THE

UNIVERSAL MAGAZINE.

N° XLVII-VOL.VIII.]

For OCTOBER, 1807.

Į NEW SERIES.

"We shall never envy the honours which wit and learning obtain in any other cause, if we can be numbered among the writers who have given ardour to virtue, and confidence to truth."-DR. JOHNSON.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

The Rev. JOSEPH TOWNSEND, Rector dantly qualified, he was sent to Clare of Pewsey, Wiltshire. Hall, Cambridge, in the year 1759; an University much distinguished for

HIS gentleman is the youngest formerly an eminent merchant in the the studies of its members. Here he city of London,and of the daughter of applied himself with diligence, not Governor Phipps, who presided many merely to the mathematics and metayears at Bombay. His father inherit- physics, but to his favourite pursuits ed a rich estate, and was named of languages, natural history, and poChauncy, from his uncle, Richard litical economy. When he had Chauncy, Esq. who for several years finished his college education and was governor of the East India Com- taken his Bachelor's degree, being pany, prior to the year 1755. But when too young to hold a living, he prethis company began to acquire terri- vailed on his father to let him study torial dominions, and he found all at Edinburgh, where the professors opposition to their desire of further had acquired the highest celebrity in Conquest nugatory, he retired, de- every branch of knowledge, but more claring, he had witnessed their particularly in medicine and anatomy. rise to the highest prosperity, as a He became there the favourite pupil Commercial company, but would of the illustrious Cullen and Monro, never preside to see their downfall, and attended also all the other lecas territorial lords." Mr. Chauncy tures. Thus stored with both ornaTownsend shewed an equally wise mental and useful knowledge, in the and independent spirit, during thirty year 1764, he took possession of the years that he faithfully served his living of Pewsey, a rich benefice country in parliament. His eldest which had been previously purchased son was the late Alderman Townsend, for him by his father. who exhibited highly laudable disiņ- In this sequestered vale he applied terestedness; and though often courted himself with fresh ardour to his by ministry, would never either ac- studies, and made himself master of cept place, pension, or even contract. the Arabic and. Caldee languages. The subject of our memoir was If happiness is any where to be found born A.D. 1739, and was destined for on earth, it was in this fortunate the church, and as morals was the valley. To the sacerdotal character chief object of parental consideration, Mr. Townsend superadded that of he received a private education; magistrate of the county, and also the a system which, though it may have friendly physician. Beloved by his its disadvantages, for want of emala congregation, none absente! themtion, was abundantly counteracted in selves from church; no quarrel arose, the present instance, by great literary but it was bushed by his impartial ardour, which, even at this early pe- decision; no vice, but it was steinmed riod, was obliged rather to be cor- by his authority; there no beggar rected, than excited. His progress was to be seen, no midnight reveling, in Greek, Latin, Hebrew, Treuch, no brawis, but every where peace, inand Spanish, and the Mathematics, destry, and happiness. Perhaps it was was such as might be expected from the only spot in England, where no superior talent and industry. Abun- religious sectaries were to be found, UNIVERSAL MAG. VOL. VIII.

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and where actually an attorney was and philosophy, even religion, could obliged to quit, who attempted to avail under such trying circumstances, settle there, for want of employment. and fearful of a settled despondency, The vicinity of Pewsey to Bowood, took upon himself to be Mr. Townsthe residence of the Marquis of Lans- end's physician, and advised him to down, who was the Mæcenas of the attempt to dissipate his grief by traage, rendered this country retire- velling; and in order to interest his ment extremely delightful; for when mind the more, recommended his that distinguished nobleman was in exploring Spain, a country then little the country, his house was filled with understood; but first to visit Paris. all the talents which Europe could He could hardly refuse the friendly exhibit, and he knew how to appre- advice coming from such a quarter; ciate the rare knowledge and ability he took with him a letter to a Spanish of Mr. Townsend, whom he also re- nobleman, the Duke of Infantada, ceived as his confidential frend. After who was to introduce the traveller to residing a few years on his living at the Count d'Aranda, the ambassador Pewsey, the Marquis of Lansdown, of Spain, both then in Paris. In this being married, wished Mr. Townsend interesting capital he became ac to go with him to Ireland, to intro- quainted with all their savans, duce the Marchioness to his relations amongst whom we may mention there, afterwards on the continent, Mon. Sage, the master of the mint; which was accepted. Dolomieu, who lectured in the Jardin

On his return back to England he des Plants; Mon. Besson and Romé went on a visit to see his sister, de l'Isle, great adepts in mineralogy; who had lately been married to Mon. Neckar and the Abbé Morellet, Colonel Williams of Carnanton, in celebrated for their great knowledge Cornwall, and there he became inti- of political economy; and Marmoumately acquainted with the minerals tel, whose playful genius enlivened and other rich fossil productions of every company, and whose pen could that county. His brother-in-law at all times coinmand an easy passage having mines in his possession, af- to the heart. forded him also a fine opportunity To prove how judicious was the adof attending to the science of geology, vice of the noble Marquis, who reof which he may be said now to be a quested to have from Mr. Townsend complete adept. After this he pro- his observations on what he met with, bably thought of settling for good, he first sent him the description of at Pewsey, having met with a Paris, not of its theatres, coffeeCornish lady of great beauty, many houses, and amusements, but of its accomplishments, a strong natural state as to learned men, and their colunderstanding, well-cultivated mind, lections, and which, indeed, is better and most amiable manners. He pro- detailed in Mr. Townsend's "Journey posed himself, was gladly accepted, through Spain, with remarks in passand married in Cornwall, and return- ing through France," than in any ed with his bride to Pewsey, where other work whatever. As such it is he had every flattering prospect of quoted by Dr. Smith, in his Tour on continual happiness. This felicity the Continent, as so completely satisexisted several years. But the decree factory, as to be referred to, and passwas passed, and notwitstanding phy- ed over by him, when mentioning sicians from all parts were sent for, and Paris.

the great knowledge of Mr. Towns- We shall have now to trace the end in the healing art, the etherial traveller entering into Spain. His soul sought its regions, and now rests account of the Pyrenees is extremely in the bosom of its God. interesting, where the causes of barThese are severe losses in the esti- renness and fertility is explained; and mate of private happiness, and Mr. it reflects the highest honour on the Townsend could not but feel it with prime minister, Count Florida Blanca, an acuteness proportioned to the esti- that, in order to assist Mr Townsend's mation of the object thus torn from researches, he granted him letters of him. His friend, Lord Lansdown, the strongest recommendation to the secing with regret how little reason several governors of provinces, to the

archbishops and bishops, to the most in courts, condescended to take upon distinguished personages, and men of herself the charge of a young and science: and hence likewise the numerous family, and felt perfectly truth of the details, which few others content in the seclusion at Pewsey. could have acquired, and, probably, In the Journey through Spain, no other person would have had the many judicious observations occur, on acumen to have entered upon; so the effects which different governmuch does this journey excel the ments produce on mankind, but the ordinary books of travels, and might plan of a tour does not admit entering with greater propriety be called "A so widely upon that subject as its imcomplete Statistical Account of Spain, portance deserves. Having matured as it appeared in the Years 1750 and his observations by an actual survey, 1787. The language is clear and of modern Europe, by frequent conperspicuous, and it is so intermixed versation on the subject, at Bowood, with observations and anecdotes, that with a most enlightened and wellthough excessively learned, it can known statesman, by the intercourse never be said to tire even the com- with men of the first talent of all mon reader. It is published in three countries, who were assembled there, octavo volumes, ornamented with and who now dared to open a free several plates from Mr. Townsend's converse, he prepared in the vale of own drawings, and has already Pewsey "Thoughts on Despotic and passed through two editions, and will Free Governments, as connected ever continue to be a most interesting with the happiness of the Governor performance. and the Governed," a work of very We have next to trace Mr. singular merit. It is here that we Townsend returned from his foreign observe an admirable display of deep journey, loaded with information, reading and reflection, an accurate which he communicated to an ad- knowledge of modern and ancient miring public in the work before history, a great benevolence towards cited, and, as if the lot of man was the whole human race, and a most never to be happy, he was invited by liberal policy. It is here that he the Marquis of Lansdowne to accom- paints in glowing colours the horrors pany him to the west of England, of despotism, the misery of a despotwhere the Marchioness was ordered that he contemplates the operation of for her health; and accepting the pro- laws under different governments,— posal the healed wound was opened that he investigates the nature of afresh, and he had to see in another, taxes, that he considers the establishthat misery he had himself endured, ment of our House of Commons, the and remained the winter with his advantages of toleration, trade, agritrends at Saltram in Cornwall. Here culture, population, the different he found opportunity to renew his ranks of people, the army, protection natural thirst after mineralogy, and and allegiance, confidence and jeato acquire additional knowledge in lousy, the stability and instability of geology. empires, &c.

Returning to Pewsey, the happy He next turned his attention to the vale, he paid every attention to the defects in our poor laws, and was the education of his family. With a heart first, I believe, who published on so open to benevolence, and once their baneful operation to society at so happy in domestic enjoyment, it large, and even to the poor themmight be expected that Mr. Townsend selves. In his Observations on the would not remain for ever single. Poor Laws," he advances some new Seven years of widowhood had elapsed, positions* respecting population, and when this gentleman chose as his se- demonstrates the evils resulting from cond companion, the widow of Sir the present modes adopted for reliev John Clarke, an admiral of the British ing the poor, pointing out at the same navy; a lady of large fortune, and every time several good aniendments. way suited to Mr. Townsend.

No

choice could have been made more These have since made a great prudent or more happy. This amiable noise in the publication of Malthus and accomplished lady, though bred "On Population."

Just as fire is struck out from the flint viæ, and then having recourse to tonics by the collision of the steel, so an appa- in spasmodic diseases, is also new. rent accident produced for the public For clearness of arrangement, another work. A fever of the putrid distinction of causes, and decisive kind had for some time prevailed in methods of cure, this work is exceled the village of Pewsey. Mr. Towns- by none; and though the author end, like a good angel, was seen mentions in his preface, that it was every where attending the poor, and solely designed for the clergy, who arresting the arm of death. Worn wish to be of service from their learadown with care and fatigue, his body ing and advice to their needy parishbecame enfeebled, and predisposed to ioners, and families remote from any catch the infection. Long he struggled medical advice, we would recommend against the assailing enemy, but which this work to every practitioner of at last confined him to his bed. A physic, as well as the "Physician's neighbouring physician was sent for, Vade Mecum," which we shall have and Lord Lansdown sent another occasion next to mention,

from Bowood. They soon gave up This useful compendium contains, all as lost, and could not afford Lady in short, the symptoms of each disClarke even a single ray of hope. Dr. ease, arranged after an improved sysThornton, a physician of great saga- tem of Cullen's Nosology, also the city and decision, came from London, classification of remedies, and select and at once discarding the practice formulæ. It has already run through then pursued, he rekindled the nearly many editions.

expiring lamp of life, recruited the From his continued intercourse at exhausted powers, and safely con- Bowood, Mr.Townsend had occasion ducted him through a fever, which to remark the want of religion lasted one and twenty days. amongst the higher ranks of life, not When in a state of perfect conva- always restrained even by the prelescence, contemplating the condition sence of the clergyman, and he drew of medical practice, and reasoning up a "Volume of Sermons," chiefly from his own experience, and now designed for the perusal of persons in from his own feeling, he planned out the higher ranks of life, to inspire in and executed the "Elements of The- them religious sentiments, fortify rerapeutics, or the Art of Healing," in solution, and make them not ashamone volume. ed to confess the cross of Christ

Although this is not the production amidst scoffers. of a physician, in the strict sense of Another work, by the same author, the word, the reader will remember is announced in the preface to the that it is the labour of the favourite sermons, the Character of Moses, as pupil of Dr. Cullen, who pursued an historian, a lawgiver, and a prohis medical studies con amore, with phet; to compose which, the ingeni that zeal which an ardent desire to ous writer mentions it having occu be serviceable to his fellow-creatures pied his constant attention through inspires, and had for years practised the course of fifty years. It would solely to do good, never having occa- be foreign to our purpose to enter sion to yield to the caprices of the into the merits or intention of a work rich, and hence better enabled to not before the public, but from the judge of the efficacy of remedies. deep learning of the writer, we His doctrine of fevers, as originat- make no doubt it will deserve, when ing in the primæ viæ, is new, and to published, a place on the shelf of be removed, in the first instance, by every library,

cathartics, is also new, and has since It is surely a charming contrast, to been usurped by Dr. Hamilton, of compare the meritorious acts of wor Edinburgh, as his discovery. When thies, who cultivate the arts of peace discoursing on putrid Fever, he re- and religion with those ferocious fents lates his own case, and pays many of human monsters who are desolatjust encomiums on the practice of ing the world; of such who convert Dr.Thornton. Mr.Townsend's idea, in the garden into the wilderness, and states of weakness of getting at the irri- increase the natural sorrows of the table principle, by cleansing the prince world, with those who render the