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46  ANNUAL REGISTER For the YEAR 1772. 47

† 
J. H. S.
He that, by reproof of our errors, and remonstrance of that which is more perfect, seeks to make us better, is welcome as an angel of God;} and {  He that, by a chearful participation of that which is good, confirms us in the same, is welcome as a christian friend;
BUT,
He that any way goes about to disturb us in that which is, and ought to be amongst christians, though it be not common in the world, is a burden while be stays, and shall bear his judgement wheresoever he be ;} and {  He that censures us in absence, for that which, in presence, he made a show to approve of, both by a double guilt of flattery and slander, violates the bond of friendship and christianity.

Mary Ferrar, Widow, Mother of this family, aged about eighty years, bids adieu to all fears and hopes of this world, and only desires to serve God.

Nicholas introduced into his family the primitive discipline of watching, for which they had different oratories for each sex; they kept watch by turns, two together, beginning at nine at night, and continuing till one in the morning, at which hour Nicholas constantly rose.  During their watch, they repeated a number of psalms, kneeling all the time, or sung to the organ, which was set in a low stop, that it might not disturb the house. Nicholas frequently spent whole nights in the church, or lay on the floor, wrapt in a rough shag gown; and yet, says Dr. Turner, he was remarkable for the chearfulness of his disposition and countenance.

As they kept an hospitable table, many gentlemen and clergy, travelling the northern road, were drawn by their fame to Gedding.  Bishop Williams, their neighbour, at Bugden, sometimes was their visitor ; and, at their invitation, held a confirmation at Gedding, on which occasion they procured the choristers of Peterborough.

King Charles I. upon his march into the north, spent some time at Gedding, in looking over their Harmonies on the Bible, one of which he desired for his own use.  He also accepted from them some other books, which were bound by the females, and at parting, requested their prayers.

The year of Nicholas's death is not mentioned, which happened on a Monday, the fifth of November, about one in the morning, his constant time of rising.  At the beginning of his illness, which lasted but three days, he was persuaded he should not recover, taking a solemn leave of his relations.  He desired his brother would measure seven feet from the west end of the church, and, at that distance, let his grave be dug, and that he would see all his books of novels and plays immediately burnt upon that spot. He expired, in a kind of extasy, assuring his nieces, and the clergymen who were with him, he had seen a heavenly entertainment.

Bishop Turner, in his notes for a preface, says, some things in this life were rather to be admired than imitated. To this, no doubt, the reader has heartily subscribed.

A Portrait of Julius Ceasar, by a philosopher*.

IF, after the lapse of eighteen centuries, the truth may be published without offence, a philosopher might, in the following terms censure Ceasar without calumniating him, and applaud him without exciting his blushes.

Caesar had one predominant passion: It was the love of glory; and he passed forty years of his life in seeking opportunities to foster and encourage it.  His foul, entirely absorbed in ambition, did not open itself to other impulses.  He cultivated letters, but he did not love them with enthusiasm, because he had not leisure to become the first orator of Rome.  He corrupted the one half of the Roman ladies, but his heart had no concern in the fiery ardours of his senses. In the arms of Cleopatra, he thought of Pompey; and this singular man, who disdained to have a partner in the empire of the world, would have blushed to have been for one instant the slave of a woman.

We must not imagine, that Ceasar was born a warriour, as Sophocles and Milton were born poets.  For, if nature had made him a citizen of Sybaris, he would have been the most voluptuous of men. If, in our days, he had been born in Pensylvania, he would have been the most inoffensive of quakers, and would not have disturbed the tranquility of the new world.

The moderation with which he conducted himself after his victories, has been highly extolled; but in this he shewed his penetration, not the goodness of his heart. Is it not obvious, that the display of certain virtues is necessary to put in motion the political machine? It was requisite that he should have the appearance of clemency, if he inclined, that Rome should forgive him his victories.  But what greatness of mind is there, in a generosity, which follows on the usurpation of supreme power?

Nature, while it marked Ceasar with a sublime character, gave him also that spirit of perseverance, which renders it useful.  He had no sooner begun to reflect, than he admired Sylla, hated him, and yet wished to imitate him.  At the age of fifteen, he formed the project of being Dictator. It was thus, that the President Montesquieu conceived, in his early youth, the idea of the spirit of laws.

Physical qualities, as well as moral causes, contributed to give strength to his character.  Nature, which had made him for command, had given him an air of dignity.  He had acquired that soft and insinuating eloquence, which is perfectly suited to seduce vulgar minds, and has a powerful influence on the

* This portrait is translated from the Melanges Philosophiques of M. Ophellot de la Panse; a work just published at Paris.

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