and he had a spirit in a friend's cause that rarely appeared on other occasions. He was amiable, affectionate, and tender, as a husband and father; kind and indulgent as a master; and a protector and advocate of the poor; benevolent to all, as far as his fortune could afford. As he had many leisure hours, he passed much time in literary employments *, though many were very cheerfully given to society. * Among his published productions may be mentioned, "The Feminead," 1754, which passed through two editions, and has been reprinted both in the Poetical Calendar, and in Pearch's Collection. Four Odes appeared in 1758; viz. "The Prophecy of Neptune;""On the Death of the Prince of Wales;" "*Ode presented to the Duke of Newcastle ;" and one "to the Hon. James Yorke," Bishop of St. David's first, and afterwards Bishop of Ely. Between 1753 and 1756 came out, separately, "*An Evening Contemplation in a College," being a Parody on Gray's Elegy; reprinted in "The Repository." Other detached poems of Mr. Duncombe's are, "*Verses to the Author of Clarissa," published in that work; "*Verses on the Campaign, 1759," (addressed to Sylvanus Urban, and originally printed in the volume for that year); "*To Colonel Clive, on his arrival in England ;""*On the Loss of the Ramillies, Captain Taylor, 1760," "Surrey Triumphant, or the Kentish Men's Defeat, 1773," 4to; a Parody on Chevy Chace; which, for its genuine strokes of humour, elegant poetry, and happy imitation, acquired the author much applause. This has been transplanted into "Nichols's Select Collection of Poems, 1782," where may be found, also, a Poem of his on Stocks House; a translation of an elegant epitaph, by Bp. Lowth; and an elegiac "Epitaph at the Grave of Mr. Highmore." Those pieces marked with a star are in the Poetical Calendar, vol. VII. together with a Prologue spoken at the Charter-house, 1752; a Poem on Mr. Garrick; and translations from Voltaire. And in vol. X. "The Middlesex Garden;" "Kensington Gardens;" "Farewell to Hope;" "On a Lady's sending the Author a Ribbon for his Watch;" "On Captain Cornwallis's Monument;" "Prologue to Amalasont;" "Epigrams." He published three Sermons; one "On the Thanksgiving, Nov. 29, 1759," preached at St. Anne's, Westminster, and published at the request of the parishioners; another, preached at the Consecration of the Parish-church of St. Andrew's, Canterbury," July 4, 1774; and one, "On a General Fast, Feb. 27, 1778," also preached at St. Andrew's, Canterbury; and so well approved, that by the particular desire of the parish, it appeared in print, under the title of "The Civil War between the Israelites and Benjamites illustrated and applied." He published with his father, in 1786, a translation of Horace, in 8vo; and in 1767, another edition, with many enlargements and corrections, in 4 vols. 12mo. He, trans In the Gentleman's Magazine, his communications in biography, poetry, and criticism, during the last twenty years of his life, were frequent and valuable. Many of them are without a name; but his miscellaneous contributions were usually distinguished by the signature of CRITO; and the Review of Books (in which department he succeeded Dr. Hawkesworth) was nearly all his own, Mr. Duncombe's widow died, at an advanced age, Oct. 28, 1812. She inherited much of her Father's taste for the Fine Arts *. and of his genius for let translated the "Huetiana," in the Gentleman's Magazine for 1771. In 1774, he translated Batteley's "Antiquitates Rutupinæ." He wrote "The Historical Account of Dr. Dodd's Life," 1777, Svo. (republished in 17.. by Isaac Reed, esq.) and was the translator of "Sherlock's Letters of an English Traveller," 4to. In 1778 he published "An Elegy written in Canterbury Cathedral ;" and in 1784, "Select Works of the Emperor Julian," 2 vols. Svo. In 1784 he was principally the author of "The History and Antiquities of Reculver and Herne," which forms the eighteenth number of the "Bibliotheca Topographica Britannica;" to which work he also contributed in 1785, the Thirtieth Number, containing, "The History and Antiquities of the Three Archiepiscopal Hospitals in and near Canterbury‡," which he dedicated to Abp. Moore. He was the Editor of several other works; all of which were elucidated by his critical knowledge and explanatory notes; viz. 1. "Letters from several eminent persons deceased, including the correspondence of John Hughes, esq. and several of his friends; published from the originals, with notes. Of these there have been two editions; the last in 3 vols. 2. "Letters from Italy; by the late Right Hon. John Earl of Corke and Orrery, with notes," 1773. These have gone through two editions. 3. "Letters from the late Archbishop Herring, to William Duncombe, esq. deceased; from 1728 to 1757, with notes and an appendix," 1777. He was also the author of a Letter signed "RUSTICUS," in "The World," vol. I. No. 36; of several Letters in "The Connoisseur," being the "Gentleman of Cambridge, A. B." mentioned in the last number. * Several of her drawings illustrate the "History of Herne." Archdeacon Backhouse, in his acknowledgments to the Author, says, "The History abounds with useful and pleasing information; but," he adds, "I am free to say, that, had it been left to my choice, I would rather have seen the suspicions contained in p. 298, in manuscript than in print. But of this more when we meet. I have in my possession a letter from Archdeacon Parker to Abp. Sheldon, which may deserve a place in the second edition. Had I been made acquainted with the nature of your work, it would have been communicated in the first instance," ters ters, softened by a refined judgment and feminine delicacy. Her union with Mr. Duncombe tended to expand her natural talents and to exemplify her education; which enabled her justly to venerate the eminent circle in which she was born to shine-Young, Harris, Hawkesworth, Richardson, Isaac Hawkins Browne, Chapone, Carter, and others equally dear to Literature. Mr. Duncombe's preferment at and near Canterbury led them to fix their residence there, where her Father soon after joined them, and continued with them until his death. After the decease of Mr. Duncombe, she adopted a more retired life, accompanied by her only surviving daughter *; and although her advancing years cast their autumnal tints over her once brilliant mind, yet they sufficiently marked the beauty of the days that had passed, and rendered perhaps more eminent the "light that now shines more and more in perfect day." She has not left any literary work to perpetuate her fame; but her story of "Fidelia and Honoria" in the Adventurer, and some small contributions in the Poetical Calendar, and Nichols's Poems, and a few transient effusions of genius that never met the public eye, principally in the Gentleman's Magazine, have assisted to chear her friends with the remembrance of her with respect and delight. She was interred in the church of St. Mary Bredman, in the same vault with her husband, whose tomb is thus inscribed: "The Rev. John Duncombe, M. A. Rector of this Parish, with that of St. Andrew annexed, Vicar of Herne, and one of the Six Preachers in the Cathedral. * One daughter and two sons died infants; viz. 1. Sarah-Elizabeth, Oct. 17, 1764. 2 William, Feb. 26, 1767. 3. John, Feb. 13, 1769. WILLIAM JACKSON, Esa. the only son of John Jackson, esq. of Canterbury, many years one of the Aldermen of that City, was lost to his friends, and to the literary world, at the early age of 32, April 17, 1789.-He was of a disposition so amiable, that he was,universally beloved, without the envy of any, or one detracting voice: a real friend to the afflicted, the kind adviser of all who sought for counsel from his prudence and foresight; and he counseled with such gentleness and sweetness of manner, that no consciousness of superiority ever appeared, to hurt the most delicate mind; such was his sensibility for every child of sorrow. He could heal, where others failed to alleviate. His understanding was sound, and his judgment solid: he read much, and well-chosen Authors; his studies were rewarded by a most retentive memory. With the truest relish for literary pursuits, he loved society with equal ardour, and with an innocence, chearfulness, and benevolence, which rendered him the animation of all company, the leader and promoter of social meetings. His temper was so even, so admirably regulated, as never to be ruffled, nor ever gloomy; the sunshine of prosperity seemed to fertilize every virtue in his breast, and every day brought forth fresh fruits of his good works. There have been prodigies of Science, of Learning, of abilities, which have blazed in every age, perhaps to shew the utmost extent of human faculties; but never was exhibited in domestic life a more excellent pattern: where, as a son, we cannot sufficiently praise his unremitting attention to the infirmities of aged parents, the pleasure with which he watched their inclinations, and anticipated their wishes without ostentation, nor with any other motive than his predominant filial regard; relinquishing every engagement, and foregoing every pursuit, that might preclude or interrupt their smallest gratification. The poor looked up up without fear or awe to a countenance always beaming angelic goodness, and diffusing the cordial of a gentle sympathy, accompanied with judicious liberality-Such, and very inadequate to his merit, is the faint sketch of this most exalted character, whose loss in early bloom is deplored by a whole mourning City; one universal face of woe pervaded the neighbourhood: the rich, the poor, the old, the young, the infantine, all have some tale of his philanthropy to tell, some favours from his munificence or friendship. No eye without a tear, no heart without a pang; all weeping for their own, and more for the inconsolable loss of his afflicted parents, whose indulgence and affection were equal to all his merit, and to whom may justly be applied Pope's admirable couplet, "Who knew no joy but friendship might divide, Or gave his Parents grief but when he died." To this faithful character of Mr. Jackson, delineated by Mrs. Duncombe, who had almost daily opportunities of appreciating his merits, another Friend adds, "To his superlatively excellent character though it would be vain to attempt to do justice, yet may this short, though imperfect sketch, be offered as a due tribute of affection and regard for so much intrinsic worth. Possessed of a lively imagination, a retentive memory, and a strong understanding, he had highly improved these natural endowments by much and various reading; and by an accurate skill in languages, an extended acquaintance with original history, and a general knowledge of polite literature, he was qualified to shine in every conversation. These mental excellencies, valuable in themselves, were much enhanced by the qualities of his heart; while the union of both rendered him at once the comfort, the delight, and the ornament, of the society in which he lived. Impressed with strong sentiments of religious duty, his conduct throughout life was regulated by them; and though a constant and chearful partaker of social amuse |
