John Tillotson Archbishop of Canterbury

Engraved by S. Treeman from an original painting by Sir G. Kneller

him to the gratitude of his coevals, and that he has bequeathed to posterity little save an example to be shunned. There were about him some elements of a noble nature,-something that seemed,

"For dignity composed, and high exploit:"

but so marred by vices, that his evil genius never lost its ascendancy. There was, however, something magnificent in the indomitable energy of his nature, in the invincible spirit which supported him under long years of exile and disgrace,-in the vast aspirations after dominion over the wide fields of intellect and universal supremacy which tempts us to exclaim,

"This should have been a noble creature! He

Hath all the energy which would have made

A goodly frame of glorious elements,

Had they been wisely mingled; as it is,

It is an awful chaos,-light and darkness,—

And wind and dust,-and passions and pure thoughts,

Mix'd and contending without end or order,

All dormant or destructive: he will perish."

His works were published in 5 vols., 4to, by Mallet; London, 1755. Works, with his life, by Goldsmith, in 8 vols., 8vo.; London, 1809. His Letters and Correspondence, public and private, during the time of his secretaryship to Queen Anne, were published by G. Parke, in 2 vols., 4to; London, 1798.

II. ECCLESIASTICAL SERIES.

Archbishop Tillotson.

BORN A. D. 1630.-DIED A. D. 1694.

THIS eminent divine, one of the brightest ornaments of the church of England, was descended from a family anciently of the name of Tilston, in Cheshire. His father was Robert Tillotson, a considerable clothier of Sowerby, in the parish of Halifax in Yorkshire. Both his parents were nonconformists.

After he had passed through the grammar-schools, and attained a skill in the learned languages superior to his years, young Tillotson was sent to Cambridge in 1647, and admitted a pensioner of Clare-hall. He commenced bachelor of arts in 1650, and master of arts in 1654; having been chosen fellow of this college in 1651. He left college in 1656 or 1657, according to Dr Hickes, who informs us that he was invited by Edmund Prideaux, Esq. of Ford-Abbey, in Devonshire, to instruct his son. This gentleman had been commissioner of the great seal under the long parliament, and was then attorney-general to Oliver Cromwell. How long Mr Tillotson lived with Mr Prideaux, or whe