THE

UNIVERSAL MAGAZINE.

N° XLVIII.-VOL. VIII.] For NOVEMBER, 1807.

NEW SERIES.

"We shall never envy the honours which wit and learning ob ain in any other cause, if we can be numbered among the writers who have given ardour to virtue, and confidence to truth."-DR. JOHNSON.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

WILLIAM MARKHAM, LL.B. Arch- Christ Church. The deanery of Christ bishop of York, &c. &c. Church is a dignity of very great im

Tborn in Ireland, about the year the care both of a college and a cas

HIS distinguished prelate was portance and responsibility, involving

1720, and was the son of an officer at thedral.

that time with his regiment in Ire- In 1769, he was chosen to preach land, and who was of a Nottingham the Concio ad Clerum to the synod of shire family. He was educated at the province of Canterbury. On this Westminster school, and removed to occasion he demonstrated, with great Christ Church, Oxford, where he took force of argument and eloquence of the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1742, language, that whatever in human and that of Master in 1745. At school knowledge is vain and fanciful has and at college he was distinguished by always been contrary to true religion; the elegance of his exercises, and par- while it never opposed that learning ticularly of his Latin verses. which is conforinable to reason and

About the year 1750, Dr.Markham nature. He bestowed a just encos was appointed first master of Westmin- mium on the character of Newton ster school; and he continued to dis- and his views in philosophy; and at charge, with great reputation, the la- the same time lashed, with deserved borious duties of that useful and ho- severity, the metaphysicians of the nourable employment until January French school, who were then_at1704. During his being master of tempting to carry their designs into this school, we can truly assert, that execution, by darkening and perplexnone who preceded him was more ing the huinan understanding, and truly beloved, or held in greater re- bringing into contempt whatever had. spect by the youth of that highly- been esteemed sacred in religion, esteemed seminary of learning: In- science, or government. The Concio deed we have heard numbers of those was published, together with a Latin who were under his care, and who are speech made on presenting Dr.Thomas now in the first situations in the coun- as prolocutor to the higher house of try. mention Dr. Markham with the convocation. utmost regard and veneration.

In January 1771, Dr. Markham An able first master of Westminster was consecrated Bi-hop of Chester, is too prominent a person to be over- and in the succeeding month was, in looked by those who have the disposal the first establishment for the eduof preferment. We find accordingly cation of the Prince of Wales, chosen that in 1759, Dr. Markham, was pro- preceptor to his royal highness. Dr. moted to the second stall in Durham Cyril Jackson, the present dean of cathedral, while he held the master- Christ Church, was at the same time ship; and in 1765, to the deanery of appointed sub-preceptor. Rochester, after he had resigned it. In June 1770, a new establishment Both promotions were most probably was formed, when Dr. Markham was owing to patrons, to whom he had succeeded by Dr. Hurd, the present been recommended by his public Bishop of Worcester, and Dr. Jackservices. son by Mr. Arnold, tutor of St. John's In 1767, he vacated the deanery of College, Cambridge. Why Dr. MarkRochester, and was created dean of ham and Dr.Jackson were not allowed UNIVERSAL MAG. VOL. VIII.

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