He several times claimed the public attention as an author, and the characteristic features of whatever he wrote, was strong sense, sound judgment, and a perfect knowledge of his subject. These solid and sober qualities proved an admirable check upon the too great quickness, extreme vivacity, and rapidity of conception, which distinguished his friend, who, for a term of no very short continuance, was also his coadjutor. In the progress of a somewhat extended life, he filled different stations, and he discharged the duties of them all, with the most exemplary fidelity and honour. Why was he not appointed to the exercise of functions still more elevated and more dignified? This is a question not very easy to be answered. He might if he had thought proper. If he had condescended to use the ordinary means, which individuals similarly circumstanced, practise, and generally with success, there was nothing in the line of his profession too lofty for his pretensions, and which the connections and friendships he had formed, might not easily have procured. But though not more proud than became a man so endowed, and so distinguished, he had not the flexibility, which in the present condition of society, they who have good things for barter, invariably require of those who want them. He scorned to flatter and bow the knee to those, with whom he had entered life on the level, and had continued to associate with on the same terms of manly equality, but whom better fortune, or greater address, not superior merit, or stronger claims, had raised to the height of worldly honours. Though not without ambition, he had a sort of proud and manly disregard of lucrative situations, merely considered as such, and was not at all inclined to remit his ordinary habits, or to deviate from his accustomed paths, in pursuit of them. He did indeed attain, and by force of merit only, the means of passing through life, with great respect and honour, in possession of all its comforts, and with not a few of its best advantages. These he enjoyed to the fullest extent, participating in them, with no very limited circle of old and long-tried friends. What has been said of his claims to worldly distinctions, is equally applicable to his mental endowments. His learning and his talents were equal to any undertaking. He would have been a good historian, if he had directed his mind to that branch of learning. A poet he was, and in the epigrammatic part of poetry was excelled by very few; he was well acquainted with the niceties and subtleties of grammar, and of his own language more particularly. He was by no means disputative, but, if occasion required, was an expert controversial writer. To finish all, he was a critic of no ordinary precision and acuteness.