242] A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



Butler, but have neither the humour nor the point of Hudibras. 

 Butler only wished to turn the laugh against fanaticism, and he 

 succeeded ; but Cotton seems to have written for no other purpose 

 than to gratify the mere sensualist. When we see a man of parts 

 like Cotton employing his powers for the mere gratification of his 

 own lowest passions, or those of his fellow-creatures, we feel re- 

 gret at this unhallowed prostitution of talents, which properly ap- 

 plied, might have enlightened and improved the possessor, and 

 millions yet unborn ! Like a baneful meteor, his genius blasts all 

 that come within the sphere of its pernicious influence, instead of 

 shining like a benignant star, to guide the wanderer through the 

 mazes of life to the path of virtue and happiness. 



DR. GEORGE SMALLRIDGE 



Was born in Lichfield, in the year 1666. He was educated at 

 Westminster School, where he distinguished himself by his classi- 

 cal acquirements, and in the sixteenth year of his age, was ad- 

 mitted as a student in Christ Church College, Oxford, where he 

 took the degree of A. M. 



At a very early age he ventured into the labyrinth of contro- 

 versy, and in the year 1687 published " Animadversions on a Piece 

 upon Church Government." He soon afterwards went into orders; 

 and on the 12th of June 1693, he was admitted a prebendary in 

 Lichfield Cathedral. By a regular gradation of preferment, Mr. 

 Smallridge was appointed minister of the new chapel in Tothill- 

 fields; Dean of Carlisle, November 29, 1711; thence removed to 

 the Deanery of Christ Church, Oxford, in July 1713; and conse- 

 crated Bishop of Bristol, April 4, 1 714. 



On the accession of George I. to the throne, he was appointed 

 Lord Almoner to his Majesty, but lost that situation for refusing 

 to sign the declaration of the Bishops against the rebellion in 1715. 

 From his intimacy with Whiston he was suspected of Arianism ; but 

 he vindicated himself from this charge of heresy, in a letter to the 

 Bishop of Winchester, which he published. He also published 

 some volumes of sermons, equally remarkable for the purity of 

 style, and soundness of morality. The Bishop died on the 17th of 

 September 1719, in the 53d year of his age, and was buried in the 

 north aisle of Christ Church, near the choir, without any inscrip- 

 tion on his tomb. 



