879

Memoir of John Britton, Esq. F.S.A. &c.

siastical works, must be mentioned two others of distinguished merit, originality, and elegance; the History and Illustration of Redcliffe Church, Bristol; and the History and Antiquities of Bath Abbey Church. The labours which have been enumerated, might, it should seem, have sufficed for the extended life of one man; but the enthusiasm of genius increases by exertion, and the truth is abundantly verified in the present history. Instead of resting on his oars, and seeking repose, after a long and fatiguing cruise, Mr. Britton derived from his pursuits, like some of our great navigators, a spirit for fresh discoveries.

880

presenting perhaps more singular features and objects in its architectural remains, than any other place of the kingdom.

Copious and important, however, as this list is, it does not comprehend the whole of the literary labours of Mr. Britton; for while engaged on distinct works, sufficient, one would think, to engross all the thought and time of the author, he contributed numerous articles of topography to the great Cyclopædia of Dr. Rees, many critical essays on archaiological and antiquarian subjects to Aikin's Annual Review, some ingenious memoirs and papers in a miscellaneous volume, intituled, "The Fine Arts of the English School," and others in "The Magazine of Fine Arts." Further, he has revised, and almost rewritten, that very useful manual, "The Picture of London;" and for the elegant cabinet edition of Shakspeare, printed by Whittingham, he wrote a biographical and critical introduction.

Here we have occasion to notice Mr. Britton in another capacity; and one which might perhaps be least expected from the general nature of his occupations. On the 6th of September, 1819, being the fiftieth year from Garrick's celebrated jubilee, our indefatigable author delivered a lecture on the peculiar and characteristic merits of Shakspeare, in the Town Hall of Stratford. The auditors were admitted by tickets, at three shillings each, and the profits were applied to the benefit of the charity schools of the town.

At various intervals he has produced the History of Corsham House, in Wilts, the Seat of Mr. Paul Methuen;" a quarto volume on the far-famed "Fonthill Abbey ;" a" Catalogue Raisonné of the Cleveland House Gallery of Pictures, belonging to the Marquess of Stafford ;" another quarto, entituled, "The Fine Arts of the English School;" a descriptive account of the house of Mr. Soane, the architect, under the title of "The Union of Architecture, Sculpture, and Painting;" the "Architectural Antiquities of Normandy, in illustration of the drawings and engravings of Messrs. Pugin and Le Keux;" and "Architectural Illustrations of the Public Buildings of London," in two volumes: the first dedicated, by permission, to the King; and the second, also by permission, to Prince Leopold. This work contains ample and well-written accounts of the metropolitical and parish churches, the theatres, bridges, bank, law courts, Carlton House, Somerset House, the old and new colleges of physicians, Westminster Hall, Mansion House, and many of the town residences and galle-vernment. We allude to the copyright act ries of the nobility.

About the same time with this valuable publication, appeared an elegant volume, bearing the title of "Picturesque Views of the English Cities, from drawings by G. F. Robson," To this performance is prefixed an ingenious address by the editor, who has announced as supplementary to, and elucidatory of, the views, what he calls the Picturesque Antiquities of the English Cities, consisting of a series of prints, illustrating the most interesting ancient buildings, street scenery, and various fragments of old time, still remaining in the cities of England; accompanied by historical and descriptive accounts of the subjects, as well as of the popular characteristics of each place." This novel design, which it is intended to publish in six portions, each including ten engravings and four wood cuts, will commence with the city of York, as

In the same year we find Mr. Britton exerting himself to procure the redress of an evil, under which he, in common with men of science and letters in general, labours, to the disgrace of the legislature and the go

passed in 1814, as was ironically pretended, for the encouragement of learning, though how learning can be fostered or protected by exacting no less than eleven copies of every printed work, to be furnished gratis, to the universities and other public institutions, is difficult to comprehend. Against this odious oppression, petitions were presented to parliament, and evidence was heard in a committee of the House of Commons upon the subject. But though it was proved to a demonstration, that the tax actually operated as a remora upon literature; neither facts nor arguments could withstand the powerful interest of great corporations. It does not appear that Mr. Britton was examined on this occasion; but he printed an unanswerable pamphlet upon the subject, entituled, "The Rights of Literature."

"In addition (says he) to my proportion

|

of the taxes which, as an individual, I have | took the same office to the Wiltshire Socontributed to the exigencies of the state, Iciety, instituted in London, to aid and assist have, ever since the passing of the late act, indigent but deserving boys, natives of that been compelled as an author to pay about county. He took an active part in found£60 a year, not to the public purse, but ing and keeping up the Russel Institution ; to enrich certain corporate bodies, from and for the last fifteen years he has been whom I have never received any benefit; one of the most regular and efficient membut who have had the address to convince bers of the committee of the Literary Fund. the legislature, that they had a vested right His name is incorporated in the rolls of in the talents, labour, and capital of a par- various institutions, particularly the Society ticular class of their fellow-subjects. The of Antiquaries, and the Royal Society of act in question, so far from encouraging | Literature. In addition to all this, Mr. literature, has already occasioned many Britton has other occupations; and as a comworks to be abandoned, and others are missioner, clerk, and surveyor, his time is withheld from publication; and the hard- | fully employed. ships of my own case almost deter me from risking money, and devoting all my time and exertion to embellished literature. The imposition complained of may fall lightly on the profitable works of certain poets and novelists; but the Cathedral Antiquities are exceedingly expensive in their production, and the sale not equal to the expense. They not only require incessant labour and assiduity, but an annual expenditure of fourteen hundred pounds, a sum which, thus employed, supports a number of English artists and artisans, contributes largely to the revenue, and some information and entertainment to the learned and to the curious.

Few instances of such continued and varied application can be adduced. The nearest to it, perhaps, is that of Dr. John Campbell, the compiler of the Biographia Britannica, and a considerable number of other works. A gentleman calling upon him one day, was ushered into the library, on viewing which he said, "Pray, Doctor, is it possible that you have read all those books?" To whom the Doctor replied with a smile, "Why; I have written them all."

Notwithstanding the diligence which Mr. Britton has displayed, and the ascendancy he has acquired, we do not find that he gave any early promise of extraordinary mental vigour. So far from it, says he, "It is not a little remarkable, that while "My good father considered me an idle legislative wisdom in the reign of queen boy, and I believe always disliked me ; but Anne, ordained, for the encouragement of he was very partial to my next brother, learning, that every author should give nine Thomas, because he was ever willing to copies of the best paper of his work, to work. Thomas could drudge on, at any task, save opulent bodies the expense of pur- from morning till night, and had no avidity chasing them; the imperial senate, under | for play or boyish pastimes. On the conGeorge the Third, as a further encourage- trary, I was ever eager after sports and amusement, should graciously increase the num- ments of all kinds, and as eager to excel all ber of eleemosynary copies to eleven! This my playmates at each childish game." may be considered as a sort of prohibitory statute, and as such it has proved, by preventing many designs from being carried into execution, which would have been of incalculable benefit to science. The Scotch universities were the most active in defending the claim, for which they assigned in their petition, this extraordinary reason, that by obtaining English productions for nothing, they should be better enabled to purchase foreign publications!"

|

This puts us in mind of what is recorded of the great mathematician and divine, Dr. Isaac Barrow, who, in his boyhood, was so negligent of his book, and addicted to sports and fighting, that his father often said, that if it pleased God to take away any of his children, he hoped it would be Isaac, of whom he could augur no good. It happened, however, that the worthy man lived to see this very son exalted to the high station of master of Trinity College, Cambridge, and justly honoured by his sovereign as the first scholar in his dominions. Such is the short-sightedness of man in forming a judgment of the future character from present appearances! Something similar is related of Bishop Warburton, whose preceptor used to say, that he was the dullest boy in his school; yet this dunce rose by his learning to the mitre, and the schoolmaster

But to resume, and conclude our narrative. Though the literary works of Mr. Britton are so numerous, and must have been attended with immense labour, solicitude, and perseverance, they have not engrossed, the whole of his time and attention. As honorary secretary to the Architects' and and Antiquaries' Club, he delivered three occasional addresses, which were printed for the use of the members. He also under- | is forgotten.

883

Thoughts on Christian Holiness.

Without comparing Mr. Britton to these luminaries in point of intellectual talent, thus much may be said, that he, like them, has forced his way to distinction by unwearied application; but without having the advantage which they possessed, of a classical education. In the four village schools which he passed through at an early age, the highest books seen were the ordinary spelling books, the Bible, and a dictionary. So little, however, was there taught, that when the subject of this memoir was an apprentice in London, and directed, at the age of seventeen, to fetch Guthrie's Geographical Grammar, he did not understand what was meant. Mr. Britton, therefore, adds one more to the number of selfinstructed men of letters, and his example ought to be held up as an object of imitation to young persons in humble life, whose education has been either wholly neglected, or contracted within narrow limits. They may here see what can be accomplished in an arduous and honourable pursuit, where there is a willing mind; but it should be observed, that this successful career has been uniformly conducted on the principle of moral rectitude and practical utility. Mr. Britton has rendered essential benefit, and even support, to numerous individuals in different callings; and while he has ministered to the taste of the opulent, he has at the same time extended knowledge, advanced the arts, and done honour to his country. All this he has done with no other patronage than that of the public; and we are sorry to be under the necessity of adding, that the most splendid of his publications, the Cathedral Antiquities, have not experienced the support which might reasonably have been anticipated. Still the work goes on, and the description of the Cathedral of Gloucester would have been completed, but for the casualty which befell the author last September, in being thrown from his horse, which fell upon him and fractured his leg. By this accident he was confined six weeks, during which he experienced the sympathizing friendship of the clergy and gentry of Gloucester, where the accident occurred, in a manner that contributed, with good surgical treatment, and a sound constitution, to his complete recovery, and the renewal of his favourite pursuits.

884

THOUGHTS ON CHRISTIAN HOLINESS.

MR. EDITOR.

SIR,-Should any of the readers of your Magazine be persons who prefer newspaper literature to divinity, and the gratifications of sense to the pleasures of holiness, I cannot presume that to them the following discussion will be very interesting. — Glancing at the title, they will, it is probable, hastily pass on in search of something more congenial with their views, being convinced that under such an appellation nothing will be found worthy of their perusal. But if such a reader will stay to hear me, I must tell him, that he betrays a monstrous perversion of taste and feeling. The feeling that loathes the subject of holiness is a symptom of depravity the most glaring and deplorable that can be discovered in man. If man is to be ashamed of holiness, then may angels be ashamed of their beauty, and devils proud of their degradation; nay, God himself may be disgusted with his own perfections, and instead of enacting laws for the suppression of vice, he may lay virtue and goodness under his sovereign interdict. In a word, they who despise holiness ought, if they would be consistent, to maintain that wrong is preferable to right, madness to sobriety, and falsehood to truth.

If any subject be important, or deserve the supreme regard of man, it is holiness; because without it there is no foundation in the soul for any substantial excellency or lasting happiness. Holiness is the food, the riches, the strength, the beauty, and the life of the soul. Holiness is the most venerable and distinguishing perfection of Jehovah; it is that which encircles him with such adorable excellence and ineffable grandeur. If angels are amiable and illustrious beings, it is because they are holy; if devils are odious, accursed, and miserable, it is because they are totally devoid of holiness. Holiness is to the soul what health is to the body. Now a healthy state of the body, implies the regular, unobstructed, and harmonious operation of the various functions of the animal system: in like manner, holiness, which is the health of the soul, implies the harmonious and regular operation of the various powers In August and September of the present of the mind-the due subordination of the year, Mr. Britton has visited the follow- inferior to the superior-the complete subing cities, to obtain drawings of the Pic-jection of the appetites and passions to the turesque Antiquities, and to write descriptive accounts of each place: Chichester, Winchester, Salisbury, Wells, Bath, Bristol, Hereford, Worcester, Gloucester, and Oxford

understanding and the will, and the unreserved subjection of these to the will of God. To be holy, is to surrender to God, as our chief good, our supreme affections; to love every thing in God, and God in

every thing; to embrace his will as the highest felicity of our souls, being deeply persuaded, that conformity to it is the only real happiness of intelligent beings.

Holiness is right conduct, arising from a correct state of mind; every deviation from it is, therefore, a deviation from universal order, a blot in the beauty, and a discord in the harmony, of the moral universe. But the power to distinguish with perfect accuracy between moral good and evil, can only exist originally in the Divine mind; and can only be made to exist in ours by the aid of a revelation from God. Hence, holiness may be termed a conformity of heart and life to that perfect scheme of virtue, or right conduct, which is revealed and taught in the sacred scripture.

Of the inability of man, without supernatural assistance, to furnish himself with a correct scheme of morals, the proof is complete in the actual condition of heathen nations; that condition we know is one of the greatest ignorance and degradation. | One single fact in their moral history need only be referred to: that is, the grovelling and preposterous notions which they entertain of their deities; but a mistake here will originate mistakes all over. Where there is ignorance of the Divine character, there must be ignorance of the relations which subsist between God and man, and of the duties which arise out of those relations; and when this is the case, morality has no proper foundation, or, in other words, its waters are poisoned in their sources.

I think it perfectly needless to spend so much time as some writers have done, in deciding the question, whether the will of God, or something else, be the foundation of virtue? because a higher standard than the will of God we need not labour to find, being assured, that whatever he wills of duty, must be perfectly right.

Now every act of sin, or moral evil, is a violation of our allegiance to God, and when the authority of God is trifled with or disowned, the door is thrown open for the admission of every evil into the soul. When we cease to feel our obligation to the Almighty, and withhold that natural homage which every creature indubitably owes to his Creator; when the will of God is no longer proposed as the rule of our conduct, we are then in a condition not much unlike that of an ignorant and discontented nation, who have deposed their lawful sovereign, in the room of which a multitude of petty tyrants have arisen, each struggling for universal dominion, and carrying on against each other a most destructive warfare, to the sore annoyance

of the miserable people, who, charmed with the bewitching sound of liberty, now find, to their terrible cost, that they have madly sacrificed true liberty for the most galling bondage. So when the sinner refuses to regulate his conduct according to the dictates of his judgment, enlightened by the word of God, he abandons his only sure guide, and leaves himself on the dangerous ocean of life, without pilot, compass, or helm; he now resigns himself to the blind and tumultuous guidance of his perverse and earthly inclinations, and is like a ship that is placed in the midst of the ocean without any human hand to steer it, and which, therefore, aims at no one specific point, but is driven about with every changing wind, just as it happens to blow, and is in continual danger of being wrecked.

It is true, a variety of circumstantial considerations intercept and restrain the dominion of the passions, even in the worst of men, such as a regard for friends, for reputation, health, property, and a hundred other earthly considerations, which, though comparatively feeble and worthless, as incentives to virtue, yet are often very beneficial in their influence in regulating the conduct of those who are strangers to higher motives. Besides, the passions check and interrupt one another; they have conflicting claims; and having no common interest or head, they are perpetually clashing with and corroding each other, to the infinite distress of the miserable subject of these depraved propensities. It sometimes happens, however, that the passion for one object, or class of objects, prevails over the rest, and then it is curious to observe how the petty tyrant weakens and reduces others that are opposed to it. Thus we shall see a covetous man admirably temperate and industrious, and a proud man scorning low vices, merely through fear of being despised by his fellow crea

tures.

From what has been said, it appears evident, that the grand point of distinction between a holy and an unholy character, is, that the former subjects his own will and desires entirely to the will of God, and regulates his conduct according to the directions of revelation; while the latter resigns himself up entirely to his own will, spurning all other interference, except so far as he is allured or restrained by the hopes of worldly advantage, or the dread of human laws, and other inconveniences which vicious conduct may draw upon him. Now it is obvious that principles so diametrically opposite, must lead to a

887

Thoughts on Christian Holiness.

888

equal contrast in practice. The conduct | this amazing difference in the conduct of of the man who is governed by reason and these individuals, this simple answer may piety, will resemble the noble, uniform, be returned. The one was governed by and beneficial influence of the sun; while the will of God, the other by his own. that of a wicked man will be like the Paul exemplifies the amiable and glorious irregular, appalling, and destructive course holiness of the gospel; Nero shews us what of some sphere, that, having diverged from may be expected from human depravity, its orbit, traverses the heavens without when left without check or control, and order or utility. placed in circumstances adapted to its development. In the apostle we see the principle of benevolence so completely triumphant over every other, as to lead him comparatively to disregard his own present comfort, in his ardent desire to diffuse happiness among his fellow-creatures; yet in this way he knew he was most effectually securing his own: in the emperor we behold the abominable principle of selfishness in its most genuine and ascendant operation-deadening every kind and generous feeling, and prompting him, without scruple, to blast the hopes and ruin the happiness of thousands, merely for the sake of some paltry gratification; nay, sometimes from no motive at all, except the monstrous and diabolical luxury of doing mischief. Now it is unquestionable, that thousands of brutal fiends in the shape of men, equal perhaps to Nero, have existed, and do exist, in the world; and, that all men are not so dreadfully vile, must not be attributed to any inherent goodness in human nature, or to the fact, that vicious principles are sometimes more moderate in their influence than at other times, but to the grace of God, and to the innumerable correctives and restraints with which some are favoured above others.

The reader will doubtless have seen these sentiments verified in multitudes of living examples. But suppose we, for the sake of farther illustration, contrast for a moment the conduct of Saul of Tarsus with that of Paul the apostle. Under the government of the old man, Saul breathes cut slaughter and cruelty-consigns men and women to prison-and carries terror and destruction wherever he goes: but the moment he becomes a Christian, the lion is transformed to a lamb; meekness and love predominate in the place of fierceness and malice. He is not content with merely doing no harm; he strives to do all the good he possibly can; he burns with desire to benefit his fellow-creatures; and to accomplish this, he cheerfully sacrifices his own personal comfort, safety, and emolument. Hear him describe the principles by which he was actuated. "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." How lovely must be the character in which this divine charity is the prevailing principle!

If every

The principles upon which each of the above selected characters acted, are immuPerhaps a more striking contrast to this table and uniform, always producing the illustrious apostle we cannot find than in same effects. Self-will, implicitly obeyed, that detestable emperor under whom Paul will always make a man's conduct replete suffered martyrdom. And yet Nero, with every thing absurd and mischievous; though a monster of iniquity, was naturally while implicit subjection to the will of God, capable of the same exalted holiness that will conduct a man in a straight and howas attained by Paul; but how immea-nourable course of unblemished integrity, surably distant is he from it! In the soul and disinterested beneficence. of Nero there was evidently no controlling human being were actuated by the spirit of principle, except his beastly passions; and the gospel, what a mighty and most being placed above human subjection, desirable revolution would take place in there was nothing to interrupt their tyran- the world; a moral paradise would re-apnical dominion. Hence, in the pursuit of pear; truth and love, peace and confidence, his gratification, he found no difficulty in would reign in every bosom, and pride, violating every principle of honour, hu- discord, treachery, cruelty, and lust, with manity, equity, and even of common all their kindred vices and consequent decency, until at length, obdurated by evils, would vanish from the earth, and crime, and assimilated into the very like- with them all the most oppressive evils ness of the devil, his supreme delight | which afflict our race. But where is the seemed to be that of destroying the lives despiser of revelation that would not and happiness of his fellow-creatures. tremble at the idea of all mankind being as depraved as Nero, and many others, whose

Now, to those who ask the reason of