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 THEIE AUTHOKS AND ORIGIN. 265

years ceased to be. In the year 1778 the minority of that church, who had become favourable to Arian principles, obtained a re newal of the chapel lease in their own favour. In consequence of this, the majority withdrew and erected what is known as the old Independent Chapel. Mr. Greene belonged to this seceding majority. He contributed 100 to the new edifice ; and he was for many years a member of the seceding Church, and contributed liberally towards meeting the expenses of public worship. Corre spondence with the present minister and with the friends and rela tives of Mr. Greene has not elicited more precise information than this. His poems include a large number of pleasing pious pieces on moral and religious subjects. The versification is good, but they do not possess sufficient merit to preserve them from the oblivion of mediocrity.

EDMUND BUTCHEE.

17571822.

THE Rev. Edmund Butcher was born in 1757, at Colchester, Essex. His family came from Peering, in the same county, of which place his ancestor, John Butcher, was rector in the previous century. Edmund s father, a carpenter and builder, w-as unable to afford him educational advantages. But Dr. Stanton, a dis senting minister at Colchester, gave him some instruction of which he made good use, and early gave proofs of the possession of talent.

When a little more than fourteen years of age, he was apprenticed to a linendraper in London. While in the metro polis he devoted his leisure hours to literary pursuits, and con tributed to some periodicals, giving his early gains to his parents and only sister, who needed his help. In London also he found a friend in the Kev. Mr. Worthington, whose ministry he attended at Salters Hall. Mr. Worthington encouraged him to enter the ministry, and assisted in preparing him for a college course. To study for the ministry he entered the Daventry Academy. This

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