GIBBON. 315 



appeared to have supposed himself in danger, unless his 

 desiring to see Mr. Darell, his solicitor, might be con- 

 sidered to indicate some such feeling. He was buried in 

 Lord Sheffield's vault at Hitching, in Sussex, and an 

 epitaph in Latin was inscribed on his tomb, the composi- 

 tion of Dr. Parr, and describing his style with more dis- 

 crimination than is to be found in many of that expe- 

 rienced lapidary writer's compositions. "Copiosum, 

 splendidum, concinnum orbe verborum, et summo artificio 

 distinctum orationis genus, reconditse exquisitseque sen- 

 tentise." 



It remains before considering the historical merits of 

 Gibbon, that some account be given of his personal qua- 

 lities, beyond that which has incidentally been drawn 

 from the opinions of Suard and Deffand. His honour- 

 able and amiable disposition, his kind and even temper 

 was praised by all, displayed as it was in the steadiness of 

 his friendships, and the generosity of his conduct towards 

 Deyverdun, and indeed all who needed whatever help his 

 circumstances enabled him to give. Perhaps the warmth 

 of his affection was yet more strikingly exemplified in 

 his steady attachment to his kind aunt, Miss Porten, and 

 towards his venerable stepmother, who survived him. Nor 

 can any just exception be taken to his political conduct 

 when in Parliament, the personal friend as he was of 

 Lord North, and the conscientious approver of his mea- 

 sures. If he joined in the Coalition which made ship- 

 wreck of all the parties to it, he only erred with far 

 greater politicians, and might well plead his habitual 

 respect and esteem for his leader as the justification of 

 joining in his fatal mistake. 



