62 MEMOIR OF THOMAS BEWICK. 



some of his less important opinions may, to persons 

 who knew him not, appear but as whimsical fancies, 

 they are the levities of a great and benevolent soul, 

 that, like the brilliant air-bubbles of a deep clear 

 fountain, rise playfully to the surface, without sully- 

 ing its purity. The style is plain and simple, but 

 sinewy and nervous, marking his character as much 

 as his manners and even his dress, and is strongly 

 tinctured, as was his conversation, with broad 

 Northumbrian and Scottish provincialisms, which, 

 particularly when he read it aloud, strengthened the 

 efficiency. The narrative is replete with anecdote, 

 especially in the earlier parts, wittily recorded and 

 morally applied, and very much reminded me of 

 that of the excellent Benjamin Franklin ; indeed, 

 to that good and great man, both in his religious 

 and political sentiments, he appeared to bear a 

 nearer resemblance than to any other. He was in- 

 defatigable and intrepid in his search after truth, 

 dauntless and strenuous in the declaration of his 

 matured sentiments, however opposite to received 

 opinions, and fearless of any pains or penalties which 

 the avowal of them might bring upon him from per- 

 secuting bigots. But the objects nearest to his 

 heart were, to render the works of the Creator 

 familiar to youth, by dressing them in their most 

 alluring form, and thereby leading to the knowledge 

 and admiration of their great Author, and to the 

 principles of what he believed to be true religion, 

 and what all believe to be those of sound morality. 

 These were his constant aim and study, and to these 



