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sal, and from the contemplation of such a career as we have attempted to depict, with a resolve to be careful in the future, how he branded that man as a "visionary," whose views differing from his own, were yet based on sound sense and pure philosophy.

Mr. Buckingham's latest labour has been the delivery of a Course of Lectures on India, its past and present state, the measures necessary to be taken by the British Legislature, to do justice to the hundred and fifty millions of our fellow-subjects in that country, and, by the fuller development of its almost boundless resources to make it, what it has never yet been, a source of gain instead of loss to England itself. The Course was delivered preparatory to the introduction of the recent India Bill into the House of Commons; and the final Lecture has been just published under the title of "A_Plan for the Future Government of India." In this production, Mr. Buckingham has brought to bear his Oriental knowledge and practical experience of nearly forty

"But the peculiarity of the case," as an eminent writer has observed, "ends not here: there has also been, even among those who at length did his wisdom the homage of walking in its light, the utmost unanimity in excluding from their discussion all acknowledgment of their obligations . . . He was not simply 'before his day,' he was also above it. The neglect of which he is the subject, is, in part, the penalty of his very superiority. He thought alone, he acted alone, he formed no party, he sought no organization; he was a power in himself, and seemed formed for individual, not associated, action. Satisfied with being the creator of the seeds of things, he left others to sow them, and raise fruit for their own and the public good. . . . Again, the astonishing versatility of Mr. Buckingham has been most unfavourable to the distinct impression of his claims on the public mind; instead of fixing on a line and keeping to it, and working out one project in one place-a task too limited for his genius-he has touched upon everything; and after illuminating it, show-years devoted to the examination and ing what it was, what it was not, and what it ought to be, passed on to something fresh, and to repeat the process elsewhere; the prejudiced had scarcely time to recover from the shock, till the enchanter had vanished. And as with his intellectual, so with his corporeal activity, a sphere less than the globe is too limited for him; he has aspired to something like universal empire, and, in essence, he has obtained Should this Plan for the Govern it; but he has purchased his imperial ment of India prove to be the closing honours at the expense of the local labour of his long and varied life, he homage, which has been attained by will have no ocassion to regret the time multitudes of minor mortals, with all or pains bestowed on its execution, as the solid secular advantages thence re- it cannot fail to establish his reputation sulting." Still, as the same writer ob- for consistency, and fidelity to all his serves, he has amply avenged himself early opinions, the sincerity of which of all his adversaries, by a statement none can doubt-since they are exof truth, with which he prefaces the pressed now, as they have often been volume we have briefly analysed. We before, in opposition to all those high regret that our space forbids the tran- authorities whom it would be his worldly scription of this remarkable and in- interest rather to conciliate than to of teresting production. Instance after fend; but having suffered so severely instance is given in it, in which things for his devotion to Truth and Justice, suggested by Mr. Buckingham were it is a pleasing spectacle to see him, in frowned upon as futile and impractica- his old age, as energetic, as vigorous, ble, but have since been realized. We and as independent as he was in his should think that the most obstinate earliest youth, in the maintenance of sceptic, in whose eyes every innovation those principles which he holds to be is inconsistent with " the present state sacred, and which he therefore advoof the world," would rise from its peru-cates and defends to the last.

study of India and its affairs; and we must say that on comparing it with the Bill of Sir Charles Wood and the Cabinet of Lord Aberdeen, it is impossible not to be struck with the immense difference between the two. The Lecture will no doubt be extensively read by all who feel an interest in the good government of this vast and important portion of the British empire.

63

JOHN FOSTER.

SOME men are immortalized by their actions. Their names are associated with events; a reluctant world has felt their presence, as they have mingled in its busiest scenes, and extorted its admiration by their unwearied exertions. Their energy has hewn a path across the rocky heights of life, and no changeful tempest or breaking billow can wash out the traces of their steps. Others, on the contrary, are remembered from their thoughts. They give laws and promulgate sentiments, but are rarely seen in the arena of actual contest; they command, but they do not fight. The one character takes its material, fuses, and moulds it to its fancy; the other insensibly assimilates it to itself. The outward manifestations of the former are multiform and prodigal of incident; the life-story of the latter exhibits only the operations and productions of mind.

chanting its strains in the wood or by the brook.

Whatever time was unoccupied by the cares of their farm, his parents devoted to weaving. He began to assist them, and for several years was thus engaged; but in his case, romance and handicraft were not easily wedded, and indeed, though mind asserts its supremacy over all circumstantials, it is difficult to imagine John Foster at the loom. The manufacturer he served was continually resolving to take no more of his indifferent work. Often, when he brought his piece for inspection, would he turn his head aside, and not deigning to engage in conversation, submit to the ordeal with unmistakable repugnance. As it was, there was no incentive to mechanical contrivance; had it been otherwise, he might not have profited, for he was never known to display much skill or genius in that re-direction, though with that boyish instrument of all arts, the pen-knife, he is reported to have employed himself once in fashioning a globe.

There can be no question as to which of these two classes JOHN FOSTER prèsents. He was born September 17th, 1770, at a small farm-house near Hebden Bridge, in the parish of Halifax. The circumstances of his childhood He was already remarkable for the seem rather to have strengthened than manner in which he associated ideas. implanted the distinctive features of His mind encircled ever object with after years. His father was possessed interest not properly its own. Even of vigorous and thoughtful intellect; his single words exerted a fascination over mother of practical energy in addition; | him, some from their meaning, others but the habits of both, probably from merely from their sound; thus the word the lateness of their marriage, were of " chalcedony" was a favourite with his too sedate a cast to admit of that buo-ear, and the word "hermit," if we may yancy of feeling and affection, which, refer an illustration in his essays to as it is a most effective influence, is himself, was "at any time enough to also one main charm, of the home circle. transport him, like the witch's broomSisters he had none, and his only bro- stick, to the solitary hut which was dether was four years younger than him-lightfully surrounded by shady and self; and it is no wonder, therefore, that solemn groves, mossy rocks, crystal he early put away childish things. He streams, and gardens of radishes." He had not reached his twelfth year when had, too, an insuperable dislike to a the precocious manliness of his obser- book during the reading of which he vations won for him from his neigh- had done anything his conscience conbours the epithet, "old-fashioned." demned. This vivacity of the suggestive From the sports of merry and careless. faculty, while it is the source of rich boyhood he invariably shrunk, pain-enjoyment to its possessor, has also its fully conscious of "an awkward, but entire individuality." Feeling, as he afterwards declared, "a foreigner in the place," he turned with delight to nature, and made of her a companion, giving full rein to his sensibilities, when surrounded by her glories and listening to her voice, spiritual and profound,

peculiar dangers; and into these young
Foster was sometimes betrayed. His
imagination far oftener pictured visions
of gloom than of beauty and light.
Often did he succumb to horrible phan-
toms of his own creation.
"The time
of going to bed was an awful season of
each day,;" and for years he would not

sit on a stool that had formerly belonged to a man whose death had been sudden and mysterious, and whose ghost was said still to haunt the neighbourhood of the house.

nights in meditation and reading. “His scholastic exercises," we are told, "were marked by great labour, and accomplished very slowly." And so it was with the efforts of later days; his genius could rear pyramids, but it had not the skill that could expedite toil. It is instructive to note the discipline to which men of letters have subjected themselves at the outset of their course. Every one has heard of Demosthenes' transcriptions of Thucydides, and of countless similar stories; and we like to hear them, they lead us away from the glittering honours of fame amidst her

laces," and point to the rugged, steep, and self-made path by which the noblest aspirants have always ascended. We can picture Foster striving to improve himself in composition: there he sits, a hand on each knee, with some favourite author before him, whose sentences one by one he ponders, shaping each into every form of conceivable expression; and all the while, in thoughtful silence, he rocks his body to and fro, "pumping" as he calls it; and this is the process by which the stiff but forceful periods of the Essayist are being modelled!

His studies at this period were earnest but irregular. A barn was the scene of his cogitations and readings; he would shut himself up here awhile, and then come forth to make an unusual onslaught on his weaving, as if fresh strength had been imparted in the interim to body as well as mind. Beyond the bounds of English literature he was unable to wander; but his father coveted for him a more extended range, and the time" cloud-capt towers and gorgeous pawas near when privileges were to be given that comported more with his tastes and talents. His moral character was unimpeachable, and never had he been found wanting in generous sympathies with the lofty and the true. "O Lord, bless the lads," was his father's favourite prayer over him and the one friend his childhood had discovered; and that prayer was answered. Religion, mingling insensibly with his feelings, was germinating within; the flowers and fruits were by and by to appear. When about fourteen, he disclosed to his associate the anxiety he had felt on contrasting his principles His love of nature deepened as his and actions with the requirements of years advanced; and to his lonely ramthe divine law; but spoke, too, of the bles, when he loved to sort out "the relief he had found, and only found, in glorious likenesses" of which the world reliance on Jesus, the sacrifice once is full, we are indebted for much of the offered for the sins of the world. Six richness and novelty of his style, and days after the completion of his seven- for many an appropriate illustration. teenth year, he became a member of the No changing features of the scenes about Baptist church at Hebden Bridge; and him escaped his observation. He once before long, by a special religious ser- walked the river side from eve to dawn, vice, was appointed to prepare himself with a friend he had persuaded to acfor the duties of the ministry. To this company him, just that they might see he had been urged by friends who had the first approach of light, and its watched with interest his conduct, and effects on the scenery; and some time particularly by his pastor, Dr. Fawcett; after, when visiting his parents he sudand his own deliberate and conscien-denly started forth in a heavy shower, tious choice soon induced him to act in harmony with their wishes. He now became an inmate of Brearley Hall, that under the immediate direction of that venerable man, he might pursue a course of extended study that should better qualify him for the work in view. A portion of each day was still devoted to the assistance of his parents in their occupation; but notwithstanding, now that ample means were afforded for mental improvement, he studied intensely, even permitting the stars to come and wane as he passed whole

to look at a waterfall in the neighbonrhood and, on returning, said, "I now understand the thing, and have got some ideas on the subject, with which I should not like to part."

His sermons were generally successful in investing ordinary subjects with freshness and grace; but yet not unfrequently rather startled than edified the hearer. He regularly visited the cottages of the sick and aged, and prayed and read the Scriptures with them, usually selecting the 145th Psalm. His aversion to certain set forms of speech

in common use among religious people, was already great; he declared that "if possible he would expunge them from every book by Act of Parliament; and often said, 'We want to put a new face upon things.'

After a residence of about three years at Brearley, he was admitted as a student into the Baptist College at Bristol. From this period the idiosyncracy of the man is clearly revealed in his letters and other writings; no pencilling of ours could so well portray it; so that, in the absence of incident, we shall do well to draw largely upon them. The following extract from a letter to Dr. Fawcett, written at Bristol, will show the ardour enkindled within him:

"The value of time, the deficiencies of my character and possible attainments, flash upon my mind with more forcible conviction than ever before. I can sometimes grasp the idea of universal and transcendent excellence; and it always excites, at least, a temporary ebullition of spirit. I cannot doubt the possibility of becoming greatly wise and greatly good; and while such an object places itself in view, and invites pursuit, no spirit that possesses the least portion of ethereal fire can remain unmoved. I despise mediocrity. I wish to kindle with the ardour of genius. I am mortified almost to death, to feel my mind so contracted, and its energies so feeble or so torpid. I read such writers as Young and Johnson with a mixture of pleasure and vexation. I cannot forbear asking myself, Why cannot I think in a manner as forcible and as original as theirs? Why cannot I rise to their sublimities of sentiment, or even to an elevation still more stupendous? Why cannot I pierce through nature with a glance? Why cannot I effuse those beams of genius which penetrate every object and illuminate every scene? I believe the possible enlargement of the human mind is quite indefinite, and that heaven has not fixed any impassable bounds."

In 1792, at the expiration of his term, Foster left College; and he would have had reason to congratulate himself on his sojourn there, had no other advantage accrued than the friendship of the Rev. Joseph Hughes, then Classical Tutor, who will be long remembered as the originator of the British and Fo

reign Bible Society. This gentleman was not two years his senior, but from the similarity of his temperament, the sobriety of his judgment, and especially the superior spirituality of his religion, he was well qualified to become his monitor and friend. Their intercourse was maintained throughout life, and proved mutually profitable.

Mr. Foster's first preaching engagement was at Newcastle-on-Tyne, where he continued his ministrations for but little more than three months. His congregation assembled in an ancient room, situated at the top of Tuthill Stairs and formerly the mayor's chapel, not large enough to accommodate above a hundred persons, yet never even in danger of being taxed to the extent of its capacity; but in this small auditory there were some "half-dozen sensible fellows," whose" significant looks" and breathless attention told that his sermons were appreciated. Of his recluse mode of life, he shall speak for himself:-"Though the town is only about two or three hundred yards from the house, I never take any notice of it, and very rarely enter it but on the Sunday. I often walk in the fields, where I contemplate horses and cows, and birds and grass; or along the river, where I observe the motions of the tide, the effect of the wind, or, if it is evening, the moon and stars reflected in the water. When inclined to read, I am amply furnished with books. When I am in the habit of musing, I can shut myself in my solitary chamber, and walk over the floor, throw myself in a chair, or recline on my table; or if I would dream, I can extend myself on the bed." He was the subject of deep and varying feeling; and, in fact, was fighting in this seclusion that battle of life which to the valiant and truehearted, is ever the forerunner of victory. The unbounded future lay before him; he had crossed the threshold of manhood, but still the prospect was beclouded. Whither was he tending? In what work were those energies to be employed, in the possession of which his spirit exulted. Was he long to stand beneath the Cross of the despised Galilean, and proclaim Him to the world as its great Regenerator and King? He was apprehensive not; but left the issue in that gloom "whence no conjecture could invite it." "I feel conscious," he wrote, "of possessing

F

great powers, but not happily combined nor fully brought forth.... At the age of twenty-two, I feel I have still to begin to live; I have yet in a great measure my principles to fix, my plans to form, my means to select, and habits of exertion to acquire."

his

ment and staring at one another, as if each had seen an additional nose rising on each other's face. I think I heard not one sentiment. There was a long dispute whether a particular house in the town has a door on a certain side. I contemplated with a degree of wonder. I thought, 'Have you no ideas about realities and beings that are unseen? about the Eternal Governor and a future state? Is this all you find in life and all by which you fortify your selves against death?' I wish I could have formed a clear conception of the situation of their minds-that I could be privy to their serious reflections, if they ever have such, or, if not, discover how they escape them."

Leaving Newcastle, he again revisited Yorkshire, where he remained, till called thence by an invitation to Dublin from the Baptist Society meeting in Swift's Alley. In Ireland, he preached rather more than a year, one month of which was passed at Cork; but though endeared to all who intimately knew him, and diligent in the discharge of every duty, his success was by no means proportionate to his desires. This was, perhaps, in part owing to the unbend- Foster left Dublin in despair; but ing originality of his character, which after an absence of several months, replaced a gulph, not easily bridged, be- turned to experiment on a classical and tween his sympathies and those of most mathematical school. He began with others; to use a phrase of his own, "the room and the forms," but so little soul was "not formed to coalesce" with success attended the undertaking that an assemblage fashioned in the ordinary it was speedily relinquished. During mould of artificial society, and this in- his latter residence in Ireland, we learn ability tempted him to withhold that from himself, that his connection with exhibition of lively interest in its wel- violent democrats, and his share in fare, which would have been most effec-forming a society, under the denomi tual in elevating it to his own standard. nation of "Sons of Brutus," exposed His avowed contempt of ecclesiasti-him at least to the expectation of danger cal formalities, his ridicule, not entirely misplaced, of the "cleric habit," and his views on many another point, were all likely to operate against his growth in public favour. We cannot here forbear an extract from a fragment of a journal written at Dublin; it bears on every line the impress of the man, and may faintly illustrate some portion of the preceding remarks, while it gives a sample of such thoughts as, we may suppose, often flitted by him, when, at a later date, the quiet sarcasm of his eye was dreaded even by a Hall. He speaks of an evening party, where "he took no part in the conversation, which, however, was plentiful, but was much amused with observation." "One part of the circle was composed of ladies.. I listened to their chat. Let me enjoy nonsense no more if I was not delighted.

from the strong arm of angry authority. His political opinions were the offspring of his own observation and feeling; the sphere in which he had moved and his friends, both young and old, exerted an influence antagonistic to his enthusiasm, but altogether ineffectual. Nor is is this surprising. To a young_mind, nurtured in independence, and conscious of inherent power, accustomed to examine all things thoroughly, and to estimate them only by their relative position in its own universe of thought and reason, society must necessarily present many anomalies. It will behold with astonishment prescriptive rights, and what may seem prescriptive wrongs; conventionalities will rather excite its indignation than secure its reverence; and with a consequent revulsion of feeling, it will long to launch upon the tide of time, and like another Columbus, lead the way to a new world where all its fairy visions may be reaSometimes the ladies would be lized. Nor is it till experience has struck with profound astonishment, shown the distance between the ideal would naturally bend forward as they and the actual, the desirable and the sat, with an inclination of their bodies possible, the abstractedly right and the towards each other, bridling back their relatively practical, that the effervesheads at the same time, silent for a mo-cence of such a spirit will subside,

But though full of transitions, it was so rapid and incessant, that philosophic observation was somewhat baffled.

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