266 THE WEDGWOODS. 



thus recorded in the parish register of Chiswick, where he 

 was interred on the 2nd of December 



" Burials, 1780. 

 " Thomas Bentley. December 2nd, in the Church." 



In the St. James's Chronicle the following brief but telling 

 notice of his death appeared : " Died, on Sunday, at his 

 house on Turnham Green, Mr. Bentley, in partnership 

 with Mr. Wedgwood. For his uncommon ingenuity, for 

 his fine taste in the Arts, his amiable character in private 

 life, and his ardent zeal for the prosperity of his country, 

 he was justly admired, and will long be most seriously 

 regretted by all who had the pleasure of knowing so excel- 

 lent a character." 



Mr. Bentley was buried, as I have already stated, at 

 Chiswick, where a tablet was erected to his memory. This 

 monument, the joint production of Stuart, who published 

 the well-known splendid work on Athens, and Scheemakers, 

 the artist who executed the monument to Shakspeare, in 

 Westminster Abbey, exhibiting a sarcophagus, with medal- 

 lion of Bentley, and boys holding inverted torches, bears the 

 following touching and admirable inscription : 



THOMAS BENTLEY, 



Born at Scrapton, in Derbyshire, Jan. 1st, 1730. 



He married Hannah Gates, of Sheffield, in the Year 1754 : 



Mary Stamford, of Derby, in the Year 1772, 



who survived to mourn her loss. 



He Died Nov. 26th, 1780. 



Blessed with an elevated and comprehensive understanding, 

 Informed in variety of science j 



-He possessed 



A warm and brilliant imagination, 

 A pure and elegant taste $ 



His extensive abilities, 

 Guided by the most expansive philanthropy, 



were employed 

 In forming and executing plans for the public good : 



He thought 

 With the freedom of a philosopher. 



He acted 

 With the integrity of a virtuous citizen . 



