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grasp of the whole subject scarcely inferior to his own, knew all the important authorities, and could suggest inquiries likely to lead to very valuable results.

'No wonder that his advice was much appreciated in matters relating to historical publications. By the late Master of the Rolls, Lord Romilly, I know that it was greatly esteemed; and the late Deputy Keeper of the Public Records, Sir Thomas Hardy, used to consult him almost daily on matters relating to the publication of the Chronicles and Calendars printed by authority of the Government. In the same way his advice was sought by the deputies of the Clarendon Press at Oxford in their scheme for printing editions of the English classics; and the scheme as it stands, I believe, was drawn up almost entirely by him. I may add that in all these services he was not only thoroughly disinterested, but to a great extent selfsacrificing. Whether consulted by public bodies or by private individuals in matters relating to literature and education, he never, I think, received the slightest remuneration for all the good advice that he so freely imparted, but, on the contrary, put himself at times to not a little expense, and sacrificed much valuable time, for the establishment of what he conceived to be sound principles of action.'

Such was Mr. Brewer's work in London for some forty years. He had received no adequate recognition of his labours-indeed, nothing that could be called recognition-in money or position in the Church. He was a man of the most independent character, with few wants, utterly unworldly in spirit,

and had been content to remain in comparative retirement. For his indefatigable and generous work at the Record Office he was paid only 400l. a year; and the remuneration for his duties at King's College and as Preacher at the Rolls was even more modest. At length, in the year 1877, he was offered the Crown living of Toppesfield, in Essex. It is a valuable preferment, being estimated to be worth nearly 1,000l. a year. But the parish is a purely agricultural one, situated in a bleak part of Essex, and difficult of access. Mr. Brewer was then sixty-seven years of age, and had lived in London ever since he left Oxford, more than forty years previously. The offer was kindly meant, and Mr. Brewer accepted it with gratification. But the result of such an inappropriate appointment was only too natural. Mr. Brewer threw himself with his characteristic energy into his new duties. He loved nature, he was particularly fond of gardening, and he had many points of sympathy with country life. His very complexion had more the air of a countryman than of a student, and there was something in his appearance that answered to the freshness of his mind. In this respect he was one of those who never become old. He entered with interest into the occupations of his parishioners; and at his funeral one of his churchwardens, who was a farmer, was recalling with pleasure a recent conversation with him on the merits of blackfaced sheep. He liked the simple ways of country people, and soon established a thoroughly friendly understanding with them. The manuscript sermons he has left behind bear striking testimony to the pains

he took to accommodate himself to their thoughts, and to bring home to them the truths he preached. But the duties of a country parson in a bleak parish are a severe strain upon a man of sixty-seven, then undertaking them, for the first time, at the close of a laborious life. His old love for visiting the poor and infirm revived, and he overtaxed a constitution which required rest and quiet. One day in the depth of winter, in February of 1879, Mr. Brewer had to take a long walk to visit a sick man. On his return he complained of cold; he took to his bed; the illness affected his heart, and in three days he died. At his funeral, the demonstrations of respect and sorrow by his parishioners of all ranks proved that in the course of a few months he had won the hearts of the people of this Essex village. But it was a grievous waste of precious energies to impose such work upon him; and it is lamentable to think of his capacities being thus misdirected at the moment of their highest maturity, and of their being lost to the world before their work was accomplished. It is sad, too, to reflect that he had no time to enjoy such advantages as his preferment might in time have brought to him. The expenses of entering upon it were very great, and he died too soon to repay himself. He was just beginning to feel at home in his new sphere; he had resigned his Professorship at King's College, and had reduced his attendance at the Record Office; and he might have looked forward to some comparative rest. Not that he could have ceased working. He had undertaken, for in

stance, in addition to his historical work on Henry VIII.'s reign, to edit a reprint of Hume's History for Mr. Murray, and he did finish a revision of an abridgment of Hume, for the same publisher. He might, however, have welcomed leisure for pursuing the studies most congenial to him, and for indulging his favourite tastes. But this was denied him; and though he passed away in calmness and resignation, it is impossible for his friends not to lament that such a career never received in this world its natural close or its fitting reward.

He has left, however, monuments of his genius and labour which will hold a permanent place among the historical productions of our generation, as well as compositions which, like the essays in this volume, will always retain a high literary value. He possesses, moreover, a living memorial in the hearts and thoughts of a long succession of pupils, who were animated and guided by his teaching, and who will do their best to transmit its wisdom to others. Among them are to be reckoned not a few of the distinguished men of the present day; but many more who are less distinguished can never forget their gratitude to him, and will help to carry on his work to another generation. He was the unobtrusive and unselfish centre of a circle of generous thought and of Christian energy; and his memory will long be cherished with affectionate and grateful respect.

March 1881.

HENRY WACE.

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A list of Mr. Brewer's publications recorded in the catalogue of the Library of the British Museum.

1. Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, with English notes, 8vo. 1836. 2. The Court of King James I., by C. Goodman, Bishop of Gloucester, no w first published, 8vo.1839.

3. Fuller's Church History; new edition, 8vo. 1845.

4. The History of Popish Transubstantiation, by J. Cosin, Bishop of Durham; a new edition, revised, with a memoir of the author, 12mo. 1850.

5. Bacon's Novum Organum; with introduction and notes, 1856.

6. An Elementary Atlas of History and Geography; new edition, 1871. 7. What is Establishment? or Letters on the Church in Ireland; with a

preface, 8vo. 1868.

8. The Endowments and Establishment of the Church of England, 1873. 9. The Athanasian Creed vindicated, 1871.

10. The Athanasian origin of the Athanasian Creed, 1872.

11. The Student's Hume; new edition, 1880.

12. Record Office Publications.

1. Letters and Papers of the reign of Henry VIII.; several vols. 2. Report to the Master of the Rolls upon the Carte and Carew

Papers.

3. Calendar of the Carew MSS.; by Mr. Brewer and Mr. Bullen. 4. Fr. Rogeri Bacon, opera quædam hactenus inedita.

5. Giraldi Cambrensis opera.

6. Monumenta Franciscana,
7. Registrum Malmburiense.

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