Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/104

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100 DIXON. engraving of “Garrick, in the character of Richard III.;” but shortly afterwards marrying a lady of rank, he bade adieu to the arts for ever. There are several fine portraits engraved by him after Sir Joshua Reynolds and other masters. The time of his decease we are unacquainted with. WILLIAM DIXON, Bishop of Downe and Connor, was a rare union of true piety and every amiable quality that could adorn the man and the christian. He was born in the diocese of which he was bishop, in February 1745. He passed through a l l his academic exercises with great credit, and was a n elegant scholar. The friendship between Mr. Fox and the Bishop o f Downe commenced with their studies a t Eton, and lasted t o the close o f the prelate's life. He was like wise a cotemporary there with Lord Robert Spencer, Mr. Stone, and others. But i t was owing t o his indissoluble connexion between the great statesman already mentioned, that h e owed his promotion t o the prelacy o f Downe and Connor, h e being the only bishop made under his admi nistration. I n June 1773, h e married Miss Henrietta Symes, daughter o f the Rev. Jeremiah Symes; a lady every way deserving, from her sweetness o f temper and elegance o f manners, o f the blessing o f such a mate. He was preferred t o the bishoprick o f Downe and Connor i n December 1783, and died, after a long and tedious illness, which h e endured with patience and piety, a t the house o f Mr. Fox, i n Arlington Street, o n the 19th o f September, 1804, i n the fifty-ninth year o f his age, and was buried i n the church-yard belonging t o St. James's parish, i n the New Road. I t would b e almost impossible t o conceive any man t o b e more what i s generally understood b y the word amiable than the late Bishop o f Downe was; and i f his natural modesty had not i n a great degree kept his mind from expanding