No where Spring spreads around her leafy wings, Her Zephyr never blows ; No verdure blooms within this hapless Isle 'Neath show'r and sunshine born; -no Funeral pile No flowers,-no crystal streams,— Around which friends may mourn ; Ah here! from all Man's sweet Society apart, But these exist,-Sad Exile and a Banished Heart. Alnwick. R. B. Of the eight Epigrams," Hæc in schædis Pythæanis palam Senecæ adscribuntur," in the folio edition, this is one, and "De Temporum Mutabilitate," inserted and paraphrased in the Repository for August, p. 479, is another. The latter being there erroneously stated to be a passage in one of Seneca's Tragedies. What a striking illustration this Epigram presents of the influence of Exile, in acerbating the mind, even of a great man! Barren, however, as Corsica may be, it gave birth to another, and more celebrated exile-Napoleon. To find such men as Seneca and Napoleon, as well as some of the most distinguished of our own countrymen pining in exile, while it may cause us to heave a sigh for the weakness of human nature, should teach us how to prize the blessings of society and liberty. R. D. OBITUARY. 1823. July 20, at Dundee, Scotland, of a short illness, DAVID HUGHS, for many years a member of the Unitarian church in that place. He was a member of the first Unitarian church established in Scotland, by Mr. Christie, of Montrose; and also the first who joined Mr. Palmer in Dundee, where he gave zealous and effectual support to that gentleman, in his endeavours to establish a Unitarian church in that place. August 28, at Bridport, the Rev. MATTHEW ANSTIS. A few particulars, which have been ascertained respecting the life of one who was known to many readers of the Monthly Repository, and a brief notice of his worth of character, will, perhaps, not be thought unsuitable for insertion here. Mr. Anstis was born at St. Germains, in Cornwall, Feb. 27, 1740. A near relative gives the following account of his early history: "You are aware that his situation in the country, in early life, prevented him from having the benefit of a classical education, and it was not until about the 17th year of his age that he entered upon a course of study with the Rev. Thomas Morgan, the Dissenting minister at Liskeard, preparatory to his going to the Academy at Carmarthen, where I find he was in the years 1762 and 1763, under the tuition of the Rev. James Thomas. Here he formed an acquaintance with Mr. David Jones, late of Newberry, and corresponded with this gentleman till his death a few years ago; he also corresponded with his tutor for some years. I think he must have left the Academy about the year 1765, and gone to serve the Dissenting Meetinghouse at Falmouth: but as his religious views did not accord with the general toue of his congregation, and as he was not inclined to conceal what he believed, he did not long remain there, but in the year 1766 went to Colyton, in Devonshire, where he preached for a short time, not, I think, more than a year, and kept a school. I hardly know when he first went to Bridport, but I think it must have been about the year 1767." For a few years after he became a resident in Bridport, Mr. Anstis performed the duties of the pastoral office to a small society of Dissenters at a village in the vicinity. He was induced, however, by what particular circumstances does not appear, after a time to devote his attention to the education of youth, and till within some years of his death, conducted capacity he gained the gratitude of many a large boarding and day-school. In this excellent persons, who considered themselves under great obligations to him for the ability and faithfulness with which he discharged the duties of his station. The respected subject of this notice was remarkable for a quickness of susceptibility, which, while it sometimes evinced itself in a transient irritability of temper, rendered him habitually alive to every call interest in the welfare of all who had of duty, and disposed him to take a deep claims upon him. His readiness to sympathize with suffering, his lively concern for the welfare of mankind, especially as liberty, and his liberality, amounting at identified with the progress of truth and tions, whether for the aid of individuals times to profusion, in pecuniary contribuforgotten by those who had the best op or for public purposes, will not soon be portunities of estimating his character. In rather early life Mr. Austis adopted the Unitarian system, and was an avowed between God and men, the man Christ believer in " One God and one Mediator Jesus," at a time when the great majority of Unitarians in the West of England person of Christ. Although he withdrew still held Arian opinions respecting the from the charge of a congregation, he still occasionally preached, and never reChristianity. The writer of this knew laxed in his zeal for the diffusion of pure Mr. Anstis only after the burden of fourand is therefore not competent to speak score years had impaired his energies, of what he was in the full vigour of life. It was pleasing, however, to observe that never ceased to realize the full assurance amidst bodily and mental infirmities, he of faith in the One Truc God, the God that this faith enabled the sufferer to and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and express his firm conviction, in the sublime and beautiful sentiment of the venerable Lindsey, that "all things are from God, and for good to all." W. B. G. [Mr. Anstis was a liberal contributor signature of Senex Cornubiensis. He held to various Unitarian charities, under the a peculiar opinion with regard to the defended in several volumes of the MonthLord's Supper, which he asserted and ly Repository, in papers signed P. K. and Vol. X. pp. 571 and 749. There is The reader is referred to Vol. III. p. 495, also a paper of his, " on the Judgment of the World by Jesus Christ," Vol. III. p. 39, to which his intimate friend, the late Mr. Howe, of Bridport, replied in the same volume, pp. 563 and 605.] Oct. 1, at Key, West Thomson's Island, sixth and only surviving son of the vene- J. E. November 7, at Bury, Lancashire, in the 83rd year of his age, Mr. ABRAM WOOD, ironmonger, of this place. He was the son of a respectable farmer, a truly conscientious and pious man, and was born at Stubbins, about four miles distant. In the early part of his life Mr. Wood lived in London. He afterwards opened a shop as an ironmonger in Shef field, whence, more than forty years ago, he removed to this town, where he has continued in the same line of business ever since. Mr. Wood was possessed of a very strong, intelligent, comprehensive and penetrating mind. Few persons have a greater knowledge of the human heart than he had; or could more easily and thoroughly see into the real character and intentions of men. He was distinguished for a love of order, and executed any little mechanical work, of which he was very fond, with peculiar neatness. He had an exquisite relish for poetry, and was no mean judge of painting; and had he applied his attention to it, it is believed, by some who were acquainted with him, that he would have been no mean proficient in this charming art. This opinion is formed from a portrait of the Musical Coal Man, which he executed during his residence in the metropolis. As a tradesman, Mr. Wood's punctuality, prudence and industry were exemplary; which, together with the urbanity of his manners, and his cheerful accommodating temper, rendered him very successful. In social intercourse he was a delightful companion; the life of every friendly circle in which he appeared. He had a rich fund of anecdotes, which he used to relate with great propriety and charm; sometimes with the most pertinent effect; he often benefited while he pleased, “and laughing could instruct." He was also, though peculiarly unpretending in his religious professions, a sincere and pious attended upon the ministrations of the Rev. Francis Spilsbury and the Rev. Hugh Farmer. For their memory he ever retained the utmost reverence, and used often to express his thankfulness to Providence, which had so disposed his lot, as to permit him to enjoy the ministry of two such men; from which he had, as was very evident through all his succeeding life, derived the most important and lasting benefit. He was also a frequent, if not quite a regular, attendant on the evening lectures of the Rev. Dr. Fordyce, at Monkwell Street. While at Sheffield Christian; whilst he lived in London, he he attended at the Upper Chapel, upon the valuable ministerial services of the Rev. Messrs. Evans and Dickenson,* a Mr. Dickenson the writer of this article never knew; but he has often heard him spoken of in the highest terms by those who did know him, both as a man and a preacher. Mr. Evans was one of the first friends of the writer's ministerial life; and a better Christian, or a more judicious divine, he has never known! He was, indeed, a scribe well instructed to the kingdom of God; and of him it may, with the greatest justice, be said, "He shewed the path to heaven, and led the way." The writer would have felt uneasy if be circumstance which he often spoke of with the warmest gratitude and pleasure. As long as ever the state of his health would permit, he was a constant and exemplary attendant on the public exercises of religion. He felt a very warm interest in the welfare of the religious society to which he belonged, and took particular pleasure in superintending and directing any work that was to be done about the chapel, a task that was always assigned him by his fellow-worshipers. Although his catholicism was unbounded, and he loved, as he was loved by most, good men of all parties and denomina tions, he was a firm Dissenter and a steady, consistent Unitarian, using that term in its broad, legitimate sense, i. e. as comprehending all who pray to God the Father only, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Mr. Wood married Miss Jackson, of Leeds, one of the best of women, and to whom he was always a most kind and affectionate husband. He was particularly distinguished by the tender attention he paid her during a heavy affliction, under which she laboured for many years, in the latter part of her life. She died about seven years ago. By her he had two sons, who survive him, and by whom their father's memory will be ever held dear. By the wise and judicious treatment of them he adopted, by making himself their companion and friend, he rendered his intercourse with them delightful, their home desirable and happy, and formed them to usefulness and re pectability. As Mr. Wood's life had been honourable, useful and pious, his death, as might be expected, was attended by that peace which marks the end of the perfect and upright man. One circum had not paid this feeble tribute of grateful respect to the memory of this good man. He hopes, also, to be excused if he uses the present as an opportunity to express his best wishes for the prosperity and happiness of the religious society assembling at the Upper Chapel, Sheffield, and for the abundant success of the labours of their present excellent minister. From the fathers of the present members of that body, perhaps from some few present remaining members themselves, he received the most kind and friendly attentions, during his residence in their neighbourhood in early life; and while memory lasts, the recollection of the many delightful hours he has passed among them, both in the house of God and the enjoy ment of private social intercourse, will be ever dear; while his heart can breathe a wish, its most fervent wishes will be breathed for the welfare of that society. stance deserves particular notice; after he found himself, from the infirmities of age, incapable of attending much to business, he spent a very considerable portion of his time in the perusal of the Scriptures, and, in a peculiarly neat and legible hand, transcribing, in well-arranged and orderly sections, those passages which most struck him. This practice, as he observed to the writer of this account, he found of great service to him under the weakness with which the approach of mortality was attended. "I cannot now reason much," said he, "but different passages of Scripture are often occurring to my mind, and afford me suitable and unspeakable consolation." He could look up to his heavenly Father, and say, "When nature sinks and spirits droop, Thy promises of grace Are pillars to support my hope, And there I write thy praise." Thus lived and thus died this excellent man! By his decease many persons have been deprived of an esteemed acquaintance; some of a valuable beloved relative; the Christian society to which he belonged of a consistent, greatly-respected, and its oldest member; and what is of greater moment still, the world has lost an ho nest man. But the day is coming when they shall see him again! May all who knew and respected him imitate bis virtues; that their latter end may be like his. And when they shall have accomplished their appointed course of duty and trial, may they, like him, have only to wait for their reward, from the Captain of their salvation. Bury, November 22, 1823. W. A. November 13, in his 66th year, Mr. CHARLES TAYLOR, late of Hatton Garden, London. He was for many years the Editor and Principal Contributor of the Literary Panorama. He distinguished himself in the Baptist Controversy, by publishing "Facts and Evidences on the Subject of Baptism." The public are indebted to him for a new and improved edition of Dr. Wells's useful book on Scripture Geography. But his most valuable work is Calmet's Dictionary, which he published with Facts and Illustrations, &c. It is thought that the labour of getting a fourth and much-improved edition of that work through the press hastened his dissolution. 17, at Almondale, in Scotland, in his 75th year, the Right Hon. THOMAS LORD ERSKINE. (Of this distinguished advocate and friend of Liberty, we shall probably communicate some further ac- consigned to the narrow house. count hereafter.) Nov. 18, at Bristol, aged 64, after a short illness, the Rev. SAMUEL LOWELL, upwards of twenty-four years minister of the Independent Chapel in Bridge Street, of that city. He possessed respectable talents and enjoyed considerable reputatation as a preacher. He was generally supposed to belong to that large class of Christians who are called Moderate Calvinists. He was formerly minister of a congregation of that faith at Woodbridge, in Suffolk. Whilst there he published, in 1794, "Two Sermons," entitled, "The Mystery of Providence and Grace, and The Sins of Britain," and, in 1795, a Sermon against "Superstition," "Suggested by the late Consecration of Colours in various parts of this Kingdom." The free sentiments contained in the latter were far from pleasing to some of the author's religious connexious. About the time of his leaving Woodbridge for Bristol, Mr. Lowell published au 8vo. volume of Sermons, which have been praised for their moderation, good sense, and easy composition. The occasion was improved by a discourse Dec. 7, at Bridport, JOSEPH GUNDRY, Esq., aged 73. The subject of this no tice passed through life in the modest discharge of its various duties, and experienced few of those vicissitudes which furnish matter for interesting biography. In every relation of domestic and commercial life, he secured the affection and esteem of those who knew him, by his unpretending excellence of character. As a member of religious society, his firm attachment to Unitarian principles, his readiness to aid in promoting their diffusion, and his exemplary regularity in attending the worship of God, demand particular notice. Till within a fortnight of his death, he ceased not to occupy his place in the house "where prayer is wont to be made," although for many months the infirmities of age pressed so heavily upon him, that nothing but a deep conviction of the importance of the service could have sustained him in the performance of it. His family and friends treasure up the recollection 29, aged 26 years, ANN, wife of of his various excellencies with pensive James HILL, Esq., Wisbeach. Dec. 19, at Wisbeach, Mrs. FARDELL, wife of Mr. Fardell, Leather Merchant. She was present at Mrs. Hill's Funeral Sermon apparently in good health, and ou the second Sunday after, she was herself pleasure, and are encouraged to hope INTELLIGENCE. DOMESTIC. Unitarian Chapel in the Potteries. THE above Chapel was opened for public worship on Wednesday, November 19. The introductory part of the morning service was conducted by the Rev. H. Hutton, of Birmingham, and the Rev. J. H. Bransby, of Dudley, after which, the Rev. R. Aspland preached an appropriate sermon from Acts xxiv. 14-16. The discourse was, an Apology for the Professors of Unitarianism, the topics of which were suggested by the language and conduct of the Apostle of the Gentiles. After the service, the ministers and other friends, who favoured us with their presence, sat down to an economical dinner, Mr. Aspland in the Chair. When the cloth was withdrawn, a succession of sentiments and names were given from the Chair, connected with the cause of truth, virtue and liberty, which called W. B. G. forth from individuals present a series of 1 |