fessor of Oxford: Accurately printed from an authentic Copy. To which are added the Notes of my youth till his death: all these circumstances, I say, I have argued, are sufficient proofs that he did not think an Episcopal form of Church-government unlawful, and, consequently, was not Puritanical; especially as he many years ago assured me that, if he found he could not exercise his functions with perfect satisfaction, he had made up his mind to resign them, and retire; and I gave him full credit for integrity and honour. - Having thus, I hope, exculpated him from the charge of Puritanism, I also subjoin a letter, which I wrote some years ago to a friend, and which, I hope, will evidently acquit him of Arianism or Socinianism; and which I now send, being desirous to shew a grateful respect for his memory; wherein I hope you will assist me, by circulating the contents. W. COMBER. "To the Rev. Francis Blackburne. "DEAR SIR, Kirbymoorside, Sept. 11, 1793. "Understanding that attempts are made to propagate an idea, that the late Archdeacon Blackburne's (your worthy father's) sentiments corresponded with the modern Unitarians (as they call themselves), my respect for the memory of so near and valuable a Relation, as well as my regard for the interests of true Religion, urge me to furnish you with a proof of his latest opinion on the nature of our Saviour Jesus Christ; which I hope will, with any ingenuous mind, irrefragably refute any such idea. And, as I take it for granted you must wish to rescue your father's character from such an extraordinary misrepresentation, you are perfectly at liberty to make this information as public as you choose, as I should be glad, by my testimony, to be instrumental in proving the falsehood of the report. - You know, Sir, your father honoured me with a considerable degree of his esteem and confidence to the very conclusion of his life. It is not, therefore, surprizing that he should communicate to me his sentiments, especially when he was certain the knowledge of them would give me satisfaction. To the best of my memory, he more than once, in some of the latest conversations I had with him, and, I believe, at the distance of a year or two from each other, expressed himself as follows, as nearly as I can recollect: • Cousin Comber, I firmly believe the Divinity of Christ. answer, I think, was, 'I am very glad of it, Sir.' He added, at the same time, What Dr. Priestley believes concerning Jesus Christ, I do not know, as I never could get an answer to that question either from himself or any of his connexions; or words to that effect. This declaration was not made accidentally, but with an evident design, as appeared to me (and, I think, a positive request), that I would take particular notice of it; which I therefore did; for I felt great joy in hearing it. And, as it was made My with much energy, and repeatedly, and, as far as I can recollect, at the very last interviews I had with him, one of which (as you must recollect) was a few weeks only before his death, I have no doubt . the first Editor, with Notes upon Notes, and Remarks on the Letters *," Svo. "Delectus Epigrammatum Græcorum, in usum Scholæ Etonensis," 8vo. doubt these were his real and last sentiments on that subject.— . I hope where this is known it will effectually do away the idea of his being associated in opinion with the leaders of the modern Unitarians.I am, dear Sir, your affectionate kinsman, and obliged humble servant, W. COMBER." The Archdeacon married the widow of Joshua Elsworth, esq. of Richmond, by whom he had issue three sons and three daughters. 1. Francis, vicar of Brignall, near Greta-bridge. 2. Thomas, M.D. F.R.S. and late of Durham, who died, unmarried. June 16, 1782, beloved, honoured, and lamented. His memorable refusal of subscription for the degree of Bachelor of Arts at Cambridge was accompanied by the following Paper: "I Thomas Blackburne do hereby declare, that I have a firm belief and persuasion of the truth of the Christian Religion, aș it is exhibited in the Scriptures; that I have hitherto communicated with the Church of England as by law established; and that I have no present intention to communicate with any other. Jan. 20, 1773. Witness my hand, THOMAS BLACKEURNE." He proceeded to his degree in physick at Edinburgh in September 1775, writing his Thesis, De Medicis Institutis. 3. William Blackburne, M.D. at London, and F.S.A. The daughters were, 1. Jane, married to the Rev. Dr. Disney ;2. Alice, who died an infant; and, 3. Sarah, married, in 1782, to the Rev. John Hall, rector of Chew Magna in Somersetshire. * Only 75 copies were printed. See vol. V. p. 624. + Mr. Pote tells me that you are to re-print for him our 'Selecta ex Poetis Græcis,' which gives me pleasure with the prospect of its being more correctly and reputably done than we could expect it to be any where else. The copy, which he says he has given you to print from, is corrected with a pen in a few places; but those very few compared with others still uncorrected; as you will see, and (I trust) amend. "I sincerely condole with you on the loss of our friend, that excellent man and scholar, Dr. Taylor. J. F." MS Letter of Dr. Foster to Mr. Bowyer, April 17, 1766. Dr. John Foster was a native of Windsor, and son of an Alderman of that borough. He was sent early to Eton school, under the care of Septimius Plumtre, where he discovered great abilities. He was there soon noticed by the excellent and learned Dr. Burton. From Eton he proceeded to King's college, Cambridge, in 1748; where, in 1750, he was elected into one of the University scholarships of Lord Craven's foundation. In the Cambridge Luctus, in 1751, on the death of Frederick Prince of Wales, Mr. Foster, then a scholar only of King's, has an excellent copy of Latin Hexameters. He printed, in 4to, in The "History of Greenland," published by the Rev. John Gambold, the worthy Moravian Divine*. 1752, "Oratio habita Cantabrigiæ in Collegio Regali non. Februarii die Fundatoris Memoriæ sacræ, à Johanne Foster, Coll. Regal. Soc. et Acad. Scholar. Accedit etiam, ab eodem scriptum, carmen Comitiale." In 1754 he obtained one of the Members Prize Dissertations for Middle-Bachelors. He took the degree of B. A. 1753; M. A. 1756; and D.D. (per literas regius) 1766. As soon as he became a Fellow of his College, he returned to Eton school as an assistant; and on Dr. Barnard's promotion to the provostship, in 1765, he succeeded to the head mastership. This office his health compelled him to resign, in July 1773; and he became in that year (on the death of Provost Sumner of King's) Canon of Windsor. This preferment he did not live long to enjoy; his health carrying him to the German Spa, where he died, in September 1773; and where his remains were interred, but afterwards removed to Windsor, and deposited near those of his father, in the parish church-yard. Over his body was erected a neat tomb, on which is this inscription, written by himself: "Hic jaceo JOHANNES FOSTER, S. T. P. Literas, quarum rudimenta Etonæ hauseram, Qui fuerim, ex hoc marmore cognosces; eo scilicet supremo tempore, ut ibidem bonus ipse tunc appareas." Dr. Foster published a learned work in 1762, intituled, “An Essay on the different Nature of Accent and Quantity, with their Use and Application in the Pronunciation of the English, Latin, and Greek Languages; containing an Account and Explanation of the antient Tones, and a Defence of the present System of Greek accentual Marks, against the Objections of Isaac Vossius, Henninius Sarpedonius, Dr. Gally, and others." Many of his School Exercises are extant in MS. which do him great credit. Harwood's Alumni Etonenses, p. 337. * Of whom some account has been given in vol. II. p. 219; to which may be added the following particulars, from the "History of the Moravian Church :” “Mr. Gambold's connexion with the Brethren commenced in 1738, when Peter Boehler visited Oxford, and held frequent meetings with John and Charles Wesley, for the edification of awakened people, both learned and unlearned.' His Discourses were in Latin, and were interpreted by Mr.Gambold." His "Maxims, Theological Ideas, and Sentences, &c." appeared in 1751, Svo. "He was consecrated a Bishop at an English pro vincial Rhazes "De Variolis *," Svo. Martin's Dissertation on the Blasphemy, &c. against the Holy Ghost," 8vo. Mr. Holwell's "Selecti Dionysii Halicarnassensis de Priscis Scriptoribus Tractatus, Græcè & Latinè," Svo. "The Life of Maecenas, with Critical, Historical, and Geographical Notes, corrected and enlarged. By Ralph Schomberg, M. D. Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. The Second Edition." 8vo. vincial Synod held at Lindsey House, in Nov. 1754, and was greatly esteemed for his piety and learning by several English Bishops, who were his contemporaries in the University of Oxford. In 1765 a congregation was settled by Bishop Gambold, at Coothill, in Ireland." I shall also take the opportunity of annexing a short account of this pious Divine, by a friend who knew him in the early part of his life: "Mr. Gambold was a singular, over-zealous, but innocent enthusiast. He had not quite fire enough in him to form a second Simon Stylites. He was presented to Stanton Harcourt by Bishop Secker, I think in 1739, but cannot be certain. [Dr. Secker succeeded Dr. Potter as Bishop of Oxford, in 1737, and probably presented Mr. Gambold (for the living is in the Bishop of Oxford's gift) in 1739.]— He had been only Chaplain of Christ Church, not a Student (the term given to the Fellows) of that Royal Foundation. He deserted his flock in 1742, without giving any notice to his worthy diocesan and patron, to associate with people, among whom, though he might be innocent, have been some monstrous characters. When he was young, he had nearly perished through disregard to his person. At this time he was kindly relieved by his brother collegian in the same department, Dr. Free, a person well known in London; but the tale is not worth gaining." Letter from Mr. Daniel Prince to J. N. * That I may not be accused of decking Mr. Bowyer with borrowed plumes; it will be proper to mention, that this volume was printed, with Mr. Bowyer's Arabic types, in the office of Mr. William Richardson. + Printed at the expence of the munificent Mr. Jennens of Gopsal; of whom see hereafter, under the year 1772. See vol. II. p. 217.-"Extracts from Mr. Pope's Translation, corresponding with the Beauties of Homer, selected from the Iliad by W. Holwell, B. D. F. R. S. Chaplain in Ordinary to His Majesty," were published, in 2 vols. Svo. 1776. § Son of Dr. Isaac Schomberg, a man celebrated for his engaging manners and social virtues; and remarkable also on account of his contest with the College of Physicians, which lasted from 1751 to 1753 (see Gent. Mag. vol. XXI. p. 569; and vol. XXIII. p. 341); and of which a brief account may not be unacceptable: "The President and Censors summoned Dr. Schom "Q. Horatii Flacci Epistolæ ad Pisones et Augustum; with an English Commentary and Notes: Schomberg to answer such things as should be objected to him concerning his skill in physick. The Doctor answered, by letter, that he hoped they would excuse his waiting upon them till he had obtained his Doctor's degree from Cambridge; and that he would have made this report in person, but that he did not choose to meet a man who was disagreeable to the whole profession. This letter was judged improbable and indecent, and the Doctor was summoned a second time. In consequence of this summons, the Doctor attended, and, being entered at Cambridge, repeated his request, that he might be indulged, as others had been, and that his examination might be deferred till he had procured his degree. This request was denied, and the Doctor refusing to be then examined, his practice was interdicted; and others of the profession prohibited from joining with him, under the penalty of 51. for the first offence, 101. for the second, and for the third offence, or nonpayment of the fine, expulsion from the College. The Doctor having obtained his degree, attended the Censors' board, produced his diploma, and a certificate of his naturalization; and requested to be examined, in order to his being admitted a Candidate, as a matter of right. After being several times questioned, it was agreed that he had made proper satisfaction; and that he should be examined, without determining in what quality. The Doctor went through the usual examinations without objection; and then, desiring to be admitted a Candidate, as matter of right, was refused, but without any reason assigned. The interdiction of his practice still continued; and having applied to be admitted as a Candidate four times after his examination, he was still told, by a verbal message, that the question had been determined in the negative; but, if he desired a licence to practice, he was at liberty to apply to the College for that purpose. The Doctor again repeated his request, and again received the same answer, [The matter was then brought before the Court of Chancery; when it was determined that the College had a right to refuse the Doctor's claim to be admitted, and that the admission of persons who had obtained a Doctor's degree was, therefore, a matter of favour, and not of right]. The Doctor applied to be admitted as of favour, but was refused; upon which he wrote a letter to the College, declaring that he considered the misunderstanding between them as a great misfortune; that he never intended an affront; was sorry that his behaviour had given offence; and declared, that if he was so happy as to be admitted a Candidate, he would do every thing in his power to promote the peace, welfare, and honour of the College." Dr. Schomberg died March 4, 1761; leaving two sons; one of whom, Isaac Schomberg, M.D. a very eminent and learned physician, appears to have inherited the amiable disposition of his father; and his death, which happened at his house in Conduit-street, March 4, |