then called upon several other booksellers, none of whom were acquainted with the publication. On my return, I mentioned the circumstance to Mr. Hall. 66 Why, sir," said he, "is not that marvellous? Mr. Combe, being my printer and bookseller, you would have supposed that the publisher would have sent him some copies he would have sold a considerable number of them. Why, sir, I should have made a better tradesman than that! Poor Philalethes! so nobody in Leicester knows any thing of him; - he is unknown in his own country, and among his own kinsfolk!" In the course of conversation I renewed the subject of expositions, which he told me had been given up, owing to the unconquerable aversion of his people to the plan. I then inquired whether he had prepared any thing for the press since I saw him? He said, "No, sir; the manual labour is too great, owing to the frequent pain in my back." Those persons who have read the remarks of Dr. Gregory, appended to the first volume of Mr. Hall's collected works, will sympathize with this observation. I once saw Mr. Hall write a note of invitation to a friend, while reclining at full length on the carpet, with the paper › and ink upon it. it. In addition to this obstacle in the way of his literary labours, Mr. Hall fixed his standard of eloquence so high, that he could never please himself. I have every reason to believe that he considered his sermon on the death of the Princess Charlotte, as his chef d'œuvre. He told me that he had printed sixteen editions, each

of which amounted to one thousand copies; and that he did not like to lessen his reputation as an author.

When speaking in glowing terms of Mr. (now Lord) Brougham's inaugural address, on his being installed as Lord Rector of the University of Glasgow, he said, "Brougham is quite right, sir; preparation is every thing.* If I were asked what is the chief requisite for eloquence, I should reply -Preparation; and what the second?

The following is the passage alluded to by Mr. Hall : "I should lay it down as a rule, admitting of no exception, that a man will speak well in proportion as he has written much; and that, with equal talents, he will be the finest extempore speaker when no time for preparing is allowed, who has prepared himself the most sedulously, when he had an opportunity of delivering a premeditated speech. All the exceptions which I have ever heard cited to this principle, are apparent ones only, proving nothing more than that some few men, of rare genius, have become great speakers without preparation; in no wise shewing that with preparation they would not have reached a much higher pitch of excellence. The admitted superiority of the ancients in all oratorical accomplishments, is the best proof of my position; for their careful preparation is undeniable: nay, in Demosthenes, (of whom Quintilian says, that his style indicates more preparation, plus than Cicero's,) we can trace, by the recurrence of the same passage, with progressive improvements in different speeches, how nicely he polished the more exquisite parts of his compositions. I could point out favourite passages, occurring as often as three several times, with variations and manifest amendment." It is with pleasure we refer the reader to that masterly discourse, which is another proof of the gigantic powers of its extraordinary author. It is remarkable that this pamphlet, certainly one of the most powerful that has appeared in modern times, was written "during the business of the northern circuit." We scarcely know which to admire most, Lord Brougham's varied talents and extensive learning, or his noble and patriotic principles, all of which unite to constitute him the colossus of literature, and the glory of this age and nation.

curæ,

Preparation; and what the third?- Preparation." Then, (with a sigh,) "If I had prepared more for the pulpit, I should have been a much better preacher: there are, sir, heights and depths, and breadths and lengths in eloquence, yet to be attained, that we know nothing about."

Mr. Hall had learnt, from painful experience, what it was to soar, free from the incumbrances and depressing influences of flesh and blood; after his first confinement, he observed that he had been "all mind, and his imagination had consequently been overstretched." I have reason, therefore, to believe that his recollection of this period, and a consciousness of his mental capability, constituted the true secret of his aversion to publish. His standard was too high-he thought unutterable things.

I asked Mr. Hall what reason could be assigned why so few ministers rose above mediocrity, while they enjoyed the advantages of education, and leisure for pursuing their studies. "I will tell you, sir," said Mr. Hall. "Some of our young men, when they enter the academy, have almost every thing to learn; their time is therefore chiefly occupied in acquiring the knowledge of the languages and theology. When they leave the institution they forget that they are only furnished with the materials for acquiring knowledge, and rest satisfied with present attainments, instead of pursuing their studies, and reading constantly and closely. In addition to this, sir, they settle too soon over congregations; and many of them marry

early. Thus they are burthened with the cares of a young family, as well as of the church; and are compelled, from limited incomes, to commence a school for their support. A minister, sir, ought never to be under the necessity of taking scholars."*

To return from this digression; we were sitting alone in the study. I proposed to retire, as Mr. Hall usually secured three hours to himself before dinner. He said, "Do not go yet, sir; it is not often I meet a friend with whom I can converse without restraint. I have many persons call upon me, and I am sometimes quite amused with their conversation: they string their words like beads, sir, and measure their sentences as if their whole reputation depended upon the next syllable they uttered."

Mr. Hall then went to his desk and took out a curiosity: it was an almanack, with a diary, formerly in the possession of the celebrated Philip Henry. I said, 'This reminds me, sir, that, many years since, you recommended from the pulpit, at Cambridge, the Life of this good man, with Dr. Bate's dedication; most of us immediately purchased the work.' "Well, sir, I dare say you had no reason to regret it." No, sir, I replied,

* Mr. Hall's opinion upon this subject cannot obtain too general notice, or too serious consideration. It is a lamentable fact, that many excellent ministers have their energies withered by the anxiety of providing the common necessaries of life. Surely it is not too much to expect that the pastor of a church, whose office it is to administer to the spiritual necessities of his flock, should he supplied with the bread which perisheth.

it is a fine piece of biography; I have read it several times with increased pleasure: the writer appears to me, sir, to have been a man possessed of superior intellect to his son Matthew, who was greatly indebted to his father for materials, when writing the Commentary.' "Yes, sir," said Mr. Hall," there is no doubt of that: Philip was a man of extraordinary learning. There were giants in those days, sir." I inquired whether he had seen Matthew Henry's Treatise on the Sacrament. "Yes, sir, I have it; it is an excellent work, the best that I have met with upon the subject, sir.” I then expressed my surprise at its being so little known among our baptist friends, while it was generally read by the independents. "I cannot account for that, sir," he replied; "the work is by no means controversial."

Speaking of Barrow's Sermons, the style of which is extremely rugged, Mr. Hall observed, "I have read them, sir, and am exceedingly pleased with them; Barrow was a great man. His style is verbose, but the matter excellent." Blair's Sermons were then mentioned. "Blair is not to be compared with Barrow, sir. It is true, that his periods are rounder, and, as compositions, his discourses are more elegant: they resemble heaps of polished pebbles, sir. Barrow is however the closest thinker; his ideas are profound; they are diamonds stuck in mud, sir.”

In the course of a conversation respecting an essay upon a popular subject, by a friend, whose former work he warmly eulogized, Mr. Hall said—