"The full amount of such a loss, at such a conjuncture, and under all the various circumstances and considerations of the case, I dare not attempt to estimate. My Learned Friend (Sir S. Romilly) has well observed, that, if the present loss be great, the future is greater: for, by dispensations far above the reach of human scrutiny, he has been taken from us at a period when he was only in his progress towards those high stations in the state, in which, so far as human foresight could discern, his merits must have placed him, and which would have given to his country the full and ripened benefits of his rare and admirable qualities."
Mr C. Grant "had known his lamented friend before he had distinguished himself so much as he had subsequently done, and could not be silent when such an opportunity occurred of paying a tribute to his memory. Whatever difference of opinion they might have on public questions, he could suspend that difference to admire his talents, his worth, and his virtues. It was not his talents alone that were developed in his eloquence. His eloquence displayed his heart: through it were seen his high-minded probity, his philanthropy, his benevolence, and all those qualities which not only exacted applause, but excited love. It was the mind that appeared in speeches that gave them character. He would not enter into the account of his private life, although his private virtues were at least on a level with his public merits. Amid all the cares and interests of public life, he never lost his relish for domestic society, or his attachment to his family. The last time that he (Mr G.) conversed with him, he was anticipating with pleasure the arrival of a season of leisure, when he could spend a short time in the bosom of his family, and amid the endearments of his friends. When he looked at his public or private conduct, his virtues, or his talents, he would be allowed to have earned applause to which few other men ever entitled themselves."
Lord Lascelles "hoped to be excused for adding a few words to what had been said, though he had not the honour of a private acquaintance with Mr Horner, whom he knew only in this House, where they had almost uniformly voted on opposite sides on every great question. Notwithstanding these differences, he had often said in private, that Mr Horner was one of the greatest ornaments of his country; and he would now say in public, that the country could not have suffered a greater loss. The forms of Parliament allowed no means of expressing the collective opinion of the House on the honour due to his memory; but it must be consolatory to his friends to see, that if it had been possible to have come to such a vote, it would certainly have been unanimous."
The subject of this well-merited praise, and of all these sincere but ineffectual regrets, was born at Edinburgh, on the 16th of August 1778. In the month of October, 1786, he entered the high school of that city; and having remained at this seminary for six years, during the four first of which he was the pupil of Mr Nicol, and the two last of the celebrated Dr Adam, he passed on to the university in October 1792. In November 1795, he was placed under the care of the Rev. Mr Hewlett in London, with whom he lived, and who superintended his education for a period of two years. He then returned to Edinburgh, and applied himself to the study of the law, and passed advocate in the year 1800. Soon after, he took up his residence in London, with the view of preparing himself for the English bar. In 1806, he was appointed by the East India Company one of the commissioners for the liquidation of the debts of the Nabob of Arcot; but resigned this laborious situation in little more than two years, finding that the duties which it imposed on him were incompatible with the application due to his professional pursuits. In October 1806, he was returned Member of Parliament for St Ives. The following year, he was elected Member for Wendover, and was called to the English bar. In 1813, he was chosen to represent the borough of St Mawes in the present parliament.
The disease which proved fatal to Mr Horner was an induration and contraction of the lungs; a malady, the existence of which is not marked by any decided symptom, and which is wholly beyond the reach of medical aid. He died at Pisa on the 8th of February 1817, aged thirty-eight years and six months, and was interred in the Protestant burying-ground at Leghorn.
