virtue; in Mr. Duncombe and his amiable and accomplished wife, he found congenial souls, and they were of an age to convey in the purest and most imperceptible manner, the influence of their example to the mind of a ductile and ingenuous youth. Several beautiful specimens of his composition, now before us, serve to prove the direction they gave to his literary pursuits. Following the steps of his friend, Mr. Jackson contributed occasionally to the Gentleman's Magazine, and to the poetical and topographical publications of Mr. Nichols; and after the death of Mr. Duncombe, he for a short time conducted the reviewer's department of that miscellany. With him literature was certainly only an amusement, but there is every reason to presume that had his life been extended, it would eventually have engrossed the greater part of his time, and have placed him in a respectable rank among the writers of his country. William Jackson was, however, not the pedantic sloven so well described by Dr. Hawkesworth, but on the contrary he delighted in the society of women, frequented places of public amusement, and was neat and punctilious in his exterior, perhaps to a fault; whilst his countenance was remarkably prepossessing, and expressive of a mild benignity, which rendered it quite an index to his heart. He died, after a few day's illness, in consequence of a hurt he received in riding, on the 17th of April, 1789, in the 32d year of his age.

*

The following characters of Mr. Jackson are extracted from the 8th volume of "Literary Anecdotes,"

* See page 227.

published by Mr. Nichols. They were evidently traced by the pen of admiring friendship, and must be received with the allowance due to such partiality. We do not however consider ourselves at liberty to omit them in the present collection, nor are we prepared in the smallest degree to dispute their correctness:

"He was of a disposition so amiable, that he was universally beloved without one detracting voice. A real friend to the afflicted, the kind adviser of all who sought counsel from his prudence and foresight, and he counselled 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, and 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, cheerfulness, and benevolence, which rendered him the animation of all company, and the leader and promoter of social meetings. His temper was so even, and so admirably regulated, as never to be ruffled or even gloomy; the sunshine of prosperity seemed to fertilize every virtue in his breast. There have been prodigies of science, of learning and of abilities, that 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. As a son we cannot sufficiently praise his unremitting attention to the infirmities of his aged parents, the pleasure with which he watched their inclinations, and anticipated their wishes without ostentation, and with no 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 to him without fear or awe, to a
countenance always beaming angelic goodness, and
diffusing the cordial of a gentle sympathy, accom-
panied with a judicious liberality.
Such, and very
inadequate to his merit, is a 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, all having some tale of his philanthropy
to tell, some favour of his munificence or friendship to
relate. No eye without a tear, no heart without a
pang; all weeping for their own, and more for the
irreparable loss of his afflicted parents, whose indul-
gence and affection were equal to his merit. To him
may justly be applied Pope's admirable couplet :-

"He knew no joy but friendship might divide,
"Or gave his parents grief-but when he died."

To this faithful character of Mr. Jackson, as 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 and 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 those natural endowments by much and various reading; and by an accurate skill in languages, an extensive acquaintance with original history, and a

general knowledge of polite literature, he was qualified to shine in every conversation. Those mental excellences, 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 cheerful partaker of social amusements, yet were his pleasures ever confined within the bounds of innocence. Without envy and without guile, he was made happy by the happiness of others, nor was he ever kept back from benefiting them, when in his power, by selfish or interested motives. To various institutions in support of the cause of religion and virtue, he was a liberal benefactor, while at the same time his private benevolence flowed in many and copious channels. A friend to the distressed of every description, his head and his heart were ever disposed to council and relieve them; not satisfied with the occasion of doing good as it offered, he was active to find out opportunities of assisting others, and frequently searched in the recesses of poverty for objects worthy of his care, for whom his tender concern visibly shone forth in the mild sensibility of his eye, and the benignity of his countenance. Nor in this enumeration of his virtues ought his singular discharge of the duties of filial piety to be omitted, to whose silent calls within his own heart he was ever attentive, and to whose dictates his most favourite pleasures and pursuits were subservient. To all these essential virtues he added the engaging qualities of universal urbanity, mildness, and good temper, which as they endeared him through

life to a numerous circle of friends, so have they caused him to be most sincerely and generally lamented in death; an event, which-to complete his truly christian character-he bore with entire resignation, though called away from life at so early a period, and from the prospect of every enjoyment which life seemed capable of bestowing. Indeed while goodness can command respect, benevolence can attach, and amiableness can charm, the remembrance of so much departed excellence cannot but remain indelibly fixed in the minds of all who knew him."

"Strongly as the character of Mr. Jackson is here pourtrayed, a personal knowledge enables me to say it is by no means exaggerated.

"Seen him I have, and in his social hours ;"

I have witnessed his attention to filial duty, his beneficence to the distressed, his universal benevolence, and shall point out some specimens of his poetical talents that stamp considerable celebrity on him as a writer."

"In the "History of Fotheringay," (Bib.Top. Brit. No. 40, page 79,) are some beautiful verses of Mr. Jackson "On the removal of what has been inconsiderately supposed the tomb of Mary, Queen of Scots, but is really the shrine of St. Tibba, from the cathedral of Peterborough to the Dean's garden;" in the 8th vol. of the "Select collection of poems," "On the sudden and unexpected arrival of the Messenger of Herne, inscribed to Mr. and Mrs. Duncombe;" "Skaiting, a poem ;"translated from the " Musæ Anglicanæ." 99 66 Heroic epistle of De la Pole, Duke of Suffolk to Margaret, Queen of Henry VI;" "Stanzas written among the ruins of St Augustine's Monastery," &c.

* See verses on his death in the Gentleman's Magazine, vol. 59, p.p. 448, 936.