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hearing. At length Lord Lyttelton got up upon some occasion, and Mr. Browne said eagerly, I hope your Lordship is not going. No, no, replied he, you are so entertaining, that it is impossible to leave you: You are like the nightingale, that sings sweetest at midnight. I thank you, my Lord, said he, for your comparison, but there is another simile that suits me much better; I am like the flying fish, and while my wings are wet, can soar above my native element; but as soon as they grow dry, I drop into it again. He left only one son behind him, of the same name with himself, Isaac Hawkins Browne, a very worthy good young man, possessed of many of his father's excellencies without his failings.

As long as Dr. Trebeck lived, Dr. Newton continued to board in the family, from his old principle of avoiding as much as possible the trouble of house-keeping; but upon the death of Dr. Trebeck, which happened in 1759 while he was attending the Archbishop in Yorkshire, and upon the breaking up of the family, he was under the necessity of looking out for a house, and for the present took one ready furnished in Mount Street. This natu rally engaged him to think seriously again of matrimony; for he found his time and attention much divided even by the cares of his little family; the study of sacred and classic authors ill agreed with accounts of butcher's and baker's bills, and

daily experience he was convinced more and more that it was not good for man to live alone without an help meet for him. And especially when he had some prospect of a bishopric, fresh difficulties and troubles opened to his view, there would be two houses at least to be furnished, there would be a greater number of servants to be taken, there would be a better table and public days to be kept; and he plainly foresaw that he must either fall a prey to servants, or must look out for some clever sensible woman to be his wife, who had some knowlege and experience of the world; who was capable of superintending and directing his affairs; who was a prudent manager and economist, and could lay out his money to the best advantage; who though she brought no fortune, yet might save one, and be a fortune in herself; who could supply his table handsomely yet not expensively, and do the honors of it in a becoming manner; who had no more taste and love of pleasure than a reasonable woman should have; who would be happier in staying with her husband at home than in perpetually gadding abroad; would be careful and tender of his health, and in short be a friend and companion of all hours. It was happy for him that such a woman he had in his view, Elizabeth daughter of John Lord Viscount Lisburne by a fine young woman whom he had married and much injured. She was the widow of the Rev. Mr. Hand,

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Hand, and he had known her from a little child in a white frock, had observed her through all the parts of her life, and had a friendship and intimacy with her, and her mother before her, through the means of Lady Biddulph aunt to the first Lord Lyttelton who partly brought her up; and his opinion and esteem of her were such and so well founded, that he had long entertained thoughts of a closer union with her. They were married in Norfolk by his friend and her friend Mr. Lowe, Canon of Windsor, on the 5th of September, 1761, and on the 18th day of the same month he kissed His Majesty's hand for his bishopric. A Lady of quality, a friend of his, said upon his marriage, that it was the wisest thing he ever did in his life, she was the most proper wife for him in the world: and indeed she more than answered his warmest wishes and expectations.

In the first year of the King's reign, there was a remarkable mortality among the great bishops, Hoadly of Winchester who died April 17, Sherlock of London who died July 18, and Gilbert of York who died August 9, all in the year 1761. Dr. Newton had the honor of being in some measure known to the Earl of Bute, having baptized one or two of his children, and having sometimes met him at Leicester House when as Chaplain he has been in attendance upon the Princess of Wales. He had also presented to him the three volumes

of

Lordship to present

of his Dissertations on the Prophecies, having before obtained the favor of his them to the Prince of Wales.

Upon the death of

Bishop Sherlock Lord Bute told a noble Lord, a particular friend of Dr. Newton's, that he would certainly be the new Bishop, and would be obliged to no Minister for his promotion; it was entirely the doing of the King himself and the Princess of Wales. When Archbishop Gilbert died, he was with him in the house at Twickenham, and wrote immediately to inform the Duke of Newcastle and Lord Bute of that event. The Duke among other things said in answer "I can with great truth say, "that I hope you will fill one of the vacant sees, " and I can with as much truth tell you I have "not the least doubt of it. For I have very good

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reason to think that His Majesty had thoughts "of you upon the vacancy which would be occa"sioned by that of London. In that I don't

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"tend to have any merit but I did, and always "shall express my approbation of His Majesty's

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choice, if it should fall upon you." The Duke had been so long used to shuffle and cut the cards, that he well knew how to pack them in such a manner as to have the honors dealt to his particular friends And on the day when they were all appointed to kiss the King's hand, Drummond for York, Hayter for London, Thomas for Salisbury, Yonge for Norwich, and Green for Lincoln, NewI

VOL. II.

ton

ton who was to succeed Yonge in the bishopric of Bristol and residentiariship of St. Paul's had no notice sent him from the office as the rest had; so much less regard was paid to the King's nomination than to the Minister's. He was in some doubt therefore whether he ought to go to Court; but being persuaded to go, he met the Duke of Newcastle upon the great stairs, and asked him Whether he was in the right, whether he was come for any good purpose. Aye, aye, said the Duke, you are right, go on and prosper and the same was confirmed to him above stairs by Mr. Jenkinson, who was then Lord Bute's Secretary. They kissed hands a few days before the coronation, and at the coronation he walked and officiated as Prebendary of Westminster. The King's whole behaviour at the coronation was justly admired and commended by every one, and particularly his manner of ascending and seating himself on his throne after his coronation. No actor in the character of Pyrrhus in the Distrest Mother, not even Booth himself who was celebrated for it in the Spectator, ever ascended the throne with so much grace and dignity. There was another particular, which those only could observe who sat near the Communion table, as did the Prebendaries of Westminster. When the King approached the Communion table in order to receive the sacra ment, be inquired of the Archbishop Whether he should

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