HORSLEY, SAMUEL, was born in London 1733, his father being curate of St. Martins-in-the Fields. From Westminster school he entered Trinity Hall, Cambridge. He took orders in 1759, was, in 1767, elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, and in 1768 he obtained the degree of LL.D. during his residence in Christchurch, Ox ford. His earliest attention was given to mathe matical science, and he edited the works of Sir Isaac Newton. He first held the living of New ington-Butts in Surrey ; then, in succession, those of Aldbury, Thorley, and South Weald in Kent. He became archdeacon of St. Albans in 178r ; in 1788 bishop of St. David's ; was translated to the see of Rochester r793, and to that of St. Asaph in 1802. He died at Brig,hton 4th Oct. 1306. Bishop Horsley's contributions to Biblical literature are of no mean order. His volumes of charges, sermons, and tracts bear directly on Bibli cal topics. The Charges' in defence of Trini tarian doctrine are masterly and skilful, though often defiant in tone and impetuous in assault. The sermons are, in thought and style, among the best in the language. The volumes on Biblical
criticism, ranging over many of the books of the O. T., contain many ingenious and many unsound notes, and abound with textual conjectures and emendations, unwarranted either by evidence or demanded by any necessities of exegesis. The Book of the Psalms, translated from the Hcbrew, with Notes, is of a higher order, though it is not a thorough and sustained commentary. IIis Hosea is more elaborate and erudite, and still repays perusal, for it was the product of anxious thought and labour. Bishop Horsley's learning was neither very minute nor profound, but his reasonings are always powerful and trenchant, and now and then haughty and scornful. He throws down difficul ties, tears up objections, and an•ays argtunents with a wonderful force and directness. In his latest charge he avowed his belief in the Calvinism of the articles of the Church of England, and he was the last of her great polemical giants.—J. E.