VIII BIOGRAPHICAL RECORDS. 



Chester School ; and Mr. Thomas Warton, poetry- 

 professor at Oxford. He was admitted at Oriel 

 College, Oxford, in December, 1739, and 'took 

 his degree of bachelor of arts in June, 1743. 

 In March, 1744, he was elected fellow of his 

 college. He became master of arts in October, 

 1746, and was admitted one of the senior proc- 

 tors of the University in April, 1752. Being 

 of an unambitious temper, and strongly attached 

 to the charms of rural scenery, he early fixed 

 his residence in his native village, where he 

 spent the greater part of his life in literary occu- 

 pations, and especially in the study of nature. 

 This he followed with patient assiduity, and a 

 mind ever open to the lessons of piety and 

 benevolence which such a study is so well calcu- 

 lated to afford. Though several occasions offered 

 of settling upon a college living, he could never 

 persuade himself to quit the beloved spot, which 

 was, indeed, a peculiarly happy situation for an 

 observer. He was much esteemed by a select 

 society of intelligent and worthy friends, to whom 

 he paid occasional visits. Thus his days passed, 

 tranquil and serene, with scarcely any other vicis- 

 situdes than those of the seasons, till they closed 

 at a mature age on June 26, 1793. 



I. W. 



