161 



the religious body of Friends, in preserving a plain appearance and 

 using sober colours, he did not observe any peculiar dress, or deviate 

 in any remarkable degree from tbe custom of tbe time. He used stiuff 

 and smoking tobacco freely. He did not advocate abstinence from 

 wine, or even from ardent spirits; but was earnest in enforcing 

 moderation and temperance. 



His mind, naturally endowed with great energy and decision, was 

 cultivated upon antique models," and he had re;:d history, "Stare super 

 anfiquns vias," though not quoted, was evidently the basis of the 

 acquired part of his character. He was not without prejudice in 

 favour of birth, and advised a young person to connect himself with 

 "a good stock." He had great confidence in character; aimed at it 

 himself, and praised it and confided in it when met with in others. 

 He was eminently moderate, steady and permanent in all his views. 

 This extended to commerce, which he considered as the business of a 

 man's life, and a tiling that ought to be habitual. []e does not seem 

 to have aimed at accumulating a large fortune. This is shown by 

 his liberal housekeeping, and the extent of his contributions to charity. 

 During his last illness, it was unexpectedly discovered that, in addition 

 to liberal contributions of every sort, he had, for many years, dis- 

 tributed among the poor an amount equal to one half of all his expenses 

 of living, in absolute and total secresy. 



Commerce was steady and profitable; speculation scarcely existed ; 

 and there w^ere no banks. But he was equally liberal of his time in 

 the service of others. Besides the secret investigations of poverty 

 just alluded to, and the service of institutions, he was more remarked 

 for healing differences among his neighbours and acquaintance than 

 perhaps any other man, and liis awards were almost always adopted 

 as decisive. 



His personal influence was very great; and several of our most 

 eminent citizens placed their sons with him, to live in his house, ac- 

 cording to the custom of the times, in order to acquire a knowledge 

 and the habits of commerce. Amon" these el^ves were Dr. Georse 

 Logan and the noted Timothy Matlack. 



John Reynell had read extensively; was by no means indisposed 

 to wit and satire, and valued the writings of Swift. He was aware 

 of the value of science, as may be judged from his adhesion to this 

 Society; and his name appears among the subscribers to our first 

 volume. 



At his death the most honorary mention of his usefulness and high 



VOL. VII. V 



