there was neither assumption, nor the slightest shade of pedantry in him, in his behaviour, or in his conversation. On the contrary, an innate modesty (which we can readily believe stood in the way of higher ecclesiastical distinction) marked his demeanor throughout life. He possessed a vivacity as well as a simplicity of manner, which afforded no hint of the attainments and erudition that lay quietly below, and were only discovered by the force of casual circumstances-certainly never displayed. In private life no man was ever more beloved than Archdeacon Nares. His friends from youth to old age were delighted by his talents, while they were compelled to set a high value upon his individual character, so estimable and honourable in every relation of life. To know him indeed was to be attached to him; for the exemplary divine, the profound scholar, the judicious critic, and the elegant writer, was at the same time one of the most amiable, pleasing, and instructive companions into whose society good fortune could throw either the young or the old. No wonder then that his intimacy was zealously courted, and that he ranked among his most constant friends a number of the foremost men of the times which he himself lived to adorn.'* In the National Portrait Gallery, vol. II. is a portrait of Archdeacon Nares, from a painting by J. Hoppner, Esq. R.A. with whom he was intimate from his youth; and it is accompanied with a specimen of the playful spirit which imbued the original epigram on himself, written in 1826, and first published in the National Portrait Gallery:— "Time has not thinn'd my flowing hair, * National Portrait Gallery. Meaning, no doubt, to let me see, He thinks to make mere dust of me; And life unchangeable will give When Time himself shall cease to live." This memoir shall be closed with a character of Mr. Archdeacon Nares, as drawn by his friend and literary associate, Mr. Beloe : "Accident placed in the way of the Sexagenarian an individual who gave a decided bias to his future pursuits, studies, views, connections, and prospects. The influence was like that of an ascendant star; nor ever did one dark cloud interpose between this star and the object, which, with complacency and affection, contemplated its mild and benignant aspect. Two streams united, which together formed a river, gentle but far from dull, and full without overflowing. Quickness of conception on one side was tempered by judicious deliberation on the other; luxuriance of expression was chastened by classical accuracy, and extreme facility of communicating ideas was moderated and reined in by a salutary sobriety and reserve." “Similar studies, pursuits, and objects, induced an intimacy which was never interrupted but by the cold hand of death. "Born of highly respectable connections, he was educated at a public school, where his talents soon inspired respect, and his facetiousness and wit rendered him exceedingly popular. This spirit never forsook him through life, for he invariably continued to animate the society of which he was a part, by incessant sallies of cheerfulness, good humour, and the very best sort of conversation. His talents, however, were of a still higher order, and, perhaps, there was no situation within the scope of his ambition which he was not qualified to fill with dignity, and to the public advantage. He was a sound and excellent scholar, as the term is generally understood; but he was, moreover, distinguished by very extensive general knowledge and acquirements. "He several times claimed the public attention as an author; and the characteristic features of whatever he wrote were strong sense, sound judgment, and a perfect knowledge of his subject. These solid and sober qualities proved an admirable check upon the too great quickness, extreme vivacity, and rapidity of conception, which distinguished his friend, who, for a term of no very short continuance, was also his coadjutor. "In the progress of a somewhat extended life he filled different stations, and he discharged the duties of them all with the most exemplary fidelity and honour. Why was he not appointed to the exercise of functions still more elevated and more dignified? This is a question not very easy to be answered. He might, if he had thought proper. If he had condescended to use the ordinary means which individuals similarly circumstanced practise, and generally with success, there was nothing in the line of his profession too lofty for his pretensions, and which the connections and friendships he had formed might not easily have procured. But, though not more proud than became a man so endowed and so distinguished, he had not the flexibility which, in the present condition of society, they who have good things for barter invariably require of those who want them. He scorned to flatter and bow the knee to those with whom he had entered life on the level, and had continued to associate with on the same terms of manly equality, but whom better fortune or greater address, not superior merit or stronger claims, had raised to the height of worldly honours. Though not without ambition, he had a sort of proud and manly disregard of lucrative situations, merely considered as such, and was not at all inclined to remit his ordinary habits, or to deviate from his accustomed paths, in pursuit of them. "He did indeed attain, and by force of merit only, the means of passing through life with great respect and honour, in possession of all its comforts, and with not a few of its best advantages. These he enjoyed to the fullest extent, participating in them with no very limited circle of old and long tried friends. What has been said of his claims to worldly distinctions is equally applicable to his mental endowments. His learning and his talents were equal to any undertaking. He would have been a good historian if he had directed his mind to that branch of learning. A poet he was, and in the epigrammatic part of poetry was excelled by very few; he was well acquainted with the niceties and subtleties of grammar, and of his own language more particularly. He was by no means disputative, but, if occasion required, was an expert controversial writer. To finish all, he was a critic of no ordinary precision and acuteness. "That he had faults it is not pretended to deny, but they inflicted no wounds. A sort of coldness and reserve of manner was frequently considered as the result of pride, and sometimes excited unfavourable impressions; but it was not pride, and very soon melted into familiarity. Among his intimate friends it was impossible to be more communicative, facetious, and agreeable. But it is time to have done. "The above tribute is paid from a full and warm heart. It is the result of long, very long attachment, esteem, and gratitude; of a friendship never interrupted; of an intercourse which a continued series of years cemented. Can it be necessary to say more?" To BP. PERCY. 1782. "MY LORD, "As Mr. Bromwich, when I was lately at Easton,* for induction, &c., informed me that you had expressed an intention of paying one more visit to that place whenever you should be in England next, I am happy in having thereby some little opportunity of shewing my sense of your Lordship's polite attentions to me in London. I beg to assure your Lordship that you cannot flatter me more than by continuing still to consider Easton as at your command no less than before, so long and so far as your convenience may require. "As I do not purpose at present to be resident there very speedily, this is unfortunately a less compliment than I could wish it to be; but I can only say that had the circumstances been different I should have been no less desirous of making a similar offer. "I was much pleased with the place. Its quiet and retired situation would render it very agreeable to me if my circumstances would allow me to pass a part of my time there; to have pleased its late possessor is no small recommendation to it, and it would form no inconsiderable part of the satisfaction I should have in being there, to reflect that a great part of the comforts which I found in it were derived from the liberality and good taste of my predecessor. 66 "I will beg your Lordship at your leisure to give the particulars which you were so kind as to promise, respecting the rights of the living. "I am, my Lord, "Your obedient and obliged humble servant, "R. NARES. "P.S. If your Lordship should at any time favour me with a line, you will please to direct to Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Wynnstay, Wrexham.” "MY LORD, Lichfield, Sept. 7, 1800. "Your valuable packet was forwarded to me at this place; and I take an early opportunity of returning you my thanks for it. I regretted very much that the extreme The Rev. R. Nares had been presented to the rectory of Easton Mauduit, a living formerly possessed by Bishop Percy. |