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OBITUARY
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Untitled Article
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Obituary
OBITUARY
Untitled Article
Mr . Jambs Touchet . Mr . Toochbt was born in Manchester , where his family had been long and reputably engaged in commercial pursuits , on foe 15 th of Jane , 1742 . He early enjoyed the advantages of an excellent education , first under the Rev . Mr . Russell , of that town , and
afterwards under Mr . Burgh , of Newmgton-Green , near London , the author of " A Treatise on the Dignity of Human Nature , " and of other works . From both these instructors , of whom he was always accustomed to speak with affection and gratitude , he derived a taste for classical and general literature , which continued undiininished to the close of
his life . Nature had endowed him with an excellent understanding and a most tenacious memory ; and he diligently employed those faculties in acquiring stores of knowledge , which were ever afterwards ready at his command , aud at all times applicable to purposes of practical wisdom . He was a striking instance of the safety of an enlarged and
liberal education to one moving within the sphere of mercantile life , and of the perfect compatibility of considerable literary acquirements , with those habits of arrangement and attention to the details of ordinary business , which are essential to active and successful commerce . If , indeed , there was any part of his intellectual character peculiarly conspicuous , it was a sobriety and soundness of
judgment which led him to assign to the various objects of life their just value ; and prevented him from pursuing any one , to the neglect of auother of equal importance . In forming opinions , his vigorous mind investigated facts with caution and accuracy , — examined arguments with coolness and impartiality , —and finally drew conclusions , which might safely be relied upon as guides for his own conduct , and for that of the numerous
friends Whtv in cages of difficulty , were accustomed to have recourse to his counsel *; > No man was ever less in danger of being caught in the snares of sophistry ; orlostjn the mazes of delusive speculation ;; on bad seldomer occasion to recant opiink > D « mice deliberately taken tip . In discuftftton , he united , to an inflexible firmnesft , In defortditfg what appeared to himtto to the truthy bo ranch calmness and candouiy < hat even when he failed
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to convince , he never , by exasperating the feelings of an opponent , confirmed him in error , but rather disposed him to a renewed and dispassionate examination of the ground of difference . The subjects most congenial to Mr . Touchet's taste were not those
connected with the physical sciences , nor yet with the lighter and ornamental branches of literature . He delighted most in history , in ethics , in morals , and generally in whatever affects the great interests of man , as an accountable being and a member of society , or tends to establish sound principles of
domestic and international policy . He had diligently studied , and he ardently admired , the British Constitution . He leaned , indeed , to the side of those who think that there is less danger in strengthening the power of the crown , than in giving a greater preponderance to the popular branch of our . Government . But he was a decided and
irreconcilable enemy to every abuse of authority ; and strenuously advocated the extension , as far as appeared to him consistent with the general safety , of civil and religious liberty , to all classes of his fellow-subjects . The moral qualities of Mr . Touchet were in perfect keeping , not only with his intellectual ones , but with each
other ; and it was this harmony and justness of proportion that constituted perhaps the most striking charm and beauty of his character . From nature he derived a temper of uncommon equanimity and sweetness ; and this natural gift he had improved by the constant exercise of the kind and gentle affections , and-of those social feelings which
issued in a generous but well-regulated and unostentatious hospitality . - In his manners there was an urbanity , a composure , and a simple dignity , not unallied with real humility , by which he obtained , unsought , the respect that is reluctantly yielded to persons of greater forwardness and more lofty pretensions .
When in the company of friends whom he esteemed , the benevolence of his heart beamed through his fine and expreasiVe features ; and bis spirits , always cheerful , flowed out in a current of agreeable ; lfaely , and even playful conversation j while >> b 1 s sympathy with the feelings of all ¦ around mm rendered him
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1827, page 608, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1799/page/56/
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