tendency to dry discussion, are visible in all his writings; and that in his phraseology there are great blemishes, awkward and undignified sentences, and useless expletives. The redeeming qualities of his writings are, eminent candour, remarkable seriousness, and those amiable courtesies by which his general behaviour was distinguished.* His professional works, we are told, are eminent for their precision of sentiment, their comprehensive learning, and their deep research.† With all his virtues and good works, he was not in danger of the woe that is denounced against those of whom all men speak well. He did not escape the scourge of tongues; and the writings of Anthony Wood and Roger North show that he has not escaped the scourge of pens:-Roger North who, says Lord John Russell,+ was "a bitter enemy to all Whigs," and Anthony Wood, whose enmity and bitterness were equal to North's in degree, and much greater in extent. Turning from these men and their vituperations, we ask, which of the luminaries of the law was a greater blessing to his generation than Sir Matthew Hale? or, what man of his eminence, activity, and honesty, at that time passed through the world with less reproach, or went out of it with greater or more general love and honour? Bishop Burnet had not the advantage of a personal acquaintance with him, but derived his information * Life of Hale. pp. 251, 293, 295, 296. + Ibid, p. 323. from others; and he published the life of him in 1680, when Charles II. was yet on the throne. The date of the first edition is worthy of notice, because it accounts for a few courtly passages in the narrative, and explains the reason why there is no mention of the memorable and patriotic motion to impose limitations on the royal prerogative. A fact so important in itself, so honourable to the Judge, and so agreeable to his own principles, would not have been omitted by the author, but for those prudential reasons which restrained his natural frankness and fidelity. What is written is so excellent, that the reader wishes for more; and this wish will be gratified by the Memoir which is written by Sir John Bickerton Williams, who has enlarged the brevity and supplied the deficiencies of Burnet, by information which has been collected with great diligence from every source, and which makes his account as much better than any other, as it is larger. With pleasure I refer the reader to a book which does honour to its author and justice to its subject; which will gratify the lovers of biography and the admirers of SIR MATTHEW HALE. OLIVER HEYWOOD. WRITTEN AFTER READING THE MEMOIRS OF HIM BY MR. SLATE. "This I dare say, the subject or person treated of was full of good works, and he that treats thereon is full of good-will." Oliver Heywood's preface to the account of his brother Nathaniel. "It is good to know what our godly ancestors and predecessors were, that we may learn thereby what we should be." M. Henry. To no other man are the dissenters in the West Riding of Yorkshire, and especially in the district around Halifax, under obligations so great as to Oliver Heywood; because his diligence and perseverance in labour, and fortitude in suffering, for their best interests, have exceeded those of all others in this great county: and therefore to contemplate his character and review his course, to honour his excellencies and acknowledge his services, are a duty which we should perform with pleasure, and a debt which we ought to pay with gratitude. Of many men who deserve to be had in remembrance, the information necessary for that purpose is lost; but of him it is preserved to a degree which is remarkable, and for which we have reason to be thankful. The time in which he lived was the age of diaries; when men were wont to note down occurrences, and to keep a register of facts, sentiments, and feelings. Several of the journals of that period have been lately published; and are read with much interest, on account of the particulars they detail relating to the manners and customs of our great-grandfathers, and the state of the country in the century before the last. Few of his contemporaries were more attentive to this practice than he was. I have seen a box, of no inconsiderable size, which was filled with his manuscripts, closely written, and bound in volumes; containing, amongst other papers, meditations, soliloquies, and his diary continued to within five days of his death. Of these manuscripts Mr. Slate has availed himself assiduously, and has extracted much that is very valuable; but I well recollect some striking and important passages which he has not selected. The wonder is that of a man who so well deserved it, and with materials for the work so abundant, one of his two sons, who were ministers, and who had the advantages of a good education, did not write and publish an account. His son John certainly formed such a design; but, for some reason, did not carry it into effect. With a Memoir of him before us so large and authentic, so well written, and so well adapted for usefulness, we have not much reason to regret this failure. The county which had the chief benefit of Oliver Heywood's ministry, had not the honour of producing him. The place of his nativity was Little Lever, in the parish of Bolton, in Lancashire; and the date of it was March 1630. Many of his relations were the excellent of the earth; and his parents held a respectable station in society, which they adorned with exemplary characters. He mentions them repeatedly in his private papers, and always with reverential affection and grateful acknowledgment. They led him to attend on the ablest ministers who preached near them, and required him to give an account of their sermons, which they made the subject of serious conversation. They offered fervent prayers for him, which were graciously heard; and employed all the means for his advantage which their wisdom could direct, or their love could prompt; and they did not labour in vain. Like Timothy, he knew the Scriptures from his childhood; and, like Obadiah, he feared the Lord from his youth. That he should set his heart on the ministry, and that they should concur with his desires, are not surprising. After enjoying all the advantages for learning which the neighbouring schools could afford, he was sent to Cambridge, and admitted into Trinity College. On parting from him, his father gave him the most serious and affectionate advice that his judgment suggested, and, that it might have a greater and a more permanent effect, he gave it to him in writing. At Cambridge he attended on the ministry of Dr. Hammond, from which he derived much good; and there he met with some "gracious scholars" with whom he had intimate familiarity, and by whom he |