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years * conflict with an enemy , which becoming stronger daily , during the contest , now menaced us with retaliation , and even threatened invasion itself . Assuming the proposition , that the nation was reduced to the
alternative of absolute submission on one hand , or a vigorous prosecution of the contest on the other , he declared in favour of the latter . His Lordship accordingly maintained , that
great sacrifices and great exertions had become necessary ; and he conjured his country men to make these in behalf of their liberty , their property , and all that is dear to man .
This address of course produced a multitude of replies . Some accused him of dereliction of both principles and character ; while others animadverted on the laxity of his opinions , and the prudent conformity now evinced to the established order of
things . The pamphlet in question , however , produced a great effect on the public mind . The Government too , as if impressed with new zeal , in consequence of this timely co-operation , immediately unsheathed the flaming sword of prosecution against
his opponents , two of whom were convicted of seditious libels ; while all other writers were appalled from engaging in so dangerous a controversy . But the gratitude of Ministers ended here 5 for no translation ensued , and it was now found that the labourer
who came in at the twelfth hour was not to be rewarded like him who appeared at the ninth . But notwithstanding his Lordship had no fewer than six children , and his bishopric was always accounted a poor one , yet his revenues from the
church could not be deemed scanty , nor his fortune contemptible . By the death of Mr . Luther , * in 1786 , he had also obtained a legacy of 20 , 000 / . Immediately after this , he determined to make an acquisition to that amount in his native county- He accordingly
* This gentleman was not only indebted to the Bishop for the care taken of his education and morals , hut also for his friendly and spirited intervention on a singular occasion . Mr . L . was Addicted to play , aud having fallen into the hands of sharpers in France , was actually rescued from their fang's by Dr . Watson , who repaired to the Continent on purpose .
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purchased Calgarth Park , in Westmoreland , and erected a house , delightfully situate , in the immediate vicinity of the lakes . Here he considered
himself as a country gentleman , and dedicated much of his time to agricultural pursuits . For many years Mr . Cur wen , M . P . for Carlisle , was either the associate of his labours or
the occasional companion of his retirement ; Under his auspices , and at his own expense , the neighbouring mountains , up to their very summits , were clothed with wood of all descriptions , particularly the larch . Of
this favourite tree he planted many millions , and obtained on that account not only the applause of all men interested in the improvements of their native country , but the gold medal of the Society of Arts , Manufactures , &c . His leisure moments were also
occupied at intervals , with literary pursuits , and he is said to have been busily employed for many years past in writing an " History of his Own Times . " The good Bishop , who ha'd now attained almost a patriarchal age ^ began of late years to stoop , and
exhibit symptoms of decay , A fit or two of apoplexy , warned both himself and family of his impending fate ; and he at length uttered his last sigh at Calgarth Park , in the county of Westmoreland , amidst the woods he had planted , and the hills where he was born , on July 5 th , 1816 .
Thus died Richard Watson , Bishop of JLlandaff , in the 79 th year of his age . As a divine , he must be allowed to have been orthodox ; for although a friend to reform , he broached no new tenets , but was a vigorous , able * and zealous supporter of the
established church . In his person , he was tall , stout , muscular and dignified . Asa bishop , he was always the patron of unfriended merit , and added dignity to the bench by his learning , hut intelligence , his ability and his independence . As an orator , his action
was graceful , his voice harmonious , and his delivery both chaste and correct . As a writer , he displayed a great knowledge of composition ; hi * style was neat , and even elegant , while his diction was pure and argu * mentative . But it is as a controversial writer that he is entitled to great , deserved and undiminished praise *
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Sf 6 Memoir of the late Right Rev . Dr . Richard Watson .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), June 2, 1817, page 326, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2465/page/6/
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