+ trembling light through the trees, its face reflected on the river, and its beams spread broad and full over Trinitý College library : The moon shines bright—in such a night as this, Merchant of Venice. -It is most favourable to meditation.-If not choosing to return, and put yourself in the formal posture of contemplation, carry the idea away, and indulge in the stillness of the evening, (for the subject of this chapter will authorize it) a little serious thought, and a few benevolent affections. This survey that has been made of the learned men of Trinity College, exhibits, you are aware, among others, some of the most distinguished for talents of mankind. Different they were in capacities, in studies, inclinations, and attainments. They also differed much in opinions : they had disputes economical and political, philosophical and critical, metaphysical and theological. Sometimes divided among each other, sometimes changing, and differing from themselves. You have perceived here exhibited, and on a large scale, the true picture of man, of rational, intellectual man, the most finished work,—if one is more finished than another-in our system of the great Demiourgos of Nature! With the philosophy, which teaches us "above all things to reverencea ourselves," let us learn to mix re spect for others. These two tempers not being duly intermixed, we shall have an explosion and a shock. By observing the varieties of human nature, and the proprieties of each being, we may collect rules for right judging. Let us learn the principles of toleration from Locke, and be assured, that, independently of our tribunal, man may claim private judgment,--that the rights of conscience are sacred and inalienable. In the presence of such men, let us not censure at random, nor hastily condemn: let us be taught our fallibility; and in steering our course over the sea of human opinions, take as our rudder, and our compass, modesty, in pursuing our own speculations, moderation, in judging those of other men. Yes! exist there will different opinions, different disputes, and different inclinations, among learned men, and different passions and interests will characterize them. But let us study a manliness and perfection in our philosophy; let us cultivate a completeness both of benevolence and beneficence. We have been walking over the ashes of men, who have every where monuments erected to their fame: let us aspire after excellence from their talents, and their literature, and be taught humility from their errors and mistakes: and hence, too, let us find an exercise for some of the better feelings of our nature : Epist. de Tolerantia. There is an excellent Prolusion of Mr. Tweddle's, on Locke (No. 9) delivered in Trinity College Chapel; though he omits noticing these letters. But Locke's name is closely connected with toleration; for, and as Mr. T. notices (after his banishment) Rediit in illâ nave, quæ Gulielmum vexatæ et oppressæ libertatis vindicem vehebat. • Φιλοκαλούμεν τε γαρ μετ' ευτελείας, και φιλοσοφουμεν άνευ μαλακίας. Fericlis Funeb. Oratio. Apud Thucydidem. 1 we may learn as well from what is imperfect, as from what is great in man: Their tears, their little triumphs o'er, Their human passions now no more, Save charity, that glows beyond the tomb 2. Gray. a It is well known, that the members of this college have been always distinguished by their great variety of opinions, both political and theological, and by disputes, which relate rather to private and college concerns, than doctrinal controversies. These all make a proper part of college history, though they have not been introduced into it here. But as the conclusion of this chapter is the result of that state of opinion and dissention, so it may be proper to make a few allusions to them, though, in the words principally of other writers. We may pass over the disputes of the loyalists and puritans, in Charles L.'s reign, in which, though as we have seen, this college had its full share, it was only in common with the other colleges. In a s■cceeding period, the dissentions about the non-jurors were warm; but one between the fellows and Dr. Bentley, the master, lasted many years, relating to the Doctor's conduct in regard to college revenues, the dividends of fellows, his ejection of fellows, taking improper fees, &c. In these disputes, the college were much divided, and men of great talents, being fellows, strenuously opposed Dr. Bentley. “A petition was presented to the Bishop of Ely, the visitor, de amotione magistri, in 1709," by Mr. Miller (author of a History of Cambridge). By Dr. Bentley was printed "The present State of Trinity College,” addressed to the Bishop as the Visitor, and, in reply, some "Considerations on the present State," &c. were published. Dr. Middleton, being a fellow, took part both in the College dispute, and that relating to fees of office, against Dr. Bentley; and afterwards published Remarks de Editione Novi Testamenti susceptâ a Bentleio, which is printed in Dr. Middleton's works; and he defeated Dr. Bentley's design. Dr. Peirce also wrote on the latter subject, and took the same side, against Dr. B. though he had been put into a fellowship by him. This tract is also contained in Bishop Peirce's works. As to theological opinions, there has been great variety in this colDr. Barrow, it appears, from his sermons on the Apostle's lege. POSTSCRIPT. Two poetical writers were omitted, but may be inserted here, as being also statesmen; one is, Charles Creed, was very orthodox; (in the use of that word some reference must be supposed to the national standard, the Apostle's, and the Athanasian Creeds) perhaps as much so as Dr. Waterland, author of a Critical History of the Athanasian Creed, who calls it the most accurate system of the Christian faith. Bishop Pearson also, formerly master of this house, wrote on the Apostle's Creed, with equal orthodoxy; and others have been as strenuous assertors of the same doctrine, according to the statement of it in the leading doctrines in the 39 Articles. On the other hand, Dr. Middleton is generally represented as a sceptic, and was one of a learned party, who met at a coffee-house in Cambridge, who were supposed to incline to free-thinking. Thus Mr. Masters (Baker's Memoirs, &c. p. 112) speaking of the party, says, " ke (Middleton) gave great offence by some of his writings, both to the public and to some of his particular friends, which brought upon him many reflections, and put a stop to his preferment; but whatever his real' sentiments of the Christian religion were," &c. and a little further on, he adds, "that Mr. Baker himself, after his many open` declarations concerning Revelation, was thought by some to have been infected by the Doctor with the principles of Infidelity, from frequently conversing with him in this public way, and with many other learned persons of his acquaintance:" and among Mr. Cole's MSS. there is a Letter of Dr. Middleton's, copied by Cole from his hand-writing, in which he thanks God more for what he does not believe, than for what he does believe. Thus, too, Bishop Warburton, who professes to have had great esteem for Middleton, and to have thought him an honest man"But, good God! (he exclaims) that man, for the discourtesies done him by his miserable fellow-creatures, should be content to divest himself of the true viaticum, the comfort, the solace, the asylum from all the evils of human life, is perfectly astonishing." Dr. Warburton to Mr. Hurd, July 11, 1750:-From all which testimonies made by those who well knew Dr. Middleton, it is clear what their opinion was: yet from his "Inquiry into the miraculous Powers," no such opinion can be formed, except by inference: for neither does he in that book, nor |