CHARACTERS. 



pdwer not only extending to his 

 open intercourse with the world, 

 but penetrating the retirement of 

 the closet, and the secret recesses of 

 the heart. 



That benevolence which diristia- 

 nity so forcibly ioculcates was, with 

 him, not less an impulse of nature, 

 than a discharge of duty. Alive to 

 the most generous sympathies, he 

 participated with cordial concern in 

 whatever allectcd the interests of a 

 fellow-creature. But, whilst his 

 philanthropy was of that expansive 

 quality, that would, if possible, com- 

 prehend in its embrace the whole 

 human family of the one great com- 

 mon parent, it was not allowed to 

 waste itself in vague generalities and 

 unprofitable aspirations, but was in- 

 vigorated, and rendered daily and 

 hourly productive, by the particular 

 and local exercises of Its beneficence. 

 The many useful institutions in the 

 town and vicinity of Manchester, 

 of which he Mas the founder, or the 

 zealous encourager; the readiness 

 with which his attention and his 

 counsels were afforded to the diffi- 

 culties and the emergencies of his 

 neighbours ; the alacrity with whioh 

 the services of conrtesy and good- 

 will were performed by him, towards 

 all within the range of his acquain- 

 tance ; and the activity of his exer- 

 tions for the welfare of those to 

 whom the closer ties of intimacy 

 supplied yet stronger claims ; all 

 evinced the disinterested ardour and 

 practical energies of his social affec- 

 tions. In those charitieswhich may 

 be termed patriotic, he was exceed- 

 ed by none. His sensibility to every 

 infringement of the honour and the 

 liberties of his country, was of the 

 liveliest nature ; but, whilst he 

 breathed the purest sentiments of 

 kidependence, he always held iu 



799 



view the fundamental principles of 

 legitimate authority. To him the 

 seductions of a "fallacious freedom 

 could present no charms. His dis- 

 cerning eye easily discovered the 

 true bounding-line between liberty 

 and licentiousness, between innova- 

 tion and improvement; and he stood 

 at all times, equally removed, and 

 erjually averse, from the debase- 

 ments of despotism, and the machi- 

 nations of faction. — Of the christian 

 charities his breast was peculiarly 

 susceptible. Every resemblance to 

 divine goodness most powerfully 

 excited his regard ; and, to the man 

 possessed of moral worth, he felt 

 himself irresistibly drawn, as to a 

 brother. But whilst his benevo- 

 lence emanated thus widely on all 

 surrounding objects, its radiant 

 '' flame"(to use his own expressions) 

 " became more %varra and bMght to 

 " those Avhich were most near, in 

 " proportion to the diffusion of its 

 " lustre;" and in the relations of 

 husband, friend, and parent, all the 

 kindly affections of his nature 

 were kindled to their highest fer- 

 vour. 



If ever man could be said to hai-a 

 lived for his children and his friends, 

 rather than for himself, it was he. 

 So unceasing his attention to their 

 interests, so tender his anxiety for 

 their welfare, so assiduous his en- 

 deavours for their improvement^ 

 that they seemed almost to have 

 mingled m ith his consciousness, and 

 to have formed a part of his very 

 essence. The endearments with 

 which his instructions were convey- 

 ed, the lenient remonstrances with 

 which youthful errors were reprov- 

 ed, the tempered indulgence with 

 which the reins of paternal authority 

 were guided, procured for him. 

 from his children, their fondest re- 

 gard 



