the first copy of which occurred to him in things too far, it does not appear that the the library of Magdalen College; on which worst of their interpretations are so bad as he set so great a value during the rest of his those of some learned critics in the last life, that while he was Dean of Canterbury, century, who, from the allowed primævity he published, after the example of the excel- of their favorite language, applied it without lent Dean Stanhope, his predecessor, a hand-discretion to every thing. All the names in some English edition of it. The original is in Greek and Latin; and it happened some time after Mr. Horne had first brought the work into request, that a great number of copies of the Greek and Latin edition were discovered in a warehouse at Oxford, where they had lain undisturbed in sheets for many years. In the copy published after Dean Stanhope's form, the Manual for the Sick, though the best thing extant upon its subject, is wholly omitted: but in the posthumous manuscript I speak of, the whole is put together, with improvements by the compiler; and I wish all the parochial clergy in the nation were possessed of it.

We are now coming to a more busy period of Mr. Horne's life, the year 1756, when he was called upon to be an apologist for himself and some of his friends, against the attack of a literary adversary.

Homer's Illiad and Odyssey were hebraized, and all his fables were derived from some history or other in the Bible; and this to such a degree as was utterly improbable, and even childish and ridiculous.* Such are the weaknesses to which great scholars are subject, in common with other men; sometimes for want of light, and sometimes for want of discretion; and the greatest scholars of this age are not without them. Dr. Horne, I have reason to think, did so much justice to the criticisms of Dr. Sharp as to read them carefully; which is more than I dare say of. myself; and I may plead in my behalf the example of my learned and respectable friend Granville Sharp, Esq., the son of the archdeacon; who very ingenuously owned to me, that he had never read his father's books on the Hutchinsonian controversy; perhaps, because he is as little inclined to logomachy In the controversy about Hebrew names, as I am. However, I have seen enough to and their doubtful interpretations, in which discover from the general tenor of them, the learned Dr. Sharp of Durham was pre- that it seems to have been the design of that vailed upon (as it is reported, much against learned author to raise difficulties, and throw his will) to engage, Mr. Horne never inter- things into the shade; in which he has fered; as being of opinion that, if all that apparently succeeded. When I look into part of Mr. Hutchinson's system were left a writer of the Hutchinsonian persuasion, to its fate, the most useful and valuable parts though I may suspect his criticisms, and disof it would still remain, with their evidences like his manner, I am animated by his zeal, from the Scripture, the natural world, and and generally learn something useful; but the testimony of sacred and profane antiquity. when I look into the criticisms of Dr. Sharp, He was likewise of opinion, that where words I learn nothing: I feel cold and dissatisfied are the subject, words may be multiplied with all languages and all science; as if the without end; and the witnesses of the dispute, Scripture itself were out of tune, and divinat least the majority of them, having no com- ity a mere dispute. It is, therefore, my perpetent knowledge of so uncommon a subject, suasion, that his writings have done little would be sure to go as fashion and the cur- service to theology or philology, but that rent of the times should direct. That a they have operated rather as a discouragezealous reader of the Hebrew, captivated by ment; for who will labor, if there be no the curiosity of its etymologies, should pur- prospect of coming to any determination one sue them beyond the bounds of prudence, is way or the other? That I am not taking a not to be wondered at. Many Hebrew ety- part against Dr. Sharp, but that Dr. Sharp mologies are so well founded, and throw so did in this respect take a part against himmuch light on the learning of antiquity and self, is evident from his own words; which the origin of languages, that no man can be do plainly declare, that his object in writing a complete philologist without a proper against the followers of Hutchinson was, to knowledge of them. The learned well know" prove the uncertainty of something affirmed how useful Mr. Bryant has endeavored to to be certain." I know of some who took make himself of late years by following the contrary part, endeavoring to prove "the them and yet, it must be confessed that, with all his learning, he has many fancies *If the curious reader can meet with a book unand peculiarities of his own, which he would find it difficult to maintain. If Mr. Hutchinson and his followers have been sometimes visionary in their criticisms, and carried tiles.

der the title of Ounpos Espaço, he will see this plan, of deriving all things from the Hebrew, carbut not so extravagant, in Gale's Court of the Genried to extremity. He may also find other examples,

Another dispute soon arose, after that of Dr. Sharp, which was of much greater concern; and so Mr. Horne thought, from the part he took in it. How he acquitted himself, the reader must judge when he has heard the particulars.

certainty of something affirmed to be uncer- bookseller's shop, "Dr. Golding, I give you tain ;" and I think they were more hopefully joy on being the author of a very ingenious employed; for where uncertainty is the pamphlet, called A Word to the Hutchinsoprize, what encouragement is there to strive nians." "Indeed," said Dr. Golding, "I was for it? Mr. Horne, who knew the value of not the author of it; but I believe you know his time, had no inclination to waste any who was." When an answer had appeared, of it in this endless chase of verbal criticism; with the name of Mr. Horne to it, Dr. Goldand I have reason to think that, if there was ing, meeting Mr. Kennicott in the street, any study in particular to which he took a said, "Well, Mr. Kennicott, and who is the complete aversion, it was the Hutchinsonian author of the Word to the Hutchinsonians controversy about a few Hebrew words.* now?" Which question was only answered by a laugh. The Dr. Golding of whom I am speaking, had been a preacher much approved in the pulpit of the university, and had contended with some zeal for the principles of Hutchinson: but had now the reputation of having forsaken them all; which report With many young scholars in the Univer- might possibly give occasion to Mr. Kennisity of Oxford, the principles of Mr. Hutch-cott's compliment; it being not improbable, inson began to be in such esteem, that some that a person who could forsake them would member of the university, who was in the make it his next step (as Dr. Dodd afterwards opposite interest, or had no fancy to that way, did) to write against them. He had been an made a very severe attack upon them in an intimate friend to the above-mentioned Mr. anonymous pamphlet, entitled, A Word to Watson, of University College, who had the Hutchinsonians; and Mr. Horne, being recommended him to travel as a tutor with personally struck at, as the principal object the Earl of Dartmouth and Mr. North, afterof the author's animadversions, was obliged to wards Lord North and Lord Guilford, with take up the pen in defence of himself and whom he spent some time abroad. He was his friends. The public in general, and Mr. undoubtedly a man of learning and ability: Horne in particular, by some very broad but being under the repute of having rehints, gave the thing to Mr. Kennicott, of nounced some principles he had once received, Exeter College, a man of parts, and a clear I was very desirous to know how that matter agreeable writer, who had very justly ac- might be and Dr. Golding, at my request, quired some fame for his skill in the Hebrew was so obliging as to do me the honor of a language. His two dissertations, one on the visit, while I lived at a private house in OxTree of Life, and the other on the Sacrifices ford. I told him plainly, that there were of Cain and Abel, were in many hands, and some opinions of Hutchinson in natural phi•so well approved, that some farther and bet-losophy, which, when properly distinguished, ter fruit of his studies might reasonably be did appear to me to be true, and, as such, expected. As to the author of this anony- worth recommending to the world: and that, mous pamphlet, I can affirm nothing positively from my own knowledge: I can only relate what was told me by Dr. Golding, of New College, who was afterwards warden of Winchester. From this gentleman I heard what had happened to himself in regard to the publication above-mentioned, and what his own sentiments were. Soon after it appeared, Mr. Kennicott accosted him in a

I have here allowed more than I can strictly justify; and, by so doing, I have given advantage to some, and offence to others: I beg therefore to be rightly understood. In respect to Dr. Sharp, Mr. Horne was certainly of opinion, that the doctor had left the more useful and valuable parts of Mr. Hutchinson's system untouched: so I myself have thought, and been assured from that day to this;

and I believe the reader will himself be of the same opinion, if he duly considers the contents of my Preface. Whatever dislike Mr. Horne might express toward the verbal disputes of that time, no man could set a greater value than he did on Hebrew learning discreetly followed and applied.

as I had some intention of taking the office upon myself, I should esteem it as a great favor, if he, being a person of more years and experience, would communicate to me fairly those objections, which had taken effect upon his own mind; that if I should be staggered with them, my design might be laid aside. The doctor was full of pleasantry and good humor: gave me the whole story about the pamphlet, as above related, and spoke with great respect of Mr. Horne; but as to the particular object of my inquiry, his Philosophical reasons, I could not succeed in drawing any one of them out of him, and am to this hour in the dark upon the subject. I shall not therefore indulge myself in speculations and conjectures, for which I have no authority; but only remark in general, what all men of discernment know to be true, that, as a man's opinions have an influence upon lis expectations in this world, so his expec

absurd to make reason its own informer, as to | done no service to the cause of truth, but on make the eye the source of its own light, the contrary that it has done infinite disserwhereas reason can be no more than the organ which receives instruction, as the eye admits the light of heaven. A man may as well take a view of things upon earth in a dark night by the light of his own eye, as discover the things of heaven, during the night of nature, by the light of his own reason," " &c.

vice, and almost reduced us from the unity of Christian faith to the wrangling of philosophic scepticism, is the opinion of many besides ourselves, and too surely founded on fatal experience." "As to those who are engaged in the study of useful arts and sciences, languages, history, antiquities, physics, &c. &c. with a view to make them handmaids to divine knowledge; we honor their employment, we desire to emulate their industry, and most sincerely wish them good luck in the name of the Lord." The metaphysical system alluded to above was a book in great request at Cambridge, between the years 1740 and 1750; and was extolled by some young men who studied it, as a grand repository of human wisdom. The notes were written by Dr. Edmund Law, afterwards Bishop of Carlisle. Having heard so high a character of it, I once sat down to read it, with a prejudice in its favor. I afterwards showed it to Mr. Horne; and, when he had considered it, we could not but lament in secret, what he at length complained of in public, that a work so unfounded and so unprofitable should have engaged the attention, and excited the admiration, of scholars intended for the preaching of the Gospel. The account here given of it has something of the caricature; but the leading principle of the book is in substance as the apologist has described it.

To another similar objection, often made against them, that they decry natural religion, it is answered, "To be sure, we do; because, at the best, it is a religion without the knowledge of the true God, or the hope of salvation; which is Deism: and it is a matter of fact, that, from Adam to this day, there never was, or could be, a man left to himself, to make a religion of nature. It is, we know, a received notion, that man, by a due and proper use of his reasoning faculties, may do great things: and so, by a due and proper use of the organs of vision, he may know much of the objects around him. But still, the pinching question returns; Is it not light that enables him to make a due and proper use of the one, and instruction of the other? Show us the eye that sees without light, and the understanding that reasons upon religion without instruction, and we will allow they both do it by the light of nature. Till then, let us hear no more of natural religion. And let me, on the subjects of reason and nature, recommend two books: the first, Mr. Leslie's short and Whoever the author of the pamphlet was, easy Method with the Deists; where the debate he seems to have entered upon his work with between them and the Christians upon the a persuasion that the gentlemen of Oxford, evidence of revelation is brought to a single to whom he gives the name of Hutchinsopoint, and their cause overthrown forever. nians, were in such disesteem with the world, This most excellent piece, with the other so little known by some, and so much disliked tracts of the same author usually bound with by others, that any bold attack upon their it, have, I thank God, entirely removed every characters would be sufficeint to run them doubt from my mind: and, in my poor down and imagining that his book must opinion, they render the metaphysical per- have that effect, he foretells them how they formances upon the subject entirely useless. must submit, in consequence of it, to "deThe second book I would recommend is Dr. scend and sink into the deepest humiliation," Ellis's Knowledge of Divine Things from &c. This is not criticism, but unmerciful Revelation, not from Reason or Nature. In outrage; and the author has so much of it, this book natural religion is fairly demolished." that the apologist, having collected it together, Mr. Horne and his friends were farther concludes with a very pathetic remonstrance: charged with "a great contempt for learn-"These, sir, are hard speeches against men, ing." "But that," says he, "depends upon of whom, their enemies themselves, being the nature and kind of the learning. Be- judges, must own, that they are sound in the cause sometimes a man is called a learned faith, steady to the church, and regular in man, who, after a course of several years' hard study, can tell you, within a trifle, how many degrees of the non-entity of nothing must be annihilated, before it comes to be something. See King's Origin of Evil, ch. iii. p. 129, with the note. That such kind of learning as that book is filled with, and the present age is much given to admire, has

their duties upon an impartial survey of all that has been said or written against usI must declare, that neither against the law, neither against the temple, neither against Casar, is it proved that we have offended anything at all," &c. &c.

The reader may perhaps observe upon what I have prescnted to him, and he would