from having led an useful as well as happy life. He this day gave directions about printing the remainder of his Notes on Scripture (a work, in the completion of which he was much interested), and looked over the first sheet of the third volume, after it was corrected by those who were to attend to its completion, and expressed his satisfaction at the manner of its being executed.

"On Sunday, the 5th, he was much weaker, but sat up in an arm-chair for a few minutes. He desired that John, chap. xi., might be read to him: he stopped the reader at the 45th verse, dwelt for some time on the advantage he had derived from reading the Scriptures daily, and recommended this practice, saying, that it would prove a source of the purest pleasure. 'We shall all (said he) meet finally, we only require different degrees of discipline suited to our different tempers, to prepare us for final happiness.' Mr. coming into his room, he said, 'You see, Sir, I am still living.' Mr. observed, 'that he would always live.' 'Yes, I believe I shall; we shall meet again in another and a better world.' He said this with great animation, laying hold of Mr.'s hand in both his own. After evening prayers, when his grand-children were brought to his bed-side, he spoke to them separately, and exhorted them to continue to love each other, &c. I am going

(added he) to sleep as well as you, for death is only a good long sound sleep in the grave, and we shall meet again.'

"On Monday morning, the 9th of February, on being asked how he did, he answered in a faint voice, that he had no pain, but appeared fainting away gradually. About eight o'clock, he desired to have three pamphlets which had been looked out by his directions the evening before. He then dictated as clearly and distinctly as he had ever done in his life, the additions and alterations which he wished to have made in each. Mtook down the substance of what he said, which was read to him. He observed, 'Sir, you have put in your own language, I wish it to be mine.' He then repeated over again, nearly word for word, what he had before said, and when it was transcribed, and read over to him, he said, 'That is right, I have now done.'

"About half an hour after, he desired that he might be removed to a cot. About ten minutes after he was removed to it, he died; but breathed his last so easily, that those who were sitting close to him did not immediately perceive it. He had put his hand to his face, which prevented them from observing it."

This was indeed "the death of the righteous!" and it is presumed, that no one possessed of gene

rous and tender feelings, how much soever differing in opinion from the deceased, will refrain from embalming his memory with a tear, and crying "Peace be with him!"

In Dr. Priestley's mental constitution were united ardor and vivacity of intellect, with placidity and mildness of temper. With a zeal for the propagation of truth, that would have carried him through fire and water, he joined a calm patience, an unruffled serenity, which rendered him proof against all obstructions and disappointments. It has been suggested, that a man so much in earnest, and so vigorous in controversial warfare, could not fail of being a persecutor, should his party gain the superiority: but this was an erroneous supposition. Not only were the rights of private judgement rendered sacred to him by every principle of his understanding, but his heart would not have suffered him to have injured his bitterest enemy. He was naturally disposed to cheerfulness, and when his mind was not occupied with serious thoughts, could unbend, with even playful ease and negligence, in the private circle of friends. In large and mixed companies he usually spoke little. In the domestic relations of life he was uniformly kind and affectionate. His parental feelings (alas! how keenly were

they excited!) were those of the tenderest and best of fathers. Not malice itself could ever fix a stain on his private conduct, or impeach his integrity.

Such was the man who adds one more imperishable name to the illustrious dead of his coun try.

(G) p. 247.

MEMOIR

OF

DR. CURRIE.

JAMES CURRIE, M.D., was born at Kirkpatrick-Fleming in Dumfriesshire, on May 31st, 1756. His father was the established minister of that parish, whence he afterwards removed to that of Middlebie. Dr. Currie was an only son of six sisters, two alone are now surviving. He received the rudiments of learning at the parishschool of his native place, whence he was transferred to the grammar-school of Dumfries, one of the most reputable seminaries of the kind in Scotland. His original destination was for a commercial life, and he passed some years of his youth in Virginia in a mercantile station. Disliking this profession, and unwilling to be a witness of the impending troubles in the American colonies, he quitted that country in 1776, and in the following year commenced a course of medi