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rituous liquors ; and , notwithstanding his philosophic self-denial in other respects , he did not always scrupulously adhere to the rules of temperance in this
particular . But this failing , which , I "believe he did not often practice , and which never led him into any glaring impropriety of conduct , was lost amidst the general blaze of merit and virtues with which
his character was adorned . The following remarkable custom was frequently observed by him before he retired to repose . He used to strip himself naked as low as the waist , and taking his station at a pump near his rooms , would completely sluice his head
and the upper part of his body : after which he would pump over his shirt , so as to make it perfectly wet , and putting it on in that condition , would immediately go to bed . This he jocularly termed " an excellent cold bath . " The
latter part of this ceremony , how . ever , he did not practice with siich frequency as the former . His external appearance was as singular as his habits of life . I have already mentioned those extefior traits which struck me in
mif first interview with him , and the ' same peculiarities remained witji him during the whole time of my being honoured with his acquaiTitaiicej and , I jbelieve , to the erid of his life . He would never
suffer tils hair to be strewed with white dust ( to use his owii expressions ) , daubed witK pomatum , or distorted by the curling irons of the ! friseur . Though under two atut ' thirty - ' years' of age at his death ^ he walked when he appeared in public , with as much apparent caution an 4 solemnity ,
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as if he had been enfeebled by the co-operation of age and disease . With regard to his moral and religious character , he was a pattern highly worthy of imitation . He was in the strict sense of the
phrase , integer vitce scelerisqve purus . He shewed a constant regard to the obligations of honour and justice : and recommended both by precept and example , an attention to moral rectitude in all
its ramifications . He had the courage to reprove vice and immoral ity wherever they appeared ; and though he was sometimes treated on these occasionswith
contumely and insult , he bore with a moderation truly Christian , so ill a return for his well . meant endeavours . In his principles of religion he was orthodox , without being rigid . His devotion was fervent , without making , too near
an approach to enthusiasm or superstition . He was perfectly acquainted with the religious dogmas of every different sect , and could readily detect the respective
fallacies of each . But , however he might differ from these sectarists , he behaved to them , on all occa * sions , with great politeness and liberality , and conversed with them on the most amicable terms
of genera ! sociability ., »>• .- , n Hi ; s abilities add understanding were eminently conspicuous . , His i penetration was so great as to have ^ the appearance q { intuition . < &q <« retentive was his memory that
heremembered whatever he learned ; * * and this facility of recollection , < combined with a pregnancy of < imagination and ^ ofidity of judg- . t ment , enabled hilR to acquire a ^ surprising fund of erudition and a argument ; a fund ready at every *
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Anecdotes of Mr . Henderson * , 291
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1812, page 291, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1748/page/11/
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