But the protection of the mariner who navigates along this dangerous coast, was the peculiar object of the establishment. For his sake a constant watch was set at the top of the tower; and when any ship was discovered in distress, signals were made, to direct the inhabitants of the neighbourhood to hasten to its assistance. If the vessel suffered distress in the adjacent Fern Islands, or Staples, a flag was hoisted, guns fired morning and evening, and a rocket sent up every night, that the sufferers might know that they were perceived from the shore, and that efforts were making for their relief. Signals were also made to the fishermen of Holy Island, who, from their situation, are able to put off their boats, when none from the main land can pass the breakers; and premiums were assigned to those who should get the start in conveying succour. In foggy weather, a bell sounding from the tower, and a gun fired every quarter of an hour, were signals to the same effect.

In every violent storm, two men on horseback patroled the coast from sun-rise to sun-set; one of whom, in case of any shipwreck, returned to give alarm at the castle; and premiums were paid to any one who brought the earliest intelligence.

Within the castle, thirty beds were kept, well-aired, and in constant readiness to receive the sailors who escaped the storm, and who here found a store-house for depositing in security whatever might be saved from the wreck; and tools, timber, cables-and, in short, all that could be wanted for the repair of vessels-ready for their use.

The bodies of such as were cast lifeless on shore, were decently interred*.

is thirty-six feet long, and twenty in breadth; the east end (according to the Saxon fashion) semicircular. The altar stood in the centre of the semicircle, with a walk round it, three feet broad, for the priest to carry the Host in procession. The front, richly carved, is still remaining.

Mr. Granville Sharp, in a letter to the Marquis of Lansdown (1792), gives the following particulars of the charity.

"The Account of Bamborough Castle, printed some years ago, contains but a very small part of the charities now in the establishment at that place. There is a medical dispensary, where many hundred sick and wounded persons every year receive advice and assistance. A large Saxon hall has been repaired and roofed as a school, wherein about 120 children are instructed;

All these beneficent plans were, in the first instance, carried into execution with the utmost zeal and promptitude under Dr. Sharp's direction, and were conducted by him with equal attention and indefatigable perseverance for more than thirty years, to the time of his decease*. He resided in Bamburgh Castle several months in every year, anxiously superintending every part of the management; and, in order to encourage his successors to continue the good work, he not only expended a large part of his own property in his life-time on the improvements and accommodations of the placet, but at his death bequeathed to the Trustees his furniture, and his large and valuable library, besides a freehold estate, and a considerable sum of money to be vested in the funds, for the perpetual repair of the great tower or keep, which he had himself occupied, and now proposed for their dwelling and use.

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He died 28th April, 1792, leaving," says Granville, "so ample a remembrance of his worth as to need no farther description."

Thomas, the second son, an accomplished scholar, and an exemplary parish priest‡, greatly assisted his brother in establishing the charities of Bamburgh. He died in the prime of life.

The two next sons, William and James, raised themselves by talents and industry; the one to professional eminence, and both to affluence. To the memory of the former, while I pay the tribute of duty as a biographer, let me be allowed to add that of affection as a friend, and to express the grateful reverence with which I call him to

and an old Saxon chapel has been rebuilt on the ancient site; and both of them renewed as nearly as possible in the original style. Granaries are formed in the castle for corn, which is sold to the poor at an under price; and hand-mills are placed in the castle, that they may grind for themselves.".

* A very interesting letter, written by himself, in which he gives a full detail of these charitable excrtions, is preserved in Mr. Nichols's Biographical Anecdotes,—(See Letter S.)

+ Dr. Sharp seems to have taken pains to conceal the sums expended on the charity by himself; but the whole amount was probably little less than ten thousand pounds.

He was Rector of St. Bartholomew the Less in London, and Perpetual Curate of the curacy of Bamburgh.

remembrance; happy, beyond my hope, if any record that I am able to offer, can repay a portion of the debt due to that almost parental care, which his heart, overflowing with kindness, prompted him to extend to all. The view of his character, in comparison with that of Granville-a view so often and forcibly impressed on my observation during a long intercourse with the family — may in some degree serve to elucidate both.

When you addressed yourself to William, you waked at once the attention of a benevolent and affectionate spirit, that anxiously bent towards you, with the desire of contributing instantly to your relief; of one who felt, no less than the sufferer, the pain he witnessed; who strove to sooth the irksome sense of human infirmity, and to reconcile the afflicted to themselves. His looks spoke the compassion of his heart, and his presence brought comfort, even (though that was rare) where his skill failed to afford relief.—In Granville, benevolence and charity were not less prominently conspicuous, but they appeared divested of that keenness of sensibility which so quickly and irresistibly endeared the character of William. Granville's benevolence was pure and complacent, without anxiety,—without other emotion than that of an upright and generous spirit, steadily and actively discharging his Maker's commission. The expression of his sentiments was wholly free from disguise. Although his habitual charity of mind taught him to love the man whose opinion he chastised, he did not palliate error, nor veil the severest truth: what he spoke, you might at all times be sure was from the consent of his whole heart; all was simple, all was sterling. Such were the nice features of distinction, in two men eminently united in every amiable and friendly quality, eminently pure, religious, charitable, and useful to mankind.

William's profession was surgery, which he practised, with unremitting assiduity and the highest reputation, for a course of thirty-seven years, until a most severe and all but mortal attack of illness, attended with the loss of sight in one eye, compelled him to relinquish it*.

* Memorandum left on a slip of paper by G. Sharp.-" William Sharp, the sixth son and seventh child, born at Whitton Tower, Rothbury, 1728-9, March 12th; married Sept. 5th,

During the whole of his professional attendance, he was known never to have consented to the amputation of a limb, until every effort to preserve it had been exhausted; and, in that case, his concern for human sufferings was such, that the previous agitation of his countenance never failed to announce the impending operation to his family. Such, too, was the benignity of his professional feelings, that once, while relating the progress of his early life, being asked if he had at the outset any powerful rival, he simply replied, "I was never the rival of any man."

He extended his charities around him in every manner; relieving the sick and indigent, assisting the willing, and encouraging, with a fostering hand that never withdrew its protection, the advance' of youthful talents and industry, wherever they came within his sphere.

His house appeared the chosen residence of domestic peace and love. In it was assembled, every evening, the numerous band of brothers and sisters, knit in the union of Christian charity. No sight could be more affecting, more endearing. Alas!-if we may sigh for those who rest in bliss-of all who formed that happy circle, two alone remain! the widow of James, and his daughter, to whom the reader owes the present accurate collection of important documents.

His death, in advanced and declining age, is said to have been hastened by excessive alarm at the unexpectedly rapid approach of his only child's mortal dissolution. Severe indeed must have been a parent's presage of such a loss! The loss of one who was lovely in mind and exemplary in conduct; a long-enduring lesson of meekness, patient suffering, and resignation to the Divine Will!*

1765, to Catherine, fifth daughter of Thomas Barwick, of Friday Street. They had only one child born alive, Mary, born 19th of April, 1778. He was most eminent in his profession as a surgeon in London, during the time he practised for himself, from 1750 to 1787; and having acquired a handsome fortune, retired to Fulham."

I wish to refer the reader, for a fuller account of Mr. William Sharp, to the funeral sermon, preached on occasion of his death, by the Rev. John Owen, of Fulham, March 25, 1810. I shall extract from it an anecdote of singular interest.—

Mr. Owen, after describing, with his natural eloquence, the demeanour of Mr. Sharp during the Church Service, proceeds thus:-" But to view this part of his portrait complete, we must meet him

!

The name of James will occasionally be found in the following Memoirs, in his united action with Granville. His unshaken integrity gave him great influence in the city, where he carried on an extensive business as an ironmonger. His inventive genius, and knowledge of mechanics, rendered his efforts in trade more than commonly useful and beneficial. To him, chiefly, this kingdom is indebted for the establishment of its inland navigation*. His house, like that of William, was the general home of the family; nor did he possess in a less eminent degree those affections of the heart which render home delightful.

Of Dr. Sharp's daughters, the virtues were domestic and exemplary.

I will not believe that England is deficient in other circles of domestic life, in which as many useful, virtuous, and endearing qualities are concentrated, as in the family whose shadows I am now tracing; but it is the lot of few to know them intimately. I have enjoyed a blessing of that kind, and my heart is grateful for it; and, while it indulges the remembrance of so much excellence, kindred minds shall, as I hope, be roused to emulation by these records, and chiefly by the memorial of him whose history I now proceed to detail, in the confidence of adding to the moral and religious

at the altar, and see him kneeling to receive the pledges he so dearly valued of his Saviour's love. At this table, spread by the Lord of glory, and covered with more than angels' food, he was a constant and a thankful guest. So highly did he deem the obligation and the benefit of this peculiarly Christian ordinance, that he lost no opportunity of celebrating it himself, and took no common pains to bring all the members of his household to be partakers with him. On one occasion, an occasion which will be ever fresh in the memory of myself and those who witnessed it, he lingered, contrary to his general custom, behind the body of communicants. At length he approached the altar; but it was in company with a livery servant, newly received into his employment, and whose devotions he had been guiding during the progress of the service. With a tenderness and humility, seldom perhaps equalled, he made his servant kneel before he would advance; and then, servant and master, on their bended knees beside each other, and in the presence of God and of the congregation, ate the same spiritual meat and drank the same spiritual drink, as equally the objects of acceptance and mercy with Him who is no respecter of persons."

* "He distinguished himself by his zeal in projecting and promoting a scheme for a navigable canal from Waltham Abbey to Moorfields."-Nichols's Anecdotes.