87 



the evening classes at Owens College, and to private pupils. 

 Many Mancli ester men and women gladly acknowledge the 

 influence of his varied learning and his refined taste. He 

 was for many years Chairman of the Portico Library, where 

 his assiduity and judgment did much to maintain the 

 character of that important institution. 



Within the limits of his own religious association he was 

 an honoured leader, and during all his long service in Man- 

 chester, was widely known for his personal attention to 

 every call of kindness amongst his own flock and the poor 

 in many parts of the City and district. 



He became a member in 1840, and was frequently 

 re-elected to serve on the Council, and from 1869 to 1876 

 was one of the Vice-presidents of the Society. He was 

 much interested in its working, and in the details of admin- 

 istration; but its increasing tendency to absorption in 

 scientific research and discussion did not invite the exhibi- 

 tion of his exclusively literary accomplishment. A course 

 of lectures on the Lancashire dialect which he published in 

 1854 was first read as notes to the Society, Completely 

 occupied in his ministerial duties and his teaching he found 

 little time for original authorship beyond the preparation 

 of his Discourses. Tliis was always with him a matter of 

 conscientious deliberation, and his style, while simple, 

 devout, and direct, was singularl}'- polished and effective. 



He published in 1839 a small volume of Temperance 

 Rhymes, which had considerable popular approval, and in 

 1859 a volume of "Life and Letters of Mr. John Ashton 

 Nicholls," a former member of the Society, and many 

 sermons on special occasions. 



He was interred in the chapel yard at Knutsford by the 

 side of his wife, the well-known authoress of" Mary Barton," 

 and other works. 



Sir Thomas Bazley, Baronet, who died at Lytham on 

 March 17th, at the advanced age of 87, was born at Gilnow, 



