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upon the subject, I would be far from using any persuasion, as you are the best judge of the probable success of the undertaking. I hope however to have your final determination speedily, as I design, on leaving Cambridge, to form some other literary engagement, if you think proper to decline the business in hand.

I am, dear sir, yours affectionately,
ROBERT HALL.

Recovering a little from this mental depression, Mr. Hall continued his labours at Cambridge without much interruption, though with no great comfort to himself. A transient peace with France having been effected by the treaty of Amiens, the nation in general hailed the event with great joy, and the court appointed the first of June 1802 as a day of public thanksgiving. Mr. Hall roused all his energies on the occasion, and poured forth his usual strains of eloquence from the pulpit and the press, in a Sermon entitled "Reflections on War," in which the author's modesty seemed to triumph over the general applause which his last publication had excited. The style is more chastened, the figures are less splendid, but the glow of patriotism is unabated. The evils of war are exhibited in their effects upon the natural and moral condition of mankind. The suddenness and the commonness of death which it occasions, the miseries attending its surviving instruments, and those immediately exposed to its ravages, besides the great

number who suffer from its remoter consequences; the injuries which give rise to war, and those which it produces, in the suspension of all moral obligation, especially in the seat of war,-are all delineated with the hand of a master. These topics are improved to promote gratitude for the restoration of peace, and are enforced by a retrospect of the fatal extent, and the spirit of animosity, which characterised the late conflict.

The reasons for gratitude and joy suggested by the restoration of peace, are introduced by the preacher with the following pathetic address. "Permit me to express my hope, that along with peace the spirit of peace may return. How can we better imitate our heavenly Father, than when he is pleased to compose the animosities of nations, to open our hearts to every milder influence. Let us hope, more mutual forbearance, a more candid construction of each other's views and sentiments will prevail. No end can now be answered by the revival of party disputes. The speculations which gave occasion to them have been yielded to the arbitration of the sword; and neither the fortune of war, nor the present condition of Europe is such as affords to any party room for high exultation. Our public and private affections are no longer at variance. That benevolence which embraces the world is now in perfect harmony with the tenderness that endears our country. Burying in oblivion therefore all national antipathies, together with those cruel jealousies and suspicions

which have too much marred the pleasures of mutual intercourse, let our hearts correspond to the blessing we celebrate, and keep pace as far as possible with the movements of divine beneficence."

Notwithstanding the efforts made to recover his mental vigour, Mr. Hall still laboured under great bodily pain and depression of spirits, during the autumn of 1802; and while visiting his friends in Leicestershire he appeared unwilling to return to Cambridge, but yielded at length to their entreaties. About this time Mr. Fuller was laboriously occupied in the concluding part of the Socinian controversy, and publishing his confutation of the doctrine of Universal Salvation; and being aware of Mr. Hall's critical acumen, he was anxious to engage him as his coadjutor, in order to expose the literary incompetence and inordinate pretensions of its leading advocate. Mr. Hall's state of health and general feeling did not permit his accepting the invitation; and in a letter of October 6th he remarked, "If I were well, highly as I esteem Mr. Fuller's services in this cause, I should very reluctantly take any part in it, from my extreme aversion to the thorny paths of religious controversy." In default of this literary aid, the Rev. Charles Jerram, then curate of Long Sutton in Lincolnshire, having strictly watched the progress of the debate, and felt disgusted at the arrogant assumptions of the socinian writer, published a critical Review of the controversy on

the doctrine of the final salvation of all lapsed intelligences, under the signature of Scrutator; and when put into the hands of Mr. Hall, he remarked, "I have read the Review with attention. It appears to be a very shrewd and able pamphlet, and is an ample confutation of Mr. Vidler's miserable attempts at criticism; his affectation of learning fully justified a pointed rebuke, but the sarcastic strain is too long continued."

Still labouring under great indisposition, and unable to bear much confinement, Mr. Hall declined the proposed translation; but in the following spring the idea is revived, and the subjoined letter I will show the disturbed and uncomfortable state of his mind up to that period.

Feb. 2nd 1803.

"Upon a reconsideration of the proposal you made me respecting the translation of Saurin, I feel myself inclined to embrace it. I think it may furnish me an agreeable occupation, and that a few hours every day regularly devoted to it may carry me through, without interfering with other engage ments. I should be glad however of a few weeks notice, to rub up my French before I begin, and then you may depend upon my making the translation, I will not say elegant, for that is not the character of Saurin's style, but certainly as correct as I possibly can.

I have often wondered that a translation has never been made of the best Sermons of Massillon,

who is the greatest master of pulpit eloquence. I am of opinion that a good translation of that celebrated preacher would have an extensive sale. My admiration of Massillon would enable me, if I am not mistaken, to do more justice to him than to almost any other writer.*

With respect to Saurin, if you have not engaged a translator, I should be glad to be informed more particularly as to the time of publication, and how long it will be in coming out. You will be ready to accuse me of great fickleness, in so soon changing my mind upon the subject of your proposal; but I have my reasons, such as appear to me solid, and such as a short time will probably explain."

R. H.

Amidst these affecting intimations there were frequent appearances of great serenity, and at all times of deep devotional feeling, which encouraged the hope that he might be spared from any painful visitation, though there were seasons of despondency which awakened the apprehensions of his friends. On the sixth of this month a passage occurred in one of his public prayers at Cambridge, which was remarked for its happy union of piety and elegance, while it expressed some foreboding of mental affliction and adversity. "If

In a blank leaf of Bossuet's Funeral Orations, which Mr. Hall had read, he made the following entry in his own handwriting. "The finest of mortal compositions, inferior only to the strains unutterable, of seraphs before the throne."

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