THE REVP JOHN ROBINSON, D.D.

Rector of "lifton, Westmoreland, 60, 80=
J. Robinson.

ENGRAVED BY RICHARD SMITH

THE

CHURCH MAGAZINE.

No. 12.]

DECEMBER, 1839.

MEMOIR OF THE REV. JOHN ROBINSON, D.D.,

RECTOR OF CLIFTON, WESTMORELAND, &c., &c.

[VOL. I.

THE quiet and unobtrusive path of clerical and literary pursuits seldom exhibits much variety, and in general affords but few incidents that are entertaining in the narrative. While the memoirs of the statesman and the warrior are eagerly sought after by those who require the stimulus of amusement, the history of a student, and a minister of the Gospel, who has trod the "noiseless tenor of his way" in a course of pastoral fidelity and literary usefulness, fails to attract attention, as it presents but little to gratify curiosity, or to excite expectation. The records of a good man's career, whatever station of life he may occupy, cannot, however, be reflected on without pleasure, or perused without improvement: and when we find the individual possessed of piety, talents, and extensive learning, the narrative becomes doubly interesting. Under this impression, it affords us pleasure to present our readers with a brief memoir of the Rev. John Robinson, D.D., whose portrait is prefixed to our present number.

This good man, and excellent scholar, is a native of Westmoreland, and was born at Temple Sowerby, in that County, January 6th, 1774. At the age of six years, he was sent to the Grammar School in Penrith, at that time conducted by the Rev. John Cowper, M.A., Vicar of the Parish, where he continued nearly six years, and laid a deep foundation of classical literature. Soon after the death of Mr. Cowper, he was removed to an academy in Penrith, kept by the Rev. Isaac Gaskin, a teacher of varied and extensive acquirements. His abilities being of a superior order, and his whole conduct marked by a thirst for information, and a diligence in the prosecution of study, he made such rapid progress under this gentleman's tuition, in the various branches of scholastic learning, and particularly in the acquisition of classical literature, his favourite pursuit, that he was soon considered sufficiently qualified to undertake the office of private tutor-a situation honourable in itself, and to a young man, who has to depend mainly on his own exertions, in many respects desirable. Accordingly, at the early age of seventeen, he engaged himself as tutor in the family of the late John Mounsey, Esq., of Patterdale Hall, Westmoreland. In this sequestered and enchanting spot, which abounds with beautifully sublime and picturesque scenery, Mr. Robinson spent the greater part of his leisure time in the cultivation of polite literature-particularly the composition of Latin verses: nor did he neglect to apply himself occasionally to the several departments of useful knowledge. That his literary attainments, even at this youthful age, were considerable, is sufficiently proved by the fact of his having twice successfully competed in public examinations, with several other candidates for the head-mastership of two free grammar-schools-viz., of Winton, in Westmoreland, and of Ravenstondale, in the same county.

NO. XII. VOL. I.

2 G

Notwithstanding the disadvantages under which he laboured, in point of age-such was the superiority of his acquirements, that he was elected master of the former, before he had completed his nineteenth year; (at this school, the Rev. John Cowper, mentioned above-Dr. Burn, the author of the Justice of the Peace, &c.,-the Rev. John Langhorne, D.D., the poet, and his brother, the Rev. William Langhorne, M.A., the Translator of Plutarch's Lives, had been educated under former masters); and about three years after, he was nominated to the mastership of the latter, by the governors of that Institution. Over this school, Mr. Robinson continued to preside for upwards of twenty years, with such ability and success, that it soon rose to considerable eminence; and was, by his means, rendered highly useful to the community. Many who were brought up at this Institution, acquired such a knowledge of the learned languages, as enabled them to fill situations of some distinction, with credit to themselves, and honour to him from whom they received their instruction-many entered into the Church, in which some of them continue in the humble situation of curates a situation, certainly of great respectability and usefulness, but comparatively of little advantage to themselves, while others have risen to a degree of eminence in the profession." And the subject of this memoir possesses the pleasing satisfaction of having received from his numerous pupils, decisive proofs of their respectful gratitude and affection, long after the cessation of much personal intercourse, and when the relation of tutor and pupil might seem to have been forgotten.

In 1797 and 1798, after a diligent preparation, and under a deep sense of the great responsibility of the sacred function, Mr. Robinson was ordained deacon and priest by Dr. Vernon, the present Archbishop of Yorkthen Bishop of Carlisle. On the latter occasion, the Archbishop twice expressed the high gratification he felt at the manner in which he had acquitted himself in both examinations; and as a proof of the favourable opinion he entertained of his application and talents, promised to confer upon him some preferment, in case it should ever be in his power to do so.

Mr. Robinson had, for several years, been an occasional contributor to various periodical publications; but did not commence his career of author until 1801, when he became the coadjutor of the late Dr. Mavor, in the publication of a universal history, on a plan recommended by Dr. Smollett. The work was published in monthly volumes. The volumes of which Mr. R. was the compiler, are the two comprising the history of Greece the two volumes of Africa-and one of the Northern States and Kingdoms of Europe. His acquaintance with Dr. Mavor ripened into a sincere friendship, which continued unabated till the death of that excellent man and useful writer, in 1838. At the instance of the publisher, Mr. R. prepared and published a Grammar of Universal History, for the use of schools, which has already passed through nearly thirty editions. In 1807, he published, in one vol., A Treatise on the Antiquities of Greece-a work of great labour and research; and which comprises all that is generally useful in Potter, Bos, Cragius, Lakemacher, &c. It has gone through two editions, and a third is in the press. In the same year, he also published a volume of ancient, and another of modern history. These works have also gone through several editions.

In 1813 Mr. Robinson was presented to the living of Ravenstondale, by the present Earl of Lonsdale, the friend and patron of merit .This appointment afforded him great satisfaction, as it enabled him to exercise the ministerial function in the parish in which he was resident, and among a people to whom he was sincerely attached; and also as it gave him fresh

opportunity of manifesting his zeal for their welfare. By an exemplary and faithful discharge of his duties both as a minister and a schoolmasterby his plain and impressive preaching in public-and by the uniform consistency of his conduct in private-he succeeded in securing the almost universal esteem and affection of the inhabitants of that parish during the remaining period of his residence among them. In 1814, on the recommendation of the Archbishop of York and others, the principal and professors of Marischal College, Aberdeen, complimented Mr. R. with the degree of Doctor in Divinity. He had previously, for some years, been a member of Christ's College, Cambridge, but, owing to a misunderstanding with his tutor, had caused his name to be erased from the College Board.

For some years Dr. Robinson had been engaged in preparing for the press a Theological Dictionary, the first edition of which was published in 1815, and has been followed at intervals by two other editions. It is dedicated by permission to the Archbishop of York. Of this Dictionary the Rev. Thos. Hartwell Horne, in his introduction to the study of the Holy Scriptures, justly observes" It is no small commendation of this work, that within a few months after its publication, it was recommended by several Dignitaries of the Anglican Church to the attention of candidates for the ministerial office. It is very closely printed and presents a valuable digest, with reference to authorities at the end of each article, of almost all that has hitherto been written on Biblical literature. Most cordially do we join in the following recommendation of it in a modern critical journal :It is clearly the work of a man of much industry in collecting, and of much judgment in arranging, his matter. To any theological student, who has not access to an extensive Library, this volume will prove a very useful subsidiary to many indeed, who have neither attainment nor abilities for research, it will become necessary.'" (Brit. Crit. N. S. vol. vii. p. 805.) Mr. Horne further observes: "It may be proper to add that it is noticed with merited commendation in the Evangelical Magazine for 1817, vol. xxv., p. 486, and in the Anti-Jacobin Review, vol. xlix., pp. 1–15.” Calmet's Dictionary of the Bible forms the basis of this work, as regards nearly all subjects immediately connected with the Bible, and the theological articles are given on the authority of our ablest protestant writers, whose names are appended to each.

The indefatigable exertions of Dr. Robinson had for some time attracted the attention of his Diocesan, the late Dr. Goodenough, Bishop of Carlisle, who, conscious of his worth, took every opportunity of assisting and befriending him. And, in 1818, this excellent and able Prelate, without the least solicitation and independently of the recommendation of any one, collated him to the Rectory of Clifton in Westmoreland; and, subsequently, the Rev. Dr. Percy, the present Bishop of Carlisle, presented him with the adjoining Rectory of Cliburn, which he now holds together with Clifton, faithfully discharging the duties of his high and holy office.

SKETCH OF THE PRESENT STATE OF THE ROMISH SECT, AND ITS JESUITS, IN ENGLAND.

CONSIDERING the present activity of the popish priests, who are chiefly Jesuits, and their success amongst us, anything throwing a light upon their history and operations cannot be otherwise than highly acceptable to all interested in opposing their diabolical machinations and in upholding the ancient Catholic Church of these realms. As Reformed Catholics, we