now the sole representative of her most excellent parents.

RICHARD JONES, ESQ.

Sept. 30. In Chapel-street, Belgravesquare, in his 73d year, Richard Jones,

esq.

This favourite comedian of the last generation was a native of Birmingham. His father was a builder and surveyor; and the same person, we believe, with Richard Jones, author of "Every Builder his own Surveyor, 1809." 8vo.

He commenced his histrionic performances at a private theatre in Birmingham, and first appeared on the public stage in tragic characters, as Hamlet, Romeo, and Douglas, which he performed at Lichfield, Newcastle, and Bolton, as well as in his native town. The foundation of his peculiar fame was laid at Manchester. When Reynolds's comedy of "Laugh when you can," had been announced with Mr. Ward in the character of Gossamer, that gentleman was suddenly taken ill; and Mr. Jones, after enacting Laertes to Mr. Young's Hamlet, was induced to undertake it. His success was complete, and he was forthwith encouraged to transfer his services from Melpomene to Thalia.

He was next invited to Dublin, where he appeared on the 20th Nov. 1799. Remaining in Ireland, he continued for eight years to enjoy both the public and the private favour of the inhabitants of Dublin, Cork, and Limerick, and most of the principal towns of that island. During this period Mr. Jones resisted many overtures from the London managers; until one more tempting than the rest brought him to Covent Garden, where he made his first appearance in 1807 as Goldfinch in the Road to Ruin; and followed up his success by sustaining several of the characters which had belonged to the late favourite Lewis. He also became a valuable member of the summer corps at the Haymarket, where he took the lead in personifying the fashionable and frivolous butterflies of the day, or those more noxious insects who unite a vacuity of head with an apathy of heart. These characters were enacted by Mr. Jones with a fidelity which seemed to transport his auditors into that false and hollow sphere the region of bon ton. One of his most masterly and effective performances was Puff in the Critic of Sheridan. As Mercutio he was the rival of Charles Kemble. Among his last parts was Charles the

Second, in Jerrold's comedy of "Nell Gwynne." Mr. Jones relinquished the stage in the year 1833, without taking a formal leave of the public. He was himself the author of some successful pieces"The Green Man,' a play, in three acts; the excellent farce of "Too late for Dinner;""Peter Fin's Trip to Brighton,' a farce; and "The School for Gallantry," a petite comedy. In private life he was distinguished for his ready wit and polished demeanour. He was always careful of his purse and his person, and was generally known among his professional brethren by the deferential sobriquet of Gentleman Jones.

After his retirement from the stage Mr. Jones employed himself as a teacher of elocution, particularly for the pulpit, and in that occupation his services were grate fully appreciated by a numerous body of pupils. The following passage in Lady Chatterton's "Home Sketches and Foreign Recollections," published in 1841, presents a pleasing picture of the latter years of the retired actor:

"In the morning we dined with two old friends of W-'s near Belgrave-square. Mr. and Mrs. J are people whose sunny countenances seem made on purpose to cheer their fellow-creatures, and inspire them with hope even in the midst of fog and melancholy. The very aspect of their rooms is exhilarating; yet they are small, and furnished without any show or expense. A vine which grows at the back of the house half conceals the windows with its luxuriant branches; and some fresh flowers in the rooms are fit emblems of those who reared them. This couple, who have passed through life not without their full share of suffering, nor in a path devoid of temptations, have yet retained a youthful buoyancy of temper, and are now not only happy themselves, but are sure to inspire those who see them with the same feeling. The room which I prefer is a small library up stairs. It is so different from any other room I ever sawevidently that of a person who has sought and found the best way to attain as much real happiness as this world can afford the dwelling-place of a mind determined to pursue, in the most rational manner, the narrow path that leads to eternal life. Even to look at the titles of the well-read books in this room always gives me a thrill of delight.

"Here, where so many clergymen have received improvement, we sought to obtain it also, by requesting Mr. J— to read the Lord's prayer, with his comments upon it, of which we had heard so much. He replied, that justice could never be done to that divine composition by merely

reading; it must be prayed, not read. This he did in the most effective manner; and his remarks upon it gave us quite new ideas on that beautiful prayer. I was particularly struck with his manner of offering up the petition Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us; the latter part of the sentence being given with that humility of tone which he explained to us was absolutely necessary to make the sense clearly understood."

In Merridew's Catalogue of Warwickshire Portraits we find the following of Mr. Jones enumerated: one by G. Clint, engraved by H. Meyer, 1821, fol. ; another in large folio by H. Meyer, 1826; one by H. Johnson, folio; one by C. Robertson, engraved by Freeman, 8vo.; and one by Wageman, engraved by J. Rogers, 1825, 12mo., and again by Woolnoth, 1827. A well known picture by Clint represents him at whole length, with Farren and Farley, in The Critic.

MR. JOHN BUCKLER, F.S.A. Dec. 6. At his residence in Rockingham row, New Kent Road, aged 81, Mr. John Buckler, F.S.A.

This meritorious artist was born at Calbourne, in the Isle of Wight, November 30, 1770. At an early age he began to exhibit evidences of strong predisposition towards the particular branch of art in which he afterwards attained to such excellence. In his youth he was articled for a term of seven years to Mr. Cracklow, a respectable architect and surveyor, residing in Southwark. On the expiration of this term of service Mr. Buckler commenced the practice of his profession as an architect, and for many years subsequently continued it, though chiefly engaged in the delineation of the works of his predecessors, particularly those of the olden day; until at length in 1826 he finally resigned that portion of his employment to his eldest son: the last work designed and carried out by himself in his professional capacity as architect being the tower and library of Theale church, in the county of Berks.

Under the generous patronage of his early and constant friend the Reverend Dr. Routh, the venerable President of St. Mary Magdalen College, Oxford, Mr. Buckler in 1797 published two aquatint engravings of Magdalen College. These were his first public essays as an architectural artist. A view of Lincoln Minster from the Southeast was given to the public in 1799,and thus originated the publication of the English Cathedrals on the large scale of 24 inches by 17; that laborious and valuable work which has deservedly con

ferred on its author a considerable share of professional credit and of public reputation. Contemporaneously with the Cathedrals were published at various intervals until the year 1819 the most striking views of many of our finest Collegiate and Abbey Churches. Complete sets of these fine Engravings are now valuable and rare.

In the early part of the present century Mr. Buckler was honoured with the friendship and patronage of Sir Richard Colt Hoare, Bart., by whom he was commissioned to make drawings of the churches and other ancient buildings in Wiltshire. This connexion with so enthusiastic and able an antiquary decided his bias for antiquarian pursuits, which he henceforth ardently followed in preference to the study and practice of architectural design. The illustration of the county of Wilts was the first of the many extensive private collections, in the formation of which Mr. Buckler employed the latter portion of a lengthened and industrious life. The following are some of the more important works of this nature which proceeded from his fruitful pencil :-Illustrations of Buckinghamshire for Lord Grenville; of Yorkshire, for Dr. Whitaker; voluminous collections, for T. L. Parker, esq. and for the Duke of Buckingham; Illustrations of Oxfordshire and Hertfordshire; and more recently of the churches and most interesting antiquities of Somersetshire for Hugh Smith Pigott, esq.; also a survey of part of the county of Stafford for the private collection of one of his most kind and generous patrons, W. Salt, esq. F.S.A.

At an early stage of his professional career, in 1798, Mr. Buckler began to con. tribute drawings in water colour to the annual exhibition of the Royal Academy; and from that time for a period of more than fifty years, without a single intermission, he continued to send his quota of architectural subjects to the Academy's exhibition.

In 1810 the subject of this memoir was elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries on the recommendation of Sir Henry Englefield, one of the vice-presidents of that society.

Mr. Buckler married early in life, and became the father of a numerous family of children, six of whom survive him. He was throughout life an early riser: and to this salutary practice, consistently maintained at all seasons of the year, no less than to his uniformly temperate and regular method of living, may be attributed the unusual share of good health and spirits, which enabled him to enjoy life and to render it useful for a period

extended far beyond the limits of the span assigned by the Psalmist to mortality.

A very pleasing portrait of Mr. Buckler, by Sir Wm. Newton, was recently engraved at the desire of his friend Mr. Salt.

CLERGY DECEASED.

Sept. 2. At Madras, the Rev. C. J. W. Barton, M.A. Chaplain to the British residents at Canton." Nov. 8. At the Groves, Chester, aged 54, the Rev. Theophilus Williamson, formerly of Exeter college, Oxford, B.A. 1819, M.A. 1822.

Nov. 16. The Rev. James Tisdale, Rector of Ballinderry, co. Derry.

Νου. 18. At Exeter, aged 26, the Rev. C. L. Loveridge, Curate of Wambrook, Dorset, son of William Loveridge, esq. of Chard.

Nov. 21. Aged 60, the Rev. John Hardy Raven, Rector of Worlington, Suffolk. He was of Magdalene college, B.A. 1815, M.A. 1828, and was presented to his living during the past year, having been previously for fifteen years Curate of the adjoining parish of Mildenhall.

Nov. 22. At his residence, North End Lodge, near Portsmouth, aged 83, the Rev. Thomas Morgan, D.D. Chaplain of Portsmouth Dockyard, Rector of Llanvaches, in the diocese of Llandaff, Perpetual Curate of Talley, in the diocese of St. David's, and a magistrate in the commission of the peace for Brecknockshire, Monmouthshire, Carmarthenshire, and Hampshire. He was a son of Mr. Philip Morgan, of Dyfynog, co. Brecknock, where his family was one of considerable antiquity. He entered Jesus college, Oxford, at the early age of 14 years, and a few months afterwards gained an open scholarship in that university. He graduated B.A. 1790, M.A. 1793, B. and D.D. 1824. He was ordained by Dr. Lloyd, Bishop of Oxford, who had formerly held the vicarage of Dyfynog, and was appointed chaplain to the Alfred in 1793. In the five following years he was four times in action, viz. in the battles of the 1st June, and in Lord Hotham's, in 1795, and again in the Bedford, in the same year, with Admiral Richery and three sail of the line; also, in the hardly contested fight of the Mars and Hercules in 1798. For the seven succeeding years Dr. Morgan was in the Channel fleet, performing the arduous duty of Secretary to Rear-Adm. Sir Charles Cotton. After being a year at Haslar and a year at Plymouth, performing the duties of chaplain to the hospitals, Dr. Morgan was, without solicitation on his own part, specially selected by Lord Melville to the chaplaincy of Portsmouth Dockyard, which situation he filled for 34 years. Dr. Morgan invariably earned the approbation and friendship of his superiors. He was presented to the perpetual curacy of Talley in 1801, to the rectory of Llanvaches 1810, and in 1812 collated by the Bishop of Ely to the vicarage of King's Langley, in Hertfordshire, which he subsequently resigned.

Nov. 24. At Eynesbury, Huntingdonshire, aged 72, the Rev. William Palmer, Rector of that parish (1805), Canon of Lincoln (1819), and a magistrate for co. Huntingdon.

In London, aged 42, the Rev. Richard Vickris Pryor, Rector of Spettisbury with Charlton, Dorset. He was of Balliol college, Oxford, B.A. 1831, M.A. 1834; and was presented to his living in 1841 by V. Pryor, esq.

Nov. 25. At Bowdon, near Totnes, aged 37, the Rev. Herbert Adams, Vicar of Cornwood, Devon (1844); son of Wm. Dacres Adams, esq. of Sydenham, Kent, and Bowden House, Totnes. He was of Christ church, Oxford, B.A. 1836, M.A. 1839.

Nov. 26. At Frome, aged 76, the Rev. Charles Phillott, Vicar of Frome-Selwood, Somerset (1813), Perpetual Curate of Badley and Wickhamford (1808), co. Worc. He was of Christ church, Oxford, B.A. 1796, M.A. 1798.