S22 Biographical Account of [Nov. 



relations: nor, upon all occasions, showed a greater contempt of 

 his own money, or a more scrupulous frugality of that which 

 belonged to the public, or to any society he was entrusted for. 

 He refused pensions and additional employments that were 

 offered him; he was highly honoured and respected in all reigns, 

 and under all administrations, even by those whom he opposed ; 

 for in every situation he showed an inflexible attachment to the 

 cause of liberty, and to the constitution of Great Britain. 

 George the Second, and Queen Caroline, showed him particular 

 marks of their favour and esteem, and often conversed with him 

 for hours together. Queen Caroline in particular, who was so 

 great a patroness of learned men, used to take delight in his 

 company, and was accustomed to congratulate herself that she 

 lived in the same country, and at the same time, with so illus- 

 trious a person. 



Notwithstanding the extraordinary honours that were paid him, 

 he had so humble an opinion of himself, that he had no relish 

 for the applause which he received. He was so little vain and 

 desirous of glory from any of his works, that he would have let 

 others run away with the glory of those inventions which have 

 done so much honour to human nature, if his friends and coun- 

 trymen had not been more jealous than he was of his own glory, 

 and the honour of his country. He was exceedingly courteous 

 and affable, even to the lowest, and never despised any man for 

 want of capacity; but always expressed freely his resentment 

 against any immorality or impiety. He not only showed a great 

 and constant regard to religion in general, as well by an exem- 

 plary life as in all his writings, but was also a firm believer of 

 revealed religion ; as appears by the many papers which he left 

 behind him on the subject.* But his notion of the Christian 

 Religion was not founded on a narrow bottom, nor his charity 

 and morality so scanty, as to show a coldness to those who 

 thought otherwise than he did in matters indifferent ; much less 

 to admit of persecution, of which he always expressed the 

 strongest abhorrence and detestation. He had such a mildness 



* I have heard it affirme.1 b\ some of the sclf-eonUitnted philosophers of 

 the present da}, thai Sir Isaac. Newton believed the Christian Religion merely 

 becau'e he was bora in a Christian country; that he never examined it; anil 

 thai he left behind him a cart-load of papers on religious subjects which Dr. 

 Horslej examined, and declare! unfit for publication. These Gentlemen do 

 not perceive that their assertions are inconsistent with each oilier. Nobody 

 v ito has ever read a page of New tail's works would believe that he could write 

 n cart-load of papers on a ^ubj ct which he never examined. Newton's reli- 

 gious opinions were not orthodox; for example, he did not believe in the 

 Trinity This gives os the reason why Horsley, the champion of the Trinity, 

 found Newton's papers unfit for publication. But it is much to be regretted 

 that thc> have never seen the light. 



