‘Thomas Reid, D.D., Professor of Moral Philosophy in the
University of Glasgow, died on the seventh day of October. His
ingenious and elaborate works, especially his _Inquiry into the
Human Mind_, and his _Essays on the Intellectual and the Active
Powers of Man_, are noble and lasting monuments of his eminent
abilities, his deep penetration, and his extensive learning.
By unravelling sceptical perplexities, overturning ill-founded
hypotheses, and resting every conclusion on evident principles,
he has brought about a memorable revolution in the Philosophy
of Human Nature. His character through life was distinguished
by an ardent love of truth, and an assiduous pursuit of it in
various sciences; by the most amiable simplicity of manners,
gentleness of temper, strength of affection, candour, and
liberality of sentiments, which displayed themselves in the
habitual exercise of all the social virtues; and by steadiness,
fortitude, and rational piety.’
A few days later a more elaborate study of his character appeared in the
_Courier_:—
‘Dr. Reid was unquestionably one of the profoundest
philosophers of the age; and although some who think it a
proof of weakness to differ from Mr. Hume have slighted the
speculations of Dr. Reid, and undervalued the precision which
he laboured to introduce, his Inquiry into the Senses will
probably be coeval with our language. It is founded on facts
which must continue to interest men while their constitution
continues unchanged. In his pursuit of new knowledge he studied
the late improvements in chemistry; he observed the great
political events which have happened, and contemplated that
with which the time seems pregnant with the keen interest of
one entering on life. He venerated religion—not the noisy,
contentious systems which lead men to hate and persecute each
other, but the sublime principle which regulates the conduct,
by controuling the selfish and animating the benevolent
affections. When vilified by intemperate philosophers [_e.g._
Priestley], he made no reply, being satisfied with having
stated what he thought the truth; and when outraged by zealots
who falsely call themselves Christians, he bore the outrage
meekly, using no terms of complaint or reproach. He was to
the last moment free from that morose querulous temper which
has been deemed inseparable from age. Instead of repining
at the prosperity and enjoyments of the young, he delighted
in promoting them; and after having lost all his own family
except one daughter, he continued to treat children with such
condescension and benignity that some very young ones noticed
the peculiar kindness of his eye. His end accorded with the
wisdom and goodness of his life. He used sometimes to say,
“I am ashamed of having lived so long after having ceased to
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