a lady, he took occasion to make some serious remark; on which, with no uncommon impatience, she said," as to that, Mr. Bacon, my religion is to fear God, and keep his commandments; so we will talk no more of such matters." But, Madam," he replied, "you will recollect where it is said, feared the Lord spake often one to another.'

they that While he was superintending the erection of Lord Chatham's monument, a clergyman, then unknown to him, came behind, and tapping him on the shoulder, said, "Take care what you are about, you work for eternity," alluding to the durable materials of his sculpture. It happened next morning that Mr. B. heard this same gentleman deliver a discourse from the pulpit, and watching him in his passage afterwards to the vestry, he came behind him, and, tapping him in a similar manner, said, "Take care what you are about-you work for eternity!" Mr. Bacon was a Christian upon a larger scale than many whose piety is confined to their own heart, and to their family and friends. His mind was continually on the wing to counteract the desperate attempts made at that period to overturn Church and State, order and godliness. He abhorred from his heart the spirit of Jacobins, a title by which the radicals of France were then denoted. "These fellows," said he, "are famous at the pick-axe. They can quickly pull down a palace, but cannot build so much as a shed. They affect to illuminate the world, but it is by the light of a conflagration, which discovers nothing but the desolation which it spreads." Above all, he lamented that persons making a serious profession of religion should attempt to palliate that spirit of insubordination which stalked abroad with such tremendous strides, and threatened to overthrow all Europe; or that weak persons should not perceive how utterly the genius of Christianity was opposed to a spirit so restless, so sordid, and so malignant. While too many were increasing the national troubles by ill-timed charges and complaints against government, Mr. Bacon felt grateful, and expressed frequent admiration, that

things on the whole were found so well. He joined liberally in the public subscription at the bank, for the support of the constitution, and armed his sons and his workmen. He was ever ready, by his influence and property, to encourage and support whatever tended to secure and to promote the best interests of mankind. Hence the strenuous and successful efforts which he made in the establishment of Sunday schools, to preserve the Lord's day from secular employments, and which he deemed the most important thing that he ever accomplished. Hence his prompt attention to the various applications made to him for assistance in religious and charitable designs; and hence his employing his leisure moments in composing popular moral and religious pieces, by which the public mind might be corrected or improved.

Elegant in his taste, and rational in mind as a man,' diligent and superior as an artist, he dared to differ from the world, so far as that world dared to differ from its God. 66 Choose ye," said he, by his conduct as well as by his words, "this day whom ye will serve, but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord." In order to estimate the superiority with which true piety elevates a Christian, we must not compare and contrast him with men evidently degraded by their vices, but with men in similar situations with himself. Bacon must be placed with men of genius, affluence, and taste, who are surrounded by the choicest productions of the arts which they most admire, and deeply interested in them both by their feelings and their fame. We shall then see not only to what degree pure religion will lift a man above the meaner, but the more refined gratifications. As an artist, that which Bacon set his hand to he did with all his might. As a philosopher, he smiled at his own pursuits and attainments, and at the admiration and expense which attended them; but as a Christian, he could not help pitying those who seemed absorbed in such vain pursuits. When he was once asked upon what principle he consented to administer to the taste of such persons, he said, "I consider that

profession in which I am providentially placed, and have prosperously and honourably succeeded, to be as lawful as any other that is not concerned in furnishing the necessaries of life. Besides which, that part of it which is monumental may be employed to an important moral purpose. But the truth is, if the work itself be innocent, the workman I hope is not accountable for the abuse made of it; and as the world will not only have its necessaries but its toys, I may as well be the toyman as another."

In concluding our observations upon the character of this excellent man, it is important to remark, that while, on the one hand, he wanted none of the zeal and lively interest which, in all professions, is necessary to the attainment of distinguished eminence, he was fully sensible that these feelings must be placed under the controul of that sober and steady view of the great object of human existence, which turns man's attention upon eternity. While the fine arts are duly honoured and encouraged, as tending to the innocent recreation of mankind, whom a benevolent Providence has endowed with a capacity and taste for enjoying them, it is distinctly the duty of the Christian to allow none of these pursuits to lead away the thoughts from the more weighty matters which are to occupy the chief consideration of a believing Christian. We must constantly remember why we are here, what we are to do, whither we are to go; and then ask ourselves, is it fitting that time, which is so important a trust, should be wholly employed upon amusements or accomplishments, which will profit us nothing hereafter? If we saw a criminal, who was doomed to execution within a certain period, decking the walls of his condemned cell with pictures, or playing the whole day upon a pipe, or listening to the songs of his fellow-prisoners, what should we think of his conduct? should we not consider it, not folly only, but the most wanton waste of his hours for preparation?

Such were the reflections of our pious sculptor. Much as he loved his art, and keenly as he pursued it, religion was the main business of his life, and

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mingled in all his views. He was a man eminently happy, because he was eminently pious; and the lines which he ordered to be engraven on his own monument, speak a lesson to others too valuable to be forgotten :

What I was as an artist seemed to me of some importance while I lived:

But

What I really was as a Believer
in Christ Jesus,

is the only thing of importance to me

Now!

L.

HENRY KIRKE WHITE.

It is our delight to honour those distinguished persons who, by their own merits, have raised themselves to reputation without the aid of rank or fortune. In this land of true liberty genius is sure to find her level; merit is seldom disappointed of a patron. The road to wealth and honour is open to all classes; and a large portion of those great men whose names adorn the annals of Britain, have risen from the obscurity of humble station.

Henry Kirke White was one of those extraordinary persons, not more gifted by talents than by a disposition to employ them rightly. Though he died a youth, he reached an eminence in piety and learning which few have attained in maturer life. This excellent young man was the son of a butcher at Nottingham, where he was born in 1785. He was blessed with a pious and amiable mother, who watched over his infant years with an anxiety which parents only can justly value. It is from such maternal care, indeed, that we derive (under Providence) most of our gentler affections, and receive the deepest impressions of early piety.

While yet a child he showed a surprising relish

for reading. He would sit for hours together, poring over a large book, in his little chair, and could scarcely be drawn away by the voice of his mother to partake of his ordinary meals. At six years old he was put to a day school in the town; but his father having resolved to breed him up to his own business, required him to carry the butcher's basket about the town in the intervals of school; a task which almost crushed the poor boy's hopes, as well as those of his mother. She, who never lost sight of his happiness, rested not till she had procured his release from this painful drudgery. Being a woman of superior merit, she was enabled to undertake the management of a girls' school; which afforded her the means of assisting Henry in his studies. At fourteen he was placed as an apprentice with a hosier; where he underwent almost as much labour at the loom as he had experienced in the service of his father. During this time he improved himself in reading by every opportunity which he could snatch from business. His father at length seeing his unhappiness, and convinced that he might look forward to better prospects, consented to release him from this laborious occupation; and, to his infinite joy, he was received soon after into the office of Messrs. Coldham and Enfield, solicitors of much respectability in Nottingham; having at this time scarcely attained the age of fifteen. Being now engaged in a profession which gave occasion for the exercise of his talents, and afforded him the opportunity of pursuing his favourite studies in the hours of relaxation, he became happy and contented;—his employers were kind and indulgent, and encouraged him to improve his mind by those acquirements which were connected with his profession. Such, however, was his scrupulous sense of duty, that he never trespassed on his official engagements;-he was diligent and punctual, and showed remarkable readiness in the despatch of business, and in making himself master of all his professional duties.

From a very early age he had indicated a taste for poetry indeed he began, like many others, to com