Page:A biographical dictionary of eminent Scotsmen, vol 2.djvu/302

16 fold grievances, and declares, that, since she had refused all his more reasonable overtures, he was now determined to carry on the war after an extraordinary manner, "by shooting of great numbers of bullets from his camp; namely, by earnest prayers to heaven, day and night, that her mind may be enlightened and her heart softened." This, and all his other absurdities, had their rise in the desire to increase his own importance and wealth, by which he expected to render himself more powerful and effective in the execution of his imaginary mission for the reformation of the manners of the age. In 1754, he was employed as corrector of the press, by Mr Woodfall, the well-known publisher of Junius' Letters; and, although his labours seldom terminated before one in the morning, yet he would be found again out of bed by six o'clock, busily employed turning over the leaves of his Bible, and with the most scrupulous care amending and improving his Concordance, preparatory to a new edition. In this drudgery he would patiently work until the evening, when he repaired to the printing office.

The benevolence which animated Cruden's exertions for the benefit of his fellow-creatures was most disinterested and unwearied; and as far as his advice or money went, he aided all who were miserable or in distress. In the year 1762, he was the means of saving the life of a poor sailor condemned for forgery: having been present at the trial, he became persuaded that the accused had been the dupe of one more designing than himself, and, as he afterward found him to be simple, and even ignorant of the nature of the crime for which he was condemned to suffer; he importuned government so unceasingly, that at last he succeeded in getting the punishment commuted into banishment. On another occasion he rescued a wretched female from the streets, and received her into his house; and, having instructed her in her duties, she remained in his service until his death. Next to the desire of doing good, loyalty seems to have been the most prominent feature in Cruden's character. In the political struggle between Mr Wilkes and the administration he wrote a pamphlet against the Rabble's Patriot, and went about with a spunge and rubbed from the doors and walls of the metropolis the popular "No. 45,"

In the year 1769, Cruden once more visited the scenes of his youth, where he was received with considerable respect, and was allowed the use of one of the public halls to deliver a lecture on the necessity of a reformation of manners, and of keeping holy the Sabbath day. Having remained about a year in Aberdeen, he returned to London, and soon after, having complained for a few days previous, he was found dead in his closet, in the pious attitude of prayer. He died at his lodgings in Camden Street, Islington, 1st of November, 1770, in the 71st year of his age. Never having been married, he left his moderate savings among his relations, with the exception of £100, which he bequeathed to endow a bursary in Marischal college, Aberdeen, and some other trifling legacies for charitable purposes in the metropolis. Cruden was remarkable for the courteous affability of his manners, his active benevolence, and his pious devotion. His published works are "The history of Richard Potter," 8vo. being that of the poor Sailor whose life he saved. "The history and excellency of the Scriptures prefixed to the compendium of the Holy Bible, Aberdeen, 2 vols, 24mo. "An index to bishop Newtows edition of Milton's Works;" an elaborate work only inferior to the Concordance. "A Scripture-Dictionary," which was published in Aberdeen soon after his death. Various pamphlets, particularly those wherein he gives a detailed account of "His adventures." These display some humour and much single-hearted insanity. But his great work was his "Concordance of the Old and New Testaments." This is a work of the most extraordinary labour, and although it was not the first