ACCOUNT OF BOOKS. 
aris or method he was enabled ‘to 
aitain to a degree of knowledge 
almoit univerfal, and apparently 
beyond the power of man, during 
a life little exceeding forty-feven 
years. 
“ The faculties ofhis mind, by na- 
ture vigorous, were improved by 
conftant exercife ; and his memory, 
by habitual practice, had acquired a 
capacity of retaining whatever ‘had 
once been imprefled upon it. To 
an utfextinguifhed ardour for uni- 
verfal knowledge, he joined a per- 
feverance in the purfuit of it, which 
fubdued all obftacles. His ftudies 
began with the dawn, and, during 
the intermiffions of profefiional du- 
ties, ¥ ere continued throughout the 
day : — reflection and meditation 
firengthened and confirmed what 
induftry and inveftigation had ac- 
cumulated. It was a fixed princi-. 
ple with him, from which he never 
voluntarily deviated, not to be de- 
terred by any difficulties that were 
furmountable, from profecuting to 
a fuccefsful termination what he 
‘had once deliberately undertaken. 
“But what appears to me more 
particularly to have enabled him to 
employ his talents fo much to his 
own and the public advantage, was 
the regular ailotment of his time, 
and a icrupuleus adherence to the 
diftrisution which he had fixed. 
Hence all his itudies were purfued 
without interruption or confufion. 
Nor can I here omit remarking, 
what may probably have attraéted 
your obfervation as well as mine, 
the candour and complacency with 
which he gave his attention to all 
perfons, of whatfoever quality, ta- 
lents, or education: he juftly con- 
cluded, that curious or important 
iaformation might be gained even 
5°3 
from the illiterate ; and wherever 
it was to be obtained, he fought 
and feized it. 
“‘ Of the private and focial virtues 
of our lamented prefident, our hearts 
are the beft records. To you who 
knew him, it cannot be neéceflary 
for me to expatiate on the inde- 
pendence of his integrity, his hu- 
manity, probity, or benevolence, 
which every living creature parti- 
cipated; oa the affability of his 
converfation and manners, or hig 
modeft, unaffluming deportment: 
nor need I remark that he was to- 
tally free from pedantry, as well as 
from atrogance and felf-fufficiency, 
which fometimes accompany and 
difgrace the greateft abilities. His 
prefence was the. delight of every 
fociety, which his converfation ex- 
hilerated and improved ; and the 
public have not only to lament the 
lots of his talents and abilities, but 
that of his example. 
“ To him, as the founder of our 
inftitution, and whilft he lived its 
firmeft fupport, our reverence is 
more particularly due. Inftru¢ted, 
animated, and encouraged by him, 
genius was called forth into exer- 
tion, and modeft merit was excited 
to diftinguifh itfelf. Anxious for 
the reputation of the Society, he 
was indefatigable in his own endea- 
vours to promote it, whilft he cheer- 
fully affifted thofe of others. In 
lofing him, we have not only been 
deprived of our brighteft ornament, 
but. of the guide and patron, on 
whofe initructions, judgment, and 
candour, we could moft implicitly 
rely. 
* Butit will, I truft, be long, very 
long before the remembrance of 
his virtues, his genius, and abilities 
lofe that influence over the mem- 
bers 
