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Gentleman's Magazine 1816 part 2 p.278
[Bur]net's celebrated work; that he completed it about six
months ago, and left directions for its publication after
his decease. Such a performance from so eminent a character
will, of course, be expected with no ordinary anxiety by the
political as well as the literary world. ...
... In his private deportment, though somewhat reserved, he
was remarkable for the simplicity of his manners, and the
equality of his temper; enjoying all the emoluments of his
stations, and the fame arising from his writings, in rural
retirement at Calgarth Park, Westmorland, a beautiful
sequestered situation on the celebrated Lakes, a retreat
which he had not only adorned and improved, but in some
measure created, and where his Lordship passed much of his
time in the indulgence of those deep studies to which his
whole life was addicted. His Plantations here were very
extensive, and in 1789 gained him a premium from the Society
for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce.
...
Obituary, Joseph
Huddart
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And an obituary
JOSEPH HUDDART, ESQ. F.R.S. (see p.190)
This venerable gentleman, whose distinguished services as a
Geographer, and unwearied attention to the different
departments of science which he embraced, fully entitled him
to the gratitude of his Country, was born at Allenby, a
village in Cumberland, 11th Jan. 17401, O.S at which place
his father followed the profession of a shoemaker. He was an
only child; and, at a proper age, was placed under the
tuition of the Rev. Mr. Wilson, then clergyman of the parish
of Allenby, who was an excellent classical scholar, but did
not possess any knowledge of mathematicks, to which study
the mind of his pupil seemed most to bend. His father
intended him for the Church; but a strong prediliction for a
sea-life, 'a life of danger and of honour,' caused a rooted
aversion to theological pursuits; and he, shortly after
leaving school, had his wishes gratified by the following
circumstance: About the year 1756-7, great shoals of
herrings came into the Firth of Forth; and Allenby being a
fishing-town, the elder Mr. Huddart, in conjunction with
some respectable neighbours, built conveniences for the
purpose of curing them. Young Huddart, of course, was
employed in the fishery in small vessels, thereby laying the
foundation, by practical knowledge, of the conspicuous
talents which a few years soon developed. His father dying
in 1762, he became concerned in the profits of the fishery,
when he took the command of a small brig employed in
carrying cargoes of their commodity to different ports,
principally to Ireland, for the West-India markets. His time
not being fully taken up with these trips, his active mind
would not permit him to be idle; and, having a strong
mechanical turn, he devoted his leisure opportunities to the
study of ship-building and astronomy: in the latter pursuit,
he derived great advantage from the assistance of the son of
the Rev. Mr. Wilson, who had attended the University of
Glasgow, and was a very ingenious young man. Mr. Huddart,
however, was not long destined to remain employed in the
mere conveyance of fish; for, in 1763-4, the shoals wholly
left the Firth, and fell into Chester. Similar conveniences,
by the same company, were erected at Park-gate; but the
quantity fell so far short of his expectations, that he took
the command of a brig belonging to a relation, intending, as
soon as a vessel which then occupied the slips was
completed, immediately to build one himself. It may appear
surprising, that, with no farther instruction than his own
genius elicited, this task he accomplished in the course of
the year 1768, and moulded every timber about her with his
own hands. In this vessel he continued till 1773; and his
navigation having been principally confined to St. George's
Channel, every leisure moment was devoted to the survey of
different ports and roadsteds; and having claimed the
attention of nautical men, by the accuracy of the
delineation of some few charts, which were published, he was
strongly solicited by Sir Richard Hotham to enter into the
India Company's service. He accordingly, in the season
1773-4, proceeded to India as
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