Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/44

 40 COX. plexy, which terminated in a palsy, under which he lan guished till the 3d of May, when he expired without pain, at the advanced age of eighty-three years, one month, and some days. His person was tall and well-proportioned, his features regular, his complexion fair, his countenance pleasant, his eyes full and lively, and his manners easy and genteel; in short, says Harris, he was a very handsome man, with an engaging aspect. As a judge, he was patient, upright, and compassionate; yet he is said to have been better adapted to preside in the chancery, than in the courts of common law. Indeed, he was always averse to the abuses which had arisen in the laws, from the ignorance and corruption of those who professed them, and seemed constantly to aim at reducing them to their original standard, reason. His charges on his circuits to the grand juries are represented as master pieces of eloquence, argument, and attention to the com mon weal; those which he addressed to the grand jury of King's County in 1698, and to that of Londonderry in 1700, still remain, having been printed at their special request. As a chancellor, his decrees were much respected, and were seldom set aside. In the great cause between Lady Kingsland and Mr. Barnwall, he gave judgment f o r the defendant; and though the appeal was backed i n the house o f lords b y the whole weight o f ministerial power and family connexions, his decree was confirmed in the fullest house ever known on such an occasion. His abilities a s a n author cannot be doubted; his con ceptions were just and quick; had they been less so, his style would probably have been improved. His education too, was not o f that liberal nature t o qualify him t o shine i n his productions, otherwise than b y the sound sense which they exhibit. His memory was exceedingly happy, retaining every thing which h e read. His studies were principally devoted t o history and divinity, i n which latter h e was s o deeply read, that many conceived h e designed entering into holy orders.