(With a Portrait.)

THERE is something so commanding in superior talents, especially when devoted to the cause of piety and virtue, as to render every tribute of respect that is paid to the march of intellect, deeply interesting to the public. Men, who have distinguished themselves in the field, in the senate, at the bar, in the walks of science, and in the republic of letters, hold a conspicuous rank among the members of mortality; and whatever may be the dictates of their retiring diffidence, their names will always find a place in the records of honourable fame. In perusing the biography of celebrated individuals, every reader feels a peculiar satisfaction; and in all ages, prescription has sanctioned the indulgence of this amiable propensity.

Nor can this interest which is felt, be wholly attributed to the mere gratification of idle curiosity. The memorial operates as a stimulus to men of genius and talents, who are urging their way through "the palpable obscure," by exhibiting to their view the rewards of unremitting exertion, which others have attained through successful perseverance. Encouraged by examples, thus inciting them to action, they renew their toil; and, by constant application, conquer difficulties that at first appeared insurmountable. These, in their turns, having gained the summit of honour, to which they were invited by the aspirings of their predecessors and contemporaries, keep alive in others that spirit of emulation to which learning and science are indebted for many of their most brilliant discoveries.

But how stimulating soever these motives may be to the minds of those who seek only the applause of mortals, there is a still more powerful principle, which operates with all its influence on those exalted spirits that No. 49.-VOL. V.

These consider worldly honours in a secondary and subordinate light. Learning and acquirements with them are no further esteemed valuable, than as they are rendered subservient to the cause of piety and holiness. Their expected recompense lies beyond the precincts of time; their praise is not of men, but of God.

Actuated by these views, men of this description withdraw from public gaze; and, through that modesty by which their characters are uniformly distinguished, spend their days in unobtrusive retirement. On this account it is exceedingly difficult to obtain from the genuine sources of information which are in their own possession, those biographical materials which are essential to a memorial of their lives. Of men who fill public stations in the community, a general outline may be procured from other quarters; but narratives thus formed, can never be enlivened with those anecdotes and incidents which diffuse spirit and interest through a detail of facts. Popular report indeed, is always ready to supply every deficiency: but her testimony is equivocal; nor can her recommendations be adopted without risking the commission of an error, or hazarding the displeasure of the individual to whom they apply. It is among characters of this description that the Rev. Dr. Adam Clarke appears, of whose life the following particulars have been collected.

This gentleman, whose name is well known in the learned and scientific world, though a native of Ireland, is paternally of English extraction; his father, who was an eminent scholar, having descended from a family originally of England, in which country his ancestors were highly respectable. His mother's maiden name was Maclean, of Mull. Her progenitors were Scotch, and of some consequence, their pedigree having been traced back to a remote period.

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