MEMOIRS. CHAP. I. From 1746 to 1776. THE papers left by the late Rev. Dr. Samuel Parr, and left by him without any limitation to the Rev. John Lynes, may be divided into three classes. First. Irregular series of narrative, or detailed relations of facts, or scraps; sometimes entering into minute family or personal history, and sometimes enlarging or reasoning upon events connected with them. Secondly. A collection of letters from himself to the most distinguished persons of the age, and from the most distinguished persons of the age to him, which, if they could be minutely looked over and published in order, would in themselves be an ample history of his life. Thirdly. A vast mass of critical, metaphysical, historical, political, and theological discussion. These sources of information are invaluable in establishing the certainty of facts, and in connecting them together from the beginning to the end of Dr. Parr's life-they are invaluable as a history of his friends, and in part, of the literary period in which he lived. Even of the tradition of the times just before, there are some memorials. There are parts of works which he intended to complete; and, among others, had he fulfilled his intentions in regard to a biographical account of his friend Dr. Robert Sumner, and his acquaintance Dr. Samuel Johnson,* we may fairly conclude, from his preeminent learning and intellectual capacity, no works * In Bibliotheca Parriana there are two pages of books set apart for Johnson's Life. The materials for the Life of Sumner, in their present unfinished state would fill a large volume.. "In regard to Johnson's Life I shall probably write it some day or other. But I will not begin till I am master of my own time. I shall write it in the spirit of a scholar. Moreover I have not read more than one half of Sir John Hawkins, whose book I met with at Crewe Hall. It was dull and confused, and impertinent, and illiterate, and with all these faults, it some how or other interested me. Well, when these shallow fellows have done writing, I perhaps shall begin to write, and not before."Parr to Homer, Nov. 20th, 1788. Extract of a Letter from Mr. Thomas, George-Street, Editor of the Courier, to Dr. Parr, dated DEAR SIR, 2, Thanet Place, Temple Bar, The last part of your letter I consider as perfectly confidential-confidential it shall remain with me, I give you my word of honour. What think you of such a paragraph as the following? It would seem to be a piece of intelligence, and would also convey to the world information of your intentions. The Life of Johnson, such as ought to be written, comprising a profound and critical view of literature for half a century, is still a desideratum in literature. Dr. Parr, we had hoped would have undertaken the task, for we know of no man so well qualified for it, but the Doctor's time is at present occupied, not less usefully certainly, in the education of a select number of young gentlemen in his pleasant retirement near Warwick. of the kind, would have comprised a larger quantity of interesting and instructive matter. We have to regret, however, that these intentions were not fulfilled. The materials for the Life of Johnson were compiled only in a selection of books set apart for the purpose in his library, and the Life of Sumner, though it did not die in the conception, was only brought partially to maturity. Of what Dr. Parr could impart concerning himself, the notices are so ample as to leave little to be desired. In these notices we have him a writer of two Sermons at Norwich, his first avowed publications, in the year 1780; then as Phileleutherus Norfolciensis; then the eloquent advocate of education, with many other displays of his vigorous and matured intellect, down to his posthumous work, the Letter to Dr. Milner. It is to be lamented, that we find him too often appearing as a controversialist, on questions of a personal nature. Yet even here, HE is redeemed from the general imputation cast on such disputants. The whole strength of his mind is seen in full display, and he has contrived to deck the page of controversy, with the fairest flowers of learning. Perhaps Dr. Parr intended to leave the whole of what he wrote for the consideration of certain Pray send me word whether the above meets your ideas. I will put it into the Courier without any expence to you. I am, with respect and gratitude, your very obliged servant, T. G. STREET. learned men who were in his confidence, that the history of everything he did, might be fairly investigated from a vast mass of papers left behind him. But, unhappily, since the death of Mr. John Bartlam, (who from the beginning to the end of his life in 1823, was in his confidence,) no one can give an exact account of his wishes, so contradictory are his directions. He said more than once to Mr. Lynes, who was the depositary of his last verbal directions, "burn them all;" but this occasional order is countermanded by the peremptory written direction to preserve such and such papers-carefully to preserve others -to publish some, and among the Sermons several are written out, and many, very many, are bundled together with the express desire that they may be examined by those literary friends, who are finally to determine about printing them. It seems to have been Dr. Parr's practice never to destroy a paper. When writing for himself, or for others, he made notes, scribbled without arrangement upon sheets or slips which he huddled together with the main work. Now of these notes, the works to which they were intended to belong being removed, it is so difficult to find out the meaning, or the relation, that I fear much valuable matter will be lost. Enough, and more than enough, still exists in these stores, from which to compile the public life of Dr. Parr, and that which is in some measure connected with it, the literary history of the period in which he lived. But biography is a dry and withered branch of |