It was his privilege to have a grandmother and a mother who were both piously disposed, and who instructed him from his infancy in the Holy Scriptures. It is reported by a Mrs. Legge, who was at that time frequently employed in the family, that she heard him read the English Bible into French, and the French Bible again into English, when not more than six years of age. Mrs. Cadogan adds, that while a child he had gotten by heart the 139th Psalm, which he used to repeat with peculiar satisfaction in later life.

Mr. C. was placed at Westminster School, July 7, 1757. There he distinguished himself by obtaining several prizes, and was for some time what is termed captain of the school. It appears also that he thought seriously at school of the scriptural instruction he had received at home.

I am persuaded, from the impressions made by a pious mother on my own mind, when a child, but which were studiously concealed, as well as from the early impressions of my friend, that very few parents sufficiently aim, or sufficiently hope, in their religious endeavours with their children.

Mrs. Cadogan (whose information, coming immediately from her husband, I can best depend upon) mentions that his religious impressions were strengthened by his sometimes attending a clergyman of eminence in the neighbourhood, to whose ministry he had been led by a Mr. S-, then his school-fellow, and afterwards his curate. Also, that our young scholar received many friendly attentions from a Mr. and Mrs. B-, who lived near Westminster School, and who endeavoured to impress upon his mind the nature and importance of vital godliness; a principle which no man possesses, but he desires to communicate it.

Mr. C's designation to the Church also appears to have originated in part from his own choice, and that

VOL. I.

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from religious motives, at an early period, as I gather from the following anecdote.

His father took him one day to visit Dr. Ewer, bishop of Bangor, and after mentioning to the Bishop his son's wish to be a clergyman, he requested his lordship to give him some general advice: before the bishop could reply, Mrs. Ewer, who sat with them, said, "Sir, your early and particular inclination for holy orders leads me to hope that YOUR's is a real call of the Holy Ghost to take upon you this office." It is not improbable that something in Mr. C's behaviour might lead Mrs. Ewer to make the remark: the effect, however, of her unexpected address, he said, he should never forget.

It

In the year 1769, Mr. C. left Westminster to enter at Christ Church, Oxford. I can procure but little information respecting this period of his history. is reported that he was considered as one of the first scholars in his college; and it is certain that he received different sets of books, as prizes in literary contests that he was the reverse of those who are properly termed loungers at the University, I have full evidence; for, besides what appeared in his ministry, his private papers are a strong proof of his early industry.

When Mrs. Cadogan imposed this task upon me, she opened his 'scrutoire, in order to examine if he had left any thing that it might be proper to add to what had been already printed; and I confess I was surprised at the quantity of paper covered with his university studies. These occupied much room, besides that which contained a great number of written sermons, and what are called skeletons of sermons, as he, latterly, did not read his discourses.

When I say I was surprised at this, it was not so much from observing how greatly his character had differed from that of many, who go to universities merely as a necessary introduction into a particular

profession, and pay little regard to the other advantages which such seminaries afford; but because, after a long intimacy with him, I had remarked his indisposition to converse on those branches of science which I now found he had so laboriously cultivated. I had imputed the indisposition rather to his having never deeply pursued such subjects, than to what I afterwards found to be the real motive, namely, a habitual delight in, and eager pursuit after sublimer objects; for latterly he counted all things but as dross for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord.

The serious reader, however, will naturally wish, by this time, to be informed, of the rise and progress of this his higher aim.

It has been hinted, that, while at Westminster School, he sometimes attended the ministry of a zealous clergyman at the west end of the town; and even before this, he had seriously discoursed with his mother concerning the way of salvation. His mind seemed to be early interested upon the subject; and, probably from what he had heard from the pulpit, some of the leading truths of the Gospel had taken root therein. For truth, like seed sown in the earth, will often lie long buried, when it has not perished. Certain it is, that while at Oxford his religious impressions became more deep and lasting. He here suffered very severe conflicts between his own convictions and those impedients which arose from connections in which he was necessarily involved. Thus agitated in his mind, he sought a refuge in retirement, and in the study of his Bible: many sleepless nights did he spend on this account; and, as I am assured, often watered his couch with his tears.

While he reverenced religion, too many of those with whom he was at that time connected despised it: such authors, therefore, as he knew to be worthy of his highest regard, but were misunderstood and

1

rejected by his acquaintance, he was careful should not be lettered on the back; for even at this period it appears that he understood and felt more than he had courage to acknowledge.

An anecdote, which Mr. C. told to his worthy curate Mr. Robinson, will show at once the natural irritability of his temper, and that the zeal he then had was not according to knowledge. He was dining in college with his friend the Rev. Mr. S-, and was debating with him on some of the peculiar doctrines of Christianity: he was then an opposer of truths, which he afterwards as faithfully preached; but which he so little understood at that time, as to finish the debate by throwing the salt-cellar into the face of his opponent.

It would be well if some who are as raw in these matters now as he was then, and who are full as disposed to throw a little salt, and with as little reason, would profit by this anecdote. For while prejudice and passion are wont to decide with a fling and a dash, and think to settle important questions with only hard names and inviduous reflections, "Truth," as one observes, "is the daughter of silence, of unbroken meditations, and of thoughts often revised and corrected." A wise man, therefore, will know the reason he has to be a learner as long as he lives. And if many have been ever learning, and yet never able to come to the knowledge of the truth, it has partly been because, like our brother, they took it for granted that they were in full possession of it already.

In the year 1774, Mr. C. was presented (though not yet ordained) to the living of St. Giles', Reading. It was more than a twelvemonth before he was capable of holding it; but nullum tempus occurrit regi, and therefore no lapse was incurred. The manner of his obtaining this living was so singular, that, though unimportant, I cannot help relating it as I heard it from Mrs. Cadogan.

Earl Bathurst was at that time Chancellor, and used to dress so very plain, that those who did not know his person, could have no suspicion of his rank in life. When the living of St. Giles' become vacant, the Chancellor called one morning upon the present Lord Cadogan, (then Mr. Cadogan) at his house in London. Being informed that Mr. Cadogan was not at home, he desired to leave a line for him. The servants kept him in the hall while he wrote a note, politely expressing his intention of presenting Mr. Cadogan's son, who he had heard was intended for orders, to the living of St. Giles', as being near the family seat. The note being brought to Mr. Cadogan, he opened it with surprise, and inquired of his servants how it came to be written on such dirty paper? They said they had given the first piece which presented itself to a man who called, and wished to leave his business." Do you know, replied he in vexation, that that man is the Lord High Chancellor of England? It is needless to say that the servants were thunderstruck, and that every proper apology and acknowledgment were immediately made to the Chancellor.

The living of St. Luke's, Chelsea, becoming vacant in the year 1775, and being in the gift of the family by the late Lord Cadogan's marriage with the daughter of Sir Hans Sloane, Mr. C. was presented at the age of twenty-four, and came to reside the next year. No rector having resided at the parsonage-house for ten years before, it was greatly out of repair. Mr. C. being encouraged to expect peculiar assistance, began an extensive repair. That it was his intention to reside principally at Chelsea is evident from his expending above 8007. in repairing the parsonage-house; but meeting with a disappointment where he had least reason to expect one, he found it necessary to let the house for several years, and make Reading his principal residence.