MKMOIR OF THOMAS BEWICK. 151 



work, and who occasionally read to me the ser- 

 mons he had composed for the next Sunday. I 

 was also often attended, from a similar curiosity, 

 by my friend, the Rev. Thomas Hornby,* lecturer 

 at St. John's Church. He would not, like my friend 

 Oliphant, adjourn to a public house, and join in a 

 tankard of ale, but he had it sent for to my work- 

 place. We frequently disagreed in our opinions 

 as to religious matters, he being, as I thought, an 

 intolerant, high churchman; but, notwithstanding 

 this, he was a warm well-wisher and kind friend, 

 and was besides of so charitable a disposition that 

 his purse was ever open to relieve distress, and he 

 would occasionally commission me to dispose of a 

 guinea anonymously to persons in want. 



As soon as the "History of Quadrupeds" ap- 

 peared, I was surprised to find how rapidly it sold. 

 Several other editions quickly followed, and a glut 

 of praises was bestowed upon the book. The first 

 time I was obliged to hear personal praises, on this 

 account, was from Dr. David Ure, LL.D. of 

 Glasgow, who called to see me, and not facing used 

 to such compliments, I blushed over the ears, and 

 left him talking to Mr. Beilby. These and such like 

 praises however, excited envy, and were visibly 

 followed by the balance of an opposite feeling from 

 many people at home; for they raked together, and 

 blew up, the embers of envy into a transient blaze ; 

 but the motives by w^hich I was actuated stood out 

 of the reach of its sparks, and they returned into 

 the heap whence they came, and fell into dust. I 

 was much more afraid to meet the praises which 

 were gathered around than I was of the sneers 



* The Rev. Thomas Hornby, son of Alderman Hornby, died in the 

 prime of life, on the 28th August, 1798, and was buried at Gosforth. 



