FOR APRIL, 1839.

BIOGRAPHY.

MEMOIR OF BENJAMIN THOROLD, ESQ.:
Of Harmston, Lincolnshire:

BY MR. THOMAS BAINBRidge, of liNCOLN,

THE late Benjamin Thorold, Esq., was the son of the Rev. Mr. Hart, a Calvinistic Minister, and private Teacher of the Classics in London; better known, perhaps, as the editor of a volume of hymns, which bears his name.

At the time of Mr. Hart's death, his son Benjamin was but eight years of age; he would be able, therefore, to remember but little of his father. After he had received the best education which the limited means of his widowed mother enabled her to give him, he was placed, somewhat early in life, with a calico printer. In this situation he was exposed frequently to cold and wet, as well as required to be actively engaged in labour during the whole of the day; but to these very circumstances, perhaps, he was indebted for those hardy and persevering habits for which he was remarkable in the more advanced stages of his life. To the very end of his days, which reached the limits of the ordinary age of man, he wore no top-coat, carried no umbrella, and if he was ever drenched with rain, his clothes were allowed to dry upon him. When upwards of seventy years of age, he commonly rose at five in the morning, often still earlier; for he mostly left his bed after his first sound sleep, even though it were but two or three o'clock, and occupied his usual place in his study. He was also engaged for a short time with a mathematical and surgical instrument-maker. While in this situation he became acquainted with a Surgeon, whom he frequently assisted in operations and dissections, and thus acquired some knowledge of physiology and anatomy. He appears, indeed, to have been intent on acquiring all the knowledge that came in his way. His habits were active, industrious, and untiring; and his biographer scarcely needs to remark that the stores thus collected in youth, possess in themselves a principle of increase, and furnish an accumulation which in subsequent life seldom fails to be of the highest importance. His last situation, and that in which he remained the longest, was that of a bookseller. Here he was, in one respect at least, in his element, for he had now access to books; and as he was allowed no candle, he was accustomed to get out of the window, (which opened on the roof of the house,) and, seated by the parapet wall, would read as early and late VOL. XVIII. Third Series. APRIL, 1839.

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as light would allow him; and in some peculiarly favourable instances, he has read through the whole night by moon-light. This earnest and resolute desire for the acquisition of knowledge was perceived by his master, who suggested to some of the friends of his late father, that the genius of young Hart was beyond the ordinary standard; and that, as he gave indications both of seriousness and talent, he thought that, if possible, an opportunity should be afforded him of pursuing a course of study preparatory to the ministry. To this they readily agreed; and by their interest, in connexion with his employer's kindness, the remaining term of his engagement was remitted, and he was placed at the Dissenting Academy at Homerton, over which Dr. Taylor then presided. With what degree of diligence he engaged in the studies which he had thus the opportunity of pursuing, no account can now be given. That he was no careless student may not only be inferred from the predilections he had manifested under very unfavourable circumstances, but from his extensive classical acquirements, and that correct and elegant taste which seemed so natural to him, that it must have been cultivated both early and carefully. His native vivacity and turn for satire now began to bud forth; and as much levity was sometimes prevalent among the students, he was often made (to use his own expression) "the black sheep," more than once censured for some irregularity in his sentiments or behaviour, and at last he left the Academy without the usual testimonials, and without any prospect of the customary patronage. Just at this crisis some differences had arisen in the Independent church at Norwich; and the seceders, forming themselves into a congregation, and having som e knowledge of Mr. Hart, chose him as their Pastor. Over this church, which appears to have been rather wealthy than numerous, he presided for nine years. During this period he became acquainted with several eminent Dissenting Ministers; among whom the late Rev. Robert Hall may be named. With him, at intervals, he kept up a correspondence for many years. He seems, also, to have been well versed in the religious polemics of those days.

Notwithstanding his ministerial engagements, he appears always to have had a peculiar attachment to legal studies; and a concurrence of what he regarded as favourable incidents at this period, both directed his attention to the law, and opened the way for those studies which were necessary to prepare him for the bar. By the aid of two or three kind and liberal friends, he was encouraged to enter at Cambridge, where he passed through the usual preliminary course of study, and at length proceeded to the Inns of Court, whence in due time he was called to the bar. His success was not brilliant, owing, perhaps, to his having commenced his career comparatively late in life. His profession, however, procured for him ample means of support for twenty years. At that period, by the demise of Samuel Thorold, Esq., of Harmston, whose daughter he had married, the estate descended to

Mrs. Hart. Her husband took the family name of Thorold, and, relinquishing the practice of the law, retired to his family residence, intending to pass his declining years in the calm studies of sequestered life, diversified by rural occupations. He was now nearly threescore years of age.

During the period that he spent at the bar, there was a decline in his religious feelings. Subsequently, he willingly acknowledged that he was then in a backsliding and fallen condition. Mixing with gentlemen of family and fashion, and being naturally of a very social temper, he too readily conformed to those convivial recreations, which, to say the least, are entirely subversive of all spirituality of mind. He mixed freely in the various parties that were formed; and, though never intemperate, became fond of card-playing. Still, his early principles and habits exercised a powerful restraint upon him, and kept him fully within the limits of what is usually considered as a moral deportment. And though, on his quitting Norwich, he became a candidate for another and a very different profession from that in which he had heretofore been engaged, yet he had no reason to regret that his earlier life had been devoted to the studies proper for the Christian ministry. The most critical period of his life had been thus occupied with subjects not less hallowing than they are delightful, and a large store of scriptural and sacred knowledge had been laid up. Such knowledge and such feelings surely furnish the best foundation of happiness, even for those who seek it in intellectual pursuits. Afterwards, indeed, he was exposed to the blandishments of the world; and what spiritual feeling had been awakened in him, decayed under their influence; but by the blessing of God upon the habits produced by this preparatory course, the loss of spiritual feeling was not accompanied by that profligacy in which, degrading as it is in truth, too many allow themselves to glory.

On his settling at Harmston, he was expected by the neighbouring gentry to associate with them in those fashionable entertainments which were customary among those of similar condition and estate. It was known, too, that he possessed a rich vein both of intelligence and humour, by which he was admirably fitted for such circles as were now opened to receive him. But in his retirement there was a speedy return of his early impressions; and a desire, produced, no doubt, by the Divine Spirit, for higher enjoyments than what were now within his reach. At that time the few Wesleyans then at Harmston had preaching occasionally in a cottage there, though they were accustomed to hold their class-meetings at Waddington. One of the labourers about his premises belonged to the society; and Mr. Thorold would sometimes amuse himself, especially on a Monday morning, by questioning him as to the religious services of the preceding Sabbath, the abilities of the Preacher, or the character of the sermon. On one occasion he hinted that if he were informed when some popular