(Abraham), Esq., a curious and original thinker, was a gentleman of affluent fortune, and author of "The Light of Nature purified," 9 vols 8vo; of which the five first volumes were published by himself in 1768, under the assumed name of "Edward Search, Esq."; and the four last after his death, in 1775, as "The posthumous Work of Abraham Tucker, Esq.; published from his manuscript as intended for the press by the author." Mr Tucker lived at Betchworth-castle, near Dorking, in Surrey; an estate which he purchased in the early part of his life. He married the daughter of Edward Barker, Esq., by whom he had two daughters; one of whom married Sir Henry St John, and died in his lifetime; the other survived, and now lives at Betchworth-castle. He lost his eyesight a few years before his death, which happened in 1775. To describe him as a neighbour, landlord, father, and magistrate, it would be necessary to mention the most amiable qualities in each. It is unnecessary to add, that he was very sincerely regretted by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance, and who stood connected with him in any of those relations.

(Josiah, D.D.), well known as a political and commercial writer, was born at Langhorne, in Caernarvonshire, in the year 1712. His father was a farmer, and having a small estate left him at or near Aberystwyth, in Cardiganshire, he removed thither; and perceiving that his son had a turn for learning, he sent him to Ruthin school, in Denbighshire, where he made so respectable a progress in the classics, that he obtained an exhibition at Jesus College, Oxford. It is generally understood that several of his journeys to and from Oxford were performed on foot, with a stick on his shoulder, and bundle at the end of it. Thus it might be said by him, as by Simondes, "Omnia una mensa porto."

At the age of 23 he entered into holy orders, and served a curacy for some time in Gloucestershire. About 1737 he became curate of St Stephen's church in Bristol, and was appointed minor canon in the cathedral of that city. Here he attracted the notice of Dr Joseph Butler, then Bishop of Bristol, and afterwards of Durham, who appointed Mr Tucker his domestic chaplain. By the interest of this prelate Mr Tucker obtained a probandial stall in the cathedral of Bristol; and on the death of Mr Cottoc, well known by his treatise on the Deluge, and a volume of excellent sermons, he became rector of St Stephen. The inhabitants of that parish consist chiefly of merchants and tradesmen; a circumstance which greatly aided his natural inclination for commercial and political studies.

When the famous bill was brought into the House of Commons for the naturalization of the Jews, Mr Tucker, considering the measure rather as a merchant or politician than as a Christian divine, wrote in defense of it with a degree of zeal which, to say no more, was at least indecent in a man of his profession. As such it was viewed by his brethren of the clergy, and by his parishioners; for, while the former attacked him in pamphlets, newspapers, and magazines, the latter burnt his effigy dressed in canons, together with the letters which he had written in defense of the naturalization.

In the year 1753 he published an able pamphlet on the "Turkey Trade;" in which he demonstrates the evils that result to trade in general from chartered companies. At this period Lord Clare (afterward Earl Nugent) was returned to Parliament for Bristol; which honour he obtained chiefly through the strenuous exertions of Mr Tucker, whose influence in his large and wealthy parish was almost decisive on such an occasion. In return for this favour, the Earl procured for him the deanery of Gloucester, in 1758, at which time he took his degree of doctor in divinity. So great was his reputation for commercial knowledge, that Dr Thomas Hayter, afterwards Bishop of London, who was then tutor to his present majesty, applied to Dr Tucker to draw up a dissertation on this subject for the perusal of his royal pupil. It was accordingly done, and gave great satisfaction. This work, under the title of "The Elements of Commerce," was printed in quarto, but never published.

Dr Warburton, who became Bishop of Gloucester in the year 1760, thinking very differently from Dr Tucker of the proper studies of a clergyman, as well as of the project for naturalizing the Jews, said once to a person who was praising the Elements of Commerce, that "his Dean's trade was religion, and religion his trade." This sarcasm, though not perhaps groundless, was certainly too severe; for some of the Dean's publications evince him to have devoted part of his time at least to the study of theology, and to have been a man of genuine benevolence.

In the year 1771, when a strong attempt was made to procure an abolition of subscription to the 39 articles, Dr Tucker came forward as an able and moderate advocate of the church of England. About this time he published "Directions for Travellers;" in which he lays down excellent rules, by which gentlemen who visit foreign countries may not only improve their own minds, but turn their observations to the benefit of their native country.

The Dean was an attentive observer of the American contest. He examined the affair with a very different eye from that of a party man, or an interested merchant; and he discovered, as he conceived, that both sides would be better off by an absolute separation. Mr Burke's language in the House of Commons, in consequence of his publishing this opinion, was harsh, if not illiberal. In his famous speech on the American taxation bill, April the 13th, 1774, he called the Dean of Gloucester the advocate of the court faction, though it is well known that the court disapproved of the proposal as much as the opposition. This attack roused the Dean to resentment; and he published a letter to Mr Burke; in which he not only vindicated the purity of his own principles, but retorts upon his adversary in very forcible and sarcastic terms. He afterwards supported Lord Nugent's interest in Bristol against that of Mr Burke, and was certainly very instrumental in making the latter lose his election.

When the terrors of an invasion were very prevalent in 1779, Dr Tucker circulated, in a variety of periodical publications, some of the most sensible observations that were ever made on the subject, in order to quiet the fears of the people. In 1781 he published, what he had printed long before, "A Treatise on Civil Government," in which his principal design is to counteract the doctrines of Locke and his followers. The book made a considerable noise, and was very sharply attacked by several writers on the democratic side of the question, particularly by Dr Towers and Dr Dunbar of Aberdeen. This last gentleman acted a part which, if not dishonourable, was at least uncommon. The Dean had thrown off thirty copies of his work long before he published it; and these he sent to different men of eminence, that he might avail himself of their animadversions before he should submit it to the public at large. Principal Campbell of Aberdeen received one copy for this purpose; and Dr Dunbar having by him been favoured with a perusal of it, instead of sending his objections privately to the author, published severe remarks on it in a work which he had then in the press. Thus was the answer to the Dean of Gloucester's Treatise on Government published before that treatise itself; but Dr Dunbar was no match for Dr Tucker.

In the year 1782 our author closed his political career with a pamphlet intitled "Cui Bono?" in which he balances the profit and loss of each of the belligerent powers, and recapitulates all his former positions on the subject of war and colonial possessions. His publications since that period consisted of some tracts on the commercial regulations of Ireland, on the exportation of woollens, and on the iron trade. In 1777 he published seventeen practical sermons, in one volume octavo. In the year 1778, one of his parishioners, Miss Pellicquin, a maiden lady of large fortune and most exemplary piety, bequeathed to the Dean her dwelling house in Queen Square, Bristol, with a very handsome legacy, as a testimony of her great esteem for his worth and talents. In the year 1781 the Dean married a lady of the name of Crowe, who resided at Gloucester.

It should be recorded to his praise, that though enjoying but very moderate preferment (for to a man of no paternal estate, or other ecclesiastical dignity, the Deanery of Gloucester is no very advantageous situation), he was notwithstanding a liberal benefactor to several public institutions, and a distinguished patron of merit. The celebrated John Henderson of Pembroke college, Oxford, was sent to the university, and supported there, at the Dean's expense, where he had no means whatever of gratifying his ardent desire for study. We shall mention another instance of generosity in this place, which reflects the greatest honour upon the Dean. About the year 1792 he thought of resigning his rectory in Bristol, and, without communicating his design to any other person, he applied to the Chancellor, in whose