general, and turned the course of his studies almost wholly to defend the Christian faith against this prevailing heresy. The Clergy themselves had the misfortune not to be united against the common enemy. The Animadverter upon Dr. Sherlock had too many favourers who preferred the subtleties of the Schoolmen to the doctrines of the Fathers. Dr. Payne in the course of his preaching in Westminster Abbey attempted to state the doctrine of the Trinity, as taught in Scripture, and explained by the Fathers. This same Anidmadverter, a brother prebendary, making public objections to the doctrine, as delivered by him, made it necessary for him to publish his sermons and a defence of them: The Mystery of the Christian faith, and of the Blessed Trinity vindicated; and the Divinity of Christ proved in three Sermons preached at Westminster Abbey. And also a Letter from the author to the Bishop of Rochester in vindication of them, 1696.' He intended a much larger defence of the doctrine of the Trinity, which was almost finished when it pleased God to put a period to his life, Feb. 20, 1696, stylo Anglicano. This work, which would have been useful in the disputes that were then on foot, and are still continued, concerning this important Article of the Christian Religion, had a good deal of personal altercation with the Animadverter.

"For this reason the wisest of his friends thought it most advisable that private differences should be ended with his life; therefore this book was never sent to the press.

"After his decease his intimate and worthy friend, and one of his Executors, the Rev. Mr. Joseph Powell, Rector of Balsham, Cambridgeshire, published a volume of Sermons from his MS. notes: Discourses upon several practical subjects, by the late Rev. William Payne, D. D. With a preface, giving some account of his life, writings, and death. 1698.'"

277

The Rev. WILLIAM ADAMS, D. D.*

This benevolent Divine took the degree of B. A. at Pembroke College, Oxford, in 1723; proceeded M. A. in 1727; and took the degrees of B. and D. D. in 1756, in which year he was elected Master of his College.

He was Rector of St. Chad, in Shrewsbury, and of Cound, Shropshire, 1755. Obtaining a Prebend in the Cathedral of Gloucester, he resigned St. Chad, and was soon after made Archdeacon of Landaff. He was a mild and excellent man; careful to promote the cause of piety, and attentive to the interests of the young men over whom he presided. He was the author of an excellent Defence of the Miracles of Christ and his Apostles, against the objections of Mr. Hume. A brief account which had been given of Dr. Adams produced the following animated Letter from the friendly pen of Dr. Parr:

"MR. URBAN,

March 17, 1789.

A sincere veneration for the memory of the late Dr. Adams is the occasion of my troubling you with this letter. I am now. on a western tour, have visited Oxford and Gloucester, and conversed with many who were well acquainted, as I myself have long been, with the Doctor's virtues; and they have all lamented with me, that you have preserved no record of them in your Obituary. In p. 90, you announce his death, as if he had been distinguished for nothing but his preferments; and in p. 176, you have added anecdotes ill written, and worse founded. I am well informed that he had no such dispute, as is there recorded, with the Dean of Gloucester; and there was nothing marked in his connections either with Dr. Johnson or John Henderson, from which he might with prop iety be styled the tutor of the first, or the friend of the last. So far is due in justice to the Doctor's memory, and the information of your readers. And you may add, if you think proper, that in this worthy and excellent man were united the learning of a scholar, the accomplishments of a gentleman, and the piety of a Christian. The College, over which he presided with the mildest dignity, have in him lost a faithful and affectionate Governor; the Clergy, amongst whom he bore a distinguished rank, a most respectable and liberal-minded Member; the Congregation that enjoyed the benefit of his instruction, a rational and benevolent Teacher;

*See before, p. 203.

and the Acquaintance that were enlivened with his converse, most cheerful and amiable Companion. Through a long and active life (for he was considerably above eighty, and to the last alert both in body and mind), the pleasure of his society, and the profit of his instruction, were a desirable entertainment to all ages and both sexes; and he died with a composure, resignation, and a well-grounded hope, that disarmed death of its terrors, soothed the sorrows of surviving friends, and held out the most comfortable and satisfactory encouragement to a life of purity and virtue. A CONSTANT READER."

Rev. ALEX. CROWCHER SCHOMBERG. Was born July 6, 1756. At Southampton School, where he laid the foundation of his classical learning, he distinguished himself for an early display of genius, and for his goodness of heart. In his 14th year, he wrote a Tragedy jointly with the writer of this article. Under Dr. Warton, at Winchester, he opened the stores of a vivid imagination, and acquired a correctness of taste, which embraced and illustrated a variety of splendid and useful objects. He was then entered at Magdalen College, Oxford; where in 1777 he took the degree of B. A.; and proceeded M. A. in 1781. The Myrtle Wreath of Lady Miller has often crowned his poetical productions, to which her volumes are indebted for some of their principal ornaments. In polite literature he was formed to excel. But his inclination led him to a more useful pursuit. The whole economy of active life was the subject of his observation. The interests of nations, the relations of arts, the circuitous channels, and the secret recesses of commerce, and the wide range of operations in manufactures and agriculture, were open to his intuition. His "Chronological View of the Roman Laws" was the introduction to a larger work, for which he had furnished himself with ample materials, by his study of Juridical Antiquities. Connected with this, was his "Treatise on the Maritime Laws of Rhodes;" in which he clearly

* See the note in P. 280.

1

investigated the origin, and elegantly described the nature of the Maritime codes which bore an analogy to the Rhodian laws. During the intervals of his occupation as a useful Tutor of Magdalen College, Oxford, he visited the principal seats of commerce and manufactures in England and on the Continent. The result of his researches was given, in 1787, in his "Historical and Political Remarks on the Tariff of the Commercial Treaty with France." This excellent work, which had for its only object the investigation of truth, and the information of his countrymen, was soon distinguished from the party publications which that subject abundantly produced, and proved the author to be inferior to Adam Smith alone in the science of political economy. From that time he had, with minute attention, observed the effects of that famous treaty upon both nations, and he had made a considerable progress in printing a series of facts and collateral deductions, under the title of "Present State of Trade and Manufactures in France," when he was arrested in the midst of his pursuits by an illness, as extraordinary in its nature as fatal in its consequences. During the two last years of his life he exhibited the most dismal spectacle of helpless infirmity and excruciating pain, that ever afflicted human nature, and baffled the skill of physic, and the attention of friendship. His personal exertions were stopped; but his mind was still forming plans for the information and welfare of mankind. The force of his superior genius and attainments was so softened by his ease and condescension, that it was said he would have succeeded his venerable Friend, Dr. Horne, Bishop of Norwich, as President of Magdalen College, had he retained his health. Fond as he was of examining every subject through all its relations, and under all its aspects, he always presented the pleasing side of it to society, and diffused a cheerfulness which was as much the effect of the purity

of his mind, as of his lively imagination. He informed, whilst he seemed to enquire; and he charmed, while he conveyed instruction. On the consideration of his character, the writer of this imperfect sketch, who had known, loved, and admired him from his youth, feels it difficult to decide, whether his grief for the loss of his friend proceeds more from private, or from public motives. Equidem omnibus rebus, quas mihi aut fortuna aut natura tribuit, nihil habeo, quod cum illius amicitiâ possim comparare. In hâc mihi de republicâ consensus, in hâc rerum privatarum consilium: in eadem requies plena oblectationis fuit.* Many more circumstances might be mentioned to the credit of Mr. Schomberg. His patronage of Crotch, the musical child, whose talents of various kinds will call Schomberg to the recollection of posterity, should not be forgotten; especially when this princely patronage flowed from a private Clergyman, hardly entered into life, towards one, neglected and deserted by men who are sufficiently great in their own conceits about patronage which they do not confer. But such is not Crotch's remaining Patron, the very learned Dr. Cyril Jackson, Dean of Christ Church. Mr. Schomberg died, at Bath, April 6, 1792.

EDWARD FORSTER, Esq.

In the life and character of Mr. Forster was exemplified a genuine specimen of the talents and sterling integrity of an English merchant, blended with the most pleasing urbanity of manners, and more than an ordinary share of literary acquirements. A brief notice of him has been given in the " Literary Anecdotes," vol. VI. 616; and VII. 138. 567. A few specimens of his elegance in letter-writing shall be given in the following pages.

* Thus far, except a slight addition, appeared in a Bath Newspaper. I do not recollect that I ever heard the Writer's name. What follows is by Sir Herbert Croft. See before, p. 202.