when conducted with sobriety and decorum, can never be unseasonable; but they seem to be particularly called for in times like those, in which these discourses were written-times, when the Kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers took counsel together against the Lord, and against his Anointed, saying, Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away their cords from us."

The conclusion of this preface is so beautiful and affecting, that I am sure I shall be excused for transcribing it.

"If haply this volume should find its way into those distant regions where the greatest part of it was first produced, and there should be still living any of those old friends, with whom, in old times, I formerly took sweet counsel together; I entreat them to remember me as one who loved them and their country, if not wisely, yet well. If it should be so fortunate as to fall into the hands of any of the inhabitants of the different parishes which I held in Virginia and Maryland, (many of whom once were my willing hearers, and, at the risk of more than blame, listened with a respectful attention to several of these very sermons) I entreat their acceptance of them in their present form. I entreat them to consider this book as the legacy of one who still bears it in mind, with pleasure and with pride, that he once was their faithful and favourite pastor. In this world we are severed to meet no more: but we may meet again when, ere long, both they and I shall be called on to give account, (at a tribunal where passion and prejudice can have no place) they, how they received instruction—and I, what instruction I communicated, and in what manner. God grant that neither they may have been unprofitable hearers-nor I, after having preached to others, myself be a cast-away," By a note to the preface, it appears that Mr. Boucher had at different times held the rectory of Hanover, in Vir

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ginia-the living of St. Mary's, in the same countyand afterwards, by the favour of Sir Robert Eden, Bart. Governor of Maryland, successively the rectory of St. Anne's, in Annapolis, and Queen Anne's, in Prince George's county, from which he was ejected at the revolution.

These sermons are inscribed, by a well-written, manly dedication, to General Washington, whom Mr. B. states to have been once his neighbour and friend: but he adds, in a truly Christian spirit, "the unhappy dispute, which terminated in the disunion of our respective countries, also broke off our personal connection; but I never was more than your political enemy, and every sentiment even of political animosity has, on my part, long ago subsided." The whole of these discourses unequivocally demonstrate this truth, that the pious, manly, and eloquent author was not to be deterred by the personal difficulties in which the schism and faction that then prevailed had placed him, from maintaining, with undaunted resolution, those doctrines, political and religious, in which he had been educated. I cannot withhold from the reader, the following passage from Mr. Boucher's farewell sermon, preached in Maryland, in the year 1775, as a proof of strong, manly, energetic, pious, and loyal eloquence: and I envy not the man nor his feelings, whose head and heart are not deeply affected by the perusal. In page 587 of the volume, is the following burst of true Christian loyalty:

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Sincerely do I wish it were not now necessary to crave your indulgence for a few minutes longerit shall be but for a few, to speak of myself. If I am to credit some surmises, which have been kindly whispered in my ear, (and I am proud thus publicly to acknowledge, that it is to a man whose political tenets are the opposite of mine, that I owe this information, communicated, no doubt, from motives of good-will and humanity) unless I will

forbear to pray for the King, you are to hear me neither pray nor preach any longer. No intimation could possibly have been less welcome to me. Distressing, however, as the dilemma confessedly is, it is not one that either requires or will admit of a moment's hesitation. Entertaining all due respect for my ordination vows, I am firm in my resolution, whilst I pray in public at all, to conform to the unmutilated liturgy of my Church; and reverencing the injunction of an Apostle, I will continue to pray for the King, and all that are in authority under him; and I will do so, not only because I am so commanded, but that, as the Apostle adds, we may continue to lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty. Inclination, as well as duty, confirms me in this purpose. As long as I live, therefore, yea, whilst I have my being, will I, with Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, proclaim, GOD SAVE THE KING!"

Soon after Mr. Boucher returned to this country, the Rev. John Parkhurst, whose invaluable Hebrew and Greek Lexicons have enriched the learned and the Christian world, presented him to the vicarage of Epsom, without solicitation, and knowing him only by character; and here he spent the remainder of his days. Through life Mr. Boucher enjoyed the society and friendship of men of erudition and science; and, on various occasions, employed his pen, not only in defence of those political principles on which the British monarchy is founded, but in critical enquiries and theological duties. Of his discourses from the pulpit in Great Britain, two assize sermons have been printed, and fully justify the request of the Grand Juries, to whom we are indebted for their publication. During the last fourteen years, Mr. Boucher's literary labours were confined to the completion of a Glossary of Provincial and Archæological Words. The pub

lic has long looked forward to the publication of this work, fully convinced, from the known abilities of the author, that this supplement to Dr. Johnson's labours, would, in every respect, be worthy of shining on the same shelf with its great prototype. Mr. Boucher was also an ample contributor to Mr. Hutchinson's compilation of the History of Cumberland. The account of the parish of Bromfield, and the very interesting Biographical Sketches of the eminent Cumberland Men, published in the same work, and marked Biographia Cumbrensis, were written by him. Mr. Boucher was a patriot in the best sense of the word; he was ever anxious to promote the welfare of his fellow countrymen; and, in many instances, personally contributed, either by pecuniary or literary exertions, to meliorate the condition of society.

There

is one trait of Mr. Boucher's estimable character, omitted in the account given of him in the Gentleman's Magazine, which must not be passed by unnoticed; because it is, in the writer's opinion, one of the most lovely features in the portraiture of a good man and of a Christian, and assimilates him in a more marked manner to the excellent person, who is the chief object of this memorial. Mr. Boucher was really the friend of youth; and whenever he discovered in a young man a desire to do well, he omitted no pains, he spared no attention, and he avoided no labour, to encourage such a youth, and to enable him to run the career of virtue, and to establish in his mind the sound principles of religion. He had the happy art of winning many to the ways of righteousness; and we may therefore trust that he will himself derive the blessing pronounced upon such men, of shining like the stars for ever and ever. Upon his death several of his young friends, who had derived such advantages from his counsels, his encouragement, and his sup

port, and all of whom, with one exception, were members of Nobody's Club, erected to his memory a monument in Epsom Church, with the following inscription:

Near this place are deposited,

In the hope of a blessed resurrection to eternal life, The remains of the Rev. JONATHAN BOUCHER, M.A. F.A.S. Nineteen years Vicar of this Parish:

He was born at Blencogo, in Cumberland, 12th March, 1738; And died 27th April, 1804.

A faithful steward of the mysteries of God, he ever Maintained and enforced, both by his writings and discourses, That form of sound doctrine delivered unto the Saints; Whilst in his opinions and practice he exhibited a bright Example of Christian Charity.

Few men possessed a larger store of various knowledge, Or greater liberality of communication; and the success with Which, in the intervals of more important pursuits, he Cultivated English Philological Antiquities, will excite The regret of all the learned for the event, which has left his Valuable labours unfinished.

His loyalty to his King remained unshaken, even when The madness of the people raged furiously against him; And, for conscience sake, he resigned ease and affluence in America, to endure hardships and poverty in his native land; But the Lord gave him twice as much as he had before, And blessed his latter end more than his beginning *.

Another member of Nobody's Club, John Frere, Esq. late Member of Parliament for Norwich, survived Mr. Stevens only a few months, but was deservedly much valued and beloved by him.

But the time was now come, when, in the dispensations of Providence, Mr. Stevens's friends were to be deprived of their bright exemplar of every religious grace and virtue; and this faithful

* The greatest part of the above character of the excellent Mr. Boucher is taken from an account given in the Gentleman's Magazine, for June, 1804, by the late Sir Frederick Morton Eden, Bart. son of Sir Robert Eden, to whom Mr. Boucher felt himself so much indebted.