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His reputation was not less in foreign countries than in his own, and he is universally regarded as one of the ornaments of the age. His private character was marked with a modesty, affability, and disposition to communicate and oblige, which inspired general esteem and secured him the warm attachment of his friends and pupils. To this attachment he was indebted for that moderate share of comforts which he possessed; for his principles did not permit him to take those clerical preferments to the expectation of which he had been brought up. He died at his native place in 1706, in his seventy-eighth year, and was buried in the churchyard, where a monument was erected to his memory, at the expense of Henry Compton, Bishop of London.

Mr. Ray was the author of many esteemed works: the one most in request at present is, we believe, “The Wisdom of God manifested in the Works of the Creation." The following lines are extracted from his epitaph :·

"A high descent lent nothing to his fame,
Virtue, not birth, distinguish'd his great name.
Of every Science, every part he knew ;
Read in all arts, divine and human too;
Like Solomon, and Solomon alone,
We as a greater king of knowledge own.
Our modern sage dark nature's secrets read,
From the tall cedar to the hyssop's bed;
From the unwieldiest beast of land or deep,
To the least insect that has power to creep."

1. Who was born on this day in 1530?—and what was his father? 2. For what did the son become distinguished at Cambridge ?

3. Where did he die?—and at what age?

LESSON CCCXXXIV.

-NOVEMBER THE THIRTIETH.

Dean Swift.

On this day, in 1667, was born that celebrated wit and political writer, Dr. Jonathan Swift, the far-famed Dean of St. Patrick's, in Dublin, where his influence for many years was almost boundless. From the year 1736 his mental powers gradually declined, and in 1741 he became utterly incapable of conversation. In this deplorable state of insensibility he lingered till 1745, when he died, leaving the bulk of his fortune, amounting to 11,000l., to erect and endow an hospital for idiots and lunatics.

A stern, inflexible temper, and pride in a supreme de

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gree, formed the basis of his character, on which were built firmness, sincerity, integrity, and freedom from all mean. jealousy; but alloyed with arrogance, implacability, carelessness of giving pain, and total want of candour. Numerous, indeed, are the anecdotes of his rudeness and petulance in society, some of which were of a kind that meanness alone could tolerate.

As a writer Swift was original, and probably will always remain unparallelled. In wit he stands first in the walk of grave irony, maintained with such an air of serious simplicity, that it would deceive any reader not aware of his drift. He also abounds in ludicrous ideas of every kind, but which too often deviate into offensive grossness. Indeed it is remarkable that one so fastidiously nice should take a pleasure in descriptions full of physical impurity, and which cannot be contemplated without absolute disgust.

His style in verse is the most perfect example of easy familiarity that the language affords ; and his readiness in rhyme is astonishing, the most uncommon associations of sounds coming as it were spontaneously, in words the best adapted to the occasion. That he was capable of high polish and elegance some of his pieces sufficiently prove; but the humorous, familiar, and sarcastic, was his habitual taste.

His prose has been held up as a model of clearness, purity, and simplicity; and although it may be devoid of any striking characteristic of genius, it has the great merit of expressing the author's meaning with perfect precision. Were Swift now living he would probably attain little distinction as a didactic or argumentative writer, but in wit and humour he certainly would not find a rival. He has secured a lasting place among the chiefs of English literature; and his memory is still honoured in Ireland as a patriot, with a fervour that excuses and almost panegyrises his defects.

1. What political writer was born on this day, in 1667 ?

2. From what year did his mental powers gradually decline?

3. To what charitable purpose did he leave the bulk of his fortune ? 4. In what do his writings abound?

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HISTORY.

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LESSON CCCXXXV.-DECEMBER THE FIRST.

History.

HISTORY, in its general sense, consists of all that kind of knowledge which belongs to narrative; and stands opposed to science, which is demonstrative knowledge; and to philosophy, which is matter of opinion. History, then, denotes narrative and description of every kind; but, as preeminent, the narrative of human affairs is styled history absolutely, while narratives or descriptions of other objects are distinguished by specific additions.

He that writes the history of his own times is not only in danger of being partial, but of unacquaintance with many things, which time tardily brings to light; and he that writes the history of a former period is dependent on the dicta of other. It has been well and truly said, that if truth is the historian's greatest object, justice is his first duty. He must have the rare power of renouncing his private feelings, and, whilst he investigates or writes as a historian, he must elevate himself above his country, sect, and age, so as not only to be willing to acknowledge the faults of his own party, and the merits of his adversaries, but, what is far more difficult, he must divest himself of the peculiar views of his age, or country, or sect, and be able to enter fully and fairly into those of others.

Among the numerous causes of historical falsehood, of which it would be useful to take the most scrutinizing view, there is one which appears eminently deserving of remark; and this is, the extraordinary care that, in public as well as private life, is frequently employed, by those most deeply interested, to prevent the publication of the truth.

The uses of history are as varied as they are important. To become acquainted with the characters of men, the marks, sources, and effects of their passions and prejudices, the power and changes of their customs, and the like, is an essential and necessary step to prudence; and all this knowledge is considerably improved by history, which teaches us to make other men's experience our own, to profit by it, and to learn wisdom from their misfortunes.

1. What does history pre-eminently denote ?
2. To what does history stand opposed?
3. Name some of the varied uses of history.

LESSON CCCXXXVI.- -DECEMBER THE SECOND.

St. Paul's Cathedral.

On this day, in 1697, St. Paul's Cathedral was opened, although the building was not completely finished till 1723.

St. Paul's was originally built on the foundation of an old temple of Diana, in 610; burnt in 964; rebuilt in 1240, having been 150 years building; the steeple fired by lightning, 1443; rebuilt, having been in great part burnt down, 1631; totally destroyed by fire, 1666; and the first stone of the present structure laid in 1675.

In the reigns of James I. and Charles I. the body of this cathedral was the resort of the politicians, the newsmongers, and the idle in general. It was called Paul's Walk; and is mentioned in the old plays, &c. of the times.

Notwithstanding the magnificence of this noble pile, architectural critics have made the following objections to it-Its situation is such that it cannot be viewed at a distance. The division of the porticoes and the whole structure into two stories on the outside indicate a like division within. The dome is disproportionately large for the rest of the pile, and ought to have been raised exactly in the centre of the building; and there ought to have been two steeples at the east end, to correspond with those of the west. On entering this church, (they say,) we instantly perceive an obvious deficiency, not only of elevation but length, to assist the perspective, and the columns are heavy and clumsy, rather encumbering the prospect than enriching it.

St. Paul's occupies an area of six acres, and is railed all round with iron balustrades, each about 5 feet high, fixed on a dwarf wall of hewn stone. In the west end of this area is a marble statue of Queen Anne, holding a sceptre and globe, surrounded with four emblematical figures, representing Great Britain, France, Ireland, and America.

Besides very large contributions for carrying on this edifice, the parliament granted a duty on sea coal, which, at a medium produced 5000l. a year; and the whole expense of the building is said to have amounted to 736,7521. 2s. 3d.

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