which it brought upon him he never perfectly recovered. This
calamitous state made the compassion of his friends necessary, and
drew upon him the attention of Sir Thomas Abney, who received him
into his house, where, with a constancy of friendship and uniformity
of conduct not often to be found, he was treated for thirty-six
years with all the kindness that friendship could prompt, and all
the attention that respect could dictate. Sir Thomas died about
eight years afterwards, but he continued with the lady and her
daughters to the end of his life. The lady died about a year after
him.

A coalition like this, a state in which the notions of patronage and
dependence were overpowered by the perception of reciprocal
benefits, deserves a particular memorial; and I will not withhold
from the reader Dr. Gibbons's representation, to which regard is to
be paid as to the narrative of one who writes what he knows, and
what is known likewise to multitudes besides:--

"Our next observation shall be made upon that remarkably kind
Providence which brought the Doctor into Sir Thomas Abney's family,
and continued him there till his death, a period of no less than
thirty-six years. In the midst of his sacred labours for the glory
of God, and good of his generation, he is seized with a most violent
and threatening fever, which leaves him oppressed with great
weakness, and puts a stop at least to his public services for four
years. In this distressing season, doubly so to his active and
pious spirit, he is invited to Sir Thomas Abney's family, nor ever
removes from it till he had finished his days. Here he enjoyed the
uninterrupted demonstrations of the truest friendship. Here,
without any care of his own, he had everything which could