This Gentleman was a native of the county of York, where he inherited a confiderable paternal estate, of which Skelton Castle, near Gifborough, was the family feat. He was born in 1718, and died in March, 1785. Where he was inftructed with the first rudiments of learning we have no information; but it is well known that he completed his claffical education at Jefus College, in the university of Cambridge. Here it has been generally supposed that the friendship commenced between him and Mr. Sterne, who was of the fame college, which continued without interruption, while they were both fpared to enjoy it. Though, as they were both educated in Yorkshire, it is not improbable that their acquaintance might have have commenced at a more early period. Mr. Hall afterwards made the tour of Europe, and that he had made it with the best effect, was evident in his converfations upon the subjects connected with it. He was an excellent claffic fcholar, and perfectly acquainted with the belles lettres of Europe. He could engage in the grave difcuffions of criticism and literature with fuperior power, while he was qualified to enliven general fociety with the fmile of Horace, the laughter of Cervantes, or he could fit in Fontaine's easy chair and unbosom his humour to his chofen friends. When he refided in London, he lived as other men of the world do, whose philosophy partakes more of Epicurus than the Porch; and in the country, when Skel ton ton Castle was without company, and he was threatened with the fpleen, to which he was occafionally liable, he had recourse to a very fine library and a playful Muse. That he was a man of a fingular genius and a peculiar caft of thought, must be acknowleged by all who read his works; that, while he caught the ridicule of life, he felt for its misfortunes, will be equally evident to thofe who read the page that contains the epitaph on Zachary Moore. And nothing furely can be wanting to confirm the latter opinion, when we have added, that he was the Eugenius of Mr. Sterne. CON |