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brethren butcher'd brethren, and the hand of every citizen was raised against a fellow; fuch were the crimes religion once infpired!" 'The bones here alluded to were discovered by accident fome years back, and it does ao little honour both to the taste and the hu

manity of the Marquis de Girardin, thus to derive from this awful monument of the dangers of fuperftition, an interesting embellishment to his park, and an important lesson to its visitors."

For the EUROPEAN MAGAZINE,
An ACCOUNT of the LIFE and
DR. John Jebb was the fon of Dr. John
Jebb, Dean of Cafhell, by a fifter of the
late General Ganfell, and was first-coufin to Sir
Richard Jebb, at prefent one of the phyfici-
ans extraordinary to his Majefty. He was
born about the year 1735 in Ireland, as it is
fuppofed, in which kingdom it is likewife
imagined he received the first rudiments of
his education. At a proper age he was fent
to Trinity College, Dublin, where he continu-
ed two years, after which he came to En-
gland, and was placed at Peter-House, Cam-
bricge;a college in which his uncle Dr. Samu-
ei Jebb, a very learned nonjuring physician, and
editor of Fryar Bacon's celebrated Opus Majus,
had been educated. Here he continued fe-
veral years with confiderable reputation, and
took the degrees of Batchelor and Mafter of
Arts. He alfo was chofen a Fellow of that
fociety; and after having taken orders was
prefented to the Rectory of Homersfield and
Vicarage of Flixton, in the diocese of Norwich.
On the 21ft of November 1763 he began to
deliver a course of theological lectures, which
for fome time were well attended and gene-
rally approved.

WRITINGS of Dr. JOHN JEBB.
before the University of Cambridge a fermon,
which in the fucceeding year he published,
under the title of "The Excellency of the
Spirit of Benevolence, 8vo." dedicated to
the ingenious youth who had honoured with
their attendance the Theological Lectures,
then lately inftituted at Cambridge. He had
a short time before published “ A Letter to
Sir William Meredith, upon the Subject of
Subfcription to the Liturgy, and Thirty-nine
Articles of the Church of England, 8vo."

In the year 1770 he published " A Short Account of Theological Lectures now reading at Cambridge. To which is added, a new Harmony of the Gofpel, 4to." This work deferves much commendation. In the course of it the author lamented that his endeavours to call the attention of youth to the study of the fcriptures, had in fome inftances been treated in a manner far different from what might be expected from men born to the enjoyment of civil and religious liberty. That confidence however, he observed, with which the uprightness of his intention and the approbation of many worthy and learned perfons had infpired him, enabled him for a time to perfevere, regardless of the clamours of his adverfaries. But when he was informed that a charge of the moft invidious nature was folemnly urged in a manner which was likely to do him great differvice, he was no longer able to refrain from attempting a vindication of himself from thofe calumnies with which the untempered zeal of fome otherwise well difpofed brethren had afperfed his character.

The circumstances here alluded to are too recent, perfonal, and unimportant to merit a detail: we shall therefore proceed to obferve,

His publications by this time had fhewn that he was not very firmly attached to the orthodox system, and contributed, it may be prefumed, to that oppofition which he afterwards met with in fome plans of reformation at Cambridge. He had obferved at Dublin the importance of annual publick examinations of thofe who received academical honours at that Univerfity, and therefore withed to introduce the fame regulations into the difcipline of Cambridge. He accordingly published in 1773, " Remarks on the prefent Mode of Education in the University of Cambridge. To which is added, a Proposal for its Improvement, 8vo." and made feveral attempts to have his proposals admitted. Thefe however were all rejected, and he in the fame year published " A Continuation of the Narrative of Academical Proceedings, relative to the Propofal for the Establishment of Annual Examinations in the University of Cambridge; with Obfervations upon the Conduct of the Committee appointed by Grace of the Senate on the 5th of July 1773, 8vo." In the fubfequent year he published "A Propofal for the Establishment of Publick Examinations in the University of Cambridge, with occafional Remarks, 8vo." Though still unfuccessful, he persevered; and so late as 1776 published " An Addrefs to the Members of the Senate of Cambridge, 8vo." preparatory to another effort, which in the end met with the fame fate as the former,

His doubts of the propriety of continuing in the communion of a church which held doctrines as he conceived repugnant to scripture, at length determined him to quit it, and relinquish the preferments he held. Accordingly in September 1775 he wrote the following letter to the Bishop of Norwich, preparatory to his refignation, which fully defcribing the state of his mind, we shall infert at large.

"MY LORD,

"I think it proper to give you this previous information, that I propofe to refign the Rectory of Homers field and Vicarage of Flixton into your Lordship's hands upon the 29th or 30th of the prefent month.

"As the motives which induce me to embrace this refolution may poffibly be mifconftrued, it will not I trust be thought impertinent if I ftate them to your Lordship.

"In the first place I think it necessary to affure your Lordship, that although I efteemed it to be my duty to take an active part in the late Petition of the Clergy, the principles maintained in that just remonstrance do not, in my apprehenfion, appear to lay me under any obligation to relinquish my prefent ftation.

"The author of the Confeffional, my Lord, had convinced me of the unlawfuluefs and inexpediency of requiring a fubfcription to fyftematic articles of faith and doctrine, from the teachers of the gospel in a Proteftant church.

"My own obfervation in the Univerfity of Cambridge further tended to fatisfy me with refpect to the impropriety of fuch a requifition and the visible neglect of the study of the fcriptures in this age and country, feemed in a great measure to be derived from that restraint of the exercife of private judgment, which is the unavoidable confequence of this unedifying impofition.

"With thefe convictions it was impoffible for me to decline engaging with thofe diftinguifhed friends of religious liberty, who affociated for the purpose of foliciting for themfelves and their brethren of the church of England, an exemption from the obligation of declaring or fubfcribing their affent to any formulary of doctrine which should be propofed as explanatory of the Word of God.

"It appeared to me to be a fufficient reafon for fuch application, that the doctrines contained in the 39 Articles being the deductions of frail and fallible men, and expreffed in unfcriptural terms, were effentially differenced, in point of authority, from those holy fcriptures, to which we have profeffed an abfolute and unreferved submission, as the only rule of religious faith and practice ;—and that the requifition of affent to them was eventually fubverfive of the right of private judgment; a right on which every Proteftant church was founded, and the exercife of which our own church in particular, in one of her terms of ordination, not only allows us, but enjoins.

"It alfo appeared evident to me, that the enquiry, whether or no the 39 Articles exprefs the genuine fenfe of fcripture, was a queftion of a very different nature from that

to which the petitioners invited the attention of their brethren ;-that persons of the most oppofite opinions, with refpect to the doctrine of the Articles, might unite in a declaration, that every attempt to effect an uniformity of fentiment concerning the fenfe of fcripture, by other means than the force of argument and rational conviction, was utterly unwarrantable, and bore too striking a resemblance to that spirit of intolerance, which forms the diftinguishing character of Antichriftian Rome; and, laftly, that many members of our church might be truly fenfible of the inexpediency of requiring this subscription,— might addrefs a competent tribunal with a view of effecting an abolition of the practice, and yet continue to hold and to accept prefer. ment, without violating the dictates of confcience, and with great advantage to the Chriftian cause.

"My objections, my Lord, to the accepting and the holding of preferment in the church of England, bear no relation to the cause of the petitioning Clergy; -the reasons which influenced me in the forming of the refolution now communicated to your Lordship, are entirely my own.

"After the moft ferious and difpaffionate enquiry, I am perfuaded, my Lord, from the concurrent teftimony of reafon and revelation, that the SUPREME CAUSE of all things is, not merely in Effence, but alfo in Perfon, ONE.

"By the force of the fame evidence I am convinced, that this Almighty Power is the only proper object of religion.

"The Liturgy of the church of England is obviously founded upon the idea, that in the divine nature is a TRINITY of Perfons, to each of which every fpecies of religious adoration is addreffed, as well as fuch powers afcribed as are the incommunicable attributes of God.

"Under my perfuafion of the erroneoufnefs of this doctrine, I cannot any longer with fatisfaction to myself officiate in the established fervice: and as I certainly can have no claim to the emoluments of my profeflion, unless I am willing to perform the duties of it, I therefore resign my preferment,

"But my Lord, although I find myself un, der an obligation to relinquish my prefent station in the church of England, I do not renounce the profeffion of a CHRISTIAN. On the contrary, penetrated by the clearett convictions of the high importance and divine authority of the Gospel, I will labour to promote the advancement of fcriptural knowledge with increafing zeal; and will ever be ready to unite with heart and hand, in any juft and legal attempt to remove that burden of Subfcription to Human Formularies, which

1 efteem one of the most powerful obstructions to its progrefs." I am, &c. J. J.

After writing this letter he refigned his livings, and in 1775 published “A short State of the Reafons for a late Refignation. To which are added, Occasional Obfervations, and a Letter to the Right Rev, the Bishop of Norwich, 8vo." In the course of this Pamphlet he obferves, "While I held preferment, it certainly was my duty to officiate in the fervice of the church. But, conscious that my fentiments were diametrically oppofed to her doctrines, refpecting the object of devotion, the reading of these addreffes was attended with very great difquiet. I therefore embraced that measure which alone feemed to promife me tranquillity. I am happy in finding it has anfwered my expectation. Having refigned my preferment, and with it having divested myself of the character of a Minister of the Church of England, I have recovered that ferenity of mind, to which I had been long a ftranger."

On his feparation from the Church, he joined in communion with the Rev. Mr. Lindsay, and immediately betook himself to the study of Phyfic. He at one period had thoughts of adopting the Law for his profeffion, and with that view entered himself of one of the Inns of Court. After fome time, he determined to devote himself to the medical line; and in pursuance of this refolution, took the degree of Doctor of Phyfic, and engaged in the practice of it.

He also became an active member of the Conftitutional Society, and from time to time gave to the Public feveral fmall pieces difperfed by that body. In 1782 he published "A Letter to Sir Robert Bernard, 8vo." and in the fame year, "Select Cafes of the D:forder commonly called the Paralys of the lower Extremities, 8vo."

In 1784 he published "Letters addreffed to the Volunteers of Ireland, on the Subject of a Parliamentary Reform, 8vo." In this performance he lamented the defection of Mr. Fox from the public caufe, and expoftulated with him very energetically on his union with a party inimical to America-to Ireland-to the real interefts of Britain-to the facred cause of civil and religious liberty to the human fpecies. Such was the Doctor's ftrong language. He adds, that when he confidered his exertions in the caufe of freedom, he feemed to think the dark tranfaction an illufion. "Alas!" he cries, "it was my lot to lament over him,-while others farroanded him with congratulations."

The coalition between Mr. Fox and Lord North, Dr. Jebb always confidered as injurious to the interests of his country, and therefore never could reconcile himfelf to it, or

to the principal parties in this unnatural union. He therefore declined all intercourse with his late friend, and ever afterwards profeffed himself adverse to his measures. About this period Dr. Jebb's health began to be un. fettled, and after lingering a confiderable time, he died on the 2d of March 1786, at his houfe in Parliament-ftreet. On the 9th he was interred at the Burying-Ground in Bunhill-Fields; his corpfe being attended by the Duke of Richmond, and a Committee of the Conftitutional Society, together with a numerous train of friends, many of whom were of diftinction.

The following character of Dr. Jebb is faid to have been written by a celebrated Patriot.

"Humanity, the brightest diadem of Heaven, found in Dr. Jebb's heart, a fource always unexhaufted, tho' constantly flowing in every channel, where nature in diftrefs called for the comfort of advice, the affistance of a friend, or hand of benevolence.-Such calls, even from a fellow-creature in rags, found the Doctor as anxious and as attentive, as the vain man would be to folicit a title, and to accomplish fach, bend, fmile, or eagerly embrace the arm of a Minister.

"The humanity of the Man of Rofs, whilst it is recorded, exalts not only the character of the individual, but enriches the name of a kingdom. The amiable qualities of that good man were inherited by the Doctor as a facred patrimony which he distributed among his fellow-creatures; and as a faithful guardian of human nature, when he could not remove diftrefs, he confoled the fufferer; and often when his purfe was unable to annihilate poverty, ftill his benevolence never ceafed to leffen the fting of it. Though Dr. Jebb had in his manners the meekness of a child, yet the fpirit of a lion was manifested in his political conduct. As he was always difinterested, he was conftantly firm in the fupport of every meature which could add fupport to liberty, or strength to a conftitu tion to which he was a fincere friend; and if from zeal to cherish whatever carried happiness to the public, with a contempt of every perfonal advantage, made the illuftrious character of a Roman, the Doctor has irrefutable claims to that of an English Patriot. His expanded foul would not be confined to the narrow pedantic rules of a cloifter, and he therefore quitted the gown, and from a confcientious regard to truth, which he difcovered by the light of experience, he changed his profeffion, from reatons which he publicly gave; and though they might not convince others, they affuredly guided him in the choice he made. As a political man, the Doctor never courted any Minifter whatever, nor

would

would he ever accept a favour to leffen his free-agency. To establish a more equal reprefentation was one of the most leading objects of his heart; and he endeavoured in the newspapers to communicate every information by which he could inftruct the people, that by the nature of the conftitution, the rights of election ought not to be bartered by the venal, or oppreffed by the families of power. His next favourite object was the establishing a law, in conformity to the boast ed notion of English freedom, to prevent a creditor from claiming the liberty and perfon of a fellow.creature for life, if his fortune fhould be by chance, or even indifcretion, unable to pay his debts. He was fond of employing his pen in the fervice of the people, and did not blush to own, that he often wrote in the public papers, which he refpect ed as the centinels of liberty.

"In his political friendship he was mild, firm, and condescending, though not convivial. He was attached particularly to Dr. Northcote, Mr. Williams, and Mr. Lofft;

he once had a great partiality for Mr. Fox, but never could be prevailed on to forgive the Coalition, which he confidered as a confederacy of intereft; and if justifiable in one, it might be fo on every occafion, and the people be never certain of the objects of their confidence. A heart fo truly devoted to accomplish the profperity of merit, and fo anxious to fee both good men rewarded, as well as excellent measures promoted, could not be continually stabbed to the foul by feeing the reverse of the medallion.-Such frequent mortifications preyed on his health, and the exertions he made to promote the good of his country, wore out his conftitu. tion, and deprived mankind of a friend and ornament. His attention to the happiness of others made him neglect his own interest, at least in a worldly fenfe; but the fame good God who gave him fuch difinterested virtues, has the power to reward them in a more exalted station, to which they cannot fail to lead him, and where alone fo good and valuable a citizen can receive justice."

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To the PHILOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

GENTLEMEN,

If you will admit the following into your entertaining Magazine, you will oblige a conftant reader.

DR.

R. Warton's obfervations on Pope's Effay on Criticism are in general remarkable for learning and tafte. He is however injudiciously fevere upon Addifon, for afferting that Pope like Horace was not ftudious of clofe connection in the conduct of his poem. The microscopic eye of Hurd can alone difcover the minute chain of thought which unites the parts of the Art of Poetry. Dr. Warton feems ambitious to obtain the reputation of equal difcernment with respect to the Effay on Criticifm, without giving himfelf the trouble of declaring the reafons on which he grounds his opinion. Unlike the communicative Warburton, who, to convince the world of its ftupidity and his own difcernment, lifted up the veil which concealed the myfteries of Ceres; Dr. Warton hints that he is in poffeffion of an important secret, which he is too wife to reveal. These great criticks, fo renowned for marvellous difcoveries, are like drunkards feized with giddinefs, who fancy every thing around them is in motion, when the vertigo affects nothing but their own heads. It is a difficult matter for them to make any fo intoxicated with paradox as themfelves. When Dr. Warton afferted that a regular concatenation was difcoverable in the poem above-mentioned, he wrote without proper attention to its contents and the nature of the fubject. It could be proved by many quotations, `that Addifon's remark is induíputably true, and that

PHILOCRITICUS.

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In these places wit is intended to fignify Jack the Giant-killer, are all equally witty. the various productions of genius. Pope was more licentious in the use of this word than any author who preceded

IV.

"Pleas'd with a work where nothing's juft him. Shakespear and Dryden generally li

"or fit,

"One glaring chaos, and wild heap of wit." The context will admit the reader to include under the term in this place, extravagant conceit, quaint antithefis, point and pun.Cowley perhaps is the best example of it.

But he never gives the word a greater latitude of meaning, or a more extraordinary fignification, than when he thus defines it.

V.

"True wit is nature to advantage dress'd, "What oft was thought, but ne'er fo well "exprefs'd." L. 297.

Dryden moft probably fuggested this definition, or rather, this loose description: he afferts wit" to be a propriety of thoughts and words adapted to the fubject." If thofe be its precife characters, the Iliad of Homer, the Elements of Euclid, Tom Jones, and

tees.

mited themfelves to the first and fecond fenfes of the word. It is now the fashion to ftamp a very confined fignification upon it, In common converfations or even elegant writing, it paffes current for that vivacity of thoughts which confifts in bons mots and reparHence the confufion between wit and genius is avoided. The difference indeed between them is as strongly marked as the difference of their effects: the former is the property of a quick mind; the latter of a fublime one. Martial is the best representative of the one, as Homer is of the other. Wit is like the flash of a firework, which dazzles the eye for a moment, and then vanishes. Genius refembles the luftre of the Sun, which is not only permanent, but increases our admiration the longer it is furveyed.

THE

LONDON REVIEW,

AND

LITERARY

JOURNAL.

Quid fit turpe, quid utile, quid dulce, quid non.

The History of Wales, in Nine Books. With an Appendix. By the Rev. William WarLondon. J. Johnson. 1786.

rington. 4to. Il. IS.

HE hiftory of a people who, tho' in

ways diftinguished for an independency of fpirit which might have done honour to more refined and cultivated manners, cannot but afford a most interefting fpectacle. To fee them defending for ages their liberties with a fortitude and perfeverance that affords unquestionable proofs of their valour, muft, while it awakens our curiofity, excite our admiration, and call forth every liberal fenti

ment.

Attached as the Welch are, almoft "to idolatry," to the renown of their progenitors, it is furprizing that no native has ever attempted to give a regular hiftory of his gallant ancestors. The only attempt of the kind is the Chronicle of the Monk Caradoc of Llancarvan, which as it is only a fimple detail of facts, without investigating the motives of policy which gave rife to them, withEUROP, MAG.

out tracing back effects to their caufes, or

gefting the narration, totally wants the most effential characteristics of history.

To fupply this deficiency, and to rescue from oblivion the warlike atchievements of this hardy race, our hiftorian steps forth with a zeal the more laudable, as it proceeds, he tells us, "neither from the partiality of an author to his fubject, nor the prejudice of a native, but is merely the voluntary tribute of justice and humanity to the caufe of injured liberty."

Our Author in the first and fecond books gives a review of the British History before the retreat of the Romans out of Britain, ard from the time of their final retreat to that period when the ancient Britons were driven into Wales, Cornwall, and Armorica One of the principal caufes that contributed to the decline of the British empire at this period,

* X

he

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