you have been so good as to present me with, of your very learned and valuable notes. I have read them with particular satisfaction; and with singular admiration of the profound knowledge of the Greek tongue displayed in them. Critical subjects have always been peculiarly pleasing to me; and it has been the rule of my life, amidst my various engagements, to read something every day in a Greek and Latin writer."

It would be easy to multiply extracts of this description, and to accumulate the praises bestowed upon the editor of Dawes by his learned contemporaries. But this is needless, since the following pages will fully attest the high opinion entertained of his erudition by such scholars as Wyttenbach and Villoison, Burney and Vincent. Their united commendation forms a decisive answer to the depreciating tone in which his services as a critic and a scholar are sometimes alluded to in the present day, chiefly, we believe, through inconsideration. The real point to be investigated, in order to form a just estimate of them, is the state of Greek learning at Oxford, at the period of his academic career, and the degree of assistance which he rendered by his writings and influence to the students of his time.

The result of such an inquiry would prove every way honourable to his ability and zeal. Since then, a great increase of light has been reflected upon every department of Greek criticism, by a succession of eminent scholars, and its thorny paths have been

wonderfully smoothed and laid open for students by their researches. No man was more prompt to recognise, and to hail the progress of this light, than Bishop Burgess. It was a topic upon which he delighted to expatiate. Though the results of his own labours may have been in some degree cast into the shade by more recent publications, they have been by no means superseded, as will be evident to any one who will take the pains to examine into the use made by Mr. Kidd, in his recent and able editions of Dawes, of the learning and researches of Burgess. He dissents from him, it is true, in the theory which he adopted respecting the origin and formation of the Greek language. This, however, is a subtle and recondite question, upon which eminent scholars have differed, and will continue to differ; it is a question also, with respect to which very ingenious, and yet conflicting theories, may be advanced and defended. After every concession made in the spirit of the foregoing observations, the honour will still belong to Mr. Burgess of having been the most zealous, able, and successful promoter of Greek learning at Oxford, towards the close of the eighteenth century.*

Mr. Burgess took his degree of B. A. on Dec. 17. 1778, and of M.A. in 1782. He was chosen a fellow of Corpus in 1787, and was soon after appointed logic reader, and then tutor of he college. He became B.D. in 1791, and D. D. in 1803.

CHAP. IV.

COMMENCEMENT OF FRIENDSHIP WITH MR. TYRWHITT.— CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIM.

1780.

CONSEQUENCES far beyond the value of any transitory praise, accrued to Mr. Burgess from the republication of Dawes, since it procured for him the acquaintance and friendship of Mr. Tyrwhitt, a gentleman who, to a large experience of men and things, united great mental acuteness, elegance, and refinement, enhanced by the polish of the best society. His influence in the literary world was justly extensive, for it was founded not only upon his personal qualities, but also upon works of acknowledged ability and interest.

Mr. Tyrwhitt was educated at Eton and Oxford. In 1761 he became Clerk of the House of Commons; but resigned this office, after occupying it for six or seven years, in consequence of the effects of fatigue and late hours upon his health. Henceforth he devoted himself to learned and literary pursuits, and gave himself up to his beloved books. He was a man of varied and profound erudition. His knowledge of modern languages was very extensive; and he was critically conversant with those

of Greece and Rome. Philology was his favourite study; and he applied its principles, with much success, to critical questions connected with the text of our old English poets, particularly Chaucer and Shakspeare. He manifested no less acuteness in dealing with many recondite points of Greek criticism. In private life, he was equally distinguished by the generosity and kindness of his heart, and by the mildness and elegance of his manners. His taste was refined and fastidious, and his mental sagacity of a high order.

Such a man was justly entitled to the compliment of a dedication of the new edition of the Miscellanea Critica. To Mr. Burgess's request, that he would accept this compliment, he not only acceded, but placed also at his disposal various notes and observations upon Dawes, -the fruit of his own researches. Many of these were inserted in the new edition. The intercourse thus commenced, led on to correspondence and acquaintance, and finally terminated in cordial and mutual friendship. Mr. Tyrwhitt soon proved himself to be a friend of no ordinary value. He was so struck, on conversing with Mr. Burgess, with the extent of his learning, and with the simplicity and integrity of his heart, with his ardent zeal for mental improvement, and his candour in the avowal of any mistakes, or errors of judgment, with the mild suavity of his manners, and the manly independence of his principles, that he quickly became

affectionately interested in his success in life. He found, also, great delight in the interchange of opinion and sentiment with him, upon many interesting points arising out of their kindred studies. He, himself, was now advanced in life; and was capable, from his acknowledged wisdom and experience, of giving the most important practical counsel to his learned, but, as yet, inexperienced young friend; and finding that every hint of this description was gratefully received, he became to him, at length, a sort of Mentor.

He watched over, fostered, and encouraged his learned studies, and became the confidant of his literary schemes and projects. His friendly counsel was always at his command, his animating encouragement stimulated all his laudable undertakings, and, whenever he conceived that he had committed, or was about to commit, an error in judgment, he pointed it out to him with honest sincerity, and with equal delicacy. A remarkable instance of his kindness occurred soon after the commencement of their personal acquaintance, which produced so profound an impression upon the heart of Mr. Burgess, that, even in the latest periods of his life, he was wont to dwell upon it with the freshness of almost youthful gratitude. His pecuniary resources were narrow; and, finding his expenses at Oxford more considerable than his means warranted, he resolved, on principles of honourable independence, to tear himself from this

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