so much as a servant to wait on me, which has been my case for years past, even most of the time since I buried my dear wife, which is now nigh upon fourteen years!

Of late, too, my infirmities increase fast upon me, and I have been seldom well for the last three or four years. I was very unwell when your letter came, which was the chief reason of my not answering it sooner. These things I thought proper to mention, lest you should feel unpleasantly disappointed when you arrive here. Upon the whole, I can only say that I shall be very glad to see your Father and Mother's eldest son, and will entertain you as well as I can, though not so well as I could wish. And what can an infirm old man, who still · loves his RELATIONS, FRIENDS, and COUNTRY, say more?

Should I feel myself unable to accommodate you under my own roof, I will contrive to procure you better, and more agreeable accommodation at a Friend's house.

At any rate, if I am able to keep about, I will try to make your visit not unpleasant; but an old man in declining health, should not talk too confidently in matters of this kind. The London coaches all arrive late at Lynn. You must inquire for Norfolk-street-My house is opposite to a public house, called the Bird in Hand in that But I must beg of you to write to me again before you set out, that I may know when to expect you.

street.

With best wishes for your welfare, I remain, my

dear young Friend,

Your affectionate kinsman,

W. RICHARDS.

The very minuteness of this Letter is interesting, and therefore not a word hath been suppressed. Connected with his approaching dissolution, it is a valedictory memorial of the writer's kindness and hospitality. His heart was finely attuned to natural affection. Indeed, like an Eolian harp, which, touched by every breath of wind, sends forth the sweetest sounds, so the feelings of this honest Cambro Briton vibrated to every circumstance that had the remotest connexion with the natives of his beloved Principality.

MR. RICHARDS did accommodate his young kinsman under his own roof, after he had been with a Friend during a week. Growing worse, Mr. Thomas slept in the house, and attended assiduously upon him. The old Gentleman indeed compensated the trouble by an unusual degree of affability, telling him the history of his life, and promising him in case of his recovery, that he would accompany him abroad, and show him the adjacent country. He even recounted the Controversies in which he had been engaged, with a sensible pleasure; reminding us of Goldsmith's admired veteran, who

Shoulder'd his crutch, and shew'd how fields were won!

He also remembered handsomely in his will his

young kinsman, who, since, frequently visiting the writer of this Memoir, speaks of his deceased relative with an affectionate regard and veneration. He saw his sun set without a cloud. It will one day emerge from "Death's dark shade," with an accumulated glory!

MR. WILLIAM RICHARDS expired September 13, 1818, in the sixty-ninth year of his age. His complaint was the Angina Pectoris, an inflammation of the chest. At times, it sorely affected his breath, and he knew the disease to be incurable. Diminution of flesh, and sallowness of complexion foreboded the approaching change. He still however went among his Friends, and visited Wisbeach as well as Tydd, during the month of July, whence he returned with increasing debility. He had the best medical advice of his old and highly respected friend Dr. Marshall, a physician at Lynn; and his sufferings were alleviated by the assiduities of Female friendship, whose sympathies even towards the Saviour himself, the Evangelists have not failed to

record

"Last at his Cross, and earliest at his GRAVE!"

An elderly Lady, Mrs. H. of Wisbeach, (the worthy Parent of my Brother Executor), came over, and remained with him till Death closed his eyes. By this attendance he was much gratified, and expressed the utmost thankfulness. To a very particular friend, Mr. James Keed, who visited him daily when confined to his chamber, he seemed

perfectly calm and resigned, "having no fear of death, and appeared as preparing for a long journey!" The days of our years (Psalm xc. 10.) are threescore years and ten, and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow, for it is soon cut off, and we FLY AWAY.

It is strange that MR. RICHARDS, a man distinguished for good sense and prudence, should not have made his will till a week previous to his decease. The disposal of his Library has been mentioned. His property he bequeathed to an aged sister, Mrs. Martha Evans, a worthy widow in Wales, with a numerous family.

Various

legacies were left, as well as his collection of c and medals; for none of his immediate friends were forgotten on this final occasion. The consistency which characterized the testator throughout life, marks the concluding stage of mortality *.

*It should have been mentioned in the first part of the work, that there is A LITTLE BOOK in existence, containing a List of Texts, from which Mr. Richards preached three times every Sunday, and on Thursday evening, during the first three years of his settlement at Lynn. It records the the passage from which Mr. Richards opened his ministry at LYNN, Acts xvi. 10. Immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord hath called us for to preach the Gospel unto them-and also his labours whilst at the Academy, preaching at Kingstanly, Grittleton, Wotton, Malmsbury, Calne, Croscomb, Bratton, Trowbridge, and Fishponds. Though never very popular in England, yet preaching in his beloved Welsh language, crowds followed him in the Principality.

A few tributes of respect shall be introduced which were paid to his memory. Writers do themselves an honour, when revering departed merit, they apportion the meed of praise with truth and sincerity. Three religious periodical Publications thus notice his decease

"MR. RICHARDS was a man (says the Editor of the Monthly Repository) of sterling integrity and of true Christian worth. The General Baptist denomination has lost in him one of its most zealous advocates and brightest ornaments. He might have lived without reproach (except on the ground of heresy) in the days of THE PURITANS. Like them, he lived apart from the world, and like them, he was a religious enemy of ecclesiastical usurpation and civil tyranny."

"We have had the melancholy task imposed upon us, (says the Editor of the New Evangelical Magazine), of perusing in the public prints the affecting intelligence of the decease of MR. RICHARDS, just at the instant too when we were in daily expectation of receiving some important information from his pen, relative to the Ecclesiastical History of our own country, a subject which perhaps no man living was so thoroughly conversant with as himself. Mr. Richards indeed was no ordinary man. He had read much, particularly on the subject of Church History, of which he has given proof in his various publications."

The Old Evangelical Magazine has given this record—“ Lately died at Lynn in Norfolk, the Rev.