‘ 
| 3792 sketches of the lifeof Mr-Foha- Henderson. 37 
a zeal in defending the cause and the reputation of another 
which was totally unknown when he himself was injured. 
His friends were selected, not because they were rich, or 
noble, or learned ; but because they were simple, sincere, 
and benevolent. 
Some time Jefore his change came, he seemed. perfectly 
dead to this world, and abstracted from man. Company 
could no more engage him. He avoided unprofitable con- 
verse and idle speculations. The early hour, and the fru- 
gal meal, prepared him for contemplation and study. He 
had a full and clear presentiment of his approaching dif- 
solution; and he seemed to withdraw himself from mor- 
tals, as he was soon to converse with higher beings. 
He died, November 2. 1788, at Oxford, in the thirty- 
second year of his age, and was buried the 18th, at St 
George’s, Kingswood. The immeédiate cause of his difso- 
- Jution was an inflammation in the bowels. 
In the state of imperfection to which mankind are doom- 
ed while on this earth, it is not to be expected that such 
singular virtués fhould be pofsefsed, without alloy. Indeed 
the same energy of mind that producés such high acquir3 
ments, in some measure of necefsity leads to eccentricities 
of conduct, which cannot at all times admit of defence ; and 
the same susceptibility of soul that produces the most exal- 
ted virtues, is often the source of the most degrading weak- 
nefses, It has become a proverbial caprefsion, that “ great 
wits to madnefs are allied,” and it is equally well known, 
that among the lower clafses of people at least, great tas 
_ Tents, and difsipated manners, are nearly synonymous terms». 
What a pity it isthat Mr Henderson fhould.not have been 
an exception to this general rule: unfortunately he was 
not. He was probably drawn insensibly into those excel. 
ses, by those very talents which they tended to debase. 
