Anecdotes, observations, and characters, of books and men. Collected from the conversation of Mr. Pope, and other eminent persons of his time / By the Rev. Joseph Spence. Now first pubublished from the original papers, with notes, and a life of the author. By Samuel Weller Singer.

  • Spence, Joseph, 1699-1768.
Date:
1820
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Anecdotes, observations, and characters, of books and men. Collected from the conversation of Mr. Pope, and other eminent persons of his time / By the Rev. Joseph Spence. Now first pubublished from the original papers, with notes, and a life of the author. By Samuel Weller Singer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    picturesque gardening. It is most probable that his health was improved and his life prolonged by this happy alternation of activity in his favourite pursuit, and repose in his literary trifling. He seems to have intended the publication of an Essay on the subject of Gardening in all ages, to have been entitled “ Tempethe collections he left in manuscript on the subject, evince that it was his darling, though not his exclusive pursuit to the day of his death. Upon the translation of Dr. Trevor, Bishop of St. David’s, to the See of Durham, he intimated to Mr. Spence that he should have the first prebend in that see which fell to his gift, and his promise was realized in 1754. From this period Mr. Spence divided his time chiefly between Durham and Byfleet, contenting himself with very moderate enjoyments and gratifications; and seems to have used his fortune, which was now ample compared with his desires, as if he stood possessed of it as steward only for the service of mankind, and constantly applied a considerable portion of it to purposes of cha¬ rity. As he never resided upon his living of Great Hor- wood, he thought it part of his duty to make an annual visit to his parishioners, and gave away considerable sums of money to the distressed poor, placing out many of their children as apprentices, and doing other acts of be¬ neficence. Finkalo, or West Finchale Priory near Dur¬ ham, was part of Mr. Spence’s prebendal estate; this spot, which had been the scene of the miracles of St. Godric, who from an itinerant merchant turned hermit, and wore out three suits of iron, was a favourite retreat with him ; and he here again exercised his taste and skill in his much loved art. In his selection of objects for the exercise of his be¬ nevolent propensities it was natural for him to place indigent men of letters in the first rank.