LIFE OF DR. WATTS.

" suits of his studies. Here he dwelt in a " family, which, for piety, order, harmony, " and every virtue, was an house of God. " Here he had the privilege of a country re­cess, the fragrant bower, the spreading lawn, " the flowery garden, and other advantages to " soothe his mind, and aid his restoration to " health; to yield him, whenever he chose " them, most grateful intervals from his labo­" rious studies, and enable him to return to " them with redoubled vigour and delight. " Had it not been for this most happy event,

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he might, as to outward view, have feebly, " it may be painfully, dragged on through many more years of languor and inability " for public service, and even for profitable " study, or perhaps might have sunk into his grave under the overwhelming load of in­46 firmities, in the midst of his days; and thus " the church and world would have been de­" prived of those many excellent sermons and " works which he drew up and published dur. " ing his long residence in this family. In a " few years after his coming hither Sir Thomas " Abney dies; but his amiable consort sur­" vives, who shows the Doctor the same respect " and friendship as before, and most happily " for him and great numbers besides; for, as " her riches were great, her generosity and " munificence were in full proportion; her " thread of life was drawn out to a great age, " even beyond that of the Doctor's; and thus " this excellent man, through her kindness, " and that of her daughter, the present Mrs. Elizabeth Abney, who in a like degree es­" teemed and honoured him, enjoyed all the " benefits and felicities he experienced at his " first entrance into this family, till his days were numbered and finished, and, like a " shock of corn in its season, he ascended into " the regions of perfect and immortal life and " joy.".

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If this quotation has appeared long, let it be considered, that it comprises an account of six­and- thirty years, and those the years of Dr. Watts.

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From the time of his reception into this family, his life was no otherwise diversified than by successive publications. The series of his works I am not able to deduce; their number and their variety show the intense­