Gentleman's Magazine Images
John Howard Obituary, Feb. 1790
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Transcription of the Report Obituary (Page 279)
in his carriage till a magistrate could be applied to, his property was brought in, first in a hat box and next a trunk; which had been found half buried in the road by the side of fields where some men were ploughing, one of whom, startled at seeing the nails of the trunk shine just out of the ground, was afraid to touch it without his companion. When it was opened by Mr. H. every article both of linen and money was found instatu quo: but suspicions fell to strong on the recruits, at having concealed it till an opportunity offered for them to carry it off and share the spoils, that the magistrate consigned seven of them to Siberia.
The account given of his death in the London Gazette of the 23 instant is as follows, and is perhaps the first instance of the death of a private individual being so announced : Warsaw, March 6. Yesterday arrived in this city a person from Cherson, who brings an account of the death of Mr. Howard, so well known from his travels, and plans of reform of the different prisons and hospitals in Europe. This gentleman fell a victim to his humanity; for, having visited a young lady at Cherson, sick of an epidemic fever. For the purpose of administering some medical assistance, he caught the distemper himself, and was carried off in twelve days. Prince Potemkin, on hearing of his illness, sent his physician to his relieve from Jaffy.
Unfortunately no portrait of Mr. H. had been taken in any period of his life: and when it was intended to pay him the compliment of a statue, it was too late to overcome his repugnance. Not a single attempt to catch or express his likeness has succeeded. To those who were acquainted with both gentlemen, the portrait prefixed to the edition of Mr Grays poems will present a profile of Mr. Howard; and some idea may be formed from Mr. Wilkinsons print called The Triumph of Benevolence. See his character, drawn by the animated pen of our friend Mr. THICKNESE, vol. LV1 P.485. Mr. Hayley inscribed to him a beautiful Ode in 1780; see vol.L p.483.
Let not the name of Howard expire with his breath, nor let the silence of veneration persuade us to forget his deeds. He will ,however, yet live in the remembrance of those who have been rescued, by his exertions, from the gloomy horrors of confinement, which might otherwise have been unlimited; alleviated in the baneful pangs of disease, which might have been irremediable, and comforted in the still more agonising reproaches of conscious guilt, which would inevitably have terminated their destruction.
The public will impatiently expect a correct life of him; and, we have authority to say, his friends and relatives will take the earliest opportunity of gratifying them. In the mean time, we flatter ourselves, these memoirs, hastily compiled on the spur of the occasion will not be unacceptable, while many a mushroom life of Mr. H. will spring up around us.
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