170 OUR HYMNS :
North was one of his pupils. The poet took orders as a clergy man, but his delicate health prevented him from undertaking parochial duties. Bishop Lowth characterized him as one of the best of men, and most eminent of scholars. He was the author of " The Destruction of Troy, Translated from the Greek of Tryphiodorus into English Verse, with Notes, &c., 1742."
His poem, " The Chameleon," is well-known, and his " Song of Simeon" is justly admired.
" Eternal God! we look to Thee." No. 654.
This is somewhat altered from the original, and one verse is omitted. The line
" That fear, all fear beside " resembles, it has been observed, a line in Pwacine s " Athalie "
" Je crains Dieu, cher Abner, et n ai point cl autre crainte." "The festal morn, my God, is come." No. 757.
This is the first four stanzas of Merrick s rendering of Psalm 122
" I was glad when they said unto me, &c."
They are altered from the original, which consists of seven stanzas. Dr. Collyer so highly esteemed Merrick that he has put fifty-one of his Psalms and Hymns in his collection of 1812.
THOMAS GIBBONS, D.D. 17201785.
Y\ r iiEX the great lexicographer, Dr. Johnson, was writing his " Lives of the Poets," and was seeking for the necessary material for the life of " Dr. Watts," he was directed to one of his biogra phers, Dr. Gibbons, the subject of this sketch, one of the ablest Congregational ministers of his day ; and, Tory though he was, Dr. Johnson .felt that his heart was won by the talented sectary, whom he afterwards numbered amongst his friends.
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