of these, called Newbottle (from a village of that name near Edinburgh, once belonging to his family, but now in the possession of the Marquis of Lothian), he usually resided. The house stood upon a rising ground, with a gradual descent to York river, which was there at least two miles over: and here he enjoyed within himself every comfort and convenience that a man of moderate wishes could desire; living without the burthen of taxes, and possessing, under the powerful protection of this kingdom, peace, plenty, and security. The Bishop had a singular picture, which, though not in the best style of colouring, was yet thought valuable by Sir Joshua Reynolds, as a specimen of the extent which the art of painting had reached at that time in America: and he himself very highly prized it, as exhibiting a faithful and interesting

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interesting representation of his father's

residence..

His mother's name was Jennings. She was said to be distantly related to Sarah Jennings, the wife of John, Duke of Marlborough and two of her ancestors, Sir Edmund and Sir Jonathan Jennings, lived at Ripon in Yorkshire, for which place, it appears, they were both representatives in Parliament in the reign of James the Second. Her father, Colonel Jennings, was Sir Edmund's son, and the first of the family who settled in Virginia, where he was Superintendent of Indian affairs for that province; became afterwards one of the Supreme Council; and for some time acted as Deputy Governor of the Colony.

The principal reason which induced the Bishop's father to quit a situation so perfectly independent and comfortable,

as

as that he had in America, was the desire of procuring for his children better instruction than he could there obtain. His health besides had been much impaired by the climate; and these causes combined, determined him at length to leave the country, and remove to England, which he accordingly did in 1720, and fixed himself in the city of York.

In one respect, however, and that an important one, this change in his situation was attended with considerable inconvenience; for, whilst his expenses every year increased, his revenue diminished almost in the same proportion; and either by the negligence or dishonesty of his agents, he received little more than a fourth part of what ought to have been his real income. But still, even with such contracted means, he accomplished the object nearest to his heart, that of giving

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giving his children an excellent educa tion; and certainly, in the instance at least of the subject of these memoirs, his kindness was repaid beyond his most sanguine expectations.

After having been for several years at a small school at York, Mr. Porteus, then at the age of thirteen, was placed at Ripon, under the care of Mr. Hyde, an upright, sensible, judicious man, of whose attention he ever entertained a grateful remembrance; and from him, at an earlier age than is now usually the case, he was sent to Cambridge, where, by the recommendation and under the immediate superintendence of his elder brother, Mr. Robert Porteus*, he was admitted

a sizer

* This excellent man had the living of Cockayne Hatley, near Potton, in Bedforshire; and I cannot mention, his name, without offering in this place a tribute of affectionate respect to his memory. With

a sizer at Christ's College, of which Dr. Rooke was at that time master, and the only person whom he then knew in the University.

His attention, whilst he continued under-graduate, was directed chiefly to mathematical studies; and in these, he gave the best proof of industry and ability, by the situation he obtained of tenth wrangler amongst the honorary degrees of his year. After having taken his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1752, he became a candidate for one of the gold medals, instituted not long before by

His

very considerable literary attainments, he combined the greatest gentleness and simplicity of manners. Exemplary in all his domestic duties, he was beloved by his family: indefatigable in the labours of his sacred office, he was revered by his parish.-No one ever more uniformly maintained the Christian character; and by those who knew his many virtues, he was most sincerely regretted. He died in the prime of life, and is buried in Hatley church.