that particular department, Dr. Robinson's reputation stood, unquestionably, at the very highest: and the choice has been amply accredited, by the opinion of scientific Europe.*

Mr. Phelan's habits had, hitherto, been those of a severe student. And he was better calculated for the literary and preceptive, than for the more active departments of his calling. His health was exceedingly infirm; and he was often unequal to those laborious out-of-door exertions, the vast importance of which he strongly felt. But his best energies were faithfully devoted to the spiritual improvement of his flock. He had, hitherto, appeared in the pulpit, almost exclusively, before a learned audience. And his discourses had been adapted, always, to satisfy the requirements, of cultivated minds; and often, to rivet the attention, of profound thinkers. It now became his duty, to adopt a different style of preaching. And it is an encouraging fact, to all persons similarly circumstanced, that, in adjusting his discourses to the capacity of his humble congregation, he was quite successful. He had not, formerly, been more remarkable for the eloquence of thought, than he now became for primitive simplicity. He seemed

* The Observations of Dr. Robinson, have been more numerous, and have excited greater attention, than those made at any other Observatory, within the same period.

to preach under the habitual conviction, that A pastor is the deputy of Christ, for the reducing of man, to the obedience of God.'•

On ordinary occasions, it was not his habit to commit to writing the entire of his sermons; he used, merely, to note down his principal topics; for he felt, that a northern congregation especially, would be more interested and impressed, by conceptions, reduced, at the moment, to words, than it could have been, by any more elaborate process of composition. But his discourses were quite free, from the usual defects of extemporaneous addresses. The thoughts were always lucidly arranged; for the subject-matter had been thoroughly digested. He never ascended the pulpit, without an awful sense of ministerial responsibility; nor, willingly left it, without having enforced, at least, some one religious truth, in a novel and interesting His learning was so attempered by sua

manner.

* George Herbert. Country Parson.

† In this whole discourse, [the Sermon on the Mount],' said Mr. Wesley, we cannot but observe, the most exact method, that can possibly be conceived. Every paragraph, every sentence, is closely connected, both with that which precedes, and that which follows it. And, is not this the pattern, for every Christian preacher? If any, then, are able to follow it, without any premeditation,.. well. If not, .. let them not dare to preach, without it. No rhapsody, no incoherency, [whether the things spoken, be true or false,] comes of the spirit of Christ.'

vity, that the people delighted in him, as a teacher; while his parental concern for their welfare, endeared him to them, as the tenderest of friends.

With true humility of mind, he united a strong, and even lofty spirit of independence. He loved, rather to confer, than to receive, a benefit; and could, with difficulty, be induced to incur a personal obligation. This the Primate well knew: while, at the same time, he was apprehensive, that on moving to the curacy of Keady, Mr. Phelan must necessarily require some pecuniary aid. He, accordingly, took an early opportunity, of calling at the curate's humble residence; and, after some general conversation, delicately hinted at the expences, which must, almost inevitably, beset a newmarried man; expressing a hope, that he might be permitted to become his banker. Mr. P., with very fervent acknowledgements, assured his Grace, that he did not, at that time, stand in need of such assistance; but promised, that, should any emergency arise, he would, without hesitation, avail himself of it. The Primate, still persevered: You cannot,' said he, be aware, how many demands on your purse must now be answered; Mrs. Phelan, too, must want several articles of comfort, which your present means may not be able to supply.' Mr. P. respectfully declared, That he was unconscious of any want, for which he was not already

provided.'.. ‘Come, Phelan,' says the Primate, ‘you must want a horse.' The reply was, My Lord, I have two.'.. Well, then,' his Grace added, you will excuse my importunity,.. but, .. the remittance to your father, have you thought of that?'.. My Lord,' said Phelan, the tears of gratitude in his eyes, I have not forgotten him; before leaving Dublin, I took care that he should not want.'*

These last, were far from words of course: in a confidential letter to a friend, dated August 18. 1823, he thus unbosoms himself: .. If I have ..' means enough to continue my usual allowance to my father, I am perfectly satisfied.'

Filial piety,' it has been said, at the commencement of this memoir, was, with him, almost an instinct.' And the fact is illustrated, by an affecting entry, found in one of his note-books; to which, Mrs. Phelan says, he was fond of alluding. It is simply this, . . for it would seem never to have been wrought up, into regular composition,.. The emotions of filial piety, perhaps the nearest approach that nature gives, to the love of God.' Now, his own conduct shows the high sense which he ever

* Dr. Phelan related this conversation, to a friend and the editor could not suppress a circumstance, so richly biographical. He must, therefore, at once, throw himself upon the indulgence of the eminent individual, who, above most other men, 'does good by stealth.'

entertained, of both sacred ties: and the analogy is the more beautifully striking, as coming from the lips and heart, of such a son, and such a christian. The sentiment of natural affection, in him, was sublimated into a feeling, which had less of earth in it, than Heaven.' This was the animating soul of all his efforts, from the first moment that such efforts could availably be made, for the securing of his parent's worldly comforts: it was the most remote thing possible, from the callous and rigid payment of a debt, involuntarily contracted; and, an indescribable emotion of mingled reverence and love, from early childhood, to his latest hour, would seem to have been, above most others, the masteraffection of his soul. I can never forget,' says Mrs. Phelan, the manner, in which, on receiving a letter, or other tidings from his first home, he was wont to say,.. How I love and venerate that dear old man, my Father!''

By the kindness of his family, the writer possesses copies of letters, addressed to that 'dear father' by Dr. Phelan, almost from the year of his entrance into College, to the year of his death from these, I now propose to insert extracts of a small number, not selected with any very curious nicety; but evincing, as, indeed, all the letters do, the af fectionate and wholly unselfish character of his

nature.