say, to comfort us, and to excuse themselves, looking ovtheir ignorance, that he was worn out in the which of his country, and that he could not have lastniently time, had not this cold carried him off. He yous but fifty one; he might have blessed, and done good to his country, many years longer. But GoD ALMIGHTY knows what is best for him, and properest for us. May HE, in his anger, remember mercy!

All parties unite to call the chancellor the best and the greatest man that ever lived! The people from the court to the city, are under the deepest astonishment, and show in their countenance that the nation is under some dreadful calamity. Great as he was allowed to be in his public character, you know he was more amiable, more delightful, in his domestic behaviour. Was there ever any man so reasonably beloved as himself, by all, from the highest to the lowest in his family? Did his children ever enjoy more ease, more cheerfulness, more sprightly innocence, and entertaining, instructive unbendings, than in his company and conversation?

Oh, madam! what a series of disappointments is life! I came over to enjoy the company of the best friend that ever lived: I saw him; I had daily new reasons to love and admire him; I received daily new obligations and I have lost him! I hoped, by enjoying his wisdom and virtue for a few months, to return with spirit, and support absence from him by the reflection of my having been with him, and that I might be with him again. Farewell all hope that my splendid banishment from my native country shall have an end! I must now withdraw; and sigh out my few remaining years in solitude, amidst strange company, since every place that I am hereafter to inhabit, will be empty of all, with whom I have contracted the sacred ties of friendship!-My poor dear Billy! what does he suffer! You have seen him in agonies of fear, lest he should lose what he loves. He has now lost what he loves above all things upon earth united; and what des

erved his unexampled affection. I shall rejoice that I was in England when this fatal accident happened, if I can be of any comfort, any use, to that eyer beloved youth!

In the last six years, how many friends have you and I lost in one family! and such friends, as the world can scarcely parallel! the bishop of Durham, doctor Sayer, Mrs. Sayer, and her brother, and his son! They are happy: let us imitate them, and we shall be so too. We shall meet them again, no more to be separated; we shall enjoy their friendship again, no more to be clouded with tears: or we shall be admitted to a degree of happiness, (how inconceivable must tbat degree of happiness be !) to which even their company can be no addition.

You, madam, will share our affliction severely: but the letter, which brings you word that you have lost one friend who loved you, will remind you that there are others who do so too, whilst there is Talbot left in this nation, or I am alive to subscribe myself

Your affectionate friend,

THOMAS DERRY.

Madam,

LETTER II.

To Mrs. Sandys.

February 22, 1737.

When I wrote to you last I was under such amazement and agony, that I do not know what I might say to you; but you will excuse the overflowings of my heart, in its deepest sorrow. In no moment of my life, shall I be less sensible of our loss than at present: but though it is impossible to be unmoved at the reflection, that we have been deprived of the noblest happiness which Providence had bestowed on us; yet frequent meditation on the unequal virtues of our friend, will change grief into veneration, and raise

and consecrate the pious melancholy into a solemn enjoyment, to be preferred to pleasure.

All parties are striving, in their public papers, which shall profess the highest esteem and honour for him; and they mention his behaviour in his great office, with the warmest gratitude and applause. These praises, which prove the greatness of our misfortune, bring, at the same time a consolation with them. It gives mea lovely view of mankind, to observe, that they can drop their prejudice, and unite to reverence a truly great and admirable character. Nothing is universally popular but goodness! And every action of his life, in public or private, towards his friends or his enemies, flowed from that divine principle, in which alone we can obey that sublime preceipt of our Lord, (the sublimest that can be given to men or angels,) Be ye perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Did I say his enemies?—he had none; he hated none but ill men ; nay, even for them, he felt not hatred, but pity.

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It has been observed, that the world seldom does justice to characters, till after men have been some time dead; but it has not been so now. The chancellor was dear to his prince and to the people, whilst he lived; and he is equally mourned by both, as soon as he is dead. He was trusted by the prince, as his most faithful and zealous servant; and regarded by the jealous nation, as the warmest and most intrepid lover of their liberties: both thought their rights secure in his hands. To be a popular minister of state, is a felicity scarcely before exampled. But though scarcely before exampled nothing seems more easy to any person, who has his abilities, and the will to imitate his integrity.

You knew the chancellor, and loved him as well as I have done; but had I been writing to a stranger, I should have soothed my concern, by transcribing a sketch of his life. I could repeat almost every action, from his childhood to his death: and show that he was uniform in his progress to virtue, and never deviated

from the severest of her precepts: severe, in the judgment of the many, but to him an uninterrupted source of cheerfulness and tranquillity. I could mention such instances of filial piety, as would be hardly believed by others; you know them to be true. How amiable a husband he was! how tender and generous a parent! His sons have often said, he never refused either of them any thing in his life; but that is their own, as well as his praise. He lived with them as a brother and a friend; familiarized his wisdom into chit chat; and instructed them more effectually by common conversation, than others could do by solemn precepts. The nation, by their common sorrow, show what a judge and statesman they have lost. My name will be ever a proof to posterity, how warm and intrepid a friend he could be to one whom he thought fit to honour and reward with that dear and voluntary relation to him. His distressed and melancholy family show what a master he was to them all. In all these various relations, he was superior to any person whom I ever knew, or of whom I ever read.

The day before he died, he said to his son John: "It is indifferent and equal as to myself, whether I die now, or some years hence; but it will not be the same to you for the sake of my children, I could be pleased to remain longer with them." The night he died, his servants offered him a medicine; "It is in vain," he answered: "death cannot be resisted. God's will be done! I am satisfied!" He immediately fell into a calm sleep; continued three hours in it; then awaked, looked round him a few moments; and died without the least struggle or pain.

His distemper was an inflammation on the lungs. The natural cure of it is large bleeding; but, on taking from him only eight ounces, he sunk so much, that the doctor durst not proceed.-On opening him, a large polypus was found in his heart. Thence, probaply, proceeded his not being able to lose blood. A bolypus, say physicians, is the effect of care and

intenseness of thought; if that is so, no man ever did more to cause it. He sacrificed his life for the good of others; and who will not envy a death so glorious? He lived enough to make himself beloved, whilst living; and revered and lamented by good men of every party and denomination, now he is gone. He lived to perfect his temper to a love of goodness, and adorn it with every Christian, as well as natural grace, that can make virtue either divine or amiable! or I am, madam,

Your most obliged, humble servant,

THOMAS DERRY.

Dear sir,

LETTER III.

To Archdeacon S——

Dublin, March 22, 1743.

Adieu!-Perhaps I may be alive when these lines come to your hands:more probably not!-Believe me, my friend, there is no comfort in this world, but a life of virtue and piety; and no death supportable, but one comforted by Christianity, and its real and rational hope. The first, I doubt not, you experience daily may it be long before you experience the second!-I have passed through good report and evil report: 1 have not been injured more than outwardly by the last; and I have been solidly benefited by the former.-May all who love the truth in Christ Jesus, and sincerely obey the Gospel, be happy!

Adieu!-I have no more strength.-My affectionate, last adieu to your lady! THOMAS DERRY.