and himself determined, unknown to the father, to make a provision for this youth, whom it had pleased Providence so sorely to visit. Accordingly these two benevolent men purchased 407. per annum in the Long Annuities, in the name of the writer of this life, and the father of the young man, as trustees for his future use. This act of liberality, and some others, which I am about to mention, will prove, that the donations and charities of Mr. Stevens, were not confined to small sums; but extended, as in the instance just related, to hundreds, and in what I am going to mention, to thousands.

A lady and her daughter, who were distant relations, were reduced to considerable distress; and, for several years, he allowed them 1007. per annum. Upon the death of the mother, the young lady wrote to inform him of the event, and expressing her doubts whether she could look forward to a continuation of his bounty. With his usual kindness, and true Christian speed-and with his wonted playfulness, he, by return of post, answered, "that he did not mean to continue the allowance of 100%. a year: but, as he did not think she was old enough to despair, he meant to settle a fortune immediately upon her, and that she might share it with any good man she thought proper; that he had bought in her name, 40007. in the Three per Cents; producing an income of 1207. sterling; and that he had sent her a power of attorney to execute, empowering him to receive the dividends, for her use." What a noble and disinterested act of charity: how valuable the gift-how delightful and inimitable the mode of conferring it! But, alas! his bounty was frustrated, and his immense gift was directed into another channel: for, in a letter to Mrs. Gunning, of the 10th March, 1804, he writes thus, "There is no knowing what a day may bring forth. My cousin, who has been spending some months at Otham, was to have returned to town next Mon

day, in order to go to Ewell; but this morning came a letter from Mr. Horne," (the Rev. William Horne, Rector of Otham, brother of the late Bishop Horne) "to say, that on Thursday evening, she dropt down suddenly, and expired without a groan, or a struggle.'

Many persons are disposed to be charitable, and to do good; but it is not every one who understands the true and proper mode of doing it. This art was never better understood, nor more extensively practised, than by Mr. Stevens; and, therefore, it is, that I am more diffusive in these narratives than I otherwise should be; entertaining the hope, that all, who have the desire to do good, will, from him, learn the happy mode of doing it; and that those, who have the power, not having hitherto exerted it, may be led by the lustre of his bright example, to shew themselves deserving of the blessings, which a gracious Providence has showered upon them and that all may emulate this good, this excellent, this charitable man-and go and do as he did.

A respectable and exempláry clergyman, residing in a very distant part of the kingdom, who had the good fortune to be intimately acquainted with Mr. Stevens, was most desirous of getting his son educated at Oxford, intending him for holy orders, although it was quite out of his power to sustain the expence. Accordingly, this gentleman wrote to Mr. Stevens, informing him, that he understood there were various exhibitions, which might be had at Oxford; and even a society, called the Elland Society, formed to maintain young men at the Univer sity, free of expence to their friends, and thus to prepare them for the ministry. Mr. Stevens exerted himself, amongst his friends, to procure something of the kind; but all in vain. This excellent man, not to disappoint the father in a point, which, (for certain reasons, I cannot fully explain) he had

much at heart, mentioned the matter to different friends, and he was immediately authorized by those, who were ever anxious to join with him in every act of Christian friendship, to settle at least 1001. a year upon this youth, in order to maintain him during his education at Oxford; and some of his own letters to this clergyman, will shew, particularly as to the delicacy of it, in what manner he executed his commission: for a considerable time had elapsed before the father knew that all that had been done for his son, was the mere exertion of a few private individuals, called into action by the zeal of Mr. Stevens..

In a letter of the 12th December, 1797, Mr. Stevens writes thus: "The character transmitted to me of your son is every way amiable, and I should have had no suspicion of its being exaggerated, even if the testimony of his teachers had not been added to his father's. I should have been sorry, therefore, in the failure of your application to the Elland Society, had I not providentially fallen in with another, which I think may answer your purpose full as well. It is at present in its infancy, and calls itself the Berean Society, in allusion, I suppose, to the Bereans of old, who searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so, it being the wish of the society to promote such laudable pursuits. Being acquainted with some of the members, they have appointed me their treasurer, and I am authorized to inform you, that from the representation given of your son, they are desirous of enabling him to prosecute his studies in the University of Oxford; and not doubting his attention to economy, from the example he has ever had before him, they calculate that an allowance of 100%. per annum may be sufficient. The next term begins about the middle of January, and ends a little before Easter. Entering any time in the

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term will serve to keep that term: but, I suppose, you would be glad to have the young man begin business as soon as may be; and, therefore, if you will be so good as to let me know when it will be convenient to you that he should set out on his journey to town, we will be prepared to receive him: and, in the mean time, it shall be determined at which College to fix him. The scheme, I flatter myself, is such as you will approve, and I wish the end as successful as the beginning is fair and promising."

In a letter of the 4th January, 1798, to the same clergyman, he writes, "I am much pleased to think that the little society, mentioned in my last letter, have, by their seasonable offer, made you happy in the prospect of seeing accomplished the object you have had much at heart. I am greatly obliged to you for the concern and anxiety you express on my account, and you may depend upon it, that whenever I find my office of treasurer inconvenient or troublesome, I will comply with your friendly request, and decline it. To be sure, at my time of life, I cannot expect long to hold it; but, if I should drop before your son has received the full benefit of the institution, it will not affect the interests of the society, and I trust I shall be succeeded by a better man.

On the 15th of March in the same year, after the arrival of the young man, he again writes to the venerable father of the youth. "I have now before me your two favours of January 24 and 26, the former as a warning star, announcing the approach of the great star; and the latter, an attendant on the great star itself. To tell you what has passed since the arrival of the student would be telling you no news, as I dare say he has not omitted acquainting you with every single circumstance.

But probably his modesty has not permitted him to tell you, what you will be glad to hear, that we are all mightily taken with him, and promise ourselves that he will, by his prudent exemplary conduct, be an ornament to the University. I saw at one view that he was no counterfeit: the likeness was so striking, that he had no occasion to: say whose son he was; and may it be his study, as I doubt not it will, to preserve the likeness throughout, that in every part of his character, the son may remind us of the father. He is now a member of Wadham College, with the warden of which Dr. Gaskin is particularly acquainted. The members of the new society, who have taken your son as their protégé, are happy in the reflection, that it is a measure so agreeable to you: they are thankful for the opportunity of doing so much good, as is likely to be the result of it; and consider your blessing as a rich return for all they can confer. Finding, on enquiry, that the young student was not provided with Mr. Parkhurst's two lexicons, I took care to supply him with them, and observed to him at the same time, that with those two books, and his Hebrew Bible, and Greek Testament, well used, he might set up trade whenever called upon."

This letter contains a list of the members of this ideal society, though they were real contributors to this labour of love, of whom the worthy treasurer was the chief: but I forbear to mention their names, as some of them are still alive; and as that is the case, it is right to assert, as the truth is, that Mr. Stevens's hopes, that this amiable and promising youth would, in every part of his character, remind. us of the father, have been fully realized; for he passed through College with considerable reputation, as to attainments; with the highest praise for his moral character; and is now a respectable clergyman, reflecting the greatest credit on the in