land, and settled at Birmingham. Here he went through the common course of grammatical instruction, and was afterwards sent to the academy, at Daventry, which was then under the superintendance of Dr. Caleb Ashworth, who had been appointed tutor on the decease of that eminent divine, Dr. Philip Doddridge. He pursued his studies in this seminary with commendable diligence, and after haring finished his academical and classical education under the care of that excellent instructor, was put under the tuition of Dr. Benson. This gentleman, whose abilities as a sacred critic are generally acknowledged to be very extensive, was in the habit of receiving a few young gentlemen, who had passed through the usual course of education at the schools or in the universities, for the purpose of implanting in them a more critical acquaintance with the sacred writings. It was with this intent that young Alexander was put under his care; and so delighted was that amiable man with his pupil's literary acquirements, with his constant and eager desire for improvement, and the prudence and modesty of his personal behaviour, that he gave him his board, and introduced him, with paternal affection, to all his particular acquaintance, expressing the highest regard for him on every occasion.
During his residence in London, Mr. Alexander omitted no opportunity of adding to his stock of knowledge; and, on quitting the metropolis, he retired to Birmingham, where he resided for some time with his mother. He now preached occasionally at that place and in its neighbourbood; and afterwards with more regularity at Longdor, a small village about twelve miles distant. On Saturday, Dec. 28, 1765, he retired to rest, as usual, between eleven and twelve o'clock, with the intention of officiating the next day at Longdor, but, at six on the following morning, he was found dead in his bed; an event which was sincerely deplored by his friends, as both a private and public loss.
