part of his very moderate fortune was devoted to purchases, to him of the first necessity—to many collectors, of idle curiosity. His library was accessible to every scholar; and in any difficulty, his sagacity and experience were received and gratefully acknowledged by men themselves of profound erudition. . . . .
Since the year 1790, he had been zealously continuing those labours which in that year produced his edition of Shakspeare’s Plays and Poems. Had he lived to carry a second edition through the press, the world would have received a large accession to its knowledge of Shakspeare. From the careful habit which he had of entering every new acquisition in its proper place, and the accurate references which he made to the sources of his information, it is apprehended there will be little difficulty in carrying this design into effect. With such a stock of materials as perhaps no other man than Mr. Malone could have collected, the executor of his critical will can have no other than a delightful task.
Few men ever possessed greater command of temper; it characterized his virtues; they were all of the gentle yet steady kind. To form new friendships could hardly be expected from one who had survived the most distinguished ornaments of the world; but they left their principles to him as a legacy. . . . .His reputation as a critic will vindicate itself—as a man he needs no vindication.
As ready to communicate as to acquire information, he has left us in no doubt as to personal appearance. “I weighed at Hall Barn” (Mr. Wallers), he says, “Oct. 4th, 1791) eleven stones two pounds. Height five feet six inches and a half.” Again, in August, 1796, “weight as before.”
His face, I learn from surviving friends, was bland, quiet, and rather handsome; his manner no less agreeable and winning. The portrait by Sir Joshua in the possession of the Reverend Thomas R. Rooper of Brighton, is a good resemblance, doing him no more
