page tempore esse dimittendam commemorationem nominis nostri, sed cum omni posteritate adæquandam." Such is the noble sentiment of Cicero: a sentiment which has found an echo in every generous breast, and an abundant confirmation in the of history. Happily, however, the truth of a proposition so creditable to human nature, rests not on evidence accessible to the learned alone. Every church in the kingdom bears irrefragable testimony to "this pleasing hope, this fond desire, This longing after immortality," by exhibiting, in a thousand varieties of honourable eminence, the names of those "optimi quique" the churchwardens. The youthful Bumpkin, the cockney Ephebus, whose bosoms perhaps never before kindled at the spark of glory, have confessed the sensations of the orator, when beholding, in the midst of the fair wainscot gallery that conceals the antiquated columns of our barbarous ancestors, the bright blue board which blazons in letters of immortal gold, "This church was repaired and BEAUTIFIED in the year Hiram Kickshaw, Solomon Daubem, churchwardens." The unhappy lad becomes the prey of Cicero's "virtus:" night and day he writhes beneath the goadings of Fame: Kickshaw and Daubem haunt his nightly rest, and beckon to like deeds and like reward-years roll on, and the high prize is at length within his grasp. He is Churchwarden, then all on thirst for fame, he erects an altar-piece, or he repairs a pulpit, or he superadds a chimney, or he continues the work of beautification; and lastly he views, with joys unfelt by all but the "optimi quique," his own name blazoned in the identical gold which first awakened his generous zeal, by displaying the appellations of his fortunate predecessor. Here, then, is a noble field for generous emulation: the example of the soldier is often dangerous, or, at most, it can be followed by a few: literary excellence can only be aspired to by those whose education necessarily circumscribes their number: professional eminence is, in its own nature, the object of contention with one class only. But all may aspire to the post of Churchwarden, to the dignity which it confers, to the immortality which it offers. Dullest and most miserable they of their species, who suffer these glorious opportunities to pass away! who have blocked up no window, who have cut no door, erected no stove! who have neglected the great work of beautification and renown; whose names are so far from being coeval, like those of Cicero's worthies, with the latest posterity, that -they perish with the short year which offered them immor tality in vain! And happy, thrice happy they, who, on the contrary, have not been inattentive to the easy and economical terms on which they are tendered this glorious privilege! who, by expending a small sum out of the pockets of their parish, are enabled to witness the beginning of that renown which is to last through interminable years: ، Whose honours with increase of ages grow, As streams roll down enlarging as they flow!" . It must, however, be remembered, that the spectator who gazes on the record which bears the imperishable name of some canonized Churchwarden, naturally turns to contemplate the work which secured the immortality of its author. It is, therefore, of some consequence that the work be such as may secure for the Churchwarden admiration as well as fame. Seldom indeed is it that both are not equally attended to: but none can fail to perceive the utility of a collection of valuable hints from the numerous inestimable specimens which exist in this country, of the labours of eminent Churchwardens. Such a book is both precept and example: it instructs by showing us what is tried and approved excellence; it guards Churchwardens against all pernicious thirst for singularity, exhibited in a departure from all the old salutary rules, and an affectation of consistency and taste; it extends the well-earned and legitimate reputation of immortal works ; and above all, it animates that noble energy of human nature, which is so predominant in the bosoms of the aforesaid "optimi quique." The work on our table professes to do this: and as the bare attempt, in a case of this nature, cannot but be useful, its author has our warmest thanks. He has given us twelve plates, certainly not remarkable for scientific drawing; but which, nevertheless, shadow forth some noble ideas. We will select one of the most imposing, and will present our readers with its letterpress accompaniment, being unable to transfer the Icôn itself into our pages. "PLATE 3.-How to ornament the top or battlement of a tower belonging to an ancient church.-Place on each battlement vases, candlesticks, and pine-apples, alternately, and the effect will be striking. Vases have many votaries amongst those worthy members of society the churchwardens. Candlesticks are of ancient origin, and represent, from the highest authority, the light of the churches: but as in most churches weather-cocks are used, and the weather-cock is become so common, I would here recommend the admirers of novelty and improvement to adopt a pair of snuffers, which might also be considered as an useful emblem for reinvigorating the light from the candlesticks. The pine apple ornament having in so many churches been so judiciously substituted for the Gothic, cannot fail to please. Some such ornament should also be placed at the top of the church, and at the chancel end. But as this publication does not wish to restrict any churchwarden of real taste, and as the ornaments here recommended are in a common way made of stone, if any one would wish to distinguish his year of office, perhaps he would do it brilliantly by painting them all bright red." A great fault in the work is, its not being sufficiently didactic: of its literary character we are not obliged to speak. A person of natural taste might easily apprehend the "utile" and the "dulce" of the author's projects: but those at whose birth the Graces have less favourably smiled, might have been led to better views by some seasonable hints on the meaning and beauty of the designs. Dean Swift, in his excellent advice to servants, (a book which might have been very advantageously consulted by our author,) always points out the expediency of his precepts; and this should, on no account, have been omitted. We could mention several instances ourselves which have been long admired, by those who do not sufficiently consider how much of their excellence is owing to their decided utility;-or who possess no just knowledge of what constitutes their genuine charm. We know a case wherein the churchwardens of a parish WHITEWASHED a set of beautiful granite Gothic columns ; and we strongly recommend their example:-why? Because this was, obviously, the best method of preserving the granite surface, while it afforded a pleasing light to the eye of the admiring spectator. We also know a piece of choice carving, by the eminent Gibbons, which has been similarly treated by the taste of some churchwardens with whom the parish was formerly blessed. Why was it so treated? evidently, again, because the tendrils and stalks were so exquisitely delicate that without the preservation of a good thick coating of plaster, they were exposed to a thousand casualties; while they are now broad and conspicuous, with a fair chance of descending to posterity along with the fame of their tasteful improvers. However, we wish our author joy in his good cause; and trust that he will be enabled, by the exertions of subsequent Churchwardens, to witness the realization of the benefits which his work is calculated to confer on a country already abounding in specimens of architectural improvement unrivalled in the world. 1. Some account of the Life and Writings of the late REV. THOMAS RENNELL, B.D. F.R.S. Vicar of Kensington, and Prebendary of Salisbury. 8vo. Pp. 24. London. Rivingtons. 1825. 2. Sermons on various Subjects; by the late REV. THOMAS RENNELL, Vicar of Kensington, &c. 8vo. Pp. 448. 12s. London. Rivingtons. 1825. THE historical memoir at the head of this article is a worthy tribute of friendship to the memory of one of the best men that was ever shewn for a time to the world, and snatched away by early fate. To speak of its execution would be superfluous, since nothing but what is in the purest classical taste can proceed from the pen of its distinguished author. Our task therefore will not lie so much in criticising what he has written, as in exhibiting to our readers a few leading characters in the life of one who may be held up as a bright example to the rising generation, and in adding from our own recollection some traits to a portrait, of which a sketch only, though an admirable one, has been given. Nomen in exemplum sero servabimus ævo. The lamented subject of this memoir was, as his biographer records, of a family remarkable, in more than one generation, for talents and virtue. We need only mention his father the learned dean of Winchester, his maternal grand-father the celebrated judge Blackstone, and Major Rennell the first geographer of the age, to justify this remark. After having been well instructed in the rudiments of literature, and diligently trained up in the paths of virtue by his excellent parents, he was sent at an early age to Eton, where being put upon the foundation, he soon assumed that high place among his contemporaries which he ever afterwards maintained. In this illustrious seminary of learning he acquired that elegance of composition which so peculiarly distinguishes its members; and even here, whilst the suavity of his manners allayed all jealousy amongst his companions, the correctness of his morals secured to him the regard of his instructors. His exercises "were frequently selected from the rest for the first rewards and distinctions of the school," and when he was nearly at the head of it, a prize, given by Dr. C. Buchanan for a Sapphic ode in Greek upon the Propagation of the Gospel in India, was adjudged to him for a composition, which, as it is observed, left the performances of his rivals far behind, and even in the field of academic competition might not have been less successful. Another of his school exercises upon the subject "Pallentes morbi," is mentioned as possessing a melancholy interest from the fate of its lamented author: the verses quoted in illustration are so very beautiful that we cannot help wishing his biographer had made room for the whole. "Marasmus Corda minutatim rodit; quatit arida fauces Illa ultima vitæ Lux tremit, æternis jamjam extinguenda tenebris. * Vix, inter lacrymas, atque irrita vota parentum, Before he left Eton, Rennell, together with three associates, conducted a periodical work called the Miniature, which had the Microcosm for its prototype, and which exhibited, especially in those papers contributed by himself, striking evidence of early genius and acquirements. In 1806 he was removed, in the regular course of succession, from Eton to King's College, Cambridge, where he laboured with assiduity and success in supporting the somewhat questionable advantage of a previous high reputation; but his motto here as elsewhere was diev apioтEVEIV. Though fewer of those stimulating rewards which Alma Mater showers down upon her youthful aspirants to honour, fell to his lot than might have been expected, yet was this in no degree prejudicial to his fame: his talents and acquirements were too well known to need these testimonies, and as he always kept in view the sacred profession for which he was destined, and ever made the stores of profane literature subservient to the illustration of divine truth, he was probably drawn aside from the too eager pursuit of such ephemeral triumphs. One of his academical exercises however was rewarded with Sir W. Browne's gold medal, and is a composition full of the most exquisite simplicity and pathos, especially where it touches upon man's mortal and uncertain fate, in reference to the untimely death of a fellow student, Lord Trafalgar, the heir of Nelson's family. The passage, (we wish we had space to quote it) has been most affectingly verified in him self. We must not pass over the time of Rennell's under-graduateship without noticing one peculiar trait of judgment and sagacity which is omitted by his biographer. Aware of the disadvan |