Prison on a false charge of having

meddled in the Political Affairs of that wretched Country.

I'd fain be the airy breeze

That wanders about at will;
To sleep 'midst the forest trees,
Or wake the smiles of the rill.

With the pendant flowers to dance-
To sit on the linnet's wing-
In the glow-worm's light to glance-
In the Echo's caves to sing.

But mine is a prison cell,

If a prison that can be

Where the spirits of Freedom dwell,
And the heart is gay and free!

I laugh with pride and scorn

On the Tyrant's threats, which deem That a soul in freedom born Can be enthrall'd by him!

MEMOIR OF DR. AIKIN. JOHN AIKIN, M. D., &c., was born January 15, 1747, at Kibworth, in Leicestershire, being the younger child, and only son of J. Aikin, D. D., a Dissenting Minister, and the master of a respectable and well-frequented boarding-school. Till his eleventh year, he received a domestic education; but at that time his father being appointed theological tutor in the Dissenters' Academy at Warrington, in Lancashire, he was admitted to the benefits of the more extended plan of instruction offered by that institution. In the

The readers of the Monthly Repository cannot have forgotten the interesting "Historical Account of the Warrington Academy," in the VIIIth and IXth Volumes. An extended memoir of the elder Dr. Aikin will be found, VIII. 161-172. The excellent writer of these biographical sketches, in giving the name of the subject of the present memoir, (IX. 202,) thus affectingly anticipates the tribute of filial love on which the eye now rests: his long and varied labours, for the benefit of almost every age and class of readers, in almost every department of

autumn of his fourteenth year, having made choice of medicine as a profession, he was apprenticed to Maxwell Garthshore, at that time surgeon and apothecary at Uppingham, in Rutlandshire, but London. The three years that he conwho afterwards graduated and settled in tinued at Uppingham were occupied in professional studies, and, apparently, with more than usual success, since before their conclusion he was entrusted with the care of Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Pultney's business at Leicester, during the absence of that gentleman for a space of two or three months.

In November 1764, he became a student at the University of Edinburgh, where he spent two winters and the intervening summer, but, having at that time no intention of graduating, he returned to England in May 1766, and, in September of the same year, became a pupil of Mr. C. White, of Manchester, at

that time rapidly rising to the highest rank as an operating surgeon. With Mr. White he continued for three entire years, advancing in professional knowledge and skill, and in the esteem and confidence of his master, as may be inferred from an "Essay on the Ligature of Arteries," written by him at that time, and published by Mr. White in his work entitled "Cases in Surgery." After leaving Manchester he went to London, and employed the winter of 1769-70 in attending the lectures of Dr. Hunter.

His professional education being now completed, he settled in Chester as a surgeon, but remained in that city little more than a year, being induced to remove in November 1771, to Warrington, where his parents continued to reside, and where his prospects of success were less obstructed by competition. Here he continued till 1784, and here all his chil dren were born, his marriage having taken place the year after his removal.

His first work, entitled "Observations on the External Use of Preparations of Lead," was published at Chester, and this was succeeded, during his residence at Warrington, by three other profes. sional works, viz. "Thoughts on Hospitals," "Biographical Memoirs of Medicine in Great Britain to the time of Harvey," and a very enlarged edition of "Lewis's Materia Medica." His appointment as Lecturer on Chemistry and Physiology at the Academy, induced him to print a "Sketch of the Animal Economy," and "Heads of Chemistry," for the use of his classes, and a translation of Beaume's Manual of Chemistry.

The intervals of his professional labours were assiduously devoted to elegant Literature and to Natural History, sources to him at all times of exquisite delight, and in after years beguiling the languor of sickness and soothing many an hour of anxiety. The "Essays on Song-writing," "Miscellaneous Pieces in Prose," consisting of the joint contributions of his sister, Mrs. Barbauld, and himself, "An Essay on the Application of Natural History to Poetry," "An Essay on the Plan and Character of Thomson's Seasons," and "The Calendar of Nature," were all published during this period, and evince at the same time the elegance of his taste and the activity of his mind. His correct knowledge also of the Latin language was shewn in his translation of Tacitus's Treatise on the Manners of the Germans, and his Life of Agricola, being specimens of a projected translation of the entire works of that historian, which was afterwards abandoned, to the loss probably of the English scholar, from the

circumstance of Mr. Murphy being engaged in a similar undertaking. It was at Warrington, also, that his most valued friendships were formed or consolidated; with Dr. Priestley, Dr. Enfield, Mr. Wakefield and the Rev. George Walker, their common connexion with the Academy first brought him acquainted, while the easy distance between Warrington and Manchester allowed him occasional opportunities of supporting the friendships previously formed by him with Mr. White, Dr. Percival, Mr. Henry and other residents of that town. His acquaintance at Liverpool included Dr. Currie, Mr. Rathbone, Mr. Roscoe, the Rev. J. Yates, and many other cultivated and estimable characters; and his excellent and confidential friend Dr. Haygarth, one of the few who survive him, at that time resided at Chester, and professional or other incidents now and then brought about a meeting.

The dissolution of the Academy, which took place not long after the death of his father in 1780, and the inadequate encouragement offered to the practice of surgery, as distinct from pharmacy, determined him to take a physician's degree. For this purpose, in the summer of 1784, he proceeded to Leyden and there graduated, his former residence at Edinburgh, during two sessions, being not sufficient to entitle him to an examination for a degree. On his return from the Continent, he removed with his family to Yarmouth, in Norfolk, and early in the succeeding year took up his residence in London. Scarcely, however, had he settled himself in his new situation, before he received an invitation from the inhabitants of Yarmouth and its vicinity to resume his professional duties at that place. Although his stay there had little exceeded a year in duration, yet such had been the effect produced by the few opportunities afforded him of exercising his professional skill, combined with his scientific and literary acquirements, and his amiable and culti vated manners, that the invitation was quite unanimous. He accordingly returned to Yarmouth, not more than two months after he had quitted it, well pleased in having been spared the anxious uncertainty of an attempt to establish himself in the Metropolis.

The three principal bodies of men in Yarmouth and its vicinity, at that time, were the Corporation, the Dissenters, and the Clergy of the Established Church. The two former, inhabiting the town, and not upon very cordial terms with each other, were chiefly devoted to commercial pursuits. The clergy, liberally educated,

and capable of appreciating Dr. Aikin's acquirements, formed the most agreeable part of his society, and the principal acquaintances that he here made were among them. For some time circumstances went on favourably; he enjoyed the moderate emoluments of his profession without rivalry; he instituted a literary society; and in his library, and in the bosom of his family, he sought and found those gratifications, the dearest to

his heart.

The time for trying the spirits of men was, however, drawing near. The Dissenters having been repulsed in a former endeavour to obtain from the Legislature the repeal of the Corporation and Test Acts, mustered all their strength for a new attempt; vainly trusting that their great acknowledged inferiority in num, bers, wealth and influence, might be supplied by strength of argument, and by an appeal to the equity of their countrymen. Dr. Aikin, although not agreeing in religious opinions with any class of Dissent ers, felt strongly the iniquity of excluding from civil duties and offices all those who were not members of the Church of England. Too honest ever to disguise his real sentiments, although sincerely regretting and reprobating the intemperance of each party, he published two pamphlets on the occasion, the one "the Spirit of the Church and of the Constitution compared;" the other, "An Address to the Dissidents of England on their late Defeat."

Immediately on the heels of the Test Act controversy, and while the feelings of the nation were agitated by that event, occurred the French Revolution, which for a time opened an impassable gulf of separation between parties already exasperated. The declaration made by the National Assembly in favour of the perfect equality of civil rights among the members of every political community, naturally conciliated the good-will of those who had been contending without success for this very object; while the merciless and undistinguishing coufiscation of church property, and the atrocious massacre of the priests which soon followed, gave the alarm, as might well be expected, to the English clergy, and very naturally induced them to attribute similar intentions of violence and injustice to their political adversaries. Dr. Aikin had decidedly taken his part first as a Dissenter, and subsequently as a friend to the French Revolution, on its first breaking out; and although he never belonged to any political club, not choosing to submit his own reason and sense of equity to be overborne by the clamour and vio

lence of party credulity and party injustice, was yet made to suffer severely for his political principles. Dr. Girdlestone was encouraged to settle at Yarmouth, and Dr. Aikin escaped from the impending bitterness of a personal controversy, by removing to London in March 1792.

During his residence at Yarmouth, Dr. A. published (besides the pamphlets already mentioned) an excellent system of English geography, called "England De. lineated," which has passed through several editions, a volume of Poems, and a "View of the Character and public Ser vices of J. Howard, Esq." No person was, perhaps, so well qualified to estimate the moral worth and public services of this illustrious individual as Dr. Aikin, both on account of his sound and unprejudiced judgment and his personal intimacy with Mr. Howard, in consequence of which, the notes and observations collected by Mr. H., during his various journeys, had always been placed in the hands of Dr. A. for arrangement and correction.

Although the connexions of Dr. Aikin in London, by family and acquaintance, were considerable, yet he never obtained much professional employment; being little fitted, by temper or habit, to engage in the incessant struggle necessary to success; he, therefore, the more willingly followed the bent of his disposition, and occupied himself chiefly in literary pursuits. The first work which he published, after leaving Yarmouth, was the two first volumes of "Evenings at Home." To these, though not to the succeeding ones, Mrs. Barbauld contributed several pieces: the third volume appeared in 1793, the fourth in 1794, and the two last in 1795. The work became immediately very popular and still continues so; offering a copious and varied store of amusement and instruction to the young, and, by its good sense and sound morality, commanding the approbation of parents. To those acquainted with its author, it possesses an additional interest as being highly characteristic of him, exhibiting not only his various knowledge, but representing his opinions on a variety of topics.

The most important and interesting work, however, of which Dr. A. was the author, is his "Letters from a Father to a Son on various Topics relative to Literature and the Conduct of Life:" the first volume was published in 1793, the second was written in 1798 and 1799. The subjects embraced by these Letters are very numerous; critical, scientific, and discussing some of the most important questions of morals and of general

politics. The candid, equitable and independent spirit which pervades the whole, renders them extremely valuable, not only as materials for thought and rules of moral conduct, but as examples of the temper with which subjects of such high importance ought to be treated. In 1796, he accepted an offer made to him by Mr. Phillips, of undertaking the editorship of a periodical work at that time projected by him. This work, the "Monthly Magazine," was accordingly superintended by Dr. Aikin from its commencement; and the numerous papers furnished by the Editor and his friends, as well as the general spirit in which the Magazine was conducted, contributed greatly to establish it in the public favour. The connexion of Dr. A. with this work was, in May 1806, abruptly and unceremoniously dissolved by the proprietor, from dissatisfaction with an award in a dispute in which he was one of the parties and Dr. Aikin one of the arbitrators.

In the same year in which the Monthly Magazine was commenced, Dr. Aikin, in conjunction with his dear friend, Dr. Enfield, agreed with Messrs. Kearsley and Hamilton to undertake a general biographical dictionary, to be comprised in about ten quarto volumes. He did not engage rashly in so serious an occupation. From his long unreserved intimacy with Dr. Enfield, he felt assured that he possessed a co-adjutor of similar views with himself and of indefatigable industry, and he anticipated great satis faction in the execution of the work. His own health, however, began to be impaired in 1797 by residence in London, and his indisposition rapidly increasing and assuming a very serious aspect, obliged him in the ensuing year to quit the Metropolis. He retired for some months to Dorking, in Surrey, and in the pure air of that delightful valley, aided by gentle horse exercise and an unusually fine summer, made some progress towards recovery. In the winter he took a house at Stoke Newington, in which henceforth he continued to reside. In the mean time, he had lost by death his friend and co-adjutor in this great work, the first volume of which was published in the Spring of 1799. Some time elapsed before a successor to Dr. Enfield could be found, and then commercial difficulties on the part of the bookseller interposed, materially impeding the success of the work by retarding its regular progress, so that the tenth and last volume was not published till 1815.

It is not necessary farther to detail the literary occupations in which Dr. Aikin

was engaged during his residence at Stoke Newington. While the infirmities of age pressed with only a light hand, the greater part of every day was devoted to writing or reading. Painful and trying was the period when the decay of the mind, in consequence of a paralytic attack, began to precede that of the bodily frame, when the memory became less and less capable of recalling the past, and the intellect of receiving the impress of the present. One ray, however, still enlightened the gloom, and, when all besides was dark, conjugal love still connected him with the external world. He died December 7, 1822, having nearly completed his 75th year.

Dr. Aikin was endowed by nature with a good constitution, and this original advantage he was always careful to preserve by strict temperance and abundant exercise: to this was added an intellect of great activity in acquiring and facility in communicating ideas, and a temper calm, well-regulated and cheerful, though far from sanguine. Hence he possessed in a very eminent degree the inestimable blessing of a sound mind in a sound body. The abstractions of mathematical investigation, and the minute dissection of almost evanescent ideas which characterizes the metaphysician, either were not adapted to his faculties, or did not agree with his taste, which was strongly attracted to the useful in morals, in politics, and in the general conduct of life, and to the agreeable, the harmonious, the elegant in objects of amusement. Hence his stores of knowledge were all producible in the intercourse of society, and thus gave him a wide range of subjects for conversation : these were communicated in simple and easy, though flowing, language, and regulated by a goodness of temper, a decorum and practical politeness, not often equalled, never exceeded. The ruling principle of his conduct in great as in small affairs, was equity; that equity, which is best expressed by the Christian maxim of doing to others as we would wish others to do to us. Kind, generous, compassionate to all with whom he was connected, either by ties of kindred and acquaintance, or in the exercise of his profession, he had no personal enemies; and the attachment of his friends was in proportion to their intimacy with him, for there was nothing in his moral character (using the expression in its widest extent,) which required to be managed, to be kept out of view, to be glossed over. Fare thee well, revered and beloved, till we meet in the eternal world! AR. AIKIN.

1822, Nov. 27, Edward AleXANDER, M. D., of Danett's Hall, near Leicester, after a series of intense and protracted sufferings, which were borne with exemplary fortitude and resignation. As the particulars of his distressing case cannot properly be detailed here, it will be sufficient to remark, that his disorder, which had long been making insidious approaches, first manifested itself in June 1810, and soon began to wear a formidable aspect. A state of peculiarly painful and complicated disease gradually ensued, clouded all the bright prospects which his successful medical career had opened to his view, and compelled him to relinquish the practical part of an oc. cupation to which he was exceedingly devoted and admirably adapted. The few intervals Dr. A. was permitted to enjoy of comparative ease from agonizing pain, were usually passed in reading, meditation and domestic society. Theology and Medicine were the subjects to which he principally directed his attention. On these he had, for many years, read much, and thought still more. His purity of character from early life, his extraordinary moral worth, as well as knowledge and skill in his profession, have rarely been equalled. Nor was his ardent and vigorous mind satisfied with the exercise of his medical functions only. Rising above every selfish consideration, he car ried into his practice the most exalted Christian virtues. He was not merely the able physician, but the sympathizing friend and comforter of his patients. He listened to their wants and sorrows, was prompt to aid them by his advice, to pour in the balm of consolation, or to relieve their necessities, as their respective situations and circumstances might require. In the performance of his professional duties he was strictly conscientious. No " respect of persons" did he shew; the rich and the poor partook impartially of his care and assiduity. To the latter his services were gratuitous, and likewise, in a considerable degree, to others, who could not, without difficulty, afford to make him a suitable remuneration. His bountiful hand was ever open to the claims of the indigeut and the oppressed, and in all the relations of life, the same ardour, the same uprightness and integrity, the same unwearied activity distinguished his conduct. A remarkable sweetness of disposition, and strong intellectual powers, were, in him, combined with uncommon "singleness of heart." His ruling principle was love to God, displayed in a warm and disinterested love of man, wholly free from party spirit and narrow

distinctions. Devotion was his delight, studying the Scriptures his dearest employment, and his hope rested on the mercies of God in Christ. Perhaps, Dr. A. did not entirely agree with any denomination of Christians; but serious reflection and patient investigation led him to a full conviction of the truth of the leading tenets of Unitarianism, and from the time of his settling in the vicinity of Leicester, he joined the congregation assembling at the "Great Meeting" in that town. In politics, he embraced the liberal side of the question, and was always the firm and strenuous advocate of civil and religious freedom. "Every project for the benefit of his country, and the advancement of knowledge, liberty aud truth obtained his zealous support." His judgment of those who differed from him was uniformly candid and generous, and never did he retain the slightest malevolent or unkind sentiment against persons from whom he had experienced undeserved or injurious treatment.-The subject of this brief, imperfect outline, was the younger son of the late John Alexander, M. D. of Halifax, was born Nov. 25th, 1767, and received his classical education at Hipperholm School, which then was, and still is under the superintendance of the Rev. Richard Hudson, who, for more than half a century, has officiated as afternoon lecturer at the parish church in Halifax. Dr. A. possessed the advantage of being well initiated in the various branches of his profession, during his early youth. At the usual period, he went to London to pursue his anatomical studies, and there became a pupil of the late Sir Wm. Blizard. Having accomplished his object in the Metropolis, he repaired to Edinburgh, and finally took his degree at Leyden, with the highest honour, in October 1791. In the year 1793, he married his first cousin, Ellen, the eldest daughter and co-heiress of the late Samuel Waterhouse, Esq., of Halifax, one of the Justices of the Peace for the West-Riding of the County of York, and a Deputy-Lieutenant for the same district. Dr. A. fixed at Stafford, and was directly appointed physician to the County Infirmary. He removed into the neighbourhood of Leicester, October 1797, where he continued to reside till his deeply-lamented death. All who knew him must regret him, and to his immediate friends his loss is irreparable.

* See Leicester Chronicle, Nov. 30.