We are not aware that we can commence our notice of this instructing volume better than by citing the words with which it concludes: "The memory of the just is blessed." But then "memory" must be enriched and refreshed by the knowledge of facts which illustrate the principles and character of "the just;" and if, with such assistance, it becomes strengthened and sanctified to enlarge and perpetuate the exercise of practical piety, it must be "blessed" indeed. That the perusal, even of the most eminently pious biography, may have its disadvantages, we are prepared to admit; yet, judicious reflection, accompanied with progressive experience, will effect much towards preserving the considerate and devout reader from concluding that human excellence in the present state, however elevated, can be entirely detached from some qualifying alloy, or that the less distinguished may not be raised to the possession of "the best gifts," by that sovereign benevolence to which every creature, whether in earth or in heaven, is indebted, for whatever measure of natural superiority or moral greatness he may obtain. It remains, therefore, our unshaken conviction, that, upon the whole, the amount of benefit arising from a suitable regard to such works as this now before us, vastly preponderates over the influence of certain objections which, were they allowed to operate beyond suggesting a salutary caution to the reader, might deprive us of some of the most powerful _stimuli_ to noble enterprise, and some of the richest sources of sacred enjoyment. Mr. Hughes was born, we learn from his own account contained in this memoir, in London, Jan. 1, 1769. His father was a native of Wales; his mother, of Lancaster. A few months after his birth, he was put, for the benefit of country air, to Mrs. Edwards, a nurse residing at Cuffley, on Enfield Chase, with whom he remained several years. Afterwards his parents placed him under the instruction of an ancient matron, of the name of Hudson. At a very early period he assumed a manner and appearance far above his years. "Joseph," one said to him, "do you love play?" to which the grotesque little urchin, as he calls himself, demurely replied, "_I did, formerly!_" In his tenth year he was received as a pupil and boarder in the family of Mr. Smalley, minister of a Presbyterian congregation at Darwen, near Blackburn, in Lancashire. Here he continued for a few of the most important years of his life. From Darwen he was removed to a free school at Rivington in the same county. He was baptized by the late Dr. Stennett, and a few months afterwards was placed upon Dr. Ward's trust as a theological student in the Academy at Broadmead, Bristol. Dr. Caleb Evans was President; Mr. James Newton, A.M., Classical Tutor. Here he continued the usual term, with a view of completing his course in Scotland. Mr. Hughes thus speaks for himself:--