1802.] 
was performed by the gentlemen of the 
choir, as alfo Dr. Boyce’s Funeral An- 
them, “‘I am the Refurreétion and the 
Life,” and a Burial Service compoled for 
the occafion by the writer of this account, 
whom Dr. Arnold joined as one of the 
chief mourners, fucceeded by. Robert 
James, efq. Mr. Charles Wefley, Mr. 
Groombridge, and Mr. Page. 
Mr. Battifhill’s retentive faculties were 
as remarkable as his quicknefs of con- 
ception, and vigour of execution. What 
he once read or performed he fcarcely ever 
forgot; and the longeft compofitions of 
Handel, Corelli, or Arne, were always 
fuficiently within his recolleétion to ren- 
der the aflitance of the text unneceflary. 
His reminifcence with refpect to dates 
and other circumftances was truly afto- 
nifhing- He always knew where and 
with whom he had dined on any particular 
day, however diitant, and even what con- 
verfation occurred. If he once heard any 
mufic, it was indelibly written: in” his 
mind: and his memory remained fo long 
faithful to him, that dining with Dr. Ar- 
nold no great while before'his death, he 
played to him by rote paffages from the 
Doéctor’s Oratorio of the ** Prodigal Son,” 
which he had not heard for nearly thirty 
years, and which the Dogtor himfelf had 
totally forgotten. | 
From what has been faid of Mr. Bat- 
tifhill’s compofitions, the-reader will col- 
let that they were marked with a pecu- 
Jiar ftrength of idea, great force and juft- 
nefs of expreflion, a maflerly dilpofition, 
and a happy contrivance in the parts. 
Among his amiable qualities are to be 
reckoned: his great good-nature, unlimited 
generofity of temper, tender humanity, 1i- 
beral confeffion and commendation of real 
merit, wherever he found it, and amanlinefs 
of mind, that rendered him fuperior to the 
littlenefs of profeflional jealouty. 
He has left in manufcript fix anthems, 
_feveral pfalm-tunes, and fome glees, ron- 
dos, and fongs: thefe pofthumous works 
Mr. Page will {peedily publifh ; and to the 
lovers of the fine harmony and genuine 
melody of the good old fchool, they will 
certainly prove a moft valuable acquifi- 
tion. 
wa 
MEMOIRS OF MRS.CHAPONE,. 
So may fome gentle Mufe, 
With lucky words favour my deftined urn; 
And as he paffes turn, 
And bid fair Peace be to my fable fhroud. 
RS. Chapone, who died at Hadley, - 
in Middlefex, December the 25th 
z801, in her 75th year, has long been 
y 
. Memoirs of Mrs. Chapanes. 
3G 
known to the publics as-an elegant and 
highly moral writer. The firft produc- 
tions of hers, which were given to the 
world, were, the interefting ftory of Fz- 
delia, in the Adventurer ; and a Poem, 
prefixed to her friend Mrs. Carter’s Tranf- 
lation of Epidfetus; but her name only 
became known on the publication of a 
defervedly popular work, Lesters om the 
Improvement of the Mind, addrefed to a 
Young Lady. This was printed in 1773 
and will long, it is to be hoped, main- 
tain its place in the library of young 
women. It is diftinguifhed by found fenfe, 
a liberal, as well asa warm, fpirit, of 
picty, and a philofophy applied to, its 
beft ufe, the culture of the heart and af 
feftions. It has. no fhining excentricities 
of thought, no peculiarities of fyitem ; it 
follows experience as its guide, and is 
content to produce effects of acknowledged 
utility, by known and approved means. 
On thefe accounts, it is perhaps the molt 
unexceptionable treatife, that can be put 
into the hands of female youth. Thefe 
letters are particularly excellent, in. what 
relates to reculating the temper and feel- 
ings. Their ftyle is pure and, unaffected, 
and the manneft grave and imprefiive. 
Thofe who choofe to-compare them in this 
refpe& with another widely circulated 
publication, addrefled, about the fame 
time to young, women, (Dr. Fordyce’s 
Sermons) will probably be of opinion, 
that the dignified fimplicity of the female 
writer is much more confonant to true 
tafte, than the affected prettinefies and 
conftant glitter of the preacher. Mrs. 
Chapone foon after publifhed a volume of 
Milcellanies, containing one or two moral — 
effays, and fome elegant poems. ‘The 
poems, which have the merit of many 
beautiful thoughts, and fome original 
images, feem not have been fufficiently ap- 
preciated by the public ; for they were not 
greatly noticed, owing perhaps to the 
mode of their publication. It was not 
then fo common as it has been fince, to 
mix new matter with old. 
Mrs. Chapone’s maiden name was 
Mulfo: her family was a refpectable one, 
in Northamptonfhire. Her married life 
was fhort,and not very happy. She probably 
alluded to her own nuptial choice, when 
fhe {peaks in one of her poems of 
‘¢ Prudence flow, that ever comes too late.” 
When left a widow, her very limited 
circumftances prevented her not from en- 
joying a large acquaintance among the 
firft circles of fociety, who admired her 
for her talents, and refpected her for her 
virtues. 
She 
