1822.] 
trious for “‘ deeds of excellence and high 
renown.” The plan was original; it had, 
therefore, upon it, the impress of genius: 
there was no laurel picked up which had 
fallen from tie brow of any predecessor.— 
Libera per vacuum posui vestigiu princeps.— 
They who have slumbered over the copies 
in general use, consisting of a few unin- 
viting, worn-out moral distichs and apoph- 
thegms which are quickly dissipated from 
the transcriber’s head and heart, would be 
surprised at the combinations of knowledge 
involved in those adopted by Mr. Butler; 
and whien it is added, that the scholar was 
directed to consult an Atlas for the Geo- 
graphy, and a biographical work for the 
notices of eminent characters which they 
contained, and that the facts recorded in 
them were further elucidated by question 
and explanation, it will he perceived how 
a lesson in writing was rendered the me- 
dium of valuable information. A yet more 
extensive and permanent benefit was con- 
ferred on the rising generation by the 
many useful and ingenious works which 
Mr. Butier published. In aid of the plan 
-of combining general knowledge with his 
own immediate pursuits, he composed the 
“ Arithmetical Questions;” ‘‘ Exercisesin 
the Globes ;’ “Chronological Exercises ;” 
and “‘ Geographical Exercises in the New 
Testament.” With other works, all of 
which have received high commendation 
both for the novelty of their plan, and for 
the extensive. reading and industrious re- 
search which they display. It is not here 
intended: to enumerate, much less to ana- 
lyse all the works which the indefatigable 
industry and literary zeal of Mr. Butler 
induced him to publish. As a practical 
teacher, Mr, Butler had few superiors, 
With what energy he endeavoured to 
communicate his own zeal to the scholar, 
to fix the wandering thought, and prevent 
instruction from being poured into ‘“ the 
heedless ear,” will be long remembered by 
those who received or witnessed his in- 
structions ; he was “all eye, all ear;” nor 
will they forget the many incidental re- 
marks, not only intellectual, but moral, 
which were made by him during the hours 
of tuition ; and which, by connecting pre- 
sent experience with past years, may have 
become the inspiring role of conduct. A 
lesson given by the revered subject of 
this memoir was a Jesson both of wisdom 
and of virtue. That an instractor who 
was thus active and energetic, thus gifted 
and accomplished, should have his labours 
crowned with success may naturally be ex- 
pected ; and, it may with truth be said, 
that Mr. Butler was the most popular in- 
structor in his line of. the present times, 
Through the whole of his life Mr. Butler 
was actuated by those sentimeuts which 
W 4 strong line of demarcation between 
the useless and the valuable member of 
society, He began his career with a de- 
Mr. William Butler. 
279 
termination to be eminent and to do good, 
“To add something to the system: of life, 
and to leave the world better and wiser 
for his existence,” was, as he expressed 
himself, his great principle of conduct. 
The means by which he determined to ac- 
complish the purposes of his laudable am- 
bition were, a rigid economy and improve- 
ment of time, and a steadiness of pursuit 
energetically directed to one object. To 
say that he was diligent when compared 
with those who “ neither spin nor toil,” or 
that his time was not wasted in folly or 
vice, is but negative praise. He was the 
most industrious of the industrious, Re- 
garding employment as the best security 
of virtue and happiness, every moment was 
occupied. The utmost punctuality was 
observed in every engagement, every 
thing was systematized and planned. In 
whatever was read or done, his thoughts 
were perpetually employed in searching 
out every principle that could enable him 
to reach excellence in his line. Highly as 
this excellent man was esteemed for his 
wnremitted public services, and intellec- 
tual attainments, the sentiment of love 
and respect was further strengthened by 
the qualities which embellished his moral 
character. A strict probity, an inviolable 
regard to truth, and an honourable inde- 
pendence of mind, were always apparent. 
His diffusive benevolence was as much an 
impulse of nature as a sense of duty. In- 
feriors were treated with kindness and 
affability ; and great anxiety was shewn 
not to say or do any thing which could 
render their situation as inferiors painful 
to the feelings. Whatever was mean and 
dishonourable excited warm indignation; 
that keen and vivid sense of impropriety 
of conduct extended itself not only to 
those more glaring acts of wrong whieh 
disgrace individuals, but also to those 
minute deficiencies in behaviour, and to 
that absence of attention to the feelings of 
others, both in word and deed, which too 
frequently blemish the intercourse of so- 
ciety. The moral excellencies now spoken 
of were the result of a benevolent ‘heart, 
and a well-disciplined mind; but they 
rested on that basis which was deemed by 
their possessor the surest foundation. of 
Virtue—a principle of religion. The Chriss 
tian dispensation was regarded as a beau- 
tifal and salutary code of laws and scheme 
of moral government, admirably adapted 
to the wants and character of man in-his 
passage through this world; but it was 
hailed with peculiar joy as bringing life 
and immortality to light by the resurrec- 
tion of Christ, and which he regarded as 
affording the sole ground for hope to man- 
kind of a future existence. ‘Mr. Butler, 
in October 1821, reached his 74th year, 
His labours had continued more than half 
a century; and, during that long period, 
he had enjoyed, with a brief exception, 
an 
