FOSTER, REV. JOIIN, was the sou of it small farmer residing between Wainwright and liebden Bridge, Halifax, Yorkshire, where he was born September 17,1770. lie was, as a youth, pieced with a weaver; but haying in his seventeeuthyear joined the church of the Rev. Dr. Fawcett, baptist minister, of liebden Bridge, he quickly attracted the notice of that gentleman, and by his interest be was entered a student of the Baptist College, Bristol, in 1791.
Having completed his studies he became a preacher, and in 1797 accepted the charge of a congregation at Chichester, Sussex. There he remained for about two years and a half; be then continued till 1SO4 without any pastoral connection, his attention being much occupied with literature. In 1804 he became the minister of a chapel at Frome in Somersetshire, but a morbid state of the thyroid gland unfitted him for preaching with energy, and he resigned his office in 1806. lie now became regularly connected as contributor to the 'Eclectic Review,' in which his first article appeared in November 1806, and his last in July 1839. For eleven years be remained uncon nected with any church as minister, when his health being thoroughly established, be, in 1S17, accepted a charge at Downend, near Bristol. But his preaching being unacceptable to his congregation—by no means a literary one—he, after a trial of only a few mouths, relinquished active pastoral duties, and for the last eighteen or twenty years of his life resided at Stapleton, near Bristol, chiefly occupied in literary occupations, and preaching only occasionally. lie died at Stapleton, October 15, 1843.
Foster's reputation as an author is chiefly founded on his 'Essays,' which were first published in 1805, in the form of a series of letters, which, though intended for publication, were redly addressed to the lady who soon afterwards became his wife. The ' Essays' are on the following subjects :-1, ' On a Man's Writing Memoirs of Himself;' 2, ' On Decision of Character ; ' 3, ' On the Application of the epithet Romantic ;' 4, On some of the Causes by which Evangelical Religion has been rendered Unacceptable to Persons of Cultivated Taste.' The only other work which he published iu a separate form was ' An Essay on the Evils of Popular Ignorance,' which grew out of the topics of a discourse delivered at a public anniversary meeting in aid of the British and Foreign School Society, and which he afterwards expanded into a volume of moderate size. To the 'Eclectic Review' be contributed altogether 185 articles, of which fifty were selected and published in • separate form its 1844. Two volumes of lectures,
delivered at Broadmead in 1822, and edited from Foster's notes by his friend Mr. J. E. Ryland, have been published since Mr. Foster's death.
John Foster's writings occupy only a small space, but they are of great merit. The ' Essays' have gone through some twenty editions, and their popularity has certainly not diminished. Foster'e intellect is of a high order, clear, comprehensive, and of strong grasp. He displays an intimate knowledge of the various forms of human character, draws his remarks from a wide extent of personal observation as well as a large acquaintance with books, and is almost entirely free from party views or sectarian feelings. His thoughts are unborrowed, his morality high and pure, and his views, whether relating to public government or private conduct, are iudepeudent, lofty, and liberal. Ilia composition hi very elaborate, yet natural and graceful ; it bas no appearance of having been modelled on the style of any other writer, but always seems to flow with the unrestrained current of his thoughts, generally with a tendency towards expansion, yet oftcu concise, nervous, and impressive.
The ' Essay on the Evils of Popular Ignorance' consists of a series of arguments on the necessity of a comprehensive scheme of popular education. It is very powerfully written. To some of the editions Is annexed his sermon in defence of Christian missions, which is much admired.
Foster was eminently qualified for a reviewer as well as an essayist. Ilia stroug good sense, his wide range of knowledge from books and observation, his perfect independence of mind, thorough conscientious new', power of sarcasm as well as of eulogy, pure taste, and attractive style, all contributed to fit him for sitting in judgment on works of general literature.
In person Foster was rather above the middle size. Ilia counte nance was handsome and striking. His social character is described as having been very attractive. His range of topics in conversation was extensive, embracing not only such aubjeots as those treated of in his writing., but including the fine arta, of which be was an euthusi- , Indio admirer, and almost every department of ancient and modern literature.
(Gentleman's Magazine, January, 1844 ; Eclectic Review, February and May, 1844 ; Ryland, Life and Correspondence of John Foster.)