THE EULOGIES OF HOWARD. 

A VISION. 

 ----to tell of deeds Above heroic. MILTON. 

M. DCC. XCI. 

THE EULOGIES OF HOWARD

It was my chance to be conversing with a Friend of the benevolent andindefatigable HOWARD, when our country was first afflicted with thepublic intelligence of his death. After our first expression of surprizeand sorrow, we naturally fell into serious and affectionate reflectionson the gentle character and sublime pursuits of the deceased. On thesearticles we had no difference of opinion; but in the course of ourconversation a point arose, on which our sentiments were directlyopposite, though we were equally sincere and ardent in our regret andveneration for the departed Worthy, to whom it related. I happened tospeak of the public honours that, I hoped, a grateful, a generous, amagnificent Nation would render to his memory. My companion immediatelyexclaimed, "that every ostentatious memorial, to commemorate the virtuesof his friend, would be inconsistent with the meekness and simplicity ofthe man; that all, who had the happiness of knowing HOWARD, mustrecollect with what genuine modesty he had ever retired from theenthusiastic admiration of those, who had hoped to gratify his ambitionby undeserved applause; that he had really sought no reward but in theapprobation of his conscience and his GOD; that the British Nation, however eminent for genius and munificence, could not devise anyposthumous honours, or raise any monument, truly worthy of HOWARD, except in adopting and accomplishing those benevolent projects which hisphilanthropy and experience had recommended to public attention for thebenefit of mankind. "

I readily admitted the singular and unquestionable modesty of thedeceased. --I allowed that the noblest tribute of respect, which theworld could render to so pure a spirit, would be to realize his ideas;but I contended, that other honours are still due to his name; that itis the duty and the interest of mankind to commemorate his characterwith the fondest veneration. I reminded my companion, that although wewere sincerely convinced that no human mind, engaged in great designs, could be more truly modest than that of HOWARD; yet we had particularreason to recollect, that he was not insensible to praise. He had onceimparted to us his feelings on that subject with a frank and tendersimplicity, highly graceful in an upright and magnanimous being, conscious of no sentiment that he could wish to conceal. Indeed, asincere and ardent passion for virtue could hardly subsist with adisdain of true glory, which is nothing more than the proper testimonyof intelligent and honed admiration to the existence of merit: nor is itreasonable to suppose that the fondest expressions of remembrance from aworld, which he has served and enlightened, can be displeasing to thespirit of "a just man made perfect;" since we are taught by Religion, that the gratitude of mankind is acceptable even to GOD. I endeavouredto convince my companion, that, as the Publick had seen in HOWARD aperson who reflected more genuine honour on our country than any of herPhilosophers, her Poets, her Orators, her Heroes, or Divines, it isincumbent on the Nation to consult her own glory by commemorating, inthe fullest manner, his beneficent exertions, and by establishing thedignity of his unrivaled virtue. 

My arguments, and my zeal, made some impression on the mind of myantagonist; and sunk so deeply into my own, that on my retiring to restthey gave rise to the following vision. 

I was suddenly transported to the confines of a region, which astonishedme by its loveliness and extent; it was called, The Paradise of trueGlory. As I approached the entrance, my eyes were delightfullyfascinated by two beings of human form, who presided over the portal. Their names were Genius and Sensibility:--it was their office to gratifywith a view of this Paradise every mortal that revered them sincerely;and to reject only such intruders as presumed to treat either the one orthe other with the insolence of disdain, or the coldness of contempt: anincident that I should have thought impossible, from the transcendentbeauty which is visible in each; but, to my surprize, they informed meit very frequently happened. 

As I readily paid them the unsuspected homage of my soul, I wasgraciously permitted to pass the gate. --Immediately as I entered, I wassaluted with a seraphic smile, by two benignant and inseparable Spirits:these were Gratitude and Admiration, the joint rulers of thedominion--"You are welcome, " said the first, in a tone of angelictenderness--"You are welcome to a scene utterly new to your senses, andin harmony with your heart: you delight in the praises of the deserving:and you are now wafted to a spot, where those who have merited highly ofmankind are praised in proportion to their desert, and where the praiseof exalted merit is fondly listened to by an extensive human audience, here purified by our supernatural agency from all the low and littlejealousies of the earth. "

I had hardly answered this pleasing information by a grateful obeisanceto my radiant informer, when I perceived, in a gorgeous prospect thatnow opened before us, three structures of stupendous size and superiormagnificence. The first was situated in a grove of olives, and appearedto me like an ancient temple of Attica, remarkable for massive strength, and a sober dignity--the second was less solid, but richer indecoration; and seemed to be almost surrounded by every tree and planton which Nature has bestowed any salutary virtue: the third was shadedonly by palms; the form of it was so wonderfully grand and aweful, thatit struck me as a sanctuary for every pure and devout spirit from allthe nations of the globe. 

"These structures, that you survey with astonishment, " said one of mybenevolent conductors, "are devoted to what you mortals denominate thethree liberal professions, Law, Medicine, and Theology. Whoever has aclaim to distinguished honour from any one of the three, has a justencomium pronounced upon his services by the temporary President of thatparticular fabrick, in which he is entitled to such gratefulremembrance. " "Alas!" I replied, with a murmur that I could notsuppress, "the Man whose well-deserved praises I most anxiously expectedto hear in this region, belonged not to any one of these eminent classesin human life--he had no profession but that of Humanity. "

"Be patient, " said the sweetest of my aetherial guides, with a rebukethat was softened by a smile of indulgence! "Let not your zeal for thehonour of an individual, however meritorious, make you unjust, orinsensible, to the merit of others! Assume the temper of this region, where praise is distributed by equity and affection, but where prejudiceand partiality are not allowed to intrude!--Let us advance, " continuedmy monitor, with an encouraging movement of her hand; "it is time that Ishould lead you to the nearest assembly. "

I obeyed with reverential silence; and as I passed the vestibule of themajestic edifice, my heart panted with an aweful expectation ofbeholding the shades of Solon, Lycurgus, and other departed Legislators, from the various nations of the world. I was chearfully surprized by avery different spectacle. 

The capacious structure was filled with a concourse of living mortals, lively, yet respectable in their appearance, evidently belonging tomany countries; but all, as I perceived by their habits, connected withthe Law. Throughout all the multitude I heard no sound of dissention ordebate: but over all there reigned an air of intelligence and sympathy, while all were hushed in silent expectance, and eager attention, withtheir eyes directed to an elevated tribunal:--On this a personage wassitting, whose majestic figure I immediately recollected. Hiscountenance is marked with that austerity and grandeur, which are theexternal characteristicks of Law herself. His heart, as those who knowit ultimately declare, expresses the tender and beneficent influence ofthat Power, who is the acknowledged parent of security and comfort. Witha voice that pervaded the most distant recesses of the extensive dome, and in tones that sunk deep into the bosom of every auditor, hepronounced the following oration:

"After passing many years of life in the painful investigation of humanoffences, it is with peculiar satisfaction that I find myselfcommissioned to commemorate, in this Assembly, a character of virtuewithout example--a character, at once so meek and so sublime, that, if afeeling spirit had been poisoned with misanthropy from too close acontemplation of mortal crimes, this character alone might serve as anantidote to the word of mental distempers, and awaken the most callousand sarcastic mind to confess the dignity of our Nature, and thebeneficence of our God. In stating to you the merits of HOWARD, I mightexpatiate with delight on the various qualities of this incomparableman; I might trace his progress through the different periods of a lifealways singular and always instructive. I could not be checked by anyfear of overstepping the modesty of Truth in the celebration of Virtue, so solid and so extensive, that the malevolence of Envy could notdiminish its weight, the fondness of Enthusiasm could not amplify itseffects. But I must not forget that there are professional limits to mydiscourse. It is incumbent on me to confine myself to a single object, and to dwell only on those public services, that peculiarly endear thename of Howard to the liberal and enlightened community in which I havethe honour to preside. 

"It was in the capacity of a Minister to Justice, that the pure spirit, whom it is my glory to praise, first conceived the idea of thoseunrivaled labours that have rendered his memory a treasure to mankind. In discharging a temporary office, that exposed to him the condition ofcriminals, he was led to meditate on the evils which had grievouslycontaminated the operations of Justice. He perceived that Law herself, like one of her most illustrious Delegates (I mean the immortal Bacon), was grossly injured by the secret and sordid enormities of her menialservants: that Captivity and Coercion, those necessary supporters of herpower, instead of producing good, often gave birth to mischiefs moreflagrant, and more fatal, than those which they were employed tocorrect. He found, even in the prisons of his own humane and enlightenedcountry, an accumulation of the most hideous abuses: he found them notnurseries of penitence and amendment, but schools of vice and impiety;or dens of filth, famine, and disease: not the seats of just andsalutary correction and punishment, but the strong holds of cruelty andextortion. The irons of the prisoner, which he only beheld, entered intohis soul, and awakened unextinguishable energy in a spirit, of whichcompanion and fortitude were the divine characteristicks. In the nobleemotions of pity for the oppressed, and of zeal for the honour andinterest of civilized society, he conceived perhaps the sublimest designthat ever occupied and exalted the mind of man, the design to search andto purify the polluted stream of Penal Justice, not only throughout hisown country, but through the various nations of the world. How low, howlittle, are the grandest enterprizes of Heroic Ambition, when comparedwith this magnanimous pursuit! How frivolous and vain are the highestaims of Fancy and Science, when contrasted with a purpose sobeneficently great! But, marvellous as the magnitude of HOWARD'Senterprise appears, on the slightest view that magnitude becomes doublystriking, when we contemplate at the same time the many circumstancesthat might either allure or deter him from the prosecution of his idea. Consider him as a private gentleman, possessed of ease and independence, accustomed to employ and amuse his mind in retired study andphilosophical speculation; arrived at that period of life, when thesprings of activity and enterprize in the human frame have begun tolose their force! consider that his health, even in youth, had appearedunequal to common fatigue! his stature low! his deportment humble! hisvoice almost effeminate! Such was the wonderful being, who relinquishedthe retirement, the tranquillity, the comforts, that he loved andenjoyed, to embark in labours at which the most hardy might tremble; toplunge in perils from which the most resolute might recede without adiminution of honour. Under all these apparent disadvantages, unsummoned, unauthorized by any Prince, unexcited by any popularinvitation, he resolved to investigate all the abuses of imprisonment;to visit the abodes of wretchedness and infection; and to prove himselfthe friend of the friendless, in every country that the limits of hisadvanced life would allow him to examine. Against such an enterprize, projected by such an individual, what forcible arguments might be urged, not only by every selfish passion, but even by that prudence, and thatreason, which are allowed to regulate an elevated mind! How plausiblydid Friendship exclaim to Howard, 'Your projects are unquestionablynoble; but they are above the execution of any individual: you areunarmed with authority; you have the wish to do great good, but thepower of doing little! Consider the probable issue of theundertaking!--You will see a few hapless wretches, and tell theircondition to the inattentive world; perhaps perish yourself fromcontagion, before you have time to tell it; and leave your afflictedfriends to lament your untimely fate, and the ungrateful Publick toderide your temerity!' What force of intellect, what dignity of soulwere required to prevent a mortal from yielding to remonstrances soengaging! The divine energy of Genius and of Virtue enabled HOWARD toforesee, that the sanctity of his pursuit would supply him with strengthand powers far superior to all human authority:--His piercing mindcomprehended that there are enormities of such a nature, that to surveyand to reveal them is to effect their correction. --He felt that hissincere compassion for the oppressed, and his ardent desire to promoteperfect justice, would serve him as a perpetual antidote against thepoison of fear. --He felt that in the darkness of dungeons he should wantno associates, no guards to defend him against the outrages of detectedextortion, or suspicious brutality. --He felt, that as his purpose washeavenly, the powers of Heaven would be displayed in his support; thatiniquity and oppression would not dare to lift a hand against him, though they knew it was the business of his life to annihilate theirsway in their most secret dominion. How admirably did the progress ofhis travels evince and justify the pure and enlightened confidence ofhis spirit! All dangers, all difficulties, vanish before his gentleness, his regularity, his perseverance. Insolence and ferocity seem to turn, at his approach, into docility and respect. Every hardship he endures, every step he advances, in his wide and laborious career of Beneficence, instead of impairing his strength, invigorates his frame; instead ofdiminishing his influence, increases the utility of his conduct, bymaking the world acquainted with the sanctity of his character. Witness, ye various regions of the earth! with what surprize, delight, andveneration, ye beheld an unarmed, and unassuming traveller instructingyou in the sublime science of mitigating human misery, and giving you amatchless example of tenderness and magnanimity! O, England! thougenerous country! ever enamoured of glory, contemplate in this, the mostperfect of thy illustrious sons; contemplate those virtues, and thathonour, in which thy parental spirit may most happily exult!--Whatspectacle can be more flattering to thy native, thy honest pride, thanto behold the proudest potentates of distant nations listening withpleasure to a private Englishman; and learning, from his researches, howto relieve the most injured of their subjects! how to abolish theenormities of perverted Justice! To form a complete account of the goodarising to the world from the life and labours of Howard, would be atask beyond the limits of any human mind: an exact statement of thebenefits he has conferred upon society, could be rendered only by theattendant Spirit whom Providence commissioned to watch over him, and whomight discern, by the powers of supernatural vision, what pregnantsources of public calamity he crushed in the seed, and what futurevirtues, in various individuals, he may draw into the service of mankindby the attraction of his example. 

"Of good, more immediately visible, which his exertions produced, thereis abundant evidence in his own country. In the wide circle of hisforeign excursion, what nation, what city, does not bear someconspicuous traces of his intrepid and indefatigable beneficence! Of theastonishing length to which his zeal and perseverance extended, we havethe most ingenuous and satisfactory narration in those singularlymeritorious volumes which he has given to the world. In these we beholdthe minute detail of labours to which there is nothing similar, orsecond, in the history of public virtue; and for which there could be noadequate reward but in the beatitude of Heaven. An eloquent Enthusiast, whose genius was nearly allied to frenzy, has expressed a desire topresent himself before the tribunal of the Almighty Judge, with avolume in his hand, in which he had recorded his own thoughts andactions: if such an idea could be suitable to the littleness of man, ifit could become any mortal of faculties so limited to make such anoffering to the great Fountain of all intelligence, that mortal mustassuredly be Howard: for where could we find another individual, notprofessedly inspired, who might present to his Maker a record of laboursso eminently directed by Piety and Virtue! a book, addressed to mankind, without insulting their weakness, or flattering their passions! a book, whose great object was to benefit the world, without seeking from it anykind of reward! a book, in which the genuine modesty of the Writer isequal to his unexampled beneficence! The mind of Howard was singularlyand sublimely free from the common and dangerous passion for applause:that passion which, though taken altogether, it is certainly beneficialto the interests of mankind, yet frequently communicates inquietude andunsteadiness to the pursuits of Genius and Virtue. As human praise wasnever the object of his ambition, so he has nobly soared above it. Thereappear, in different ages upon the Earth, certain elevated spirits, who, by the sublimity of their conceptions, and the magnanimity of theirconduct, attain a degree of glory which can never be reached by thekeenest followers of Fame--They seek not panegyricks; and panegyrickscan add nothing to their honour. The Eulogies have perished which weredevoted by the luxuriant genius of Tully, and by the laconic spirit ofBrutus, to the public virtue of Cato; yet the name of that illustriousRoman is still powerful in the world, and excites in every cultivatedmind, an animating idea of independent integrity. The name of Howard hassuperior force, and a happier effect. It is a sound, at which thestrings of humanity will vibrate with exultation in many millions ofhearts. Through the various nations that he visited, the mere echo ofhis name will be sufficient to awaken that noblest sensibility, which atonce softens and elevates the soul. Every warm hearted and worthyindividual who mentions Howard will glow with an honest, a generoussatisfaction, in feeling himself the fellow-creature of such a man. Wherever the elegant arts are established, they will contend in raisingmemorials to his honour. Indeed, the globe itself may be considered ashis Mausoleum; and the inhabitants of every prison it contains, asgroups of living statues that commemorate his virtue. There is no classof mankind by whom his memory ought not to be cherished, because all areinterested in those evils (so pernicious to society! so dangerous tolife!) which he was ever labouring to lessen or exterminate. It might bewished, that different communities should separately devise somedifferent tribute of respect to him whose character and conduct is sointeresting to all: not for the sake of multiplying vain and uselessofferings to the dead, but to impress with more energy and extent hisennobling remembrance on the heart and soul of the living. It is hardlypossible to present too frequently to the human mind the image of a manwho lived only to do good. I mean not merely such a resemblance of hisform as Art may execute with materials almost as perishable as the imageof human clay, but such an impression of his soul as may have a morelasting influence on the life and conduct of his admirers, such as, diffusing among them a portion of his spirit, may in some measureperpetuate his existence. 

"By this community, I am confident, such public honours will be paid toHOWARD, as may be most suitable to the peculiar interest which itbecomes us to take in his glory. What these honours shall be is a pointto be settled by this liberal and enlightened Assembly, which assuredlywill not fail to remember that he suggested to Legal Authority heromissions and defects with the modest and endearing tenderness of aFriend; that he laboured in the service of Justice with thatintelligence, fortitude, and zeal, which her votaries cannot too warmlyadmire, or too gratefully acknowledge. "

The President arose as he thus ended his speech; and the members of theAssembly seemed beginning to confer among themselves; but what debatesensued, or what measure was adopted, I am unable to tell, as myvisionary Guides immediately hurried me to the adjoining Temple. 

This second structure, though less extensive and less solid than thefirst, was more attractive to the eye, as it abounded with scientificaland diversified decorations. The Assembly consisted of men, who appearedto me equally remarkable for keenness of intellect and elegance ofmanners. The seat of pre eminence among them was filled by a person whopossessed in a very uncommon degree these two valuable qualities, sohappily conducive to medical utility and medical distinction. Thoughleft a young orphan, without patrimony, and obliged to struggle withearly disadvantages, he raised himself by meritorious exertion to thehead of a profession in which opulence is generally the just attendanton knowledge and reputation. But neither opulence, nor his longintercourse with sickness and death, have hardened the native tendernessof his heart; and I had lately known him shed tears of regret on theuntimely fate of an amiable patient, whom his consummate skill andattention were unable to save. 

Thus strongly prepossessed in his favour, I was delighted to observethat he was preparing to address the Assembly in the moment we entered. My celestial Guides smiled on each other in perceiving my satisfaction;and being placed by them instantaneously in a commodious situation, Iheard the following discourse; which the character I have describeddelivered with an ease and refined acuteness peculiar to himself, neverraising his voice above the pitch of polite and spirited conversation:

"I am persuaded, that every individual to whom I have now the happinessof speaking, will readily agree with me in this sentiment, that wecannot possibly do ourselves more honour as a Fraternity than byconsidering HOWARD as an Associate: assuredly, there is no class of menwho may more justly presume to cherish his name and character with afraternal affection. In proportion as we are accustomed to contemplate, to pity, and to counteract, the sufferings of Nature, the more are weenabled and inclined to estimate, to love, and to revere, a being socompassionate and beneficent. If Physicians are, what I once heard themcalled by a lively friend, the Soldiers of Humanity, engaged in aperpetual, and too often, alas! unsuccessful conflict against theenemies of life; HOWARD is not only entitled to high rank in our corps, but he is the very Caesar of this hard, this perilous, and, let me add, this most honourable warfare. Perhaps the ambition of the great RomanCommander, insatiate and sanguinary as it was, did not contribute moreto the torment and destruction of the human race, than the charity ofthe English Philanthropist has contributed to its relief andpreservation. Of this we are very certain, the splendid andindefatigable Hero of Slaughter and Vain-glory did not traverse a moreextensive field, nor expose himself more courageously to personaldanger, than our meek and unostentatious Hero of Medical Benevolence. Inpoint of true magnanimity, I apprehend the spirit of Caesar would verywillingly confess, that his own celebrated attempts to reduce Gaul andBritain were low and little achievements, when compared to theunexampled efforts by which Howard endeavoured to exterminate or subdue(those enemies more terrific) the Gaol Fever, and the Plague. 

"But leaving it to more able and eloquent panegyrists to celebrate theoriginality, the boldness, and all the various merit of hisphilanthropic exertions, I shall confine myself to a few remarks, andchiefly professional ones, on his invaluable character. It appears to mehighly worthy of observation, that Howard, before he entered on hisgrand projects of Public Benevolence, was subject to those little, butdepressive variations of health which have betrayed many avaletudinarian into habits of inaction and inutility. Happily forhimself, and for mankind, this excellent person surmounted aconstitutional bias to indolence and retirement. The consequencesequence was, he became a singular example of activity and vigour. Hispowers, and enjoyments of bodily and mental health, augmented inproportion to the extensive utility of his pursuits. 

"Beneficial as his life has been to the world, his memory may be stillmore so. It may prove a perpetual blessing to mankind, if it dissipates, as it ought to do, a weak and common prejudice, which often operates asa palsy upon the first idea of a great and generous undertaking. Theprejudice I mean is a hasty persuasion, frequently found in the mostamiable minds, that some peculiar strength of nerve, some rare mechanismof frame, and extraordinary assemblage of mental powers, are absolutelyrequisite for the execution of any noble design. How greatly does itredound to the true glory of Howard to have given in his successfullabours the fullest refutation of a prejudice, so inimical to theinterest and the honour of human-nature! a prejudice, by whoseinfluence, to use the words of our great Poet, "--The native hue of Resolution Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of Fear, And enterprizes of great pith and moment, With this regard, their currents turn awry And lose the name of action. "

"The life and character of Howard, if they are justly considered, maynot only annihilate this pernicious prejudice, but tend to establish anopposite and consolatory truth. His example may shew us, that somedegrees of bodily weakness and mental depression may be most happilycured by active exertion in the service of mankind. Perhaps there neverexisted a more striking proof how far a noble impulse, communicated tothe mind by a project of extensive Benevolence, may invigorate a framenot equal in health, strength, and stature, to the common standard ofmen. It is a prudential maxim of the celebrated Raleigh, that 'Whosoeverwill live altogether out of himself, and study other men's humours, shall never be unfortunate;' a maxim, which the example of Howard mightalmost teach us to convert into a medical aphorism by saying, 'Whosoeverwill live altogether out of himself, and consult other men's wants, andcalamities, shall never be unhealthy. ' It is delightful to those, whodetest the debasing tenets of a selfish philosophy, to see the happyinfluence of opposite ideas; to observe (what Physicians have frequentopportunities of observing), that as a selfish turn of mind oftenattracts and encreases the malignity of sickness, so an unselfish, acompassionate spirit has a natural tendency to escape or subdue it. Whatcan be more pleasing to those, who assert and esteem the dignity ofhuman-nature, than to see, that the having lost all thoughts of self, and having acted in direct opposition to selfish principles, haspromoted even the personal advantage of a generous individual? From sucha series of philanthropic labour and peril, as a selfish and timid mindmight esteem it frenzy to encounter, Howard derived not only hisunrivalled and immortal reputation, but the perfect restoration ofenfeebled health; not to mention those high gratifications of the heartand conscience, which are superior to all the enjoyments both of healthand glory. With such temperance in diet, that his daily food wouldappear to most people not sufficient to support the common functions oflife, he chearfully sustained the hardships of long travel, throughregions where travelling is most difficult and dangerous. With a figure, voice, and deportment, that seemed to preclude him from all personalinfluence and authority; and with no mental acquisitions, except thosewhich are common to every cultivated mind, he secured to himself notonly universal admiration, but, I may venture to say, the just and moralidolatry of the world. So invigorating are projects of extensiveBeneficence! so powerful is the energy of Public Virtue!

"Never, indeed, was the astonishing influence of plain and simplegoodness more strikingly displayed, than in the deference and respectwhich this private and meek individual received, not only from foreignand imperious Rulers of the Earth, but from hardened and atrociouswretches, on whom Justice herself could hardly make any mentalimpression, though armed with all the splendour, and all the violence ofpower. Two particular examples of the influence I am speaking of, Ishall mention here, not only as honourable to the prime object of ourregard, but as they may suggest to contemplative minds some usefulideas, by shewing how far the mere weight of an upright and benevolentcharacter alone may give to the most callous nerves a tremblingsensibility, and awaken the most ferocious spirit to self-correction. 

"When our indefatigable Visitor of prisons was in Russia, he beheld, inpublic, the punishment of the knoot severely administered by a strongand stern executioner. 

"On the following day he waited on this man, to request from him variousinformation. The executioner attended him obsequiously; but thisathletic savage, though trained to acts of cruelty, and conscious he hada legal sanction for the barbarous violence he had exerted, could notbehold without shuddering the meek and gentle Missionary of Compassion. 

"The second and more memorable example of his singular influenceoccurred in a prison of his own country, and relates to an outrageousfemale delinquent. A corrupt and ferocious woman is, perhaps, the mostintractable fiend that human benevolence can attempt to reform; but eventhis difficulty the mild and powerful character of HOWARDaccomplished. 

"In one of our Western gaols, he found an unhappy female loaded withheavy irons: on his appearance she entreated him to obtain for her theremoval of these galling fetters. Upon enquiry, he found that manyendeavours had been made to keep this turbulent offender in propersubjection without the severity of chains; but, after repeated promisesof amendment on milder treatment, she had obliged the keeper to haverecourse to this extreme by relapsing into the most flagrant andinsufferable contempt of decency and order. Upon this information, HOWARD said mildly to the unhappy criminal, 'I wish to relieve you, butyou put it out of my power; for I should lose all the little credit Ihave, if I exerted it for offenders so hardened and so turbulent. ' 'Iknow, ' replied the intractable delinquent, 'I know that I have a proudand rebellious spirit; but if I give a promise to so good a man as youare, I can and I will command it. ' On this firm assurance ofreformation, the benevolent HOWARD became a kind of surety for herfuture peaceable conduct on the removal of her irons; and he had theinexpressible delight to find, on his next visit to the prisoners ofthis gaol, that the outrageous and ungovernable culprit, for whom he hadventured to answer, was become the most orderly among them. 

"I could wish, for the moral interest of mankind, that it were possibleto obtain a minute account of the services rendered to the calamitousspirit of many a forsaken individual by the singular charity of HOWARD. What could be more instructive than to observe how his Beneficenceencreased by its exertion and success; while his desire of befriendingthe wretched became, as it were, the vital spirit that gave strength andduration to his own existence!

"If we contemplate with pleasure the singular re-establishment of bodilyhealth, which HOWARD derived from his active philanthropy; it may bestill more pleasing to recollect, that it also afforded him anefficacious medicine for an afflicted mind. Perhaps it was to shew thefull efficacy of this virtue in all its lustre, that Heaven allotted tothis excellent personage a domestic calamity, which appears (to borrowan expression from a great writer) 'of an unconscionable size to humanstrength. '

"That capricious and detestable spirit of Detraction, which on Earthnever fails to persecute superior Virtue, has not scrupled to assertthat the affliction, to which I allude, was the mere consequence ofpaternal austerity. The Earth itself, though frequently accused of beingeager to receive ideas that may abase the eminent, could hardly admit acalumny so groundless and irrational. In this purer spot it is utterlyneedless to prove the innocence of an exalted being, to whom we are onlysolicitous to pay that sincere tribute of praise and veneration which weare conscious he deserves. In truth, this admirable Character seemed toillustrate the philosophical maxim, that mildness is the propercompanion of true magnanimity. He had a gentleness of manners, that waspeculiar to himself; and, instead of possessing such imperious severityof spirit as might produce the calamity I allude to, he was reallyendued with such native tenderness of heart as must have sunk under it, had he not found in the unexampled services that he rendered to theworld, an antidote to the poison of domestic infelicity. It is among themost gracious ordinances of Providence, that man is sure to find themost powerful relief for his own particular afflictions, in hisendeavours to alleviate the sufferings of others. And permit me to add, it is this beneficent law of our nature, that gives a peculiar charmand dignity to the Medical Profession; a profession singularly endearedto the affectionate HOWARD! not only as its compassionate and activespirit was the guide of his pursuits, but as one of its prime ornamentswas his favourite associate and his bosom-friend. If different classesof men are to vie with each other, as it may certainly become them todo, in rendering various honours to this their matchless Benefactor; Ihope we shall display, with the most affectionate spirit, the deepinterest that we ought to take in his glory. I think it very desirablethat every Physician should possess a Medal of HOWARD, not only to shewhis veneration for the great Philanthropist, but to derive personaladvantage from such a mental Amulet, if I may hazard the expression. Most of us, in the exercise of Medicine, feel at particular moments thatour spirits are too sensibly affected by the objects we survey; thatscenes of misery and infection depress and alarm: at such a time howmight it rekindle the energy of our minds to contemplate a little effigyof HOWARD! to recollect, that all the trouble and danger that weencounter, in the practice of a lucrative profession, are trifling inthe extreme, when compared to the labour and the peril, which thiswonderful man most willingly took upon himself, without looking forwardto any reward but the approbation of Heaven!

"I mention not a Medal as a new idea--it has been already incontemplation; and a motto for it suggested, which applies with suchsingular force and propriety to the person whom it is designed tocommemorate, that perhaps the wide range of classical literature couldnot afford another passage so strikingly apposite to a character soextraordinary--

 "Stupuere patres tentamina tanta, Conatusque tuos: pro te Reus ipse timebat. "--

"I must confess, however, that I wish for another, which may seem tobind him more closely to us in a medical point of view. But it is timeto leave the different members of our Fraternity at full liberty topropose any marks of distinction that they wish to suggest. --It issufficient for me to have reminded you of a truth, which I am confidentwe all equally feel, that, while we justly consider ourselves asstudents in the extensive school of Humanity, it becomes us to look upto HOWARD, with a laudable veneration, as the Prince and Patron of ourOrder. "

On the conclusion of this discourse, my Guides immediately conducted me, with their former celerity and kindness, to the only remainingStructure. It was the most extensive, and, from the hallowed majesty ofits appearance, the most admirable of the three. In approaching it, Ipaused a moment in aweful surprise at the solemnity of the fabrick: themost lovely and communicative of my two aetherial conductors smiled uponme, and said, "You will find here Ministers of GOD from every Christiancountry; but only those who consider Evangelical Charity as the essenceof true Religion, and who are disposed to honour, in the favouriteobject of your veneration, the most signal example of that virtue, whichthe present age has beheld. " "I hope then, " I eagerly replied, "I shallhave the delight of hearing, on this occasion, the most eloquent of ourEnglish Bishops. " On this exclamation, my kind informer regarded me withthat lively and soothing air with which intelligent Benevolence correctsmistaken simplicity, and thus continued to instruct me with unitedvivacity and tenderness. 

"Earthly distinctions, you know, are of little moment in the sight ofHeaven. You will hear no Prelate; and perhaps you may feel surprised andindignant, when you observe how very few of your Mitred Countrymen areto be seen in this Assembly; but you will not retain in this hallowedspot that most common of human infirmities, a tendency to censure or tosuspicion. You will recollect that this Convocation contains only thosecharitable men, who are peculiarly disposed to honour your recent modelof this Christian virtue. Other good men may exist, who, from motives ofinnocent mistake, or of mere inadvertency, may fail to exhibit thatanimated regard to his exemplary character, which assuredly it hasmerited from all men, and which the Ministers of Religion may mostproperly display. 

"One of these, " continued my Director, "you are now going to hear; not, indeed, a Dignitary of your Church, yet a Divine of Talents, Learning, and Charity. He was led, by a laudable warmth of heart, to suggest toyour Country the first idea of paying a public tribute of veneration tothe signal virtue of Howard; and has acquired from this circumstance atitle to commemorate here the merit, to which he was eager to rendersuch early justice on earth. But it is time for us to attend him. "

We immediately entered the temple; and I beheld an Ecclesiastic risingat that moment to address a very numerous Assembly of his order, thatseemed to contain Christians of every sect, and Ministers of everydegree. The person preparing to speak was distinguished by a majesticcomeliness of person, though he appeared to have passed the middle ageof life; and with a powerful elocution he delivered the followingdiscourse. 

"The Righteous are bold as a Lion. "

Proverbs, chap, xxviii, ver. I. 

"In these few words, my brethren, we have a passage of Scripture, thatserved as a favourite maxim, or leading truth, to the admirablepersonage whose glorious qualities it is now both my duty and my delightto recall to your remembrance. The words, indeed, are so consonant tothat exalted spirit which his life displayed, that they almost appear tome an epitome of his character. Let us consider Courage as one of hisprincipal endowments! To contemplate so pure and resolute a being inthis point of view, may lead us to form just ideas on the true nature ofthis primary virtue, on the sacred source from whence it should proceed, and the sublime end to which it should aspire. How large a portion offolly, vice, and wickedness, have arisen from mere mistakes concerningthis most important of human qualities! so important, that the realdignity of man can only rise in proportion as this virtue is perfectlyunderstood, and properly cherished! In the same proportion, let me add, our courageous Philanthropist will be found entitled to the praise ofevery upright mind, to the homage of every feeling heart. 

"If we take the word Courage" in the most common and simple sense ofthat term, as a generous and noble contempt of personal hardship anddanger; who has given more numerous or more striking examples of suchbrave contempt! Or if we follow the definition of Courage given us by aprofound, an eloquent, and philanthropic Writer, namely, that it is ajust estimate of our own powers; who is there among the most signalBenefactors of mankind, not professedly inspired, that ever formed anestimate of what he might achieve in the most glorious field ofenterprize, at once so difficult, and so true, so humble, and so grand. 

"With every apparent disadvantage, Howard conceived it possible that hisendeavours might correct the abuses, and mitigate the sufferings of men, in various nations of the world. Whence happened it, that a mortal, sovisibly weak and gentle, shrunk not from an idea so pregnant withdifficulty and peril! It was because, 'The Righteous are bold as aLion. ' It was because he felt the strongest internal conviction of thisanimating truth, that, while Heaven blesses a man with health sufficientto pursue a benevolent and magnanimous design, the vigour of his mind, and most probably his powers of doing good, will be proportioned to thefirmness of his faith, and the sincerity of his virtue. 

"Many achievements of beneficent Courage have undoubtedly beenaccomplished by men influenced by no motive but that generous love ofglory which is so frequently the predominant passion of an active andardent mind: but the virtues that arise from this source are asunsteady, and as precarious, as the reward they pursue. He who actsonly as a candidate for the applause of mankind, will find his spiritvary with all the variations in the ever-changing atmosphere of popularopinion. He will be subject to hot and cold fits of action andinactivity, of confidence and distrust, in proportion as the illusivevapour, that he follows, may either sparkle or fade before him. Henceproceeded much of that inconsistency and weakness, which appear in someof the most enlightened, and exalted characters of the Paganworld. --Wanting a purer light from Heaven, the most radiant spirits ofantiquity were bewildered; one in particular, the mildest and mostundaunted of antient Worthies, who had a sufficient portion of heroicphilanthropy to prefer the benefit of mankind to every selfishconsideration, had yet his hours of diffidence and despondency. On afinal review of his own generous labours, he is supposed to havequestioned the very existence of Virtue, though he had made it the idolof his life; a striking proof, that the temperate and invariable energyof soul, which alone perhaps deserves the name of true Courage, can onlyproceed from a fuller knowledge and love of GOD; from the animatingassurance, that, however we may prosper or fail in the earthly successof our endeavours to do good, the merit of the attempt is registered inHeaven; and we secure to ourselves the everlasting approbation of ourAlmighty Parent, in proportion as we approach towards that blessed modelof Perfect Benevolence, who has taught us, by his divine example, tocompassionate and to relieve the sufferings of the wretched. From thissource flowed the courageous beneficence of HOWARD: and how delightfulit is to observe that the force, the extent, the utility, and the lustreof the stream, has gloriously corresponded to the height and purity ofthe fountain!

"The Sensualist and the Sceptic may, indeed, deride the conduct of aman, who sacrificed all the common pleasures of life, and sought for norecompence but in the favour of Heaven. It may be said that an illusivefervor of mind has hurried men, in all periods of the world, intosingular and wild exertions, which excite the wonder of the passinghour, and are afterwards either deservedly forgotten, or only recalledto notice by Reason and Philosophy, to caution the restless andimpetuous spirit of man against all similar excesses. 

"But the pursuits of Howard, though they had all that sublime energywhich so often distinguished the projects of Superstition, were so farfrom being influenced by any superstitious propensity, that perhaps theycannot appear to more advantage than by being brought into comparison, or contrast, not with the sluggish piety of sequestered Monks, but withthe bold and splendid feats of the most active and enterprisingFanaticism. Allow me, therefore, to recall to your thoughts thosedistant ages, when every ardent spirit in Christendom was inflamed witha passionate desire to deliver the Christian pilgrims of Palestine fromthe oppression of Infidels! Figure to yourselves the whole force ofEurope collecting its violence, like a troubled sea, and preparing topour a terrific and destructive inundation over the Holy Land! Beholdthe strong and the weak, the ambitious and the humble, pursuing the sameobject! Behold assembled Kings and their People, Soldiers and Priests, the servants of Earth and Heaven rushing, with equal ardour, to rescuethe Sepulchre of Christ, and to drown all the innumerable enemies oftheir Faith in an universal deluge of blood! In this scene we have thesublimest spectacle, perhaps, that was ever exhibited by mistaken pietyand misguided valour. The love of God, by which this heroic multitudewas professedly impelled, was probably in many minds as sincere as itwas ardent. The religious spirit of their enterprize can still animateand transport us in the song of the Poet: and in the more rational pageof History, while we justly lament the errors of their devotion, weadmire the force and perseverance of their courage. 

"To the sublime fortitude of these collected warriors, let us comparethe mild magnanimity of HOWARD. Let us survey him setting forth for anexpedition as perilous as theirs; not as the Soldier of Fanaticism, butas the Pilgrim of Humanity! Attachment to GOD, and resolution which nohardship, no danger, no difficulty can daunt, are equally conspicuous inthe sanguinary Fanatic and the compassionate Philanthropist: but howwidely different are the prime earthly objects of their pursuits! Thefierce Crusaders invaded Asia with a desire to exterminate the Infidels. The benevolent HOWARD was led into the same quarter of the globe, andinto perils more deadly than those of war, by a wish to exterminate, orrather to restrain, the ravages of that terrific enemy to human life, the Plague. 

"He had conceived an idea, that, as this most alarming of mortalmaladies has been often strangely neglected by the sluggish andsuperstitious inhabitants of the East, it might be possible by a calmand courageous examination of its nature and its progress, to set limitsto its rage; and particularly to secure his own country from a futurevisitation of a calamity, against which the fearless and eager spirit ofCommerce appears not to have established a sufficient precaution. Forthe prospect of accomplishing public good, so devoutly to be wished, henobly thought it a trifling sacrifice to hazard the little remnant ofhis advanced life; and, however men or nations may differ in policy orreligion, whereever there is a human spirit sufficiently pure andenlightened to estimate public virtue, the sentiments and the conduct ofHOWARD must secure to his memory the fondest veneration. There is aperfection and felicity in his character that appears supremely laudablein every point of view. If, abstracted from all religiousconsiderations, we regard him only as a citizen who devoted himself tothe service of his country, the brightest records of Antiquity afford usno parallel to his merit. Had he lived in those early times, thegenerous enthusiasm of the antient world would have idolized his name. Philosophy and Genius would have found, in his benevolent labours, themost ample theme for instruction, and the purest subject for universalpanegyrick. They would have celebrated him as a benefactor to mankind, who had built a new portico to the Temple of Glory superior to the domeitself. They would have preferred the beneficent Philanthropist to thedazzling Conqueror, to the fascinating Demagogue, to the attractiveSophist; and all the various idols of public praise. But as Antiquityexhibits no character of such unclouded lustre, we have great reason toconclude, that such a character could owe its existence only to the pureand sublime spirit of our Christian Faith. Let us, therefore, contemplate HOWARD as a Christian! it is by considering him in thislight, that we shall feel ourselves most happily related to his virtues, and most delightfully interested in the honours they receive. 

"In the poor and calamitous objects of his regard, in the gentlenessand purity of his manners, in his modest and magnanimous refusal ofearthly honours, in the wide extent and courageous perseverance of hischarity, we cannot fail to discern how richly he was endowed with thegenuine spirit of that pure and sublime Religion which has the divineprerogative of converting weakness into strength, and of giving toHumility the influence of Power. There is not a feature in thecharacter, there is hardly an action in the life of this exemplarypersonage, that does not mark him as a true servant of CHRIST. And maywe not presume the blessed Author of our faith, in supplying us in thesedissolute times with a recent example of such astonishing and unlimitedbeneficence, is graciously pleased to afford us a new motive to prizeand to cherish that animating faith, which could form, in an age likethe present, a character so wonderfully entitled to the veneration ofthe world? The spirit of Christianity is so visible in the conduct ofHOWARD, that the prime objects of his attention might be thought to havebeen suggested to him by the very words in which our blessed Lordannounces to the heirs of eternal glory the source of theirbeatitude--'Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom preparedfor you from the foundation of the world; for I was an hungry, and yegave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, andye took me in; naked, and ye cloathed me; I was sick, and ye visited me;I was in prison, and ye came unto me. '

"Is it possible for us, my Brethren, to recall to our memory these holywords without feeling at the same time, in the most forcible degree, allthe Christian merits of HOWARD? Can we fail to admire and to veneratethe unexampled ardour, purity, and perseverance, with which he exercisedthe peculiar virtue so distinguished by our Lord?--While we behold himsublimely pre-eminent in this Christian perfection, shall we not cherishthe delightful idea, that his heavenly rewards will be finally adequateto his unrivaled labours on earth? Shall not those who have loved himexult in the persuasion, that in that great and aweful day, when theliving and the dead are to receive their everlasting doom; when theprinces and the great ones of the earth may be confronted with thosewhom they have persecuted and oppressed, or whom they have failed torelieve; when the proudest Sons of Learning, Genius, or Wit, may shrinkat the superior lustre of those whom they have ridiculed and reviled;HOWARD will shine encircled by thousands, who will gratefully plead forhis beatitude in those blessed words of our Redeemer, 'I was in prison, and he came unto me!'

"Yes, my Brethren, the day will assuredly come, when the servant sosignally faithful will be called to a reward, surpassing the utmostreach of our conception, by the voice of his Righteous Master--then, andthen only, will praise be fully proportioned to his transcendant merit;when this consummate Christian is raised to glory by the glorifiedMessiah, when his pure spirit exults in the commendation of his GOD. 

"The imperfect efforts, that mankind may make to do honour to such aBeing, cannot, indeed, so much promote his glory, as they may conduce tothe interest of human nature. Subject as it has been to the wildestexcesses, human panegyric, in all its shapes, may be safely devoted to apersonage, whom it is hardly possible to praise with sincerity, withoutfeeling our disposition improved. In a beneficent, a sublime, and trulyreligious character, there is a sort of magnetic virtue, which to thosewho are affectionately drawn towards it, though only in idea, communicates a portion of itself. Hence arises, what we cannot toofondly cherish, the delight and the utility of commemorating departedworth. If its title to commemoration be justly proportioned to itsmagnitude, its singularity, and extent; not only various individuals, but different Nations, will become rivals in promoting the fame ofHOWARD. As the glorious qualities, which his life displayed, are equallyopen to the emulation of the great and the humble; every class of humancreatures is peculiarly interested in his praise. If to honour hismemory may be thought to belong to any one community more than toanother; surely, my Brethren, we shall not fail to assume to ourselvesso pleasing a duty, so honourable a distinction. Well, indeed, might theinsulting enemies of our Faith reproach us with a supine and disgracefulinattention to the real interest of Virtue, and the true glory ofReligion, could we suffer any other order of men to surpass theMinisters of CHRIST in a meritorious zeal to honour this faithfulservant of Heaven, whose life exhibits a lesson more instructive andsublime than all the eloquence of the Pulpit! a Christian, who has shewnus, in the most signal manner, how practicable it is to follow, insuccouring the distrest, not only the precepts, but the example of ourGOD. "

In the moment that this benevolent Divine concluded his address to hisattentive brethren, my kind and vigilant Guides removed me from thetemple. --I was now led into a scene entirely different from those weleft. It was an open and verdant plain, with a few elevations in theground, that afforded advantageous views of the whole extensive spot. Here, instead of beholding the Ministers of Peace, I found myselfencircled by the multitudinous votaries of War. It appeared to me thatall the military and all the naval servants of our country werecollected together, and each different division of these well-appointedand well-looking men, that formed a pleasing spectacle alone, wasattended by a crowd of miscellaneous spectators, more numerous thanitself: yet in all this immense multitude there was no sign of tumult orconfusion. They were ranged in such a manner as to form a wide circulararea in the midst of them. I was stationed on a little eminence withinthis area; and in the same vacant space I beheld a party of veteranCommanders, both Military and Naval, who seemed to have been conferringtogether, but separated by the direction of my aetherial Conductors, toaddress, in different parts of this extensive field, the differentcompanies assigned to their care. What they respectively said in theirseparate departments I was unable to discover, as I only hearddistinctly one gallant Veteran, whose character was particularly dear tome. This consummate officer has raised himself by merit alone from thehumblest rank of military life to a station of the highest honour andtrust. His modesty is as singular as his fortune: passing close to me, with a gracious salutation, he approached a very fine orderly corps offoot, who looked up to him with a sort of filial respect, while he spoketo them the few following words:

"As bravery and compassion are the characteristics of good Soldiers, youcannot want, my friends, any long exhortation from me to honour thememory of HOWARD; the most resolute and the most compassionate man thathas lived in our time. Though he was not of our profession, as his lifewas devoted to mitigate the united horrors of captivity and sickness, those worst of enemies to the spirit of a soldier, you will undoubtedlyfeel that he has a peculiar claim to our most grateful and generousregard. "

This speech was followed by a burst of acclamation from those to whom itwas particularly addressed. Similar shouts of applause resounded fromdifferent quarters of the spacious field, while our aetherialattendants, Gratitude and Admiration, who followed each speaker at theclose of each address to different divisions of this innumerableassembly, displayed, to each division in its turn, an extensive sketchof a simple but magnificent mausoleum to the memory of Howard, in theform of an English lazaretto. On the first display of this striking andworthy monument, the applauding multitude seemed to exult in theprospect of its completion. But I soon observed, to my inexpressibleconcern, that while Gratitude and Admiration were busy in exciting thevarious ranks of the vast assembly, to accomplish this favourite design, they were followed by two earthy fiends of a dark and malignantinfluence: these were Detraction and Indifference, who shed such a chilland depressive mist around them, that all the ardour of the Assemblyseemed to sink. Among the miscellaneous crowds that were visible betweenthe divisions of the martial host, there ran a murmur of obloquy andderision against the pure object of public veneration. He was reviled asa whimsical Reformer, and a rash Enthusiast, who had absurdlysacrificed his life in a vain and fantastic pursuit. This base spirit ofcalumnious malignity was not communicated to any one division of themartial multitude; but the universal zeal for the glory of HOWARD seemedto be almost annihilated; even Gratitude and Admiration appeared to growfaint in their darling purpose. During their languor, they sufferedtheir sketch of the Mausoleum to be gradually stolen from their hands, and to drop upon the ground. At this moment a sudden and violentearthquake was felt through all the extensive scene. The centre of thevacant area opened--it threw forth a phantom terrific and enormous--itsmagnitude seemed to grow upon the sight; its lineaments were shroudedfrom our view by an immense mantle, on which were represented athousand different and hideous images of Death. Its name wasContagion--it rushed forward with an indescribable movement. Dismay andconfusion overwhelmed all that quarter of the crowded scene, that wasparticularly threatened by its first advance. The affrighted multituderolled back like a tumultuous sea. The horrid spectre stopt; and left awide interval between itself and the retiring host. A ray of heavenlylight illumined the vacant space. I fixed my eye on the brilliant spot, and soon beheld the meek and gentle form of HOWARD advancing, withoutfear or arrogance, towards the terrific Phantom. With an untremblinghand he seized the dark folds of its extensive mantle, and seemedanimated with the hope of annihilating the Monster. In the instant, aburst of celestial splendor was spread over the gloomy plain. The Angelof Retribution descended; and snatching the consummate Philanthropist tohis bosom, he rose again; while all the astonished multitude, nowreviving from their terror, gazed only on the celestial apparition; andheard the reascending Seraph thus address the beneficent spirit nowcommitted to his care:

"Thou faithful servant of Heaven! thy hour of recompence is come. Justlyhast thou cautioned mankind not to impute thy conduct to rashness orenthusiasm. Weak and wavering in their own pursuits of felicity, thouwilt not wonder to see them so in their sense of thy merit, and theirzeal for thy honour: but I am commissioned to bear thee to thatAll-seeing Power, who can alone truly estimate, and perfectly reward thydesert. I know that the praise of beings, inferior to thy GOD, neverinfluenced thy life; but the homage of good minds is grateful to thepurest inhabitants of Heaven; and in departing from a world so muchindebted to thy virtue, let it gratify thy perfect spirit to foresee, that as long as the earth endures, the most enlightened of her sons willremember and revere thee as one of her sublimest benefactors. "

As soon as the divine messenger had ceased to speak, every voice in thereanimated multitude, that heard him, raised a shout of benediction onthe name of HOWARD. I started in transport at the sound; and the effortthat I made to join the universal acclamation terminated my vision. 

Pardon me, thou gentlest and most indulgent of Friends! that, consciousas I am of the sincerity with which thy pure mind ever wished to avoidall exuberance of praise, I yet presume to send into the world such atribute to thy virtues as thy humility might reject. Let the motives ofthe publication atone for all its defects!

This little work is made public, not from a vain expectation, or desire, in the Writer to obtain any degree of literary distinction; for, if hiswishes and endeavours are successful, the world will not know from whathand it proceeds. 

Thou most revered object of my regard, who art looking down, perhaps, with compassion on the petty labours of various mortals, now trying tocommemorate thy merit, thou seest that I am influenced by no arrogantconceit of having praised with peculiar felicity the perfections that Iso ardently admire. No! I am perfectly sensible, that the most worthymemorial of thy virtues will be found in those pure records of thypublic services which thy own hand has given to the world with all theamiable and affecting simplicity that distinguished thy character, andin the more comprehensive composition of some accomplished Biographer, who may have opportunities and ability to do justice to thy life. 

The chief aim of these few and hasty pages is to recall, at thisparticular time, to the liberal spirits of our countrymen that generousardour with which they embraced the first idea of a public monument toHOWARD. While the expence and dignity of that monument are yetunsettled, a Writer may consider himself as a friend to national honour, who endeavours to animate his country to the most extensive display ofher munificence, and her gratitude towards the purest public virtue. Mayshe justly remember, that, to testify a fond maternal pride in such adeparted son, to manifest and perpetuate esteem for such a character, is, in truth, to promote the interest of genuine Patriotism, of sublimeMorality, and of perfect Religion!

FINIS.