372 OBITUARY.-Simon Bolivar. mined band, and disembarked at Margaritta. After publishing a proclamation, convoking the representatives of Venezuela to a general Congress, he passed over to Barcelona, where he established a provisional government. In 1817, he was elected Supreme Director of Venezuela, and in 1819 he presided at the opening of Congress at Angostura, where he submitted to the Deputies the plan of a Republican Constitution. Immediately afterwards he resumed his military command; and after traversing the Cordilleras, gained the important battle of Boyaca, which was followed by the emancipation of New Granada. On the 8th of September ensuing, he was nominated President at Santa Fe; and New Granada and Venezuela being united into one commonwealth, was distinguished by the title of the "Republic of Colombia." In 1820 proposals were made to the Royalist General Morillo to conclude an armistice, and the late M. Zea, and ten Commissioners, were despatched to Madrid, to arrange the preliminaries of a general pacification. These negociations proved abortive, and hostilities were commenced in the following April, and the Independent forces were signally victorious at the battle of Calabozo. The British volunteers distinguished themselves on this occasion by their intrepidity and discipline, and so sensible was Bolivar of their meritorious exertions, that he conferred the decoration of the Order of Liberators on all officers and privates who survived the engagement. Carthagena surrendered to the patriotic forces on the 25th of September; and on the 1st of May, 1821, the first Colombian Congress was held. The members applied themselves with diligence to establish a new form of Government; they adopted the Constitution of the United States as a model, and improved that beau ideal of legislative perfection, by the complete abolition of slavery. The liberation of the extensive provinces composing the republic of CoJombia, the union of these provinces into one state,-the organization of its Government, and the establishment of its political relations with the rest of the world, were in a great measure the work of Bolivar. He had likewise the merit of seeing that his Colombian institutions could not be safe while a Spanish corporal's guard remained west of the Atlantic, and therefore resolved to assist the other provinces of Spanish America to throw off the yoke from which his country had been freed. Hence under his auspices, if not by his [April, personal conduct, the Spaniards were pursued towards the south,-hence his troops, after a tedious but glorious campaign, compelled their enemy to capitulate after a tyranny of 300 years,—hence he became the liberator of Peru, and a portion of the ancient vice-royalty was called Bolivia after his name. Whereever his arms extended, his command over the minds of the civil classes of the population was more striking than his victories, and free institutions were planted on the footsteps of conquest. It would probably have been impossible for the most skilful political architect to bave constructed a permanent edifice of social order and freedom with such materials as were placed in the hands of Bolivar; but whatever good exists in the present arrangements of Colombia and Peru may be traced to his superior knowledge and capacity. When compared with Washington, we immediately recognize the great distance between the liberator of South and North America,-a distance, however, not greater perhaps than between the colonists of England and Spain, with whom they had respectively to deal ; but let us measure him by the San Martins, Santanders, and other chiefs, and we shall be sensible of the vast superiority of Bolivar. Latterly, the disorganization of the provinces the necessity of frequent changes in the fundamental laws-the separation of the maritime and interior districts from each other-and the frequent intrigues or rebellions against his authority, have conspired to strip him of the administrative reputation which he at first acquired; and he was compelled by an ungrateful people into retirement. He was said to be ambitious and despotic, but let it be remembered that he repeatedly declined the presidency for life, when the President's chair might have been converted into a regal throne. His personal courage has also been disputed; but, if he did not possess a quality which is of all others the most vulgar in a soldier, he at least had acquired the art of directing the bravery of his troops, and overcoming that of his enemies. Notwithstanding his having for a long pe riod possessed unlimited control over the revenues of three countries-Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia, the Liberator died without possessing a single shilling of the public money-an unanswerable proof of his integrity;-and also without debts, although he had sacrificed ninetenths of a splendid patrimony in promoting the service of his country, and in liberating nearly one thousand slaves. 1831.] OBITUARY.-M. Niebuhr.-Rev. Wm. Layton, A.M. A few days before his death he dictated and signed an address to his countrymen, taking leave of them with his dying breath, and recommending to them the principles on which he had lived. The following are some of the articles of his will:, 4. I aver that I possess no other property but the lands and mines of Arroa, situated in the province of Carabobo, and some furniture, as specified in the inventory which may be found among my papers, in the charge of Juan de Francisco Martin, a citizen of Cartha gena. 6. It is my desire that the medal presented me by the Congress of Bolivia, in the name of that people, may be restored in my own name, as a pledge of the true affection which I retain for that republic even in my last moments. 7. It is my desire that the two works sent me by my friend Gen. Wilson, and which formerly belonged to the library of Napoleon, entitled The Social Compact, by Rousseau, and The Art of War, by Montecuculi, may be presented to the University of Caraccas. 10. It is my desire, that after my decease, my remains may be deposited in the city of Caraccas, my native place. 11. The sword given me by the Grand Marshal of Ayacucho (General Sucre), I direct my executors to restore to his widow; that she may preserve it as a proof of the love to him which I have always professed. 12. I direct my executors to render thanks to Gen. Sir Robert Wilson for the good conduct of his son, Colonel Bedford Wilson, who has so faithfully accompanied me to the last moments of my life. (Col. Wilson was one of the General's Aid-de-Camps, and was with him to the last.) M. NIEBUHR. Jan. 2. At Bonn, in Prussia, aged 53, M. Niebuhr, the eminent Roman historian. He was a son of Carston Niebuhr, the oriental traveller, an excellent biography of whom he prefixed to the first volume of his historical and philological works. The first portion of his History of Rome was published at Berlin in 1812. It was translated into English fifteen years after (in two vols. 8vo), by F. A. Walter, esq. M.R.S.L. one of the librarians of the British Museum, who has in his preface given the following account of the labours of the author : "This work was founded on a series of lectures delivered by M. Niebuhr. Though he remodelled to a certain extent, and adopted a more comprehen 373 sive title, yet the original texture or mould is at times palpably evident. The style is characterized by excessive brevity and abruptness of transition,-an inordinate imitation (so to call it) of the great Tacitus." The more important characteristics of the work are, however, that it contains "many new and original views, many profound and ingenious disquisitions, many bold and suecessful conjectures; boundless erudition, and occasional flights of eloquence-an enthusiasm in the cause of liberty, which, though sometimes carried to a considerable excess in his condemnation of the Patricians, and the odium he excites against them, springs from the purest source sympathy with the oppressed. These may well compensate for the scattered blemishes of style, and the clouds and mysticisms engendered by profundity of thought." The work was intended to be continued to the point where Gibbon commences. About a year ago a fire consumed some part of M. Niebuhr's papers, but not the manuscript he had prepared for the sequel of the work.. His In 1816 M. Niebuhr, then a professor at Berlin, was appointed by the King of Prussia, his Minister at Rome. It appears that this legation was created less from political motives than from personal patronage towards M. Niebuhr. Prussian Majesty was anxious to place the historian, where he could enjoy advantages and facilities in pursuing his inquiries which he could have had in any other manner. However, he concluded a sort of Concordat with the Holy See in the year 1821. On his return, to induce him to arrange his materials and make them public, the professorship of History was founded for him in the University of Berlin; and he was attached as a supernumerary under the name of a Free Associate to the University of Bonn. He was also adorned with several orders and decorations, and continued a Counsellor of State until his death. The widow of M. Niebuhr did not survive him for many days. REV. WILLIAM LAYTON, A.M. He was the only surviving son of the Rev. Andrew Layton, A. M. for twentyeight years rector of St. Matthew, in Ipswich, descended from a very ancient and highly respectable family in Yorkshire, a pedigree of which is given in Thoresby's "Ducatus Leodinensis." 374 OBITUARY.-Rev. William Layton, A.M. He was born in the rectory house of Sproughton in Suffolk, and was placed at a very early age under the care and tuition of his uncle, the Rev. Anthony Temple, A.M. the learned and eminent Master of the Free Grammar School at Richmond in Yorkshire. From thence, after having reaped the benefit of his uncle's instruction for a period of nine years, he was removed to St. Paul's school, London, then under the judicious superintendence of that able and accomplished scholar, George Thicknesse, esq. With an exhibition from this school, he was entered a pensioner of Trinity-college, Cambridge, where he proceeded to the degree of A. B. in 1773, and to that of A.M. in 1776. In 1774 he was licensed, on the nomination of George-William Earl of Bristol, to the Perpetual Curacy of Playford in Suffolk; and in the following year was presented by the Crown to the Rectory of Helmley in the same county, and to that of St. Matthew in Ipswich. In 1826 he resigned, at the solicitation of the present Marquis of Bristol, the Curacy of Playford. In his public as well as in his private character, Mr. Layton was most highly valued and most deservedly respected; and his loss will be long felt and lamented by a numerous circle of friends and acquaintance. Few persons ever passed a more active and useful life; and no one was more frequently consulted or more ready to give advice and render assistance in matters of doubt and difficulty, and in seasons of affliction and distress. On all subjects connected with ecclesiastical affairs, his knowledge and information were most correct and extensive; these therefore were constantly sought after by his clerical brethren, and as freely and kindly imparted to them. A zealous advocate for civil and religious liberty, and firmly attached to those constitutional principles which were established at the Revolution, his sentiments were liberal and enlarged; and, although such sentiments at one time exposed him to obloquy and censure, yet on every occasion he fearlessly maintained them, and boldly acted up to those principles with firmness and consistency. In disposition he was kind and benevolent, and his contributions to charitable institutions, more especially to those of Ipswich and his native county, were liberal and extensive, and exceeded only by his more numerous acts of private beneficence. But his real personal character could only be justly appreciated by those who were most intimately acquainted with him. They well know that as a brother he was most in [April, dulgent and affectionate; as a friend, most kind and sincere; and as a master, most generous and considerate. For about a year previous to his decease, Mr. Layton's health had been visibly declining, although his faculties conti. nued unimpaired to the last, but the natural vigour of his constitution enabled him frequently to rally in such a manner, as to excite the most lively hopes in the breasts of his friends, that his life might be spared to them for some time longer. These hopes, however, proved unfounded; and that trying scene was now rapidly approaching, in which he was to bid an eternal adieu to every thing here below, and to commence his journey to "that better country," that "undiscovered bourne from whence no traveller returns." But he was prepared for its approach. The hope of the Gospel, and a conscience void of offence both towards God and man, supported him under the awful trial; and by his firm reliance on the merits and mediation of a Saviour, his end was peace and joy. On the 25th .his remains were deposited in the family vault, in the church-yard of St. Matthew, in Ipswich. Mr. Layton was never married, but has left two sisters, viz. Elizabeth, the wife of the Rev. Joseph Lowthian, M.A. Vicar of Thatcham, Berks, and Mrs. Marianne Layton, of Ipswich. In 1815, Mr. Layton was presented by the members of the Ipswich Book Club with a handsome gold medal, commemorative of his services; and at the time of his decease he was one of the oldest surrogates and incumbents in the county of Suffolk, as well as members of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, of which he was for many years the valuable and active secretary to the District Committee of the town of Ipswich. Mr. Layton possessed a very valuable and extensive library, rich in works of topography, antiquities, and genealogy, to which branches of literature he was early and ardently attached; and in which not a book is to be found that does not contain some marks of his corrective hand. But his attention was chiefly directed to the ecclesiastical history of his native county, and in this, his favourite department, his manuscript collections were most ample, and of the highest value from their extreme accuracy and minuteness of research. The writer of this memoir has often heard him remark, that "for fear of error he dared not put pen to paper;" but when the pen was once put, the fact or date were then unquestionable. 1831.] OBITUARY.-Rev. A. Thomson, D.D.-Rev. R. Hall. The pages of this Miscellany were frequently indebted to him for many useful corrections, and various short bigraphical notices; and those of the "Literary Anecdotes," as well as the "Illustrations of Literature," are enriched with many of his valuable and judicious remarks. Mr. Layton's name is honourably recorded by the late Mr. Nichols, in his advertisement to the eighth volume of the "Anecdotes," and in his Preface to the fourth of the "Illustrations," as one of those "friends and excellent correspondents, to whom be returns his sincere acknowledgements for continual assistance, and to whom his warmest thanks are particularly offered." In the advertisement to the first volume of the "Illustrations," the editor acknowledges his "having been favoured by his worthy and intelligent friend the Rev. William Layton, with the Memoirs of Mr. Midgley and Mr. Archdeacon Pearson, and the Portrait of Mr. Midgley," which appeared in that volume. To the sixth volume of the same work, recently published, is prefixed the following "Dedication to the Rev. William Layton, M.A. Rector of St. Matthew, Ipswich, a gentleman, to whom the late Mr. Nichols was indebted, during a friendship of more than forty years, for much valuable literary assistance, this volume is respectfully dedicated, by his faithful humble servants, J. B. Nichols and Son." The writer of this brief memoir, who was for many years both honoured and gratified by his esteem and friendship, and in whose society he has spent many and many an agreeable hour, now pays this last bumble, but well-merited tribute of respect to the memory of a sincere and highly valued FRIEND. Vale! REV. A. THOMSON, D.D. [sari, J. F. Feb. 7. At Edinburgh, the Rev. Andrew Thomson, D. D. Minister of St. George's Church, and long an ornament of the Kirk of Scotland. He was just returning home from a meeting of Presbytery, and having met a friend at the west end of Prince's Street, he was giving him an account of the proceedings which had taken place. This gentleman walked along with bim to his own door, where, stopping for a moment, as if he wished to say something more, he muttered some words indistinctly, and instantly fell down on the pavement. He was carried into his own house in a state of insensibility, 375 and on opening a vein only a few ounces of blood flowed, and he expired. A subscription has been made for the benefit of his family, amounting to about 80007. It is stated that his Majesty, upon the representation of Lord Brougham, has ordered a pension of 1501. a-year for life, to be granted to Mrs. Thomson, the widow; and that, through the same influence, Dr. Thomson's eldest son is to be appointed to the Professorship of Music in the University of Edinburgh. REV. ROBERT HALL. Feb. 21. At Bristol, aged 68, the Rev. Robert Hall, M.A. Pastor of the Baptist church, Broadmead, in that city, one of the most eminent ministers of that communion. He was son of the Rev. Robert Hall, Minister of the Particular Baptists at Arnsby in Leicestershire, some notices of whom will be found in Nichols's His tory of that County, vol. iv. pp. 13, 417. For his education he was first placed under the care of the Rev. Dr. Ryland, at Northampton, and then sent to the proceeded in 1781 to the King's college Baptist Academy at Bristol, whence he at Aberdeen. After four years residence there, he returned to the academy_at Bristol to become Assistant to Dr. Caleb Evans, in which situation he continued until 1791, when he succeeded the Rev. Robert Robertson as minister at Cambridge. Whilst there resident he became known to, and admired by, some of the most distinguished scholars of the age. Dr. Parr said of him, "Mr. Hall has, like Bishop Taylor, the eloquence of an orator, the fancy of a poet, the acuteness of a schoolman, the profoundness of a philosopher, and the piety of a saint." It is said that he was offered ordination by Bishop Barrington. From Cambridge about 1804 he removed to Leicester, where he was Pastor of the meeting in Harvey Lane until invited to succeed Dr. Ryland at Bristol in 1826. Mr. Hall's publications appeared under the following titles: Christianity consistent with the love of Freedom, being an answer to a sermon by the Rev. John Clayton, 1791, 8vo.-Apology for the Freedom of the Press, and for general Liberty, with remarks on Bishop Horsley's sermon preached 13th Jan. 1793. 8vo. Modern Infidelity considered with respect to its influence on society; a sermon preached at Cambridge, 1800. 8vo. Reflections on War, a sermon, on June 1, 1802, being the day of thanksgiving for a General Peace.-The Senti 376 OBITUARY.-Rev. G. A. Case.-T. F. Hunt, Esq. [April, ments proper to the present crisis, a The name of Mr. Hall stood prominent as one of the first pulpit orators of the day; his oratory was not loud, forcible, and overpowering, like some distinguished individuals, whose powers have been compared to the thunder of cataracts, but it was soft, mellifluous, rich, deep and fluent as the flowing of a mighty river to this he added an earnestness and fervency which impressed his audience with the sincerity of his belief. From bad health, and a peculiarly delicate nervous temperament, he bardly ever, of late years at least, studied any of the orations that he delivered, or even thought of them until he had entered the pulpit. His addresses were in consequence unequal. There was at times a heaviness in his discourses, which was apt to make strangers wonder at the reputation for oratory to which he had attained; but when his health was firm, his spirits good, and his theme congenial, no man ever rose to higher and happier flights than he did in these purely extemporaneous exhibitions. The remains of this talented and virtuous man were interred on the 2d of March, in the small burying-place adjoining his Chapel in Broadmead, Bristol. He has left a widow, one son, and three daughters. REV. G. A. CASE. Jan. 6. The Rev. George Augustus Case, Minister of the Unitarian Chapel, Shrewsbury. Mr. Case was a descendant of the Rev. Thomas Case, of Christ Church, Oxford, sometime Minister of St. Mary Magdalen, Milk-street, and Lecturer at Aldermanbury and St. Giles's, Cripplegate, London, of which latter benefice he subsequently became Rector. He commenced his ministerial labours in Salop, in 1795, as an assistant to the Rev. John Rowe (afterwards of Bristol), and on that gentleman resigning in 1798, became sole pastor of the congregation. Possessing a disposition the most open-hearted and amiable, consistent in his conduct, a reciprocal attachment was formed between him and bis flock, by the sincere interest be took in their welfare; and as a preceptor of youth in classical learning his name will be cherished by many who had the benefit of bis tuition, for the kind and familiar manner with which he imparted instruction. T. F. HUNT, Esq. Lately. At Kensington Palace, aged 40, Thomas F. Hunt, Esq. one of the Labourers in Trust attached to the Board of Works. This ingenious architect was the author of the following excellent professional publications, all printed in quarto: "Half a dozen Hints on picturesque Domestic Architecture, in a series of designs for gate-houses, game-keepers" cottages, and other rural residences," two editions. "Designs for Parsonage-houses, Almshouses, &c. &c. with examples of gables and other curious remains of old English architecture, 1827," containing twentyone plates; reviewed in our vol. xcvii. i. 605. "Architettura Campestre; displayed in lodges, gardeners' houses, and other buildings, composed of simple and economical forms, in the modern or Italian style; introducing a picturesque mode of Roofing," with twelve plates. "Exemplars of Tudor Architecture, adapted to modern habitations, with illustrative details selected from ancient edifices, and observations on the Furniture of the Tudor period, 1829," with thirty-seven plates; reviewed in our vol. c. i. 33-36. MR. HUNTLEY. Lately. Aged 48, Mr. Huntley, the Roscius of the Coburg Theatre. He was a native of Barnsley, in Yorkshire; and, having lost his father during infancy, received from his mother's care a good education in London, and was then articled to a surgeon. Re |