z 
340 
and that difinterefted benevolence, which 
fuch groveling wretches are incapa- 
ble of comprehending, or of duly appre- 
ciating. Let me be permitted to add, 
that fuch unreferved intercourfe with 
fuch men, furnithes one of the pureft and 
moft fublime pleafures it is poflible for a 
rational being, in the prefent ftate of his 
exiftence, to enjoy. Itelevates and en- 
nobles the mind, and affords a delightful 
glimpfe of the fupreme felicity that flate 
mutt afford, where'fall the worthy and 
the good fhall affociate together for ever. 
If this teftimony be deemed incompe- 
tert to repel the infamous charge brought 
againit Mr. Howard, I have to fubjona 
corroboration that muft filence calumny 
itfelf. Ihave been authorized, and in- 
deed requefted, to tran{mit the following 
particulars, by Dr. R. Darwin, who pur- 
fued his medical fiudies in the univerfity 
of Edinburgh, at the fame time that Mr. 
John Howard was placed there, and lived 
with him in the houfe of the eminent 
Dr. Blacklock. i 
This unfortunate young man was very 
nervous and hypochondriae, and occa- 
fionally difcovered firiking fymptoms of 
that mental derangement, which after- 
wards became an unremitting and in- 
eurable difeafe. Thefe natural caufes 
probagby operated in difpofing young 
Howard, though he often manifefted a 
good heart, to employ himfelf in diico- 
vering and playing upon the foibles of 
thofe about him, to a degree that render- 
ed his foctety very unpleafant. But, 
whatever was the prevailing difpofition 
of che moment, if the name of his father 
was mentioned, he never failed to mani- 
feft the ftronget degree of filial affection, 
and {poke of him with that exultation, 
which manuefied the ‘pride he took in 
his defeent.. Any encomium upon his 
father operated with much greater force 
upon his\mind than any other fubject 
whatever. And, on the other hand, 
when thofe whom he had provoked, with- 
ed to irritate him, they could not do it 
fo eifeétually by any other means as by 
throwing out refie€tions on his father. 
To Dr. R. Darwin, in the moments of 
unreferved confidence, he always fpoke 
with gratitude of his father’s uniformly 
kind treatment of him; fometimes add- 
ing, by way of illufiration, that though 
in many refpeéts, the difpofition of the 
father and fon were different, though he 
did not like to live in the fame ab§emious 
way which his father had accuflomed 
nimfelf to, and which, indeed, the young 
man’s nervous habit of body muft have 
‘Anecdotes of Mr. Howard. 
F Nov. 
rendered uncomfortable to him; yet 
“ bis father always allowed bim to live as 
be chofé.’ This difference of difpofition 
might, however, make ,it not fo agree- 
able to a young gentleman of his age te 
refide much with his father (if the pur- 
fuits of the latter had rendered that prac 
ticable) without implying the leaft 
eftrangement of affeétion : but the fol- 
lowing circumftance.is decifive of the 
point in queftion. At the time young 
Mr. Howard was nearly of age, he and 
Dr. R., Darwin, dined together with a 
lady who was a friend of the family. She 
lamented the expence of what the was 
-pleafed to call his father’s extravagant, 
though amiable eccentricities: faid, that 
charity began at home, and that his fa- 
ther’s purfuits mignt ultimately ruin his 
family. She hoped, therefore, that when . 
he came of age, if any of the property was 
fettled, he would not join to cut off the 
entail. The young gentleman, with 
great warmth and indignation, replied, 
that he would with delight cut off the 
lat fhilling ; as the only credit he had ir 
life was derived from his being the off- 
{pring of fuch a parent; adding, “ what 
good can I do with money, which will 
bear any comparifon with the good he 
nas dune?’’ After leaving the room, he 
obferved, with great indignation, tc his 
friend, who had been prefent at this con- 
verfation—* See, this d—d old b—ch, 
who calls herfelf the friend of my father, 
wifhes me to embarrafs him !”’ and again 
repeated, with great warmth, and a de- 
gree of enthufiafm— What good could 
I poffibly do, cempared with that which 
has been effected by my parent?” Such 
was the uniform tenor of Mr. John 
Howard’s conduét and converfation re- 
fpeéting his father, during the Whole 
time Dr, R. Darwin lived with him. 
And now, may I not afk, whether it 
be poffible to reconcile fo much fenfibili- 
ty of temper, fuch an extraordinary de- 
gree of affeétion as was thus manifefted for 
each other, both by father and fon, and 
the voluntary confidential declaration of 
the latter to his bofom friends, that ‘‘ his 
father always fuffered him to live as he 
chofe ;’? with that accufation of morofe 
unreienting feverity, which, without any 
proof, has been advanced. againft the ex- 
cellent Mr. Howard ! aa Geel 
That it may not be infinuated any part 
of thefe communications are anonymous, 
and therefore not entitled to credit, I 
beg leave to fubfcribe my name, 
Shrew/bury, I. Woon. 
Oéfober 23, 17976 
Je 
