(Dr Benjamin) was a man of such eminence in the learned world, that every thing relating to him must be generally interesting. In the biographical sketch of him published in the Encyclopaedia, we have acknowledged ourselves unacquainted with the rank and character of his parents; but this information has been since supplied by a very candid and well-informed writer in the Monthly Magazine; and as it is accompanied with circumstances peculiarly honourable to the Doctor, and ought therefore to be preserved, we shall insert it in this place.

"The parents of Dr Kennicott (says this writer) were honest characters: His father was the parish clerk of Totnes, and once master of a charity school in that town. At an early age young Kennicott succeeded to the same employ in the school, being recommended to it by his remarkable sobriety and premature knowledge. It was in that situation he wrote the verses to the honourable Mrs Courtney, which recommended him to her notice, and that of many neighbouring gentlemen. They, with a laudable generosity, opened a subscription to send him to Oxford.

"He soon there distinguished himself, as is well known. As a testimony of the truth of the above statement, the following is a copy of an inscription written by Dr Kennicott, and engraved on the tomb of his father and mother. The writer of this article has transcribed it from the original in the church-yard of Totnes. The tomb is more elegant than persons in their situation are accustomed to have erected, and was thought, perhaps, by the envious to be somewhat ostentatious. A personal knowledge of the Doctor induces the writer of this article to think, that it was rather the tribute of a good and grateful mind, and of the pious reverence and love which he entertained for the authors of his being.

As Virtue should be of good report, Sacred be this humble Monument to the Memory of Benjamin Kennicott, Parish Clerk of Totnes; and Elizabeth his Wife: The latter an Example of every Christian Duty; The former, animated with the warmest Zeal, regulated by the best good sense, and both constantly exerted for the Salvation of himself and others. Reader! Soon shalt thou die also; and as a Candidate for Immortality strike thy breast and say, Let me live the life of the Righteous, that my last end may be like his. Trifling are the dates of Time where the subject is Eternity. Erected by their Son, B. Kennicott, D.D. Canon of Christ-Church, Oxford.

"It is said, that when Dr Kennicott had taken orders, he came to officiate in his clerical capacity in his native..." When his father as clerk proceeded to place the surplice on his shoulders, a struggle ensued between the modesty of the son and the honest pride of the parent, who insisted on paying that respect to his son which he had been accustomed to show to other clergymen; to this filial obedience was obliged to submit. A circumstance is added, that his mother had often declared she should never be able to support the joy of hearing her son preach; and that on her attendance at the church for the first time, she was so overcome as to be taken out in a state of temporary insensibility.