Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/63

 DE COURCY. 59 illiberal prejudice against him; and rashly confounding the steady zeal, and uniform piety manifested in his con duct, with the warmth of enthusiasm, and the cant of hypocrisy, he was charged with the s i n o f methodism, and his presentation became the subject o f a satirical poem, entitled, “St. Alkmont's Ghost.” By his talents and course o f life, he soon overcame this unfavourable opinion o f his parishioners, and continued, during a period o f thirty years, t o b e attended b y a numerous congregation, that admired him a s a preacher, and esteemed him a s their pastor. Possessed o f that vivacity and humour, which i s the peculiar characteristic o f his country, added t o a fund o f knowledge acquired b y study and reflection, his conver sation was instructive o n every subject. I n the perform ance o f his duties a s a minister, h e was diligent and laborious, preaching twice, and for some time previous t o his death, three times every Sunday. As a n orator, h e was dignified and perspicuous. I n principle, h e was sin cerely attached t o the doctrines o f the church o f England, and h e defended them with great ability. He was naturally o f a strong constitution, but towards the close o f his life, his frame was s o weakened b y repeated attacks o f the rheumatic gout, a s t o oblige him frequently t o s i t i n his pulpit. The vicissitudes o f life h e bore with patience, and the losses incident t o human nature with resignation and fortitude; but the loss o f his youngest son, i n August 1803, while serving a s a midshipman under his kinsman, the Honourable Captain De Courcy, s o afflicted him, that a t the close o f his sermon o n the fast day, h e was s o affected, a s t o cause a n involuntary flow o f tears, and oblige him t o conclude his discourse. A slight cold taken the same day, brought o n a return o f his dis order, from which h e had nearly recovered, when a sudden attack i n the stomach rendered medical assistance of no avail. Having commended his soul into the hands o f his Redeemer, h e expired Nov. 4 , 1803. His remains were interred a t Shawbury; and the funeral procession was voluntarily joined b y a great number o f his parishioners,